Carnival Pride is finally returning to Baltimore, Maryland, after a devastating accident closed the port to all maritime traffic for more than a month.
On the morning of March 26, 2024, a large container vessel crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is a crucial part of the infrastructure within the Port of Baltimore. The bridge instantly collapsed, forcing the port to shut down operations while they assessed and repaired the damage.
Multiple cruise lines were impacted by the sudden closure, including Carnival Pride, which was using Baltimore as her homeport for a series of Eastern Caribbean cruises and Bahamas sailings. Sister ship Carnival Legend was the first to be impacted after it departed Baltimore on March 25, but needed to return to Norfolk instead at the end of the voyage on March 31.
Carnival Pride
A shift to Norfolk, Virginia, came with many logistical challenges, ranging from securing necessary pier space and facilities and meeting staffing demands to helping passengers make last-minute changes to their travel plans.
But now that the Port of Baltimore is back in business, the cruise line can return with its Spirit-class Carnival Pride ship on May 26, 2024. While the cruise line had previously anticipated that it would return to Baltimore soon, now a date is officially set.
“We are extremely grateful to the officials and incredible first responders in Baltimore, who’ve shown great leadership and resolve in this difficult time, as well as our supportive partners in Norfolk, whose rapid response allowed us to continue to deliver our scheduled sailings for our guests,”said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“It’s been our goal to resume operations in Baltimore as soon as possible, and after working closely with local, state and federal agencies, we look forward to a successful return,”continued Duffy.
Similarly, Royal Caribbean recently announced that Vision of the Seas, which also homeports in Baltimore and had to pivot to Norfolk, will resume sailing from the port on May 25, 2024.
Carnival Pride Returns to Homeport
The 88,500-gross ton Carnival Pride homeports year-round from Baltimore, and cruise line executives, onboard crew, and future guests are eager to get back to the original plan.
The 2002 vessel will officially return to her homeport following a week-long cruise that will embark from Norfolk on May 19, 2024, and conclude in Baltimore on May 26.
Carnival Pride Docked in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Cruise Maryland)
Throughout the sailing, guests will have the opportunity to visit Nassau, Bahamas; Freeport, Bahamas; and Princess Cays in the Bahamas, which is the private island destination for the Carnival-Owned Princess Cruises.
Carnival Pride’s first round-trip sailing based out of Baltimore will begin on May 26, 2024, and will be a 14-night cruise to Greenland and Canada.
“We are so excited to be welcoming @CarnivalCruise back to Baltimore! Carnival Pride will embark its first cruise from Baltimore on May 26 for an epic 14-day cruise to Greenland & Canada,”the Port of Baltimore posted on X.
The itinerary features port calls at Nanortalik, Greenland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; St. Anthony, Newfoundland; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.
This sailing is unique, as the 930-crew vessel typically alternates between offering 7-night cruises to the Bahamas and 7-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean – and will continue to do so through the end of 2025.
Royal Caribbean International has sadly announced that the current master of Harmony of the Seas, Captain James MacDonald, has passed away following a heart attack and medical evacuation on April 30.
As a gesture of respect and mourning across the Royal Caribbean fleet, all ships will fly the Royal Caribbean flag at half mast on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Captain MacDonald suffered a severe heart attack on April 30, requiring Harmony of the Seas to divert for an unscheduled stop in Cozumel, Mexico, so that he could be medically evacuated. He was then flown to Miami for continued care, but unfortunately succumbed on Thursday, May 16.
Captain James MacDonald
“Our dear colleague, Captain James MacDonald, passed away this morning while at a hospital in Miami,”an internal email confirmed.“Capt. James was accompanied by his wife following his debarkation from Harmony of the Seas two weeks ago.”
Captain MacDonald joined Royal Caribbean in November 1990 and served well on a variety of vessels during his distinguished career, including Radiance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas, in addition to Harmony of the Seas.
“Capt. James was an exceptional leader known for his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our company,”the email continued. “All who had the privilege of working with Capt. James will deeply feel his loss. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, the Harmony team, and all those who sailed with him over the years.”
Condolences have been pouring out on social media as the news has spread, with many guests sharing fond memories of Captain MacDonald.
