One guest wants thousands of cruisers to change White Night because of her granddaughter’s wedding.
She is not getting the response she might have hoped for and could have sabotaged her own intent.
Cruise ship entitlement requests can quickly get out of control with unreasonable demands.
All cruise guests are familiar with onboard entitlement, from the infamous chair hogs to saving seats for theater shows to chaotic buffet lines. While cruise lines do try to minimize poor behavior, there are times when a guest’s entitlement is so far overboard it’s simply astonishing.
Guests who will board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas are in for a dose of such entitlement for the ship’s March 21, 2026 departure from Fort Lauderdale, an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary to Aruba, Curacao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
On that particular cruise, one pair of guests will be enjoying a very special day as they get married. On such a happy occasion, every bride wants to feel special, but just how special is reasonable on a cruise?
The bride’s grandmother, who will be sailing with the family to celebrate the union, has a flagrantly ridiculous request for everyone aboard.
“Hey fellow cruisers! Just a heads up about Day 3 of the cruise,”the grandmother said in a conversation now posted on Reddit’s Entitled Reviews.“It’s my granddaughter’s wedding day AND it’s scheduled as a ‘White Night’ theme for dinner.”
Royal Caribbean’s White Night is a popular party theme when guests are encouraged to wear white if they wish, though it’s not a strict dress code requirement. Some guests do indeed go all out with brilliant white attire, while others wear whatever they wish.
This grandmother, however, has other ideas on how the evening theme will affect her granddaughter’s wedding day.
“We’re worried this might take away from the special day, so if you’re planning to rock the white outfit, maybe save it for another night?”she requested.“Let’s make this wedding celebration unforgettable!”
She’s right about one thing – the wedding is already unforgettable with the grandmother’s request that the ship’s up to 6,699 guests change their attire plans for someone they’ve never met, for a wedding they’re not invited to attend.
The grandmother seems to have also reached out to Royal Caribbean to request a change to White Night, because she elaborates that the cruise line “is now aware of this conflict and will consider it for future cruises.”
The Bride During Cruise Wedding (Photo Credit: Severina Chavez Lynch)
Of course, that is the type of response a cruise line might give to any request to make the guest feel heard. It is unlikely there will be any future consideration of changing activity lineups to accommodate individual guests.
Royal Caribbean does offer three different wedding packages, including at at sea option, one for embarkation day so non-sailing guests can participate, and one for up to 10 guests onboard. Each package also has customizable options, but none include dress code changes for the entire ship.
In this situation, it is not clear which wedding package is planned other than it will not be on embarkation day.
How Do Other Guests Feel About Changing White Night for a Wedding?
The grandmother is not getting the enthusiastic response she might have wanted, with guests willing to change their attire plans to accommodate a stranger’s wedding day.
In fact, she could have actually sabotaged her own good intentions as many guests are noting they might do just the opposite.
“I would go out of my way to buy a bunch of cheap used wedding dresses that everyone in my group could wear that day/night,”one guest noted.“P.S. My group is all guys.”
That would make for amazing wedding photos, and it would definitely be unforgettable.
Other guests pointed out that crew members occasionally wear white, would that be problematic for the wedding as well? What about guests going to and from the spa in white robes, would that be inconsiderate?
It should be noted that there is no response from the bride herself, only the grandmother’s concerns. The bride may not even be aware of the conversation or that her grandmother made such an entitled request to Royal Caribbean.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported on such crazy entitlement, such as one Carnival guest who wanted all hand dryers removed from the public restrooms on their ship because of a child’s noise sensitivity, and another who expects free umbrellas when its rainy in ports of call.
All cruise lines do try to accommodate reasonable requests as much as possible. What unreasonable requests have you heard of? Share your cruise entitlement stories on the Cruise Hive boards!
Platinum VIFP benefits have been removed from Carnival Miracle‘s March 14, 2026 sailing.
Guests will no longer get several priority benefits, but the perks seem to be preserved for Diamond level guests.
Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP program will end on August 31, 2026 and Carnival Rewards begins September 1.
Just a few days before sailing, guests eager to board Carnival Miracle for an 8-night Caribbean and Panama voyage have learned that some of the most popular loyalty perks will not be available.
