Blog Page 41

MSC Poesia Undergoes Six-Week Refit Ahead of Alaska Season

Donna Tunney
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MSC Poesia Undergoes Six-Week Refit Ahead of Alaska Season

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia is undergoing a major refit during a six-week dry dock.
  • Among the enhancements will be the addition of the MSC Yacht Club.
  • The renovation will be completed in time for the ship’s first Alaska season.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia entered dry dock on February 19, 2026, at Malta’s Palumbo Malta Shipyard, where several major enhancements are underway.

The renovation will last roughly six weeks, with the 2,550-guest ship scheduled to depart on her next cruise on April 6, 2026.

The most ambitious enhancements will be the addition of MSC Yacht Club, the ship-within-the-ship luxury area, featuring 69 suites, round-the-clock butler service, and other high-end amenities. Guests booking accommodations in the club will enjoy a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck.

The ship will receive two specialty restaurants: Butcher’s Cut, an American steakhouse, and Kaito Sushi Bar, offering a variety of Asian specialties. Other improvements planned during the dry dock include a refreshed MSC Aurea Spa and fitness program, and a Top 15 Exclusive Solarium.

MSC Cruises has not revealed the stateroom or public areas that will be transformed into the MSC Yacht Club, nor has it put a dollar amount on the renovation, which was announced in September 2025.

However, MSC Cruises did say that the refit is part of the most extensive upgrade and refitting program undertaken by the line in a decade.

Read Also: Alaska Cruise Ports: What Are Your Options?

MSC Poesia‘s first cruise following dry dock departs on April 6, 2026. The 35-night Panama Canal voyage from Rome will end in Seattle, positioning the ship for her maiden Alaska season.

MSC Poesia Entering Malta Dry Dock
MSC Poesia Entering Malta Dry Dock (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)

The lengthy journey is available for booking in segments, too, giving cruisers opportunities for shorter sailings on the refurbished ship. These range, for example, from a 3-night getaway at the start of the cruise, from Rome to Barcelona, to an 18-night option where guests can join the ship during her call in Miami and remain onboard all the way to Seattle, where the cruise ends on May 11, 2026.

Several segments of varying lengths are offered and include multiple Caribbean destinations.

The Musica-class ship is the second in that class to have the yacht club added; MSC Magnifica underwent a similar renovation in late 2025 at the same shipyard.

First Alaska Season Promises Adventures For Guests

Once homeported in Seattle, MSC Poesia will sail 7-night voyages roundtrip from Seattle, calling at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. The voyages will also feature scenic cruising in Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm.

The cruise series will represent the first time that MSC Cruises has committed to a season in Alaska, and reflects the line’s growing presence in North America.

A series of nature-focused excursions is on tap for the line’s first visitors to the Last Frontier State. In Icy Strait Point, for instance, guests can book the Mountaintop Forest Excursion, featuring a gondola ride that takes them 1,500 feet from ground level, providing expansive views of forested areas.

In Ketchikan, cruisers can meet and interact with crab fishermen who fish the Bering Sea, and see and learn about marine life such as octopus and prawns. Following her Alaska debut, the ship will return to Miami and sail a series of winter voyages across the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Just Hit a Key Construction Milestone

Donna Tunney
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Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Just Hit a Key Construction Milestone

Key Aspects:

  • A coin ceremony was held for Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas.
  • In maritime tradition, the event will bring good luck to a new vessel.
  • Legend of the Seas is due to enter service in July 2026.

Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, moved another step closer to launch by holding a coin ceremony, an event aimed at bringing good luck to the ship as she sails global itineraries.

The maritime tradition was held on February 25, 2026, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the 250,800-gross-ton ship is under construction. The ceremony involves placing a set of coins, usually silver, beneath the keel of the ship.

Meyer Turku revealed details of the ceremony in a social media post, noting that the coins are sealed inside a brass box and enclosed within the ship.

