Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard upcoming sailings for Carnival Paradise to notify them of a shift in departure times – for more than two years’ worth of future sailings.
Instead of departing from Port of Tampa, Florida at 4 p.m. as originally planned, the ship will now be setting sail 30 minutes earlier, at 3:30 p.m.
This may seem like a minor change, but it can have a significant impact on passengers who may be planning to drive to the cruise port or who have already made pre-cruise travel arrangements.
Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship in Tampa (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
This can be especially true for anyone who prefers a late embarkation, perhaps due to their travel time or because of work, school, or other commitments earlier in the day before beginning their vacation.
The change will take effect for Carnival Paradise departures beginning on July 4, 2024 through and including the October 14 departure, as well as the October 24 through and including the December 28 departure. Similarly, all Carnival Paradise sailings in 2025 and 2026 – every cruise – will depart at 3:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m.
Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests early to ensure they have adequate time to shift their travel plans, and urges all passengers to be sure they don’t miss their final boarding time.
“So we can get the fun started, all guests must be on board no later than the final boarding time specified on the boarding pass,”the notification read.
At this time, there are no itinerary changes for Carnival Paradise other than the homeport departure time change. The ports of call and times in port have not been shifted.
Depending on the departure date and cruise length, Carnival Paradise visits top destinations such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Bimini, Nassau, Belize, Roatan, Key West, and Jamaica.
Beginning in August 2025, Carnival Paradise will also be adding the new Celebration Key private destination in the Bahamas to select departures, bringing eager travelers to this highly-anticipated new port of call.
Why Is the Departure Time Changing?
Carnival Cruise Line has provided no details about why the departure time for Carnival Paradise has been shifted a half hour earlier for the foreseeable future.
Typically, the final boarding time for each sailing may be 60-90 minutes before departure, depending on the size of the ship. Carnival Paradise is one of the smallest ships in Carnival’s fleet, which means she has fewer guests, crew members, and supplies to board before each cruise.
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
The 71,925-gross-ton Carnival Paradise is only slightly larger (by gross tonnage) than the 71,909-gross-ton Carnival Elation, her sole remaining sister ship in the Fantasy class. Carnival Paradise can only welcome 2,124 passengers at double occupancy (2,697 when fully booked), while Carnival Elation can welcome 2,190 travelers (2,697 at full occupancy).
Final boarding times are determined not only by ship size, but also by the practical time necessary to first debark all guests from the prior sailing. Then, any supplies must be loaded to provision the ship and it may be necessary to refuel the vessel while incoming guests arrive.
Other port operations, as well as tide schedules, navigational challenges in the harbor, and other ships in port, can also impact departure times for individual ships. The work schedules for harbor pilots and other port staff can also affect cruise ship departures.
Fortunately, with so much notice about changes, guests setting sail on Carnival Paradise should have no trouble adjusting their pre-cruise travel plans to ensure on-time embarkation to get their trip to paradise started 30 minutes earlier.
Royal Caribbean International has released a behind-the-scenes video for the upcoming Utopia of the Seas, detailing the installation of the popular Ultimate Abyss slide onboard.
In the dramatic shipyard footage are enticing details about what is new and different about the slide, a popular feature on most of the cruise line’s Oasis-class ships.
The Ultimate Abyss is a 10-story pair of racing dry slides, and Utopia of the Seas has the honor of bearing the longest dry slide at sea at an astonishing 259-feet (78 meters) in length. This is 43 feet longer than the previous versions of the attraction on Utopia of the Seas‘ sister ships.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Ultimate Abyss Installation
The extra length isn’t the only new feature of this bigger, better, and more ultimate Ultimate Abyss. The slide on Utopia of the Seas also features transparent “racing windows” for the ultimate view, as well as “zoom booster rollers” for the ultimate speed.
The pair of slides were manufactured in Germany in 41 sections. Those sections were then assembled onboard the ship at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where Utopia of the Seas is undergoing her final phase of construction. Each section must be precisely fitted for a smooth, flawless ride for thousands of guests on every sailing.
The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas is more than just a simple slide, however. The tubes are equipped with 300 LED lights for an energetic experience of swirls and colors.
The entire slide is topped with the menacing anglerfish that has become synonymous with the Ultimate Abyss. The 22-foot-tall purple fish with its 38 gleaming fangs guards the entrance to the slide as riders prepare for their 10-story drop that begins 150 feet above the ocean. The fish itself was manufactured in France.
The average ride on the Ultimate Abyss is a thrilling 19 seconds from Deck 16 to the Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 6, with curves, swirls, and drops along the way.
