A 14-year-old American boy, Aydin Brown, has been reported missing in the cruise port of Rostock-Warnemünde in northern Germany, after debarking Caribbean Princess on Thursday morning, July 4, 2024.
Brown is traveling with his grandmother aboard the Princess Cruises ship, but it is not clear whether he debarked with her or on his own when the ship docked for a day in port.
Brown was last reported at roughly 7-7:30 a.m., wearing a “dark jacket, dark pants, and retro shoes” according to the Rostock police report. He is 5′ 7″ tall with long dark hair, and is reported as autistic.
Aydin Brown
Authorities have recovered a photo from a surveillance camera at the Warnemünde train station showing Brown and an unknown witness, who is urgently asked to come forward to help locate the young man. The witness is described as 20-25 years old, slim, with very long hair that was braided into a ponytail.
“It cannot be ruled out that the missing person made contact with the gaming scene in Germany and that the previously unknown witness is also active in the scene,”the police report stated.“Initial investigations have shown that Aydin Brown was in personal contact with this previously unknown person shortly after leaving the ship.”
The Warnemünde train station is just one-quarter mile from the cruise port, and easy walk of just a few minutes.
To be clear, the unknown witness is not considered a suspect at this time, but is simply asked to come forward with any possible information about Brown’s whereabouts.
Any member of the public who may have additional information is also asked to contact local authorities. To date, there is no report of suspected foul play, but authorities are being diligent and thorough in their investigation.
Caribbean Princess is currently sailing a 12-night sailing roundtrip from Southampton, UK. The ship departed on Sunday, June 30, and has already called at two ports in Denmark.
While Caribbean Princess departed Warnemünde on schedule, Brown’s grandmother reportedly remained behind in the city to stay in touch with authorities. It is unclear whether other family members are also traveling on the cruise.
The 112,894-gross-ton, Grand-class ship can welcome 3,142 passengers on each sailing and is also home to approximately 1,200 international crew members. Caribbean Princess is now continuing on to ports in Sweden, Lithuania, and Norway before she is scheduled to return to Southampton on July 12.
No other cruise ships were docked in Warnemünde on Thursday, July 4.
Other Passengers Missing From Cruise Ships
A cruise port can be a very confusing and crowded place, particularly when guests are enjoying a day in port and there are hundreds, even thousands of people moving back and forth in just a few hours. Unfortunately, this can lead to families or groups becoming separated and missing persons reports are sometimes necessary.
In December 2023, a 15-year-old girl was missing from Norwegian Spirit when the ship was visiting Dunedin, New Zealand. Local authorities used social media to spread the word about the missing teen, and she was quickly located and reunited with her parents.
More recently, in early June an 18-year-old young man was separated from his parents at a port of call (the young man did not identify either the cruise ship or the port) when they failed to return to the ship on time, and he remained onboard as the ship sailed away. His parents did rejoin the ship – at their own expense – at the next port of call.
While both of these incidents were resolved with the families reuniting, unfortunately not all such situations end so happily. In April, a 66-year-old man with dementia became separated from his family in Cozumel, and despite exhaustive search efforts, he has not been located.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family and friends of Aydin Brown with positive thoughts and hope that he is safely located very soon.
While Disney Cruise Line has been quick to share details about all the new offerings and amenities that will come when Disney Treasure debuts at the end of 2024, it’s been more than a month since the family friendly cruise linehas released a construction update on the new build.
But on July 5, 2024, Disney released first-look photos of decks 11 and 12, which will eventually be home to endless water-filled fun.
Once completed, the second Wish-class ship will boast six different pools, of which the foundations have now been laid.
Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft Shipyard
The installation of Funnel Vision and the Funnel Vision stage—a hallmark of all Disney ships—is also in progress.
As on the older DCL ships, the jumbo LED screen will be placed on one of the ship’s funnels for events and movie screenings, located just above the Funnel Vision Stage that is used for performances, such as the Sail Away Celebration, and other onboard activities.
Perhaps most exciting is that the new construction photos unveil a first look at the AquaMouse attraction, which is a 760-foot long waterslide and roller coaster in one.
The ride first debuted on Disney Wish, where it made waves for doubling as a waterslide and becoming the first ever Disney theme park-esque attraction at sea—complete with an in-ride show.
