When cruisers may be rushing back to their ship at the very last minute, guests already onboard may cheer, jeer, laugh, or applaud their efforts.
While this can be entertaining to some travelers, others have raised concerns that to make fun of these last-second arrivals is unkind and even cruel. Carnival Cruise Line has reached out for feedback from guests, but also notes that the cruise line will not stop such behavior.
The concept of a “pier runner” is often unknown to first-time cruisers, but is a well-known phenomenon to frequent cruisers.
Cruise Passengers Heading Back to Ship (Photo Credit: Yingna Cai)
Pier runners are those individuals returning to the ship in a port of call just as the gangways are raised and the ship is ready to sail. In some instances, pier runners are even left behind as the ship pulls away from the dock.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently addressed such late passengers on his popular Facebook page, following comments from guests who have found themselves in that unfortunate position.
“It is always fascinating when people get upset with the ship and then with me because they were late back and were applauded and cheered as they entered the Pier Runners Society,”Heald explained.
Different guests have apparently asked that other travelers not be permitted to cheer, applaud, jeer, catcall, or otherwise make fun of those guests running late to the ship.
It should be noted that this is never an “official” activity listed in the Carnival Hub app or in the printed FunTimes newsletter, but many experienced cruisers find a good spot on the deck to watch the pier as the ship’s all aboard time approaches.
“It must feel awful, but when you’re late back to the ship because you ‘lost track of time’ it really is not feasible for us to tell the thousands of other guests please don’t applaud, please don’t cheer,”Heald said.
Again, Carnival Cruise Line does not officially endorse this activity, but it is a well-known form of entertainment among cruisers, especially at ports better known for a party scene, such as Cozumel and Nassau. Pier runners, however, can happen at any port of call.
Sentiment among commenters is not kind to pier runners, and in fact, many of Heald’s fans have even more colorful, creative ways to “welcome” pier runners back to the ship at the last second.
“I yell out to them ‘Last one on buys a round for the whole ship!’ If Carnival adopted this as official policy, everyone would be on board half an hour before sailing.”
“I laugh my big booty off when folks don’t make it. I’ve been a pier [runner] before, but made it.”
“Making fun of pier runners is the main reason I get a balcony. Hubby and I grab a pizza, a beer, and get our cameras and best jeers ready.”
There are, however, more kindhearted travelers who genuinely wish the best for their tardy cruise companions.
“I am just glad they made it back to the ship and did not get left behind!”
“I haven’t been fortunate enough to see any but I would cheer them on in hopes they make it back on.”
Commenters Offer Tips
Many commenters also offered tips for how to avoid becoming one of those cheered – or jeered – at the last minute. While every Carnival ship does put the all aboard time prominently in signage near the gangway and in the Carnival Hub app, as well as make onboard announcements when the ship docks, different time zones or a late tour can make even the most conscientious guest tardy to return.
Instead of relying on the time on a cell phone, for example, set an alarm for the number of hours the ship is in port, being sure to subtract an additional hour just in case you need to hustle back. This will ensure you are alerted well before the ship must leave even if your phone adjusts automatically for local time.
Similarly, consider wearing an old-school (non-smart) watch that will not reset itself to local time, and set an alarm when you will need to head back to the ship.
Booking shore excursions through Carnival Cruise Line will keep the ship informed if your tour is late, and for most tours, the ship will be able to wait for your return from an authorized excursion.
Guests who book independent arrangements should allot sufficient time to be sure they are back to the ship well before the all-aboard time, which is typically 30 minutes before the ship sails away.
As Disney Treasure moves closer to welcoming her first guests, construction crews in the Meyer Werft Shipyard have been working hard to make sure these passengers will be greeted with top notch accommodations.
On July 16, 2024, the family-oriented cruise line announced that the cruise cabins—all 1,246 of them—had officially been installed after a long and tedious process that started outside of the shipyard.
Indeed, each stateroom was carefully prefabricated at an off-site factory using a slow-moving conveyor belt.
Disney Treasure Cabin at Meyer Werft (Credit: Disney)
As the rooms moved down the line, experts efficiently brought the cabins to life, taking care of everything from installing plumbing to placing furniture in just the right place.
Once the cabins were ready, they were transported to the shipyard, which is located in Papenburg, Germany, and slotted into place onboard using cranes – sort of like completing an intricate (and very expensive) puzzle.
Once the 144,000 gross-ton vesselenters service on December 21, 2024, these staterooms will be shared across a maximum of 4,000 cruisers per sailing, which averages to approximately three guests per stateroom.
Of course, this number will vary based on the type of traveler and party size – as Disney has options to accommodate everyone from solo travelers and couples to big families and large friend groups.
