On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Holland America Line made a timely announcement on International Tea Day. Over the next few weeks, the cruise line will begin offering a traditional Royal Dutch Tea experience on all of its 11 ships.
Although the Seattle-based cruise line is now owned by Carnival Corporation, it was originally founded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in April of 1873. Making the tea service available fleet-wide is a way to pay homage to the cruise line’s 150 years of Dutch heritage and traditions.
The traditional tea service will take place in the afternoon on sea days in the main dining room of each ship and will consist of three courses, or tiers, that will feature Dutch snacks and treats.
Holland America Line Dutch Tea (Photo Credit: Holland America)
When guests first sit down, they’ll first be asked to select their tea. The galley will be well-stocked with a delicious variety of teas, such as loose-leaf Earl Gray, English Breakfast, Mint, Green, and Chai teas.
Once passengers have something to sip, they can start tasting a mix of traditional Dutch sandwiches, including bay shrimp on brioche bread with Dutch cocktail sauce, egg Salad and cress on white bread with mayonnaise and mustard, smoked salmon and dill on whole wheat with cream cheese, and coronation chicken on whole wheat with curry, yogurt, dried apricots, and cilantro.
Of course, no tea service would be complete without fresh scones. Between the sandwiches and dessert, raisin and plain scones will be served with jam and whipped cream – sort of as a palate cleanser.
Last but not least, guests will move on to the sweets. A variety of Dutch treats will be offered, including Moorkop (a cream puff with whipped cream and mandarin), Boterkoek (a butter cake with almond slices), Gevulde Koeken (a short sugary pastry with marzipan), Appletaarts (Mini Dutch apple tartlets with a cookie base), and Maple Stroopwafel Napoleon with cream and fresh berries.
Gourmet Dining Experiences Offered By Holland America Line
Like many of the major cruise lines, Holland America Line is all-inclusive, meaning a variety of restaurants and eateries onboard are included in the price of the cruise.
On Holland America, this includes the main dining room for fine dining, and more casual fare from the Lido Market (a casual marketplace with options ranging from breakfast to late night snacks), Dive-In (a poolside grill), and New York Pizza (a poolside pizzeria with fresh Italian salads and personal pizzas).
New Holland America Line Menu (Photo Credit: Gene R Samit)
For guests craving a more elevated dining experience, the cruise line offers a variety of specialty venues for an additional fee. These include Pinnacle Grill (a steakhouse), Canaletto (Italian cuisine), Tamarind (serves traditional Chinese and Japanese cuisine), Rudi’s Sel De Mer (serves classic French dishes and seafood), and Nami Sushi.
But Holland America takes onboard dining to the next level by constantly looking for opportunities to refresh menus and provide unique and tasty culinary experiences for guests.
For example, the cruise line introduced a first-of-its-kind fresh fish program at the end of 2023, through which the ships source 80 different types of fresh seafood from 60 ports around the world. This ensures passengers are always fed the best-quality seafood, whether it is the first or last day of their sailing.
Another unique experience offered by Holland America is culinary cruises. During these popular specialty cruises, celebrity chefs take over the sailing for exclusive-chef hosted dinners, live cooking demonstrations and classes, and coffee chats where guests can interact with their culinary idols in a more intimate setting.
The culinary cruise program, which debuted in 2022 with great success, has already been extended through 2025.
Frequent cruise travelers know that one’s final onboard bill must be settled before debarking the ship, but what about if you are leaving the ship unexpectedly?
One couple has learned that even during an emergency medical evacuation, they can be handed a bill and expected to pay. Their story is a cautionary tale to others about what medical care on a cruise can cost, and when those bills are due.
According to an account first published with NPR, 31-year-old Vincent Wasney and his fiancée Sarah Eberlein received their first cruise as a gift from their real estate agent after buying their first home in 2018. Due to the pandemic shutdown, however, they did not set sail until December 2022.
Independence of the Seas, Vincent Wasney
The couple chose a 4-night Royal Caribbean voyage aboard Independence of the Seas that included Perfect Day at CocoCay, since they had heard great things about the award-winning private island destination. Their cruise departed on December 8 from Port Canaveral.
Yet, on the day they visited CocoCay, Wasney began to feel ill. The next day, he had three seizures within a 10-hour period. He was treated in the ship’s medical center, and while he had a history of seizures, he hadn’t had one recently. Still, each seizure was worse than the last, and ultimately a medical evacuation was ordered.