The impacted cruise is the ship’s March 14, 2026 departure from Tampa, with visits to Costa Rica, Panama, and Grand Cayman.
Cruise Hive has frequently reported on the loss of certain Diamond and Platinum perks from Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP program. This often happens on longer Carnival Journeys cruises that attract more experienced guests, but can happen on any sailing.
On this particular voyage, it appears that only the Platinum perks are impacted.
“Due to the high number of Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide the following benefits,”the letter confirmed.
On the list is the highly sought after priority embarkation and debarkation, early stateroom access to drop off luggage, and priority luggage delivery on embarkation day. None of those benefits will be permitted on this sailing.
The letter also notes that the cruise line “may not be able” to offer the priority Guest Services access, either in person on Deck 2 or via telephone.
“These operational changes are consistent with other voyages where we have a very large number of Platinum guests,”the letter explained.“We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding.”
It does seem that any Diamond level cruisers onboard this particular sailing will still have those benefits.
To achieve the Platinum level in the VIFP club, guests need to have sailed with Carnival Cruise Line for at least 75 nights. To reach Diamond level, guests must have sailed with the line for a minimum of 200 nights.
Carnival Cruise Line has been heavily promoting 2x and 3x VIFP point offers for select bookings to help guests achieve higher levels before the program ends. This has led to many cruisers “chasing Diamond” in an attempt to reach that coveted level before August 31, when the new Carnival Rewards program will begin.
If guests are Diamond on that date, they will retain their Diamond status level for life, rather than needing to re-earn benefits in every two-year period.
This convoluted switchover and the enticement of “forever Diamond” may very well be contributing to the much higher number of Platinum guests onboard Carnival Miracle for this cruise, as well as on other cruises where benefits must be removed due to overwhelming VIFP numbers.
The 85,942-gross-ton Carnival Miracle can welcome 2,124 guests at double occupancy or up to 2,680 guests when fully booked.
What Platinum Benefits Remain?
While certain benefits are removed from the sailing, there are still perks that all Platinum guests will be able to enjoy onboard Carnival Miracle.
On Reddit, many guests impacted by the change on this or similar sailings are noting they’ll still have a good time with great benefits.
“I got the same letter [for a different cruise], but I still got to use the priority security line, free laundry perk, platinum diamond party, the free gift, my bottle of water and a plate of delicious cookies,”one guest described.
Other benefits that should still be available to Platinum guests for this sailing include a free drink, their collectible VIFP pin, priority reservations for spa treatments, and priority reservations at both the Main Dining Room as well as specialty restaurants.
The changeover from the VIFP program to Carnival Rewards has been a controversial one, and Carnival Cruise Line is still refining details about the new program and what it will offer.
Virgin Voyages will be operating its 2026 New York sailings out of Brooklyn instead of Manhattan.
Manhattan’s Pier 90 is currently closed to cruise ships due to infrastructure upgrades, creating capacity limitations in the port.
Valiant Lady’s April, September, and October itineraries will be affected by this change.
Virgin Voyages’ cruises out of the Big Apple will look a little different for the remainder of the cruise line’s time in New York.
As of April 6, 2026, the adults-only cruise line will operate all New York sailings out of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal instead of the usual Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
“We wanted to share an important update about your upcoming voyage,” Virgin Voyages wrote in an email to impacted guests, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
“Beginning April 6, 2026, all Virgin Voyages sailings from New York City will now depart from: Brooklyn Cruise Terminal,”the letter stated.
The New York cruise ports are only about 8 miles apart from each other. However, it’s important that cruise guests proceed to the correct port to avoid potential delays or being denied boarding due to tardiness.
Which Sailings are Impacted?
Valiant Lady will visit New York in April 2026, September 2026, and October 2026 before Virgin Voyages says goodbye to New York – at least for the time being. These final itineraries will all embark and disembark in Brooklyn.
