Port Canaveral, which services the Orlando, Florida, area, has been awarded the Green Marine re-certification for the eighth consecutive year. The certification was presented at the recent GreenTech2024 environmental conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The certification achievement places Port Canaveral among the elite group of 32 U.S. seaports to have earned this distinction. It is also one of only three in Florida, along with Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Port of Pensacola on the Panhandle, bestowed with the environmental honor.
Bob Musser (right), senior director, Environmental, receives recertification from David Bolduc, president and CEO of Green Marine.
(Photo Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)
“Port Canaveral has long held a high standard of environmental responsibility with our commitment to long-term sustainable goals,” said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
Murray emphasized, “This Green Marine re-certification underscores the quality of our environmental program and the dedication of our team to best practices in planning, implementation, and management of our efforts.”
Green Marine, which advocates for voluntary protective measures to enhance environmental performance, has a stringent certification process. Ports are awarded when they exceed standard regulatory requirements.
These include regulatory requirements for aquatic invasive species, reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, spill prevention, stormwater and water management, control of underwater noise, mitigation of community impacts, and promotion of environmental leadership.
“Once again, for an eighth consecutive year, the port is exceeding compliance for all applicable indicators,”said David Bolduc, Green Marine’s president and CEO.“Port Canaveral is also achieving the highest level 5 for the spill prevention indicator, demonstrating environmental excellence and leadership.”
Participants in the Green Marine program are evaluated through an annual self-assessment and a biennial third-party verification.
Environmental Stewardship Amidst Growth
Since joining the Green Marine program in 2015, the 71-year-old Port Canaveral has set a benchmark in environmental performance, continuously enhancing its practices each year. It has invested millions in environmental initiatives, including $120,000 annually on water quality monitoring in the Canaveral Barge Canal and surrounding waterways.
Among its initiatives, Port Canaveral has established artificial reef habitats to enhance marine biodiversity and beach nourishment projects to combat coastal erosion.
Additionally, rigorous water quality monitoring programs ensure the ecological health of the surrounding waters. The port also prioritized wildlife protection with specific measures designed to safeguard endangered species, including proactive efforts during sea turtle season.
Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)
Port Canaveral’s approach to waste management includes a comprehensive hazardous materials and spill prevention plan that surpasses federal, state, and local requirements. The plan is incorporated into detailed preventative strategies, mandatory coordination with regulatory bodies, and regular employee training.
Seeing an annual influx of 19 homeporting ships with over 900 calls and nearly 7 million cruise passengers to the port in 2024, Port Canaveral’s infrastructure also includes an advanced wastewater management system that directs all port wastewater to the City of Cocoa Beach’s treatment facilities. Investments in stormwater treatment also ensure that water is cleaned of nutrients before being released into Canaveral Harbor.
Since welcoming its first homeported cruise ship in 1982, the SS Scandinavian Sea, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International have called Port Canaveral home, since 1990, 1998, and 2000, respectively.
MSC Cruises joined the port in 2021 with the arrival of MSC Divina and will expand its presence in 2025 when MSC Grandiosa begins to offer Port Canaveral cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line also arrived last year with Norwegian Prima.
To accommodate its growth, Port Canaveral is building a seventh multi-ship cruise terminal at its North 8 berth. Expected to open in summer 2026, the terminal will feature parking for up to 3,000 vehicles, roadway improvements, and a berth extension to 1,344 feet.
When cruise travelers book tours for ports of call but their ship is unable to visit that port, it is standard procedure for those missed tours to be refunded.
This is only guaranteed when tours have been booked through the cruise line, however, which is an expensive lesson that some travelers are learning following an unsuccessful cruise to Greenland in September 2023.
The associated cruise was Carnival Legend‘s September 2, 2023 departure, a 14-night Greenland sailing roundtrip from Baltimore, Maryland. The ship was originally scheduled to visit two ports in southern Greenland, Nanortalik and Qaqortoq, as well as three ports in Canada before returning to Baltimore on September 16.
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship In Greenland (Photo Credit: Gestur Gislason)
Jill Reiter was eager for the sailing as a unique opportunity to visit a highly sought after destination. After booking the cruise, however, she was disappointed to learn that Carnival Cruise Line would not be offering any shore tour options in the small communities.
“These small villages are incomparable. No tours, no shops just wonderful people who live off the sea and the land and who will open their doors to you and let you share their lives. It is remarkable and oh so so quiet and peaceful,”Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador posted on his popular Facebook page when the sailings first opened for booking.
