Carnival cruisers are very familiar with the Sail & Sign card, the personal card that serves as one’s room key, onboard identification, and personal charge card during the voyage.
Recent rumors have spread the word that Carnival Cruise Line will soon eliminate cash completely from its ships, but the cruise line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has repeatedly denied this accusation.
“No more cash!!! Why have you not informed anyone about this big shift John?”one commenter recently asked.“We prefer to pay the workers with cash if they provide top service. How are we supposed to do that now? What if we need to get change? Cashless is a game changer and not in a good way.”
It is true that some popular vacation and entertainment options, such as sporting events and amusement parks, have moved to a cashless operation. Depending on the venue, visitors might be able to use cash to pre-load a card for use, otherwise they must rely on a credit or debit card.
This is not the case aboard Carnival cruise ships, however. While guests are not permitted to use cash for individual transactions onboard, they can still set up their Sail & Sign card with cash on embarkation day.
“We have not made any changes,”Heald confirmed.“You can still use cash as a deposit for your Sail & Sign card. You can still use cash to tip our brilliant crew.”
While it might seem inconvenient to some guests to need to use cash for their onboard account, other travelers prefer it as a way to ensure a firm budget and avoid expensive surprises after they get home.
But how did Sail & Sign cards first begin, and why? Heald has offered some interesting insights from his decades of experience with Carnival Cruise Line.
Before Carnival Had Sail & Sign Cards
When Carnival Cruise Line first set sail in 1972 with the original Mardi Gras, cash was certainly king onboard. This system continued for many years, even into the early 1990s.
Heald noted that cash was required for every onboard purchase.
“I am old enough to remember working on board as a bar waiter and wine steward before the invention of the Sail and Sign card when everything was cash, I mean everything,”he said.
From cocktails and shore tours to bingo cards, souvenirs, bottles of wine, casino chips, and more, guests had to pay cash.
This created a lot of work for crew members from various departments, as all the cash had to be properly tallied and secured every day.
“Every night all the department heads would count the cash, bag it, and take it to the highly top-secret cash counting office (Deck 2 starboard side crew area with a sign on the door that said ‘accounting’),”Heald explained.
While the system did operate as efficiently as possible, Heald noted that it wasn’t perfect.
“Some people make ask why we stopped using cash on board. And I am here to admit that it was probably my fault,”he said.
Cash in Wallet (Photo Credit: brajianni)
“This comes from when I was a wine steward and when I was brought before the Carnival Head of Security – who we will call Joe Field because that was his name. This was before the days of CCTV, photos taken at embarkation etc.”
Of course, today’s Carnival guests are very familiar with so many photos and security precautions onboard, but decades ago, it was a bit easier to slip something past a younger, less experienced wine steward.
“The conversation went like this: Joe – Head of Security: ‘John Heald, you have taken $200 from passengers for bottles of wine and champagne, and it is all in fake $50 dollar bills. What did they look like?'”Heald reminisced.
Unfortunately, his answer might not have been what the security manager was hoping for, but it does explain why cash isn’t so widely circulated onboard today.
“John –Wine Steward ‘Ummm………..$50 bills,'”Heald recalled.“And that is why we have Sail & Sign today.”
Okay, so this may be another of Heald’s fun (FFS) stories, there is no doubt that counterfeit bills may have been a concern when cash was used so extensively onboard.
Making correct change, securing payments properly, the time to count each day’s intake, and other factors were undoubtedly additional considerations and potential problems with a cash-based cruise ship.
The Sail & Sign card is certainly a more secure option, as well as more convenient for guests who no longer need to tote along fistfuls of cash for their onboard spending.
Yet to be clear once more – and hopefully put “PAID” on these rumors – Carnival cruise guests can still set up their onboard accounts with cash, no problems at all. Just make sure the bills are legitimate!
Confident in the allure of Northern Europe destinations, Holland America Line will expand its presence in the region by deploying three, rather than its usual two, cruise ships for the 2027 summer season.
With a wide array of itinerary options visiting ports in the British Isles, the Baltics, Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland, the premium line, a Carnival Corporation brand, hopes to fill all berths onboard Zuiderdam, Rotterdam, and Nieuw Statendam.
Typically the line sends Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, each accommodating 2,600 guests, to the region, and in 2027 the 1,900-guest Zuiderdam will join them.
It’s a big change for Zuiderdam, which for the last few years has spent her summers sailing Canada/New England itineraries between Boston and Quebec City.
