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Florida Police Sergeant Drowns at Grand Turk During Cruise Visit

Port News

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Mar 18, 2026

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Florida Police Sergeant Drowns at Grand Turk During Cruise Visit

Key Aspects:

A cruise guest drowned near the Grand Turk Cruise Centre on Monday, March 9, 2026.
The guest was identified as 39-year-old Richard Parrish of the Wildwood Police Department.
The incident is likely to be investigated and the cause of Parrish’s drowning has not been released.

A cruise vacation should be a joyful time to make memories, but unfortunately, tragic incidents can occur at any time and at any cruise port. One such incident happened at Grand Turk on Monday, March 9, 2026 when a cruise passenger drowned in what is being described as an accident.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed the incident, stating that there was a drowning near the Cruise Centre.

The statement confirmed the death of a 39-year-old male identified as Richard Parrish, who was a passenger aboard one of the cruise ships visiting Grand Turk that day.

Parrish was snorkeling near the Cruise Centre at roughly 11:40 a.m. when he apparently had difficulty and lifeguards responded to his distress, pulling him from the water and beginning CPR.

As lifesaving efforts continued, Parrish was transported to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre. The hospital is just over four miles north of the cruise port. Unfortunately, further efforts were unsuccessful and Parrish was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

No further details about what caused Parrish’s difficulties while snorkeling have been released, and it is not known whether he was traveling solo or with family members or friends. The incident is likely to be further investigated to determine the exact cause of death, including whether any medical condition or extenuating circumstances may have contributed to Parrish’s death.

The exact cruise ship has also not been identified, but only two vessels were in Grand Turk on March 9.

Carnival Vista was visiting on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, March 7, and Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam was on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Fort Lauderdale, also having departed on Saturday.

Local news reports further identified Richard Parrish as a Sergeant with the Wildwood Police Department in Florida. The department released condolences about Parrish’s death on social media and local media reports have stated that he died while on vacation in the Caicos Islands.

“Sgt. Parrish was an excellent police sergeant, but more improtantly, he was an amazing person and a good friend to all,” Chief Randy Parmer stated. “He was well-respected, valued, and loved by those he worked with and everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed by our Wildwood Police Department family and the entire community.”

Drownings Are Not Common, But Do Happen on Cruise Vacations

It can be troubling to think of a drowning death on a cruise vacation, particularly when water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, and more are such popular activities.

Unknown waters can always be dangerous, however, even if they may appear beautiful and calm.

Cruise Hive has often reported on drowning deaths at different destinations. In August 2025, for example, two Carnival cruise guests drowned in separate incidents at Celebration Key, one in a pool and another on the beach.

Just days earlier, two Celestyal Cruises guests drowned after being swept off rocks on Milos in Greece during strong winds and rough waves.

In March 2024, a Norwegian Cruise Line guest drowned during a visit to Bermuda, while in December 2025, an AIDA Cruises guest was swept out to sea and drowned while taking photos from dangerous rocks in Vigo, Spain.

Despite what may seem to be frequent incidents, many cruise guests do safely enjoy all manner of water sports on their vacations.

Cruise guests should always be cautious whether they are actively swimming or just near the water, regardless of the water’s conditions or overall depth. Even strong swimmers could easily underestimate their abilities or succumb to unexpected waves, currents, or invisible obstacles.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Sgt. Parrish’s friends, family, and department at this very sad time.

Disney Cruise Line Confirms Disney Believe as New Wish Class Ship for 2027

Disney Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 18, 2026

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Disney Cruise Line Confirms Disney Believe as New Wish Class Ship for 2027

Key Aspects:

Disney Cruise Line has announced the name of the fourth Wish Class ship as Disney Believe.
The new ship will debut in late 2027 with a “promise and possibilities” theme.
The ship’s homeport and itinerary options have not yet been announced.

Disney Cruise Line is growing rapidly and guests who believe in the magic of a cruise vacation as the perfect getaway will love the name of the fourth Wish Class ship: Disney Believe.

The vessel’s name was announced by the cruise line’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, on his very first day leading the cruise line. The announcement was made at the 2026 Walt Disney Company Annual Shareholders Meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The ship follows the lead ship in the class, Disney Wish, as well as her two active sister ships, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.

Disney Believe is scheduled to set sail in late 2027, though exact dates and details about her voyages and homeport have not yet been announced.