“Legend has entered the phase where the vessel is being finalized for delivery. The next major milestone in the project are the sea trials, preparations for which are now underway,” said Sami Kouvonen, project manager at Meyer Turku. 

“The coin ceremony is one of our traditional practices which we want to honor and uphold,” added Kouvonen.

Legend of the Seas Coin Ceremony
Legend of the Seas Coin Ceremony (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

Read Also: What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise Ships?

Legend of the Seas, which follows Icon of the Seas (2024) and Star of the Seas (2025), has a capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. The ship is due to enter service in July 2026.

With completion of the ship just four months away, work is undoubtedly furiously under way at the shipyard, where the design and building of interior spaces are being finalized.

The outfitting stage for Legend of the Seas began with her float out in August 2025, when her hull touched water for the first time.

Legend of the Seas Coin Ceremony
Legend of the Seas Coin Ceremony (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

As the project manager noted, the next major event will be the ship’s sea trials, when key operational elements will be tested and evaluated. These systems include navigation, propulsion, and other technical programs, as well as safety measures.

Following sea trials, the ship will be formally delivered to Royal Caribbean, and onboard crew members will prepare for the first guests.

Maiden Season Offers Western Mediterranean Cruises

The ship’s maiden voyage is set for July 4, 2026. The 7-night cruise will operate roundtrip from Rome and call at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma De Mallorca, Spain; and La Spezia, Italy.

Legend of the Seas will sail Western Mediterranean cruises through late-October 2026 before the ship begins her inaugural transatlantic journey to Florida’s Port Everglades, for seasonal winter cruises to the Caribbean.

The ship’s maiden voyage in Europe has been twice pushed forward, thanks to the smooth construction process at Meyer Turku.

Originally set to launch on August 2, 2026, the debut was pushed ahead to July 11, with three cruises added during that month. In January 2026, the ship’s introduction jumped ahead again, by another week, and the July 4 voyage was announced.

Guests booked on the July 11 cruise were offered the chance to move their reservation to July 4 instead, since a ship’s maiden voyage is typically in high demand.

Icon-Class Attractions Will Suit All Ages

Guests booked to sail on all Legend of the Seas cruises will enjoy spectacular attractions, such as the Category 6 waterpark, the largest at sea, offering six thrilling slide rides. Crown’s Edge will tempt adventurers with high-altitude thrills, including a skywalk, ropes course, and zip line.

Indeed, Legend of the Seas was named the Most Anticipated New Ship in the 2026 Cruise Hive Awards. Like the other Icon-class ships, Legend of the Seas will feature eight themed neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, The Hideaway, and Suite Neighborhood.

A fourth Icon ship, as yet unnamed, is under construction. A fifth ship is on order, and Royal Caribbean has options in place for a sixth and seventh vessel.

Carnival Cruise Ship to Quit Year-Round Australia Sailings

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Ship to Quit Year-Round Australia Sailings

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Adventure will offer seasonal sailings from North America beginning in 2028.
  • The ship will no longer be homeported year-round in Australia but will still be Down Under for the Aussie summer.
  • There are no announced changes for the other three Carnival ships that sail in Australia and New Zealand.

Carnival cruise fans eager to sail new adventures will welcome the arrival of Carnival Adventure for her first time ever in North America in 2028.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the ship will leave her year-round deployment in Australia following her already released itineraries and will instead offer summer seasons in North America.

The news comes as a shock to the Australian cruise market, which is always looking for new and updated options. There is no word whether or not a different vessel might take Carnival Adventure‘s place Down Under.

Carnival Cruise Line cites “more favorable market conditions elsewhere” as one of the driving forces for the deployment change, along with “the uncertain regulatory environment in Australia and New Zealand.”

Cruise Hive has previously reported on several instances when cruise ships have been denied visits to ports in New Zealand due to hull contamination and similar circumstances. Because such ships are often homeported from Australia, the entire market is impacted when such incidents occur.

In the meantime, the global cruise market continues to expand. By shifting Carnival Adventure to another homeport, Carnival Cruise Line can capitalize on growing interest in different locations.

