Guests setting sail aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas have received a further update about their delayed sailing. The new notification confirms that the ship will be missing a port of call on the 5-night cruise, but also details compensation being offered for the inconvenience.
Travelers looking to depart on the ship’s Saturday, July 13, 2024 sailing have already been informed that Mariner of the Seas will be delayed returning to Galveston. This is due to a medical emergency that necessitated the vessel backtracking significantly toward Cozumel.
Embarkation details have now been announced, complete with new arrival times for guests as well as changes in the ship’s itinerary.
“Due to a delay in our previous sailing, Mariner of the Seas will be arriving to the pier later than originally planned. We kindly ask that you arrive according to the new adjusted arrival windows,”the email notification confirmed.“Arriving to the terminal earlier than your adjusted time will result in you being turned away until your new time.”
Arrival windows have been shifted by 5-7 hours, depending on the original arrival time. For example, guests whose original arrival time was 10:30 a.m. are now asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m.
Guests with arrival windows from 2-2:30 p.m. are now asked to arrive at 7:30 p.m. Guests booked in suites, Pinnacle-level loyalty members, and those who have purchased The Key may arrive anytime after 5:30 p.m.
This shift in embarkation time will permit sufficient time for guests already onboard to debark and for parking areas to clear enough spaces for new arrivals without too many traffic snarls. Furthermore, crew members onboard Mariner of the Seas need enough time to clean and sanitize the ship before new guests embark.
All travelers must be checked in and onboard the ship no later than 8 p.m. for the vessel’s departure at 9 p.m., which was originally planned for 4 p.m.
If guests are flying in to the Galveston area with airfare or airport transfers through Royal Caribbean International will have their schedules automatically adjusted for the new embarkation times. The cruise line will also reimburse travelers up to $200 for any domestic travel changes or $400 for international changes if necessary.
Costa Maya Port Now Cancelled
The delayed embarkation and departure from Galveston isn’t the only change for Mariner of the Seas. Now, the ship will be unable to visit one of her ports of call on the 5-night cruise.
“As a result of our delayed departure, we’ll now skip our visit to Costa Maya, Mexico and enjoy a Sea Day instead,”the email explained.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
The ship was to have visited Costa Maya on Monday, July 15, but the loss of several hours’ sailing time is too much to ensure an on-time arrival. The visit to Cozumel on Tuesday, July 16 is unaffected, however, and the ship will be in that popular Mexican port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – the same timing as originally planned.
Any shore tours booked for Costa Maya through Royal Caribbean International will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
Furthermore, the cruise line is providing an extra $50 of onboard credit to each guest, which will automatically be added to their onboard accounts. While cruise lines are not obligated to offer such credit, it is often given as a goodwill gesture for such dramatic delays.
The 139,863-gross-ton, Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas can welcome 3,114 guests at double occupancy, or up to 3,807 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are 1,185 international crew members who work very hard to ensure everyone has a fun and memorable vacation, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be.
Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas has been unfortunately delayed and embarkation will be later than planned for the second sailing in a row.
This most recent disruption is due to a medical emergency that required the ship to turn back toward Cozumel, Mexico for several hours once she was already en route to Galveston.
Unfortunately, the guest passed away before the ship was able to reach Cozumel. The several hours of retracing the ship’s route, however, has now meant a delayed embarkation for the next sailing on July 13, 2024.
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
“Due to an urgent medical need, the Mariner of the Seas had to turn back to Cozumel and is delayed in returning to Galveston,”notifications from Royal Caribbean staff at Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 10 read.“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the family and friends.”
No details about the medical emergency have been disclosed, nor has the guest been identified. This is standard procedure in such sad situations in order to safeguard the privacy of travel companions, family members, and friends at a very difficult time.
Guests currently onboard Mariner of the Seas have confirmed that the ship’s captain made announcements about the diversion and the unhappy result, also confirming that the ship would now be late in returning to Galveston. At the moment, the ship’s return to her Texas homeport is expected at approximately 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13.
Typically, ships returning to a homeport arrive much earlier in the morning, around 5-6 a.m. This permits time for customs and immigration inspections that clear the ship for debarkation, which usually begins between 7-8 a.m. It takes several hours for all passengers to debark and the ship to be ready for new travelers. Embarkation usually begins between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Due to this delay, however, guests booked on Mariner of the Seas‘ 5-night Western Caribbean sailing leaving on Saturday are asked to likewise delay their arrival to the cruise terminal to accommodate the change.