“We loved having him as our captain! He just had a style that made you like him… It kinda made you feel like you were on a cruise with your cool buddy as the captain! We sure hated to hear the news.”
“He was my favorite Captain and crew / guests will miss him, especially those that sail frequently from Galveston!”
“He was absolutely a great Captain! Prayers to his family.”
“He was funny and loved to walk around and talk to everybody. He made everyone comfortable and we had full confidence in his decisions. He was the best! We’ll miss you!”
“Sailed with Captain James many times. Great Captain and so sad to hear he passed.”
No further information about any possible memorial service has been announced at this time.
Support for Royal Caribbean Crew Members
Royal Caribbean International is making support services available to all crew members who may need help during this sad time, including counseling via telephone or through the Human Resources or Medical Teams onboard each ship. The cruise line is also continuing to support the MacDonald family through this loss.
Photo Copyright: KPegg / Shutterstock
Other Royal Caribbean ships are also making announcements to guests and offering gestures of solidarity, such as horn blasts to commemorate Captain MacDonald throughout the fleet.
Cruise Hive extends its most sincere condolences to the team aboard Harmony of the Seas, all Royal Caribbean International masters and team members, and all passengers who had the privilege to sail with Captain James MacDonald over the years.
Royal Caribbean has opened bookings on a new series of Asia cruises aboard Ovation of the Seas, operating from Singapore between October 2025 and March 2026. A variety of itineraries is offered, with the majority of them 3- and 4-night getaways.
The 4,180-guest Quantum-class ship that entered service in 2016 will sail to multiple destinations during her Singapore deployment, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, China.
Most of the sailings are the 3-night “Penang Cruise,” offered on 22 departure dates, and the 4-night “Penang & Phuket Cruise,” with 17 departures. A 5-night “Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise” has one departure, on April 16, 2025; while the 8-night “Bali Adventure Holiday Cruise” is available with one departure date of December 28, 2026. The holiday sailing will call at Benoa and Celukan Bawang, Bali; and Lombok, Indonesia.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
The lion’s share of the itineraries will bring cruisers to destinations such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town, in Penang, Malaysia, and the pristine beaches of Phuket, Thailand.
Penang, an island off Malaysia, offers opportunities to tour St. George’s, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, and the iconic Kapitan Keling Mosque. The capital city of George Town is a historic trading post between India, China, Britain, and the Middle East.
Phuket, meanwhile, the Pearl of Thailand, offers a laid-back atmosphere with sandy beaches and crystal blue water. Visitors can admire the 147-foot-tall Big Buddha of Phuket, made of white marble, and visit the elaborate temple of Wat Chalong and its Grand Pagoda. Scuba and snorkeling are big attractions in Phuket as well. Some itineraries feature an overnight in Phuket.
“Ovation is a ship packed full of adventure, and with the new season’s line-up of holidays, friends and families can choose to holiday their way between short getaways to Penang and Phuket and longer sailings to Indonesia or with nights out in Phuket,” said Angie Stephen, senior vice president, International, Royal Caribbean International.
Photo Credit: Justin Tiang / Shutterstock.com
Noting that Singapore is the gateway to Asia’s most popular destinations, Stephen added that Royal Caribbean has been committed to the region for more than 15 years and will continue to offer regional itineraries for years to come. The series of voyages is open for bookings effective on May 17, 2024.
Ovation of the Seas is currently sailing in Alaska for summer 2024, operating roundtrip from Seattle. Her 7-night Alaska Experience cruise calls at Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, British Columbia, while her 7-night Alaska Adventure voyage visits Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, and Victoria.
Plenty of Thrills Await Guests on Ovation of the Seas
Onboard Ovation of the Seas, guests looking for adventure can take advantage of the ship’s thrill experiences, such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving ride, the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, bumper cars, roller skating rink, and other activities in the SeaPlex sports area.
The ship also features the popular North Star, a glass observation capsule 300 feet above the sea. Guests looking to be pampered can indulge in treatments offered in the ship’s Vitality Spa, and for youngsters, a full set of supervised, age-appropriate group activities is available.