Most cruise lines offer carefully curated tours guests can conveniently book through the cruise line. These tours are not run by the cruise lines, but are from independent local operators that meet safety standards and other guidelines.
With no tours available through Carnival Cruise Line, however, Reiter turned to what appeared to be an independent travel company offering an iceberg boat tour option.
Sandra’s Cruise Tours, run by Sandra O’Leary, was offering an excursion, and would even be onboard the ship herself to ensure that all arrangements worked well during the ship’s visit to Greenland, according to a report from Consumer Rescue. Hundreds of guests onboard Carnival Legend were eager to take advantage of the offer, including Reiter, who paid $424 for her family to enjoy the tour.
Unfortunately, poor weather – the remains of Hurricane Idalia – prevented Carnival Legend from visiting Greenland and substitute ports in Canada were added instead. Guests onboard were provided with $400 (per stateroom) of non-refundable onboard credit as compensation for the dramatic change and loss of the bucket-list Greenland ports.
While that credit helped ease the sting of not visiting Greenland, it was the tour arrangements that became more challenging. Despite O’Leary having assured travelers that they would receive refunds for their excursion, the situation quickly became much more unusual.
O’Leary reportedly debarked the ship at the first stop in Canada, effectively abandoning those who had booked the local tour with her. Furthermore, Reiter claims that O’Leary changed the terms and conditions on her website to note that tours were non-refundable, which had not been mentioned prior to the cruise.
“Suddenly, we noticed that the terms and conditions on her website had changed,”Reiter said.“Now it said something about how the remote nature of the location allowed the tour operator to keep the money.”
Further drama would ensue as social media groups were formed to connect guests and different details and communications were shared. O’Leary had apparently worked with approximately 800 passengers for tours, but refused to name the local operator whom she had arranged those tours with.
Some guests, including Reiter, opted to dispute the charges for the tour through their credit card companies, but many such claims were denied because O’Leary’s website now stated that tours were non-refundable.
Carnival Legend Cruise Ship
Reiter was able to provide Consumer Rescue with screenshots of communication with O’Leary, including the statement “if [the] ship doesn’t call on the port tours are refunded.”
Further investigation revealed that O’Leary had no registration as a travel agent, and while it is not required, the lack of credentials can be suspicious. At no time did numerous levels of investigation reveal which local tour operator O’Leary had supposedly worked with, but no tour operators in Greenland require a 100% penalty if tours are cancelled prior to the scheduled visit, which these were.
Now, 10 months after the cruise, Reiter has still not received a refund for the tour, but she is cautioning others to learn from her experience.
How to Protect Your Shore Tours
The easiest way for any cruise traveler to ensure they can receive a refund if their ship does not reach a port of call where they have booked a tour is to book excursions directly through the cruise line.
If this isn’t an option or travelers prefer tours that aren’t offered through the cruise line, working through a reputable travel agent with positive reviews can be a good start.
Likewise, the tour company should also have a history of good reviews and should have credentials or other documentation available online.
Documenting all terms and conditions at the time of booking – preferably with dated screenshots or printouts – can help if a dispute becomes necessary. Guests should keep all receipts and communication just in case it may be useful.
Finally, travelers should always familiarize themselves with the tour terms and conditions before booking or confirming payment. If a tour is non-refundable, it may be best to choose a different company or option. A cruise itinerary is never guaranteed, and ships can and do change destinations due to weather, medical evacuations, mechanical difficulties, and other reasons.
Investing in travel insurance can also be helpful, depending on the terms and conditions of the individual policy. Many policies will offer some reimbursement depending on why a tour may be cancelled or unreachable.
Have you ever booked shore tours through an independent operator or third party? Share your tips and tricks on the Cruise Hive boards!
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has carved out three segment voyages from its 106-night world cruise sailing roundtrip from Southampton on January 6, 2025. The cruises, aboard Bolette, include a 56-night, a 29-night, and a 21-night itinerary, each focusing on a different part of the world.
World cruise segments are a popular option in the industry, enabling cruisers to share in the excitement of a global voyage without making a three-month, or longer, time commitment. The 1,380-guest Bolette, one of three ships the line owns, launched in 2000 and previously operated as Amsterdam for the Holland America Line fleet.
Bolette Cruise Ship
“Our 2025 World Cruise has already proven popular, and there are some incredible opportunities to be had as Bolette sails to gems across the globe,” said Martin Lister, head of itinerary product development at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
“These shorter sailings will enable even more of our guests to share these experiences, with every port offering an incredible insight into culture, history, art or the chance to seek out native wildlife such as the Magellanic Penguins in Chile, quokkas in Australia and the Big Five in South Africa,” Lister added.