Worth Reading: Carnival Raises the Bar Down Under With New Homeports

“Carnival is adjusting its deployment to better capture greater opportunities elsewhere, while continuing to champion a more competitive and certain operating environment – matters we’ve long emphasized,” said Peter Little, Country Manager for Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Cruise Line is clear that its current commitment to Australia remains strong and there will be no change in already published deployment plans.

“It is business as usual with Carnival Cruise Line operating from more homeports across Australia and New Zealand in 2027/28 than ever before, so there are plenty of attractive itineraries for our guests,” said Little.

Roughly 400 voyages are already scheduled for the Australia market through spring and summer 2028. In total, the four ships Carnival Cruise Line has based in Australia will welcome roughly 1.2 million guests.

Carnival Australia Cruise Ships
Carnival Australia Cruise Ships

Carnival Adventure is scheduled for a diverse deployment with sailings from 3-16 nights from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Adelaide. Her last departure Down Under is a 3-night itinerary from Adelaide to Sydney with no ports of call, setting sail on March 14, 2028.

Carnival Encounter is homeported year-round from Brisbane with 3-15 night itineraries, while Carnival Splendor also sails year-round in Australia, offering 3-12 night sailings from Sydney.

Carnival Luminosa sails seasonally from Brisbane with 3-14 night cruises, but moves to San Francisco for the northern summer to offer both Mexican Riviera and Alaska itineraries. Her transpacific repositioning cruises are epic and offer a rare opportunity for Carnival cruise guests to set sail to Japan and Hong Kong.

Where Will Carnival Adventure Homeport in North America?

It has not yet been announced where Carnival Adventure may be homeported during her summers in North America.

It is possible the ship may offer Alaska or Mexico sailings similar to her fleetmate, Carnival Luminosa. With Alaska cruises growing ever more popular, Carnival Adventure might homeport in either Seattle or Vancouver for a full Alaskan season.

Long Beach would be another West Coast option. From there, the 109,000-gross-ton ship could offer a wide range of Mexican Riviera itineraries or even longer sailings to Hawaii.

More From Cruise Hive

A Caribbean deployment would mean Carnival Adventure would likely pass through the Panama Canal, but that would bring her to any number of homeports, from Texas to Louisiana to Alabama to Florida, and even up the east coast.

Wherever she sets sail, Carnival Adventure and the up to 2,600 guests she can welcome aboard are sure to have fine adventures with all the Carnival fun travelers enjoy.

Carnival Warns PortMiami-Bound Guests of Heavy Weekend Traffic

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Warns PortMiami-Bound Guests of Heavy Weekend Traffic

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival is warning soon-to-be guests of heavy traffic in PortMiami this weekend.
  • Three sailings will be impacted, including on Carnival Horizon, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Magic.
  • The traffic is related to a high number of ships arriving and construction taking place in and around the cruise port.

As one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, PortMiami is no stranger to heavy traffic.

Lately, Carnival Cruise Line has been issuing travel alerts for passengers embarking on sailings from the Florida port, and this coming weekend, February 28 to March 1, 2026, is expected to be another busy one.

“While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that PortMiami will be operating with a high number of ships the day of your embarkation, amidst construction in the downtown area and within the port premises,” Carnival advised.

“Consequently, there will be detours and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the area,” the alert noted.

Three Carnival ships could be impacted by the congested conditions, starting with Carnival Horizon on February 28. The 3,960-guest ship will embark on an 8-night Southern Caribbean voyage.

Carnival Celebration and Carnival Magic will be in the port the following day on March 1. The 5,362-guest Carnival Celebration will begin a 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyage, while its 3,690-guest fleet-mate will embark on a 6-night sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.

How Many Ships Will Be in PortMiami on February 28?

On February 28, a total of seven cruise ships will be in PortMiami for scheduled turnaround days.

In addition to Carnival Horizon, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship with room for a maximum of 7,600 passengers – will also be present.