The AquaMouse onboard Disney Treasure 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.
With the 4,000-passenger vessel’s maiden voyage scheduled for December 21, 2024, which is now just under 6 months away, the new cruise ship will likely be meeting many more construction milestones quite rapidly.
What’s Next For Disney Treasure?
The next cruise ship to join Disney’s growing fleet has been under construction in Germany at the Meyer Werft Shipyard since January of 2023 – and a lot of progress has been made in a relatively short period of time.
In the past year, construction crews have assembled the 144,000 gross-ton ship using large, steel blocks, which are cut into segments – as most modern cruise ships are built these days.
The steel-cutting ceremony occurred on January 19, 2023, followed by the keel laying on March 30, 2023.
The bridge block, which is the onboard hub for navigation and control, was added on June 26. And at the end of the year, on December 5, 2023, the cruise ship received the iconic funnelsthat help identify Disney’s fleet.
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
As of December 18, 2023, the cruise line indicated that the structural construction of the new vessel was complete – allowing crews to progress into building out the amenities onboard and perfecting the design elements.
While Disney’s second LNG-powered ship will still be spending some time in dry dock as the final phase of construction is completed, she will likely start moving toward some key milestones in the coming weeks to months.
One of the major upcoming events will be the float out. While Disney Treasure has already floated within the Meyer Werft Shipyard to make room for her younger sister, Disney Destiny, this wasn’t a traditional float out ceremony.
The real float out occurs with a special ceremony when the ship leaves dry dock and officially touches the ocean for the first time.
At this particular shipyard, this will also include a river conveyance where the vessel has to travel about 20 miles down the narrow Ems River, usually backwards, in order to reach the ocean. Meyer Werft is located further inland than what may be the norm in order to avoid the brunt of storms from the North Sea, necessitating this process.
Once the float out is complete, Disney’s newest ship will undergo her sea trials to make sure she is fit to carry passengers, officially be handed over to the cruise line, and will be joined by approximately 1,555 crew members closer to when she enters service.
She will embark on her maiden voyage – a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida – on December 21, 2024.
Award-winning singer/songwriter Meghan Trainor will serve as godmother to Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas during a 3-day christening extravaganza held onboard the ship and on land at the line’s Perfect Day at CocoCay private destination.
Royal Caribbean announced the big event on July 5, 2024 — the same day when cruisers can start entering a contest to attend the festivities. Rules about the giveaway are on the cruise line’s Instagram channel, and the contest closes to entries on July 7, 2024.
Just 52 lucky cruisers will win the prize, and the number of winners was chosen to represent the weekends of each year, since Utopia of the Seas will primarily offer short, getaway sailings of 3 and 4 nights. The christening gala will be held during the three days prior to the ship’s inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral on July 19, 2024.
Utopia of the Seas Godmother Meghan Trainor
“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,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
“Meghan embodies that in every way, from who she is to how she shares her music with the world, making her the perfect godmother to match Utopia’s big weekend energy. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the family and host a party of epic proportions fit for the ultimate short getaway,” added Bayley.
The 3-night party will feature the christening of the ship, a performance by Trainor at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Trainor’s headliner show, which will be held in the ship’s outdoor AquaTheater.
“It’s an incredible honor to join the Royal Caribbean family as godmother of Utopia of the Seas and set the tone for the parties to come. The best part is that we get to bring that weekend energy to the stage with my family and fans,” said Meghan Trainor.
Trainor has gained superstar status since releasing her first major hit, “All About That Bass,” in 2014. She won a GRAMMY award for Best New Artist, and has eight multi-platinum singles and two multi-platinum albums. She recently released her sixth studio album, “Timeless.”
With Port Canaveral as her homeport, the 5,600-guest Utopia of the Seas is the sixth and final ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. With 16 decks and weighing in at 236,860 gross tons, the ship is among the world’s largest. (The biggest cruise ship currently sailing is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, at 248,663 gross tons.)
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
After finishing touches were completed, Utopia of the Seas left the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and sailed her maiden transatlantic crossing. The ship is headed toward Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she will make a technical stop before continuing to Port Canaveral.
Following the christening events, Utopia of the Seas will begin sailing 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.