For context, this is the same capacity offered by Disney Wish, the Wish-class vessel’s older sister that entered service in summer of 2022.
Like the other ships in Disney’s fleet, the staterooms will include nods to classic Disney animation. The newly released concept art photos show off a painting inspired by “Aladdin,” which is also the theme for the new vessel’s Grand Hall.
Disney Treasure Verandah Staterooms
“Built with families in mind, the luxurious accommodations and amenities aboard the Disney Treasure strike an inviting balance between modern design and nostalgic charm,” reads the Disney Cruise Line website.
“Each stateroom offers a fresh, natural color scheme with custom artwork that entices Guests to peer beyond their stateroom into fantastical Disney adventures,” continues the description.
It’s unclear if all staterooms will follow the “Aladdin” theme, or if they will broaden to pay homage to other beloved movies and characters with additional artwork.
Construction Crews Make Progress Elsewhere Onboard
Of course, guests are on their cruise to have fun – not to spend all their time in their cabins.
Earlier this month Disney Cruise Line revealed that crews have surpassed amajor milestone in the completionof one key destination for fun onboard: the swimming pools.
On July 5, 2024, DCL unveiled new, first-look photosof decks 11 and 12, which will eventually be home to six different pools, Disney’s famous Funnel Vision stage and screen, and the AquaMouse water-coaster.
Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft Shipyard
As seen in the photos, the foundation for all six different pools has officially been laid, which is arguably the hardest part of the construction process.
Additionally, the Funnel Vision stage, which is used for parties and performances onboard during events like the embarkation day celebration and Pirate Night, is already installed.
All that seems to be left is installing the jumbo LED screen, which is used to add some extra magic to the shows and for pool-side movie viewing.
Perhaps most exciting is that the installation of the AquaMouse, a hybrid water slide and roller coaster that features its own story like a theme park ride, is well underway.
Once complete, the 760-foot long ride will take guests on a whole new tubular adventure, which has been titled “The Curse of the Golden Egg,” transporting guests from their two-person rafts to a mysterious temple while at sea.
Celebrity Cruises, which just finished the 2024 President’s Cruise, has announced the 2025 destination and dates for next year’s elite sailing at a first-ever destination for the exclusive event.
In May 2025, Celebrity Apex will take guests on the President’s Cruise to the outstanding Norwegian Fjords with a roundtrip sailing from Southampton, UK.
The exclusive sailing departs May 17, 2025 and will offer unique events and activities not available on any other cruise. Most exciting for many travelers are the opportunities for Captain’s Club members to meet, greet, and interact with Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, and other members of the cruise line’s executive team.
Celebrity Cruise Ship in the Norwegian Fjords
Not only do executives meet with travelers for comments and photo ops, but they really take the time to gather feedback and suggestions from the cruise line’s loyal guests. That feedback will be studied, considered, and integrated into the cruise line’s operations where possible.
“It is incredibly rewarding to hear guests’ stories and experience Celebrity through their eyes,”said Hodges Bethge.“The feedback and ideas we receive while onboard are instrumental in shaping the future of Celebrity Cruises, allowing us to innovate and enhance our offerings in ways that truly resonate with our guests.”
Unique activities are also offered onboard the annual President’s Cruise. While exact details of the 2025 activities list have not yet been revealed, the 2024 sailing—a 6-night Caribbean itinerary aboard Celebrity Beyond—included performances from the Team USA Artistic Swimming team and Guinness World Record holding hula hoopers, as well as an Officers vs. Guests pool volleyball game.
Premium shore excursions, additional meet-and-greet sessions, new menu items, and other exclusive benefits are often found aboard these unique sailings, which are sure to sell out quickly.
The 2025 President’s Cruise will depart Southampton, UK on May 17, 2025 for an 8-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary. Scheduled calls include Zeebrugge, Belgium as well as four unique destinations in eastern Norway: Olden, Geiranger, Alesund, and Bergen. Two days at sea are also part of the itinerary.
The 130,818-gross-ton Celebrity Apex joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in 2020 and is no stranger to Norwegian waters. In fact, the ship is homeported from Southampton through October 2024, currently offering a diverse season that includes Norwegian Fjords, Best of Scandinavia, and Arctic Circle sailings, along with Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Ireland, and Canary Island offerings.
The ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale to spend the winter in the Caribbean, with her first tropical departure on November 4, 2024, following a 12-night transatlantic cruise from Southampton to Florida. Celebrity Apex will return to Southampton in April 2025, several weeks ahead of the highly anticipated President’s Cruise.
The Edge-class ship can welcome 3,405 guests aboard, and is also home to just over 1,300 international crew members.
