Guests sailing out of Galveston, Texas, will soon get to enjoy ROBOTRON, the very first and only robotic arm ride at sea.
The ride, which is only available on the 5,877-passenger MSC Seascape, is a customizable experience open to all cruisers of all ages — as long as you are over 34 inches tall!
Suspended roughly 175 feet above the ocean, passengers get to soar, flip, and spin in the three-person gondola. This ride offers a unique, unobstructed 360° view that guests are not able to find on any other ship.
However relaxing a gondola might sound, ROBOTRON is a thrill ride through and through. One of the customizations available is the thrill level, which ranges from family-friendly to high-intensity.
Guests even get to go upside down when the robotic arm is over the edge of the ship’s deck.
Beyond that, passengers will also choose the visual effects, lighting, and even their own favorite music, all of which are incorporated into their unique riding experience.
ROBOTRON connects to all of the provided music and will twist and pulse in sync with the beat to create a multi-sensory experience.
Just know that if you are seeking a more relaxed experience, go for songs with lower beats per minute (BPM).
“On board MSC Seascape, guests will find that ROBOTRON is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines cutting-edge technology with breathtaking ocean views,” shared Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America.
Becoming available for the first time in Texas, ROBOTRON will welcome passengers when MSC Seascape begins sailing out of Galveston on November 9, 2025.
Image Courtesy: MSC Cruises
“Texans love big adventures, and MSC Seascape delivers—with high-tech entertainment, immersive attractions, and unforgettable Caribbean cruises,”Torrentadded.
While the ride comes at an additional cost, it is a unique experience that is perfect for adrenaline-seeking guests.
MSC Seascape had the ROBOTRON installed in 2022, but being the first MSC ship to homeport in Texas, it is bringing some thrilling new experiences to those guests embarking in the Lone Star State.
Why is MSC Seascape’s Arrival in Galveston so Important?
On November 9, 2025, MSC Seascape is set to embark passengers for the very first time out of its new homeport in Galveston, Texas.
Not only does this voyage mark the first time an MSC Cruises’ vessel has homeported in this Gulf Coast facility, but it also marks the first time a ship is set to depart from the port’s fourth cruise terminal.
Construction on the new terminal began on August 20, 2024 — and if you are wondering how a 160,000-square-foot space could be opened just 15 months later, that is because some buildings were already there.
Construction of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 (Credit: Port of Galveston)
Previously, two separate cargo buildings sat at the location of terminal four, and instead of tearing them down, the buildings were connected and are being updated.
MSC Seascape will begin embarking passengers at Terminal 16 this November, allowing passengers to experience features such as custom-built boarding bridges, new check-in and lounge areas, and additional parking.
The voyage departing on November 9, 2025, officially kicks off the vessel’s 7-night Western Caribbean voyages calling on Roatan in Honduras, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.
And of course, it will also be the first cruise that the ROBOTRON will be available to guests sailing out of Galveston!
While ROBOTRON is one of the be the newest additions to the 170,400-gross-ton vessel, it has other experiences, including the VR 360° Flight Simulator ride, VR Motorcycles, MSC Formula Racer, and Immersive XD Cinema while onboard.
With a new homeport and the first-ever robotic arm ride at sea, guests sailing on MSC Seascape are in for some fun times later this year!
One woman attempting to enjoy a summer cruise in Alaska was arrested as she attempted to board her cruise ship in Ketchikan on June 12, 2025.
Turns out the woman was wanted in Wyoming for allegedly embezzling money from a local church in Laramie County.
As the crow flies, Laramie is more than 1,500 miles away from Ketchikan, but with local sheriff offices sharing warrants digitally these days, 64-year-old Karen Bryan was flagged by authorities for having an outstanding warrant.
She was arrested on the spot, and is awaiting extradition.
The news has gone viral due to a Facebook post made by Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, who explained the coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies in Alaska and Wyoming.
In his statement, Kozak said,“Our deputies are responsible for picking up wanted fugitives throughout the United States. There was one person who was wanted her locally for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from a church.”
“She was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested,” he continued.
Kozak noted the extradition process is underway, and added that “our deputies are currently fighting over who is going to get to go to Alaska to extradite her back here to Laramie County.”