No word from the line yet about which ship, if any, will replace her on that routing during summer 2027, so stay tuned for that.
Zuiderdam will be primarily based in Amsterdam while Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will be homeported in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
However, some itineraries aboard Zuiderdam and Rotterdam will depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Nieuw Statendam will spend part of the season sailing roundtrip from Dover, England, a growing port just over an hour’s train ride from London.
The Dover departures represent an opportunity for the line to continue courting the British market, as Nieuw Statendam will split her time between Rotterdam and Dover in summer 2025 and 2026, as well as in 2027.
The ship’s 14-night Wild British Isles cruise departing April 30, 2027, for instance, calls at Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, and Glasgow, Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Dublin and Cork, Ireland.
“Northern Europe is extremely popular with our guests — for the ports of call and stunning scenery. As a cruise line rooted in European heritage, we’re uniquely positioned to offer them one-of-a-kind explorations with an onboard experience that matches the region,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line.
“The destinations in the region are some of our highest-rated — from standout ports in Norway like Eidfjord and Bergen and scenic cruising in Eyjafjörður, Iceland, to the UK’s Liverpool and Ireland’s Killybegs — this season provides guests more chances to experience everything Northern Europe has to offer,” Grigsby added.
Holland America’s Zuiderdam Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Miro Vrlik Photography)
The cruise line’s decision to boost its capacity with a third ship stems partly from guest feedback derived from surveys. Almost half of those surveyed, which included current and potential guests, indicated that Northern Europe destinations are among the most desirable regions to visit.
The Northern Europe itineraries will feature local entertainment, and given Holland America’s ties to Holland, where it was founded in 1873, Dutch history will play a role in onboard activities, too. For instance, each ship will offer a “Dutch Day,” celebrating the food and culture of the Netherlands.
Oosterdam to Offer Mediterranean Voyages in 2027
Holland America Line will, of course, have a presence in the Mediterranean during summer 2027, with the deployment of the 1,960-guest Oosterdam. The ship will offer departures from Athens, Barcelona, and Rome, offering 7- to 28-day voyages.
A 14-day Rivieras, Malta & Greek Isles from Rome to Athens on July 10, 2027 calls at ports including Barcelona; Gibraltar; Valletta, Malta; Portofino, Italy; and Crete and Santorini, Greece, for instance.
This particular voyage is one created in partnership with The History Channel, a series of cruises where the itineraries and shore tours are focused on historical elements of the region.
The summer 2027 roster of Europe cruises also includes two that will offer total solar eclipse viewings on August 2, 2027.
Nieuw Statendam’s 28-night itinerary sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam on July 27, 2027 will be positioned in the line of totality. Ditto for Oosterdam’s 14-night voyage from Athens departing on July 31, 2027.
Planning a cruise months or even years in advance is second nature to loyal cruise passengers. But many looking ahead to 2026 cruises with Carnival Cruise Line have been met with a confusing surprise.
When attempting to book reservations at popular specialty dining options like the Chef’s Table, the steakhouse, or the Seuss at Sea character breakfast, they are met with “Sold Out” messages.
The frustration has led many to reach out to the cruise line’s personable Brand Ambassador, John Heald, who took to his weekly video post on June 3, 2025, to address the concerns.
“A lot of you have written trying to book the specialty restaurants and it’s saying sold out on every single ship,”Heald said in his address. “It isn’t sold out.”
Apparently, the confusion stems from Carnival Cruise Line’s website. When a reservation cannot be made, it simply states a restaurant is “sold out.”
This applies across the fleet, including key venues such as Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and the exclusive Chef’s Table Experience.
The Suess at Sea Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, a family favorite, is also affected by the issue. The event is offered on select sea days and usually costs an extra fee.
These options are typically in high demand and often booking quickly. However, in this case, the cruise line’s system isn’t showing availability because the reservations haven’t been activated yet, not because they are already full.
“I don’t think we’ve done a very good job of this – in my opinion,” said Heald. “Apparently it’s very complicated to change the website to come up with a good algorithm.”
Carnival Cruise Line hasn’t shared an exact timeline for when the specialty dining booking window will open for 2026 cruises, but Heald said that once reservations become available, he will inform followers.
In the meantime, he’s pushing internally for the wording on the booking platform to be corrected.
“You’re not going to miss out on the steakhouse or teppanyaki,” Heald said. “As soon as they are open for bookings, I will let you know.”