Before the couple boarded a rescue boat – they were close enough to Fort Lauderdale to make a boat evacuation feasible – they were handed a mid-cruise guest statement bill. The charges listed included internet access, drinks from several different bars onboard, four days of onboard gratuities, and $2,500 in medical fees from the ship’s medical facility.
The medical charges included anticonvulsant medication, blood gas testing, observation, and other services.
While Wasney does not recall much about receiving the bill as he was being debarked – seizures often cause brief memory loss, grogginess, and disorientation – Eberlein does remember the confusion and astonishment.
“Are we being held hostage at this point?”she remembers asking.
Independence of the Seas, Vincent Wasney
The couple was asked how much they could pay, and ultimately put hefty charges, including a significant overdraft, on their credit cards to cover the bulk of the bill.
Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ticket contract, section 5(d) specifically states that a “guest shall pay for all medical care or other personal services requested or required, whether onboard or ashore, including the cost of any emergency medical care or transportation.”
After the evacuation, the couple had additional medical charges from continuing care in Florida. To this day, Wasney is not sure what may have caused his seizures.
Would Insurance Help?
Wasney did not have personal medical coverage at the time of the incident onboard Independence of the Seas, though insurance from his employer began several weeks later.
The couple also did not have travel insurance, and had been unaware of the option to purchase it. Since the vacation had been a gift from their real estate agent, they were not prompted to purchase travel insurance at the time the cruise was booked.
Furthermore, because they were unfamiliar with the types of coverage offered by travel insurance policies, they believed such coverage would only apply for lost luggage, travel delays, or similar circumstances, not for medical emergencies.
Independence of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock)
Travel insurance policies can vary widely based on the type of coverage purchased and the individual provisions within the policy. Travelers should always be careful to thoroughly understand the terms of their coverage – before they set sail.
Some policies may also require that travelers pay expenses themselves, then submit claims for reimbursement rather than paying upfront.
In the end, the couple arranged payment plans and a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the medical expenses. Now 18 months after the event, they still owe more than $3,000, but are gradually making progress on the payments.
To be clear, the couple is in no way blaming Royal Caribbean for the expenses, but acknowledges that better clarity of charges and how such emergencies should be handled would be helpful.
All cruise travelers should consider such experiences when planning their own cruise getaways, and be thoughtful about whether or not travel insurance would be a wise investment for their own voyages.
California’s new “Honest Pricing Law, effective July 1, 2024, will require cruise lines to include all mandatory fees, such as taxes and port fees, in their advertised prices. The legislation aims to provide consumers with clearer and more transparent pricing, eliminating the surprise of additional costs at checkout.
The law, also known as Senate Bill 478, prohibits all businesses from advertising a price without including nearly all required fees or charges.
Cruise ship in California (Photo Credit: canadastock)
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of this transparency, stating, “Our price transparency law is about clear and honest communication with consumers, so consumers can make the financial choices that are best for them and their families.”
He added, “The law is simple: the price you see is the price you pay.”
This change will impact major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises, which often have additional costs exceeding $100 per person.
Some cruise lines, like Disney Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises, already include these fees in their advertised prices and will not need to make adjustments.
While the law mandates the inclusion of port fees and other necessary expenses, it does not require the inclusion of optional charges like gratuities.
New Law Requires Full Disclosure of Cruise Prices, Ending Hidden Fees
Cruise lines advertising and operating in California will now need to list all-inclusive prices encompassing mandatory fees, taxes, and other expenses, including cancellation fees.
Mandatory fees include costs imposed by port authorities for using their facilities and services, often passed along to cruise passengers as port fees. These fees cover various expenses, including docking fees, pilotage fees for a local pilot to navigate the ship, security fees, wharfage fees, harbor maintenance fees, environmental fees, and customs and immigration fees for processing passengers and crew.
Port fees can vary widely depending on the port and the services provided, but cruise lines are aware of the costs when setting cruise prices. Traditionally, port fees are listed separately from the base price of the cruise.
Cruise Ship at Port of Los Angeles (Photo Credit: Underawesternsky / Shutterstock)
The regulation aims to end “drip pricing,” where customers are initially attracted by a low advertised price but end up paying more due to undisclosed mandatory fees.
Royal Caribbean Group, which operates Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, has announced it will implement California’s changes nationwide to maintain consistency and avoid confusion. This means that starting July 1, the advertised prices for all of its cruise lines across the United States will include all required taxes, fees, and port expenses.
Royal Caribbean Group said of its decision,“We strive for simplicity and clarity in our pricing. Treating California differently than the rest of the United States could have created confusion and introduced unnecessary complexity.”
Carnival Corporation has also confirmed similar changes for its brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard North America.
