Carnival Cruise Line has begun charging for what was previously a free shuttle service at the cruise port of La Paz in Mexico, a destination occasionally included on Mexican Riviera itineraries.

Guests aboard Carnival Panorama have been surprised by the added fee, which was explained in a letter delivered during their sailing.

The cruise departed on Saturday, February 8, 2025, and the letter concerning La Paz was delivered that day. The ship’s visit to the port was Tuesday, February 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Independent transportation options are limited, and we encourage you to consider one of our shore excursions to enhance your experience. The cruise port is in an area that is approximately 30 minutes (drive time) from downtown,” the letter explained.

“Shuttle service will be available for a nominal charge to transport guests between the cruise terminal downtown and/or Coromuel Beach, if you opt to independently go ashore.”

The cost for the shuttle service varies by age. Guests ages 13 years and older cost $10, ages 6-12 years cost $8, and guests age 5 and younger are free. The cost is for a roundtrip ride.

Guests can buy their shuttle tickets through the Carnival Hub app or by visiting the Carnival Adventures desk in the Panorama Atrium, starboard side on Deck 4, next to the Cherry on Top sweet shop.

The letter does go on to note that private taxis are available for approximately $40 (USD) for one-way trips, and some rideshare services do operate in the area (prices will vary by operator). This gives guests some options if they want to plan time ashore in their own way.

What is most surprising is that the shuttle service from the cruise terminal into the downtown area used to be free, as guests who have visited La Paz previously have confirmed as recently as the end of 2024.

Carnival Cruise Line does not offer any explanation for now charging a fee for the shuttle. While the cost is not unreasonable, it can certainly come as a surprise for a family or group that may have been planning to enjoy the port at their leisure and without added costs.

Worth Reading: Shuttle Buses Keep Cruise Passengers Waiting for Hours

Rising fuel costs, the cost of servicing vehicles, hiring drivers, and other fees can certainly cause financial changes that would require a shuttle fee.

Some cruisers, however, feel it would be more forthright of Carnival to have sent notification of the new shuttle fee before the cruise set sail. This would have given travelers more time to plan and consider different options or even to select a different cruise ship or itinerary.

Carnival Panorama is currently sailing an 8-night Mexican Riviera cruise with visits to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, as well as the call to La Paz.

The ship is homeported year-round from Long Beach, California and offers different Mexican Riviera sailings, including 6-, 7-, and 8-night voyages. While itineraries are always subject to change, only the 8-night cruises currently call in La Paz.

In addition to Carnival Panorama, Grand Princess and Zaandam also have called scheduled to La Paz in the coming months. There is no word about whether or not a free shuttle will be provided to those passengers or if the transportation fee will apply.

Because both Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are also part of the Carnival Corporation family, it is quite possible the shuttle fee will apply on those sailings as well. Each line does operate independently, however, and what one line does will not necessarily apply to another line.

Can You Stay on a Ship in a Port of Call?

Guests are never required to get off a cruise ship in a port of call, except under very special and unusual circumstances, such as when extra cleaning may be required during a gastrointestinal illness outbreak occurs.

The letter regarding Carnival Panorama is also clear that guests can stay aboard the ship throughout the day.

“If you opt to remain on board while the ship is in La Paz, we will continue to take good care of you,” the letter said.

Read Also: One of These Mexican Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

A full schedule of activities such as trivia, games, dance lessons, movies, and other fun is sure to be offered while the ship is in port, but due to local restrictions, it is likely that the retail shops and casino will be closed.

Pools, waterslides, miniature golf, the ropes course, and the sky ride are all likely to be operation, weather permitting, though hours of operation may vary.

Guests can check the printed Fun Times newsletter for details on what activities are available while in La Paz, or check the Carnival Hub app for the most updated information and schedule changes.

The Mermaid City just got a little more exciting for cruise goers! As of today, February 11th, 2025, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine is setting sail for its very first year-round weekly cruise out of Norfolk, Virginia.

With the departure of Carnival Sunshine, Norfolk’s port now operates year-round for the first time, joining the expanding list of year-round cruise ports along the East Coast.

Carnival Cruise Line has been sailing out of Norfolk since 2002 but has only been operating seasonally with six-month schedules.