“We ask that incoming guests arrive at the terminal after 3:00 PM., which is when parking lots will open. Expected departure time is to be determined. Guests will receive updates on departure at the terminal upon check-in,”the notification explained.
The next cruise for the 139,863-gross-ton, Voyager-class ship is scheduled to visit both Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. The first day of the sailing is a day at sea, however, and it is likely the ship will be able to make up for the delay without any significant change in her overall itinerary.
Additional notification emails and updates on the Royal Caribbean app will keep guests apprised of their new arrival windows and any further changes. Satellite tracking data also confirms that Mariner of the Seas is again en route to Galveston after a significant diversion back toward Cozumel.
Second Embarkation Delay in a Row
This is the second cruise in a row for Mariner of the Seas that has seen embarkation delays. The current sailing, in fact, was unable to depart on July 8 as planned, as Hurricane Beryl required the Port of Galveston to be closed. Because of this, the ship did not return until the next day, July 9, which trimmed a day off the ship’s itinerary.
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
The loss of that day meant the cruise was unable to make the scheduled visit to Costa Maya on July 10, though the call to Cozumel went ahead as planned.
While it can be frustrating to guests, cruise lines always consider safety and the preservation of life as the highest priorities, whether that means delaying a cruise due to severe weather or shifting routes due to a medical emergency.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family and friends impacted by this most recent tragedy, as well as with crew members who are still striving to ensure everyone aboard has a wonderful vacation, despite delays on both ends of the sailing.
MSC World Europa made history in Malta as the 2022-launched vessel became the first to plug into shore power while docked in the capital city of the Mediterranean island nation.
On July 10, 2024, the flagship of MSC’s World-class vessels inaugurated the shore power grid in Valletta – meaning the ship was able to turn off her engines and use the local power grid to keep the lights on onboard the mega-ship, which has a maximum capacity of 6,762 guests.
As the cruise industry has become more focused on sustainability, shore power capabilities has become increasingly important, as turning off the engines in port significantly lessens ship-caused pollution and can improve local air quality. As of the time of publication, approximately 30% of today’s ships have shore power capabilities.
MSC World Europa Shore Power
To celebrate Valletta’s accomplishment in becoming more environmentally friendly, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela was given a tour of the 215,863-gross ton LNG-powered ship, which is largely regarded as the greener fuel source of the future.
“It was a great honour to show the Prime Minister of Malta of how his country has led the way for shore power in the Mediterranean Sea, our major market for holidays at sea, and we look forward to many more ports in the region and throughout the world being equipped in the future so that the cruise and broader maritime sector can further reduce local emissions in ports,” said Michele Francioni, Chief Energy Transition Officer, MSC Cruises.
Indeed, MSC World Europa has paved the way for more cruise ships to utilize shore power in the Mediterranean port – and the 8th largest ship in the world will return many times herself as she operates 7-night cruises between Malta, Spain, France, and Italy well into 2025.
The cruise ship is currently offering flexible Mediterranean sailings where new guests embark and disembark almost daily from the port of their choice. In addition to Valletta, the itineraries also include stops at Marseille, France; Genoa, Italy; Naples, Italy; Messina, Sicily; and Barcelona, Spain.
MSC Cruises Prioritizes Shore Power
In an effort to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, MSC Cruises has placed much of its attention on increasing the shore power capabilities of its 23-strong fleet and at ports around the world.
In June of 2023, the cruise line announced a comprehensive shore plan strategythat included identifying 15 ports in Europe that seemed well suited for installing shore power connections, which they intend to complete before the end of 2026 – of which Valletta, Malta, was one.
“Shore power is one very important element of our continued commitment towards decarbonisation with most of our fleet equipped to eliminate local emissions and improve local air quality when the ships are at berth in port, and we can switch off their engines as local shoreside electricity powers the operation,” said Francioni.
In addition to Malta’s capital, the cruise line has identified five Italian ports, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain; Stavanger and Norfjordied, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Marseille, France; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and Stockholm, Sweden, as promising shore power candidates.
By the end of 2024, when 16 of MSC’s vessels will be able to use shoreside electricity, the cruise line is hoping for over 200 shore power connections fleet-wide at bucket-list destinations throughout China, Norway, Germany, the UK, and of course, Malta.
The cruise industry leader in Europe has also made a point of installing shore power connections on all new-builds since 2017, including on the upcoming MSC World America and MSC World Asia.
For one TikToker, the phrase “man overboard” has just become “bag overboard.”