The 56-night segment, “Exploring South America and the Pacific Islands,” begins on embarkation day, January 6, 2025. The ship calls at ports in Portugal before a transatlantic crossing to South America brings her to destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.
The ship then heads to several ports in French Polynesia, with the segment ending in Sydney, Australia. The itinerary features a hotel night in the capital city before flights back to the UK.
Bolette’s 29-night world cruise segment, “Australian and South African Discovery,” departs from Sydney on March 3, 2025 and explores several destinations Down Under, such as Melbourne, Hobart, and Fremantle.
The ship then sails to South Africa, calling at Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The itinerary includes an overnight in Sydney at the start of the segment as well as an overnight in Cape Town at the conclusion, before flights to the UK.
The shortest segment, the 21-day “Scenic Vistas and Diverse Cultures of Africa,” departs from Cape Town on April 1, 2025 and features calls in Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia, and Dakar, Senegal. Land explorations include Big Five safaris and visits to the Namib desert and the island of St. Helena. The segment also calls at Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain, and Funchal, Portugal, before ending in Southampton.
Cruise-only and fly-cruise options are available on all three segments. Bolette currently is homeported in Liverpool, England, sailing a series of Norwegian fjord cruises.
Cruise Line Plans Two Grand Voyages For 2026
In addition to Bolette, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which is Norwegian-owned and headquartered in the UK, also operates the 1,400-guest Borealis and the 1,350-guest Balmoral.
Like Bolette, Borealis was originally operated by Holland America Line. She debuted in 1997 as Rotterdam.
Bolette Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Roland Magnusson)
Balmoral, which entered service in 1988 as Crown Odyssey for Royal Cruise Line, also operated as Norwegian Crown for Norwegian Cruise Line and as Crown Odyssey for Orient Lines.
Earlier this year, the company announced it would offer two grand voyages in 2026 — onboard Bolette and Borealis. The ships will operate a 95-night global adventure and a 76-night voyage around South America and Antarctica.
The cruise line made headlines in June 2024, when it announced it will broadcast major sporting events aboard all three vessels this summer, including the Union of European Football Associations’ European Football Championship, Wimbledon Championships, and the 2024 Summer XXXIII Olympics.
One couple is still riding the high after winning the jackpot – literally – on their Azamara cruise. Garett Talcott was onboard Azamara Quest with his husband, Michael Rivera, for a 20-day Antarctic cruise last December, at the end of 2023.
According to their social media profiles, Talcott is an online kindergarten teacher, allowing the couple the flexibility to travel and cruise often.
Cruise Passengers Wins Suite for Playing Bingo
But this cruise was like no other when Talcott won big during an onboard game of Blackout Bingo on the second day of the cruise.
Blackout Bingo is harder than regular bingo because it requires the winner to be the first to complete their entire bingo card rather than just a single line – which is challenging in its own right!
But of around 30 hopeful players, luck was on Talcott’s side – and he won the couple an upgrade to the World Owner’s Suite – the nicest, largest, and most luxurious accommodation out of the 361 staterooms aboard the 710-passenger ship.
The price of the World Owner’s Suite is estimated around $50,000 (USD) for a 20-night sailing. Considering the couple spent around $450 on bingo cards, they made their investment back many times over.
In a now viral video on his TikTok (@vividmichael), the cruiser happily showed off their surprise suite, which they got to enjoy for the remaining 19 days of their sailing.
In the clip, Talcott shared all that the 560 square foot stateroom had to offer – including a 233 square ft wrap-around private balcony, a mini bar, a spacious living room with a separate master bedroom, a large master bathroom with a full sized tub, two large televisions, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in the living room and master bedroom.
“Awesome job winning Bingo, baby,”exclaimed Rivera as he high fived his smiling partner.“We have a butler, we have internet, we have all the dining services. Thank you, Azamara!”
Indeed, all Azamara suites – across its fleet of 4 ships – come with perks like a dedicated butler, in-suite afternoon tea, served daily by said butler, and complimentary spirits.
Since the TikTok was posted on June 29, 2024, it has been viewed over 688,000 times.
When Will Azamara Quest Return To Antarctica?
Talcott and Rivera won big while they were cruising on a 20-day voyage to Antarctica in December of 2023. But Azamara Quest has since sailed on to other parts of the globe.