The 2024 President’s Cruise
Celebrity Cruises’ 2024 President’s Cruise just concluded at the end of June. The exclusive voyage was held aboard Celebrity Beyond, sister ship to Celebrity Apex, on a 6-night Caribbean itinerary.
The Caribbean cruise was especially suitable for this year’s President’s Cruise as it was able to highlight Perfect Day at CocoCay, a new destination for Celebrity Cruises and the number one destination in Royal Caribbean Group. To showcase the beauty of the island and what the destination offers, travelers were treated to jet ski and flyboard stunt performers, Caribbean junkanoo bands, and other great activities.
The cruise also called in Grand Cayman as well as Bimini, with each stop offering unique shore tours and exclusive opportunities for travelers. The event ended with a spectacular fireworks send-off from Bimini before the ship headed back toward Port Everglades.
The 2025 President’s Club cruise will be the first available to travelers since Royal Caribbean Group announced an unprecedented one-for-one loyalty tier match across all its brands – Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea. This is a first in the cruise industry, and offers incomparable benefits to all travelers, no matter what type of cruising they prefer.
The Port of Plymouth is reaping the benefits of a big boost in cruise ship arrivals, fully double the number that called two years ago, bringing welcome revenue to the destination on England’s southwest coast.
Thanks to the 14 cruise ships that will visit during the 2024 season, the port and city of Plymouth will see additional visitor spending of £1.5 million ($1.9 million USD).
Cruise Ship in Plymouth (Photo Credit: One Plymouth)
Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City, will welcome about 10,500 cruise guests, each of whom will spend around £90 ($117 USD) while visiting the destination, and roughly 5,000 crew members.
Aside from cruise guest spending at restaurants and shops in the Plymouth area, the region also sees income from port and harbor pilot fees plus shore excursion bookings.
“This is a fantastic boost to the local economy and it is growing by the year. We’re delighted to see so many passengers and crew enjoying our city and spending on everything from visiting the attractions and taking tours, to the gift shops and other retail outlets, cafes and restaurants,” said Amanda Lumley, chief executive of Destination Plymouth.
Plymouth, located about 160 miles southwest of Southampton, is best known by Americans for its role in US history since it was from the city that the Mayflower set off for the New World in 1620. The destination marks the historic event with the Mayflower Steps, a harbor-front landmark flanked by the British and American flags.
In 2024, the port will welcome a wide variety of cruise ships, from smaller vessels with a capacity of fewer than 300 passengers to those that can accommodate around 1,500.
In 2024, ships visiting the port, which can berth vessels up to 984 feet long, include Seabourn’s 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn, Exploris’ 132-guest expedition ship Exploris I, Windstar Cruises’ 312-guest Star Legend, Ponant’s 184-guest Le Dumont D’urville, Silversea Cruises’ 691-guest Silver Dawn and 608-guest Silver Spirit, and Oceania’s 684-guest Sirena, among others.
Cruise line representatives also tout the appeal of the destination and the surrounding region.
“The city is really well received with its distillery, museums, local shops and tours in the countryside and maritime history. The majority of passengers – 70% – are Americans interested in the Mayflower connection. Plymouth is a beautiful location,” said Susanna Carpaccio, manager of destination experiences at Silversea Cruises.
International cruise brands representing the premium, luxury, and expedition markets all are represented in the roster of ships slated to call at the port, and the destination holds special welcome ceremonies for vessels making their maiden calls.
“Ten of these cruise ships are first time visitors to Plymouth and, during such inaugural visits, it’s a long maritime tradition to exchange plaques between the Master of the vessel and the Port’s Harbour Master or local representative, so a plentiful supply of plaques is needed for this year,” said Glen Gardner, cruise new business development manager at Destination Plymouth.
The port’s facilities are in the process of a major renovation to upgrade berthing and passenger facilities, all scheduled to be completed in 2025. The investment project is an initiative of Associated British Ports, which owns the port of Plymouth.
Destination Looks to Similar Success in 2025 Cruise Season
In early 2024, tourism officials predicted a major boost in the port’s cruise business, citing the expected 40% rise in cruise ship arrivals. Now that it has come to fruition, Destination Plymouth officials are enthusiastic about 2025 as well, noting that 10 vessels already are committed to calling at the port and four more ship visits are pending.
Plymouth is not the only coastal destination in England making substantial gains in cruise tourism. The port of Portsmouth, which is much closer to Southampton — roughly 20 miles west — is expecting to break cruise arrival records in 2024, with 155,000 guests expected.
Portsmouth completed a major berth expansion and built a new cruise terminal. Like Plymouth, several ships will make maiden calls to the port in 2024, including large ships such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,400-guest Norwegian Star.