Lindsey Hargesheimer, a photographer from Denver, Colorado, was looking forward to boarding her cruise in Amsterdam, Holland, with her family – until Celebrity Cruises allegedly lost her luggage in arguably the worst way possible.
The distraught passenger has posted a series of videos to her TikTok (@throughlindseyslens), with the first video, which was recorded on July 5, 2024, earning 72,000 views in less than a week.
Cruise Passenger’s Luggage Lost in the Ocean (Credits: @throughlindseyslens & EQRoy)
“This is literally so ridiculous that I even need to make this video,”Hargesheimer begins the 10 minute-long video. “Celebrity Cruises lost my bag in the ocean and left it there and I’m gonna talk about it really quick because they still haven’t gotten it back to me.”
The photographer realized something was wrong after her family boarded the ship and everyone received their bags except for her. When she called the cruise line to get an update, a representative stated that they could not find her missing belongings.
Hargesheimer also tried to locate her bag using an Airtag she had placed inside of it, but the tracking device was not working.
This was a problem, as the bag contained clothing, medications, supplements, toiletries, and even irreplaceable family jewelry that she would have to do without for the duration of her sailing.
Celebrity Cruises dropped my bag in the OCEAN! This was filmed on July 5th, I posted as soon as I had service. More updates to come. Please tag @Celebrity Cruises @Royal Caribbean so they can finally take accountability for their actions. *disclaimer: I understand that being on this trip is a privilege and I’m very grateful that me and my family are safe.* lostatsea celebritycruise lostbaggage
While it’s standard for cruise lines to check bigger pieces of luggage and allow crew members to conveniently drop it off at passengers’ cabins, guests are typically advised to keep important items they may need urgently on their person, including medications and valuables, in a smaller carry-on in the unlikely event their luggage does go missing.
While the TikToker did not disclose the ship she is on, it is most likely the 2,886-passenger Celebrity Silhouette, which embarked from Amsterdam, Holland, on a 12-night Svandinavian cruise on July 5, 2024.
If Hargesheimer is indeed onboard this sailing, she may not have access to her belongings – which were found in the water at the Port of Amsterdam after the vessel’s departure – until the cruise concludes on July 17, 2024.
What Happened To The Missing Luggage?
Following her gut instinct, Hargesheimer turned her cell service back on (many cruisers turn it off to avoid out-of-network fees while at sea), when she realized she had received a call from an Amsterdam-based number.
The stranger had pulled the bag out of the canal at the Port of Amsterdam, which leads out to the North Sea, and called the distressed passenger after finding her contact information on the luggage.
“I turn my cell service back on and I immediately get a call from an Amsterdam number. I answer the phone, it’s someone from the Amsterdam port,”The TikToker said. “We just fished your bag out of the port of Amsterdam, out of the canal.”
Cruise Passenger’s Luggage Lost in the Ocean (Credit: @throughlindseyslens)
The passenger was understandably shocked – both that her bag was lost in the ocean in the first place and that crew members from Celebrity Cruises did not report the incident or seek to make it right until she advocated for herself.
“The Celebrity Cruise Line baggage people knocked my bag that I have all of my everything in for the next over 2 weeks that I’m going to be in Europe into the ocean and left it there…no one reported that it was gone,” Hargesheimer said through tears.
As the TikToker tells the story, the Royal Caribbean-Owned cruise line immediately didn’t offer much support. At first, she was initially offered no compensation to replace her items in port or in the onboard stores other than a T-shirt and some basic toiletries.
In more recent updates, which Hargesheimer shared to her platform on July 9 and on July 11, the cruise line had taken more steps to make things right.
Replying to @♒️🔮☀️🌕 update from july 9th: they will not be returning my bag to me for 8 more days…because I have to retrieve it from amsterdam #luggagelost#lostatsea#celebritycruise#celebritycruises @Celebrity Cruises @Royal Caribbean
As of the July 9th update, it was confirmed that her bag was in Amsterdam and had water damage from going into the ocean.
“My bag is confirmed to be in Amsterdam, after I was gaslit multiple times by an employee…it did in fact go into the ocean,” said the frustrated passenger.
She also learned that she will not get access to her bag until the end of the cruise, as policy dictates that her bag will not be returned to her until she can inspect it alongside a Celebrity Cruises representative and port worker at the conclusion of her voyage.
“I’ve honestly just accepted that everything in that bag is not able to be salvaged in any way, shape, or form, because, not only does my bag have water damage from being left in the ocean for 2 hours, but it will be staying in Amsterdam for another 9-10 days until we get back to Amsterdam,”she added.