The R-class vessel – one of the first to launch the luxury cruise line in 2007 – is currently sailing throughout Europe. The ship is operating a series of unique, immersive voyages focused on destinations like Iceland, the British Isles, Norway, Scotland, and Irerland – with every itinerary offering something different.
As of the time of publication, the 30,277 gross-ton vessel is in the middle of a 13-night Iceland Intensive voyage that embarked from Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 1, 2024.
The ship will call on Grundarfjordur, Iceland; Siglufjorour, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; Husavik, Iceland; Seydisfjordur, Iceland; Runavik, Faroe Islands; Thorshavn, Faroe Islands; Lerwick, Shetland Isles; and Aberdeen, Scotland, before disembarking in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 14.
On September 20, 2024, the ship will embark from Valencia, Spain, on a 59-night Grand Voyage to Chioggia, Italy, where she will temporarily homeport from until she embarks on a 62-night Grand Voyage to Cape Town, South Africa, on October 19, 2024.
The 2000-launched vessel, which was originally known as R Seven, Delphin Renaissance, and Blue Moon, won’t actually make it back to Antarctica until February of 2026.
Read Also: Azamara Cruises Announces Two New Itineraries for Fall of 2024
Embarking from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 8, 2026, the 22-night Southern Quest voyage will call on bucket list destinations like Antarctic Sound/Peninsula, Antarctica (an overnight call); Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Punta Arenas, Chile; and more.
But hopeful cruisers can rest assured that they do not have to wait for Azamara Quest to return to Antarctica to try their luck at Bingo. The popular cruise game is offered on most sailings across the fleet – including Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Onward, the cruise line’s newest addition.
A wildfire has led to the near-complete shutdown of Denali National Park and Preserve, severely impacting operations for cruise-operated hotels during the height of cruise season.
The Riley Fire, first reported early June 30, has caused significant disruptions as it burns rapidly through the area and the park service has closed its front country access until further notice.
The Riley Fire, burning through the park’s dense and highly flammable black spruce, is estimated at 350 to 400 acres, and is situated directly across the Nenana River from the Glitter Gulch area.
McKinley Chalet Resort, Holland America Line (Photo Credit: Vineyard Perspective)
The area, catering to park visitors, features several restaurants, gift shops, tour operators, and accommodations, including Holland America Line’s McKinley Chalet Resort and Princess Cruises’ Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
A Holland America Line spokesperson said to Cruise Hive, “The McKinley Chalet Resort is currently experiencing service disruptions due to the Riley Fire, which has caused power outages across the region and the closure of the Denali National Park and Preserve entrance.
“There is no threat to the safety of our guests, team members, or the property itself, and we are working to keep guests as comfortable as possible,”Holland America continued. “As local authorities work to restore power to the area, we are notifying guests who are currently on Cruisetours of their onward itinerary details.”
Meanwhile, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, located less than a half a mile from McKinley Chalet, has closed the resort to new arrivals. Princess Cruises has also closed its Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge within the park, and its Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, another gateway into Denali.
“Due to the impact of the Riley wildfire in the Denali National Park area, we have closed Denali, Mt. McKinley,and Fairbanks to new arrivals,”the cruise line posted.“All hotel-only and land-only bookings through July 5 at these three properties will be cancelled.
“Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time as we strive to keep everyone safe,”Princess Cruises continued. “We kindly ask that you not come to the hotels, as we will be unable to accommodate you.
Evacuation orders were issued to roughly 150 Denali National Park and partner employees residing in nearby housing and visitors staying in the Riley Creek Campground. Transportation into the park has been stopped, with shuttle service being offered to pick up hikers needing to evacuate.
Land Packages May Be Affected
McKinley Resort, located one mile from the entrance to Denali, is part of Holland America’s Alaska Cruisetours, which combines cruise experiences with land-based adventures. The resort offers guests various amenities, including dining options, a theatre, and access to outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting.
Princess Cruises’ lodges are also a crucial component of its Alaska Land & Sea cruise tours. They feature multiple dining venues, theatres, and convenient access to Denali National Park, where guests can partake in guided tours and wildlife viewing.
Both cruise operators often provide access to Denali from ports in Seward and Anchorage, Alaska. Currently, Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess,Sapphire Princess, and Ruby Princess are each in Alaska, along with Holland America’s 1,432-passenger ms Zaandam, which provides 14-day Yukon and Denali tours. Each ship may have passengers affected by the fire.