Cruises have a choice of 20 dining venues, including casual eateries such as Windjammer Cafe buffet, SeaPlex Dog House, Solarium Bistro, Fish & Ships, and Sorrento’s Pizza, and fine dining experiences in Chops Grille, Jaime’s Italian, the Main Dining Room and Coastal Kitchen, which is exclusive to suite guests.
Entertainment offerings include Spectra’s Cabaret, an original stage production titled “The Beautiful Dream,” the “Live. Love. Legs.” theatrical show, plus live music in various lounges, and outdoor movie nights.
Ovation of the Seas’ accommodation choices feature interior, oceanview, balcony, and virtual balcony cabins, plus a wide range of suites, some with multiple bedrooms for families and groups. The ship’s Sea, Sky, Star, and Royal class suites offer exclusive amenities and services included in the cruise fare.
Royal Caribbean operates 28 ships and is owned by Royal Caribbean Group.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge has officially launched her first season in Alaska and is poised to begin a summer-long series of sailings to the Great Land roundtrip from Seattle. The 2,900-guest ship is the first of the line’s pioneering Edge class, and entered service in 2018.
Celebrity Edge will sail her maiden voyage from Seattle on May 17, 2024, operating a 7-day cruise calling at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. The “Alaska Dawes Glacier” itinerary, offered through mid-September, features immersive experiences with local Alaskan culture and food.
The ship arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 11, 2024 following a transpacific sailing from Honolulu, and then operated a 6-day sailing to Seattle, her seasonal homeport. Celebrity Edge will sail the opposite route on September 13, 2024, returning to Honolulu and then to Sydney, Australia, sailing seasonal cruises Down Under and to New Zealand.
Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship in Alaska
Celebrity Edge’s “Alaska Dawes Glacier” itinerary calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Endicott Arm/Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia.
“There’s no better way to see the pristine Alaskan wilderness than onboard Celebrity Edge, which was specifically designed to create a closer connection between guests and destinations. Our elevated vacation options are redefining travel, especially in this region,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
The ship’s inaugural season in Alaska promises to be a memorable one, thanks to the line’s Sea the Future program. Planned activities for Celebrity Edge guests include the Ketchikan Salmon Walk, a 2-mile hike created with the Tongass Historical Museum that enables cruisers to learn about salmon migration and life cycles in Ketchikan Creek.
Other Sea the Future initiatives include A Taste of Alaska, a local sourcing partnership that provides guests with access to locally-made products, plus retailers and local vendors such as Seafood Producers Cooperative and Alaska Specialty Seafood.
The program also offers a Locals Onboard partnership with Voyij.com, which connects guests to an online marketplace where they can buy goods from more than 250 Alaska artists and retailers. Since the partnership began in 2021 it has provided about $1 million in sales to the local businesses and artists.
The Sea the Future initiative has a local educational component, too, in collaboration with the Sitka Sound Science Center, in which local scientists partner with school children to learn about science and Alaska’s ecosystems.
Guests Can Embrace Ship’s Edge-Class Amenities
While the Alaskan scenery, wilderness, and marine life are no doubt incomparable cruise experiences, Celebrity Edge is a destination in her own right, offering guests ground-breaking experiences such as the popular Magic Carpet, the cantilevered, multi-purpose floating platform that functions as a dining venue, lounge, and viewing area.
Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship in Alaska
The ship offers 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges, and eight stateroom categories: The Retreat, AquaClass, Concierge Class, Infinite Veranda, Single Infinite Veranda, Veranda, Oceanview, and Inside.
The ultra-luxury area called The Retreat is exclusive for all guests booking suites and features a private dining venue, lounge, and sundeck. Guests who book these accommodations benefit from a team of butlers and concierges who handle virtually all requests.
Other highlights of the Edge-class ship include the three-story Grand Plaza, modeled after the piazzas of Italy, and the popular lounges Martini Bar and Cafe al Bacio.
Along with Celebrity Edge, the cruise line has deployed two additional ships to Alaska for the 2024 season: The 2,200-guest Celebrity Summit, a Millennium-class ship that debuted in 2001, and the 2,852-guest Celebrity Solstice, a Solstice-class ship that entered service in 2008.