Carnival Cruise Departing Miami
Carnival Cruise Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

These ships will be joined by MSC Cruises’ MSC World America, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Pearl.

For context, PortMiami can accommodate around 10 to 13 cruise ships at once.

Last year, Cruise Hive reported that the South Florida hub broke its record for welcoming the most cruise passengers in a single day. On November 30, 2025, 75,201 passengers from ten cruise ships passed through the busy port.

How Many Ships Will Be in PortMiami on March 1?

The following day, March 1, will be even busier. Eight cruise ships are expected in Miami, including Carnival Celebration and Carnival Magic.

Royal Caribbean will have a healthy presence in the port, with Independence of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas expected. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond, which is a sister-brand to Royal Caribbean, will also be present.

Rounding out the list will be Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua.

Why is the Traffic So Bad?

Avid cruisers know that PortMiami has struggled with congestion for years and may be wondering why the traffic now warrants early advisories and warnings.

The answer to this is that not only are thousands of cruise passengers navigating the massive cruise port, but there is construction taking place both in and around the port.

For example, Cruise Hive reported in January that Royal Caribbean broke ground on a new terminal, which is expected to open in late 2027.

More From Cruise Hive

Meanwhile, Downtown Miami has been undergoing a multi-phase development project focused on adding new residential towers, offices, and retail spaces. Infrastructure improvements, such as the creation of a new suspension bridge, are also in the works to improve connectivity.

While construction traffic may be frustrating, guests will need to take a deep breath and plan for delays. Guests are also advised to sign up for Carnival text alerts in case the cruise line needs to issue updates on embarkation day.

Carnival Cruise Line Drops Puerto Vallarta Amid Ongoing Unrest

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Drops Puerto Vallarta Amid Ongoing Unrest

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line is cancelling all visits to Puerto Vallarta for the next few weeks.
  • Carnival Panorama was to have visited on March 3, but instead her itinerary has been adjusted.
  • The decision likely impacts all Carnival Corporation cruise lines, and no return date has been set.

Carnival Cruise Line has now become the fourth cruise line to cancel the popular port of call of Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican Riviera due to major unrest. In fact, the cruise line has gone a step further and, instead of cancelling just one call, it seems future visits are no longer an option for now.

Guests booked on the Saturday, February 28, 2026 departure of Carnival Panorama have received the news, including the open-ended nature of the cancellation.

“Our team has been closely monitoring the situation in Mexico and while the cruise industry has largely sailed itineraries as planned this week, Carnival Corporation has made the decision to wait a few weeks before returning to Puerto Vallarta,” the notification read.

This particular sailing of Carnival Panorama is an 8-night Mexican Riviera voyage leaving Long Beach on Saturday. Port visits were scheduled for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas.

The ship will now be skipping the visit to Puerto Vallarta and another port visit is rearranged to accommodate the change. The visit to Cabo San Lucas will now be on Tuesday, March 3, instead of Friday, March 6, and Friday will now be a day at sea.

The adjusted schedule does give guests extra time in both Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. While the change in Mazatlan is just an extra 30 minutes, a full extra hour has been added in Cabo San Lucas, giving guests a great opportunity to better enjoy the beautiful resort city at the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

The letter notes that if guests have already booked shore tours through Carnival Cruise Line, those excursions will be cancelled and refunded to guests’ accounts if necessary or else readjusted to the new port visits.

Carnival Panorama Letter
Carnival Panorama Letter

While these changes are confirmed only for Carnival Panorama‘s February 28 departure, the ship does visit Puerto Vallarta on all of her 8-night itineraries. The cruise line has not indicated how many itineraries will be impacted, but the language that visits will now “wait a few weeks” does seem as if multiple sailings will be adjusted.

Individual adjustments will likely vary based on berth availability at other Mexican Riviera ports and Carnival should reach out to booked guests as changes for their cruises are confirmed.