Impacted Sailings in April 2026:
5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – April 6, 2026
5-night Sailing: Virgin Voyages Comedy Fest New York – April 11, 2026
9-night Sailing: Bermuda Beauty to East Coast Elegance – April 16, 2026
14-night Sailing: New York Transatlantic Crossing to Spain – April 25, 2026
Impacted Sailings in September 2026:
8-night Sailing: Fall Foliage in Canada & New England – September 19, 2026
5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – September 27, 2026
Impacted Sailings in October 2026:
5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – October 2, 2026
6-night Sailing: New York to Bermuda (& Back) – October 7, 2026
6-night Sailing: New York to Bermuda (& Back) – October 13, 2026
12-night Sailing: NY to San Juan: Bermuda & Caribbean – October 19, 2026
Cruise Piers in Manhattan, New York (Photo Credit: jiri.george)
After the 2,770-guest ship departs from New York on October 19, 2026, the cruise line has no ships deployed to New York on any of its released itineraries through the fall of 2027.
In Valiant Lady’s case, the ship will spend the winter in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before being deployed to Miami, Florida, in April of 2027.
Why Did the Ports Switch?
Pier 90 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is the main berth used by Virgin Voyages, and it is currently addressing infrastructure issues that have made the berth unable to accommodate cruise ships for the time being.
Pier 92 has also been closed for years due to structural issues, meaning Pier 88 is Manhattan’s only functional berth at the moment.
Pier 88 is also booked up with scheduled calls from brands like Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Cruises, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line, and cannot accommodate Virgin Voyages at this time.
Pier 90 will be receiving significant updates as part of a major redevelopment plan that was announced at the end of 2025, but it’s not clear when it will be back in service at this time.
The Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) Master Plan is meant to be a multi-year, phased project that will allow the cruise port to function on at least a limited capacity while upgrades are being made.
AROYA Cruises has officially cancelled all future sailings in the Persian Gulf for the remainder of the current season.
All guests have been able to safely disembark from the brand’s only ship, Aroya, in Dubai.
However, the 3,362-guest vessel will remain in Dubai until further notice.
Another cruise line has scrapped its season in the Middle East as the region becomes more of a war zone every day.
AROYA Cruises, which is a young cruise line based in Saudi Arabia, officially cancelled the remainder of its cruises based out of the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf) for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The 2023-launched brand currently operates one ship, Aroya, that was supposed to be operating 3- to 7-night itineraries out of Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Dammam through May of 2026.
“Due to ongoing regional operational considerations and in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities, AROYA Cruises will not proceed with the remaining sailings scheduled in the Arabian Gulf for the current season,” AROYA Cruises told Cruise Hive in a statement.
“The safety, security, and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority and continue to guide every operational decision we make,” the statement continued.
This is in line with actions taken by the more mainstream cruise lines in the region. For example, MSC Cruises also ended its Middle Eastern season early.
Similarly, TUI Cruises and Celestyal Cruises have suspended operations for its ships in the region, and are working on flying stranded passengers home.
AROYA Passengers Safely Disembarked
According to cruise tracking data, the 3,362-guest Aroya is currently docked in Dubai – along with MSC Euribia and Celestyal Discovery.
As of the time of publication, the port area in Dubai is considered secure and is operating with enhanced security procedures. These conditions allowed all guests onboard Aroya to safely disembark on March 7, 2026.
Aroya Cruises Notice
“All guests were safely disembarked in Dubai on 7 March, with the safety, security, and wellbeing of our guests and crew guiding this process,”the cruise line confirmed.
“We are supporting our guests as they arrange their onward travel and providing guidance and assistance throughout this process,” the brand added.
The specifics of the support available has not been clarified, but it seems guests are in charge of making their own arrangements. This is different from brands like MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises, which are booking flights on behalf of their guests.
What’s Next For Aroya?
For now, the 151,000-gross ton ship will remain docked in Dubai until it is safe to sail away from the Middle Eastern destination.
It’s not yet safe to traverse the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which is dangerously close to Iran and provides the only access to the open ocean.
Starting on May 14, 2026, the ship is supposed to operate a short series of 3- to 8-night sailings from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it’s unclear at this time if these will be possible.
The destination is in western Saudi Arabia and not in the Persian Gulf, but may still be too close to the conflict for comfort.
The ship will next proceed to Istanbul, Turkey, where it will homeport from June 6, 2026, until September 12, 2026. During this time, the ship is slated to operate 7-night itineraries to destinations throughout Turkey and Egypt.