What is known is the theme of the new ship, which will be “promise and possibilities.” This is an excellent choice for this period of growth for the cruise line, as well as to embody the hope of every cruise traveler eager for all the opportunities a cruise vacation may present.

In comparison, Disney Wish has an “enchantment” theme while Disney Treasure embraces an “adventure” theme and Disney Destiny highlights a “heroes and villains” theme. Onboard each ship, these themes guide not only decor but also the highly detailed rotational dining restaurant themes as well as activities and entertainment.

Disney Believe will bring to life the promise and possibilities of hit films such as “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Moana,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

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Details of which films might become themed dining experiences, production shows, or unique character interactions have not been revealed. Individual stateroom decor will also likely be guided by these key films.

It is possible that the ship’s iconic stern characters may also be from these films. Disney Wish, for example, features Rapunzel and her playful chameleon companion Pascal, perfect for the ship’s “enchanted” motif.

Disney Treasure features Captain Hook and Peter Pan for the ultimate adventure, while Disney Destiny has one of the Marvel universe’s most popular heroes, Spider-Man, hanging on by a thread.

Truly Magical Cruise Line Growth

Disney Cruise Line is growing at a magical pace to fulfill the promises and possibilities of great cruise vacations for all its guests.

While the line featured just four ships in its first 15 years – Disney Magic (1998); Disney Wonder (1999); Disney Dream (2011), and Disney Fantasy (2012) – it would be a full decade before Disney Wish joined the fleet in 2022.

Now, in just four years, three other ships have set sail for Disney Cruise Line. Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny debuted in 2024 and 2025, while the new Global Class Disney Adventure just debuted a week ago in Singapore.

Cruise Hive has reported on that ship’s initial successes and surprises, as well as her official christening on March 4, 2026.

A fifth Wish Class ship is already planned to debut in 2029 and will be based in Japan, and Disney Cruise Line is planning a future class of slightly smaller ships with vessels debuting in 2029, 2030, and 2031.

The Wish Class ships are 144,000 gross tons, while the new, as-yet-unnamed class will be just 105,000 gross tons. This will be slightly smaller than the Dream Class but larger than the Magic Class.

Speculation is high that the new, smaller class might eventually replace the aging Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, which will be more than 30 years old by the time the new class sets sail. This has not been confirmed, however.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for more updates on Disney Believe as well as future Disney Cruise Line ships as the fleet continues to grow, bringing ever-more cruise magic to guests worldwide.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Make Changes That Hit Top Tier Cruisers Hardest

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 18, 2026

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Norwegian Cruise Brands Make Changes That Hit Top Tier Cruisers Hardest

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has updated its cross-brand loyalty status matching across Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The biggest changes affect top-tier members, whose status will now be recognized at lower levels.
The updated structure applies to requests submitted on or after March 16, 2026.

Cruise loyalty perks are getting a reset across Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ (NCLH) three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The company has updated its Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure for its Latitudes Rewards program, which allows guests to have their loyalty status recognized across brands.

But the changes won’t impact all loyalty members equally. The biggest shifts are expected at the top tiers, where guests crossing between brands, particularly into Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, may see their status recognized at a lower level than before.

“As you know, Latitudes Rewards members enjoy their loyalty status when cruising with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises,” said NCLH in its announcement. “As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a consistent and rewarding experience across all NCLH brands, we’ve refined our Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure.”

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises see the biggest changes under the revised recognition chart, with the top end of both programs compressed under the new structure.

At Oceania Cruises, the President’s Circle is no longer matched at the top level and now maps to Diamond.

At Regent Seven Seas, the upper tiers have also been narrowed, with Commodore and Diamond both mapping to Titanium, while the former Titanium tier now maps to Platinum.

The shift carries over to Norwegian Cruise Line passengers crossing into those sister brands. Ambassador, NCL’s highest Latitudes Rewards tier, is now capped at Diamond when matched to Oceania Cruises rather than President’s Circle.

When matched to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Ambassador is capped at Titanium instead of Commodore. Sapphire members are also affected, now matching at the Platinum level on both Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.

The changes do not alter NCL’s own tier ladder, which still runs from Bronze through Ambassador within the Latitudes Rewards program.

NCLH said the revised structure is intended to better align those differences across its portfolio. The company did not announce any changes to onboard benefits, earning rates, or qualification requirements within each individual loyalty program.