A Final Update
As of Hargesheimer’s most recent update on July 11, 2024, she still had not been reunited with her bag, but had been working more closely with the cruise line to come to a resolution.
In the two days since her previous post, she had met one-on-one with the guest relations director and was able to get the medications she needed to tide her over from the medical center onboard at no extra cost.
She also said that the cruise line has now given her a $1,000 credit, which can be cashed out – an upgrade from the $400 credit and two laundry vouchers she was initially offered per her second update.
Even so, the compensation still doesn’t quite feel like enough – especially because a pair of her now limited pants were also lost in the laundry.
“I’ve obviously spent some of it at their own freaking gift store, which is ridiculous. And I’ve spent a good amount on shore just getting things that I need and also a lot of things that I need you can only get in the US,”lamented Hargesheimer.
Celebrity Silhouette in Southampton (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)
The cruise line has also offered their guest complimentary spa services, two compensated meals in the specialty dining rooms, a free shore excursion, and sent flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries to the cruise cabin.
The TikToker said the cruise line also brought her a new set of luggage, but she has not yet seen it. She said a crew member was supposed to bring it to her prior to disembarking.
With Celebrity taking accountability for the situation, hopefully the TikToker and her family can still enjoy the remainder of their cruise.
No official statement regarding the matter has been released by Celebrity Cruises, but we will be on the lookout for any further updates from the cruise line or the TikToker.
Holland America Line has revealed that 15 new shows will debut on its Grand World Voyage and Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole cruises in January 2025. Developed by Blackburn International, both voyages will feature a cast of eight singers and dancers performing a variety of themed shows.
The new entertainment will include tributes to well-known pop and rock artists such as Carole King, the Carpenters, Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, with show titles like “The Sounds of Summer,” “Solid Gold,” and “Crossroads.”
Said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment for Holland America Line, “Holland America Line has never introduced this many shows at one time. The Grand Voyages are the longest itineraries we offer and its important to keep the entertainment fresh for our returning guests.”
Blackburn International’s production by Jukebox Rogues on Holland American Line. (Photo courtesy: Blackburn International)
Blackburn’s variety of shows for the cruise line have included “Billboard Onboard,” featuring live performances of hits from the Billboard charts; “Frozen Planet Live,” a collaboration with BBC Earth that showcased stunning footage from the “Frozen Planet” series with live orchestral music; and “Dance, Dance, Dance,” celebrating various dance styles from around the world.
Prince said the new shows are “a diverse collection of music genres to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.”
The Grand World Voyage, taking place on the 1,964-passenger ms Zuiderdam, is a 124-night roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 4, 2025. Also departing from Fort Lauderdale is the more intimate 1,432-passenger ms Volendam, embarking on a 133-night roundtrip Pole-to-Pole cruise.
Passengers who join the world cruises on segmented journeys will also be privy to the new entertainment. The Grand World Voyage offers six segments, ranging from 20 to 55 days, while Pole-to-Pole offers seven segments, from 33 to 100 days.
Extensive Entertainment and Enrichment Programs
The new shows on Holland America Line will be part of a broader entertainment and enrichment program aboard the Grand Voyages. The program includes performances by comedians, headline entertainers, and locally sourced performers. Both ships will also feature resident musicians, including a classical trio and a dance band.
Guest chefs specializing in regional cuisines will join segments of each Grand Voyage to provide live cooking demonstrations, participate in “coffee chats,” and offer exclusive dinners at the cruise line’s specialty steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill.
Their signature dishes will also be highlighted on the Dining Room menu during their time on board. Daily changing menus will also elevate dining experiences by featuring local and regional cuisines by destination.
Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line
Special theme parties, such as Masquerade, will have corresponding dinner menus in the Dining Room. Enrichment activities for guests include dance classes, arts and crafts, pickleball lessons, and tai chi sessions on deck.
The Grand World journey features 32 countries and 10 overnight stays as it visits bucket list destinations, including Machu Picchu, Easter Island, and the Great Barrier Reef, while the Pole-to-Pole itinerary explores Antarctica, South America, Europe and Canada with eight overnight stays.
During the Grand Voyages, both the 82,318-gross-ton ms Zuiderdam and the smaller 61,396-gross-ton ms Volendam will cross paths on the same day. The occasion, taking place in Barcelona on April 24, 2025, will be a feature event and include Catalan-themed dinner and deck parties between ships.
The Grand Voyages conclude on May 9 and June 7, 2025, respectively.
Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas has made its much-anticipated arrival to its new home port, Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 11, 2024, marking its official entry into the United States.
