Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas is currently involved in search operations following an alert for a passenger overboard in the early morning hours of Friday, August 9, 2024. Multiple local vessels are assisting in the search in the Adriatic Sea, east of the Croatian island of Vis.
Explorer of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-nigh Adriatic itinerary roundtrip from Ravenna, Italy, including ports of call in Croatia and Greece. The overboard alert was broadcast at approximately 4 a.m., with the ship’s emergency personnel responding immediately and local authorities being notified.
The cruise ship immediately slowed and turned, launching rescue boats and using multiple searchlights as the search began. Guests onboard Explorer of the Seas have confirmed that announcements of a man overboard were made, and ships from multiple agencies have joined the search efforts.
While there is a great deal of speculation about the identity of the person overboard, there has been no confirmation of gender, age, or whether or not the individual is a passenger or a crew member from the ship.
Further details of how the incident occurred have also not been released, though an area on Deck 12 is reportedly roped off.
One local newspaper, Slobodna Dalmacija, has announced the guest as a “young citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” but this has not been confirmed by either local authorities or the cruise line.
Explorer of the Seas remains actively engaged in the search as of this writing, more than 12 hours after the first emergency code was called. Satellite tracking data confirms that the cruise ship has been criss-crossing the incident area multiple times, a typical sailing pattern for a search.
Woken up on the cruise ship around 3:40am to the emergency message “Oscar Oscar Oscar off the port side.” Man overboard. Been watching the rescue efforts off my balcony all day, hoping for a positive outcome. pic.twitter.com/NYWjBYVIl5
Also involved in the search are vessels from the Croatian Coast Guard, aircraft, and privately-owned local boats who have voluntarily joined the efforts. High winds and choppy seas are complicating the search efforts.
Explorer of the Seas was scheduled to visit Zadar, Croatia on Friday, August 9, 2024, but that visit was cancelled in light of the emergency. Zadar was to have been the ship’s final port of call on the itinerary, and the vessel is due to dock in Ravenna for debarkation on Saturday morning.
At this time, there is no notice of any change for Explorer of the Seas to return to her homeport, nor any alternations for her next sailing, a 7-night Greek Isles cruise with calls planned for Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens, as well as Split, Croatia.
The 138,194-gross-ton, Voyager class ship can host 3,286 guests at double occupancy or as many as 4,290 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are approximately 1,180 international crew members.
Other Recent Overboard Incidents
Unfortunately, overboard incidents do happen occasionally on cruise ships, though these situations are very, very rare compared to the many thousands of guests who happily set sail all over the world every day.
A full investigation will undoubtedly be undertaken to determine if there were any problems that might have helped avoid this incident.
Explorer of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Michelangelo DeSantis)
A number of overboards have been reported this year, including a passenger who jumped overboard from the new Adora Magic City near South Korea at the end of June. In early June, an overboard from MSC Euribia in the Norwegian fjords had a tragic ending.
Other incidents have been reported this year near Australia from P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure, as well as from Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas near Fort Lauderdale.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family members and friends impacted by this tragic incident, as well as the Explorer of the Seas crew members who are undoubtedly working hard in a very difficult situation.
Popular former cruise director and now one of several Fleet Cruise Directors with Carnival Cruise Line, Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams has announced his official retirement from the cruise line.
The decision has been an emotional one he has considered for some time, but a recent personal event was instrumental in finalizing his thoughts on moving on from the cruise industry.
Williams made the announcement via a social media video in which he explained his decision and how hard it is to leave the Carnival family.
“As of Saturday, the tenth of August 2024, I will be retiring from Carnival Cruise Line,”he announced.“It is with a heavy heart that I do this.”
While that sounds ominous, it is no bad news or devastating turn of events that has led Williams to this decision, but rather a change of life and a shift in his personal priorities.
“I turned 40 in July this year,”he explained.“I’ve been at my new job as Fleet Cruise Director for the last nine months, and it has been wonderful. I absolutely love the job, more than anything else, to help nurture and grow future cruise directors and leaders is a wonderful experience and I’ve loved it immensely.”
Williams goes on to explain that in this position, he doesn’t have the same hustle and bustle or frenetic activity as a cruise director surrounded by crowds, which has given him down time to reflect on life and family.
At his birthday party, he had a moment and realized that his daughter is now five years old, and he wants to be there for her as she grows up. Truly torn between a job he loves and his family, he knew it was time to shift that priority.
“But sometimes you have to make a choice and make a decision that is going to change everything,”he said.
Williams has been with Carnival Cruise Line for 13 years, first as singer, then later as Playlist Productions performer and finally as a cruise director, before becoming one of just a few fleet cruise directors in November 2023. He has served aboard a variety of Carnival ships over the years, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Dream, and other vessels.
He thanks Carnival for bringing him and his wife together, providing him the means to have his daughter, buy a house, and other things, great milestones of life that will forever be connected to Carnival Cruise Line.
Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams,
Williams also thanks many of his close associates within the company, including Mike Pack, Chris “Donkey” Salazar, and Erin Weigand, the other fleet cruise directors with the line.
Many of Williams’ coworkers as well as Carnival fans have chimed in to wish him well in this next chapter, noting that he and his inimitable style will most definitely be missed.
“It’s impossible to put into words how much you’ll be missed by all of us,”said Lee Mason, one of Carnival’s most popular cruise directors and just one of more than 400 comments. “A huge congrats on all your incredible achievements, but more importantly, hats off for following your heart and prioritizing your family and friends. It’s been an absolute honor to work with you.”
Future Plans
Williams plans to continue performing and may even travel to do so, but without being gone for such long periods as the cruise employee life requires. Instead, he wants to be home for his family and be sure he can do all the things a dad should do for his daughter.
“I really want to be there for my family,”he said.“I really want to see my little girl growing up, I want to be at all the competitions that she does, I want to be at all her school days, I want to be at all her school evening reports. I want to do everything that a dad does.”
Carnival Cruise Line has not announced whether or not another individual will be tapped to replace Williams as a new fleet cruise director, though different duties and assignments will likely be evaluated before any such decision may be made.