Dining Demand Remains High
Carnival Cruise Line’s loyal passengers are no strangers to early planning, with many already booking 2026 sailings “Like Krispy Kreme hot donuts,” as Heald put it.
The cruise line’s 2026 cruise calendar is already drawing strong interest, with ships deploying to top destinations from ports across the US, including Florida, Texas, California, and beyond.
Specialty dining venues aboard these sailings are some of the most sought-after experiences onboard, with each ship offering its own mix of restaurants.
Among the most in-demand is the Chef’s Table, an intimate multi-course dinner hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Limited to just a handful of guests, the culinary experience typically includes a galley tour, and plated dishes not served elsewhere on board.
Also popular is Fahrenheit 555, Carnival Cruise Line’s signature steakhouse, which features prime cuts, lamb chops, seafood, and a robust wine list in an upscale setting.
Bonsai Teppanyaki offers a Japanese-style hibachi experience, complete with knife tricks and flame-seared entrees. Spots here are especially limited due to the small group setting, making early reservations crucial once open.
Other favorites include Cucina del Capitano for hearty Italian fare, Rudi’s Seagrill on new ships like Mardi Gras, and Seafood Shack and JiJi Asian Kitchen, depending on ship class.
Until the dining reservations actually open, guests need to sit tight, ignore the error messages, and check back for specialty dining availability.
Cruising is generally seen as a pretty affordable way to travel, where you get a lot for what you pay, but if you can still get an even better deal on your next cruise, why wouldn’t you?
There are some simple — and sometimes unexpected — ways you can go about getting a good price on an upcoming cruise, from working with a travel agent to taking advantage of oversold cruises. Here’s what you need to know.
While with the rise of online travel booking aggregators, it looked like travel agents were going to become obsolete for a while, more and more travelers are turning to travel agents for booking upcoming trips.
In fact, it was reported in 2023 that nearly 40% of surveyed millennial and Gen Z travelers said they would opt to use a traditional travel agent — and when a growing number of millennials are choosing to cruise, it’s likely that they’re using their travel agents to book those cruises.
There are many benefits that come with using a travel agent, including enjoying access to their expert insights as well as deals that you might not find otherwise.
Travel Agent Store (Photo Credit: Magda Wygralak)
Travel agents often have partnerships with travel brands, including cruise lines, that allow them to pass on savings to their clients.
Plus, if you make your final payment for your cruise, and then the cruise line lowers the price, a travel agent may be able to get you a reimbursement for the higher cost that you originally paid.
Just how much can you expect to save when you book a cruise with a travel agent? According to Redditors, it can be quite substantial, with some reporting saving $1,500-plus per cruise and others reporting booking cruises at less than $100 a night.
If you do decide to book a cruise through a travel agent, just be sure to choose a travel agent that has direct experience with cruising. You want someone who cruises a fair amount themselves, and that has long-lasting relationships with the lines, for the best deals and service.
2. Look for Booking Incentives That Will Save You Money in the Long Run
Cruise Incentives
Many cruise lines will offer you special perks or incentives that, while might not automatically drop the cost of your cruise fare, will save you money in the long run.
For example, Norwegian Cruise Line might be offering a deal where you get 70% off your second guest, plus free fare for kids, free excursion credits and a free WiFi package.
While those perks won’t save you directly when booking your initial fare for the first cruiser, if you’re traveling with the family, it’ll save you on their fare. Additionally, if you know you’ll be purchasing WiFi and booking excursions directly with the line, you’d save money there, too.
While it might not seem like a lot at first, consider that Norwegian Cruise Line’s WiFi packages start at $30 per day per device. If you’re on a seven-night cruise and traveling as a family of four, all with devices, that’s going to add up to nearly $1,000 for a WiFi package.
The best way to take advantage of incentives like these is to simply keep an eye on what deals and promotions are being offered by your favorite cruise lines at any given time. Sign up for their marketing emails (yes, they can be annoying, but they will keep you informed of upcoming deals).
Additionally, before booking any cruise based on incentives alone, sit down and do the math. You don’t want to end up not saving any money at all, because the incentives aren’t worth it. They should be something you’ll actually use and that provide you with value.
3. Book Your Next Cruise While Onboard the Ship
Cruise Ship’s Guest Services Desk (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
It’s never too soon to book your next cruise. If you’re having a great time on a certain ship and know you want to book a cruise with the line for some time in the future, consider going ahead and booking that cruise while you’re still onboard the ship.