What Passengers Need to Know

The cross-brand loyalty program at NCLH is relatively new. Introduced on September 29, 2025, the first sailings eligible for matched benefits across cruise lines began on October 15, 2025.

The updated Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure now applies to all requests submitted on or after March 16, 2026.

Guests who submitted a status match request before that date – but who are sailing after March 16 – will continue to be honored under the 2025 structure.

Under both the original and updated versions of the program, guests must actively submit a request to have their status recognized across brands at least 10 days before departure and cannot be added once a cruise has begun. Once approved, the matched tier applies to upcoming sailings with the sister cruise lines.

NCLH notes that status matching is not a permanent offering and recognition is granted on a per-cruise basis and applies only for the duration of that sailing. Guests revert back to their original tier with each brand after the voyage is completed.

While guests will receive standard tier benefits from the brand they are sailing with, milestone perks such as complimentary cruises, upgrades, and personalized gifts, are not included.

Points are earned only with the cruise line being sailed, and if a passenger holds status across multiple brands, the highest tier will be honored for that voyage.

TUI Cruises Scraps More Sailings Aboard Two Ships Stuck in the Middle East

TUI Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Mar 18, 2026

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TUI Cruises Scraps More Sailings Aboard Two Ships Stuck in the Middle East

Key Aspects:

TUI Cruises has cancelled more cruises aboard two ships stranded in Middle Eastern ports.
Scheduled sailings of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 are nixed at least through late March.
The ships are unable to leave the area via the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict.

Still unable to move two of its ships through the closed Strait of Hormuz, TUI Cruises has cancelled more itineraries that were to be operated aboard Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in the coming weeks.

The strategically crucial strait, which separates key Persian Gulf ports from the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, remains off limits as the US-Israeli war against Iran continues.

Mein Schiff 4 is currently docked in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, while sister ship Mein Schiff 5 is in Doha, Qatar.

A new statement from TUI Cruises on March 17, 2026, confirms that Mein Schiff 4’s scheduled cruises up to and including its March 23 departure are cancelled, and Mein Schiff 5’s itineraries through its March 29 departure are cancelled. The ships accommodate 2,506 and 2,534 guests, respectively.

TUI Cruises is based in Hamburg, Germany, and caters to the German market. The eight-ship line is a joint venture between the Germany-based TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, each of which owns a 50% stake.

In addition to regional hostilities caused by the widening conflict, the cruise line cited the German Foreign Office’s travel warnings, which were recently updated to include 11 Middle East destinations.

Where the Cruise Ships Were Scheduled to Sail

Mein Schiff 4 was due to sail from Dubai, UAE, on March 22, operating a 20-day voyage to Cape Town, South Africa. Port calls were scheduled for Muscat, Oman; Mahe Island, Seychelles; Mauritius Island; Reunion Island; and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The next scheduled cruise onboard the ship, if it is able to reposition via a Strait of Hormuz transit, departs April 11, 2026, and sails a 20-day cruise from Cape Town to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

According to its statement, TUI Cruises advised guests booked on future voyages that they would receive details about next steps if additional changes are required.

As for Mein Schiff 5, the ship’s next cruise was to depart on March 29, 2026, from Cape Town and sail a 19-day voyage to Palma de Mallorca. Guests were to visit Walvis Bay, Namibia; Santiago Island, Cape Verde; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Gibraltar.

Her next scheduled cruise, a 7-night sailing from Palma de Mallorca to Crete, Greece, is to depart on April 17, 2026.

TUI Cruises also confirmed that all guests and many crew members have disembarked Mein Schiff 5 and are en route to their home destinations.

“The primary objective now remains the safety and well-being of the remaining crew on board Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5,” a statement from TUI Cruises said.

Line’s Crisis Management Team Working on Solutions

Meanwhile, TUI Cruises’ crisis management team is working with authorities such as the German Foreign Office, various embassies, and security officials of its parent companies to continually assess the precarious situation in the region.

The company is also preparing possible scenarios to resume its ships’ scheduled itineraries. Its message to booked guests specifically requested that individuals with reservations to sail on future cruises avoid trying to contact the line about upcoming itineraries, saying it will keep them updated.

TUI Cruises had previously cancelled the March 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 sailings of Mein Schiff 4, and the February 28 and March 5 voyages of Mein Schiff 5.

The cruise line joined several other brands that cancelled voyages because their ships were stranded in Middle Eastern ports, with no way to transit the Strait of Hormuz. These included MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia, and Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey.