The Vista-class ship’s 6-night sailings visit Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas and therefore need no adjusting. On each cruise, Carnival Panorama can welcome up to 5,146 guests and the cruise line will do everything possible to keep each one of them safe.

Why The Unrest and Why Cruise Lines are Cancelling

The recent violence follows the death of renowned drug cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera on February 22 in Tapalpa, roughly 105 miles away from Puerto Vallarta.

The US has Jalisco, the Mexican state where both Tapalpa and Puerto Vallarta are located, listed as a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping between cartels and gangs, where bystanders can easily be affected.

View Across to the Port (Photo Credit: Sumerdita_Dphots)

Unrest has spread to other parts of the country as well, and violent incidents can occur anywhere, including in tourist areas.

In addition to Carnival Cruise Line’s changes with respect to Puerto Vallarta, Cruise Hive has already reported on similar reactions by Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises.

More From Cruise Hive

Because the decision has been made not by Carnival Cruise Line individually but by Carnival Corporation, all cruise ships on other lines owned by Carnival will also likely cancel any upcoming visits to Puerto Vallarta for at least the next few weeks.

At this time, there is no confirmed date for when visits to Puerto Vallarta may resume. Cruise lines always keep safety as the top priority and are constantly monitoring local issues that might endanger their guests or crew members.

At this time, no other ports in Mexico are facing similar cancellations, though Carnival Cruise Line has proactively cancelled mainland shore excursions for ships visiting Cozumel. The Cozumel visits themselves are not cancelled, and all tours on the island continue to operate as normal.

Vancouver Poised for Record 2026 Cruise Season With Massive Passenger Surge

Lissa Poirot
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Vancouver Poised for Record 2026 Cruise Season With Massive Passenger Surge

Key Aspects:

  • Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season is expected to break records with more than 1.4 million passengers.
  • Nearly 360 ship calls are projected at the port, which serves as a gateway to Alaska’s Inside Passage.
  • The surge in cruise traffic includes five inaugural ship calls from five different cruise lines.

Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season is officially underway, and if its port schedule remains on track, the British Columbia city will shatter its own passenger records. 

The first cruise ship of the 2026 season arrives at Port of Vancouver on February 26, when Disney Cruise Line’s 1,750-guest Disney Wonder calls during a repositioning sailing from Hawaii to San Diego.

While its first visit may be brief, the ship will return in May to begin weekly Alaska departures from Vancouver, becoming a part of the port’s busiest travel period.

More than 1.4 million passengers are expected to pass through the Canada Place cruise terminal at Port of Vancouver this year, putting 2026 on track to surpass the previous record shared with Cruise Hive in 2024 by about 5 percent.

Nearly 360 cruise calls are scheduled throughout the season, an increase from about 300 calls and nearly 1.2 million passenger visits recorded in 2025.

“We expect to see record cruise ship visits bring record numbers of visitors to Vancouver this year, injecting more than $1 billion into the economy,” said Cliff Steward, vice president of operations and supply chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which manages the port.

As Steward revealed, officials estimate cruise activity will inject more than $1 billion into the economy and support more than 17,000 jobs.

New Ships, Upgrades, and a Busy Summer Ahead

Officials cite several factors as drivers of the higher cruise volume in Vancouver in 2026, including new cruise line arrivals, additional homeported ships, and continued investment in port infrastructure.

Five ships will make their first-ever visits to Vancouver in 2026, including Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Pursuit, Windstar Cruises’ Star Seeker, Virgin Voyages’ brand-new Brilliant Lady, and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara.

Disney Wonder Departing Vancouver
Disney Wonder Departing Vancouver (Photo Credit: lenic)

It will be the first time Virgin Voyages and Ritz-Carlton Collection send a vessel to Vancouver.

Disney Cruise Line will also homeport a second ship alongside Disney Wonder, with Disney Magic arriving for the first time with its 1,750 passengers to increase capacity for Alaska sailings.