The cruise lines will contact affected guests directly if there are any changes to their itinerary.
Carnival Cruise Line is continuing to monitor multiple ships potentially in the path of Hurricane Beryl, and has confirmed changes for another vessel in addition to Carnival Liberty‘s itinerary reversal. At this time, six Carnival cruise ships are facing – or have already made – changes for the storm.
The impacted ships are Carnival Breeze (5-night sailing from Galveston), Carnival Horizon (6-night cruise from Miami), Carnival Jubilee (7-night sailing from Galveston), Carnival Liberty (7-night cruise from New Orleans), Carnival Magic (8-night itinerary from Miami), and Carnival Vista (8-night cruise from Port Canaveral).
All the impacted ships are currently sailing what were planned as Western Caribbean cruises except Carnival Magic and Carnival Vista, both of which are on Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
As more cruise passengers become concerned about the potential impact on their sailing with Hurricane Beryl now a very dangerous Category 5 storm, the cruise line has also issued reminders about how decisions are made with respect to poor weather.
“It’s important to remember that forecasts can and do change, so decisions about potential changes are made a little closer in, but also in time to align our routes with the most accurate forecast,”said one of Carnival Cruise Line’s meteorologists, Amy Sweezey.“Some itineraries have already been adjusted because of the projected path, and other changes could be made as the path is monitored closely for several sailings.”
While not every ship has yet had itinerary changes confirmed, Carnival Liberty has reversed her port of call order and changed when sea days are in order to enjoy smoother sailing.
Likewise, Carnival Horizon will be unable to visit Grand Turk as planned on Wednesday, July 3 and has moved up her visit to Ocho Rios on Tuesday, July 2 to enjoy time in that popular port ahead of the storm.
“As Captain Arena told his guests in an announcement and in a cabin-delivered letter, ‘Everyone’s safety remains our priority and we will continue to sail a safe distance from the storm at all times,'”confirmed Brand Ambassador John Heald.
Guests are notified of changes by announcements onboard, as well as letters delivered to their staterooms or text alerts, depending on whether they are currently on an impacted ship or have an upcoming embarkation.
Carnival Cruise Line advises guests onboard to always listen carefully to announcements, as that will be the most updated information available. Booked guests should be sure the cruise line has their updated contact information so they can receive text alerts, emails, and other announcements as necessary.
The cruise line also highly recommends travel insurance for all passengers. With respect to storms, different insurance policies may offer reimbursement or compensation for missed ports of call or lost tour arrangements, fees for travel changes if a ship is delayed or diverted to a different homeport, or even lost work for severe delays.
Terms and conditions for each cruise travel insurance policy will vary and guests should always investigate which policy may best suit their needs and expectations.
Hurricane Beryl Update
Hurricane Beryl’s center is located approximately 210 miles north of Curacao, moving west-northwest at 22 miles per hour. The maximum sustained winds are recorded at 160 mph, making Beryl a very dangerous Category 5 storm likely to have catastrophic impacts when she impacts various islands, particularly Jamaica on Wednesday, July 3.
Hurricane Beryl (Credit: NOAA)
Hurricane warnings are now in effect for the entire island of Jamaica, with a hurricane watch in effect for the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch is in effect for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which are further from the storm’s track but will nevertheless feel some impact.
Hurricane Beryl’s wind field has grown, and hurricane-strength winds are now extending 40 miles from the eye. Tropical-storm-force winds are extending outward for 175 miles.
The storm is expected to weaken somewhat as she approaches Jamaica, though the extent of any changes are yet unknown and difficult to estimate.
“The intensity forecast also remains uncertain. There is general agreement in the guidance that Beryl should weaken due to westerly shear and possible land interaction as it approaches Jamaica,”the latest discussion from NHC Forecaster Beven states.“However, some of the guidance forecasts a weakening rate that looks someone unlikely given the current intensity and structure of the hurricane.”
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with all communities in the path of this dangerous storm. Stay tuned for further updates about Hurricane Beryl’s impact on cruises as new changes and adjustments are announced.
Hurricane Beryl, a dangerous Category 4 storm, is wreaking havoc across the Caribbean and disrupting cruise itineraries.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Beryl has sustained winds of up to 100 miles per hour. The storm has already heavily impacted the popular cruise destinations of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.
Beryl is already heading across the Yucatan region, including Cozumel, Mexico, and moving at 15 MPH. The storm will be back in the Gulf of Mexico by the early hours of Sunday morning and will also impact Galveston, Texas, early next week.