The cruise line and ship Bryan was boarding were not identified by the sheriff’s office, but the port was very busy on June 12, welcoming five massive cruise ships during the height of Alaska’s busy cruise season, which is expected to have 298 sailings in 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss had arrived at 6 a.m. local time with up to 4,004 passengers during a 7-night roundtrip voyage from Seattle, while Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess had pulled in at 7 a.m. during its own 7-night roundtrip from Seattle.
That ship’s double capacity maxes out at 3,560 guests – bigger than the 2,670 passengers aboard the cruise line’s Sapphire Princess, which was also enjoying its last day in Alaska on a 7-night one-way segment sailing to Vancouver.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Ketchikan, Alaska (Photo Credit: Just dance)
It arrived in Ketchikan at 10 a.m., just before Holland America Line’s Konsingdam did the same. The ship sailed in at 11 a.m. with up to 2,560 guests.
It’s sister ship, the 2,104-passenger Eurodam, was also in port, arriving at 6:30 a.m. on its own 7-night roundtrip Seattle cruise.
Despite the crowds of passengers in the area, local sheriffs were able to discover Bryan and make the arrest.
No Escape for Fugitives
Cruise ports are among the busiest in North America, but alongside the flurry of disembarking guests and shore excursion guides, it’s not uncommon for local law enforcement to scan for wanted individuals.
Cruise terminals are legally considered ports of entry, even for US-based cruises, giving authorities to conduct background checks through routine ID verification or when passengers trigger watchlist alerts.
Recently, authorities in Florida arrested a Kentucky man in PortMiami who was wanted for more than $100,000 in back child support in December 2024.
In fact, Houston media reported recently that the Federal Bureau of Investigators’ Texas City office has a dedicated special agent for cruises.
The FBI told reporters it arrests someone from nearly every cruise in Galveston based on outstanding warrants and sites the use of facial-recognition technology for the ability to quickly screen passengers.
It’s more common than you’d think, with records showing arrests made in Baltimore, Jacksonville, and numerous cruise ports across the US.
Every cruise traveler has their own way to really relax on their vacation, from karaoke with their besties to sunbathing on the beach to late-night casino action.
In recent years, however, Carnival Cruise Line has done away with one type of relaxation onboard, much to the chagrin of travelers who want to get away far beyond their cruise ship.
In late 2023, the cruise line confirmed that onboard libraries were being removed from older ships during dry dock visits. Guests had already noted that newer ships, such as Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee never had libraries at all.
Now, however, travelers have noted that a form of library is actually returning to ships and being incorporated into a smaller but easily accessible format.
“My husband and I are cruising on the Miracle right now, and we’re very happy with the changes made during dry dock. I was especially grateful to learn that there is a mini library on board in the game room,”one guest commented.“It’s [just] a cabinet for a book exchange, but I was very happy to see this.”
Carnival Miracle is spending her summer in northern Europe, offering 9- and 12-night British Isles, Scandinavia, Baltic, and Iceland itineraries from Dover through mid-August. She’ll close out the summer season with Greek Isles sailings from Rome from late August through early November.
Along with a new Seaside Theater for Dive-In Movies, the ship received other upgrades such as nightclub, bar, and casino updates, refreshment to the popular Chef’s Table, and cosmetic updates throughout.
The cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, acknowledged the loss of the library but noted that the smaller versions are suitable to these changing times of different reading formats.
“We haven’t put them in [on all ships] and yet these mobile libraries definitely help just a little bit,”Heald said.“On a personal level I’m sad to see them go, they have been a cruising tradition, but times have changed and now people are bringing 50 or more books on their Kindle or phone.”
Carnival Cruise Ship Library
Carnival Miracle‘s original Raven Library was located on the port side of the Atlantic Deck (Deck 3), forward. That space is now the new location of the Warehouse Arcade.
The game room the guest is referring to, actually the Joker Card Room, is on the starboard side of the Promenade Deck (Deck 2), forward. The space is smaller but contains some quiet seating, board games, and a cabinet of books for guests to exchange.
How Else Have Cruises Changed?
The loss of the larger onboard libraries is not the only way that Carnival Cruise Line’s ships have changed over the years.
New specialty dining options are continually being added and activity schedules are revamped to enhance offerings that today’s cruise travelers want.
For example, in the past couple of years, Carnival has ended the once popular Hairy Chest Contest and other Lido Deck games that are no longer considered as family-friendly for today’s cruisers.
I love a good book on a cruise, and I’m one of the old-school types who doesn’t have a tablet or read books electronically (paper pages for me!). Yet I always bring my own books and never have relied on the ship’s library for reading material.