Carnival Sunshine is the first ship in the fleet to sail out of Norfolk since 2023. The Miami-based cruise line stayed away from the port through 2024, but the wait is now over ever since it was first announced in 2022.

Prior to the break, the Carnival Magic wrapped up six months of weekly cruises in October of 2023, during which Norfolk had their busiest cruise season in history, seeing 250,000 passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line Vice President of Port Operations David Candib had been in Norfolk ahead of the embarkation to welcome local officials to celebrate this historic moment.

Candib commented on the significance of this departure, stating:

“Year-round cruises mean more options for fun adventures and unforgettable vacations for our loyal guests as well as more tourism and economic impact for the Norfolk community both before and after each cruise.”

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander also commented on the momentous occasion, stating, “This expansion strengthens our economy, brings more visitors, and creates new opportunities for our community. We’re proud to partner with Carnival and look forward to a thriving future together.“

Initially, the Carnival Sunshine was supposed to depart at 6 pm EST, but has departed at roughly 6:33 pm EST, slightly behind schedule but not unexpected for a first-time voyage.

The Carnival Sunshine sits at 102,853 gross tons, with a guest capacity of 3,758 and a crew capacity of 1,040. The vessel launched in 1996, but it is running smoothly, having just completed a dry dock in Marseille, France.

The Carnival Sunshine has a variety of itineraries, including stops in the Eastern Caribbean and Bermuda, and beginning in September, it will also stop at Celebration Key, which is Carnival’s new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama.

The itinerary for this first cruise is a 5-night round trip to the Bahamas, making stops in both Freeport and Bimini.

Currently, the Carnival Sunshine is the only ship with Norfolk as its home port. Norfolk is expecting to see 150,000 passengers annually from Carnival Cruise Line alone.

How Norfolk Has Prepared for Year-Round Cruises

Virginia is embracing the increase in tourism that cruises bring.

Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Center (located at the Port of Norfolk) opened in April of 2007, but it has only been a seasonal port that was used primarily from spring until fall.

Nauticus’ Half Moone Cruise Center at the Port of Norfolk made $12,000,000 of enhancements in the past year to enhance the experience for the increasing number of passengers they are about to get.

This included additional seating for passengers waiting to board, an inclined walkway for debarking passengers, and improved ground transportation.

Read Also: What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?

Despite these enhancements to the port, Norfolk will mostly be seeing passengers of the Carnival Sunshine fairly exclusively in 2025.

Why? Norfolk’s port is often used by cruise lines for port calls only, meaning the ship stops to get supplies, cargo, or fuel.

Some of the cruise lines stopping in Norfolk for port call only this year include Viking Ocean Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Holland America Line, TUI Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Viking Ocean Cruises.

For all of the Virginia natives out there looking to escape the near-freezing weather, you might want to hop on the Carnival Sunshine!

As someone who is currently in a walking boot as I recover from surgery to repair torn ligaments in my ankle, I certainly understand the frustration of being delayed by an injury – especially when there is really nothing that can be done about it except to be patient. 

But one Carnival cruiser, who has remained anonymous for privacy reasons, has not let her own torn ligament stop her – as she reported partaking in six sailings over the last six months. 

But while she clearly enjoyed her sailings enough to keep coming back for more, delays due to crowded elevators during disembarkation have caused her voyages to end on a sour note – and she made sure Brand Ambassador John Heald was well aware of it. 

“I am now walking with a cane due to a torn ligament in my leg. I cannot take the stairs. We have cruised six times in the last 6 months. When trying to disembark the ship I am waiting and waiting and waiting for elevators due to people carrying off their own luggage,” the woman offered as background.

“It seems it has gotten completely out of hand. The elevator opens up and it is completely full because everybody is carrying their own luggage off. Then when we get to the elevator at the port there is a long line of people who can’t take the escalator because they have their luggage,” she went on to explain.

Her request to Heald was that he find a way to encourage more guests to allow Carnival to pick up their luggage the night before disembarkation and deliver it to the cruise terminal for guests – as she does – to lessen the congestion in the elevators. 