Said Disney Cruise Line’s Vice President, Port Strategy, Development and Operations, Jose Fernandez, “Our Alaskan cruises have long been a favorite among guests seeking adventure and unforgettable experiences. We’re excited to continue working with the Port of Vancouver, and we look forward to welcoming more families to discover Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes this season.”

The 2026 cruise schedule runs through October 13, 2026, when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore departs Vancouver on the final sailing of the year.

From late April through September, Canada Place will see almost daily cruise calls, with the majority tied to Alaska itineraries. Each ship, according to port officials, generates an average of $3 million in local spending from passengers, crew, and cruise line provisioning.

More From Cruise Hive

Technology upgrades will continue to play a role in managing the rising passenger numbers. Canada Place introduced facial biometric screenings in 2024, which the port says has reduced processing times for guests clearing border controls and allowed the terminal to handle higher volumes during peak embarkation days.

Environmental initiatives are also continuing alongside the port’s growth, and the port authority plans to expand shore power infrastructure in late 2026 so more ships can connect to British Columbia’s hydroelectric grid while docked.

More than 80 percent of cruise ship calls in Vancouver were already shore-power enabled in 2025.

Interpol Arrests Former Norwegian Cruise Line Executive Accused of Fraud

Melissa Mayntz
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Interpol Arrests Former Norwegian Cruise Line Executive Accused of Fraud

Key Aspects:

  • Tom Markwell, formerly an executive with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has been arrested in Argentina.
  • Markwell is accused of more than $2 million in fraud while he served as Senior Director of Events from 2019 to 2023.
  • If convicted, Markwell could face a minimum of 20 years in prison or other penalties.

A former executive of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been arrested for fraud against the cruise company. The case was originally opened in October 2023 against 54-year-old Tom Markwell and two accomplices, alleging fraud in excess of $2 million through false invoices.

Now, Markwell has been arrested in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to Infobae, he was arrested on Monday, February 23, 2026 by Interpol agents in the trendy Palermo neighborhood in the northern part of the city.

There is no indication whether or not his accomplices have been located or arrested. The accomplices were not employed by any cruise line or related corporation, though they issued the invoices that Markwell subsequently approved and paid in his position as Senior Director of Events with the cruise company.

Markwell defrauded Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings with a scheme using a likewise fraudulent supply company called “The Gifting Company” and invoices that remained below established limits that Markwell was authorized to approve.

The invoices allegedly failed to fully disclose the services or products rendered, but were low enough not to trigger alerts or internal audits. Once the invoice was paid, Markwell and his accomplices pocketed the money.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz

Furthermore, Markwell is also facing identity fraud and theft charges for using his girlfriend’s account for part of his fraudulent activities. There is no indication that his girlfriend, who has not been named, is complicit in the illegal activity.

Markwell used dozens of transactions during his tenure at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to amass more than $2 million, including at least two totaling $165,000 and a $82,000 payment directly to his girlfriend’s account.

At least seven charges of wire fraud and identity theft are levied against Markwell. If convicted, he could face a minimum of 20 years in prison. Markwell is currently awaiting extradition to the US to face these criminal charges.

Who Is Thomas Markwell?

Born in Illinois, Tom Markwell has decades of experience in the travel industry, most recently as the Senior Director of Events for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. According to his LinkedIn profile, he held the position from July 2019 until September 2023, just before he was initially charged with fraud.

While his exact duties for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings were not disclosed, Markwell likely had responsibilities such as arranging corporate events, networking with shareholders, and organizing thank-you gifts for sponsors, employees, and other connections.

He was educated at Eastern Illinois University and Robert Morris University, also in Illinois.

More From Cruise Hive

Cruise Hive has previously reported on other fraud cases involving cruise lines or guests, such as a woman in New York who ran a travel agency scam but failed to book trips for her clients, as well as various scams involving fraudulent cruise line gift cards, onboard theft, and other crimes.

This is one of the largest cases directly involving a cruise line executive, however. Neither Norwegian Cruise Line nor its parent company has released any statement on the case, as is standard with pending litigation and active lawsuits.