Instead, I welcome the dedicated game room and the chance to make more memories with family and friends onboard – exactly what a cruise vacation is all about.
A cruise port at maximum capacity and a stormy day is exactly the time when port authorities and cruise lines cross their fingers that nothing will go wrong. But in Juneau, Alaska, these were the perfect ingredients to cause chaos.
On the afternoon of June 16, 2025, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge broke free from her mooring lines – likely as aresult of inclement weather. Video taken by witnesses shows heavy rain and wind.
“Ship broke away from [mooring] and supposedly slammed back into the dock. No communications from Celebrity whatsoever,” a current passenger reported.
“Celebrity has an app but is not posting any communications. The bus driver to take us back to the ship has been giving us some updates,” the passenger continued.
However, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson stated to Cruise Hive, “The ship drifted from the pier due to a sudden wind squall. Our Captain maneuvered the ship back to the dock where passengers and crew boarded to resume the scheduled itinerary.”
The cruise line was likely focused on managing the situation and making announcements for the guests already onboard before updating the app – as the stormy weather and a ship becoming unexpectedly adrift is very precarious. Thankfully, there were no injuries and no damage.
Four other cruise ships were also docked nearby Celebrity Edge – which could have collided with one of the other vessels – as well as a smaller ship with a capacity for only 62 guests called National Geographic Sea Lion.
Cruise Ships Caught in Sudden Storm in Alaska (Credit: The Undead Kennedy)
The other cruise ships in Juneau included Holland America’s Eurodam and Koningsdam, Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Luminosa.
In fact, video footage shows Carnival Luminosa backing up before cruise tracking data shows that the vessel was supposed to depart – which suggests that the Spirit-class ship was trying to get out of the way to avoid a possible crash.
“There was a huge extreme wind storm with hail that came in. We were on the ship next to it as it drifted towards us,”another cruiser stated without specifying their ship.
The crew members onboard were likely doing their best to keep control of Celebrity Edge, but the rough watersand wind can make navigating the port much more risky than normal – especially as they may have had to wait to figure out a contingency plan before re-docking.
Getting Back on Track
By the late afternoon, the up to 2,908 guests onboard were notified of a plan to re-dock the ship for the remainder of the port call.
“I’m on the ship. They are going to redock on the port side. First, they need to remove the snapped ropes from the water. That is what has been reported over the announcements,”said one passenger who was onboard when the cruise ship went adrift.
As this update came at around 4:20 p.m. local time and cruise tracking data shows that the Celebrity ship is expected to be in Juneau at 10 p.m., there is likely plenty of time to re-secure the vessel and allow guests to board and still make a timely departure.
The remainder of the 7-night Alaska itinerary – which embarked from Seattle, Washington, on June 13, 2025, and still has calls to make in Skagway and Victoria, B.C. – is thus far unaffected.
Cruisers who will also be sailing on Celebrity Edge in the near future also likely do not have to worry about having the same experience – as snapping mooring lines are relatively uncommon even though it has happened to multiple ships this year.
Once again, the culprit was high winds – with the Alaskan port experiencing strong wind gusts of 30 to 70 miles per hour that day.
Within the same couple of days, NCL’s Norwegian Epic and MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape experienced their own mooring line failures in other parts of the world – with all incidents coming as a result of extreme wind.
But all that said, these ships have operated thousands of sailings where their mooring lines have done their job perfectly – making these incidents one-off events.
Earlier this year, Cruise Hive launched the ability for our readers to book their cruise vacations with us. Now, we can keep you up to date on all things cruise news while also helping you plan and prepare for your own voyages.
Here is everything you need to know about booking a cruise through Cruise Hive – including how you can score major discounts – and why you should think of us when it’s time to plan your next cruise vacation.
Booking your cruise through Cruise Hive is an easy online process. All you have to do to get started is visit CruiseHive.com and select “Book a Cruise” at the top of your screen.
If you’re using your mobile device, the “Book a Cruise” option will be found by opening the drop down menu on the top right hand side of your screen.
However, if you’d prefer to speak to a human, you may call one of our trusted representatives at +1 877-243-3635, who are available to take your call until midnight EST on weekdays and until 6pm EST on weekends.
Representatives aren’t just available to help you book your cruise, but also to help manage existing reservations for both individual and group sailings.
Searching For Your Next Cruise
Bookings Cruise Finder
If you’re just starting to research your next vacation, perhaps you will find inspiration by perusing our Cruise Deals page.