Second in size only to Icon of the Seas and the sixth and final Oasis-class vessel, Utopia of the Seas was constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, with its keel laid in 2022. Royal Caribbean received the ship from the builders on June 13, 2024, after completing successful sea trials led by Captain Gus Anderson.
Following its delivery, Utopia of the Seasembarked on a transatlantic voyage on June 23, charting a course from St. Nazaire, France, to its designated home port with a critical stop in Ponce, Puerto Rico, for a series of technical tests at the Port of the Americas.
Welcome to @PortCanaveral! @RoyalCaribbean's newest ship, the Utopia of the Seas made her maiden arrival to her home port this morning, marking the start of her tenure sailing from the Space Coast! pic.twitter.com/J3UWBpl8jE
From July 6 to 8, the ship and its crew underwent thorough inspections and training with the U.S. Coast Guard and Public Health authorities. Crew also stocked up on supplies and cargo ahead of its Orlando-area arrival.
Said Port of Americas of the call, “We have had the immense honor of hosting the majestic Utopia of the Seas at the Port Authority of Ponce. These days have been especially vibrant and exciting. A sincere thank you to Royal Caribbean International for choosing our port and to the City of Ponce for the warm and enthusiastic welcome to this magnificent ship!”
Excited onlookers in Florida were on hand to welcome the ship from the port’s jetty park as Utopia of the Seas finally arrived on the Space Coast on Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. It docked at Terminal 1, Royal Caribbean’s terminal located at Port Canaveral’s Terminal B.
Utopia of the Seas’ arrival is a significant milestone for the cruise line and the port alike. As the second-largest cruise ship in the world, boasting a gross tonnage of over 230,000, the ship can accommodate 5,600 passengers and 2,200 crew members, and is the first ship by the cruise line built specifically for short yet immersive cruises.
It is expected to boost the local economy, bringing thousands of passengers to the area each week to what is already one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. In 2023, Port Canaveral set a record-high 6.8 million cruise passengers.
Cruise Ship Begins Homeporting at Port Canaveral
Touted as the “World’s Biggest Weekend,” Utopia of the Seas is set to offer 3- and 4-night cruises through a series of regularly scheduled routes taking guests to Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, both in The Bahamas.
Said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International,“Utopia of the Seas is where making the most of the weekend and every moment are more than a state of mind, they’re a reality any day of the week. This is the short getaway that’s all about celebrations, celebrating friends, family and the memories you make together.”
Before launching on its first scheduled cruise from Port Canaveral on July 19, 2024, Utopia of the Seas will operate a two-night “shakedown” cruise to perform additional tests and allow the crew to get better acquainted with the vessel ahead of its three-night christening cruise embarking on July 15.
The christening event will include the ship’s official naming ceremony and will feature Grammy Award-winning singer Meghan Trainor serving as godmother. Trainor headlines the party with a private show at Perfect Day at CocoCay’s outdoor AquaTheater.
The 18-deck Utopia of the Seas offers a range of attractions, including the Ultimate Abyss, the longest dry slide at sea, a zip line, the FlowRider surf simulator, five swimming pools, eight hot tubs, and a “Perfect Storm” water park.
Dining options are plentiful with over 40 choices, highlighted by innovations like Royal Caribbean’s first food truck-style The Spare Tire and the rail journey-inspired Royal Railway—Utopia Station.
Entertainment includes two casinos and five live music venues, Additionally, the ship introduces 20 new stateroom types and is powered by liquified natural gas, marking a first for the Oasis class.
For the past decade or so, hiding ducks has been a fun part of cruising for passengers who are in the know.
The cruising ducks game is simple: It’s just the act of hiding rubber ducks around the ships to brighten other guests’ days when they come across the small toys.
The ducks usually come with a note with instructions on if the guests should keep or re-hide the duck, and a little bit about the passenger who brought them onboard in the first place.
While some cruise lines have discouraged the game, such as when Disney Cruise Line released a somewhatcontroversial statement discouraging the activityat the beginning of 2024, no brand has banned the game and the ducks aren’t on any prohibited or restricted items lists.
Now, the cruising ducks have caused another debate: Should crew members be allowed to participate in the game and keep the ducks they find, or is this activity strictly for guests?
John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official ambassador, took the questionto his Facebook pageto see what his followers thought about it after one unidentified guest complained.
“Honestly, do people really mind if the crew ‘steal the hidden ducks.’ They love them too, it brings them joy but based on today’s posts if you think the Beards should instruct the crew not to take them please let me know,” said Heald.
