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Carnival Debunks Rumors About Ship Drydock Plans

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Debunks Rumors About Ship Drydock Plans

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has debunked rumors about what will – or more specifically, will not – be happening during Carnival Vista‘s current dry dock.

In response to guest questions, Heald has noted that one popular feature will be remaining onboard the ship, and promised to reveal additional details of the ship’s renovations and refreshment in the days to come.

Carnival Vista Dry Dock Underway

Carnival Vista is currently undergoing dry dock renovations in Cadiz, Spain, having arrived at the shipyard on January 16, 2024 for an extensive update, following an 8-night transatlantic sailing. This will be the ship’s first major update since she entered service in 2016.

Due to unfounded online rumors from influencers claiming to have “inside information” about the ship’s dry dock plans, Carnival fans have reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, about the fate of the ship’s popular IMAX theater. Rumors have stated that the IMAX theater will be removed and additional staterooms will be put in its place.

“This is one of many, many questions I answer each day about Carnival Vista’s dry dock. I will say this. She is not losing her IMAX,” Heald stated. “The IMAX will remain.”

When Carnival Vista debuted in 2016, she had the first ever IMAX Theater at sea, bringing the unique experience to cruise travelers in a way no other cruise line had ever done.

“Carnival Vista is an absolute ‘wow’ in every respect and we have put together a line-up of entertainment, activities and experiences like nothing else at sea. Our guests are going to love this ship and their biggest challenge will be trying to choose from so many different things to do onboard,” said Sara Beth Reno, the Carnival Cruise Line Vice President of Entertainment when the ship debuted.

Carnival Vista Dry Dock
Carnival Vista Dry Dock

Heald has also confirmed that Carnival Vista will be getting her hull repainted to the new red-white-and-blue livery colors that first debuted with Mardi Gras in 2021 and have gradually been rolled out across the fleet as different ships enter dry dock.

Other details of the ship’s update have not been confirmed, but it is very likely that various technical and mechanical updates will be made, as well as refreshment of public areas and guest staterooms. Painting, lighting upgrades, flooring upgrades, decking replacement, and other renovations are common for these types of dry dock overhauls.

Read Also: What Is Wrong With Carnival’s Vista-Class Ships?

The 133,500-gross-ton Carnival Vista will return to service with a 3-night Bahamas sailing from Port Canaveral on February 15. After that, the ship will offer 6- and 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries to top destinations such as Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove.

The ship is homeported year-round from Port Canaveral. In July 2025, Carnival Vista will be one of the first ships to offer visits to the new private destination, Celebration Key, now under development on Grand Bahama Island.

About the Onboard IMAX Theater

Carnival Vista and her sister ship, Carnival Horizon, are the only two ships in the Carnival fleet to have IMAX theaters. The large-format theaters offer first-run and recently released films as well as special documentaries formatted especially for the large, immersive screens. The number of showings will vary on each sailing depending on cruise length and overall itinerary.

Carnival Vista‘s theater seats 187 guests, and the 3-deck-high movie screen offers outstanding clarity and phenomenal sound to make every movie an outstanding experience.

Carnival IMAX Theater

IMAX showings are an extra charge, though fees vary based on the type of film being shown. Ticket prices are often discounted for younger cruisers as well as senior citizens.

The IMAX theater is part of the Carnival Multiplex, which also includes the Thrill Theater with its 4D experiences with extra immersive special effects – moving seats, mist sprayers, fans, etc. The two theaters are separate experiences with separate fees. The IMAX theater on Carnival Vista is on Decks 7 and 8, just aft of the ship’s main atrium.

Carnival Vista can welcome 3,934 guests aboard at double occupancy or up to 4,977 passengers when fully booked. Also onboard are more than 1,400 international crew members to ensure every guest has a fantastic cruise vacation.

Scottish Port Expects to Double Cruise Ship Arrivals by 2027

Donna Tunney
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Scottish Port Expects to Double Cruise Ship Arrivals by 2027

The growing Port of Aberdeen, on Scotland’s remote northeast coast, is attracting cruise ships in record numbers. Expecting to set new cruise records in 2024, the port also predicts a steady rise in ship arrivals during the next few years, as more and larger vessels call at its new South Harbour facility.