Which Carnival Cruise Line cruise director would you want to see promoted to such a fleet-wide position? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Port Canaveral’s plan to expand and build a new cruise terminal on the north side of the port facilities is being challenged by several Florida state officials.
The contention is that the new cruise terminal plan may jeopardize the port’s ability to support the space industry, which is also critically important to the state’s economy.
On Friday, August 2, 2024, Florida Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue jointly sent a letter expressing their concerns about the expansion project.
“Florida’s cruise tourism and commercial space launch sectors are both vitally important,”Kelly and Perdue wrote.“Port Canaveral bears the responsibility of housing and supporting both. … In this case, the port has announced its intention to support one sector to the direct detriment of the other. That decision must, therefore, be reversed.”
It is unclear how Kelly and Perdue feel the expansion of the port’s cruise terminal facilities may impact necessary work and infrastructure for the space industry.
The only comment is that the cruise terminal plans may impact the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities that support space efforts. There are no details about how or when such expansion may be planned in the future.
Kelly and Purdue have said it may be necessary to shift planned investments to other Florida facilities, removing such funding from Port Canaveral, if earlier plans are not reinstated.
The Department of Commerce will “stringently” review the port’s compliance with an $8.245 million grant, which provided road project funding to support the aerospace industry.
The roads that would lead to the new cruise terminal could have been funded in large part by that grant. Port Canaveral may need to more clearly demonstrate how both industries can be supported as necessary.
Space Florida, the state’s aerospace agency, has indicated that port space must nearly double by 2023 to support the rapidly growing private space industry.
“The port has been an integral part of the commercial space industry’s growth and operations in our state, and our commitment to the enterprise remains strong,”said Port Canaveral spokesperson Steve Linden in the statement.“We look forward to working in partnership with Secretary Perdue and Secretary Kelly towards a positive resolution.”
The Port Canaveral Authority Board of Commissioners’ next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21.
Some Space Operations Leaving Port Canaveral
It should be noted that the largest private space operator, SpaceX, recently announced that all Dragon spacecraft splashdowns will be shifted to California rather than recovery off the coast of Florida.
This is not related to operations or expansion at Port Canaveral, but rather out of concern for potential debris fallout from returning spacecraft.
SpaceX will now base their Dragon recovery vessel from the Port of Long Beach, where the space company already has operational facilities.
Plan for New Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal
Port Canaveral will continue to provide LNG support for both cruise ships as well as the space industry. Liquefied natural gas is a top fuel for both maritime and aerospace vehicles, and is at the forefront of lower emissions and cleaner environmental initiatives for many cruise lines.
With more than 6.9 million passengers visiting Port Canaveral in 2023, the cruise port is the second-busiest passenger terminal in the world, only behind the 7.3 million passengers sailing from PortMiami.
At the same time, Port Canaveral supported 72 orbital rocket launches in 2023, with 55 already having launched so far in 2024 and dozens more scheduled for the rest of the year.
At times, the cruise industry and space industry have come into conflict, such as when Harmony of the Seas inadvertently caused a rocket launch abort by sailing into a restricted area in January 2022.
In other cases, cruise gests have been treated to amazing views of rocket launches when space operations have coincided with ships at the popular Florida homeport.
Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line all homeport from Port Canaveral, with Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises homeporting their first ships from the port in the coming months.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri appears to be on the cusp of winning more lucrative ship construction orders from Carnival Corporation brands, including a new series of vessels for Carnival Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, and possibly Costa Cruises.
The company is negotiating the building of six ships, and an option for two additional ships, all in excess of 150,000-gross tons, according to the trade publication Shipping Italy. The total value of the contract for six ships, with deliveries to begin in 2029, is expected to be in the range of 8 billion euros ($8.7 billion USD).
Construction of all planned ships is expected to be carried out at either Fincantieri’s Genoa and/or Marghera shipyards in Italy. To be clear, Carnival Corporation has not announced or confirmed this new order as of this publishing date.
AIDA Cruises, with 11 ships in its fleet — mostly built by the Meyer Werft shipyard, caters to the German market while Costa Cruises, with 10 ships currently operating, attracts most of its guests from Italy and other European countries.
A potential new class of ship for Costa Cruises could buoy the line’s fleet, which was made smaller with the transfer of three vessels to Carnival Cruise Line in recent years.
The 2,300-guest Costa Luminosa was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line and renamed Carnival Luminosa in 2022, the same year that Carnival Cruise Line unveiled the sub-brand “Costa as Carnival,” better known as “Carnival Fun Italian Style.”
Carnival Luminosa is not part of that initiative, however, two other Costa ships, Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze, were shifted to the Fun Ship line, becoming Carnival Venezia in 2023 and Carnival Firenze in 2024. Both were renovated to feature traditional Fun Ship elements while retaining their Italian-style ambiance.
The additional new-builds for Carnival Cruise Line might come as a surprise to cruise watchers, since the line announced less than a month ago that it placed an order with Fincantieri for a new class of mega-ship.
The Miami-based line ordered three vessels, all in the 230,000-gross ton range, slated for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033. Few details of the new class were revealed, but each ship is expected to accommodate 6,000 guests, double occupancy, in about 3,000 cabins. With all berths occupied, the ships will have capacity for up to 8,000 guests.
The ships will be the largest cruise vessels ever constructed by Fincantieri. The three-ship order is contingent on financing, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2024.
Shipyard Posts Double-Digit Hike in Profits
Fincantieri is a major player in cruise ship construction. The company, whose history dates back to the 18th century, has built 100 cruise ships for 18 cruise brands since 1990. Its marketing materials point out that one in every three cruise guests sails on a Fincantieri-built ship.
The shipyard posted a 16% spike in profits for the first half of 2024, reaching 214 million euro ($231 million USD). The company’s quarterly report refers to its successful commercial strategy that has yielded “large orders for medium and large capacity ships,” extending the shipyard’s workload to 2036.