But if you already have a specific cruise line or destination in mind, our handy dandy filters will help narrow down your search.
You can filter by desired destinations, sailing dates, cruise length, cruise line, departure ports, and even specific ships.
Additionally, you can also search for ocean cruises or river cruises specifically – as well as for stand-alone cruises or cruises that are paired with a land tour.
If you need help deciding between specific cruise lines or ships, simply select a booking and scroll to the bottom of the page to see that we’ve done the research for you.
You will be able to toggle between options to see an overview of the ship’s amenities, customer reviews from past cruisers, deck plans, key cruise line policies, photos, other itineraries offered by the same ship, and valuable information about stateroom categories.
Finding Bonuses and Incentives
Booking Bonus
When booking a cruise, it’s also important to consider the type of experience you are looking to have onboard – and how certain bonuses or incentives will enhance your cruise vacation while also saving some money.
In order to find these bonuses and incentives, simply scroll down on the main cruise booking page, click on “Rules” on the left-hand side of your screen. But if you’re looking on your phone, the “Rules” will be located under “Filter Your Search” at the top of your screen.
A drop-down menu will appear with dozens of possible offers – including things like complimentary beverage packages, Wi-Fi packages, onboard credits, free specialty dining, and cruise-line specific perks.
Once you select your desired perk from the menu, the list of cruises will automatically re-populate with (usually discounted) itineraries that include the additional promotion.
You can also see what perks have been thrown into a specific itinerary by hovering over the icons in the “Bonus” category while scrolling through itineraries on the main results page.
Time to Book
Disney Destiny Booking
Once you’ve decided on your specific sailing, here is how you can actually book your cruise through Cruise Hive.
After filtering the search to just show Disney Destiny cruises, I would select my desired sailing from the list.
Once I hit select, I am prompted to enter the number of guests, the ages of the guests, my email, my location, and check any special rates that might be applicable to me. Once all the information is inputted, I can click “select my room type.”
Select Cabin Type
You will first be prompted to select your cabin type – I selected a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom for now – before moving onto the next page to choose your specific cabin.
You are then able to select your ideal stateroom while reviewing an interactive deck map to make sure you choose the right cruise cabinfor your travel party.
Deck Plan, Choose Cabin Number
Alternatively, you can also skip this step and book what’s called a guaranteed cabin – which means the cruise line will assign you a cabin in your chosen category (or a better one) based on availability closer to embarkation day.
Finally, you will be taken to a check-out page – where you will enter the rest of the information about your travel party, indicate your dining preferences, and input your credit card number.
Cruise Purchase Page
You will be able to choose between paying a cruise deposit, paying the total balance, or starting an affordable monthly payment plan with as little as $0 down at the time of booking.
And it’s as simple as that! The whole booking process can take as little as just five to ten minutes.
Why Book Through Cruise Hive?
Though we know there are many places you can book your next cruise vacation – from directly with the cruise lines to travel agents – here is how booking through Cruise Hive can benefit you.
Save Money With Cruise Hive
Carnival Firenze Rate
We know how hard you work for your money – and we want to help you get the most bang for your buck the next time you cruise.
This is why Cruise Hive offers discounts on many can’t miss sailings across the hottest brands – including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and more.
We are constantly updating our Cruise Deals page with the best opportunities, but just to offer a couple examples:
As of the time of publication, we are currently offering a 5-night Mexican Riviera Cruise from Long Beach, California, onboard Carnival Firenze, starting at just $228 (or $45.60 per night).
On Carnival’s website, the same exact cruise is listed at a starting price of $349 for an interior cabin – and only goes up from there.
Our Cruise Hive pricing starts at $479 for a week-long voyage in September – which evens out to $68.43 per night. The same itinerary starts at $549 on Norwegian Cruise Line’s website, but has been listed for as much as $660.
The deals extend to all kinds of voyages to suit every type of budget and traveler – with more savings to be found on mini getaways and longer weeks-long sailings throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Europe, and more.
Disclaimer: All rates and prices were when we published this article. Rates, prices, and offers are subject to change.
You Won’t Miss Out on the Perks of Booking Direct
Special Rates Area
Booking with Cruise Hive doesn’t mean you have to miss out on benefits you might receive by booking with the cruise line – such as loyalty credits for being a repeat customer or limited-time promotions.