Many cruise lines offer special deals and promotional rates for those who book a future sailing during a cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line does this (and, in fact, allows you to access the on-board promotional rate for up to a month after you leave the ship, just in case you’re not quite ready to commit), as does Celebrity Cruises, with reduced deposits required if you book on the ship. Disney Cruise Line provides an easy 10% discount if you book on-board.
4. Take Advantage of Over-Sold Cruises
Passengers on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas (Photo Credit: Aleksandr Dyskin)
This is a bit of a risky move, but it can pay off if you don’t mind a little gambling. (I’d also advise you only try this option out if you have a very flexible travel schedule and preferably live in or near a port city, so you’re not out time and money if you do get fully booted from a cruise.)
Basically, many popular cruise itineraries will overbook by around 105%, with the idea that some people will inevitably not show up for their cruises, allowing the cruise line to maximize profits and fill the ship, without the need to bump anyone from the sailing.
While this does happen most of the time and many people aren’t bumped from their staterooms, sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Everyone shows up on embarkation day and the ship finds itself without enough staterooms in the categories that were booked.
In this case, the cruise line doesn’t really want to completely kick you off the ship (that’ll mean less cruiser spending and potentially bad press). Instead, they might offer you a room in a lower category, at a highly discounted rate or for free.
Or, they might bump you from the ship, reimburse you and give you an additional free cruise later for your trouble, as happened recently when Royal Caribbean overbooked sailings to Bermuda.
So, if you don’t mind a little risk, it’s easy for you to change your travel plans on a whim and you don’t mind sailing on very popular itineraries, then you might just try to take advantage of often over-sold sailings and see if you can get a steep discount or even a free cruise or two out of it.
5. Join a Loyalty Program
Crown and Anchor Society Loyalty Passenger Event (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
If you frequently sail with the same cruise line, time and again, joining a loyalty program can get you discounts on upcoming sailings, as well as extra perks and savings on on-board spending.
In fact, many cruise lines automatically enroll cruisers into their loyalty programs with their first booking, so you may be eligible for certain discounts and perks currently, and not even know it!
If you join the MSC Cruises MSC Voyagers Club, you can get up to 15% discounts on future sailings. Depending on your loyalty tier, you can also get discounts on spa treatments, fitness classes, the minibar and laundry services.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes loyalty program, meanwhile, gives members early access to new offerings and members-only offers, while giving elite loyalty program members money-saving perks like free cabin upgrades and, if you achieve Ambassador status, an entire cruise for free.
6. Plan Your Booking in Advance
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean. Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Don’t just plan your cruise in advance — instead, plan your actual booking process in advance. Decide, strategically and specifically, when you’re going to sit down and book that cruise.
Like most travel rates, cruise line fares fluctuate depending on demand and other factors. Generally, though, you’ll get lower rates if you book far in advance or barely in advance at all. If you book at least six months before sailing, or at the very last minute, that’s when you’ll see some of the best rates.
The only instance when this is not the case? If you’re waiting last-minute to book a cruise during the height of cruising season or if you’re trying to book on a brand-new ship.
Peak cruising season will differ according to where you’re cruising, but you can expect it to be mid-summer for Alaska cruises, winter and spring for Caribbean cruises and fall for New England cruises, as a few examples.
There’s such a great demand for cruises during these time periods, that if you wait last-minute to book, hoping you’ll get a better deal, you likely won’t
Similarly, brand-new ships are highly popular with avid cruisers as soon as they launch, so you’re unlikely to get a good deal if you wait. In these instances, you’re best booking far in advance for a better deal, rather than closer to sailing.
Think about when you’d like to book your cruise, and how when you choose to book will impact pricing, and plan accordingly.
7. Book as a Group
Cruise Ship Passengers on Bow (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Booking a cruise as a group — whether that’s a group of friends or your entire family — will usually come with some discounts.
Norwegian Cruise Line, for one, will give you an extra up to 15% off if you book at least five cabins for your group. You can also get a free $100 credit per stateroom and other savings on drinks and dining.
The only downside to booking your cruise as a group is that, at least with NCL, you can’t really go through the normal channels of cruise booking. You’ll need to work with a group cruise concierge to plan everything out. This will require someone in your group to act as the group organizer.
However, if you don’t mind being that point person (I personally don’t find that it’s all that much more difficult than the normal cruise-planning process), you could see some great savings.
8. Look Out for Demographic-Specific Discounts
Carnival Heroes Bar
You can find cruise lines that offer discounts to certain individuals, such as those that have served in the military, teachers and seniors. Additionally, some cruise lines will run special discounts for residents in certain states.