In an email sent to travel advisors, Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines stated,“At this time, the Carnival Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America, and Cunard North America brands have elected to include ALL the current taxes, fees, and port expenses into the advertised price. Seabourn already advertises fares this way, but the changes described for refunds and cancellation fees will apply to Seabourn as well.”
The letter explained pricing would list the cruise price, government taxes and fees, and required cruise fees and port expenses in its advertised prices.
“This will provide guests with the clear total price upfront for the cruise selected,” Carnival Corporation continued.
Cruise lines that do not comply with the new law may face fines, penalties, injunctions, and legal action.
Carnival Cruise Line has responded to a viral cruise stateroom upgrade hack circulating on social media, noting that not only does it not work, but it’s a waste of time for passengers and crew members alike.
The so-called “hack” recommends that travelers book an inside stateroom but, on embarkation day, visit the Guest Services desk and claim to be scared, sick, and claustrophobic because of the small interior room. Theoretically, this will compel the Guest Services staff to upgrade travelers to a balcony stateroom at no extra charge.
“When you get on the ship go straight to the front desk. Say to them that you are scared because you get claustrophobic and sick in an inside room and and you have to get upgraded,”one purveyor of the hack proclaimed.“I have been on 4 cruises and only once was told no and on TWO occasions we were given a free upgrade to a balcony.”
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Credit: Cruise Hive)
The individual posting the so-called trick did not, however, provide the ship’s names, sailing dates, or other confirmation of where or when they were successful getting an upgrade. The post, however, was made on a social media site known for false and exaggerated claims.
The tip did come to the attention of Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald, who addressed its truthfulness with his characteristic colorful commentary.
“This ‘hack’ is only true in the same sense it’s true that I am on the front cover of ‘Cruise Industry News’ under the banner ‘Cruising’s Hottest and Most Influential Man, 2024,'”Heald said.
It is no secret that cruise bookings are up for all cruise lines. When a ship is sold out, there are no staterooms available for upgrading onboard, no matter what the reason or request may be.
“Our ships are mostly always sold out this year and many are in 2025 too,”Heald confirmed.“We simply cannot do upgrades so standing in line at Guest Services on their busiest day to ask for an upgrade is a waste your time and quite frankly, a waste of the guest services team as well who could be helping other guests.”
Many passengers have to visit Guest Services on the first day of the cruise to arrange paying for onboard accounts with cash, replacing Sail and Sign cards that may not work, requesting special needs accommodations, reporting lost luggage, or other issues.
Other guests have responded with skepticism to the hack, noting that cruise lines clearly publish stateroom types and sizes. Any traveler who “needs” a larger room due to claustrophobia, accessibility, or simply personal preference, should book that type of room when they arrange their cruise.
Once onboard, guests may also notice signage posted near the Guest Services desk that states the ship is full and no upgrades are available.
If travelers are truly unhappy with their assigned stateroom, Guest Services can arrange for their luggage to be returned to the cruise terminal if they choose not to set sail. This would be without any refund or compensation, however.
Are Upgrades Ever Available?
Booking a lower category of stateroom and hoping for a free upgrade may be a cost-saving strategy, but it is not a foolproof one.
Travelers can, however, book a guaranteed stateroom in the lowest category they will be comfortable with. While they will not be able to pick out their exact stateroom number or location, it is possible they will receive an upgrade when their final stateroom assignment is made.
The risk, however, is that they may also receive a stateroom in their chosen category in a less desirable location, such as an obstructed view or positioned in a noisier part of the ship.
Other cost-saving ways to get upgrades are through bidding programs, which vary by cruise line. For these programs, guests are offered the opportunity to bid on upgrades as their cruise date approaches. Bids will be accepted or rejected depending on availability and cost.
Ultimately, the very best way to ensure the best possible stateroom is to book the exact room you want for your cruise vacation. Consider the size and location of the cabin, its amenities, and any perks, such as special benefits for suites or certain classes of staterooms. There will be no need to try an unconfirmed, uncertain trick for an upgrade if you’ve already reserved the upgrade you want!
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, the world’s biggest cruise ship – Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas – suffered a power loss, including propulsion, lighting, and water pumps. While the power loss was not lengthy, it is unusual for a significant power failure on any cruise ship.
Reports of the power loss began filtering in through social media from guests onboard just after noon on ship’s time. As the ship is homeported from Miami, Florida, the onboard time generally matches the US Eastern time zone.
During the outage, some elevators stopped, water slides were out of service due to lack of water pumps, lights were out, music stopped playing, and the ship slowed significantly due to loss of propulsion power.