Mega-Ship to Feature 40 Food And Drink Venues
Onboard Utopia of the Seas, which is the first in the Oasis class to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), guests will find no less than 40 dining and lounge options. Guest favorites will be available, such as Chops Grille, Hooked Seafood, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, 150 Central Park, Johnny Rockets, Solarium Bistro, and The Mason Jar, while many new eateries and lounges will debut.
New options include Royal Railway—Utopia Station, a venue inspired by the rail journeys of the early 20th century. Two 24-seat dining cars will feature authentic elements from real railway carriages. While the cars don’t move, the dining experience features LED screens that serve as windows, creating a virtual journey during meal service.
Guests looking for a Caribbean vibe can check out the new Pesky Parrot bar, which will offer fruit-based beverages crafted with rum, tequila, and gin, alongside an array of frozen drinks. The Spare Tire, to be located on the pool deck, introduces Royal Caribbean’s first food truck-style eatery.
In Sitka, Alaska, a recent attempt to control the influx of cruise ship visitors has hit a roadblock. On July 2, the municipal clerk denied a petition for a ballot initiative that aimed to cap the number of cruise passengers visiting the city.
Small Town SOUL, a nonprofit advocacy organization supporting the citizens of Sitka requesting the partial ban, requested Sitka place a proposed ordinance that will place visitation caps on cruise ships and shorten the summer cruise season onto the City & Borough’s October election ballot.
With cruise passengers descending on the town of 8,300 people swelling to nearly 600,000 annually, Sitka resident and Small Town SOUL secretary Larry Edwards has been leading a call to limit passengers to 4,500 per day and set a cap that reduces annual visitors by half.
Sitka, Alaska (Photo Credit: Jeff Whyte)
However, ahead of the Independence Day holiday, the ballot request was denied for having “misleading, confusing, and incomplete terms.” The city also said the request violates the Tonnage Clause that “prohibits states from levying taxes or duties on ships based on their tonnage without the consent of Congress.”
The U.S. Constitution clause, found in Article 1, was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
Despite the setback, the group behind the initiative remains determined. “We aren’t giving up, and aim to get caps on the volume of cruise passengers in Sitka to a vote of the people,”said Edwards.
Sitka’s struggle with cruise ship regulations is part of a broader conversation and growing concerns over the environmental and social impacts of the increasing cruise traffic in Alaskan communities.
“Juneau and Sitka are not the only communities to formally question the cost benefit analysis that underlies the cruise ship economy,” Edwards continued, referring to Juneau’s recent decision to limit daily passengers in 2026 to 16,000, and 12,000 on Saturdays.
“In 2021, the Skagway mayor floated the idea of a cap on cruise ship passengers – the town of fewer than 1,000 residents welcomes as many as 12,000 passengers a day – but the idea never made it to a municipal ballot,” he said.
Persistent Push for Cruise Control in Sitka
The resistance against the escalating cruise ship presence in Sitka has been growing since 2022, when Edwards first approached city officials with a proposal to implement a cap of 240,000 passengers per year, along with a weekly maximum of 13,350 visitors.
The city rejected the initial proposal in September 2023 also based on the grounds that it was “confusing, misleading, and incomplete.”
Undeterred by the early setback, Edwards collaborated with Small Town SOUL to draft a more comprehensible plan in time for the upcoming elections. The current initiative, if it finds its way to the ballot, will allow Sitka residents to vote on whether or not to cap cruise passengers disembarking to 4,500 per day with an annual cap of 300,000.
The initiative also proposed a mandatory no-ship day each week, exempting only smaller ships, to give residents a respite from the continuous flow of visitors.
Additionally, the cruise season in Sitka, which currently begins in April and runs through October, would be cut back and limited to May 1 to September 30.
The initiative also proposes penalties for cruise lines that exceed their scheduled “persons ashore” limits and calls for accurate passenger and crew counts, demanding independent verification to improve data accuracy.
With all major cruise lines making stops in Alaska, and Sitka being a pivotal port, the proposed reduction of visitor numbers could significantly impact the cruise industry.
Such a drastic cut would face strong opposition from the Cruise Lines International Association, which already contends with the logistical hurdles presented by Alaska’s limited port availability.