Besides the recent Carnival Cruise Line order and the new orders in negotiation, Fincantieri in April 2024 secured orders for four ships from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
The order includes four, 200,000-gross ton ships for Norwegian Cruise Line, and two ships each for sister brands Oceania Cruises and ultra-luxe line Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Delivery of these vessels is slated to begin in 2026 and continue on a staggered basis through 2036.
There is simply no way to make everyone happy! Of all the things cruisers could possibly disagree about, it’s somewhat surprising to see the right way to serve free ice cream become so controversial.
But after a recent Carnival passenger complained about the ice cream service on Brand Ambassador John Heald’s public Facebook page, cruise fans have started debating in the comments section – generating more than 5,000 replies about the popular dessert in less than 24 hours.
This particular guest, who has remained anonymous, was upset because the soft serve and frozen yogurt at Swirls – which is found on the Lido deck of all 27 Carnival cruise ships – is self service, meaning the treats aren’t served by a crew member.
“Why is Carnival stuck in the past and make their passengers pour their own ice cream. On all the other cruise lines it is poured for you. Just back from a Disney cruise and the cast members do it,” said the disgruntled cruiser.
“There is no mess, no greed, and no chance of germs. This is the policy that would be applauded should you decide to change to what the upscale cruise lines have as policy,” continued the post.
When cruising resumed after the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s true that many cruise lines did implement temporary policies where crew members served all food and drinks in places they usually would not, such as in buffets or at self service drink dispensers.
“Now of course if needed and we have a health reasons to do so we will do this but really, do people want this? I think that the joy of being able to fill your own cone, bowl or bucket with ice cream is one of the reasons it is so popular. Yes it can get messy but our brilliant crew are there to take care of this,”responded Heald, before asking his many followers what they would prefer.
Ultimately, Heald’s question was met with a mixed response – with no clear “correct” answer really bubbling to the surface.
What is Really the Best Way to Serve Ice Cream?
When reading through the thousands of responses to Heald’s post, it seems like a slight majority lean toward getting their own ice cream because they find it fun, convenient, and can choose exactly how much of the sweet treat they want.
“I have sailed a main competitor & yes they have staff doing it for you BUT, their hours are shorter and you don’t get it exactly like you want it,”replied one person.
“Nothing wrong with doing it yourself. I will say, I was impressed on the Carnival Splendor cruising out of Sydney. The ice cream stations were never messy or busy,”added another.
“This also gives us entertainment as well. We like to sit and watch people make ice cream cones. We even have a grading system,”joked a third.
That said, there were many who wanted crew members to be in charge of the ice cream service because they couldn’t get past the possible mess or spreading of germs.
Swirl Ice Cream on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Barbara Kalbfleisch)
“I prefer to build my own but seems to be a favorite of those who’ve been causing mayhem on the ships lately…The worst is opening the nozzle and letting the ice cream run all over the floor for sport,”wrote one frequent cruiser.
“If the crew do it, I am not getting germs from all of the people who have touched it before me. And I can not wash my hands while holding a cone. It is a measure to keep gastrointestinal bugs from spreading,”said someone else.
But with no plans in place for Carnival to change the way Swirls serves ice cream in the near future, guests will have to come to terms with serving themselves or go without.
Interestingly, this also isn’t the first time the popular ice cream joint, which is included in the price of the cruise fare, has caused controversy online.
Two years ago, Carnival chose to change Swirls’ hours from being open 24/7 to operating daily between 11 a.m. and midnight – which are still the current hours as of the time of publication.
While the cruise line stated that the change was made to eliminate food waste, some complained on Reddit about how small changes like this take away from the quality of their cruise.
“Carnival lately has made so many changes to food not being 24/7 that to me seem like bad moves. One small change to me is ok but keep doing small changes here and there and it can get annoying, specially since carnival has always been known as the fun ship…now it seems they are catering to people who go on vacation and go to sleep at 10pm,”a frustrated cruiser posted on Reddit at the time.
Considering the cruise line hasn’t seen a need to re-expand Swirls’ hours, hopefully most guests agree that a 13 hour window each day is enough time to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine is being strongly impacted by the continuing influence of Tropical Storm Debby, which is currently 50 miles east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.
Carnival Sunshine is homeported from Charleston and will be unable to return on schedule, but instead is being delayed by seven hours.
Instead of docking at approximately 6 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, the ship is expected to return early in the afternoon hours. This means that embarkation for the next sailing must be subsequently delayed. The cruise line reached out to booked guests with an update about the revised plans late Wednesday afternoon.
“We plan to operate this voyage as scheduled, with modified embarkation plans,”the notification explained.“Given the ship’s delayed return to Charleston, guests are being asked to delay their terminal arrival appointments by seven hours.”
This means that a guest who chose a 12-12:30 p.m. arrival appointment when they checked in for the cruise should now plan to arrive from 7-7:30 p.m. All guests must be onboard the ship no later than 9:30 p.m. for the vessel’s departure.
At this time, there is no confirmation of whether or not Carnival Sunshine‘s itinerary will be impacted by the late departure.
The ship is scheduled to sail a 4-night Bahamas itinerary with just one port visit to Nassau from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. It is possible the ship may be able to make up for some of the delay during her day at sea on Friday, August 9, or else the time in Nassau may be shortened if necessary.
Another option, though unlikely, may be for the ship to visit Freeport instead of Nassau, which is roughly 100 miles closer to Charleston and could provide a longer port visit.
Carnival Cruise Line will undoubtedly investigate all potential options in order to provide guests with the best possible vacation experience, even under these challenging circumstances.
The 103,881-gross-ton Carnival Sunshine, formerly Carnival Destiny, can welcome 3,002 guests onboard for each sailing, and is also home to 1,150 international crew members.
More Possible Trouble for Charleston Guests
Even more difficulty may await guests sailing from Charleston than just the arrival and departure time of their cruise ship, however. Port of Charleston – where Carnival Sunshine will dock – is located in Charleston Harbor where the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando Rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean.