Icon of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida
Reports have varied as to whether the loss was a complete power failure or just a partial loss. In different areas of the ship, it is possible that emergency power generators kept some minimal services operational until full power could be restored throughout the vessel.
The length of time the power was out has also been reported differently. It may have been as little as 10 minutes or as long as an hour, but again, emergency power sources in different parts of the ship may impact how long power seemed to be out for different travelers.
“It was a very short period of time. The technical team was on it right away to troubleshoot. All was well within about 10-15 min. Didn’t affect anything we were doing.”
“It was like 20 mins. We are fine and sailing just fine.”
Some travelers did not notice the outage at all, particularly if they were on the outer decks of the ship or enjoying lunch in the Windjammer Cafe at the time.
“It really wasn’t a big issue, most people didn’t even notice lol! We are sailing just fine now!”
“Only thing I was upset about was not being able to get my frozen margarita since they had no power for the blender so I just went with a beer!”
If guests were in certain areas, however, they certainly noticed the power loss much more severely. In staterooms, lights and televisions went out, and water slides ceased operating.
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
“We were on an elevator. Doors just opened back up. It got stuffy inside after about 10 minutes but no biggie.”
Despite the brief loss of power that slowed the ship’s propulsion for a few minutes, there was no overall delay in Icon of the Seas‘ itinerary and the ship arrived in St. Kitt’s as planned on Tuesday, May 21. The ship is currently sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that will also visit St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The power loss happened during a day at sea, when it is common for ships to sail slower than their top speeds to minimize wind on the outer decks. It is a simple matter to increase speed slightly to make up for any inadvertent slowing in order to maintain the original schedule.
Other Power Losses
While Icon of the Seas is a new ship, having just debuted in January, it is certainly not the first ship to have experienced a power loss. Most ships have brief power outages from time to time, which rarely cause any difficulty for passengers.
Small outages can be caused by brief power surges, switching between generators or power sources, generator or engine maintenance, or electrical alerts that are quickly corrected.
More extensive power failures can be concerning and may result in dramatically altered cruises, including lost ports of call. This happened in 2019 aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, when the ship was the newest in the cruise line’s fleet.
The most infamous loss of power was aboard the former Carnival Triumph, which was left adrift in the Gulf of Mexico for several days in February 2013 following an engine room fire. Carnival Triumph was later removed from service and transformed into Carnival Sunrise in 2019.
Have you ever had a power failure while on a cruise? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!
Carnival Cruise Line took the wraps off Starfish Lagoon, the family-friendly portal that will be a cornerstone of its new private destination, Celebration Key, now under development in the Bahamas.
Situated on Grand Bahama, Celebration Key is slated to open in July 2025. Starfish Lagoon is designed as a magnet for families, with activities and destinations for all age groups. Two water slides, Flash Flamingo and Mach III Marlin, travel 350-plus feet in and around a 10-story Suncastle, offering thrills and adventure.
For young children, Starfish Lagoon will offer the Guppy Grotto, a water play area modeled on a coral reef, with a wading pool, a dump bucket, and places for parents to sit and watch their children play.
Celebration Key Guppy Grotto splash pad
Along with the lagoon, which will be one of the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, guests can enjoy a beach area where kayak and paddle board rentals will be offered, plus lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Families and groups can rent AquaBanas, which are floating cabanas with shaded areas, seating for eight, and a table to hold drinks. A dozen cabanas will be available, all situated around a bar. Beachside cabanas can be rented at Starfish Lagoon, too.
For those seeking exercise, a full Sports Court will invite guests to play volleyball, basketball, and pickleball, while the Game Pavilion will feature table games such as ping pong and corn hole. A variety of dining venues will be offered at Starfish Lagoon as well.
Celebration Key Game Pavilion
“At Carnival, we carry more children than any other cruise line, so we’ve designed Starfish Lagoon specifically for family fun,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Toddlers, teens and adults alike will find their own piece of paradise whether it be racing down one of the waterslides, playing a round of pickleball or relaxing on our floating AquaBanas,” added Duffy.
Starfish Lagoon is one of five portals planned for Celebration Key, which will be used solely by Carnival Corporation brands. While Carnival Cruise Line’s ships will be most prevalent at the port, other brands likely to eventually call there include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard, among others.
Celebration Key Starfish Lagoon
Carnival Cruise Line most recently revealed details about Celebration Key’s Lokono Cove, an exclusive retail portal where guests can shop at a variety of stores and kiosks featuring everything from souvenirs to fine jewelry, all inspired by Bahamian heritage and creativity.