Celebrity Solstice is sailing 7-night cruises roundtrip from Vancouver, while Celebrity Summit offers 7-night sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska. Celebrity Cruises operates a fleet of 16 ships and is a brand of Royal Caribbean Group.
Carnival Fascinationwas floated out about three decades ago and, up until just very recently, it was one of the oldest cruise ships in Carnival’s fleet. If you’ve been a Carnival fan for your entire life, you very likely cruised on this ship at one point or another.
Thanks to multiple dry docks and refits, the ship remained in relatively good shape for the majority of its existence, but, unfortunately, eventually, a ship like this just gets too old to sail the high seas and really deliver a stellar cruising experience to travelers. When the ship was sold off, it was time.
But what was this ship like during its heyday? If you’re curious, keep reading, for everything you need to know about this former Fantasy-class cruise ship.
Like many of its fellow Fantasy-class ships, Carnival Fascination was given the boot in 2020. Carnival sold the ship to Century Harmony Cruise Ltd in November 2020. The ship was renamed and expected to be sent to a new life in Asia. However, that never happened and the ship was sold for scrap in 2021.
Carnival Fascination Stats
Carnival Fascination seems relatively tiny by today’s standards! The ship is just a fraction of the size of some of Carnival’s more modern ships. Here’s how Carnival Fascination measured up.
Gross Tonnage: 70,367
Length: 855 feet
Passenger capacity at double occupancy: 2,056
Maximum passenger capacity: 2,634
Crew: 920
Passenger decks: 10
This ship is nearly identical to its sister ships, both in size and potential occupancy. The Fantasy class was quite large, and also included Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Sensation.
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com
The lead ship, Carnival Fantasy, first set sail in 1990, and now the majority of the Fantasy-class ships have been sold or scrapped. If you do really want to experience this retro class of ships for yourself, you’ll want to make tracks to reserve your spot on one of the two remaining Fantasy-class ships that are still in operation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, before they’re gone for good.
Construction
Similarly to its sister ships, Carnival Fascination was built by Kvaerner-Masa in Helsinki, Finland. The ship was finished in 1994 and floated out on July 1 of that year. The ship was christened by Jeanne Farcus.
Notably, Jeanne Farcus was the wife of Joe Farcus, who was an iconic cruise ship designer. His career launched in 1975, when he began work on Carnival’s second-ever ship, the Queen Anna Maria (yes, the name is quite unusual, when you consider Carnival’s brand today — but it was later renamed Carnivale). Farcus was considered one of the many individuals who helped ultimately shape the Carnival brand.
After launching, Carnival Fascination began its life offering cruises from New York, before moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then Jacksonville, Florida, where it served the Bahamas. In 2016, Carnival Fascination returned to San Juan, offering Southern Caribbean cruises.
Ship Dry Docks
Carnival Fascination has undergone a range of dry docks that have helped keep the older ship as modern as possible. The most notable renovations occurred in 2006, 2010 and 2018.
In 2006, all Fantasy-class ships and, really, all Carnival ships, received a face lift as part of the cruise line’s Evolutions of Fun upgrades. This pricey initiative helped launch some of the Carnival classic features that cruisers still enjoy today, such as the Carnival WaterWorks water parks.
Carnival Cruise Dry Dock in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: the goatman)
Carnival Fascination’s 35-day, September 2006 drydock cost multiple millions of dollars, but the results were extensive. The renovations added a new 9-hole mini golf course, a patisserie known as Café on the Way, the Club 02 teen section, a new children’s area, an art gallery, a new atrium bar, internet café, photo gallery and conference room. The spa was renovated as well, and staterooms received refurbishments that included the addition of flat-screen televisions.
However, the changes weren’t over just yet. In 2010, Carnival Fascination received further renovations as part of the Evolutions of Fun refurbishments.
The ship was dry docked for 28 days in the Bahamas and $34 million was spent to add the WaterWorks water park, nearly 100 balcony staterooms and the Serenity adults-only retreat. The main pool was also refurbished.
Finally, in 2018, Carnival Fascination received its last round of refurbishments, and these added even more recognizable and popular venues to the ship.
The ship was outfitted with some of Carnival’s newest venues and eateries (for the time), such as Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar, Cherry on Top and Bonsai Sushi Express.