Royal Caribbean International launched the inaugural season of its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, with a star-studded celebration in Port Canaveral, Florida.
The eagerly awaited celebration took place on July 15, 2024, marking the ship’s official naming ceremony and introducing Utopia of the Seas as a short getaway cruise option from Florida.
Meghan Trainor, who serves as the ship’s godmother and is known for hits like “All About That Base,” led the festivities onboard with more than 4,000 attendees.
Utopia of the Seas Naming Ceremony (Orlando), Florida. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International)
Reverend Run from Run DMC and DJ Ruckus were on hand spinning music during a dance party filled with Royal Caribbean executives, crew members, and partygoers that included 50 Trainor fans who had won a contest to attend.
During the Monday night party, Trainor took center stage at the ship’s open-air AquaTheater, blessing the ship, its crew, and future guests who board it.
“Being here for this incredible celebration with Royal Caribbean is a dream come true,” Trainor said. “From performing on a breathtaking stage while we’re in the middle of the ocean to having my fans here to sing and dance with me and experiencing it all with my family – Utopiareally is the ultimate short getaway.I’m so honored to be part of the memories so many will make here.”
The event was a vibrant kickoff to Utopia of the Seas’ 3-night celebration cruise, featuring more performances by Trainor and nonstop entertainment.
The cruise precedes Utopia of the Seas‘ season of short getaway cruises to the Bahamas that begins on July 19. The sailings that can accommodate will offer 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday voyages, with destinations including Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Utopia of the Seas Embarks on Inaugural Season
Second in size only to Icon of the Seas and the final addition to the Oasis class, the 5,668-passenger Utopia of the Seas completed construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and was officially handed over to Royal Caribbean ahead of schedule on June 13, 2024.
The 236,680-gross-ton ship underwent a series of technical tests at the Port of the Americas from July 6 to 8 after a transatlantic journey from France that began on June 23. Arriving at Port Canaveral on July 11, the ship has been docked at Terminal 1 at Royal Caribbean’s Terminal B as it prepared for its big debut.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
Said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group,“We set out to create a utopian playground at sea that delivers the perfect short getaway and ultimate vacation. I’m immensely proud of our dream team that turned this vision into reality.”
Guests will enjoy an array of entertainment across the ship, including two theaters showcasing Broadway-style shows, multiple live music venues, and the high-tech AquaTheater, which will be used to highlight stunning water-based performances.
Additionally, guests can enjoy multiple pools, including a solarium for adults and a bustling water park for families. A Sports Zone on the top deck features a zip line, twin FlowRider surf simulators, and the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest dry slide at sea spanning multiple decks.
Utopia of the Seas also offers more than 40 dining and drinking options, including specialty restaurants and casual eateries. Highlights include a food truck-style venue on the pool deck and Royal Railway—Utopia Station, an immersive dining experience that simulates a classic train journey.
Each 3- and 4-day itinerary includes stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, where guests can enjoy exclusive beaches, an expansive water park, and various leisure activities.
Carnival Cruise Line has begun implementing one often-requested upgrade in onboard staterooms, but has the cruise line taken the suggestion too far?
Frequent travelers have long requested adding a motion-sensor nightlight to cabin bathrooms, but the new lights onboard Carnival Legend as well as other vessels may be a bit too much.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has shared a video of the nightlight on his popular Facebook page, taken by the housekeeping manager onboard Carnival Legend. He did this in response to a guest’s complaint over the brightness of the nightlight.
“Our past Carnival Legend cruise was ruined because of this infernal motion sensor light that came on at night and [is] very stupidly bright,”the guest complained.“It was like a prison searchlight. My husband tried stuffing towels along the crack so if one of us needed to use the bathroom it would not disturb the other. We told the cabin steward to unplug them but she refused to do this.”
Heald first addressed the cabin attendant’s “refusal” to unplug or turn off the light, noting that this is not possible because the sensors are built in and it would require a lot of work, potentially including rewiring, to add that capability. He does note that the upgrade is being added to multiple ships, with more planned.
“We have these on many ships now and will be adding more,”he confirmed.“They only come on if you walk to the bathroom or get up out of bed and they are designed to stop you tripping or falling in the dark.”
The video Heald shared shows the hotel manager walking by the closed bathroom and closet doors and the nightlight illuminating from what appears to be the bottom of the closet. This lights up the short hallway and the entrance to the bathroom, ensuring guests can easily see their way and do not trip or become disoriented on their way to the bathroom.
The astonishingly bright glow is a glare on the carpet and throughout the stateroom, casting relatively harsh light on the stateroom’s couch and even onto the pillows of the king-sized bed. The light shuts off automatically after approximately 30 seconds.