“I’m so sorry to read this and I do sincerely hope that you make a full recovery. We have to have people take off their own luggage. If we didn’t have this operation, then debarkation would still be going on at past midday and that would delay embarkation in the start of everybody’s cruise,” Heald replied on his public Facebook page.

While Heald sympathised with this guest’s request, what she asked for could derail the entire disembarkation process. 

Preparing for Disembarkation on a Carnival Ship

All Carnival cruise ships currently offer two methods of disembarkation. The first choice is called express disembarkation, in which guests can disembark early and carry their own luggage off the ship – the prevalence of which is what the anonymous passenger was complaining about. 

The other option is to check luggage by attaching new luggage tags, which are delivered to cruise cabins on the final day of the voyage, and leaving suitcases outside of the stateroom for cabin stewards to pick up the night before disembarkation.

Guests are supposed to select their chosen method and what time they would like to disembark by going to the “My Planner” section of the Hub App before 1:00 p.m. ship-time on the final day of their sailing.

As Heald’s more than 550,000 Facebook followers can attest, Carnival guests like having options. 

While some do prefer the convenience of checking their luggage and letting the cruise line deliver it to the port, others voiced concerns about lost luggage or potential delays with their baggage leading to problems with their next travel plans – such as making an early flight. 

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

But while Heald can’t change how Carnival cruisers disembark at this time, he did have a suggestion to make things easier for the injured passenger on her next sailing.

“Can I please say that I would respectfully perhaps suggest the next time you cruise that you request wheelchair assistance. That way you don’t have to worry about anything and we will get you safely into the terminal. That would certainly be something that I would consider,” Heald recommended. 

That said, this guest isn’t alone in feeling frustrated because of crowded elevators. Even earlier in February we covered a story about a passenger in a wheelchair who was left in tears after an unfortunate elevator incident – and the topic has certainly come up more than once in Carnival forums.

The cruising ducks phenomenon is certainly here to stay. While it’s a fun game that many cruisers enjoy, there is a strong segment of travelers who dislike the game and wish it would be banned.

While Carnival Cruise Line has previously confirmed it would not ban cruising ducks, the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, continues to get requests that the guest-led scavenger hunt be eliminated.

But why? Heald has reached out to his significant fan base of more than 595,000 followers on Facebook to ask about the game and why it creates such strong feelings.

“People that hide ducks for others to find do so because they love to give other people a little dollop of happiness and joy. I understand that it’s not for everyone,” he explained.

“I do not understand why some people are so adamant that we ban this cruise phenomenon immediately. I do not understand why it upsets them so much. Isn’t this just one of those things where you can just walk on by? Maybe I’m missing something here. Why do people keep writing to me saying they want them banned?”

The game does appear to be a polarizing one for some cruisers, with a love-it-or-hate-it reaction. Fortunately, many travelers do understand that they don’t have to participate.

“I never got into the duck thing. Not hiding them nor finding them. But it brings others joy, it doesn’t affect me so go right ahead. It’s not like there are ducks everywhere. They are ‘hidden.’ That’s the whole purpose,” one guest responded to Heald.

Some guests express the thought that those who complain about the ducks may not be happy themselves unless they find something to complain about.

Others speculate that the duck haters might be angry that they haven’t found ducks of their own, or they simply don’t comprehend how much happiness the silly game can bring to other cruisers of all ages.

Some comparisons to other cruise activities have also been made, demonstrating that the activity is just a fun and simple one.

“Just because they don’t see the joy in the hiding and hunt doesn’t mean they should deny those that do, as long as it does not impair the ship’s operation. To me it’s no different than decorating one’s cabin door,” one guest noted.

There have been no reports at any time, from any cruise line, that hiding or finding ducks has any impact on other activities or the operational needs of a vessel.

Not only will Carnival Cruise Line not ban the game, but in recent months, the cruise line has introduced a new “Ducky the Duck” character throughout the fleet for photo ops. Many cruisers enjoy finding this larger-than-life crew member for selfies!

About Cruise Ducks – And Why Some People Hate the Game

The cruise ducks game is a simple one – guests hide small ducks around the ship, leaving them for others to find. While rubber ducks are the most common and come in a wide range of styles and sizes, miniature ducks, crocheted, and even bedazzled ducks can be found on Carnival ships.