Cabins
There was a range of staterooms for travelers to choose from aboard Carnival Fascination, including interior staterooms, interior upper/lower staterooms, interior porthole staterooms, oceanview staterooms, balcony staterooms and aft-view extended balcony staterooms.
Carnival Fascination Cabin (Photo Credit: zenm)
Stateroom designs were on the basic side and it’s worth noting that — as was the case on all Fantasy-class ships — balconies were at a premium. There were only 152 cabins on the cruise ship that featured a balcony.
As for suites, there were two types of suites aboard Carnival Fascination, the junior suites and the grand suites. Junior suites offered 220 square feet of space and a 30-square-foot balcony, while grand suites offered 330 square feet of space with up to a 115-square-foot balcony.
Carnival Fascination Cabin (Photo Credit: zenm)
Staying in a suite came with all the normal perks and amenities, such as priority check in, express boarding, priority debarkation, complimentary bottled water and complimentary bath robes.
Venues
As we mentioned above, during Carnival Fascination’s last dry dock, in 2018, she was outfitted with all of Carnival’s latest dining options, most of which have become beloved staples over the last few years, at least to frequent Carnival cruisers. That said, Carnival Fascination wasn’t exactly decked out with tons and tons of restaurants — certainly not like what you’d find on a newer vessel today.
Carnival Fascination was outfitted with two main dining rooms, the Imagination Dining Room and Sensation Dining Room. One opened for dinner only and operated with an assigned-seating, reserved-time format. The other was open for breakfast, brunch and dinner on select days throughout a cruise, with no need for a reservation or assigned seating.
The Lido Buffet offered all-day dining and a variety of food. Other free dining options included Pizza Pirate, serving 24/7 pizza slices; the Carnival Deli, for hot and cold sandwiches; Guy’s Burger Joint, with Guy Fieri-inspired eats; BlueIguana Cantina, for poolside Mexican fare; and then room service.
Specialty dining options and experiences included Bonsai Sushi Express, The Chef’s Table experience, Bogart’s Café and the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast.
As for watering holes, the latest refits added new options like RedFrog Rum Bar, and BlueIguana Tequila Bar. Alchemy Bar was also relatively new. Others included Piano Bar 88; Stars Bar, near the casino; and the Passage to India lounge.
There was one pool aboard the ship, on the Lido Deck, with pool areas for both children and adult swimmers. There were three hot tubs on the ship, one in the adults-only Serenity Retreat and two near the Lido Deck pool.
Aside from the pool, there was also the WaterWorks water park, with several water slides, including a four-story corkscrew slide, 82-foot racing slides, and child-friendly slides. A water play area for small children was also available.
Other outdoor venues included the Serenity Retreat sun deck, mini golf course and the jogging track.
For entertainment, there were two theaters, one for Broadway-style shows, and one for game shows and comedy sets. There was also Casino Royale and Spa Carnival, and, for the kids, Camp Carnival offered programming in a relatively updated Camp Ocean space, while preteens and teens had their own spaces, too.
Decor
Carnival Fascination was by no means modern or sleek at the time of its sale. The ship still featured a lot of the older décor schemes that Carnival preferred in the 1990s, with lots of orange and red. As such, the staterooms had a slightly dingy feel to them, especially at the very end.
Carnival Fascination Decor (Photo Credit: Dave Herholz)
That said, the public spaces weren’t as bad as they could’ve been, leading up to 2020. While not exactly “new”-feeling, they weren’t woefully outdated either. You could still see a few glimpses of the past (such as in some of the carpeting, tile work and paint schemes), but you also didn’t walk into most spaces and think you’d somehow been transported back in time, to 1995.
Carnival Fascination Scrapping
Carnival chose to sell off several of its older, less desirable ships following the cruise industry’s shut-down in early 2020. As such, much of the Fantasy class retired during this time period. While some were sold directly for scrap, Carnival Fascination had a different fate.
In October 2021, it was discovered that Century Harmony sold the ship to a trading company, and it was expected the ship would be sent off for recycling in Alang, India. However, those anticipated plans changed again.
Finally, in February 2022, it was reported that the ship, after spending multiple months anchored off Sri Lanka, at last made its final home in Pakistan, where the ship was scrapped.