Riders must ride feet-first in custom sacks that keep feet safe, and elbows must be tucked in to prevent rubbing on the narrow tubes. Riders must be at least 44 inches tall and the slide has a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds.
Utopia of the Seas is just over a month from her debut from Port Canaveral on July 19, offering 3- and 4-night short getaways visiting the Bahamas.
Each sailing will visit Nassau as well as Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, while the 4-night sailings will also include a full day at sea for guests to enjoy all the new ship has to offer.
Why the Ultimate Abyss Was Changed
It is not unusual for the same features on sister ships to have subtle differences, as each experience can be refined with more guest feedback from previous versions. This can keep the feature fresh for returning cruisers and attract more guests to a similar vessel.
The Ultimate Abyss first debuted on the third Oasis-class vessel, Harmony of the Seas, when she joined the fleet in 2016, and has been a feature on each successive ship in the class – Symphony of the Seas (2018) and Wonder of the Seas (2022).
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Ultimate Abyss Installation
Oasis of the Seas (2009) and Allure of the Seas (2010) did not originally have the slide. The Ultimate Abyss was added to Oasis of the Seas during the ship’s 63-day “Royal Amplification” renovation in 2019. Allure of the Seas was due to begin similar renovations in March 2020, but that project was delayed due to the industry shutdown.
To date, Allure of the Seas has not yet received her Ultimate Abyss, though the slide may be installed during a future dry dock when extensive renovations are possible.
The seventh, as-yet-unnamed Oasis-class ship, a sister ship ordered in February and scheduled to debut in 2028, will also likely have her own Ultimate Abyss, perhaps with enhanced features similar to the slide now ready to welcome guests on Utopia of the Seas.
If you’ve already booked a Royal Caribbean cruise and are looking forward to your upcoming vacation, you may think that, between now and embarkation, all you have to do is pack your bags and be careful not to forget your sunscreen. However, you may want to take a few moments to book a few additional things for your cruise.
Booking certain Royal Caribbean amenities and packages ahead of embarkation can save you big money — up to 40% in some cases. Plus, you can even cancel and rebook those amenities and packages if you see they’re available at a lower cost at a later date!
Pre-booking can also save you time once you’re aboard the ship. After all, who really wants to spend their vacation time planning shore excursions or purchasing drink packages, when you could just show up and enjoy those things?
If you’re not sure where to start, here are the top Royal Caribbean amenities you should consider pre-booking before your cruise.
There are many different things you can choose to do when visiting the various ports along your cruise itinerary.
You can, of course, opt to go it on your own and explore the destination solo, including booking activities and tours that align with the time you’ll be in port.
However, the good thing about booking shore excursions directly with Royal Caribbean is that you’re always guaranteed to actually make it back to the cruise ship on time. The last thing you want is to end up in a destination, watching the cruise ship leave you behind. It’s a logistical nightmare and a sure way to ruin your vacation.
Booking shore excursions ahead of your cruise will, again, save you money and then time once you’re actually on your cruise. Additionally, it will ensure that you actually get a spot on the tours or excursions you most want to experience, before all the spots sell out.
Specialty Dining
Traveling foodies will absolutely want to make plans to dine at some of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants. Particularly on the cruise line’s newer ships, you’ll find that you get a plethora of cool restaurants to choose from, and you won’t want to miss these experiences.
When booking specialty dining ahead of your cruise, you get a few options. You can book exclusive dining experiences, such as the Chef’s Table experience, and save 10% if you book ahead of time. You can also make one-off dinner reservations and likewise save 10%.
Chef’s Table on Quantum of the Seas
Booking a specialty dining package is an option as well, with either a three-restaurant dining package that gives you three meals at three different specialty venues, or an unlimited dining package that allows you to eat dinner at the specialty restaurants throughout your entire cruise, for free; you also get discounts on wine.
Do note, though, that even if you book a specialty dining package before your sail date, you do have to actually wait to make your dinner reservations for the particular restaurants you want, and the days you want, until you’re on the ship.
Once you’re on the ship, on embarkation day, you can go to any specialty restaurant and the maître d’ can help you book all your reservations, except for dining at Izumi Hibachi, for which reservations must be booked at Izumi Hibachi.
Just like with shore excursions, restaurant reservations on some cruises can go very quickly, so if you really want to dine at certain restaurants, consider booking in advance.
My Time Dining
If you’ve booked My Time Dining for your cruise, which allows you to eat in the ship’s main dining room at any time you like, while dinner is being served, you may want to reserve your preferred dining times ahead of your cruise.