Coast Guard Carries Out Urgent Airlift of British Passenger From Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 18, 2026

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Coast Guard Carries Out Urgent Airlift of British Passenger From Star of the Seas

Key Aspects:

The US Coast Guard performed a nighttime airlift from Star of the Seas 200 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Rico.
A 64-year-old male British passenger was evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency.
The incident occurred during the ship’s March 8, 2026 sailing, an Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

An emergency medical situation arose on Star of the Seas on March 9, 2026 while the ship was 230 miles (200 nautical miles) northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The ship had departed Port Canaveral the day before on Sunday, March 8 and had enjoyed the next day visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay. After leaving the private island at approximately 4 p.m., Star of the Seas was heading for St. Thomas as the next stop on the 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Unfortunately, a 64-year-old male British passenger experienced a medical emergency along the way, requiring a precision airlift from the ship. The ship sent out the request for emergency medical assistance on Monday, March 9.

A US Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter and its expertly trained crew from Air Station Borinquen on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico was able to respond. The crew airlifted not only the guest, but also his next-of-kin and a Star of the Seas nurse from the ship’s flight deck for transportation to the Centro Medico Hospital for further treatment.

“This was a great example of the professionalism of all of the Coast Guard units, medical professionals, and the crew of Star of the Seas to execute an early morning hoist of the patient,” said Lt. Nicholas Forsythe, Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen copilot for the rescue.

“The coordinated efforts ensured the individual was able to safely reach the higher level of care he required.”

A video shows the harrowing rescue with the litter being hoisted to the helicopter as the ship was underway.

Because the airlift was described as happening in the early morning hours, it is unclear whether the guest was airlifted on Monday or later in the week, perhaps on Tuesday morning as the ship got closer to Puerto Rico. To safeguard the guest’s privacy, no further information about his condition or treatment has been released.

There is no indication that the remainder Star of the Seas‘ itinerary was impacted. The 248,663-gross-ton vessel returned to Port Canaveral as planned on Sunday, March 15, ready to welcome another 5,600+ guests aboard.

The Challenges of At-Sea Airlifts

Cruise ships are well-equipped to handle many different situations, but even the most modern and largest vessels cannot manage every medical emergency. When the need arises, it may be necessary to evacuate a guest or crew member from the ship to a hospital facility on land.

No at-sea medical evacuation is simple or easy, but these operations can be even more complicated when a ship is far from shore.

When a ship is at sea, the medical staff onboard will coordinate the necessary care and will make an evacuation decision after consultation with on-shore experts and rescue evacuation teams.

Distance from shore, severe weather, the patient’s immediate condition, the ship’s itinerary, and other factors can all influence the timing of at-sea rescues.

Ultimately, the health and safety of all guests, crew members, and rescue personnel is the top priority in such situations. Rescues will be attempted whenever possible, even if a ship’s route or itinerary must be adjusted to compensate.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on all types of adjustments to such rescues. At times, a ship may return to its homeport or a recent port of call to evacuate a guest if the vessel is close enough to shore.

In some cases, a ship might make an unscheduled stop at a different port for a medical evacuation. Star of the Seas did exactly that in November 2025. At other times, speeding up to get closer to shore in order for an airlift team to reach the ship safely is the best option.

Regardless of the situation, all cruise guests should be grateful that the US Coast Guard teams and other rescue personnel stand ready whenever their emergency services may be needed.

Royal Caribbean Shows Off New Beach Club That Will Open in 2027

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 18, 2026

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Royal Caribbean Shows Off New Beach Club That Will Open in 2027

Key Aspects:

Royal Caribbean has provided a first look at Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu.
The new beach-and-nature destination will open for guests in October 2027.
Royal Beach Club Vanuatu will be included in guests’ cruise fare and will be a tender port.

Royal Caribbean guests are very familiar with the cruise line’s popular private destinations in the Bahamas: Perfect Day at CocoCay as well as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island that opened in late December 2025. Cruise Hive has also reported on a lot of interest in the new plans for Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya and Royal Beach Club Santorini in Greece.

Now the cruise line has offered a first look at Royal Beach Club Lelepa, the first-ever private cruise destination that will open in the Southern Hemisphere.

Royal Beach Club Lelepa is expected to be available for sailings beginning in October 2027. Those cruises are now available for booking, and include options aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

Different cruise options include voyages from Australia, longer South Pacific itineraries, and epic transpacific cruises. Additional deployments and ships may also be announced in the months leading up to the new destination’s grand opening.