Reactions to the new nightlight have been mixed, with more than 2,400 comments posted in just a few hours. While some guests are glad for the illumination, many commenters note that the light is far too bright and would be a disturbance to others sleeping at the time.
“I think they’re a great idea, but they are too bright in the middle of the night.”
“It’s a great idea, but the lights are too bright. For families, this would wake everyone up in the cabin for each person that wakes up during the night.”
“I don’t think I have ever agreed with one of the complainers on here but I do this time. I don’t sleep well and this will definitely wake me up.”
“I experienced the light in May. I think its’ a great idea but it is way too bright.”
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Furthermore, some travelers who have already used staterooms with this newly installed type of nightlight have confirmed that if a third person is in the room sleeping on the couch, the light will activate whenever that person might roll over.
This can create a lot of bright and unwelcome disturbances at night, disrupting guests’ sleep and making the entire vacation far less restful and enjoyable than expected.
Keeping a Stateroom Dark
Some suggestions for adjustments include the option to turn the light off or to adjust the brightness level with a dimmer switch that would allow travelers to customize the light level that works for them. Changing the light color to a relaxing blue might also be another option that would make less of a harsh glare.
Heald has not indicated whether any such adjustments to the new nightlights might be possible.
Some innovative guests have made their own adjustments by using towels to dim the light or putting something to block the sensor so it doesn’t trigger at all. For some travelers, sleeping with an eye mask to block all light might also be an option, but not all individuals can be comfortable with that solution.
Do you prefer a nightlight built-in to a cruise ship stateroom or do you bring your own? Would you rather have a completely dark cabin? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
For years, going through a travel agent has been a highly popular way to book a vacation, from cruises and beyond. But according to Reddit, something may have changed in recent years.
On July 15, 2024, a user who goes by the handle Dulcineal posted on Redditabout his recent dissatisfaction with travel agents.
“I’m not sure if I’m just expecting too much from my travel agents or if the quality has just gone down recently in competence level, but I have been very let down by travel agents in the past two years,”began the post.
The Redditor’s biggest complaint was that it felt like the travel agents they had employed were not knowledgeable enough to do the job well.
“It just seems like the ones recommended to me either aren’t very good at researching the things they offer (not knowing port locations, not knowing perks for different cruise cabin classes, not knowing different categories for different cruise lines, not properly reading the dates or specific ship names I request in very clear emails, etc.) and/or they feel annoyed when I ask them to price several different trips,”continued the post.
The disgruntled cruiser concluded his post by posing a question to the Reddit community: Are they expecting too much out of their travel agents or has the quality of the service provided by these professionals declined in recent years?
While a few people advocated for travel agents, some of whom were travel professionals themselves, the majority of the response echoed the sentiments of the original poster.
“Lots of travel agents these days only really do it part time or as a side hustle with the benefit of getting some travel perks for themselves and most of their clients are friends and family. If you’re not really already in their orbit they’re not really going to spend a bunch of their time & energy on you,” commented one user.
“I booked my first cruise with a T.A. and wasn’t really told a lot of information. We ended up not knowing that our room was in a bad location (in front of the ship near thrusters), that we had picked a specific dining time (never showed up because we preferred to eat in the buffet), and a few other minor things,”wrote another.
The general consensus was that travel agents were not helpful enough to justify employing their services, especially when agents charge an additional fee on top of the commissions they typically get from the cruise lines or other vendors – as is the industry standard.
All that said, maybe travel agents do deserve to be cut some slack. With cruise bookings on the rise and reaching record numbers, it’s also possible that these professionals may be overwhelmed and don’t have the same bandwidth they did in the past.
Should Travel Agents Get A Second Chance?
While some on Reddit were clearly dissatisfied with their travel agent experience, it doesn’t mean all travel experts will do a bad job. With thousands of professionals working in this industry, there is certainly a range of super stars to people who are just phoning it in.
While booking travel might be a side hustle for some people, or other travel agents might lack knowledge because they are new to the profession, there are lots of well-qualified agents out there who are happy to help.
In the sea of complaints about lack of knowledge and timeliness, one travel agent, who goes by Crazydisneycatlady on Reddit, tried to advocate for travel industry professionals.
Costa Cruise Ship Embarkation (Photo Credit: KarSol)
“I am a TA, have been for 8 years. It’s not my full time career but I take it very seriously, and it’s certainly not a 9-5 job. I’m always shocked when people say ‘It’s Sunday so I can’t contact my TA for such and such a thing’. Like, no, that’s literally the job. Unless I’m sleeping, I will get back to you very quickly. And that’s how everyone in my agency is,” a travel agent wrote in response to the Reddit post from Dulcineal.