Small Town SOUL is reviewing legal materials following the denial and plans to submit another request.
The Port Authority of Jamaica has confirmed that all three cruise ports on the tropical island nation – Montego Bay, Falmouth, and Ocho Rios – have successfully reopened following Hurricane Beryl brushing the southern coast of the island on Wednesday, July 3. All ports and channels were thoroughly inspected, and reopened for operations at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
“The opening of the harbors will allow ships to enter from this evening [July 4] and to proceed to berth at the designated terminals in preparation of commencement of port operations at 7 a.m. tomorrow,”the notification clarified.
This means that cruise ship visits to Jamaica scheduled for Friday, July 5 and beyond should go ahead as planned, with guests able to enjoy the vibrancy and colorful culture of the island.
At this time, however, no ship visits are scheduled for the immediate future for any Jamaican ports of call. The first vessel to return to Montego Bay will be Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty on Wednesday, July 24.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape will be the first ship to return to Falmouth with her planned visit on Monday, July 15. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon will be the first post-hurricane ship to visit Ocho Rios on Tuesday, July 16.
While Jamaica is a popular destination for many cruise travelers, the summer heat and the risks of hurricane season mean that the mid-summer months are not the busiest for the island. The winter months – November through March—are much more popular, with a greater number of ship calls from a variety of different cruise lines.
Other ports on the island – Kingston Harbour, Port Antonio, and Portland Bight – have also reopened, though they do not service cruise ships.
Hurricane Beryl and Jamaica
Hurricane Beryl impacted Jamaica as a major Category 4 storm through the day on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. At the time the storm brushed the island’s southern coast, maximum sustained winds were recorded at 140 miles per hour.
Widespread power outages, property destruction, and flooding were present in Jamaica during the storm, and at least two people lost their lives due to the hurricane’s impact, despite the storm not making official landfall on the island.
Hurricane Beryl Track (Credit: NOAA)
Hurricane Beryl has now made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula near the southern end of the island of Cozumel, which remains closed to all port traffic.
Beryl has weakened to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. While moving over land, the storm is expected to continue to weaken and will likely emerge over the Gulf of Mexico after being downgraded to a tropical storm rather than a hurricane.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) morning update, the storm may strengthen again in the Gulf of Mexico as it turns north, likely bringing significant impact to coastal Texas late this weekend and early next week.
Multiple cruise ships have already changed itineraries to avoid Cozumel, though predicting any impact on visits after the storm has passed is tricky. For example, Carnival Valor departed New Orleans on Thursday, July 4 and is still scheduled to visit Cozumel on Saturday, July 6.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has confirmed that as of Friday morning, Carnival Valor remains en route to Cozumel and guests will be updated onboard if itinerary changes are necessary. Announcements have also been made onboard the ship to keep passengers updated about the situation as they enjoy a fun day at sea today.
“Hurricane Beryl continues its westerly path across the Caribbean and is set to impact the Yucatan Peninsula in the next few days, passing south of Cozumel, Friday afternoon,”the announcement onboard said.“The weather looks promising for Saturday, but local authorities must conduct an assessment after the storm passes Cozumel. They will keep us updated about port conditions.”
All cruise travelers should always remain flexible with their travel plans during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. A storm could cause changes to cruise itineraries and port visits at any time during the season—or even outside the official hurricane season. Cruise lines always prioritize safety when faced with such changes.
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to guests booked onboard Symphony of the Seas for the ship’s July 5, 2024 departure to alert them to the need for an earlier departure from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey than originally planned.
This means embarkation must finish earlier than planned as well, with all guests onboard ready for departure at a new time.
“Due to an inbound container vessel that will be entering the channel, Symphony of the Seas will need to depart earlier than originally planned,”the notification email explained.“We will now set sail at 3:15 p.m.”
Symphony of the Seas (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
While the check-in process for the ship’s 7-night sailing will still begin at 10 a.m. as scheduled, all guests must be checked-in and onboard the vessel no later than 2:45 p.m. prior to the now-sooner-than-planned departure. Symphony of the Seas was originally scheduled for departure from Bayonne at 4 p.m.