Royal Beach Club Lelepa (pronounced leh-leh-PAH) will be in the nation of Vanuatu, an archipelago roughly 1,200 miles northeast of Brisbane, Australia. The beach club will be on the northern side of the island.

In comparison to other popular local ports, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be just about 25 miles’ sailing distance from Port Vila and about 350 miles north of Noumea in New Caledonia.

How Royal Beach Club Lelepa Will Be Different

The new beach club is designed to offer guests an exclusive experience unlike any other.

“We are developing a beach club experience that is completely connected to the Australian guests who’ve told us exactly how they want to experience that, and that’s we’re creating,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It’s really going to be a special place.”

The new beach club will feature two outstanding beaches, an adults-only retreat, a nature trail, water sports, unlimited island foods, and more for guests to enjoy.

Initial artistic renderings show bright tropical colors and shaded pavilions, plenty of beach loungers, beach volleyball courts, beach cricket, cornhole tosses, and more.

While Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be a tender port that requires the use of water shuttles rather than a pier, that will enhance the exclusive vibe of the destination.

The key to the new destination is its authentic connection to the Australian guest experience and what travelers Down Under want from their cruise vacations.

Unlike more developed locations, the idea behind Royal Beach Club Lelepa is to give guests an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and pristine marine habitats.

“We have spent a lot of time really understanding the topography of the island,” said Keri-Ann Chin-Sang, Senior Director, Product Development for Royal Caribbean.

“The plan is to really showcase the natural beauty of the destination. The waters are crystal clear, blue for miles. The backdrop is just a vision of mountains. It really is a stunning destination.”

In addition to the beaches, guests will be able to enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports. Glass bottom options will offer unique ocean views and a stunning connection to the water.

A total of 10 bars will provide a mix of popular favorite cocktails and drinks as well as more unique beverages and local brews.

Further details on menus, exact tour options, and more are sure to be released in the coming months.

What Will the New Beach Club Cost?

Unlike Royal Beach Club Paradise Island that is an excursion opportunity for an extra cost for Royal Caribbean ships visiting Nassau, Royal Beach Club Lelepa is included in guests’ cruise fare, similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For refreshment, guests will be able to sample a blended menu of Royal Caribbean classic dishes as well as local dishes from two eateries, with dining included at no extra charge.

Beach strollers and beach wheelchairs will be free for visitors, ensuring everyone can access all the beauty and relaxation the destination has to offer. Towels, loungers, and umbrellas are also free, though guests can rent more exclusive daybeds and water sports equipment if desired.

A “Mama’s Market” shopping area will undoubtedly feature exclusive souvenirs and likely local artisan items and other unique retail shops.

Of course, guests do not have to get off their ship if they prefer to stay onboard and enjoy each vessel’s amenities.

Big Guest Mistake Shuts Down Toilet Flush System on Cruise Ship

MSC Cruises News

Catie Kovelman

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Mar 17, 2026

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Big Guest Mistake Shuts Down Toilet Flush System on Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

The flushing system onboard MSC Meraviglia is temporarily out of order.
Per a letter from the cruise line, a current guest caused a blockage after flushing a towel down the toilet.
Some cruisers think the latest issue points to a bigger problem with the ship’s toilet and sewage system.

UPDATE:

MSC Cruises has provided an update regarding the plumbing issues onboard MSC Meraviglia and confirmed that there are no plumbing issues currently onboard. The cruise line is also reminding guests to dispose of items properly to avoid blockages in the toilet system.

MSC Cruises stated to Cruise Hive, “We can confirm that there is no current plumbing issue onboard and the ship’s plumbing systems are functioning properly. As with any cruise ship, flushing foreign objects can cause temporary blockages that may impact one stateroom or multiple areas. For this reason, we kindly remind guests to dispose of such items appropriately and only flush toilet paper. We appreciate our guests’ cooperation in helping us maintain the highest standards of comfort and functionality onboard.“

PREVIOUSLY:

Current guests onboard MSC Meraviglia are dealing with a rather crappy situation (pun intended) thanks to the poor decision of one guest.

According to a letter from MSC Cruises, which was obtained by Cruise Hive, someone decided to flush a cotton towel down their stateroom’s toilet, which has impacted the ship’s flushing system.