With Tropical Storm Debby lingering over the Charleston area, the region may see as much as 25 inches of rain through the storm’s duration.
Furthermore, storm surge may range from 1-2 feet in Charleston, which is measured as feet above ground level. This could heavily flood parking areas near the cruise terminal.
Tropical Storm Debby Track (Credit: NOAA)
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the center of the storm system is located approximately 50 miles east-southeast of Charleston, moving north-northeast at just 3 miles per hour. This slow speed gives ample time for rainfall to accumulate. Maximum windspeeds are currently measured at 60 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
Overnight into Thursday, it is expected that the storm will shift to a more northern track to make landfall in South Carolina on Thursday morning. Once she moves over land, Debby will begin to weaken but heavy rainfall and flooding threats will remain.
Travelers driving to Charleston to join Carnival Sunshine should stay alert to the possibility of flooded roads and traffic delays and be sure they have adequate time to reach the cruise port.
At the same time, it is important not to head to the port too early, as debarking guests will need time to reach their vehicles and leave the parking area so there is enough space for arriving passengers.
All booked guests should also stay in close communication with Carnival Cruise Line through email and text alerts in case of additional adjustments, delays, or itinerary changes.
If you’re getting ready to take your first cruise, you may have been planning and prepping for a while now.
Many cruisers book their cruise months or even a year-plus in advance, and there’s plenty of info on your chosen cruise line’s website to help you plan further, from sample dining menus to full-out maps of each ship, deck by deck. However, do you truly have an accurate idea of what to expect?
These are the eight things that the cruise line isn’t going to tell you.
1. You Can’t Just Walk Onto the Ship, to Your Stateroom, With All Your Stuff
Embarkation day isn’t quite as simple as just arriving at your port and then hopping onto the cruise ship. There’s a lot that has to happen between cruisers arriving at the cruise terminal and the ship actually setting sail.
Just as is the case when you travel via plane, when you travel via cruise ship, certain security measures are taken. As such, additionally like when you travel via plane, you’ll basically have both carry-on luggage and checked luggage.
Now, while the cruise line may inform you of this distinction — they’ll probably email you some luggage tags that you can print out and add to your checked luggage — what they won’t tell you is that actually getting your checked luggage can take some time.
Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto)
Here’s how it works. You take all your luggage with you to the cruise terminal. There, you leave the checked luggage with the porters. Then, you take the carry-on luggage through a security check point, before you go onto the ship. Behind the scenes, your checked luggage is being processed, sorted and delivered to your stateroom.
Staterooms, meanwhile, are usually still being cleaned and readied, because the last batch of cruisers just left the ship maybe a few hours ago. As such, your bags don’t go immediately from the terminal to your stateroom, and you can’t even access your stateroom immediately upon boarding.
So, what are you doing in the meantime? Once you board the ship, you can sometimes drop off your carry-on luggage at your stateroom (such as is the case if you have Carnival’s Faster to the Fun Pass, for example). Otherwise, you have to carry it around with you, until your stateroom is ready.
Once your stateroom is ready, you can head on over, but you still may not have your checked luggage there. It might be as late as the first evening of your cruise, before you get your checked items.
As such, plan accordingly and pack everything you might need in your carry-on. Think a change of clothes, medications or even your swimsuit, if you’d like to take a dip before dinner (something a lot of cruisers do!).
Do note that getting your luggage can take longer than average if the security team believes that your bags may contain something prohibited. As such, brush up on your cruise line’s prohibited items before you pack.
You may just be surprised at some of the prohibited items (for example, Royal Caribbean asks you to leave your perishable foods, CBD products and travel steamers at home, among other items).
2. Some Areas of the Ships Can Get Really Crowded — and we Mean Really Crowded
The cruise line isn’t going to tell you that some of their ships’ coolest features are also sometimes the most difficult to access. Alas, that’s sometimes the case.
That gorgeous-looking pool deck with all the water slides and seemingly endless loungers? Yeah, it’s not going to seem quite so pristine on warm sea days.
Pool decks andlido decks are the most notoriously busy areas of the ship, particularly on days when your ship isn’t visiting any ports and the weather is nice. And it’s not just the pools that can get really crowded.
Lido Deck on Carnival Panorama (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
The jacuzzies get pretty crowded, too, as do the loungers. In fact, some cruisers are known as “chair hogs.” They’ll show up to the pool deck early, find one of the best loungers in one of the best spots on the deck, and they’ll leave some belongings on several chairs, indefinitely, essentially claiming a spot, long-term.
Luckily, some cruise lines are cracking down on this practice, to make things more fair for everyone.
The sticker lets the chair’s occupant know that the crew will remove those personal items within a certain time frame — around 40 minutes — unless the chair is claimed.
While you personally can’t really do anything about chair hogs, though, you can get around some of those pool deck and jacuzzi crowds. Just plan to hit up the pool on a port day.
When most of your fellow cruisers are out exploring, you’ll find that all the coolest parts of the ship are relatively empty, so you can have a jacuzzi and the pool nearly all to yourself!
3. Certain Cruise Ship Cabins Can be Quite Noisy
Similarly, when you’re picking a cabin or suite for your upcoming cruise, while the cruise line may be nice enough to mention whether or not your particular cabin comes with an obstructed view, they’re probably not going to give you a noise warning.
Instead, it’s up to you to brush up on which cabins on a cruise ship are often the noisiest, and then look at the cruise ship’s deck plans to determine if your cabin will be among those.
Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
So, what do you need to look for?
Avoid cruise ship cabins that are one deck below areas with lots of foot traffic and activity. Think pool decks, jogging tracks and sports courts. Likewise, avoid cabins near areas where people tend to congregate, like elevators or stairwells.
If you want to avoid the actual noise of the ship itself, steer clear of cabins on lower decks. If you don’t want to hear noises from adjoining cabins, don’t book a cabin that can technically be a “connecting” cabin, as you’ll be able to hear more noise through the locked connecting door.