The ambassador gave his followers three multiple choice answers to choose from in the comments.
A. THE CREW SHOULD TAKE THEM IF IT BRINGS THEM HAPPINESS
B. CREW SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THEM
C. I COULDN’T GIVE A DUCK
“I say let them join in on the fun, I mean why shouldn’t they get to. Anyone who thinks otherwise, well they can just duck off! Lol,” commented one Facebook user.
“The crew should get to participate too. They become like family for those few days on the ship,” wrote another.
Out of over 7,000 replies to Heald’s post, the overarching sentiment echoed the above comments – that crew members should be allowed to join in on the fun. So, that debate is now settled!
How Can Crew Members Participate On Crew Ships?
While passengers are on the ship to unwind and travel to new destinations, crew members are there to work – and work they do!
Crew members work long hours, often with no days off, for months at a time. The average cruise ship contract is between four and 10 months long, which is a long time to be away from family and working that hard without much reprieve.
Depending on the employee’s rank and the specific cruise line, crew members may also be limited on where on the ship they can go and what activities they are allowed to do in their limited time off.
Carnival Cruise Line Crew (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
For example, there may be limitations surrounding if guests can use the main dining rooms, visit the specialty restaurants (often at a discount if this is allowed), or enjoy the amenities onboard, such as the pools or guest fitness center.
Rank plays a big role in determining where crew members have access, with entry level positions, such as low level wait staff and housekeepers, sometimes forbidden from entering any and all guest areas while off duty.
Even in the comments of Heald’s posts, many people appreciated the tough working conditions and sacrifices that crew members make to ensure guests enjoy their time at sea.
“On my last cruise I was up late hiding my ducks. There was a young crew member who saw me. I offered him one and he was so excited. He told me he had been hoping for months to find one but never had. The smile and gratitude he gave me made my whole cruise even better,” wrote one former passenger.
“I’ve given ducks to crew at times. Once while talking to our room steward she was telling us about her 2 small kids (4&6 I think) and how she likes to pick up gifts for when she goes home so my husband gave her 2 ducks. She was excited. It’s nice to be nice,” said another.
“We like to hide them on their carts in the hallway lol. We always give ducks to them. They do so much for our cruises,” replied a third.
Embracing crew members in the cruising ducks game is certainly a nice way to include them and thank them for their service, especially when their privileges onboard may already be quite limited.
If there’s one thing that’s not really fun when it comes to cruising, it’s standing in line. You stand in line for the rides and waterslides. You stand in line at dinner. You stand in line to get off at port. Lines, lines, lines.
What if you could just do away with all those lines during your next cruise, and without needing to upgrade to a fancy VIP suite? That’s exactly what Carnival’s Faster to the Fun pass (also simply known as FTTF) offers you. Here’s everything you need to know, so you can decide if this extra cruise purchase is worth it for you and your family.
What Exactly is Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun?
So what exactly is Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun? Essentially, it’s a package that you can pay to add on to your cruise fare, and that gives you extra benefits, starting with priority check-in and with perks lasting all throughout your cruise, until you finally disembark.
While you won’t be as highly prioritized as the ship’s VIFP Club Diamond and Platinum members, or as highly prioritized as the ship’s suite guests, you might not mind so much.
After all, you’re paying to be ranked right beneath them, and you neither needed to upgrade to a suite or spend lots of money and time racking up loyalty programrewards.
Along these lines, it’s worth noting that if you ARE a VIFP Club Diamond or Platinum member, or if you did book a suite on your upcoming Carnival cruise, there’s no need for you to purchase Faster to the Fun. You already get all the included benefits, or better.
What are the Faster to the Fun Benefits?
So what all do you get when you purchase Faster to the Fun, which can start at just around $60 per cabin? Here are the top benefits offered to FTTF guests.
1. Priority Check-in
There are a lot of people on a Carnival cruise — a lot. If you don’t want to wait behind them all when you board your cruise, that priority check-in will come in handy. All you’ll have to do, upon arrival to the cruise terminal, is look for the priority line. You’ll be sped along and be on the ship before you know it!
Carnival Cruise Line Ship Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: ByDroneVideos)
2. Stateroom Access and Express Luggage
If you’ve never cruised before, you may be surprised to know that you can’t often just walk onto the cruise ship and immediately go to your stateroom. On the day of embarkation, you’ll have to wait until your stateroom is ready for you — much like you’d have to wait until check-in time at a hotel, in order to access your hotel room.