“We regret to inform you that we are currently facing a technical issue that is affecting the operation of our toilet flush system in different areas of the ship,” MSC wrote.

“Unfortunately, this malfunctioning has been caused by somebody that flushed a large cotton towel down the toilet, causing a blockage of the line that overloaded the extraction pump, which was subsequently damaged,” the cruise line explained.

As of the time of publication, the onboard engineering team is hard at work making the appropriate repairs and getting all of the toilets up and running again.

At the moment, there is no change to the itinerary due to the maintenance situation. The 5,700-guest ship is currently in the middle of a 7-night cruise to the Bahamas, which set sail in New York on March 15, 2026.

A History of Repeat Offenses

Interestingly, many on social media have spoken up to say that they had received the same or similar letters while recently sailing onboard MSC Meraviglia.

This means that either some cruise passengers are really stupid, or that this might be a template that MSC whips out anytime a blockage impacts the toilets.

“Hmmmm…same letter went out mid February so…either there’s multiple stupid people or there’s a mechanical issue and they fabricated the towel story,” one recent guest said.

“lol pretty sure this is a generic letter they send when toilets don’t work, they are liars, we got the exact same one in Feb,” another chimed in.

“They gave it to us on my cruise as well. The YC concierge said it’s people using bundles of wipes most of the time and not actual towels,” said a third.

No matter how much maintenance MSC Cruises performs on its ships, they can’t prevent every issue when certain guests refuse to follow the rules.

Guests are only allowed to flush cruise line-provided toilet paper down the toilets, which is a fact that several brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, have to repeatedly remind their guests.

Even flushing something as seemingly harmless as a wet wipe can – and often does – cause major blockages.

Maintenance Concerns for MSC Meraviglia

Others said that this letter was an excuse that was made to cover the cruise line for ongoing sewage and plumbing problems.

“I call BS about the towel. That ship has constant sewage issues and stinks terrible on certain floors. The shower also smelled like cat urine. I’ve experienced this in both a balcony cabin mid ship and a suite completely forward,” another passenger claimed.

Upon doing a deep dive, Cruise Hive found several reviews speaking to plumbing issues and sewage smells onboard the 2017-launched ship from the past year.

It’s also worth noting that the 171,598-gross ton ship has never once failed a CDC Health and Safety inspection, though it only barely passed its most recent inspection in December of 2025.

The ship scored an 86, which is the absolute lowest passing score. Some sewage concerns, primarily related to select crew toilets, were flagged in the inspection report.

The vessel last visited dry dock for maintenance and technical work in early 2024 and is scheduled for another comprehensive dry dock visit in April of 2026 once her current season in New York concludes.

If there are bigger issues related to the sewage system and toilets, they will likely be addressed during this time.

Royal Caribbean Cancels One Port of Call for a Rare Overnight in Cozumel

Royal Caribbean News

Catie Kovelman

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Mar 17, 2026

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Royal Caribbean Cancels One Port of Call for a Rare Overnight in Cozumel

Key Aspects:

Royal Caribbean has made a change to Liberty of the Seas’ 2026 Christmas cruise.
The planned visit to Costa Maya was removed from the itinerary due to port availability.
It has been replaced with an overnight call to Cozumel, Mexico.

Even as summer approaches, the countdown to Christmas is on, at least for cruisers booked on Liberty of the Seas’ 5-night Western Caribbean Christmas cruise.

The Galveston-based sailing, which is scheduled to embark on December 21, 2026, was supposed to call at Cozumel on December 23 and Costa Maya on December 24 in Mexico.

However, Costa Maya was removed from the itinerary due to a port conflict, and the Cozumel visit was extended into an overnight call.

“To avoid a berthing conflict and provide you with the best experience, we’ve decided to skip our visit to Costa Maya, Mexico, and enjoy an overnight in Cozumel, Mexico,” Royal Caribbean said in a letter to booked guests, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.

This change means that guests will get to spend Christmas Eve in Cozumel. Of course, any Royal Caribbean shore excursions that were booked for Costa Maya will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Additionally, tours booked for Cozumel will be rescheduled or cancelled for guests.

An Overnight Call in Cozumel

Instead of arriving in Cozumel at 7 a.m. on December 23 and leaving that night at 6 p.m., the 3,634-guest ship will arrive at 6 p.m., allowing guests to enjoy Cozumel’s nightlife that cruisers don’t usually stay long enough to see.