4. You’re Going to Need to Prep for Your Day in Port
Other than trying to convince you to purchase the cruise line’s excursions, your cruise line isn’t really going to hold your hand as you prep for your day in port. You’ll need to consider a few things, to ensure you have the best time possible.
For example, you’ll need to take a few things with you, off the ship. You’ll need your cruise line’s card, like your Royal Caribbean SeaPass card or your Carnival Sail & Sign card. Take some form of money, as well as your passport or other ID.
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: Marathon Media / Shutterstock)
Then, once you’re actually on land, you need to pay attention to the time. Consider setting a watch to local time, so you know exactly when the cruise ship is going to leave port. Don’t think that the ship will wait around for you, before it departs. You need to be back on time (and ideally with time to spare).
Because of this, consider either sticking to the main tourist areas around the port, for your explorations, or booking a third-party excursion that will easily get you back to port with plenty of time.
5. Ports of Call May Not Actually Happen
And while we’re on the topic of ports of call, it’s important to realize that, even though a certain port might be on your cruise ship itinerary, it’s not guaranteed that the ship will actually stop at all of the listed ports.
In some instances, a cruise might skip a port altogether, and go on to the next destination on the itinerary. In some cases, the cruise might skip a port and replace it with another destination nearby.
There are myriad reasons why this might happen, but one of the most popular is weather. Poor weather can make getting to the next port on your itinerary unpleasant or even unsafe.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Bad Weather (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Other reasons a captain might choose to skip a port include political disruptions, problems with the ship, medical emergencies on board and/or port closures.
If you don’t get to visit a particular destination that you really were looking forward to, during your cruise, don’t fret. You’ll still get to enjoy another destination or at least a fun sea day (which is why it’s important to book a cruise on a ship that you actually think you’ll enjoy!).
You can also always come back and take another cruise to the skipped destination, later.
6. There’s a Risk You Might Get Sick
It really makes sense that a portion of travelers on most cruises do get sick during the course of the cruise. You have thousands of people crammed into one spot, living in tight quarters and all going to the same restaurants and entertainment venues.
However, consider that, since there are thousands of people on a cruise ship, if a few get sick, that’s still not that many of the overall cruisers. Even the most-publicized incidents of cruise ship illness outbreaks typically only affect a hundred cruisers or less.
Cruise Passenger With Motion Sickness (Photo Credit: GBALLGIGGSPHOTO)
For example, in June 2024, Cruise Hive reported on a Celebrity Cruise wherein nearly 70 cruisers fell sick with norovirus, during an Alaskan cruise. However, that particular cruise ship, Celebrity Summit, was carrying 2,264 guests — so only about 3% of passengers fell ill. If you were on that cruise, you’d have a 97% chance of not getting sick at all.
Still, while the odds are in your favor in general, you can still take extra measures to keep from getting sick while on a cruise. Wash your hands frequently. Carry (and use!) hand sanitizer. Take plenty of vitamins before and during your cruise, and follow general good health and hygiene habits.
7. Cruise Ships Aren’t Crime-Free
You may want to think of a cruise ship as a floating resort where everyone is happy and having a great time. You may want to think the best of all your fellow cruisers. However, while the cruise line may portray its cruises as all happy, all the time, a more realistic look will show that cruise ships do come with a dark side.
While, yes, most cruise passengers are just like you — looking to have a great vacation with no trouble whatsoever — other, nefariously opportunistic cruisers see travelers that are isolated in one singular location and often intoxicated to boot. That makes crime much easier.
Cruise Ship CCTV
Luckily, while this is something you should be aware of and prepare for (by following basic safety precautions like not getting overly intoxicated, not wandering into dark spaces or rooms, not entering strangers’ staterooms, etc.), the overall crime rates on cruise ships are pretty low.
For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires cruise ships that embark and disembark out of the United States to report any incidences of crime, and, in Q1 of 2024, only 47 “alleged incidents” were reported: eight instances of assault with serious bodily injury, one instance of a missing person, 32 instances of sexual assault and six instances of theft.
8. You Don’t Have to Spend Extra Money to Have a Great Time
The cruise line is there to make money. As such, they’re going to try to upsell you on a ton of different experiences and amenities. They want you to be tempted by the specialty dining options. They want you to feel as if you definitely need that drinks package.
Cruise Freebies (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion)
And the excursions! You won’t want to book one with anyone else! However, it’s worth noting that, no, you don’t have to really spend extra — or that much extra —money to have a great time on a cruise, even though the cruise line will be the last to tell you that.
For many newbie cruisers, the complimentary dining options are more than enough and all the complimentary fun is enough to keep you busy for days on end.
St. Maarten Cruise Port, formally known as the Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port, is a modern and vibrant port that acts as a gateway to the dual-nation island of Saint Maarten.
Saint Maarten, or Sint Martin, is nestled in the heart of the Caribbean and provides visiting passengers with an eclectic mix of cultural experiences, pristine beaches, and plenty of adventure activities and tourist attractions.
To help you get the most out of your visit and easily navigate the port, we will provide an in-depth description of the port and its facilities, the attractions that lay beyond its gates, and much more!
As you can probably guess from the name, Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port is located adjacent to Sint Maarten’s capital city, Philipsburg. Sint Maarten is the Dutch side of the Caribbean Island nation of Saint Martin, meaning the port is on the island’s southern coast.
The port sits in Great Bay, while St. Maarten is situated in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 150 miles east of Puerto Rico and 190 miles north of Venezuela on the South American mainland.
This strategic location of the port and the position of the island of Saint Martin make St. Maarten Cruise Port an incredibly popular port of call for Caribbean cruises.
The first pier, known as Pier One or Arsene Hodge Pier, is the shorter of the two. It can accommodate up to two medium-sized cruise ships at once, with berths on either side of the pier. Berths A and B sit on either side of the pier.
The second, AC Wathey Pier, also known as Pier 2, was added in 2009 as part of a major redevelopment project. This enormous pier stretches 1,788 feet; it has four distinct cruise ship berths.