This change will most dramatically impact those who have a late check-in appointment scheduled. The latest arrival appointment for a 4 p.m. departure would usually be 2:30-3 p.m., but the cruise line is now asking those travelers to arrive 30 minutes early to facilitate the new departure time.
While large ports can easily accommodate the movement of multiple vessels, container ships are bulky and less maneuverable than some other types of ships. Furthermore, Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship and one of the largest cruise ships in the world at 228,081 gross tons.
Depending on expected weather conditions, tidal currents, and water levels, it is prudent to give these two large ships plenty of clearance around one another so there will be no mishaps or navigational difficulties. Symphony of the Seas is the only cruise ship departing from Cape Liberty on Friday.
It should be noted that this earlier homeport departure time in no way impacts Symphony of the Seas‘ overall itinerary for the 7-night cruise.
The ship will still be visiting Port Canaveral on Sunday, July 7, followed by Nassau on Monday, July 8 and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay on Tuesday, July 9. After two days at sea, the ship will return to Cape Liberty on Friday, July 12.
Symphony of the Seas can welcome 5,518 guests at double occupancy or as many as 6,680 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are approximately 2,200 international crew members.
The ship will remain homeported from Cape Liberty through the end of October, at which time she will move to Miami to offer Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. She will return to New Jersey in April 2025 for another summer season of Bahamas sailings.
Why Do Early Departures Happen?
While moving up the departure time for a cruise ship isn’t a common occurrence, it can happen for a variety of reasons.
In addition to accommodating other port traffic, issues such as incoming poor weather or security operations could require an earlier-than-expected departure. Travelers are given as much notice as possible for these changes, but occasionally the decision is not made until the last minute.
Early departures can also happen at ports of call, though this is typically due to bad weather that makes it unsafe for a cruise ship to remain docked or continue tendering operations.
Two Royal Caribbean ships—Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas—experienced this earlier this year when high winds at CocoCay caused guests to be recalled and the island to be shut down in the early afternoon.
Guests should always remain in touch with their cruise line through text messaging or emergency contact information in case such unusual circumstances occur.
If you think that cruises are all-inclusive experiences, you may be surprised to learn that that’s not quite the case (at least not with most cruise lines). There are plenty of extra purchases you might want to make once you’re onboard the ship, from drink packages to specialty dining experiences to gym classes.
That said, though, you don’t have to buy any of these items, and there are loads of free things to do, eat, drink and experience on a cruise, all included within the price of your cruise fare. Some, of course, are better deals than others.
So, what are the best and top cruise freebies you should make the most of? These are our 10 favorites.
Who doesn’t love a cruise ship buffet? Cruise ship buffets are the place to chow down on whatever you want, whatever the time of day (breakfast, lunch or dinner) and in whatever quantities you want. Better yet, cruise ships always include dining at the buffet in the price of your cruise fare, so you never need to pay to eat there.
Sure, there are some rules you’ll need to follow at the buffet, like “don’t pile two plates high with food at once” and “don’t touch the food with your fingers,” but otherwise, the buffet is your personal culinary playground.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Pizza? You got it. Pasta? Sure. Salad and soup? Yep. Sandwiches. Mhmm. All the desserts you can eat? Absolutely. Food from every continent? Probably. Many cruise lines also offer made-to-order stations, where crew members make your food right in front of you, whether that’s an omelet or waffle at breakfast, or a savory stir fry at dinner.
While the experience may not be as formal as what you’ll get in the cruise ship’s main dining room, and the food might not be the same quality as what you’ll get in a specialty restaurant, the free buffet is still a great deal.
So, for the variety and convenience, the cruise ship buffet is definitely a free experience that you shouldn’t overlook during your next cruise.
2. The Gym
While you may need to pay extra to attend certain workout classes and to get spa treatments, the fitness center on your cruise ship will still offer facilities that are free to use.
These facilities are often the main gym portion of the fitness center, where you can enjoy access to a range of high-end fitness equipment; for example, you can find Peloton equipment on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships. Often, cruise ship gyms are outfitted with walls of windows, too, so you get a great view along with your workout.
Additionally, while many classes do come with a minimal fee, you can find a handful of free, basic or beginner classes on many ships. Some select cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages, even offer all their fitness classes for free.