Calypso Lagoon is the destination’s Adult-Friendly Portal, which will feature another freshwater lagoon, a swim-up bar, and entertainment by a DJ. Cabana offerings include beach cabanas, floating cabanas, and villas with private waterslides. The area will provide a restaurant serving Bahamian cuisine.
A luxury area, the Private Club Portal, will have another adults-only sanctuary with an infinity pool and more dining options. More details on the private club are expected soon.
Celebration Key Beach
Hundreds of Itineraries To Feature Celebration Key
Carnival Cruise Line has already announced hundreds of itineraries that will include calls at Celebration Key, and these sailings are open for booking. In all, a dozen ships operating from eight ports will call at the new development in 2025 and 2026. Voyages range from 3 to 14 nights, depending on the ship and departure date.
Sample sailings that will feature the new private destination include Carnival Celebration, which will visit Celebration Key on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from PortMiami beginning July 20, 2025.
Mardi Gras, operating from Port Canaveral, will call at the port starting with cruises departing on July 19, 2025, on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
From Galveston, Carnival Dream will call at Celebration Key on her 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailings starting on July 26, 2025, while guests sailing from New Orleans can visit the new port on Carnival Liberty‘s 7- and 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Following recent concerns about smoking areas onboard, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has addressed how the muster drill and smoking areas are related. This included urging guests to complete their e-muster immediately upon boarding so there are no delays for the ship’s safety drill and subsequent departure.
Some frequent cruisers have expressed the preference for Carnival Cruise Line to return to the classic muster drill. This would involve all guests gathering at their muster stations at once while crew members demonstrate safety procedures, including how to wear a life jacket.
At the cruise restart following the global pandemic, the cruise line introduced the e-muster. This simplified drill has guests reporting to their muster stations individually, and safety videos are available to convey essential information. This has been received well by guests and allows embarkation day to proceed much more smoothly.
Image Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Because some muster stations are located inside ships’ casinos, however, smoking is no longer permitted in those areas while they are being used for the muster drill. This means that guests who smoke cannot do so in the casino until after all muster drills are completed.
“The casinos are used on most ships as a Muster Station and that is one of the reasons why on embarkation day that smoking is not allowed there,”Heald confirmed.
Heald also noted that guests are only permitted to smoke in casinos if they are actively playing.
“Once the ship sails and the roulette tables start rouletting, the blackjack tables start blackjacking, the slot machines start slotting and the crap tables start… Ummm… Opening then if you are playing you may smoke,”he said.
To facilitate casinos opening as soon as possible, Heald encourages guests to complete their e-muster as soon as they board their ship on embarkation day. Carnival Cruise Line helps ensure this by only permitting passengers to purchase two drinks on their onboard accounts unless they have already completed their muster drill.
After a second drink purchase, a guest’s account will be locked until their drill completion is confirmed. This applies even if travelers have pre-paid for a drink package.
To complete the muster drill, guests only need to visit their assigned muster station – printed on their boarding pass as well as their Sail and Sign card – for a brief safety discussion and demonstration of the life jacket. The entire process takes less than five minutes at the muster station, where multiple crew members are available to answer questions and check off guests’ participation.
“Nothing is more important than your safety. If you ever have any concerns, worries or questions please speak to a crew member while you are on the ship and they will address your concerns immediately,”Heald said.
Where You Can Never Smoke Onboard
While Carnival Cruise Line does provide designated smoking areas onboard all its ships, it must be noted that guests are never permitted to smoke in their staterooms or on balconies. The penalties for doing so can be severe, including fines, debarkation, and a ban from Carnival Cruise Line, depending on the severity of the offense.
Photo Credit: Filistra / Shutterstock
“If you get caught, and we do catch many of the few who do break this law, there will be an instant $500 fine,”Heald confirmed.“If after that your smoking continues then we may disembark you and not allow you to sail again.”
Smoking is not permitted on ship balconies because of the risk of fire. Even a small amount of hot ash or a single cigarette butt could blow back onto the ship and potentially cause a fire, an extremely hazardous and potentially life-threatening situation on a cruise ship.
If Carnival cruise travelers note someone smoking on a balcony, they are urged to call 7777 or 8000 from any ship phone to report the incident. While no one likes to be a tattle-tale, this is a safety issue.
Furthermore, I know from personal experience that anyone reporting smoking on a balcony will be kept confidential while security deals with the situation, having had to make those calls myself. Many travelers dislike the smell of cigarette smoke, and someone smoking on their balcony may mean that guests in multiple nearby staterooms may be unable to enjoy their own balconies.