This is intended to make cruising more popular with residents who live in states that historically do not have a high percentage of cruisers. It’s a marketing tactic, but one that can work for your wallet!
9. Book a Repositioning Cruise
Cruise Ships Docked at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)
A repositioning cruise is when a cruise line is moving one of its ships to another port. For example, if a cruise line uses a ship in Europe in the summer months and then uses it in the Caribbean in the winter, you might find a repositioning cruise that travels between Barcelona and Miami.
Or, if a cruise line uses a ship in Alaska during the summer months, and in the Caribbean during the winter, you might find a ship that goes between Seattle and Florida, via the Panama Canal.
These repositioning cruises are typically much cheaper than the standard cruise for a few reasons. They’re one-way, not round-trip, so you don’t get the convenience of embarking and disembarking in the same port.
They’re also typically longer, as they require sometimes crossing an entire ocean. They also have a lot of sea days and fewer port stops. As such, they’re just not as in demand.
You can find repositioning cruises listed for booking on many cruise lines’ websites, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Viking and more.
10. Book Through Cruise Hive
Cruise Hive Bookings
Last but certainly not least, consider booking through Cruise Hive’s new booking platform. You’ll find both ocean and river cruises, and thousands of itineraries from a huge array of cruise lines, and you can organize them all by price so you get the very best deal possible.
Set your parameters around what you want to pay, see how your price will break down per night and according to the stateroom you prefer, all in the easily navigable search results.
You can even specifically search for cruises that offer specific amenities or perks for free, such as free gratuities, free WiFi, complimentary beverage packages and more, as well as search for cruises offering particular promotions and discounts.
As excitement builds for the debut of the Celebrity Xcel in November 2025, Celebrity Cruises is adding more energy to the frenzy by announcing its next President’s Cruise will take place on the new Edge Class ship.
The annual specialty cruise will sail the Mediterranean from September 13 to 21, 2026, aboard the 141,420-gross-ton, 3,260-passenger Celebrity Xcel.
Its 8-night itinerary, sailing from Athens, Greece, to Barcelona, Spain, will call in Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini, Greece, as well as Ephesus, Turkey, and Malta.
The President’s cruise is a highlight event for members of Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club loyalty program.
“Our annual President’s Cruise is my favorite sailing of the year as we dedicate a full itinerary to celebrating and spending time with our Captain’s Club members,”said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
“The entire Celebrity team love hearing guests’ stories and experiences, and the feedback we receive while onboard is instrumental in shaping the future of Celebrity Cruises’ guest experience,” she added.
The cruise line promises to offer an array of curated shore excursions and onboard events unique to the 2026 sailing, much like its recent 2025 President’s Cruise that recently wrapped up on Celebrity Apex.
That cruise from Southampton, England, May 17 to 25, 2025, sailed to the Norwegian Fjords and visited destinations such as Bruges, Belgium, and Flåm and Valldal, Norway.
The voyage began with a first-ever pre-cruise City Stay in London, where attendees toured Kensington Palace and attended a gala dinner at the Natural History Museum. Entertainment included a performance by West End actor Cedric Neal.
On board, passengers were welcomed with an English garden-themed sail away party and live Beatles tribute band performance.
Activities throughout the week included an onboard cooking competition, a fireside chat with Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud, and a Chocolate Wonderland pop-up in the Grand Plaza.
Boulud, who serves as Celebrity’s global culinary ambassador, also prepared a lunch for Zenith-level loyalty members – the highest status in the Captain’s Club – and signed books after his talk.
A preview tasting of Bora, a new brunch venue set to debut on Celebrity Xcel, gave guests an early look at the brand’s evolving dining options.
The 2026 President’s Cruise aboard Celebrity Xcel is expected to feature similar-themed experiences and leadership access. Details on special events and excursions will be released closer to the sailing date.
Almost Ready for Her Debut
The new celebrity Xcel is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and is the fifth vessel in the cruise line’s Edge Series.
The ship was scheduled to sail its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 18, 2025, on a 5-night roundtrip voyage with stops in Bimini, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico.
However, construction is ahead of schedule and the ship will offer an even earlier preview cruisefor guests.
Following the maiden voyage, Celebrity Xcel will spend her inaugural season in the Caribbean, operating a series of 7-night roundtrip cruises from Port Everglades. Guests will have a choice of visiting the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands or the Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten.