This is still a developing situation and Cruise Hive will continue monitoring for itinerary and operational changes in the coming weeks to months.
Norwegian Epic will no longer visit Cozumel on its January 10, 2027 departure.
The other ports on the 7-night sailing are also rearranged and have had their times adjusted.
Cruise lines can and do change itineraries for many reasons, and can do so at any time.
When travelers pick a cruise itinerary, the ports of call are often an important consideration for what they hope to experience on their vacation. It can be disappointing, then, when one of those ports is removed from the schedule, particularly without a replacement.
For guests on Norwegian Epic for the ship’s January 10, 2027 departure, the port that has been removed from the sailing is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, with more than 4.7 million guests per year. On this sailing, Norwegian Epic will not be visiting Cozumel.
Guests received the itinerary change news via email with no details about why the port has been removed.
“We’d like to share an update to your itinerary following newly revised port availability,”the email said.“As part of a recent itinerary refinement, this voyage will no longer include a visit to Cozumel, Mexico.”
The idea of “newly revised port availability” seems to indicate the change may be coming from port authorities in Cozumel. Yet the phrase “recent itinerary refinement” makes it seem as those Norwegian Cruise Line made the adjustment themselves.
Either way, this 7-night sailing will now be visiting only Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, followed by stops in Grand Cayman and Jamaica.
The visit to Great Stirrup Cay has been shifted earlier in the day by one hour on Monday, January 11, but will also leave the private island one hour earlier.
The days for Grand Cayman and Jamaica have also been switched, and the times for both ports are adjusted. The overall time in Grand Cayman has been shortened by an hour, though the total time in Jamaica remains the same.
Shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for the rearranged port visits will be adjusted automatically. If tours cannot be accommodated after all, they will be cancelled and fully refunded to the original form of payment. Similarly, all pre-booked NCL tours for Cozumel will be cancelled and refunded.
There is no replacement on the schedule for Cozumel, but Norwegian Epic does offer guests some amazing amenities and entertainment to enjoy during the extra day at sea to finish their cruise vacation.
Why Is Cozumel Cancelled?
With Cozumel as the most popular port in Mexico, many guests will be understandably disappointed to miss its vibrant culture and energetic vibe. Others, however, won’t mind a bit of a quieter and less crowded vacation.
On Friday, January 15, 2027, when Norwegian Epic was scheduled to visit the island destination, six other cruise ships are currently scheduled for Cozumel:
Symphony of the Seas
MSC Seascape
Enchantment of the Seas
Carnival Liberty
Sun Princess
Nieuw Statendam
Together, those six ships will be bringing as many as 25,000 guests or more to the island, not to mention Norwegian Epic‘s 4,100 guest capacity on top of that.
This will mean a very crowded, busy day for the port with fewer reservations available for tours, less seating in restaurants, long waits in shops, and other inconveniences.
Cruise lines do keep guests’ experiences in mind when refining itineraries. At times, cancelling a port visit – even without a replacement available – is a better option than what could easily become a less-than-enjoyable visit.
Fuel efficiency, port operations, guest and crew safety, and regional tensions are other reasons why ports may occasionally be cancelled, even months in advance. Cruise Hive regularly reports on such cancellations from different cruise lines.
Because this itinerary change for Norwegian Epic is still so far ahead of sailing, booked guests could reconsider their vacation plans if they prefer. No itinerary is safe from such changes, however, and additional adjustments can and do happen to itineraries, whether far in advance or right at the last minute.
Booked guests have discovered a $45 per person fee for an exclusive show on Norwegian Luna.
“LunaTique: Pop Circus” is an adults-only show featuring mature themes and vintage circus glam.
The fee includes four specialty cocktails, a souvenir glass, and gratuity.
One tremendous draw for cruise vacations is the all-inclusive aspect of amazing entertainment. From high-energy stage productions to comedy acts to live music, guests can enjoy all types of great shows onboard, all part of their cruise fare.
Guests eager to set sail on the brand new Norwegian Luna, however, are learning that the unique “LunaTique: Pop Circus” show has a fee, and not a small one. Guests must pay $44.99 per person to see the innovative show Norwegian Cruise Line describes as “an interactive, character-driven experience where our vibrant troupe of circus performers take center stage.”