In response, major cruise lines are changing itineraries. Here are the affected ships and their adjustments.
Royal Caribbean International
UPDATE (JULY 5, 2025):
Royal Caribbean has not announced any further itinerary changes due to Beryl.
However, the cruise line stated, “We’re closely monitoring Hurricane Beryl along with our Chief Meteorologist. There are currently no changes to our upcoming sailings. As always, we are committed to keeping you informed as the situation evolves. Please know that the safety and comfort of our guests is our highest priority.“
PREVIOUSLY:
With three cruise ships in the path of Hurricane Beryl, the cruise line has rerouted the Icon of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
It will miss its scheduled calls in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and instead visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The ship will resume its schedule on July 5, spending a day at Perfect Day at Coco Cay in the Bahamas before returning to Miami on July 6.
Royal Caribbean said of the change,“As we’re monitoring the inclement weather around our intended path and are expecting high waves and strong winds, we’re modified our itinerary to provide you with the most enjoyable sailing… While it’s not the originally planned itinerary, we know you’ll have a memorable time.”
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Deutschlandreform)
Meanwhile, the 236,857-gross-ton Wonder of the Seas, which left Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 30, will bypass its original calls in Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya. Instead, it is spending July 1 at Perfect Day at CocoCay and will travel to Cozumel, Mexico, on July 3. The ship will then return to the Bahamas to spend a day in Nassau before returning to Florida.
Another Royal Caribbean giant, the 226,963-gross-ton Harmony of the Seas, will also avoid Roatan on its roundtrip journey from Galveston, Texas. Having departed on June 30, the ship is moving up its calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, arriving on July 2 and 3, respectively. As a 7-night cruise, the itinerary will now include a sea day on July 4.
In a statement to passengers, Royal Caribbean International said,“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority. Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather.”
The onboard experience will be enhanced with extra entertainment and activities to compensate for the sea day and missed port.
Rhapsody of the Seas, which weighs 78,878 gross tons, is also currently sailing a 7-night voyage in the Southern Caribbean near the U.S. Virgin Islands. Intended to sail to Philipsburg; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados before returning to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 7, the ship is not altering its course at this time.
Carnival Cruise Line
UPDATE: (JULY 5, 2024):
Carnival Cruise Line provided an update on further impacts for its ships. Carnival Paradise has canceled its call to Couzmel in Mexico and will instead visit Nassau, Bahamas, on July 6.
Carnival Breeze, which is based out of Galveston, Texas, called its call to Progresso, Mexico, on July 4.
UPDATE (JULY 3, 2024):
Carnival Liberty has a further update and the call to Belize has now been cancelled as the port will be closed on July 4 due to the Hurricane. The cruise line has been unable to offer passengers an alternative port of call.
Carnival Horizon also has an itinerary change, with the cruise line announcing the ship will visit Nassa in the Bahamas on Friday, July 5, instead of calling to Cozumel, Mexico, on July 4.
PREVIOUSLY:
Carnival Cruise Line is also making sure its vessels remain far from any Hurricane impact. The 130,000-gross-ton Carnival Dream, for example, which set sail from Galveston on June 29, is in Key West, Florida, and will continue its course to Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau, Bahamas, before heading home on July 7.
Similarly, Carnival Magic, which left Miami on June 29, is visiting Phillipsburg, San Juan, and Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, after the storm passes.
Carnival Jubilee is currently in Cozumel on a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage. The 182,800-gross-ton ship will arrive in Costa Maya and Roatan on July 2 and 3, ahead of the storm, returning to Galveston on July 6. Carnival Paradise, sailing from Tampa, Florida, is currently in Roatan and will call on Cozumel on July 2 before returning home on July 4.
Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ron Cogswell / Creative Commons)
John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, said, “The Fleet Operations Center, the ship’s Captains and the Beards all work together on this. They will never make any itinerary changes days in advance. That’s because we want to try and give guests the cruise they booked so they track the path of the storm and wait as long as possible, safely, of course, before making any changes.”
However, Carnival Liberty is having the biggest impact now compared to other ships in the fleet. Having departed New Orleans on July 30, the 110,000-gross-ton ship is reversing the order of its port calls to avoid the storm. It is visiting Cozumel on July 3, Belize City on July 4, and Roatan on July 5.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Initially set to tour the Southern Caribbean after departing Port Canaveral on June 30, Norwegian Jade is being rerouted to the Western Caribbean with new stops in San Juan; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, replacing those in Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.