Every Carnival cruise ship has outdoor smoking areas in different locations to give smokers a safe place for their habit, but following the rules is always critical for the safety of everyone onboard, smokers and non-smokers alike.
As many couples do, Tiffany and Jamie Banks had been counting down the days to their family’s Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard Carnival Celebration, which they booked over a year ago.
The 6-night sailing, which embarked from Miami, Florida, without the Banks family on May 12, 2024, called on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Nassau, Bahamas; before disembarking in Miami on May 18.
In the time leading up to the cruise, Tiffany, who goes by @thathippiedoc on TikTok, shared her excitement about her upcoming stay in the exclusive Excel Presidential Suite – the biggest and most luxurious cabin onboard the Excellence-class ship.
However, only one day before the couple was due to head to the port, Tiffany received a concerning email from Carnival informing her that two of her excursions had been cancelled. She quickly followed up with a phone call, during which she learned her booking had been cancelled.
The disappointed passenger documented her experience in a now viral TikTok, which has garnered more than 159,000 views on TikTok since it was posted on May 12, 2024.
“Yesterday morning I got an email from Carnival saying two of our excursions have been cancelled,”Tiffany began her video. “So at 9 o’clock I called and they said your excursions were cancelled because your cabin was cancelled. Full blown panic.”
The shocked influencer spent approximately 2.5 hours on the phone with representatives from the cruise line, trying to understand what had happened to her booking and what her options were.
Since the one and only presidential suite had already been booked by another passenger of the busy sailing by the time Tiffany called (Carnival Celebration can accommodate up to 6,500 passengers), the representative was only able to offer the Banks family two interior cabins as a last-ditch effort to get them onboard.
“We talked for almost, or over, two and half hours, and the only solution they were willing to offer was two interior rooms – I just can’t even fathom how they think that’s right – for a Presidential Excel Suite which we have nearly $15,000 tied up in,”Tiffany said.
As the excel presidential suite cost approximately $12,000 (USD) and the family had already spent around $3,000 more in costs for extras, excursions, and airfare, Tiffany did not find this solution to be satisfactory.
How Could A Confirmed Cruise Booking Be Cancelled Without The Family’s Consent?
A cruise line randomly cancelling a passenger’s sailing would be an extremely rare occurrence. While there are rare instances where a sailing is overbooked or a cruise has to be cancelled for potential safety issues or because of urgent repairs, what Tiffany describes on TikTok is virtually unheard of.
During the hours the TikToker spent on the phone with Carnival, she worked to get to the bottom of her vacation’s cancellation. Originally, the cruise line thought a glitch may have occurred, but in reality, Tiffany was a victim of identity theft.
Tiffany Banks Carnival Cruise Suite Cancellation
“The original person that I talked to said that the system cancelled it, and then the second person was a manager or lead… said that the online system had been logged into and it had been cancelled,”she said.
Unfortunately, it seems that someone was able to log into Tiffany’s booking and cancel her reservation – but they only received access to her booking because she posted her booking ID and her cabin number on social media for all her followers to see.
As Carnival only requires a guest’s last name and booking ID to link a cruise reservation to a new online account, it would have been simple for someone with malicious intent to cancel the TikToker’s cruise – which in this case, the unidentified person did 48 hours before the sailing.
In a subsequent video that Tiffany posted on May 14, 2024, the TikToker expressed her frustration with the cruise line for not providing acceptable compensation.
At the end of the 3-minute long video, which has been viewed 136.5K times, the influencer included clips of her phone conversation with Carnival.
Well they still aren’t willing to make this right .. they apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer.. i want an apology from them trying to make it look like i was lying or hiding something or even worse – that there were security issues.. i will keep yall posted I promise .. #cruisetokc#carnivalcelebration#truth @carnival you owe me a public apology, and my money !
“This was not a security breach on Carnival’s part. We strongly believe that you were sadly a victim of a form of identity theft. The booking was added to a profile that was created on our website the same day that the booking number was posted on Facebook,” the customer service representative says on the recording.
Unfortunately for Tiffany, posting her private booking details set her up to become a victim of identity theft, which is her own fault.
One TikToker, named Jenn (@cruisinwithjenn) went so far as to post a video on May 15compiling all the places where Tiffany shared her cruise booking details publicly.
“Alright yall, if you post your booking number publicly. PUBLICLY. Any one can take this information and your last name and put it into ‘manage my booking’ on Carnival and access your cruise,”Jenn wrote in the caption.
“Does it make it right, that someone potentially took this info and used it to do hurtful things- no. But why would you post such private info like this publicly…this is negligence on the guest,” continued Jenn.