Sure, some cruisers like My Time Dining because of the flexibility and you can kind of go with the flow and visit the main dining room whenever you feel like it (and try to get a seat— you’re not guaranteed one).
Dining on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
However, other cruisers purchase My Time Dining because they don’t want to be assigned a time for the main dining room. They want to pick their own time.
It’s for these latter cruisers that reserving your table in advance is a smart idea, so you’re guaranteed to have access to the main dining room at the exact time you want, every evening.
Internet
If you purchase a Royal Caribbean internet package ahead of your cruise, you could save up to 25% off the cost per user. Royal Caribbean’s most basic internet packages start at under $20 per device, per day, and come with a basic level of connection that will allow you to access websites, send emails, etc.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean / Celebrity Cruises
For a more robust package, like the VOOM Surf + Stream package, you will pay a little more — just a few dollars more per device per day — but you’ll be able to basically use high-speed WiFi like you’d use at home, allowing you to stream video.
If you wait to purchase your WiFi connection for your cruise, and only do so once you’re on the ship, you may find that your options are a little more limited and also more expensive. And don’t forget that Royal Caribbean now uses the much faster Starlink Internet.
The Key
The Key is like a VIP program that comes with special perks and benefits, and it’s only available to book prior to sailing.
The Key’s benefits include priority access during a designated arrival time for all Key guests, luggage delivery to your stateroom, an exclusive welcome lunch in the main dining room, faster and exclusive access to onboard activities (like the Flowrider surfing simulator), priority departure at tender ports of call, dedicated seating in various entertainment venues, limited WiFi and breakfast on debarkation day.
Cruise Ship Baggage Drop off
In short, purchasing The Key is almost like buying some of the VIP amenities you might get if you were to stay in one of Royal Caribbean’s suites, but without the need to actually book a suite.
Entertainment
While attending the theatrical shows on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are free, tickets can go quickly, so it’s a smart idea to pre-book your tickets.
You can pre-reserve show tickets for your cruise starting the first day of the month before sailing, and up to four days before your sail date. You’ll be able to choose the shows you want to see, as well as the days and times you want to see them.
AquaTheater at the Aft of the Ship
If you really enjoy the on-board entertainment, such as the theatrical performances and music reviews, pre-booking ensures you get to see the shows you want, without trying your luck at the on-board box office.
For your best chances at getting the tickets you want, be sure that you’re pre-reserving those tickets as soon as they’re available, on that first day of the month before sailing!
Gifts and Gear
Are you celebrating something special during your cruise? If so, you may want to pre-purchase some of Royal Caribbean’s celebratory packages. Doing so ahead of your cruise will save you up to 20% off in some instances.
Royal Promenade
For example, if you’re celebrating an anniversary, you might book a package that gives you Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries in your stateroom. If you’re celebrating a birthday, you might book a package that comes with a chocolate cake and birthday décor for your cabin.
You can even pre-purchase Royal Caribbean-branded gear and souvenirs and save a little with items like Royal Caribbean towels or coolers stocked with your favorite beach beverages.
Drink Packages
If you plan on purchasing a drink package for your cruise, doing so ahead of time will, again, save you a substantial amount, as you can find drink package deals like buy one package, get one package 50% off.
However, before purchasing a drink package — particularly the deluxe beverage package that comes with unlimited cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, beer and wines — think about the cost.
Sports Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas
Even with discounts, the drink packages can be pricey, and may not be worth it unless you’re the type of traveler to spend the large majority of your vacation with a drink in hand.
In addition to pre-booking the deluxe beverage package, you can also pre-book a coffee card that comes with 15 specialty coffees during your cruise, or an Evian water package, for a case of bottled water at a 40%, pre-booking discount.
Gratuities
Yes, you can actually pre-pay for your gratuities before your cruise! There are few reasons why you might want to do so. For one, it just gets the expense paid for and done with, rather than allowing the gratuities to be charged to your credit card, after your cruise.
Additionally, it ensures you can lock in a gratuity rate, in case the rate randomly increases before your sail date (which isn’t unheard of in the cruising industry).
Boardwalk View Stateroom With Balcony
As of late 2023, Royal Caribbean charges an $18 daily gratuity fee per person for guests in staterooms and junior suites, and a $20.50 daily gratuity fee per person for guests in all other suites.
If you’re dissatisfied with this amount during your cruise, though, and can point to dissatisfactory service, you may be able to lower this fee by speaking with guest services.
Additionally, beverages and mini bar purchases come with an 18% gratuity and spa and salon purchases come with a 20% gratuity.