The fee is not disclosed on the cruise line’s website, but is on the NCL App that guests download before setting sail and use to make reservations, view activities, preview menus, and more.
One guest booked on the new ship shared the pricing on Reddit, though it is possible the fee may vary for different sailing dates. The guest is sailing on Norwegian Luna at the end of May, so hasn’t yet booked the show. Of course, prices can change as the popularity of the show is determined during early sailings.
“I was really annoyed to see that LunaTique has a $45 fee!”the guest noted.“I don’t understand why the fee for LunaTique… I guess everyone’s sick of the family friendly entertainment and they feel it’s going to be popular?”
LunaTique: Pop Circus is one of the ship’s signature shows, but it is different than a typical production show in the main theater. Guests must be 21+ to reserve the show, which is noted as an immersive experience that “contains mature themes intended for adult audiences.”
The app’s description of the show offers this insight (but few concrete details):
“Vintage circus glamour collides with pop decadence in a bold, cheeky good time designed purely for grown-up fun. Expect big laughs, playful mischief, and just a little ‘Ooo la la!'”
Norwegian Luna Cruise Ship
Given the adults-only nature of the show, skimpy costumes, adult humor, and a bit of raciness may be part of the immersive experience.
It should be noted that the show’s fee includes the standard gratuity as well as four specialty cocktails and a souvenir glass. Guests can request mocktails in advance, but there appears to be no change in fee regardless of what types of drinks guests prefer.
As Cruise Hive previously reported, for no-show for specialty dining, there is a $10 fee if guests do not cancel their LunaTique reservations at least two hours before the start of the performance.
Other Exciting Entertainment Options on Norwegian Luna
While the fee for LunaTique may be a surprise for eager guests, other entertainment options on the new ship do not appear to have any sort of cost.
“ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John” is a musical review of the legendary performer’s greatest hits, while “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder” is a multimedia, high-tech show featuring acrobatics and dance in innovative combinations. Various other shows and the exclusive Norwegian Luna Eclipse Party are all part of the entertainment lineup.
Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide range of classic activities onboard the new ship, including trivia contests, lectures, and demonstrations.
Cruise Hive reported earlier this week that Norwegian Luna has officially been delivered. Her maiden voyage will depart Civitavecchia (Rome) on Tuesday, March 10 for a 13-night transatlantic cruise to Miami, which will remain Norwegian Luna‘s homeport for 7-night sailings through March 2027.
From the Sunshine State, the ship will visit top Caribbean ports such as Costa Maya, Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Roatan, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay.
The fourth ship in the Prima Class, Norwegian Luna can welcome 3,565 guests at double occupancy and is also home to roughly 1,600 international crew members.
Princess Cruises has raised the price for shipping Medallions to guests’ homes in advance of their sailings.
As of February 27, guests will need to pay an extra $10 to have their order shipped to residences in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
If guests do not want to pay, they can still pick up their Medallions for free during embarkation.
Certain guests of Princess Cruises have the option to ship their Medallion, which functions as a cruise card, to their homes in advance of their sailing. This service is available to guests in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
But if cruisers would like to take advantage of the shipping option, which can save time at the cruise port, they need to be preparedto shell out some extra cash.
As of February 27, 2026, Medallion shipping for eligible guests in the US and Puerto Rico has risen from $10 to $20 USD and from $15 to $25 USD for passengers who reside in Canada.
Shipping used to be included for free for guests who purchased the Plus or Premier packages, but this practice has also been discontinued and all passengers will be required to pay the full shipping cost.
“While we have made every effort to maintain affordable shipping rates for our guests, this adjustment is necessary to align pricing and ensure continued high-quality, reliable shipping services,”Princess Cruises said in a communication, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
For context, a typical order consists of one to four Medallions shipped under the same order number to a single home address. If guests do need to ship Medallions to multiple addresses, or if orders are placed separately, shipping fees will apply each time.
Orders must be placed at least 13 to 15 days ahead of departure at the latest to ensure the Medallions will arrive on time.
A Free Alternative
Of course, guests are not required to have the Medallions shipped to their home address. They can also pick them up at the cruise port on embarkation day for free, which is what international passengers are already required to do.