Depending on the post, social media users are divided between siding with Tiffany or blaming her for the situation.
Cruise Line And TikToker Still At Odds
As Carnival Cruise Line is likely not responsible for Tiffany’s cancelled cruise, the company technically isn’t obligated to compensate her in any way. Company policy explains that it is the passenger’s responsibility to protect their booking information.
“You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account, and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. It is also your sole obligation to immediately notify Carnival of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security,” reads Carnival’s cruise contract.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Even so, Carnival has tried to make things right – first by offering the Banks family an alternative to still join their intended cruise – and according to Tiffany’s video on May 14, the cruise line had offered her a $10,000 future onboard cruise credit in exchange for posting “a positive resolution on social media.”
Tiffany deemed that resolution as unacceptable, claiming that a policy should have been in place to prevent someone from stealing her reservation – even though she publicly posted it on social media – and that if Carnival had acted faster, she may have been able to recover her original booking.
The second issue is that Tiffany feels that John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, has disparaged her on social media.
“I am seeing more and more comments or screenshots from people who have sent stuff that John the ambassador for Carnival is stating and each one just makes it look like he’s implying different things. One of them, you know, he’s implying that I’m just lying,”Tiffany said in another TikTok.
As part of her compensation, Tiffany now wants an apology from the cruise line for trying to make it look like she was “lying or hiding something or even worse.”
But according to Heald, Tiffany had never reached out to him – and there are numerous comments from Heald responding to curious social media users where he states as much and chooses to keep the situation private.
John Heald
“I can honestly tell you without fear or trepidation of anybody saying otherwise that she has not posted on my page. All she has to do is like my page and then anybody can post anything during the time the page is open…So there is nothing further that I will be saying on this until such time as either the lady herself writes to me or I am asked to by my colleagues in Miami,”Heald responded to a Facebook user.
“We always take great care of our guests and there is always another side to everything. If the guest would like to communicate with me directly, I will be here standing by to help,”wrote Heald.
As of Tiffany’s most recent TikTok post on the matter, which was two days ago on May 18, the matter has still not been resolved.
Gather all your favorite people. It’s time for a group cruise!
Group cruises are popular for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, bridal showers, a destination wedding, retirement celebrations and similar special events to mark important milestones. They’re also often used for corporate events and business incentives. Sometimes, they’re used for religious retreats, class reunions or friend reunions.
The options are vast, and, in short, if you’re traveling with more than just a few other people, a group cruise delivers the range of facilities, group space and onboard amenities you need, to keep everyone happy. Here’s what you need to know.
A group cruise is a cruise that’s purchased and then experienced as a group — it’s that simple.
While, yes, if you and a few other people wanted to all go on vacation together, you could just book the same cruise, separately, and then join up once you’re all aboard, booking a group cruise, in particular, comes with benefits.
But what makes a group cruise an “official” group cruise? Booking it as one with the cruise line directly, through the line’s group specialists.
Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin / Shutterstock
Do note that cruise lines will have minimum booking requirements that you’ll have to meet in order for your trip to qualify as a group cruise. For example, if you want to book a group cruise with Carnival, you’ll need to book a minimum of eight staterooms, with at least 16 guests. If you want to book a group cruise with Princess Cruises, you’ll need to book a minimum of five staterooms.
If you can meet these minimum booking requirements, you’ll reap the wealth of benefits that make booking a group cruise an attractive option for any group of people who want to travel together.
Why You Should Consider Booking a Group Cruise
The perks of booking a group cruise are myriad, but, first and foremost, there are the group discounts and extra perks.
Booking a group cruise through the cruise line’s dedicated group bookings department will often (but not always) result in lower cruise fares for everyone traveling. Depending on the size of your group, you might also be able to book special private shore excursions, as is the case with Carnival.
Groups are often given extra free amenities, too, such as onboard credits, free fine dining or welcome drinks. Sometimes, children in the group may be allowed to sail for free.
Other than the cost savings, when you book with a cruise line’s group department, they’ll be able to further help you plan out group activities, every step of the way.
For example, if you’re traveling for a corporate retreat, they’ll be able to help you reserve meeting space and private dining spaces for team activities.
Carnival Cruise Line Passengers (Photo Credit: GagliardiPhotography)
Or, if you’re traveling as part of a high school reunion, they’ll be able to hook you up with a private party space, for a group celebration, or organize group activities, like cocktail hours or fun scavenger hunts. All in all, it makes planning a group trip itinerary that much easier.