Amenities on Royal Caribbean’s Private Islands
If your cruise includes a stop at one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands (Labadee or Perfect Day at CocoCay), you can book amenities to enjoy on the islands, ahead of time. For example, you can reserve a private cabana, an offering that goes very quickly.
In fact, they go so quickly that, if you wait to book one until you’re on the ship, you may find that they’re all already booked. Cabanas come with privacy and cabana service, among other features.
Celebrity Cruises, perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock)
You can also pre-book certain private island activities, like a ride on the Up, Up and Away helium balloon at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Pricing for all of the amenities and activities on these private islands is always cheaper if you pre-book, versus waiting until you actually get on your cruise.
Onboard Activities
Certain Royal Caribbean onboard activities can be pre-booked ahead of your cruise as well.
For example, if you’re sailing on a Quantum-class cruise ship and know you really want to experience the highly acclaimed North Star observation capsule, you might want to pre-book a time to do so.
Spectrum of the Seas Open Deck, Main Pool Area (Photo Credit: EnthusiasticPhotographers)
While taking a ride in the capsule is one of the free things you can do on certain ships, it’s a highly popular activity. Pre-booking will ensure you actually get to do so without waiting in overly lengthy lines.
Similarly, you can book your turn on the iFly sky diving simulator or in one of the ships’ escape rooms, ahead of time as well.
Arcade Credits
If you’re traveling with a kiddo who you know is going to be all about that on-board arcade, you may want to purchase arcade credits ahead of time. Doing so will get you the credits at a discounted rate.
Is There Anything You Definitely Shouldn’t Pre-Book?
One of the only cruise experiences that you should maybe think twice about pre-booking? Spa services. You can actually wait until the cruise is underway and get great deals on spa treatments during port days, when demand is lower.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Additionally, you can purchase photo packages ahead of your cruise, for a discount, such as a package that includes up to 100 photos for you and everyone else staying in your stateroom.
However, photo packages on cruise ships are generally a poor purchase, regardless of whether you buy them during or before your cruise. You’ll save a ton of money by simply taking your own photos and then having them printed once you get back home.
An attempt by some residents of Juneau, Alaska, to enact a law prohibiting large cruise ships from calling at the port on Saturdays hit a roadblock on June 9, 2024, at least temporarily.
The group leading the so-called “ship-free Saturdays” campaign filed a petition that would place the option before voters during municipal elections on October 1, 2024, seeking to ban all cruise ships carrying more than 250 guests from the port on Saturdays and on July 4 each year.
Juneau Alaska Port (Photo Credit: Allen.G)
However, the effort fell short of the required local signatures needed to secure the petition’s placement on the local ballot. In a June 9, 2024 letter to anti-cruise activist and group leader Karla Hart, the Juneau Municipal Clerk’s Office said that 2,069 signatures were received, which was 290 short of the 2,359 signatures required to certify the ballot initiative.
“The petition committee needed to collect the number of signatures equal to twenty-five percent of the votes cast in the preceding municipal election, which came out to a minimum of 2,359 signatures are required for Clerk staff to certify this petition,” the Juneau municipal clerk explained in a letter.
The group has 10 days to gather and submit the missing signatures, the clerk’s letter added.
The move to ban cruise ships on Saturdays follows an agreement that Juneau entered into with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) on May 4, 2024, capping the daily number of cruise guests who can disembark from cruise ships.
The pact, which came in the form of a Memorandum of Agreement between the city and the trade group, limits the number to 16,000 per day from Sundays to Fridays and to 12,000 on Saturdays. The daily caps are slated to take effect in 2026.
Juneau, one of Southeast Alaska’s most popular ports and the one nearest to Glacier Bay National Park, moved to implement the cruise guest limit after 1.6 million arrivals visited the destination in 2023, a 23% spike versus the pre-pandemic record in 2019.
The 2024 cruise season in Juneau is poised to break records, with 660 port calls scheduled through September. Passenger numbers were projected to reach 1.7 million in 2024.
Proposed Limit Is Based on Cruise Ship Capacity
The petition seeking to suspend all cruise ship visits on Saturdays would set a limit based on ship size, with vessels accommodating more than 250 passengers prohibited. That effectively knocks all of the major cruise lines out of the running but still enables small ships to call.
Some small lines, such as Alaskan Dream Cruises, for instance, would still be able to call at Juneau. It operates a five-ship fleet with the largest capacity being just 80 guests.