Cruise Piers in St. Maarten (Photo Credit: Multiverse)
When required, it can also handle two of the world’s largest cruise ships, like those in the Royal Caribbean Icon Class. In these scenarios, Berths C and D and Berths E and F are combined so the larger vessels have ample room.
Pier 2 also has two separate screening booths to handle the high volume of passengers and ensure a seamless disembarkation process.
The port’s ability to host up to six cruise ships at once is part of the reason it is growing to become one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. In fact, the port handles over two million cruise passengers a year, and this number is projected to rise with each passing year.
Both of the piers lead to a single, open-air cruise terminal. While most Caribbean cruise ports feature a terminal building, the open-air design of the St. Maarten Terminal gives it a breezy and tropical atmosphere
Terminal Facilities, Parking, and Services
The open-air terminal has a relatively simple layout, with a large duty-free shopping zone centering around a main courtyard. The shopping area features jewelry, clothing, and sunglasses stores and a smaller electronics boutique, where visitors can purchase headphones, Bluetooth speakers, batteries, cameras, and other basic devices.
In terms of accessibility, the piers and the terminal area are both perfectly flat, making them wheelchair-friendly. Plus, several restroom facilities are scattered throughout the port and are all wheelchair accessible.
Cruise Ships Docked at St. Maarten Port (Photo Credit: simon hark)
Unfortunately, the port does not yet offer free Wi-Fi, but several cafes and restaurants in the port area offer It for paying customers. If you do need assistance, there are two tourist information booths, one on the edge of Pier 2 and the other near the duty-free shopping area. Both booths can answer general inquiries, and service is available in English, Dutch, and French.
Pay parking is available on the edge of the port for those renting vehicles. Entry to the lot is $2, which also covers your first hour. After the first hour, a rate of $1 per hour kicks in. There is no fee for using the pickup and drop-off area.
Cruise Lines that Visit St. Maarten Cruise Port
With Philipsburg being one of the most popular ports of call in the northeast Caribbean, it is visited by many of the world’s most well-known cruise lines. The following are just some of those that use the port regularly:
Royal Caribbean International
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
Holland America Line
Celebrity Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Princess Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises
While none of the cruise lines have assigned piers or berths, the larger ships under the Royal Caribbean and Carnival banners tend to use the double berths available at Pier 2.
Distance and Directions from the Airport
The nearest major airport to St. Maarten Cruise Port is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), roughly 5 miles away. If you are taking a cruise that departs from the island, you will most likely fly into the airport and then travel to the port on your day of departure.
Princess Juliana International Airport (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
The journey takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car, with the exact timing varying depending on traffic conditions. Fortunately, plenty of taxis are available at the airport, and most offer flat, affordable rates to the cruise port. Even during peak tourist season, you can expect to pay around $25 to get from the port to Princess Juliana Airport and vice versa.
Directions from the Princess International Airport to Philipsburg Cruise Port
If you have decided to rent a vehicle and plan on driving, the following directions will take you to the port’s parking lot:
Head east on Airport Road/SR 80, then continue straight through the roundabout onto Welfare Road
Turn left onto Bush Road/SR 81 and continue for 7.6 miles
Turn right onto Juancho Yrausquin Blvd/SR 82 and follow signs for Cruise Pier St. Maarten
Transportation Options From the Port
Another feature that makes Philipsburg Cruise Port such an appealing destination for visitors is its wide range of simple and affordable transportation options.
For those looking to stretch their legs, you can walk from the edge of either pier to the downtown core of Philipsburg in under 15 minutes; however, if you are looking for an easier way to see the city and surrounding area, the following options are all available directly from the port:
Taxis
Taxis are readily available at the edge of the port. There is a covered taxi line where visiting passengers usually only have to wait a few minutes to get a cab.
Photo Credit: Mark Anthony Ray / Shutterstock
Rates to some of the most popular tourist destinations are fixed, and you can typically expect to pay between $10 and $30 for a taxi, depending on where you want to go. For example, both taxi companies that operate out of the port offer a flat rate of $20 for a one-way ride to Maho Beach, which is 7.8 miles away.
Water Taxis
You can find the water taxi terminal directly beside the port at Philipsburg Marina. These small passenger ferries provide a scenic way to travel to various points around Philipsburg, like Great Bay Beach and the city’s Boardwalk, which is lined with stores and beach bars.
St. Maarten Water Taxi (Photo Credit: TeodorLazarev)
Even during peak tourist season, a day pass for the water taxis is just $7 per person. This provides you with unlimited rides to and from any of the pickup and drop-off spots.
Minibuses and Shuttles
While you can choose to take a city bus, they do not have a pickup stop near the port. Instead, privately operated minibuses offer a transportation option that tends to be cheaper than taking a taxi.
These small tour buses run between Philipsburg and Marigot, with numerous stops at popular destinations along the way. Fares are just $3 for adults.
Shuttle Bus (Photo Credit: Miro Vrlik Photography)
Some cruise lines also offer complimentary shuttle buses if you are traveling to the airport, but you must check with your cruise line beforehand.
Rental Cars
If you want to explore the island at your leisure, car rentals are available near the port. Coastal Car Rental has a location a short walk from the port in Harbor Port Village.
Depending on the size of the vehicle, rental rates are roughly $50 per day. You must provide your passport and a valid driver’s license to rent any vehicle, but the rental process is easier than in other Caribbean countries. You don’t need an International Driver’s License, and you also don’t need to purchase a local driver’s permit.
The Unique French and Dutch Division of the Island
While it may sound a little confusing, the island is divided into two distinct territories – the French side, known as Saint Martin, and the Dutch side, called Sint Maarten. The Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port and the city it is named after are located on the Dutch side of the island.
This unique situation dates back to 1648 when the occupying French and Dutch settlers agreed to formally divide the island by signing the Treaty of Concordia. Under the terms of the treaty, the two sides would peacefully respect the boundary lines, an arrangement that continues to the present day.
Saint Martin, the French side, is the northern part of the island and remains an overseas French territory, meaning it is governed by the same laws and regulations as France.