Don’t really care to sweat but would still like to relax? Many fitness centers on cruise ships are outfitted with saunas or steam rooms that you can access for free, too.
In short, if you love the gym experience, but cringe at paying high gym membership fees at home, you won’t want to miss out on using the gym on your cruise ship every day.
3. The Daily Activities
Don’t just take a gander at your cruise ship’s map and assume your sea days are only going to be filled with activities at the various venues on the ship, such as taking a dip in the pool, gambling at the casino or visiting the ice rink. There’s a whole lot more going on, on the average cruise ship, than may meet the eye.
Via your cruise line’s app, you’ll be able to see daily activities scheduled for every single day during your cruise. These daily activities range from trivia games and competitions to seminars and classes, and they’re all free.
Splashaway Bay
All you have to do is show up and participate. Sometimes, the seminars and classes are led by industry experts and, sometimes, those games or competitions come with cool prizes.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll get bored while zipping down waterslides or go-karting at sea, these free activities are an excellent way to fill a few hours at no extra cost.
4. The Shows and Nighttime Entertainment
How many times have you shelled out hundreds of dollars for tickets to theater shows? Or paid hefty cover charges to see a local band at a bar? Get the same, high-quality entertainment on your cruise ship, but totally for free.
Most cruise ships have a large theater, where you can catch a few shows every night, and most cruise lines offer Broadway-style performances that range from shows you already know and love (for example, Hairspray, CATS or Mamma Mia! have all been offered on Royal Caribbean ships) to musical reviews that fit a particular theme, such as 80s or 90s rock music.
Show Theater on Icon of the Seas
If you do want to see one of the larger shows during your cruise, just note that, while it is free, you should still probably make reservations. You can pre-reserve tickets to a show on the cruise line’s website, and then your space is reserved.
Some shows are highly popular and tickets can go quickly, so reserving them in advance ensures you get to actually see the show you want to see, when you want to see it.
Reserving your seats at a show is easy. For example, if you want to book tickets to see a show on a Royal Caribbean cruise, all you have to do is go to the My Royal Cruise and Cruise Planner pages and you’ll be able to see a list of all the shows occurring during your cruise, as well as their days, times and descriptions.
Select the shows you want to reserve and, then during your cruise, just provide your SeaPass card to enter the show. Tickets can be reserved as early as on the first day of the month before the sailing.
5. Exclusive Spaces
If you upgrade to a suite aboard some ships, you’ll automatically receive an incredible free perk: access to exclusive, VIP spaces that aren’t open to cruisers who are staying in other parts of the ship.
Often, these spaces will include a lounge with free food and drinks, a free restaurant and possibly even a sun deck with a pool, hot tubs, loungers and a bar.
Celebrity Cruises’ VIP area is The Retreat, where suite guests enjoy access to Luminae, a private and free restaurant, as well as an exclusive lounge serving free coffee, cocktails and snacks.
So, if you did spring for a suite on a cruise ship, you definitely don’t want to miss out on taking full advantage of these spaces, where you can enjoy stellar, more customized service and the kind of experiences you’d expect from a VIP space.
Even if you didn’t book a suite, though, there are still more exclusive areas on many cruise ships, where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a more relaxing vibe, and still for free.
Often, these are adults-only, outdoor spaces that sometimes include a pool or hot tub, as well as loungers and maybe a bar. On Carnival Cruise Lines, this space is simply called Serenity. On Royal Caribbean, this space is The Solarium.
6. WiFi
So you want to scroll through your social media while you’re at sea, posting all your vacation photos so you can get all those coveted likes and shares. Maybe you just want to keep in touch with the office via email. Maybe you really just want to stream your favorite shows in your cabin, before you go to bed at night.
Whatever the case may be, you’re going to need some WiFi. Unfortunately, cruise ship WiFi packages can sometimes be pricey — but then they can also sometimes be free as well. If you can snag free Wi-Fi on a cruise ship, that’s a cruise freebie you’ll want to take full advantage of!
Cruise Wi-Fi
So, how do you get that free WiFi? For starters, look for booking promotions that include it (both Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have offered these booking incentives in the past).
Check the perks that come with being a part of the cruise line’s loyalty program, too. Sometimes, free WiFi is offered as a perk and all you have to do is sign up to be a loyalty program member (also free).