Was Carnival Fascination a Good Ship?
For its time, Carnival Fascination was a very good ship. When it launched, along with all its Fantasy-class sisters, it was considered a top-of-the-line, modern, best-of-the-best ship. Cruisers couldn’t ask for anything more!
However, now, cruisers are asking for quite a lot more. They’re no longer willing to settle for outdated staterooms, or just a handful of restaurants to pick from throughout their cruise. They want more excitement than what a waterpark alone can offer; they want rollercoasters, go-kart tracks and surfing simulators.
Photo Credit: SeregaSibTravel / Shutterstock
As such, Carnival Fascination just couldn’t keep up and, by 2020, it wasn’t really a good ship anymore, unless you specifically wanted that old-school, retro cruising vibe (and many did want that, which is why the ship lasted as long as it did!).
It’s no surprise, though, that Carnival Fascination met its fate at the scrapyard, and is now just one of the many Fantasy-class ships to be scrapped.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first cruise operator to embark 10 million guests from the Port of Galveston, Texas.
Marsha Taulton of Houston was recognized as the 10th million guest as she boarded the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze on May 16, 2024, to sail a 4-night cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.
Taulton and her husband, Paul, were welcomed aboard by Captain Isidoro Renda and Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees. An impromptu celebration was held in honor of the milestone.
Carnival Celebrates 10 Millionth in Galveston
Said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, “This is an achievement that speaks to the success of our longstanding partnership with the port and the greater Galveston community. We are grateful to our guests who have sailed with us from Galveston over the past two decades, continually driving the popularity of this homeport forward.”
Duffy expressed excitement about Carnival Cruise Line’s bright future in Texas, saying, “We’re delighted to welcome more guests aboard than ever before from this great city. Next stop, 20 million!”
Carnival Continues to Expand Its Presence in Galveston
Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program in Galveston in 2000 with the original Celebration. It continues to offer a variety of itineraries from the Gulf of Mexico, including numerous options extending into the spring of 2026.
Cruises currently vary from 4- to 8-night voyages in both Western and Eastern Caribbean with frequent calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Roatan, Honduras.
Carnival’s achievement follows the substantial $53 million upgrade to Cruise Terminal 25, completed ahead of the introduction of the 6,500-passenger Carnival Jubilee, the cruise line’s new flagship and the first new cruise ship to be christened in Galveston.
Carnival Celebrates 10 Millionth in Galveston
The terminal’s renovations included the installation of two new passenger boarding bridges, an expanded dock, a new roof, and a redesigned interior. Additionally, over 500 parking spaces were added to the popular drive-to cruise port, the fourth largest in the U.S.
Carnival Jubilee, a 182,015 gross ton Excel-class ship, was delivered by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on December 4, 2023, arriving in Galveston on December 20, 2023. The ship features several new amenities, including the first-of-its-kind rollercoaster at sea, BOLT, and a Texas-themed tailgate party.
The ship was named the Best New Cruise Ship of 2023 by Cruise Hive and is currently offering 7-night cruises to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.
Carnival’s presence in Galveston will grow further in October with the addition of the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle. This will complete a four-ship deployment strategy that also includes the 128,250-gross-ton Carnival Dream.
Carnival Miracle, weighing 88,500 gross tons, is currently enjoying a season in Alaska. It sails roundtrip from its base in San Francisco before arriving in Galveston on October 31 to take passengers deeper into the Caribbean on longer journeys. Its first cruises will take guests on a 12-night adventure to George Town, Grand Cayman; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curacao; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream is currently sailing 6- and 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
By the end of 2024, the cruise line’s guest capacity in Galveston is expected to increase by 20 percent compared to last year, with more than 800,000 guests anticipated to sail from the port.
A sailing to Antarctica is a dream trip for many cruise travelers. For one UK guest, however, her trip quickly turned into a nightmare while she was still more than 8,800 miles from the southernmost continent on the planet.
Due to a crowded plane, missing luggage, and unreachable personal items, Valerie Coleshaw was unable to set sail on her Antarctic getaway.