“Please note, guests are still able to pick up their Medallion once they are at the pier on day of embarkation,”Princess Cruises confirmed.
As passengers reacted to the news, most said that free cruise port pickup is the route they would take.
“I will be picking up at the port. $15 was enough but $25 for that little box is not worth it. Plus exchange rates. Ridiculous,”a Canadian guest said.
“I wait months for my sail date to get here. I can wait in line a bit to pick up my medallion,” another cruiser chimed in.
Star Princess Open Deck (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
The biggest difference on embarkation day is that passengers will have to go to the “blue lane” instead of the faster “green lane” while checking in at the cruise terminal.
Green Lane guests have completed all pre-check-in steps on the Princess Cruises app, including adding payment methods, security photos, and receiving their medallion at home. These passengers essentially get to head straight to the ship.
Blue Lane guests also must complete the check-in process on their app, but must stop at a designated station in the cruise terminal to pick up their Medallion prior to boarding.
As long as you are on time for your designated terminal arrival appointment, you will make it onboard regardless of how you receive your Medallion.
What is a Princess Medallion?
The Medallions, which are typically distributed as circular, quarter-sized pendants on a lanyard, are Princess Cruises’ unique take on cruise cards. They are used for boarding and exiting the cruise ship, provide stateroom access, and to make onboard purchases.
Using an encrypted guest ID, the Medallions can also be used by crew members to locate guests in the event of an emergency or to provide services like delivering drinks and snacks wherever the passenger is onboard the ship.
Systems are in place using a combination of anonymization and encryption to keep data from the Medallion secure, and no personal information is stored on the device.
MSC Cruises has made great progress in sending home thousands of guests from the Middle East.
As of March 6, more than 1,500 guests have been placed on flights and seven have already departed.
Crew members continue to provide top-notch care for the passengers who remain onboard.
The end is in sight for cruise passengers who have been sheltering onboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai. The 6,327-guest ship has been in the port since February 27, 2026, arriving just one day before the conflict exploded in the Middle East.
MSC Cruises had previously announced that it had been working to secure flights home for stranded passengers, which is no easy task thanks to airspace closures and very limited flight availability.
At this time, the Dubai International Airport (DBX), which is only five miles from Port Rashid, has resumed operations on a limited capacity and flight cancellations are still common.
But as of March 6, 2026, the cruise line has officially arranged flights for more than 1,500 guests and a total of seven flights have already departed from the war-torn region.
This was accomplished by partnering with Emirates and Fly Dubai, organizing charter services operated at MSC Cruises’ expense, and grabbing seats on government-organized flights.
The passengers have been flown to a large range of destinations throughout the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Brazil, and the US.
“Our Ship Command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner,”said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
“We have received unparalleled support from our airline partner, Emirates as well as the regional and national governments who are supporting us to facilitate the necessary operational logistics and authorisation for the flights,” Vago continued.
Some guests still remain onboard the Meraviglia-Plus class vessel and the cruise line is working tirelessly to secure return flights for them as well.
The cruise line requested priority service from its airline partners and has been prioritizing which guests to send home first using their original departure dates.
What is it Like Onboard MSC Euribia?
While guests wait for their turn to leave the war-torn Middle East, they are doing so in comfort. Cruise Hive understands that the conditions onboard are calm and that guests have access to the cruise ship’s normal services and amenities.
“The situation on board remains calm. Guests are regularly updated on the situation and have full access to all onboard services and facilities. We continue to provide a high standard of care, comfort and support,”MSC Cruises confirmed.
The only thing that may be a bit different is that access to outdoor areas may be limited or restricted entirely, and guests have to listen out for two new emergency codes designed for the unprecedented situation.
MSC Euribia in the Middle East (Photo Credit: Q world)
If guests hear “Delta Tango Blue” broadcast over the PA system, it means that there is a moderate emergency or a potential threat near the ship.
If guests hear this code, it means that crew members will clear any outer decks that are open and guests should follow instructions immediately to gather at designated safe zones.
If “Delta Tango Red” is announced, this indicates an immediate emergency is directly affecting the cruise ship.
All that said, these codes were only created out of an abundance of caution should the situation change directly. As of the time of this writing, Dubai’s port area is considered secure.