The vessel will reposition to Europe in April 2026, where she will offer 7- to 11-night cruises in the Mediterranean. After the President’s Cruise, Celebrity Xcel will return to the Caribbean for winter 2026-27.
The President’s Cruise is exclusive to members of the free Captain’s Club. Entry-level Preview members join after their first cruise and can then move up to Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith membership based on points earned on cruises.
As Carnival Cruise Line has begun placing “Have Fun. Be Safe” guideline letters in guest staterooms to remind guests about key points of the expected code of conduct, some guests have noted a confusing restriction.
The letter specifically notes that handheld fans are now prohibited in certain venues.
“For safety reasons, handheld fans are not permitted in the nightclub or on any indoor dance floor,”the restriction reads.
The exact type of handheld fan has not been clarified, which has led to significant confusion. Guests have reached out to John Heald, Carnival’s official brand ambassador, about which fans, precisely, are now restricted.
“I see the new rule about handheld fans… Are we talking little mini electric fans that people walk around with nowadays or like the ones you open and wave in front of your face to cool off?”one guest asked.
Other guests have asked similar questions. To be fair, “handheld” could be interpreted as a very broad term covering battery-operated fans, misting fans, collar fans, solar-powered fans, stroller fans, fans attached to caps or hats, or even waist clip fans. All of these types can be handheld very easily.
While Heald does simply quote the new restriction reminder letter, he later qualifies which type of fans are prohibited more carefully.
“These are the handheld fans, not the electric mini ones,”he noted.
Specifically, the “clack” fans or folded fans that are manually opened and closed are the ones now prohibited in onboard nightclubs or on indoor dance floors.
It is not clear whether or not these fans can still be used on the outdoor Lido Deck dance floor during deck parties. Because the restriction is intended to ensure all guests are safe while enjoying line dances, however, it is unlikely that Carnival would permit the fans for deck parties.
If guests are simply enjoying their own personal cool breeze, however, the fans are not prohibited. They can be a convenient accessory for summer cruises, especially on Caribbean or Mexico itineraries where temperatures may soar in the summer months.
Why the Sudden Fan Ban?
The new ban on handheld folding fans comes due to the popularity of the “Boots on the Ground” line dance that has skyrocketed in recent weeks.
The catchy tune has been featured in a TikTok dance challenge, which includes moves with popping or snapping fans in time with the beat at different points in the dance.
First released in 2024, the song gained much greater acclaim with the TikTok challenge in April 2025. Celebrities, political figures, news anchors, and more have joined in the craze, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Beyonce, police departments, graduating classes, work groups, and more.
Dancing With Folding Fan (Photo Credit: Zamrznuti tonovi)
While it can be amazing fun to participate in line dances – especially during Carnival Cruise Line’s epic parties – the close quarters of the crowds can make fan embellishments dangerous.
I’ve been elbowed, kicked, hip checked, and stepped on in various Carnival deck party line dances, even without fans. It’s all in good fun, and the more people who join in the dances, the more fun the parties can be.
A fan, however, could easily strike someone in the face, causing severe injuries with sharp edges or corners. That is not the way anyone wants to spend their cruise vacation.
Will the ban on these foldable fans last? Undoubtedly it will be enforced as long as the dance craze continues, just to be sure everyone onboard can join in parties and dancing without risking injury.
In the meantime, guests will have to enjoy the Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Wobble, Cha-Cha Slide, and other line dances – my favorite? The Macarena! – at the different deck parties, no fans permitted.
Yet another cruise ship has been brutalized by high winds, causing mooring lines to snap and a dangerous gangway collapse.
The incident occurred aboard Holland America Line’s Westerdam on Friday, May 30, 2025, while the ship was visiting Ketchikan as part of a 7-night Alaska Explorer itinerary.
Guests onboard the ship shared their experiences and photos of the startling event, which include the gangway perilously hanging from the side of the vessel after it had disconnected from the pier.
So severe was the ship’s movement that the gangway looks to be a completely vertical ladder rather than a ramp from ship to shore!
At the time the gangway collapsed, wind gusts of more than 30 miles per hour were officially recorded. Ketchikan Daily News reports note that momentary gusts may have been as 60 knots (70 miles per hour).
Several of the ship’s mooring lines – the ropes that keep a cruise ship snug against the pier – snapped, which permitted the ship to move away from the dock. As the space widened, the gangway collapsed.
Fortunately, no one was on the gangway at the time and no injuries were reported related to the incident. Tugboats were used to hold the 82,305-gross ton ship in place as cranes lifted the gangway.