“Researching is what I do. I have an embarrassing amount of spreadsheets with various info. And if I don’t know something, I know where to look to find the answer. If you already know the date and ship you want, my goodness, you’re the dream client! If not, I help you narrow it down, because yes, that’s what I’m paid for,” continued her response.
For cruisers who find the right travel agent, their services can be quite helpful.
Especially for first-time cruisers, who may not yet know the ins and outs of picking a cruise cabin, the best ways to travel to the port, and booking shore excursions, a knowledgeable professional can serve as a useful guide.
The best ways to find a reputable agent is to get personal referrals from friends or family members, read recent reviews online, vet professionals or agencies by checking their rating and accreditation on Better Business Bureau.
It’s also a good idea to look for agents with promising certifications from reputable organizations like the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) or The Travel Institute.
Virgin Voyages has launched a summer campaign titled, “Seas the Ride,” which pairs the cruise line with indoor cycling company SoulCycle. The partnership is a first between the high-energy brands.
Starting July 15 through September 4, 2024, “Seas the Ride” will include themed SoulCycle rides across variation locations with its land-based participants engaging in the ultimate summer challenge of riding for a chance to win an exclusive adult-only cruise experience on Virgin Voyages at each of SoulCycle’s 61 studios.
Seas the Ride (Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)
Every ride between July 15 and September 4 will count as an entry to win, with one rider chosen at random from each studio as the winner. The prize includes a plus one for the voyage, and winners must be 18 and older and residents of either the U.S. or the U.K.
The promotion will also bring Virgin Voyages’ spirited atmosphere to 15 SoulCycle studios, transforming them with vibrant red lighting, lively music, and appearances by Virgin’s Happenings Cast.
Additionally, each themed ride will feature summer goodies and refreshments inspired by the culinary offerings aboard Virgin ships.
Guests sailing on Valiant Lady’s July 19 roundtrip cruise from Miami to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, can also join the fun with multiple electric rides in the ship’s onboard spin studio, taught by Virgin’s own SoulCycle trainer Isaiah Alexander. Located in the B-Complex, the sailing will feature both morning and afternoon cycling classes.
SoulCycle fans can clip in with Virgin in New York starting this Saturday, with the Virgin Voyages takeover taking place at The Barn in Bridgehampton on July 20, and Tribeca, NoHo, and Bronxville in New York City on July 23, 25, and 27, respectively.
Rides will also occur across California, including West Hollywood on July 25, Palo Alto on August 17, Union Street in San Francisco on August 22, and Pasadena on August 29.
Additional rides will take place in Old Town Chicago on August 1, River Oaks in Houston on August 3, Seaport in Boston on August 8, Buckhead in Atlanta on August 10, Seattle on August 31, and Coral Gables and Brickell in Miami on August 24 and 30, respectively.
Sir Richard Branson, founder and owner of Virgin Group, which operates Virgin Voyages, has a history of unique promotions and often makes surprise appearances, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the Hamptons for the launch of the Seas the Ride campaign.
Wellness and Fitness Offerings Aboard Virgin Voyages
As an inclusive, adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages offers a variety of wellness facilities and activities onboard its ships, particularly within the B-Complex area.
B-Complex, featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic sea views during workouts, is divided into two functional sections equipped with the latest Technogym equipment.
One section serves as a multipurpose fitness studio where guests can participate in a range of classes, from Bungee to BARRE. Its cycling studio provides spin classes at no additional charge.
B Complex Virgin Voyages (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Outdoor and indoor fitness opportunities through the also-free Training Camp include equipment like MyBeast for functional training and a Geezers Boxing ring for boxing enthusiasts.
For guests seeking a more private workout experience, the Training Camp offers a Fitness on Demand apps that passengers can access during their cruises.
Extending around the ship is also a 255-meter jogging track, offering a scenic route for running and walking.
The SoulCycle program will only be available on Valiant Lady, but the cruise line operates a fleet of four ships, all constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
Each ship, including Resilient Lady, Scarlet Lady, and Brilliant Lady, weighs 110,000 gross tons and can accommodate just under 2,800 passengers and 1,160 crew members.
If you’re looking for a relatively affordable cruise that sets sail from one of the United States’ major cruise ports, and you want to visit top destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico or New England, chances are good you’ll end up considering a Carnival cruise.
With 27 ships in its fleet, Carnival is one of the largest cruise lines in the world by fleet size, and it’s grown to such mammoth proportions in part thanks to the Carnival experience. Across these ships, regardless of age or size, the Carnival vibes are nearly always the same.