Dutch Side of the Island (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
It also retains heavy French cultural influences and charm, including upscale, European-style restaurants and boutiques and plenty of examples of French architecture.
The southern portion of the island, Sint Maarten, is classified as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a livelier atmosphere that tends to appeal to cruise ship visitors more than the French side of the island.
With plenty of restaurants, casinos, and duty-free shopping, it is a really fun area to visit. The Dutch architectural and cultural influences are also fairly evident.
Despite the formal division, the border is completely open, allowing visitors to easily travel between the two and experience different cultures on a single island. It also means that the two cultures have blended and influenced each other in unique ways, giving the Caribbean Island a culture that is unlike any other.
French Side (Saint Martin)
Capital City: Marigot
Language: French (English and Dutch common)
Currency: Euro (USD accepted)
Culture: Relaxed atmosphere characterized by French-style cafés, boutiques, and markets
Culture: Lively and tourist-oriented atmosphere. Front Street in Philipsburg is famous for duty-free shopping, casinos, restaurants, and a lively nightlife
Best Time to Visit St. Maarten and Seasonal Weather Conditions
St. Maarten’s tropical climate makes it a popular year-round tourist destination. However, the busy season runs from early December to mid-April, coinciding with the island’s dry season. During this period, daytime temperatures range from 73° to 85°F, with low humidity and limited rainfall.
Photo Credit: Debbie Ann Powell / Shutterstock
While the months between December and April are considered the best, they can also be the busiest and most expensive. If you want to travel outside of the dry season, just be aware that hurricane season stretches from June to November, so you will have to check for cruise itinerary delays and potential storms.
Daytime temperatures can also rise to uncomfortable levels from June until October, which isn’t helped by the high humidity. If you go mid-summer, expect temperatures in the 95° to 99°F range.
Beaches Near the Cruise Port
Another highlight of visiting Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port is its close proximity to some incredible beaches. While the island’s entire coast is dotted with stunning beaches, the following are just some of the most popular beaches that are close to the port:
Great Bay Beach
Located just one mile away, Great Bay Beach takes less than 10 minutes to walk to, and it offers a long stretch of white sand and stunning turquoise waters. There is a roped-off swimming area and plenty of bars and restaurants that offer beach views.
Great Bay Beach (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
Since it sits directly across the bay from the cruise port, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach and watch the cruise ships and water taxis come and go.
Little Bay Beach
At 2.7 miles from the port, Little Bay Beach requires a longer walk or even a cab ride, but it tends to be a little bit less busy. The beach also has notoriously clear waters, which explains why it is such a popular spot for snorkeling. Check out the beachside Gingerbread Café for a delicious, affordable breakfast or lunch.
Little Bay Beach (Photo Credit: Reimar)
Maho Beach
Although five miles from the port, Maho Beach provides everything you would want from a Caribbean beach, it also offers unique views of the airport runway. Relax on the white sand and watch planes fly overhead. It’s a must-see for aviation enthusiasts!
Maho Beach (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
What to Do Near the Port
If beaches aren’t your thing, you won’t have trouble finding other ways to entertain you during your stay in Philipsburg. Since St. Maarten Cruise Port sits right on the edge of Philipsburg, all of the capital’s attractions are easy to walk to. Here are just some of the highlights:
Fort Amsterdam and Fort William
Located just three miles away on the peninsula that separates Great Bay and Little Bay, Fort Amsterdam is a Dutch colonial fort that dates back to 1631. Today, the fort’s ruins act as an open-air museum, allowing visitors to look out from the former defense position at the waters the fort was built to protect.
Fort Amsterdam (Photo Credit: Jacqueline van Kerkhof)
Even if you’re not a history buff, the views from the fort are stunning, and the area acts as a natural sea bird reserve, so you can watch pelicans, sulids, and other species nest and dive for fish.
If you don’t mind hiking uphill, you can also travel half a mile inland to see Fort William, a former British fortification constructed in 1801. Renamed Fort Willem after it was taken over by the Dutch, its higher elevation provides great views of Philipsburg and the waters surrounding it.
Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
For a complete change of pace, you can visit an unofficial Star Wars museum on Front Street. Star Wars fans can view this incredible private collection of authentic movie props from the Star Wars series and other famous Hollywood films. It’s just a mile from the port, so you can easily walk there.
Parotte Ville Bird Park
This unique bird sanctuary is near the island’s French and Dutch border. It’s roughly 3.5 miles from the port, so most people will take a short taxi ride to get there, but it’s well worth the visit.
Parotte Ville Bird Park
Showcasing nearly 30 different species, it allows you to see a more natural side of the island. The birds are incredibly friendly and curious, so don’t be surprised if they land on your shoulder or try to eat out of your hand.
Rockland Estate Rainforest Adventures
If you want a more thrilling experience in St. Maarten, head to Rainforest Adventures. Just a 3.3-mile taxi ride from the port, it offers zip-lining experiences, a tube slide, and rainforest canopy tours. It’s a great way to see the tropical nature the island has to offer!
Dining Near the Cruise Port
The town of Philipsburg is a paradise for food lovers. In fact, the town holds the record for the most restaurants per square mile of anywhere in the Caribbean. Plus, the combined French and Dutch sides of the island have the unofficial title of being the culinary capital of the entire Caribbean.
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
With heavy Dutch, French, Caribbean, and African influences, the cuisine is incredible and very unique. Plus, the town’s status as a major tourist hub means it is home to more restaurants, cafes, and bars than you would expect for a population of its size. The following are just a few of our favorite nearby eateries:
Lazy Lizard Beach Bar & Grill
Located just a 20-minute walk from the port, the iconic Lazy Lizard sits at the start of the boardwalk and features a fun menu of Caribbean classics, Dutch-influenced dishes, and plenty of refreshing drinks, including a variety of local craft beers. It’s bright green, so you won’t miss it!
Holland House Beach Hotel
If you walk a few extra minutes along the boardwalk, you’ll come across Holland House. On the hotel’s main floor, you’ll find the Ocean Lounge Bar and Restaurant, an upscale restaurant with an amazing view.