All equipment would have been inspected and replaced as necessary before guests would be permitted to use it again. All guests were able to reboard the vessel later in the day, and Westerdam departed Ketchikan with no anticipated delays to her itinerary.
Collapsed Gangway in Ketchikan (Photo Credit: Anna and Joe’s adventures)
The ship had departed Seattle, Washington on May 25 and had already visited Juneau and Sitka, as well as enjoyed scenic cruising through the Tracy Arm Fjord.
Ketchikan was her final port of call in the Last Frontier before a brief visit to Victoria, British Columbia on May 31 and returning to Seattle on Sunday, June 1.
More Gangway Mishaps Recently
In recent days, there have been a rash of gangway and mooring line incidents in different ports of call.
On Saturday, May 31, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape broke free while docked at MSC Ocean Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas. A sudden squall snapped the lines and, as with Westerdam, the gangway fell into the water.
The day before – Friday, May 30 – Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic had a similar incident in Catania, Italy. As that ship’s gangway collapsed, a female guest fell into the water and her husband jumped in after her as a rescue effort. Both guests received minor injuries.
Strong winds and heavy gusts were also factors in that incident.
Crossing a cruise ship’s gangway when visiting a port of call – whether heading out to explore or returning to the ship after an exciting day – may seem simple, but guests should always be alert to their surroundings and watch their footing carefully.
Local Police help After Norwegian Epic Breaks Free From Moorings (Photo Credit: ANSA)
Using handrails is also essential to keep one’s balance on sometimes moving or slippery surfaces.
Crew members are always on hand at the gangway monitoring conditions and will temporarily stop guests from using the gangway if it seems to be moving too much or if there are any safety risks.
The mooring lines that keep ships in place are sturdy and strong, but sudden wind gusts can strain the lines too much and the ropes occasionally give way. While multiple ropes are in place for every vessel, as one rope snaps, the extra strain may be too much on remaining lines.
When cruise ships begin to drift, emergency measures are put in place to bring the massive vessels back under control as quickly and safely as possible while new lines are firmly attached.
In some cases, it may be necessary for ships to remain away from the dock until weather conditions are calmer, such as happened with Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Magic in Jamaica in February 2024.
While the mooring lines held in that incident, the ship impacted the pier and had to move away for several hours until the weather settled.
Every cruise traveler knows the spiel from the safety briefing, that fire is the most dangerous situation onboard a ship. Guests aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra experienced that situation firsthand on Monday night and Tuesday, June 2-3, 2025.
The ship first had a very brief electrical fire, reportedly in an electrical panel in the ship’s engine room, followed by an extended power outage.
“Crew members were seen fleeing the area with blackened faces, and oxygen tanks were rushed to them,”one guest aboard the ship described.
Emergency response teams reacted immediately, including fire suppression teams, to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone aboard.
The ship’s captain did keep guests apprised with updates as much as possible, and while the ship was safe and no safety systems were immediately compromised, the situation did appear stressful and frightening.
MSC Cruises stated to Cruise Hive,“MSC Orchestra experienced a technical issue in the engine room during the early hours of Tuesday morning, which affected the electrical switchboard and resulted in smoke being generated in a specific engineering area of the ship. This was contained by the safety systems in the immediate area, this operation had no impact on other areas of the ship, including guest spaces. There are no reported injuries.“
Smoke was reported as high as Deck 11 (the fire would have been on Deck 3). No guest injuries have been confirmed, nor have there been any reports of injuries to crew members.
It is unknown whether or not any guest-related emergency signals were sounded, but there does not appear to be any indication that travelers were called to their muster stations.
Following the initial incident, MSC Orchestra experienced a main power outage for several hours, which led to the ship remaining adrift during her 7-night Mediterranean itinerary.
Satellite tracking shows the ship had been adrift off the east coast of Corsica when the power failure occurred, as that is where the vessel drifted from her established route.
The ship was eventually able to resume sailing under her own power and reached Genoa, Italy, where she will now remain overnight as repairs are assessed.
The cruise line added, “The ship has arrived in Genoa where it will remain for assessment and any necessary repairs. As such the embarkation of guests in Genoa today and Marseille tomorrow is cancelled. Guests have been contacted, and assistance is being provided, and appropriate refunds are being offered to impacted guests.“
Guests have been informed that the next stop – Marseille, France – has now been cancelled. Guests due to embark the ship have likewise commented that they have been informed that their sailing is now cancelled, but these reports are not yet confirmed.