Juneau, Alaska Port (Photo Credit: YegoroV)
Also, Uncruise, another small ship line with nine vessels, carries just 84 guests in its largest ship. These are niche market lines that attract cruisers looking for a small-ship experience.
Virtually every major cruise line serving the Alaska market calls at Juneau as part of their Southeast Alaska itineraries. Indeed, the region is scheduled to host some 660 cruises during the 2024 season.
Cruise lines operating in Alaska in 2024, many with multiple ships deployed, include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Viking, and Seabourn.
The citizens of Juneau are not the first Alaskans to try to limit passengers disembarking from cruise ships. Residents in Sitka attempted to limit passenger capacity to 240,000 per year. Located 90 miles southeast of Juneau, Sitka received more than 550,000 cruise passengers during the 2023 season. The local government denied a petition seeking to implement the limit.
Cunard Line has reported record-breaking bookings following the launch of its new ship, Queen Anne. The 3,000-passenger vessel embarked on its maiden voyage on May 3, returning to Southampton, England, on May 24 to begin its British Isles Festival voyage, which included a call in Liverpool for the new Pinnacle-class ship’s naming ceremony.
Held in Liverpool, the spiritual home of Cunard Line, on June 3, Cunard surprised attendees by announcing the entire historic City of Liverpool was chosen as the ship’s official godparent.
Queen Anne Cruise Ship in Liverpool (Photo Credits: Global Ports Holding & Peel Ports)
Five women representing the city’s diverse culture were selected for the honor, including Spice Girl Melanie C (Sporty Spice), broadcaster Ngunan Adamu, restauranteur Natalie Haywood, punk rock legend Jayne Casey, and British Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thomson.
Queen Anne’s launch resulted in the highest number of bookings for May in Cunard’s 183-year history.
Culture Liverpool estimated that more than 50,000 people attended Queen Anne’s naming ceremony, with thousands more witnessing the ship’s arrival on the River Mersey. The event also saw a massive online presence, generating over 21 million impressions across Cunard’s social media channels.
Cunard President Katie McAlister expressed her satisfaction with the launch, stating, “We’re delighted to see such strong booking momentum in response to the successful launch of Queen Anne.”
She went on to praise her team, saying, “This record-breaking booking period is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to welcome so many new guests on board Queen Anne and the rest of our iconic fleet in the future.”
A Modern Marvel with Historic Elegance
Queen Anne, delivered by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy on April 19, 2024, is Cunard Line’s 249th ship. The vessel weighs 113,000 gross tons and, besides carrying 3,000 passengers, also accommodates 1,245 crew members across 14 decks.
Joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne brings Cunard’s fleet to four vessels for the first time since 1999.
The ship’s design is influenced by Cunard’s history, boasting art deco-inspired interiors combined with modern aesthetics. The Grand Lobby, which spans decks 1 through 3, features a three-story LED mural sculpture reflecting Cunard’s heritage and the “Golden Age” of travel.
Queen Anne Open Deck
On the ship, guests can enjoy a variety of activities and amenities. The Pavilion, also a three-story deck, features a retractable “magrodome” covering a large swimming pool and three hot tubs with ample seating. Another pool deck, the Panorama Pool Club, is located at the ship’s aft.
The adjacent Wellness Café and Wellness Studios offer veg-forward cuisine and space for yoga, Pilates, and other wellness activities, while the Mareel Spa, located at the ship’s forward, offers a thermal suite, sauna, steam rooms, and various treatments.
Dining options on Queen Anne are diverse with 15 restaurants, including the main dining room, the Britannia Restaurant. The two-story space features brass and glass design elements. New specialty restaurants include Aranya, offering Indian cuisine; Aji Wa for Japanese dishes; Sir Samuels steakhouse; and Tramonto with Mediterranean cuisine.
Passengers in suites can also dine at the exclusive Princess Grill and Queens Grill.
The ship also features the 825-seat Royal Court Theatre, showcasing West End and Broadway shows, and the Bright Lights Society, a 1920s-style speakeasy with Big Band and swing music. The Queens Room offers late-night dancing and live music, while other bars include the Golden Lion Pub, Commodore Club, and Sky Bar.
Accommodations on Queen Anne range from Britannia balcony rooms with glass walk-in showers to luxurious Princess Grill suites. The top suites resemble private residences with dedicated dining rooms, walk-in closets, and expansive balconies.
The ship is currently sailing a 16-night Western Mediterranean cruise that departed Southampton on June 7. Queen Anne will spend the summer navigating the area along with Northern Europe, with cruise lengths ranging from 5 to 18 days.