7. Shore Excursions
While shore excursions aren’t a free perk on every single ship and with every single cruise line, if this is a cruise freebie that you absolutely have to have, it is possible to get it, if you book your cruise with the right cruise line.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Certain cruise lines offer free shore excursions, which means you can sightsee and tour on the cruise line’s dime, and never stick back on the ship during a port day just because you want to avoid spending extra cash.
Some of the cruise lines that offer free tours include Viking, which offers cruisers one free excursion at each port of call during the cruise’s itinerary, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which offers free, unlimited shore excursions.
8. Kids Sailing Free
Like the free WiFi, kids sailing free on a cruise is usually part of some booking promotion. However, if you’ve wanted to go on a big family cruise for years, or just want to take a cruise with the grandkids, this is one cruise freebie to watch for.
Kids on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Tomsickova Tatyana)
Usually, these promotions allow children under 12 to cruise for free, paying no extra cruise fare, when they’re sailing with two adults. Cruise lines that have offered this option in the past include Royal Caribbean Cruises, MSC Cruises and Holland America.
While it’s not available on every single cruise, if you can find one that offers it, that’s your sign: It’s time to book that cruise with the kiddos and save some cash.
9. Room Service
Ordering room service in your bathrobe is probably one of the best parts of going on vacation. However, doing this while staying in a hotel can be pretty pricey. That’s not the case on some cruise ships, though.
While some cruise lines charge a flat service fee and/or gratuity for all room service (as is the case on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises), other cruise lines offer room service totally for free (as is the case with Princess Cruises).
Photo Credit: CathyRL / Shutterstock
So, check out your cruise line’s stance and then, if the room service is free, order away.
Sure, you may miss out on dining at one of the great restaurants aboard the ship, but sometimes, after a long day of exploring in port or laying by the pool, you just want to kick back on your stateroom balcony, order a burger and some Champagne, and watch the world float by.
10. Babysitting and Childcare
Okay, so technically, babysitting services at night on any cruise ship will cost you a minimal fee. However, childcare during the day is totally free. So long as your child is around elementary age or older, there are kids clubs that can cater to them, providing fun activities designed for their age group and led by qualified childcare professionals.
Image Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Just drop your child off at the kids club, sign them in and come fetch them before the day’s end. The kiddos get to do something fun with other kids their own age, you get to enjoy a little quiet adult time and no one has to spend any extra to get it.
While your older kids (think preteen and older) won’t need childcare in the same manner, they’ll still get a free place to hang out, thanks to preteen and teen clubs on cruise ships.
These offer lots of free programming and fun things to do, from video game tournaments to karaoke parties. It’s a much better, more budget-friendly alternative to paying for your teens to have their own WiFi package or allowing them to spend dollar after dollar in the ship arcade.
Costa Cruises has announced an expansion of its winter offerings with two new cruise itineraries dedicated to exploring Asia. Starting in November 2025 through January 2026, travelers can embark on the newly design routes aboard what will be a newly renovated Costa Serena.
In Japan, Costa Serena will start and end in Hong Kong with stops in Keelung (Taiwan), a visit to Busan in South Korea, and multiple cities in Japan, including Naha, Kagoshima, Tokyo, Kobe, and Nagasaki.
The cruise line’s Southeast Asia itinerary, starting from either Hong Kong or Singapore, will include visits to Nha Trang and Phu My in Vietnam, Koh Samui in Thailand, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines.
Creating “Fly&Cruise” packages that allow guests to fly from Europe to join Costa Serena for voyages in Asia, the new adventures will provide comprehensive 15-day tours.
Prior to embarking on the new itineraries, Costa Serena will undergo significant renovations. Details about the specific improvements are yet to be disclosed but are expected to upgrade the 17-year-old ship, which first set sail with Costa Cruises in 2007.
Costa Cruises is also offering the ability to book a one-week segment of either itinerary for a limited time. An eight-day voyage will depart from Hong Kong. With three at-sea days, Costa Serena will visit Keelung, Naha, and Kagoshima, where it will end.
The 15-day Asia cruise will continue the journey to Tokyo, Kobe, Nagasaki, and Busan, returning to Hong Kong.