So, if you’ve never sailed with Carnival before, what can you expect? Here’s everything you need to know before you go on a Carnival cruise vacation.
It’s no secret. If you take a look at many cruise lines, especially higher end, more expensive cruise lines, the average cruiser age tends to be on the older side. Cruising on lines like Holland America, Viking or Cunard means rubbing elbows with the retired set, more often than not.
That’s not the case on a Carnival cruise. Thanks to the line’s affordable pricing and bevy of fun activities, including for the kiddos, the crowd skews younger. You can expect to find yourself among plenty of young families and young singles.
That said, if you are a senior cruiser, you won’t stick out like a sore thumb either. Overall, Carnival welcomes a more diverse group of cruisers than many other cruise lines.
Fun is the Name of the Game — And it’s All Thanks to Your Cruise Director
On some cruises, you might be focused solely on hopping from port to port and getting off the ship as quickly as possible, to spend as much time as possible in the destination you’re visiting.
However, you might just find that, on a Carnival cruise, you enjoy your time on the ship every bit as much as you enjoy your time in port — or even more so.
This is in part thanks to the cruise director. Each cruise ship has a cruise director who oversees and plans the ship’s events and activities, all with the mission of making your cruising experience as enjoyable as possible. And, on Carnival ships, this means making your cruising experience as fun as possible.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
As such, expect tons to be going on, on the ship, at all times. The list of daily activities ranges from trivia to karaoke, live music to magicians and movies. You’ll receive a list of the activities on offer in the Carnival app once your ship sets sail. Definitely make a point to check these out. You may just be surprised at how much fun you have!
You’ll also likely get to know your cruise director throughout the sailing, as they’re a public-facing member of the crew and often show up to make announcements, emcee shows, etc.
Some avid cruisers even take cruises specifically because they know a certain cruise director will be working. They’ve had such great, fun experiences thanks to a particular Carnival cruise director in the past, that they want to sail with them again.
So, if you’re in the middle of your cruise and having a truly awesome time, make a note of your cruise director!
The Lido Deck Can Get Busy During Sea Days
Depending on the exact Carnival cruise ship you’re on, the lido deck will refer to a different deck on the ship and the exact venues on that deck may differ, but you can always expect to find the pool or pools on the lido deck, as well as some casual dining and drinking options, such as the buffet.
For example, on Carnival Mardi Gras, the lido deck is Deck 16 and it’s home to the beach pool, BlueIguana Cantina, Seafood Shack, Street Eats, RedFrog Tiki Bar, the Tides Pool, two hot tubs, Shaq’s Big Chicken and plenty of sun loungers.
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive
Regardless of the ship, though, the lido deck is guaranteed to be busy during sea days. With no port visits to fill their time, many cruisers spend sea days by the pool and in the nearby bars and restaurants.
As such, if you were hoping to go to the pool when it was less crowded, or if you wanted to try one of those casual, complimentary eateries during a time when there won’t be a wait, a sea day is not the time to do it.
If you really want to avoid the crowds at the pool or restaurants, the best time to do so is while the ship is in port. There are many reasons why you might stay on the ship while at port, but fewer crowds is one of the best.
Nearly Every Night’s a Party
Bring your best party attire, because you’ll find multiple big events occurring on the ship throughout your cruise. Most Carnival cruise itineraries include a few key parties.
There’s the Sail Away Party, which sounds exactly like a party that takes place as the ship sets sail. It kicks off on the ship’s lido deck right after the safety briefing. You’ll get to know your cruise director there, and a DJ will encourage you to get out on the dance floor. Drink specials are also usually on offer.
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Then there’s the Mega Deck Party and the 80s Night Deck Party. Depending on the length of your cruise, your cruise will include one or the other (on cruises less than six days in length) or both (on cruises more than six days in length).
The Mega Deck Party is island-themed and the 80s Night Deck Party is, obviously, 80s-themed, with tons of 80s music. Be sure to dress accordingly.
Then, there’s the White Hot Night Party, which is offered on select cruises and where cruisers wear their best or most unique white attire. Regardless of which party you attend, expect tons of dancing, drinks and fun.
You’ll Need Your Best Dress or Suit for Cruise Elegant Nights
While participating in Carnival’s Cruise Elegant nights isn’t mandatory, it is loads of fun, especially if you’re not necessarily into the big deck parties.
Cruise Elegant nights are essentially when cruisers are asked to wear their best semi-formal attire to the main dining rooms, for upscale meals in a classic cruise setting. There are lots of photographers on hand to snap your pics and it’s just a fun excuse to dress up and do something a little, well, elegant.