“To circumvent the path of Hurricane Beryl and forecasted inclement weather, we have made the decision to take a safer, alternative route,”the cruise line said in a letter to passengers.
Norwegian Breakaway is also avoiding the Eastern Caribbean ports in favor of safer destinations like Key West and Nassau. The 145,655-gross-ton ship, which departed PortMiami on June 30, is currently enjoying the first of its two scheduled sea days but will no longer visit Roatan, Harvest Caye in Belize, Costa Maya, or Cozumel.
Instead, it has changed its itinerary to Puerto Plata on July 2; St. Thomas on July 3; and Tortola on July 4. It also added a day at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas for July 6.
Celebrity Cruises
The 141,420-gross-ton Celebrity Beyond, which departed on an 8-night roundtrip cruise from Port Everglades on June 29, is also reversing the order of its original itinerary. Currently sailing the second of its sea days, the ship was to arrive in Bonaire on July 2, followed by Curacao and Aruba on subsequent days.
With Beryl closest to Bonaire on July 2, Celebrity Cruises opted to begin in Aruba, and will then travel behind the storm to Curacao and Bonaire before heading home.
Said the cruise line in a letter to passengers, “To ensure that we increase the distance and stay clear from the Hurricane Beryl offering comfortable sailing conditions, we’ll swap Kralendijk, Bonaire, with Oranjestad, Aruba.”
Disney Cruise Line
Also scheduled to call at Falmouth was the 130,000-gross-ton Disney Fantasy. Having set sail from Port Canaveral on June 29, the ship is spending the day in Cozumel and was scheduled to continue to George Town on July 2 and Falmouth on July 4 before heading to Disney Cruise Line’s private Castaway Cay in the Bahamas on July 5.
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock
The ship is foregoing its call in Jamaica and will now spend a day at sea before arriving at Castaway Cay, the first of its two private Bahamian destinations.
Cruise Lines Monitor Storm
Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cruises has not announced any itinerary changes, although the 145,281-gross-ton Enchanted Princess will be in Roatan on July 2, Belize City on July 3, and Cozumel on July 4. It should miss the impending storm.
Also traveling to the area ahead of the storm is MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica. It will visit Roatan on July 1 and Costa Maya on July 2 but head to the Bahamas on July 4.
Hurricanes in June are relatively rare but not unheard of. Hurricane Audrey became a Category 4 storm in 1957, making landfall in Texas and Louisiana. The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity typically from August to October.
Any passengers booked on excursions through their respective cruise lines will find the shore programs automatically rebooked or refunded. Those who booked on their own will be responsible for changes and may use letters from the cruise lines as evidence of the change if needing to file an insurance claim for reimbursements.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty, homeported from New Orleans, Louisiana, is reversing her current itinerary to stay further from Hurricane Beryl and provide a smoother, safer experience for guests. While the ship will still be visiting the same ports of call, she will be doing so in a different order than originally planned.
Guests have been notified of this change onboard, as the decision was only made on Monday, July 1, 2024 and Carnival Liberty departed New Orleans on Sunday, June 30.
The itinerary change was not finalized until the ship was already underway, as Carnival Cruise Line has waited for further storm updates and forecasts to be certain of the best course of action.
“The Fleet Operations Center, the ships’ Captains and the Beards all work together on this. They will never make any itinerary changes days in advance,”explained John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.“We want to try and give guests the cruise they booked so they track the path of the storm and wait as long as possible, safely of course, before making any changes.”
With respect to Hurricane Beryl, Heald has confirmed that the only change in the fleet at the moment is for Carnival Liberty. While she will still be visiting her planned ports of call, she will be sailing in the reverse order.
Reversing an itinerary is one of the most common changes cruise lines will try to make during hurricane updates. This will still give guests the opportunity to visit their anticipated ports of call, even if not on the originally planned days.
Carnival Liberty‘s current sailing is a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary, with port visits for Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, respectively.
Unfortunately, that route keeps the ship closer to the projected path of the storm for several days. Instead, Carnival Liberty will now visit Cozumel first, on Tuesday, July 2, while the hurricane is still hundreds of miles away. The ship will then visit Belize and then Roatan, with Friday, July 5, being a day at sea as the ship returns to New Orleans.
Shore tours booked through Carnival Cruise Line will be adjusted automatically to accommodate the new schedule.