Coleshaw had booked a HX (Formerly named Hurtigruten Expeditions) sailing to Antarctica departing in February 2023, but when she arrived at the Manchester Airport, her cruise plans began to sink. She was flying with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines but was informed that the plane was full, and she was asked to check her carry-on bag.
KLM Luggage (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
KLM permits travelers to have one carry-on bag and one accessory item, such as a purse or laptop, provided both bags fit specific dimensions and have a combined weight allowance. If passengers are flying in Premium Comfort or Business class, they are permitted slightly more baggage for carry-on.
As most airlines will do if a flight is extremely full, however, travelers may be asked to check their carry-on items at no cost. Coleshaw agreed after being assured that the bag would be returned to her after reaching Amsterdam for her layover. From Amsterdam, her next flight was to have been to Buenos Aires.
Upon arriving in Amsterdam after the 80-minute flight, however, Coleshaw discovered her bag was missing. In it was prescription asthma medication and her paperwork to join the cruise. Without knowing where those items were and not certain whether they would be returned, Coleshaw was unable to continue on her trip.
It is unclear why Coleshaw did not have a smaller purse or bag to take onto the plane with her, where she could have placed those critical items. KLM advises travelers to use a smaller bag in case of limited overhead bin space if carry-on bags need to be checked.
“We advise you to pack any travel essentials such as medicines in your smaller bag, just in case,”the airline’s website states.
According to the Independent, Coleshaw claims she was not advised to remove any essentials from her bag as it was being checked.
“I had no additional handbag in which to store my documents, tickets and asthma spray. I had only a mobile phone, credit card and passport in my pocket,”she said.“No one ever suggested to me to remove my medication, tickets, holiday reservation, emergency contact details and so on. Had they done so, I would have taken my hand luggage on board.”
Coleshaw was given hotel vouchers and a return flight to Manchester the following day, losing the nearly $14,000 (USD) cruise fare in the process.
Dispute With the Cruise Line
In the months following the fiasco, Coleshaw has battled with Hurtigruten about refunds and vouchers. As she had booked the entire travel package through the cruise line, if the airline is at fault, she would be entitled to a full refund.
The cruise line did offer her limited vouchers at first, but a replacement African cruise she had booked was cancelled. Now, her personal circumstances have changed, and she no longer feels comfortable booking such an expensive trip.
“We are disappointed that we have been unable to resolve this current issue to date. Our guest experience team have been in direct contact with Ms Coleshaw for several months now and we have worked hard to try and find a resolution to this situation,”a cruise line spokesperson said.
Ultimately, Hurtigruten did offer a future cruise credit for the full cost of Coleshaw’s lost Antarctica sailing, an offer that exceeds their standard cancellation policy. The rebooking deadline has also been extended to give her the greatest opportunity to find a vacation she can enjoy.
Coleshaw has not stated whether or not she will be planning another once-in-a-lifetime vacation within the time frame available.
MSC Cruises has announced the expansion of its fleet at Port Canaveral (Orlando), introducing MSC Grandiosa alongside the already popular MSC Seashore.
Starting in December 2025, this marks the first time the cruise line will operate two ships simultaneously from the Central Florida port and the first time MSC Grandiosa will be based in North America.
“We are honored that MSC Cruises chose Port Canaveral for the North American debut of their magnificent MSC Grandiosa. We are so proud of our cruise partner and their tremendous growth in the United States,” said Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral.“We look forward to welcoming all of their valued cruise guests to our beautiful port.”
MSC Grandiosa Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Gabriel S Fernandes)
Ruben A. Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, highlighted the significance of the expansion, saying, “The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that.”
He continued,“We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamourous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”
MSC Grandiosa will embark on 7-night voyages that cover both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. It will join MSC Seashore, which offers shorter 3—and 4-night sailings focusing primarily on The Bahamas, including stops at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
A New Caribbean Chapter for MSC Grandiosa
MSC Grandiosa, which debuted in 2019, has spent its seasons primarily based in the Mediterranean, where the 181,541-gross-ton ship is currently sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean voyages. The ship will complete its final 2025 Mediterranean journey on November 8 in Genoa, Italy, before repositioning to Florida.