Cruise Elegant Night (Photo Credit: Ally Lee)
If your cruise lasts under six days, there will be one Cruise Elegant evening during your cruise. If your cruise lasts more than six days, there will be two Cruise Elegant evenings.
During these evenings, men are asked to wear dress slacks, dress shirts and a sport coat, or a suit and tie or tuxedo. Women are asked to wear cocktail dresses, pantsuits or “elegant” skirts and blouses, or an evening gown.
Whatever you choose to wear, Carnival asks you to not wear cut-off jeans, shorts, sleeveless shirts (for men), t-shirts, sportswear, flip flops, baseball hats or bathing suits.
Gratuities Will Be Automatically Added to Your Cruise Costs
There’s no need to carry around cash to tip the cruise ship crew when you’re on a Carnival cruise! Carnival will automatically add your gratuities onto your cruise costs and you can choose to pay for gratuities either before your cruise or at the end.
How much gratuities you’re charged will depend on the type of stateroom you’re in. If you’re in a standard stateroom, Carnival charges a flat gratuity fee of $16 per person, per day.
If you’re in a suite, Carnival charges a flat gratuity fee of $18 per person per day. An additional 18% gratuity fee is added to beverage purchases and at select restaurants.
The gratuities, however, are not mandatory. If you did not prepay your per-person, per-day gratuity flat fees, and if you do feel that a reduction in gratuity fees are warranted, you can address that at the end of your cruise, once the fees are listed on your Sail & Sign account. This occurs on the second-to-last day of the cruise and you must address this with guest services before the cruise ends.
You Can Bring Some of Your Own Food and Drinks Aboard, But There Are Limitations.
If you’re thinking that you’ll bring some of your own snacks aboard the ship, or even some of your own drinks, in order to save on costs, be sure that you’re not violating any of Carnival’s policies regarding what you can and can’t bring onto the ship.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
For food, you can only bring pre-packaged, unopened items onto the ship; nothing homemade or pre-cooked is allowed. You can bring some non-alcoholic beverages, so long as they’re in a can or carton, and you’re not bringing more than 12, 12-ounce drinks per person.
Likewise, you can bring some wine or champagne (no liquor or beer), but only in quantities of one 750 milliliter bottle per adult.
If You’re Looking for a Quieter Pool, Try the Serenity Deck
As we already mentioned, if you’re hoping to enjoy laying by the pool during your Carnival cruise, and you want to have the space mostly to yourself, you’ll want to wait until the ship is in port somewhere. However, if you don’t want to sacrifice a port day for the pool, you do have other options beyond the main pool.
Carnival Cruise Line Serenity Adults-Only Area (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Try checking out the Serenity Deck, the ships’ adults-only area where you can typically find not just a pool, but also hot tubs, sun loungers and a bar as well. (Do note that there aren’t pools in the Serenity area on every single Carnival ship.) You can access this area completely for free.
If you want a quieter pool where the kiddos are welcomed, you may want to consider upgrading to a Havana suite. These suites are tucked away in a special portion of the ship that’s closed off from the masses, where you’ll find a private pool, deck and bar, only open to guests staying in these special suites.
Prepare to Wait in Line (if you didn’t buy Carnival’s Faster to the Fun upgrade)
Just as is the case at resorts or at theme parks, you can expect to wait in a lot of lines on a Carnival cruise ship. You’ll wait in lines to board the ship. You’ll wait in lines to get off the ship. You’ll wait in lines at restaurants and at entertainment venues.
Cruise Passengers Lining Up for Buffet (Photo Credit: Melissa Herzog)
However, Carnival has done something to help alleviate this, and it’s called Faster to the Fun. This is an upgrade that you can pay for ahead of your cruise and it comes with perks such as priority check-in, express luggage delivery, priority dining reservations, priority access to water shuttle boarding and priority debarkation.
Many cruisers say that Faster to the Fun is definitely worth it, so if waiting in long lines isn’t quite how you planned to spend part of your vacation, check out pricing for your particular cruise.
You’ll Find Something for Everyone
Lastly, overall, you’ll find something for everyone on a Carnival cruise. There’s just about every kind of cruiser on board each ship, for each itinerary, and no matter your age or tastes, you’ll find something to enjoy.
Yes, these ships can have more of a fun, party atmosphere, but you can also find quiet spots to relax. There are loads of amenities and activities for families with children from toddlers all the way up to teens. However, singles, couples and seniors will find lots to love, too, with entertainment and activities geared toward their tastes as well.
If you want a super-casual experience, you’ve got it. If you want something a little more elegant and upscale, you can find that, too. In short, Carnival has a little bit of it all and you can experience it all, on your first Carnival cruise vacation.