Leaving the Middle East
Along with MSC Cruises, brands like TUI Cruises are also working hard to secure flights home from the Middle East for guests of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. Of course, it’s nice to see some progress being made for stranded passengers.
As far as the cruise ships go, the already complex situation is even more complicated. In order to leave the ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, the ships would need to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, which is dangerously close to Iran.
And due to retaliation from Iran, the waterway remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping and passenger vessels. It’s unclear when it will reopen at this time.
Keeping up with the major cruise news headlines across the globe is easy with Cruise Hive’s weekly update, where we recap the big developments. Top stories in this edition include the delivery of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna; the christening of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in Singapore; and Royal Caribbean’s plan to control sargassum seaweed along Mexico’s Costa Maya region.
Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
NCL Extends Drink Packages to Private Island
Norwegian Cruise Line reversed a new policy that would have invalidated the use of various drink packages on its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, effective March 1, 2026.
The line has now extended the use of the packages through March, while a new drink package designed specifically for Great Stirrup Cay is being created. In fact, the new drink plan was supposed to debut on January 1, 2026, but it has still not been revealed.
Guests Enjoying a Day at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
Norwegian’s decision to prevent the drink packages from being used in the private destination on March 1 drew the ire of many booked guests, who criticized the move. The extension allowing the plans to be valid through March didn’t satisfy all guests, particularly those who had bought the upgraded Free at Sea Plus plan.
It features top-shelf spirits, and premium wines and champagne, plus many other non-beverage benefits. It also costs more than Free at Sea and More at Sea packages, so some guests who purchased the upgraded plan are looking for a refund.
No details have emerged regarding the special drinks plan for Great Stirrup Cay.
Refit Adds More Staterooms, Venues to Celebrity Solstice
A slew of upgrades and the addition of 54 staterooms have debuted aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice as the 121,878-gross-ton vessel emerged from a dry dock renovation.
The refit is part of a $250 million enhancement of the line’s Solstice-class ships; Celebrity Solstice was the first in the class and entered service in 2008.
With the added staterooms, there are now 1,479 cabins on Celebrity Solstice. The ship formerly accommodated 2,852 guests in double occupancy.
Celebrity Solstice relaunches in Singapore following major renovation. (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
During the refit, the vessel received several dining and lounge spaces. They include Trattoria Rossa, serving Italian dishes; Fine Cut Steakhouse; the Boulevard Lounge entertainment space and Boulevard Bar; and Sunset Park Cafe, a breakfast and lunch spot.
Among her new accommodation categories are the luxurious Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View. The ship’s AquaClass staterooms received updates, and the Retreat Lounge was refitted with high-end furnishings.
Celebrity Solstice departed on her first post-dry dock voyage on March 2, 2026, a 12-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong. Port calls are being made to Ko Samui and Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Halong Bay, Vietnam.
In April 2026, the ship will deploy to Vancouver, British Columbia, to begin a series of Alaska cruises through the summer.
Robert Downey Jr. Christens Disney Adventure
It was a star-studded christening ceremony for Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Adventure in Singapore on March 4, 2026, as American actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. officially named the ship.
The 6,000-guest Disney Adventure, the largest in the Disney fleet, had arrived in her homeport a day earlier to a celebratory fireworks display and water cannon salute.
Downey, who has starred in several Disney movies, including as Iron Man in the films of the same name, entertained attendees along with international singers Dami Im and Jed Madela.
Disney Adventure Christening
Disney characters were on hand, too, of course, as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse delighted the audience.
Disney Adventure will be based in Singapore for the next five years, and is the cruise line’s first ship to specifically cater to the Asian market. The ship will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to nowhere from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
The ship’s inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart on March 10, 2026.
Partially constructed when Disney Cruise Line bought it in November 2022, Disney Adventure was built to her new owner’s specifications, adding many of Disney’s signature spaces and services.
Formerly called Global Dream, the ship had been owned by Genting Cruise Lines, which went bankrupt in early 2022.