Instead, all you have to do is click “check for special rates” – which will cause a drop down menu to appear where you can check options that may apply to you to receive additional discounts.
For example, you will be able to link your existing passenger ID number or type in a promotion code if you check those boxes.
Final Thoughts
While we continue to remain committed to covering cruise news, we are always looking for ways to be a better resource for cruise fans – and introducing a cruise booking service was the right next step in our evolution.
We can’t wait to help you plan your next vacation as we broaden our service to the cruise community.
A new residential cruise line has postponed its first around-the-world voyage, leaving an unknown number of booked guests scrambling to change their lifestyle plans just five weeks before they were to embark on a 29-month adventure.
The news, announced by Victoria Cruises Line on June 16, 2025, confirmed that the 1,350-guest Victoria Majestic will not sail from Port Everglades as planned on July 26, 2025, due to a low occupancy level.
Apparently, booking cancellations from an undisclosed number of Canadian passengers are responsible for the voyage being nixed, and the cruise line pointed to issues between Canada and the US as the reason why.
In a statement posted on its website, Victoria Cruises Line, which is based in Hungary, explained that the decision to cancel was not an easy one.
“As a responsible operator, we had set a minimum occupancy threshold of 80% to ensure the quality, stability, and sustainability of life on board. By the end of April, we were very close to meeting this target,” the cruise line’s notice stated.
“However, recent political and economic tensions between the United States and Canada have led to an unexpected wave of cancellations from several Canadian residents, making the current occupancy level (430 cabins) insufficient for a viable launch,” it added.
It seems to indicate that the Canadians who cancelled did so to avoid traveling to the embarkation port in Florida.
“In light of these developments, we have no choice but to postpone the start of our journey. The new departure date will be announced soon, and we will personally notify all affected residents,” Victoria Cruises Line stated.
The line’s statement indicates that booked guests will receive some kind of compensation from the line, apparently in addition to refunds of rental fees already paid, and that details would be sent directly to passengers.
Ship’s Departure Date Had Been Previously Postponed
Victoria Majestic formerly operated as Veendam for Holland America Line, which sold the vessel in 2020. It is not the first delay of the ship’s maiden residential world cruise under its present owner.
When Victoria Cruises Line introduced itself to the cruise industry in 2023 as a cabin-for-rent operation, it had set a May 2023 world cruise launch.
That was later pushed back to September 2023 and then, eventually, rescheduled for September 2025 and finally, the latest launch date, July 26, 2025.
Veendam Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
The brand offered rental rates based on accommodation chosen, with monthly rental fees that started at $2,399 with a minimum six-month rental contract. The world cruise was to last 886 days — roughly 2.5 years, with 703 days in ports around the globe and 183 days at sea.
Victoria Cruises Line is one of just a few residential cruise lines that have cropped up in recent years. The most well-known is probably Villa Vie Residences, which operates Villa Vie Odyssey, a ship that also experienced a series of delays.
Operating continuous 3.5-year world cruises, the ship departed Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October 2024 following months of postponements tied to engine problems and other operational issues.
Another line, Miray Cruises, introduced a residential option aboard its ship, Lara, in 2023 but soon cancelled the project. The line, based in Turkey, currently sails 3- and 4-day Mediterranean cruises.
Now that schools are out, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is getting in on the summer action with would-be cruisers with some enticing deals for last-minute summer trips.
Among the incentives are fare sales providing up to $1,000 discounts on all itineraries and enhanced savings of up to $2,000 for guests booking its More at Sea package, which bundles drinks, dining, and excursion deals.
NCL is also reaching out to educators with a valuable 25% savings on Alaska and Europe cruises under its NCL Teacher Cruise Discount program, which typically offers a 5% fare cut. The new discount is valid on sailings with departures through September 30, 2025.
Moreover, Norwegian Cruise Line is featuring special resident rates that take 20% off the cruise fare on select itineraries for guests hailing from Florida, Louisiana, Texas, California, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
For millions of prospective cruisers, these discounts and fare reductions can lead to substantial savings.
“Now is the best time of year to go somewhere new and create unforgettable memories in incredible destinations with the people we love most,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“My own family recently got back from a Caribbean cruise and that quality time together means everything. This summer, Norwegian is all about giving guests even MORE value,” added Herrera.
Norwegian Cruise Line is particularly shining a light on its Alaska cruises, suggesting that a “coolcation” is just the ticket for the hot summer temps that are just around the corner.