Carnival’s New Digital Lottery Could Turn Passengers Into Millionaires

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Carnival’s New Digital Lottery Could Turn Passengers Into Millionaires

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has announced a new digital, fleetwide lottery with a $1 million potential jackpot.
  • Carnival Millions will be available on all ships sailing from North American and European homeports.
  • Secondary prizes will be awarded, but amounts have not been disclosed and may vary.

Cruise lines are always looking for unique ways to engage guests and offer fun, new activities. Carnival Cruise Line may have hit the jackpot with its latest innovation, a fleetwide instant digital lottery with a $1 million jackpot: Carnival Millions.

Instant tickets are not new on cruise ships, but the typical instant win tickets are either scratch-off or pull-tab designs that guests can usually buy in the casino or during onboard bingo games.

As a digital lottery, the new Carnival Millions program is a first in the cruise industry. The new million-dollar lottery game is based on the Carnival Hub app and offers daily draws for winners.

Winnings are shown immediately in the app once the daily draw is made. Guests do not need to purchase a Wi-Fi package to play, but must be connected to their ship’s Wi-Fi service just as they need to be to check menus, book shore tours, or view daily schedules.

Worth Reading: Celebrity Cruises Moves to Digital-Only Shore Excursion Tickets

With more than 20 Carnival ships eligible to play, tens of thousands of guests could be playing the lottery on any given day.

“We are proud to lead the market in gaming innovation at sea. By linking our ships into one exciting lottery, we’re creating a shared sense of anticipation that goes beyond any single voyage,” said Marty Goldman, Carnival Corporation’s Senior Vice President of Global Gaming.

Carnival Millions
Carnival Millions

To be clear, the lottery is across all Carnival ships based in North American or European homeports. At this time, it is not available for ships sailing from Australia.

Carnival Millions has been developed in coordination with TimePlay, the interactive entertainment technology company that also created the wildly popular Deal or No Deal interactive game that is played on more than 70 cruise ships from not only Carnival Cruise Line, but also Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

How Do You Win?

The age to play Carnival Millions is slightly confusing. Carnival’s official website says the game is available for ages 18+, but brand ambassador John Heald mentions ages 21 and up. Guests will want to clarify the age for gameplay, which might vary from different homeports.

In the US, individuals must be 18 or older to gamble. The legal gambling age in Europe varies in different countries depending on the type of gambling, and so the age to play Carnival Millions may vary based on departure point or where an individual ship is based.

To play, guests must be connected through the Carnival Hub app. Digital “tickets” can then be purchased for any future daily draws during the sailing.

Read Also: 20 Must-Know Things About the Carnival Hub App

“You can play from anywhere on board – your perfect spot at Serenity, or while playing mini golf,” said Heald. “Carnival Millions will be in the palm of your hand.”

Guests do not need to be present in the ship’s casino to either purchase tickets or to win.

The prizes are described as a “coordinated draw” across the fleet and winners are notified instantly for both the jackpot and secondary prizes. The amount of any secondary prizes has not been detailed. It is common for similar lotteries to base prize amounts on total participation, which could vary daily.

“If you didn’t win the BIG prize, you may have still won a consolation prize big enough to fund your whole vacation,” said Heald. “Get in on the highest stakes at sea, for the biggest jackpot at sea!”

In the case of large prizes, Carnival Cruise Line says the ship’s Casino and Guest Services teams will reach out to winners onboard.

“This experience gives every guest the opportunity to win a lifechanging jackpot, exactly the kind of fun and energy our guests love, and we’re thrilled to deliver it,” said Goldman.

More From Cruise Hive

At this time, it is unclear whether or not Carnival Millions may replace the instant tickets currently available for purchase onboard Carnival ships. This move toward a digital lottery could be a step in that direction and would reduce the operational costs of printing tickets and disposing of the waste. This would be similar to Carnival Cruise Line’s move to digital shore excursion tickets in 2025.