Guests will then have until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve to explore the island, which is located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

“We’ll arrive on Day 3 at 6:00 PM and depart the next day at 5:00 PM. There’s nothing like extra time to make sure you don’t miss out and enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer,” Royal Caribbean noted.

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas — Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)

If guests are lucky, they might also get to be among the first to experience Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is expected to open at the end of December.

If the cruise line follows the same strategy as it did for the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau in December 2025, the grand opening may get moved up.

Alternatively, Christmas might come early for some if Royal Caribbean decides to invite select guests to preview the private resort ahead of its official opening, as they did for the Nassau-based resort.

Previews are typically a free experience that allows the cruise line to ensure everything is operating smoothly and to train crew members with a limited capacity.

What’s Happening in Costa Maya?

More astute cruisers may recognize some irony in Royal Caribbean cancelling a call to Costa Maya because Royal Caribbean actually owns the cruise port.

The cruise line shelled out $292 million USD to become the official owner of the port and the surrounding area in July of 2025, an investment that was made to pave the way for Perfect Day Mexico.

More likely than not, the change in port availability is related to the construction of the 200+ acre destination, which is expected to open in the summer of 2027.

Per cruise tracking data, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas and Legend of the Seas are also on the schedule for December 21, when Liberty of the Seas was supposed to visit. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva is also on the roster.

No itinerary changes have been announced for these ships at this time, but Cruise Hive will continue to monitor and share updates if and when they become available.

Cruise Line Cancels March Cruises as Middle East Conflict Delays Ship Repositioning

Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 17, 2026

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Cruise Line Cancels March Cruises as Middle East Conflict Delays Ship Repositioning

Key Aspects:

Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises has cancelled two sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery.
The March 27 and March 30 voyages have been cancelled due to delays leaving the Middle East.
Passengers are being offered full refunds or future cruise credit.

Hopes for an early spring cruise through the Greek Islands are being cut short for some cruisegoers as Celestyal Cruises adjusts its deployment plans.

The Greek cruise line announced on March 17, 2026, that two upcoming sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery have been cancelled.

The 42,289-gross-ton vessel was planning to feature two short voyages from Athens in the Greek Islands and Turkey in March. The 3-night departure on March 27 and the 4-night sailing on March 30 are now scrapped.

The cancellations follow earlier adjustments for sister ship, Celestyal Journey, previously reported on Cruise Hive, when the cruise line cancelled its March 20 and March 23 voyages.

All are tied to delays in repositioning the ships out of the Middle East, where Celestyal Cruises had been operating winter itineraries.

“As the conflict in the Middle East continues, and in close coordination with the relevant authorities, we have had to delay the repositioning of Celestyal Discovery ahead of the start of her Mediterranean program,” said the cruise line in its Facebook post.

During the winter 2025-26 season, Celestyal Discovery was based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, operating its inaugural Arabian Gulf program with a series of 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries.

The sailings included calls to Doha in Qatar, Khasab in Oman, and ports across the U.A.E., but recent tensions in the Middle East have resulted in multiple cancellations across cruise lines and Celestyal Discovery remaining in Dubai.

Celestyal Journey Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

The cruise line said all passengers currently sailing in the region have disembarked safely, including those aboard Celestyal Journey, which is staying in Doha until safe to resume its schedule.

Celestyal Cruises is currently finalizing arrangements to reposition the ships back to the Mediterranean ahead of the summer season.

What the Cancellations Mean for Passengers

For those booked on the cancelled sailings, the disruption comes with limited short-term alternatives, especially given the timing of the start of the Mediterranean season.

Celestyal Cruises is offering affected passengers a choice between a full refund or a future cruise credit, and is advising booked guests to contact their “original travel provider to discuss the available options and next steps.”

Celestyal Discovery has a number of 3- and 4-night Greek Isles voyages scheduled throughout April into mid-May. The sailings depart from Piraeus (Athens) to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini, Greece, as well as Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.

Celestyal Journey offers longer voyages of 7 to 14 nights, sailing into the Adriatic Sea for calls in Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy. It’s scheduled to sail throughout the summer.

The disruption is tied directly to the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East following a series of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February and early March. Within hours of those strikes, Iran responded with threats to maritime traffic.

At the same time, missile and drone attacks extended beyond Iran, with strikes across Gulf countries, including key cruise hubs like the UAE and Qatar. The attacks forced Celestyal Cruises to cut short its season in the Middle East.