When exactly your stateroom is ready will differ depending on your cabin class, as well as the cruise itinerary. However, if you purchase Faster to the Fun, you’ll have earlier access to your stateroom, as you’ll be prioritized, along with suite guests and loyalty club members.
Even if your stateroom isn’t ready, you’ll still be able to drop off your luggage at the room, while you wait. This will keep you from needing to lug your bags around, whether you’re headed directly to your stateroom or anywhere else on the ship. You can spend your time conveniently and comfortably waiting at the buffet, pool or anywhere else!
3. Expedited Checked Luggage Delivery
Likewise, if you’re a new cruiser, you may not realize that, just as is the case when flying, when you cruise, you can bring both carry-on and checked luggage. You drop your checked luggage with a porter at the terminal, and then that checked luggage is delivered to your cabin.
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive
However, there’s sometimes a wait for that luggage delivery. That wait can take a few hours to even a day. That’s not the case if you paid for Faster to the Fun, though. Your checked luggage will be delivered to your room via an expedited service, so you don’t have to wait as long as other cruisers.
4. Better Guest Services
If you have any sort of issue during your cruise, you’ll need to contact guest services. However, just as is the case with everything on a cruise, you may find yourself waiting in line, behind other passengers, before you can even talk to a human being.
With Faster to the Fun, you get access to a dedicated phone number with guest services, so there’s less of a wait. You can simply call in, have your questions answered or your concerns addressed, and move on with your day.
5. Priority Dining Reservations
If you’re eating in the main dining room or at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants, you’ll very likely need to make a reservation, if you want to eat at a certain time and not be left waiting for a table. With Faster to the Fun, you’ll have access to priority reservations, so it’s more likely that you’ll get to eat where you want, when you want.
Carnival Cruise Line Menu (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Do note that this perk does not apply to Your Time Dining in the main dining room, if you opted for it. If you purchase Your Time Dining, you can eat in the main dining any time between 5 and 8:30 p.m., but only if there’s open seating.
6. Priority Water Shuttle Boarding
When it’s time to disembark at the various ports of call along your cruise itinerary, you may find that you don’t just walk off the ship and onto the dock.
In some cases, you’ll need to take a tender boat, which is basically a small boat that takes cruisers from the ship, to the shore, in ports where the port can’t accommodate the ship for whatever reason.
Cruise Ship Lifeboat Being Used as Tender (Photo Credit: Dirk Coppens / Shutterstock)
These tender boats can only accommodate so many people, though, so you’ll need to wait in line to get a spot on one. The more time you spend waiting in line for a spot on the water shuttle or tender boat, the less time you spend having fun in port.
With Faster to the Fun, you get priority access to these water shuttles, for just that: a faster ride to the fun!
7. Choose Your Own Debarkation
Once your cruise is over, you’ll debark at your home port. With Faster to the Fun, you’ll be able to choose between two debarkation times: early or late. Choose an early time if you want to catch a flight or if you just otherwise have somewhere to be. Choose a later time if you want to sleep in a bit.
Whatever the case, you’ll be able to pick a debarkation time that fits your needs and then speed right through the lines, rather than waiting in super-long lines without any clear idea of when you’ll actually get through.
Which Carnival Homeports Use Faster to the Fun?
Not all Carnival cruises offer Faster to the Fun. The package is often available, however, when sailing on cruises out of the following Carnival homeports:
Baltimore, Maryland
San Francisco, California
Seattle, Washington
Brisbane, Australia
Charleston, South Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
New York City, New York
Galveston, Texas
Miami, Florida
Mobile, Alabama
New Orleans, Louisiana
Port Canaveral, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Long Beach, California
How Much is Faster to the Fun?
The FTTF price varies heavily based on factors such as individual cruise, cruise length, homeport and more. However, for cruises departing the U.S. or Canada, FTTF prices start at:
Length of Cruise
Prices per cabin start at…
2-3 days
$69.95
4-5 days
$99.95
6-8 days
$139.95 (Excel class $159.95)
9 days or longer
$189.95
Do note that Faster to the Fun can only be purchased ahead of your cruise. Additionally, Carnival only allows a certain number of passengers to purchase Faster to the Fun, and the available slots fill up quickly.
If you think you want to purchase this perk, it’s best to do so right when you book your cruise. Not only will this ensure you actually get to enjoy the perk, but the also price increases the closer you get to the cruise date, and as fewer slots become available.
Is Faster to the Fun Worth It?
So, is it worth paying a few extra dollars for Faster to the Fun? It will depend on your desired cruising experience, as well as your overall travel budget and your schedule both ahead of embarkation and after debarkation.