In fact, it cited findings from the 2025 Virtuoso Luxe Report, which found that 76% of travel advisors say their clients are looking for vacation destinations with cooler weather.
Alaska may be the perfect place for cooling off; in Juneau, the state capital and a port call on virtually every Alaska cruise, high temperatures in July — the height of the region’s cruise season — average just 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Norwegian Cruise Line in Alaska (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Norwegian Cruise Line has four ships sailing Alaska — Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss, all operating roundtrip from Seattle, and Norwegian Jade, sailing between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska.
Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss sail 7-night itineraries calling at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia, while Norwegian Joy operates 9- and 10-night cruises that add visits to Sitka and Icy Strait Point, Alaska.
Norwegian Jade is sailing 11-, 12-, and 14-day cruise-tours that combine a cruise with inland tours to destinations such as Denali and Fairbanks, but these are not specifically listed as eligible for the summer savings plans.
Europe Voyages Feature Northern and Southern Destinations
Norwegian Cruise Line’s summer savings offers apply to Europe sailings in summer 2025, including itineraries that span the region from Iceland to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean plus Scandinavia.
Norwegian Prima, for example, is operating 10- and 11-day cruises to Northern Europe with port calls at destinations including Norway and Belgium.
Her summer series features voyages between Southampton, UK, and Reykjavik, Iceland, with calls at Isafjord and Akureyri, Iceland; Alesund and Bergen, Norway; Amsterdam; and Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium.
Warmer destinations are featured on Norwegian Viva’s itineraries, offering 7- to 9-day cruises to the Greek Isles. Other ships deployed to Europe in summer 2025 include Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic, which was recently renovated to include an expanded Vibe Beach Club, an adult-only venue.
Taking a cruise might be the holiday of a lifetime for many passengers, but for the UK, it’s big business, according to a new report.
An independent June 2025 report by WPI Economics, commissioned by Carnival Corporation, says the company’s cruise activity in the UK has a far-reaching impact.
The findings show that cruising in the UK contributes well beyond the port, from job creation to tourism.
The report, titled More than the Trip of a Lifetime, reveals that each time one of Carnival Corporation’s largest ships “turns around” in Southampton – meaning passengers disembark and new guests begin their cruise – the local economy gains between £1.9 and £2.5 million.
Across all “turnaround” (homeports) in the UK, the annual benefit reaches £505 million.
“As this report demonstrates, Carnival’s UK-based and global portfolio of brands make a significant impact to the economy,” said Paul Ludlow, president, Carnival UK and P&O Cruises.
Carnival UK, headquartered in Southampton, which expects to break cruise passenger records again in 2025, operates P&O Cruises and Cunard. It is the largest private sector employer in the city.
In 2024, the company made 700 UK port calls and supported nearly 1,900 jobs, including 1,650 full-time roles based in Southampton alone.
The report also highlights a ripple effect beyond the docks. International passengers who visit the UK contribute £147 million annually in future tourism spend, returning for land-based trips after experiencing the country by sea.
“I believe it is crucial for policymakers to recognize the value that cruise provides and the potential for this to grow sustainably in the years ahead,”said Ludlow.
Behind the Numbers
While Southampton is the company’s home base, Carnival’s reach spans far beyond the South Coast.
The report identifies consistent port spending in destinations such as Dover, Liverpool. Edinburgh, Invergordon, Greenock, and Belfast. This spending totaled £54 million annually, with £28 million of that spent in Scotland alone.
Each UK port call averages £280,000 in local visitor spend, according to the findings.
And that economic activity isn’t limited to passengers, either.
Carnival UK’s operations support nearly 2,000 seafarers and inject significant spending into the domestic supply chain. In fact, 90 percent of its £200 million in hotel goods spending stays within the UK, according to the report.
Travel agents also benefit, receiving over £112 million in annual commissions across Carnival Corporation’s portfolio of brands, which also includes AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.
Key Findings
Currently, Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess; P&O Cruises’ Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura; and Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne are homeporting in Southampton for the summer 2025.
Other impacts are harder to quantify beyond economics, but the WPI Economics review noted that since 2007, Carnival UK has raised £3 million for The King’s Trust. It also hit £1 million in donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust in 2025.
The company also funds a performing arts academy in Southampton that draws thousands of entertainers annually for rehearsals and training.
WPI Economics also calls attention to Carnival Corporation’s role in supporting port infrastructure and workforce development, urging stronger collaboration with the UK government.