A small fire broke out on the morning of Monday, June 10, 2024, in the main laundry room aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia, prompting emergency procedures to begin immediately. At the time, the ship was arriving in Venice, Italy, for a scheduled port of call visit.
According to Shipping Italy, local authorities were quickly notified about the fire, and fire brigade teams were sent to the dock to meet the ship in case additional assistance was necessary. Crew members onboard responded swiftly to the alert and extinguished the flames, as well as evacuating the adjacent areas as per safety protocols.
At no time were guests in danger, and there are no reports that the ship’s emergency alarm was sounded or that any call was given for passengers to report to muster stations. The laundry room where the fire broke out was not open for guests’ use, but is the main laundry facility for the vessel.
MSC Cruises issued a statement explaining the incident: “This morning around 6:30 am, during docking in Marghera, a smoke alarm went off in the laundry area of MSC Armonia following a small electrical fire, which was quickly put out without any danger to the passengers and crew,”the statement read.
“Ground fire brigade teams, in collaboration with the authorities, after having been alerted and waiting in the port, boarded the ship to carry out thorough checks and ensure maximum safety of the ship.”
More than 100 local medical personnel were also alerted to the situation and were on hand to meet MSC Armonia in case of burn or smoke inhalation injuries. Fortunately, their services were not required, and no significant injuries have been reported.
A full investigation will be held to thoroughly determine the cause of the fire, as well as to verify the safety of the ship. As MSC Armonia has already resumed sailing on her current 7-night Greek Isles cruise, guests can rest assured that the vessel is undamaged and perfectly seaworthy.
The 65,542-gross-ton, Lirica-class ship is the oldest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, having first entered service in 2001. She can welcome 2,679 guests aboard, and is also home to more than 700 international crew members.
MSC Armonia is currently offering 7-night Greek Isles cruises departing from either Bari or Venice, with port visits to Corfu, Zakynthos, Dubrovnik, and Kotor.
Fire Risks on Cruise Ships
Fire is a grave risk on any cruise ship, and all cruise lines take fire safety very seriously. Crew members are trained and frequently drilled in fire response procedures, and every ship carries abundant fire suppression equipment.
Cruise lines also have policies in place to minimize the risk of fire, such as prohibiting smoking except in designated areas and not permitting open flames or potentially hazardous electrical devices onboard.
Carnival Cruise Fire
Small fires do happen, however, such as in engine rooms, kitchens, and of course, laundry facilities. These are often rapidly extinguished, and each incident is thoroughly investigated to ensure any safety concerns are addressed to minimize the risk of another fire.
At times, fires are beyond a ship’s control, such as when lightning struck Carnival Freedom‘s funnel and caused a blaze in March, destroying the funnel’s distinctive portside wing. Such unexpected incidents are always possible, but safety and emergency procedures are in place for fast responses and to safeguard all guests and crew members.
In March 2021, a large fire broke out on MSC Lirica, sister ship to MSC Armonia, while in Corfu, Greece. In that incident, the fire began in one of the ship’s empty lifeboats on Deck 6. The superstructure of the ship was only smoke-damaged but remained structurally sound, and none of the 51 crew members onboard the vessel at the time were injured.
As that fire happened during the industry-wide pandemic shutdown, no guests were onboard MSC Lirica during her warm layup suspension.
Ambassador Cruise Line returns for a second season with a series of six no-fly cruises departing from Belfast Harbour from mid-June through early August. This will offer travelers in northern Ireland an easy option for travel without the hassle or expense of flying to the cruise embarkation port.
All six voyages are offered aboard the 48,123-gross-ton Ambition, the cruise line’s second vessel. The ship can welcome 1,248 passengers at double occupancy, or as many as 1,727 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. Sailings range from 5-12 nights, depending on departure date.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition (Photo Credit: Kevin Shipp)
“I’d like to thank our partners at Belfast Harbour for welcoming us back for a second season of sailings from Northern Ireland,”said Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line.
“In the short time Ambassador has been in operation, we have firmly established our no-fly cruise brand, offering our guests authentic experiences and affordable quality. After a successful inaugural season, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming guests from Northern Ireland onboard our second lady of the sea, Ambition, this summer.”
No-fly cruises are particularly popular for their convenience and value, as they eliminate the need for flight arrangements and the extra time and expenses traveling to or from the homeport.
“Given the current economic climate, our no-fly offering is proving very popular with new-to-cruise customers and seasoned cruisers alike,”said Verhounig.“Guests [tell] us that they love boarding Ambition with a minimum of hassle – and that’s without mentioning how they can avoid airport queues, flight cancellations, baggage limits or exchange rate fluctuations when sailing from Belfast Harbour.”