For example, if you have a crammed scheduled during embarkation day — maybe your flight gets in right before the cruise is set to leave, or you’re driving in from another city (though we always recommend staying the night before the cruise in the port city, just to be safe) — you might appreciate priority check-in and access to the ship.
Carnival Sunshine docked in Charleston Harbor (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock)
You’ll be able to get aboard before everyone else and, for instance, head to the dining room for fast service, ahead of the packs.
Likewise, if you have plans to do a lot of sightseeing or excursions while the ship is in port, you might appreciate being able to leave the ship first, so that you can fit as much into your day as possible. Even if you’re just headed to the beach while you’re in port, priority debarkation means you can snag the best spots on the sand.
It’s also worth considering that Faster to the Fun applies to all the occupants of the stateroom. So, if you’re on vacation with a large number of people, or with small children, you may find that Faster to the Fun is well worth the cost for the convenience it provides. (Because no one fancies standing in hours-long lines with a toddler, or herding a group of extended relatives to the tender boats.)
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Real cruisers who have purchased Faster to the Fun have left positive reviews on the Carnival website, saying that the extra perks you get with FTTF are incredibly worth the money, and some even say that they never cruise without it now. The only complaints seem to be that sometimes cabin access and luggage delivery isn’t quite as expedited as cruisers would like.
All of the above considered, though, if you can get Faster to the Fun for around that starting price of $60, then, yes, it is definitely worth it.
Is Faster to the Fun Right for You?
Only you can decide. However, for many cruisers who want a more convenient, more enjoyable cruise, and who get frustrated by waiting in the long lines that so often come with cruising, Faster to the Fun is a must-have for any upcoming Carnival cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line has recently responded to passenger concerns regarding the availability of fans in cabins and the policies surrounding vaping on their ships. The issues were brought to light through social media interactions, where passengers voiced their experiences and suggestions.
One guest raised a question about the absence of fans in every cabin, highlighting the inconvenience for those who rely on fans for sleeping. The passenger described an experience from a previous cruise aboard Carnival Celebration where the provided box fan was too large for their interior cabin. They argued that a multi-million-dollar company like Carnival should be able to afford fans for every cabin.
“My wife is a light sleeper and sleeps with a fan every night,” said the guest. “Why can’t they be available on the ships? Having to carry one from home to the ship is not convenient. How about those passengers who fly?”
In response, Carnival explained that while they do have a limited number of fans available for medical and emergency use, providing fans for every cabin would be prohibitively expensive.
Passengers sailing on any one of the cruise line’s fleet of 27 ships are encouraged to bring their own fan. However, the policy states that fan can be no larger than 12 inches and must be packed in carry-on luggage.
Vaping Policies Addressed
Another significant concern was the cruise line’s policy on vaping. A passenger argued that placing vapers in smoking areas is unfair, as vaping is often used as a tool to quit smoking. They cited unsubstantiated evidence showing that vaping has contributed to a significant decline in smoking prevalence in the USA.
“Carnival passengers include hundreds of people who vape,” the letter stated. “Why are they punished by being forced into cigarette smoking areas? Is this the barbaric rule Carnival still has?”
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that their policy restricts vaping to designated smoking areas. John Heald, brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line, said, “Anyone caught vaping in non-smoking areas would be subject to the same consequences as those smoking a cigarette or cigar or pipe.”
The cruise line’s official stance on smoking applies to all forms of smoking, which includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and marijuana.
Anyone smoking in undesignated areas, which includes staterooms and on balconies, may be fined $500 per violation of the policy. The reason behind the strict policy is smoking of any kind is considered a fire hazard.
Cruise ships are confined spaces with flammable materials found in furniture, carpets, and decor. While ships may be large, many enclosed areas, such as cabins, can cause a small fire to spread quickly and cause significant damage. Because ships do not have the benefit of external emergency services, any fire aboard a ship can become a catastrophic event.
Smoking areas can be found across each ship, including ship casinos and designated outdoor smoking areas. Some ships feature special outdoor areas specifically for cigar and tobacco pipes, but no ship offers a dedicated vape zone.
No smoking of any kind is allowed on embarkation and debarkation days, as the ships are refueling. Guests can find Carnival’s designated smoking areas by ship here.
Meanwhile, Heald’s Facebook page continues to be a good source of information. The witty brand ambassador reported he answered 10,000 questions within the last month alone, with fellow Carnival Cruise Line passengers weighing in by the thousands.