Carnival UK has homeports in Southampton, Malta, Tenerife, and Barbados, and a six-month seasonal homeport operation in Malta is now being studied for similar regional impacts.
It is estimated that its ship, Azura, which spends 29 weeks in Valletta, Malta, with 3,500 passengers and 1,200 crew, brought in £188,000 on hotels and £120,000 on transfers in 2022, not including taxes, port fees, and the supply chain.
While the report only reviewed Carnival Corporation, Southampton also serves as a homeport to ships within Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Silversea, which are adding to the economy.
Most cruise travelers understand that some unfortunate circumstances are well outside a cruise line’s control. How a cruise line reacts to those circumstances, however, can make a big difference about how happy – or unhappy – guests may be about necessary changes.
One recent guest is upset at how Carnival Cruise Line appears to have handled a simple shore tour cancellation, and she really does have a point.
The guest reached out to the cruise line’s official brand ambassador, John Heald, with her concerns and frustrations.
“I just returned home from a cruise on the Horizon to the ABC Islands. While I enjoyed the cruise, I’m very disappointed with what happened during our visit to Curacao,”she began.
“We booked an excursion for 1:30 [p.m.] so we figured it safe to stay close so we wouldn’t be late. We exited the ship at 11:40 to explore the port. At 1:15 we made our way to the meeting point.”
So far, so good. This shows a responsible guest booking a Carnival-approved shore tour, but still using time in port for independent exploration at a very desirable destination.
When heading back to the pier for that tour, however, is when things started to look odd.
“No one came to meet us. I asked a Carnival rep what was going on and was told they must be running late,”the guest continued.“We waited and waited. I then asked another Carnival rep and she told me to ask someone with excursions.”
Okay, starting not to look so good. Shore tours are generally quite prompt at their different meeting spots, or at least several early bird guests would be arriving well before the designated time.
Unfortunately, the guest was to learn bad news about their highly anticipated tour.
“I finally tracked down someone from excursions and she simply said the activity was canceled due to choppy waters. I understand the cancellation but NO ONE told me!”the guest exclaimed.
It is good that the guest is understanding that choppy waters – a weather-related factor well outside the cruise line’s control – caused the cancellation, but why wasn’t anyone on hand at the meeting point to alert booked guests that their tour couldn’t move forward?
“I was later told they tried to call my room at 11:10 a.m. (right after we left),”the guest said.“I was told that Carnival doesn’t have a way to message guest through the app or cell phones etc. Carnival should have SOMEONE on deck or at least a sign to make sure guests know if excursions are canceled.”
Heald did respond to the guest, noting that he would have to check with the excursions desk to learn what the guest reported onboard Carnival Horizon at the time.
The cruise in question was the ship’s May 24, 2025 sailing from Miami, which first visited Aruba and Bonaire before arriving in Curacao on Thursday, May 29.
The guest does note that they enjoyed their cruise, but remained disappointed at the missed opportunities in Curacao.
Should Carnival Have Done More?
While calling guests’ staterooms to alert them to a tour cancellation is a great first step, it isn’t always going to be effective. Depending on the time, the guest may have been enjoying breakfast, joining in an onboard activity, or out exploring the port independently, as this guest was.
It would have been simple for an easel board or other sign to have been placed at the meeting point for the tour, or at least near the ship’s gangway so travelers would be alerted to excursion cancellations as soon as they arrived at the meeting spot.
Of course, it is possible a sign was available earlier in the day, but the guest may have missed the notification.
Cruise Terminal in Curacao (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
The suggestion that messaging through the app or cell phones could be used is a good one, but might not be practical depending on connectivity and individual phone settings.
Just recently, however, Carnival Cruise Line began making shore tour bookings a fully digital process linked to the Carnival Hub app. The system is not yet fully rolled out, but is suggested to be beneficial to guests.
“Our new ticketless platform prioritizes convenience for our guests and equips our tour operator partners with better tools, making the shore excursion experience more seamless, efficient and enjoyable,”said Sam Ackrill, vice president of shore excursions for Carnival Cruise Line.
“Eliminating the need for physical tickets and streamlining the process of checking in for shore excursions will be a great benefit, but the real-time functionality that’s built into our platform will give tour operators more opportunities and guests more choices.”
Perhaps some of that functionality could be tweaked to permit instant push notifications of cancellations or other changes to tours, so guests can remain fully informed and updated about their shore plans.