Beyond all this, of course, there’s the simple fact that the cruise experience is so versatile, it’s a good option for groups with lots of opinionated people who might not be able to agree on a trip otherwise.
At family reunions, the parents with young kids can hang out at the waterpark or take advantage of kids programs, while the child-free couples head to the spa, and the grandparents go to the casino. Then, everyone can meet back up for group meals and nightlife.
What Can You Do During a Group Cruise?
You don’t have to spend every single moment together on a group cruise (you don’t even have to dine together!) and, as mentioned, that’s one of the benefits. Everyone can go their separate ways as they like.
However, when it is time to come together, you can enjoy spaces set aside for your group’s size, so there’s no wishful hoping that your party of 16, for example, can all find seating together at the theater or in the main dining room.
Theater on the Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship (Photo Credit:
Essentially, you can do whatever it is you’d normally like to do on the cruise, together, as a group, but then you can also plan special, just-for-the-group activities as well.
Think shore excursions, private parties and similar experiences, and then more structured private events, such as meetings (if you’re on a business trip) or special ceremonies, as might be the case for a vow renewal or cruise ship wedding.
Average Group Cruise Rates
Group cruises often require a deposit, and then you can pay for the group cruise over an extended amount of time, via a payment plan. Some cruise lines will ask you to pay all together, as one, but others allow each party to pay on their own.
Photo: Shutterstock
So how much can you expect to pay?
Unfortunately, cruise lines don’t advertise their group cruise deals online or anywhere else. You’ll have to contact the individual cruise line for those rates. However, it’s safe to assume — especially if you book early enough — that these exclusive rates will be in line with the base fares that the cruise line might charge for that particular cruise. Expect the lowest available fare.
How to Book a Group Cruise
As alluded above, booking an official group cruise requires more than just telling all your fellow travelers to book a certain cruise for certain dates. You’ll need to go through the cruise line’s dedicated group bookings department. This will ensure you get that discounted group rate, as well as help planning all of your group activities.
Getting the process started may differ slightly according to cruise line. You might need to call a group bookings line, like Carnival requests, or you might need to fill out a group travel request form, as is the case with Royal Caribbean. There are also sites like Royal Caribbean Incentives, which is a dedicated booking site for groups and events.
Sometimes, you can bypass the group bookings department, if you’re working through a travel agent.
Docked Royal Caribbean Ships (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
Whichever cruise line you go with, before you reach out to the group booking department to begin booking your group cruise, ensure you have some basic information handy.
Know exactly what cruise you want to sail on, or at least have an idea of where you’d like to sail from and during what timeframe, and be sure of how many staterooms you’ll need. If you already know everyone who will be cruising, have each person’s first name and last name at the ready.
There should also be a designated point person to work with the cruise line, who can keep all of the details straight and organized. This person may be known by a specific title, depending on the cruise line, such as group leader or tour conductor, and they can get extra perks as well, for their work organizing the cruise.
Often, if enough cabins are booked, the cruise organizer will get their cabin for free, or they’ll get a cabin category upgrade.
Tips for Planning Group Cruises
Convinced that a group cruise is right for your crew? Here are a few things to keep in mind, as you go about the process.
Pick the Right Group Leader
Your group leader — or the individual in the group who’s in charge of organizing the cruise and acting as the go-between between the cruise line and the passengers — needs to be someone who is not only organized, but also someone who can make tough decisions and who won’t be a push-over.
Photo Credit: ackats / Shutterstock.com
They need to manage the cruise line and get the best deal possible, and as many perks as possible, but they also need to be able to manage the passengers, and make the travel decisions that are best for everyone, not just one or two people.
Do Consider Using a Travel Agent
While you can book your group cruise directly with the cruise line and the group leader will enjoy special perks for doing so, consider the benefits of using a travel agent.
Travel agents can often score deals and perks that are completely off-limits to normal travelers, and they can then pass those savings and extra amenities on to you. Plus, they can make this process even more convenient and easy.
Book as Early as Possible
Just as is the case any time you’re doing anything with a group — planning a party, making a restaurant reservation, etc. — the earlier you can book, the more likely your group will be accommodated.
So, book your cruise as early as possible, to ensure that you get the cabins you need and want, as well as the itinerary and price you want.
Approach the Experience with Flexibility
If you end up as the group leader, be sure to approach the group cruise experience with flexibility and an easy-going attitude. When coordinating large groups of people, especially when traveling, things are bound to not go to plan — and that’s okay. So long as someone’s not left at port, just about anything is surmountable.
The best you can do is communicate, communicate, communicate and ensure that everything is as organized as possible — and then kick back and have a great time.