Cruise Hive has reached out to MSC Cruises in Italy for an official statement about the incident, but has not yet received a response. As this is a developing situation, stay tuned for more details as they are confirmed.
Fires and Power Outages
Small fires do occasionally happen onboard cruise ships. While frightening and dangerous, the highly trained crews are adept at responding immediately and managing all types of emergency situations.
Fire teams regularly drill for a variety of incidents and receive updated training frequently to ensure everyone is able to respond to emergencies confidently.
When a ship does have a small fire, such as reported onboard MSC Orchestra, a power failure is not uncommon, as systems are shut down and reset once they are deemed to be operating safely.
Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com
Typically, such power outages may only be a short time, and emergency backup power keeps ship functions running smoothly.
For this incident, guests on MSC Orchestra did report that a la carte restaurants were not open as expected for breakfast on Tuesday, June 3, but there has been no confirmation that any other restaurant, hotel, or entertainment options were impacted.
Almost exactly one year ago, a fire broke out aboard another MSC Cruises ship, MSC Armonia, as the ship was arriving in Marghera, Italy. Fire crews responded immediately to that incident and the fire was quickly extinguished without any danger to guests.
Small fires have occurred onboard a number of other ships in areas where such risks are greater, such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and engine rooms.
After a fire of any size, the affected ship will be carefully inspected and any necessary repairs made to ensure the vessel is completely seaworthy. Safety procedures and responses will also be evaluated and adjusted if needed.
It’s common knowledge that cruise lines have a legal obligation to render aid to refugees while at sea. Even if it wasn’t mandated, offering help is the moral and ethical thing to do – and could mean the difference between life and death.
Under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which is a set of international maritime standards, cruise ships must offer assistance as quickly as possible to other crafts that appear to be in danger.
However, one recent guest of Carnival Paradise has complained that rescuing refugees might put the passengers onboard at risk in the event that the strangers aren’t as innocent as may appear.
“I read that passengers onboard the Queen Anne ship were told to take precautionary measures like turning off their cabin lights and closing their curtains due to the heightened risk of pirates,” she wrote to Carnival Ambassador John Heald on his public Facebook page.
The guest was worried that a Carnival cruise ship might accidentally rescue dangerous pirates after Cunard Line’s Queen Anne took precautions to deter pirates while sailing in the Sulu Sea in March of 2025.
But while pirate activity is still present in areas like the Philippines, the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and off the coast of West Africa, it’s much less common in the Western Caribbean– which is where the Fantasy-class ship has been sailing.
“Carnival keeps plucking these people from the rafts and boats and bringing them onboard. I was on Paradise when this was done…What if they had been pirates or terrorists?” she continued.
“Carnival put all their passengers at risk. Cruise on and let the Coast Guard deal with these people,” she asserted.
It’s not clear when the anonymous passenger was onboard, but the 2,124-guest Carnival Paradise most recently came to the rescue for five people in distress who were spotted on a small boat near Cuba on May 14, 2025.
And in April of 2024, the 71,925-gross ton vessel made an even bigger rescue – this time saving 27 refugees while sailing off the coast of Cuba.
Carnival Won’t Stop Rendering Aid
Understandably, Heald was rather disturbed by the cruiser’s message and her lack of empathy for people in need – and he said Carnival would continue to help people in distress.
“Let me start by saying that I had to stop myself from saying that we are all doomed that people think like this,”Heald initially responded in a video for his Facebook followers.
“We have a commitment to rescue those in peril on the sea…What I can say is we will always rescue those in peril on the sea,” Heald confirmed.
Heald also tried to provide some reassurance to the perhaps misinformed cruiser that refugees are not simply given a free cruise or unlimited access to the ship.
Instead, the crew members follow strict security protocols while also providing their unexpected passengers with food, water, and any necessary medical care.
“Let me tell you that we have the very strictest rehearsed protocols and that we never let anybody that we rescue have free roam of the ship…We will never ever do anything but make sure that they’re safe and our guests continue to be safe as well,” he said.
And to be clear, the Queen Anne sailing that spurred the passenger to send her concern to Heald never actually encountered pirates.
Precautions were taken out of an abundance of caution because the young ship was sailing in an area where pirates were known to be active, but passengers never saw pirates or were ever in any active danger.
Additionally, the last pirate attacks on cruise ships occurred more than a decade ago and were not successful – and security measures have only improved in the time since.