Ducks may simply be left in public spaces and may or may not have tags attached to identify who first left the duck, what sailing it is on, and the idea that “keep or hide, you decide.”

Read Also: Cruise Ducks – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know!

The activity is not sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line, nor is it directed by any member of the Fun Squad. In fact, many crew members look forward to finding ducks and collect them to bring a bit of brightness and joy to their cabins or work areas.

“We did the Behind the Fun tour on the Mardi Gras and we’re thrilled to see the massive collection of ducks on the bridge. The crew enjoy them too,” one guest commented.

Cruise ducks have become so popular that some travelers even fill suitcases or carry on bags with an extreme number of ducks to hide, especially for longer sailings.

So why is the activity a controversial one? Maybe some travelers really are bitter at not finding a duck themselves, or they are bothered if they do see one in an unexpected area, as if it is a bit of litter.

Just like R-rated comedy shows, dance contests, deck parties, and any other activity on a Carnival cruise – if guests don’t want to participate, they don’t have to do so.

There are always plenty of other activities onboard for everyone to enjoy, no matter what they like doing the most.

It can be very exciting to be planning and reserving exclusive activities for your upcoming cruise vacation. But what about when the activities you want to do most are already sold out or fully booked months before your sailing date, or even more than a year before?

Fortunately for Carnival cruise guests, some information that shows sold out options or unusual tour times for the most popular activities is just a website glitch that the cruise line is working to fix.

Timing Glitch for Popular Tour

The glitch in timing is affecting the listing for Carnival’s wildly popular “Behind the Fun” tour which takes guests into exclusive areas including the ship’s bridge, the engine control room, laundry facilities, and crew-only areas.

When trying to pre-book this tour, however, guests are seeing that the timing of the activity is listed as embarkation day at noon. This is not always possible for guests to use if they are arriving to the ship later in the afternoon.

That timing, however, is a glitch and should be disregarded.

“This brilliant look behind the crew only door is fabulous but when people are purchasing these tickets from our website it states that the excursion will be leaving on embarkation day at noon,” John Heald, Carnival’s official Brand Ambassador, confirmed.

“This of course understandably has people in a panic wondering if they will be on board on time. My apologies, this is a glitch or whatever the proper word is. The Behind The Fun Excursion is scheduled for the LAST [sea] day of the cruise. The tickets and information you will receive in the cabin will reflect this.”

As with any shore tour, guests will receive tickets for the Behind the Fun tour once they are onboard and do not need to worry about rushing through the chaos of embarkation day to take the tour. Heald reached out to his Facebook fans with reassurance about the timing so any interested guest can still purchase the tour.

“I wanted to share this here [on Facebook] because some have said they have been put off from purchasing this so I wanted to make sure I let everyone know,” he said.

The Behind the Fun tour is offered aboard every Carnival cruise ship as operational needs permit. Guests should review the tour’s requirements – closed toed shoes, no cameras, no skirts, minimum age of 8 years, etc. – to be sure the activity is right for them.

To book the tour, guests do need to choose from shore excursions available on day one of their sailing, where they will find Behind the Fun listed. The tour can be booked from Carnival’s website or via the Carnival Hub app.

Specialty Dining Reservations Sold Out – A Wording Problem

Another website “glitch” booked guests are finding for their future Carnival cruise sailings is that many specialty dining reservations and dining-related events appear to be sold out, even more than a year in advance.

This includes reservations to the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Rudi’s Seagrill, Bonsai Teppanyaki, JiJi Asian Kitchen, the popular Chef’s Table dining event, the whimsical Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, and more.

What is actually true, however, is not that these options are already sold out, but that they haven’t been made available for sailings so far in the future.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Dining Options Worth Paying For

“I know some are trying to purchase a specialty dining time for 2026 and that everything says ‘SOLD OUT’ – nothing is actually sold out and it is just that we have not opened up bookings for 2026,” Heald explained. “I have asked for the beards to change the wording.”

Bookings for these events are typically released several months before a sailing, but the timing can vary. Some of the exclusive events do sell out quickly once they are available.

Booked guests should continue to check the website for when the reservations are opened to ensure they can secure their favorite option at the time they prefer.