This adjusted itinerary will keep Carnival Liberty in smoother seas and away from the worst impact of what has become a major, devastating hurricane. The 110,428-gross-ton, Conquest-class ship can welcome 2,974 guests aboard at double occupancy, or up to 3,966 travelers when fully booked. Also onboard are 1,160 international officers and crew members.
Hurricane Beryl Update
Hurricane Beryl is currently located 180 miles west of Barbados, having already crossed through the Lesser Antilles. The storm is moving west-northwest at 20 miles per hour (mph), a track that is expected to continue for the next several days.
The maximum sustained winds have been measured at 150 mph with higher gusts, putting Beryl firmly in the Category 4 classification as a major hurricane, just 5 mph below Category 5 status.
Hurricane Beryl (Credit: NOAA)
“Fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, but Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as it moves over the eastern Caribbean,”the most recent discussion from NHC Forecaster Reinhart read.“Some weakening is expected in the central Caribbean by midweek, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane.”
Effects from the storm can be felt at significant distances from the eye. Hurricane-force winds are being recorded up to 40 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds as far away as 125 miles from the center. Storm surge, heavy rains, and flash flooding are also associated with the storm.
Different cruises from Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have also implemented itinerary changes where necessary in their fleets. Anyone sailing in the Caribbean this week should remain flexible with their travel expectations, knowing that safety is always the top priority when any storm-related changes are made.
As Hurricane Beryl continues to move into the Caribbean and impact popular ports of call, another Norwegian Cruise Line vessel is completely changing itineraries in order to ensure a safe and comfortable sailing.
The impacted vessel is Norwegian Breakaway, which departed PortMiami on Sunday, June 30, 2024 for what was to have been a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.
Instead, however, guests were notified onboard that their cruise was being switched to an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to steer clear of the storm.
“To circumvent the path of hurricane Beryl and forecasted inclement weather, we have made the decision to take a safer, alternative route,”the notification letter read.“While we share your disappointment, these modifications were made with great consideration as your safety, and that of our crew, is always our number one priority.”
Norwegian Breakaway was scheduled for a full day at sea on Monday, June 1, followed by four popular ports of call – Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico over the week. The last day of the cruise was to have been a day at sea on Saturday, July 6, before the ship returns to Miami on July 7.
Now, however, Norwegian Breakaway will still have a day at sea on Monday, but every port of call has been changed. The ship will visit Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), St. Thomas on Wednesday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and Tortola on Thursday (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Friday will be a day at sea, and the last port of call will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
This still gives travelers four ports of call to enjoy, even though none of them are the same ports as planned on the original itinerary.
All shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for the now-cancelled Western Caribbean destinations will be automatically cancelled. A full refund for each one will be posted to guests’ onboard accounts.
New excursions for Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay are available to book onboard at the Shore Excursion Desk port side on Deck 6 in the ship’s atrium.
The 145,655-gross-ton Norwegian Breakaway can welcome 3,963 guests per sailing, and is also home to more than 1,600 international crew members.
This itinerary change is the second full cruise swap Norwegian Cruise Line has made due to Hurricane Beryl. Norwegian Jade has also completely changed itineraries from a western Caribbean to an eastern Caribbean schedule to steer clear of the storm.
Hurricane Beryl Threatening the Western Caribbean
While guests onboard Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Breakaway may be disappointed about the last-minute change, the safety of the ship and everyone aboard is the most important consideration.
Just when Norwegian Breakaway was to have been visiting Cozumel on Friday, July 5, the hurricane is forecast to be at its closest point to the Mexican island.
Hurricane Beryl (Credit: NOAA)
Hurricane Beryl is currently located in the Lesser Antilles, less than 100 miles east of Grenada and moving west-northwest at 20 miles per hour. The maximum sustained wind speed has been recorded at 130-140 miles per hour, just at the threshold between a Category 3 and Category 4 storm.
“Beryl has a chance today to re-strengthen now that the eyewall cycle is close to completion and the vertical wind shear remains low,”the latest discussion from Forecaster Blake reads.“It should be noted that while Beryl’s maximum winds have slightly decreased overnight, the area of stronger winds has grown, so the hazards of the hurricane are likely to affect a larger area.”
Popular ports of call in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico, are still in the storm’s path and likely to see dramatic impacts over the next few days.
In addition to Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Breakaway, Celebrity Beyond and Icon of the Seas have likewise made dramatic itinerary changes this week to keep safely away from the storm.
Travelers with Western Caribbean cruises this week should stay in close contact with their cruise line and be flexible with their travel expectations, knowing that any itinerary changes or port cancellations are always made with safety as the first priority.