Royal Caribbean Takes On Sargassum Seaweed
In an effort to stem the growth of sargassum seaweed blooms, a brown algae that gives off a smelly hydrogen sulfide gas, Royal Caribbean will undertake a protection and removal plan in Mahahual, a coastal village in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
The village, near the Costa Maya cruise port about 120 miles south of Cozumel, is where the cruise line’s Perfect Day Mexico is being built. The mitigation program is being created with input from residents, environmentalists, and government officials, including the Mexican Navy.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Costa Maya, Mexico (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
While sargassum blooms are a turn-off to tourists, they can also cause fish kills and damage to the marine ecosystem. Protection efforts will include a netting system to control the spread of the seaweed and a skimming procedure that can stop the blooms from reaching beaches.
A collection process, also in the works, would gather and compost the seaweed for other uses.
Royal Caribbean has committed to the mitigation program not just in the vicinity of its planned Perfect Day destination, but up and down the southern coastal region of Quintana Roo.
Perfect Day Mexico is due to open in the fall of 2027.
Norovirus Sickens 76 on Holland America Ship
The norovirus stomach bug reared its ugly head again, this time aboard Holland America Line’s Westerdam as she sailed a 28-night voyage in Asia.
With a capacity for 1,964 guests in double occupancy, the ship reported that 76 cases of the bug were confirmed. These included 65 guests and 11 crew members. The outbreak happened during a cruise that sailed roundtrip from Tokyo on February 15, 2026.
During a port call in Hong Kong on March 1, representatives from the Hong Kong Department of Health investigated the outbreak, bringing local health officials onboard the ship.
Holland America Westerdam in Asia (Photo Credit: MasaPhoto)
Passengers suffering from the virus included those between the ages of 24 and 92. Thirty-eight men and 38 women were impacted by the bug, which typically causes vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
While in Hong Kong, health officials established a medical station in the cruise terminal where guest health assessments were made. Meanwhile, the ship was cleaned and disinfected.
The virus spreads mostly through contaminated surfaces and food. Additional port calls in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan are scheduled before the ship returns to Tokyo on March 15.
A Not-So-Fabulous Night on Costa Favolosa
It was a rocky night for guests sailing aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Favolosa on February 18, 2026, thanks to rough seas caused by an extratropical cyclone off the coast of Brazil.
The 3,780-guest ship was sailing an 8-night voyage between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When the storm hit, the 113,216-gross-ton Costa Favolosa was sailing from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Balneario Camboriu, Brazil.
Costa Favolosa Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ricochet64)
Passenger videos from around 10:30 p.m. show guests dealing with the tilting ship, as plates and glasses in the main dining venues were smashed to the ground. Some guests were clearly panicking as the storm raged and winds reached 60 miles per hour.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the ship’s structural integrity remained sound. Costa Cruises initiated safety protocols, which likely included closing outdoor decks, draining pools, and removing or tying down loose items outdoors.
Costa Favolosa’s itinerary was not affected, and the cruise continued on schedule as the storm passed.
Shipyard Officially Hands Over Norwegian Luna
Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard has formally delivered Norwegian Luna to Norwegian Cruise Line. The 3,565-guest ship is the second in the line’s Prima Plus Class, following the 2025 debut of Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian Luna’shandover ceremony was held in Marghera, Italy, on March 5, 2026, five days before her inaugural transatlantic voyage from Rome on March 10, 2026. The 156,000-gross-ton ship will arrive at PortMiami on March 23, and be christened there on March 27.
Roughly 10% larger than the line’s Prima-class ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, the Prima Plus vessel measures 1,053 feet long and has 1,809 staterooms.
Norwegian Luna Cruise Ship
According to Fincantieri, some 3,000 shipyard workers were involved in the ship’s construction.
Following her naming ceremony, Norwegian Luna will sail 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean voyages. A sample 7-night sailing visits destinations such as Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
In April 2027, the ship will reposition to New York for a series of Bermuda cruises before returning to Miami in October 2027.
More Cruise Headlines
Get even more cruise news by checking out additional stories in Cruise Hive, including Avora Residences announcing a long-term charter of a Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship; Princess Cruises adding another Southern Caribbean homeport; and strong winds causing a Costa Cruises’ ship to miss a port call in Tunisia.
Also, Carnival Corporation brands mark 20 years of sailing to Grand Turk, and dense fog at a Florida port delays the arrival of a Carnival Cruise Line ship.