In southeast Asia, the 8-day cruise leaves Hong Kong with three at-sea days and calls in Nha Trang, Phu My, and Koh Samui before ending in Singapore. Travelers continuing on the 15-day voyage have two additional at-sea days with stops in Bandar Seri Begawan and Puerto Princesa before returning to Hong Kong,
Costa Serena will also feature an option to combine both itineraries into a 29-night cruise, covering all 14 of its destinations.
The new Asian cruises will launch November 21, 2025, and run through January 30, 2026.
Costa Serena’s Journey
Constructed by Fincantieri at their Genoa, Italy, shipyard, Costa Serena was one of the largest cruises ships built in Italy when it debut weighing in at 114,000 gross tons.
Designed to accommodate up to 3,780 guests, it was dubbed the “Ship of Gods” for its unique décor inspired by classical mythology. A collection of nearly 6,000 art pieces, including 440 originals from 34 international artists, was incorporated into the ship’s design.
Following a christening in Marseille, France, with French actress Marion Cotillard serving as its godmother, the ship initially sailed Mediterranean cruises until deployed to Asia in 2015, targeting the Chinese cruise market.
The ship has undergone several extensive refits during its service, including multi-million-dollar renovations in 2009, and boasts an array of amenities that include three pool decks, a three-deck theater, casino, and multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges.
The ship spent much of 2023 serving as a charter for Asian partners, and then last winter in parts of India. The Carnival Corporation-owned ship’s last cruise, a 3-day roundtrip voyage between Busan and Nagasaki, completed in late May 2024. No details have been provided on where or when renovations will take place.
Guests setting sail later this month aboard Disney Dream have been notified of an itinerary change, as the ship will now be unable to visit Isafjordur, Iceland as planned on the original schedule. Guests will still enjoy another stop in Iceland, and an alternative port has likewise been arranged.
The impacted sailing is the July 24, 2024 departure, a 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland itinerary. Booked guests have been notified via email of the change just three weeks before embarkation.
“The Port of Isafjordur, Iceland, has been undergoing some work to the port channel. Unfortunately, the work is not yet completed, and we are unable to dock,”the email explained.“Therefore, it will be necessary to cancel your call to Isafjordur.”
The visit to the northwestern port was to have been on Thursday, August 1, but Disney Dream will now spend that day at sea instead. The ship’s visit to Reykjavik on both Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30-31, is not impacted, and will give travelers ample time to explore and enjoy that amazing destination.
Likewise, the ship’s visits to three different Norwegian ports and time sailing through the Norwegian fjords earlier in the sailing is not affected by this change.
What is changing, however, is a new port of call added to the itinerary. Saturday, August 3 was originally planned as a day at sea, but the ship will now call at Liverpool, UK to give guests another top destination to explore.
Any tours for Isafjordur that were booked through Disney Cruise Line will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests, while new tours will be made available for Liverpool.
The nature of the port channel work has not been revealed, but could be dredging or other work to ensure the best operational functioning of the port. Because of the size of Disney Dream, which measures 129,690 gross tons, it is possible that channel restrictions prevent the ship from visiting.
A variety of ships from other cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and more, regularly visit Isafjordur.
On August 1, Disney Dream is the only ship scheduled for the port, and it is unknown whether other cruises on other days are also adjusting their itineraries. It is possible the port work will create only a temporary closure, and few ships will be impacted.
Sailing Europe With Disney Dream
Disney Dream is spending the summer in Europe offering cruises from multiple homeports. The July 24 sailing is the ship’s first departure from Southampton, where she will remain through late October with a diverse selection of itineraries from 3-13 nights.
Shorter cruises include visits to France, Belgium, and Spain, while longer sailings include the Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, and northern Europe.
Disney Dream (Photo Credit: penofoto)
On October 20, Disney Dream will leave Southampton for a one-way, 13-night transatlantic cruise to reposition to Fort Lauderdale, visiting Spain, Portugal, and the Azores along the way.
From Fort Lauderdale, the ship will be offering Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries at least through September 2025.
Disney Dream can welcome 4,000 guests onboard at each sailing, and is also home to 1,458 international officers and crew members who work very hard to ensure every traveler has a dream cruise vacation filled with signature Disney magic.