Guests who prefer to unplug during their cruise vacations, however, may not be so eager to participate in a digital-only lottery. Time will tell how successful the new game will be and whether or not guests feel it is worth the chance at such a high prize.

Norwegian Cruise Line Updates Itinerary For Upcoming Repositioning Sailing

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Cruise Line Updates Itinerary For Upcoming Repositioning Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Encore’s October 12 repositioning cruise will be operating under a revised itinerary.
  • The NCL ship will no longer call at Astoria, Oregon, and will instead extend its visit to San Francisco.
  • The cruise line also confirmed that embarkation will begin at 8 p.m. in Vancouver on October 12.

Norwegian Cruise Line has issued an important update for Norwegian Encore’s October 12, 2026, departure, and not everyone is happy about it.

The cruise line notified booked guests that the 6-night repositioning cruise has set its embarkation time and will be skipping its visit to Astoria, Oregon.

Read Also: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations

“Even the most thoughtfully planned sailings can occasionally shift course,” Norwegian Cruise Line said in a letter, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.

“As fellow travelers at heart, we understand that itinerary adjustments can bring a moment of disappointment, and we truly appreciate your flexibility,” NCL continued.

The sailing marks the end of the Breakaway-Plus class ship’s Alaska season. The 3,958-guest ship was meant to cruise down the West Coast, stopping in Astoria and San Francisco, before arriving in Los Angeles on October 18, 2026.

Once in Los Angeles, the vessel will begin operating 7-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera from the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, which will continue until she returns to Alaska for the 2027 season.

Embarkation Timing Announced

Per cruise tracking data, the final Alaska cruise will disembark in Seattle, Washington, on the morning of October 11.

But instead of staying in Seattle, the ship will sail the approximate 110 nautical miles to Vancouver, Canada, to begin its repositioning cruise the following day.

Norwegian Encore in Miami
Norwegian Encore in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)

Guests have now been informed that the embarkation process will officially begin at 8 p.m. on the evening of October 12. Specific pier arrival times will be selected during the online check-in process.

“As part of the latest updates, your embarkation in Vancouver will now begin at 8:00 pm,” the cruise line’s letter confirmed.

The ship will depart at around 12:15 a.m. on October 13, which will offer stunning views of shimmering city lights as guests sail away.

Norwegian Encore Skipping Astoria

While the timing of embarkation has received a neutral response, impacted guests are more upset about skipping Astoria, Oregon, on October 14, 2026.

Instead of visiting Astoria, Cruise Hive has learned that the call to San Francisco, California, has been extended.

The 169,116-gross ton ship will arrive one day early in San Francisco on October 15, effectively turning the visit into an overnight call that lasts until 6 p.m. on October 16. Originally, the ship would have arrived on the morning of October 16.

“We will also no longer call on Astoria, OR. Instead, your voyage now includes an overnight in San Francisco, CA, a city that truly comes alive after dark,” NCL confirmed.

The reason behind the change hasn’t been specifically confirmed, though Norwegian Cruise Line strongly hinted that port availability was to blame.

“We work closely with port authorities around the world to to secure each call far in advance, but from time-to-time circumstances can change and we’re informed that space is no longer available,” the cruise line explained.

Regardless of the reason, impacted guests are frustrated and disappointed by the news. Some had booked the sailing specifically to visit Astoria. Others felt that waiting from October 12 until October 15 to reach San Francisco was a waste of time and too long to spend at sea.

Is Compensation Offered?

When guests book their sailings, they agree to a cruise contract that allows the cruise line to make itinerary changes for a multitude of reasons with no penalty.

No compensation is being provided for the inconvenience at this time, aside from automatically refunding NCL shore excursions in Astoria, as is standard.

More From Cruise Hive

If guests are too upset by the change, they are still well within the window to cancel their booking. Typically, sailings that are cancelled more than 90 days before departure are fully refundable.

But hopefully, most guests will choose to go with the flow and embrace all of the fun amenities and entertainment that Norwegian Encore has to offer.

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