When MSC Grandiosa arrives at Port Canaveral next year, it will mark a significant milestone as the largest ship of MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia-plus class to homeport there. The ship boasts impressive dimensions at 1,094 feet in length and 141 feet in width, providing ample space for its 2,421 staterooms.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Scheduled to embark on 7-night itineraries, guests can choose between an Eastern or Western Caribbean itinerary. The Eastern voyages will include stops at Nassau and Ocean Cay in The Bahamas, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Conversely, the Western Caribbean journeys will include calls at Nassau, The Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay and Falmouth, Jamaica; and Belize City, Belize.
Aboard the MSC Grandiosa, which can accommodate 6,334 passengers alongside 1,704 crew members, guests have 10 restaurant options, including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi, Kaito Teppanyaki, and L’Atelier Bistrot.
For leisure and relaxation, the ship features five pools and nine hot tubs, as well as the Wild Forest Aquapark, which continues a thrilling family adventure from the Orlando area renowned for its theme parks.
North American travelers can also enjoy the expansive MSC Aurea Spa, nightly entertainment at the Carousel Lounge and Broadway-style theater, and the 323-foot-long Galleria Grandiosa promenade, topped with an LED sky screen, which creates an atmospheric shopping and strolling environment.
MSC Grandiosa will replace MSC Seashore by offering 7-night cruises, allowing MSC Seashore to offer shorter itineraries. It is currently sailing 7- and 14-night voyages to Nassau, Montego Bay, George Town, Cozumel, San Juan, and Puerto Plata/Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.
Following recent unrest in Noumea, New Caledonia, a French overseas territory located in the South Pacific, Carnival Cruise Line Australia has expressed concern regarding its upcoming voyages’ safety and operations.
The cruise line released a statement on social media emphasizing its proactive measures in response to the volatile situation taking place on the island nation, which has led to extensive rioting that has seen vehicles and businesses set ablaze and widespread looting.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Noumea and surrounding areas, and are in contact with the relevant authorities both here and in New Caledonia,”Carnival Cruise Line Australia stated.“Should we need to make any changes to upcoming itineraries due to the current situation, we will notify guests and travel agents as soon as possible.”
Photo Credit: Jon Ingall / Shutterstock
The situation casts uncertainty over several scheduled cruises in the region, primarily those operated by Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises, both subsidiaries of Carnival Corporation. These include multiple voyages set to visit Noumea in the coming days through the end of June.
Among the impacted sailings could be P&O Cruises’ 10-night “Discover Vanuatu” cruise aboard Pacific Adventure, which departed from Sydney on May 13, 2024. The 2,632-passenger ship is expected to call in Noumea on May 20 during the roundtrip sailing.
Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line’s 9-night “South Pacific” voyage aboard Carnival Splendor, which launches on May 19 from Sydney, includes multiple stops in New Caledonia. The 3,012-passenger ship is scheduled to arrive in Noumea on May 22 before visiting Mystery Island, Vanuatu, on May 23. It will then return to New Caledonia to call in Lifou on May 24 and Noumea again on May 25.
“We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel for metropolitan Noumea due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services. We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution elsewhere in New Caledonia due to protests and travel disruptions.”
Escalating Tensions in New Caledonia
Noumea, a cruise stop that offers a unique blend of French elegance and Pacific Island charm, boasts beautiful bays, sunny beaches, and vibrant city life. It’s also the largest city on the island nation, its capital, and the administrative center.
The French government declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia on May 15 following a violent outbreak connected to a controversial electoral reform bill. The May 14 approved bill, created by French lawmakers, alters voting eligibility for provincial elections and permits French residents who have lived in the island nation for at least 10 years to vote.
Noumea, New Caledonia
Some perceive the bill as a means of diluting indigenous influence in local governance. The Kanaks represent the largest ethnic group in New Caledonia. Living in tribal societies governed by chieftains until New Caledonia became a French colony in 1853, the people continuously pushed for independence into the late 20th century.
The current turmoil has led to tragic losses, with three Kanak and a police officer killed amidst the unrest. A curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been implemented, and La Tontouta International Airport, along with schools and government officers, have been closed. Additionally, France has banned the use of TikTok and public gatherings in an effort to control mob violence.
The state of emergency has been set for 12 days, extending into the dates P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are set to arrive with passengers.