Sit inside or outside and enjoy everything from homemade burgers to poke bowls made with freshly caught tuna. For a true taste of the island, try the conch dumplings!
Emilio’s Dine with History Restaurant
If you make it out to Rockland Estate Rainforest Adventures, visiting nearby Emilio’s is a must. Built into an old barn, this unassuming restaurant serves some of the most gourmet food you’ll find anywhere on the island. The service is incredible, and the wine list will make you think you’re in a European fine-dining establishment.
It’s 3.3 miles from the port, so you’ll likely have to take a cab, but it’s well worth it if you want to try a professionally curated menu and one of the top restaurants in the world—not just the Caribbean!
Port of Happy Hour and Sharky’s
If you’re looking for a quick bite and a few drinks before boarding your ship, the port is also home to two bars. Although they have limited food menus, both serve various drinks, including local beer and spirits.
Shopping Near the Cruise Port
Shopping is one of the things the Dutch side of the island is most famous for. With many restaurants in Philipsburg and a range of duty-free shops surrounding the port, you don’t have to travel far for retail therapy.
Front Street is considered Philipsburg’s main shopping area; with a mix of luxury stores, duty-free shops, and local souvenir stands, you’ll find everything you need just on that one street.
Front Street
Front Street is also only 0.7 miles away from the Saint Maarten Cruise Terminal, so you can easily walk there in roughly 15 minutes. If you walk north along Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, you will see a large Pandora store, which marks the beginning of Front Street. If you continue east along Front Street, you’ll come across plenty of stores, restaurants, boutiques, and more!
For more unique gifts and souvenirs, you can also head over to Old Street, which is lined with food vendors, boutique shops, and stalls set up by local artisans.
Old Street runs perpendicular with Front Street, so you can easily walk the 0.8 mile distance in less than 20 minutes. Keep an eye out for the Michael Kors store, as it sits right on the corner of Front Street and Old Street.
If you’re limited on time for your shore excursion and want to stick to the port area, there are several international jewelry retailers, including Kay’s Fine Jewelry, Pandora, and Effy Jewelry, as well as numerous clothing stores, including an official Crocs store, so it’s easy to stock up on beachwear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you walk to the beach from St. Maarten Cruise Port?
Yes, Great Bay Beach is just a pleasant 10-minute walk from St. Maarten Cruise Port.
Can I get off the cruise ship in St. Maarten without a passport?
No, you do not need to present a passport to get off a cruise ship in St. Maarten. However, this only applies if you are a cruise ship passenger staying for less than 48 hours; otherwise, you will need a valid passport.
What is the name of the cruise terminal in St. Maarten?
The formal name is Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port, but it is often shortened to St. Maarten Cruise Terminal.
Princess Cruises will launch MedallionNet Max, a new WiFi service, on August 31, 2025, to provide advanced connectivity to digitally connected passengers.
The new service tier, offered exclusively within the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, will provide the highest performance bandwidth available to the cruise line’s passengers.
(Illustration by: Jacques Dayan)
Through Princess Cruises’s adoption of new satellite constellations and the installation of a WiFi access point in every stateroom across the fleet, MedallionNet Max will utilize SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet constellation, which consists of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit. Users connected to Starlink can find speeds ranging from 50 to 150 Mbps.
“By including MedallionNet Max in our incredible bundles, we are guaranteeing the best possible onboard experience with the best value anywhere in the world as our guests explore over 330 destinations vis our world-class globally deployed fleet,”said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
While the new service tier will be prioritized for guests who purchase the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, the existing MedallionNet Classic will continue to provide reliable global coverage at its current performance levels.
“Just like we did when we launched MedallionNet Classic almost seven years ago, Princess continues to ensure guests have access to the highest performing connectivity available at industry-leading value,” added Padgett.
To showcase MedallionNet Max’s speed and strength, Princess Cruises is hosting a unique UGC (User Generated Content) competition using a custom Minecraft world, “Princess Cruises Nautical Quest,” today, August 7, 2024.
Thirty-two of the world’s top UGC players will battle it out to be the first to escape the digital labyrinth, with eight gamers competing from aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess.
Gamers Shubble, Krinios, Fruitberries, vGumiho, Sneegsnag, JimmyHere, Smajor, and Hannahxxrose will be aboard the 3,660-passenger ship as it spends the day in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands during a 7-night Caribbean voyage. Twenty-four players will compete from home.
Providing Power Connectivity at a Fee
MedallionNet is the cruise industry’s only WiFi network that combines multiple orbit satellites, including Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Mid-Earth Orbit (MEO), and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO/Starlink), to deliver 5G networks to guests.
Princess Cruises joins sister cruise lines Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, and Seabourn, all owned by Carnival Corporation, with fleetwide Starlink connectivity.
Photo Courtesy: Hurtigruten
A la carte pricing for MedallionNet Classic, which debuted across the Princess fleet in 2018, remains at $24.99 per day for a single-device plan and $44.99 per day for a multi-device plan.
Princess Plus, which is $60 per day per guest, provides MedallionNet Max for one device per guest, while Princess Premier, at $80 per day per guest, provides access to four devices per guest.
In addition to enhanced connectivity, the Plus and Premier packages include various amenities. For Princess Plus packages, guests also receive non-alcoholic drinks; cocktails, wine and beer up to $15 each; power shots at the juice bar; and 25 percent off bottles of wine. Premier guests receive all but benefit from top-shelf spirits up to $20 each.
Princess Plus guests also receive two casual meals per sailing and two premium desserts per day, as well as two fitness classes per day. Princess Premium guests receive unlimited casual meals and premium desserts and two specialty meals per sailing, along with unlimited fitness classes, reserved seating at the theater, and Princess Prizes.
Both packages included crew appreciation tips and unlimited room service delivery, with fees waived for using OceanNow onboard delivery.
Additionally, Princess Cruises’ Platinum and Elite loyalty program members receive 50 percent off MedallionNet WiFi as a benefit.