Ambition is offering a diverse selection of itineraries for travelers to choose from. Her first sailing of the season departs on Wednesday, June 12, and is a British Isles Discovery itinerary with calls to Stornoway, Kirkwall, Antwerp, Portsmouth, Guernsey, Liverpool, and more on the port-intensive schedule.
The ship’s June 24 departure is a unique 11-night Norway fjordland adventure sailing, while the July 5 Land of Ice Fire 11-night cruise will visit ports Iceland.
Guests setting sail on July 16 for the 12-night Hidden Gems voyage will visit top ports in Spain, Portugal, and France, but travelers interested in a shorter getaway will appreciate the 5-night sailing leaving Belfast on July 28 to visit Cobh, Falmouth, and Liverpool.
Ambition‘s final sailing from Belfast this season will depart on August 2. This one-way, 6-night cruise will take travelers to various exciting ports in Scotland, before ending in Edinburgh with an immersive overnight stay.
Benefits of No-Fly Cruises
Not only do travelers benefit from no-fly sailings with the savings of time, money, and hassle without needing to fly to the embarkation port, but local communities benefit as well.
Because there is no air travel involved, the environmental impact of these sailings is minimized, and as guests drive to the homeport, they often spend more time the communities before and after setting sail. This provides a greater economic impact locally, supporting retailers, hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and more.
Ambassador’s Ambition Cruise Ship
In addition to Belfast, Ambassador Cruise Line offers sailings from seven other UK homeports, including London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Edinburgh, Falmouth, and Dundee.
Along with Ambition, the cruise line also operates the larger, 70,285-gross-ton Ambience, which is homeported year-round from London.
Ambassador Cruise Line began operations in 2021, and is quickly becoming a favorite for local travelers interested in a premium cruise from their most convenient homeports.
“The success of our business is evident in the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests, with a remarkable 94% saying they would recommend Ambassador to their friends and family. This endorsement speaks volumes about the exceptional experiences we provide and we’re looking forward to offering guests boarding in Belfast Harbour the warmest welcome at sea in the months and years to come,”said Verhounig.
Would driving to a homeport influence your selection of cruise line or itinerary? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Ending less than two years of construction, TUI Cruises has officially expanded its fleet with the addition of the Mein Schiff 7. The vessel was officially handed over in a ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on June 10, 2024.
“On June 14, 2022, the steel cutting for Mein Schiff 7 took place at our shipyard. We are very proud that today, less than two years later, we can hand over the Mein Schiff 7 to TUI Cruises,” said Meyer Turku’s CEO Tim Meyer as the handover took place.
TUI Cruises’ CEO Wybcke Meieraccepted the handover, saying, “Ten years ago, we picked up our first ship of the Blu Motion class here in Turku. Mein Schiff 3 was the first new build for TUI Cruises, and by 2019, we had built a total of six ships. We thank the Meyer Turku shipyard for the excellent cooperation and the development of our ‘feel-good’ fleet.”
Mein Schiff 7 Delivery Ceremony
Mein Schiff 7, which will be based in Kiel, Germany, is set to depart on a 2-night roundtrip christening voyage in the Bay of Kiel in the Danish Sea on June 12.
It will then sail on a 5-night “anticipation” journey from Kiel to Aarhus and Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, on June 16 before launching fully into its inaugural season.
Cruises for the 2,896-passenger and 1,000-crew ship will range from 8 to 17 days and explore Northern Europe, visiting Norway, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and other ports in Germany.
The seventh ship in the Mein Schiff fleet and the first constructed for TUI Cruises since 2019, Mein Schiff 7 is a sister ship to Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2. “It offers many features that our guests appreciate, along with numerous new highlights based on guest feedback,” said Meier.
The new highlights include a new design, additional cabin categories, and 12 restaurants and bistros across its 16 decks.
TUI Cruises Expands Fleet with Focus on Sustainability
Mein Schiff 7 will be the first ship in the fleet to be operated exclusively with low-emission marine diesel and is equipped with catalysts and a shore power connection. The ship was built to run on methanol, including green methanol in the future, which will make the ship’s propulsion almost carbon neutral.
TUI Cruises is currently developing the methanol propulsion of four-stroke engines, as it yet exists, and plans to equip the new ship with them by 2026. It would be the first cruise ship powered by methanol propulsion.
Mein Schiff 7 at Meyer Turku
Designed to meet demands for sustainability and efficiency, Mein Schiff 7 has also been equipped with an innovative waste processing system that thermally treats organic waste, shredding it and preparing it for further use on land.
Called “HydroTreat,” the process uses heat and pressure to separate the liquid parts of the waste, which are then directed to the ship’s own wastewater treatment system. The solid waste parts are converted into so-called BioChar, which is considered versatile in agriculture for soil improvement or as a feed additive.
TUI Cruises is further expanding its Mein Schiff fleet with the addition of two new ships: the 160,000-gross-ton Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff 9. These vessels are currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and are scheduled to debut in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
The internet is full of so-called travel hacks and ways around cruise ship guidelines and restrictions, but Carnival Cruise Line has responded swiftly and severely to one poor maneuver for a guest who claims to regularly smoke on their stateroom balcony. To be clear and concise – this behavior and flagrant disregard for onboard safety is never tolerated.
“I have been on 30 cruises. I smoke on the balcony. I paid for the cruise. The steward always brings an ashtray with $50 tip,”an unidentified guest messaged John Heald.
Heald is Carnival Cruise Line’s official brand ambassador. He answers hundreds of questions each day from cruise fans and eager travelers via his popular Facebook page, and often addresses a wide variety of concerns with grace and humor.
No Smoking Sign on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Kaptures By K)
This obvious circumvention of the rules and disregard for safety, however, raises Heald’s ire, with good reason. Not only is it a safety violation, but it also reflects poorly – and Heald feels, inaccurately – on the cruise line’s cabin attendants.
“I know the cabin attendants, I know them well, better than most having spent so many years working alongside them,”Heald explained.“I know that none of them would never jeopardise their job, a job that helps and provides for their families at home, for an extra tip $50 just to provide a guest with an ashtray. If they were caught , they would be going home, their job would be over.”
Smoking is never permitted on stateroom balconies, a policy which is clearly outlined in Carnival Cruise Line’s Cruise Ticket Contract, Section 9(b):
“Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Guest agrees to refrain from smoking in non-designated areas and agrees that Carnival has the right to assess up to a $500 charge, per violation, and to disembark the Guest … with no refund.”
Furthermore, the policy explicitly addresses smoking on stateroom balconies. For the purposes of Carnival’s smoking policy, all types of smoking – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, and electronic cigarettes – are included in the prohibition.
“All staterooms and suite accommodations, including the outside balconies, are NON-SMOKING,”the policy reads.“Any evidence of smoking in a stateroom or balcony, e.g.; smoke smell/residue, butts, ashes, upholstery/furniture burns, tampering of the smoke alarm, will constitute a violation.”
Heald emphasizes this policy as well as its consequences. The cruise line does not pull any punches with such safety violations, as even a small fire could have a catastrophic result at sea.
“Anyone caught smoking on the balcony will face serious consequences also. If we catch someone doing so or find ash or anything smoking related on the balcony there will be a $500 fine and the serious possibility of not being allowed to cruise with us again,”Heald said.
Heald also confirmed that the individual who made the original claim of tipping their cabin attendant $50 to bring an ashtray has already been banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line, while urging others not to follow their irresponsible example.
“Speaking as sailor and a human being. Smoking on your balcony is selfish, truly selfish. It is wrong and it is dangerous so please, do not do it,”he said.
What If You Witness Smoking?
Anyone who sees other travelers smoking outside designated areas, especially on stateroom balconies, is urged to alert the ship’s Security or Guest Services department. While it may seem like tattling, it is a safety issue and a great concern for everyone aboard.
“Please, if anyone sees someone smoking on the balcony, call 7777 or 8000 immediately,”Heald said.“Don’t wait, please report it. Be a tell tale tit because it is the right thing to do to protect the ship from the dangers of fire that smoking on a balcony has caused in the past.”
Several cruise ships under the Carnival Corporation & plc umbrella have have fire incidents that may have been caused by smoking.
Photo Credit: Filistra / Shutterstock
For example, in May 2023, P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure had a fire at night, impacting several balcony staterooms and causing an evacuation to muster stations. In 2006, the then Star Princess of Princess Cruises – now P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter – had a devastating fire that damaged more than 200 cabins and caused the death of a passenger.
It is only coincidental that these two tragic incidents both involved ships now sailing with P&O Cruises Australia. It was announced just days ago that Carnival Cruise Line will be absorbing P&O Cruises Australia as the brand is dissolved in early 2025. Both Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will be rebranded as Carnival cruise ships but will continue to sail from Australia after their renovations.
Undoubtedly, smoking will continue to be prohibited outside designated areas on both ships, regardless of which cruise line they sail with.