Aberdeen Predicts 100 Ship Calls Within Three Years

Scotland’s Port of Aberdeen, located at the mouth of the River Dee with easy access to the North Sea, is on track to welcome 50 cruise ships and roughly 34,000 cruise passengers in 2024.

The numbers represent a whopping 130% increase in ship arrivals compared to 2022, when 21 ships called, and nearly 20% over 2023, when a record-breaking 43 ships visited.

Port officials looked farther ahead in a report issued on February 2, 2024, and predicted that more than 100 cruise ships will call at Aberdeen by 2027.

If the numbers pan out, it means a financial windfall for the region, since each port call represents £134 ($170) in local spending per cruise guest. That translates into £4.5 million ($5.7 million) for 2024 and would exceed £20 million ($25 million) in 2027.

The opening in spring 2023 of the port’s new South Harbour was a major boost to the area, since its deep water and expanded dock facilities enable it to accommodate most of the world’s cruise ship fleet.

South Harbor’s capacity is for ships up to 985 feet long, 148 feet wide and 35 feet deep. (For context, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, is 1,196 feet long.)

Before South Harbour was constructed, Aberdeen’s North Harbour facility could accommodate ships only up to 558 feet long.

Port of Aberdeen, Scotland
Port of Aberdeen, Scotland

“With South Harbour complete, we are fully focused on consolidating and accelerating growth in this key sector. This will be largely driven by increasing the number of larger cruise ships visiting the region and we’re having positive discussions with existing and prospective customers to secure this business,” said Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the Port of Aberdeen.

“We’re confident that our world-class facility, coupled with the amazing destination, will position Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire as one of the UK’s top cruise destinations,” Sanguinetti added.

In 2024, the port will enjoy visits from several large cruise ships, such as Costa Cruises’ Costa Favolosa, a 951-foot ship with a capacity for 3,780 guests and 1,000 crew. Other large ships scheduled to call include AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol and AIDAdiva, both accommodating 2,500 guests and 700 crew.

Costa Ship at Port of Aberdeen
Costa Ship at Port of Aberdeen

The port’s increase in cruise arrivals was a boon to local tour operators and businesses in the Aberdeen area. In 2023, some local businesses were able to expand, such as the Aberdeen Whisky Shop, which held whisky tasting events for cruise guests.

Historic and religious sites also saw many more visits by cruise arrivals. St. Machar’s Cathedral, which dates from the 12th century, saw a 40% increase in visitors thanks to cruise ship calls. That translated into 42,000 visitors and a 50% spike in donations and gift shop sales.

Port’s Expected Growth Is a Team Effort

The Port of Aberdeen’s effort to substantially expand its cruise business has given rise to a regional initiative called CruiseAberdeenshire, a collaboration between the Port of Aberdeen and the local tourism agency VisitAberdeenshire. Other government agencies involved in the program are Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, and VisitScotland.

The groups are working together to prepare the region for the expected rise in cruise passengers and provide the tourism infrastructure that cruise guests will expect.

More From Cruise Hive

“The growth in calls for 2024 is a vote of confidence in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as an emerging cruise destination. VisitAberdeenshire is scaling up its work to enhance the welcome offered to passengers, the readiness of local suppliers and to secure more business from cruise operators and shore excursion companies,” said Chris Foy, CEO of VisitAberdennshire.

CruiseAberdeenshire will hold public information sessions for local businesses and others involved in port operations on February 21 and 28, 2024, at the South Harbor facility.

Princess Cruises Withdraws Planned Visits to Historic US Town

Donna Tunney
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Princess Cruises Withdraws Planned Visits to Historic US Town

Princess Cruises has put the kibosh on a two-year pilot program that would have had two cruise ships calling at Yorktown, Virginia, during summer 2024.

The cruise line told local officials it has decided that Island Princess and Emerald Princess will instead visit Norfolk, Virginia, on three itineraries. The change is likely to be welcome news to several thousand local residents who opposed the pilot program and signed a petition to prevent it from going forward.

Princess Cruises Chooses Norfolk Over Yorktown

A proposal by Princess Cruises to be the first major cruise line to call at historic Yorktown, Virginia, has been withdrawn in favor of visits to Norfolk, Virginia. The cruise line in February 2023 announced that two ships would make multiple calls at the port, offering guests the opportunity to explore Virginia’s Historic Triangle — Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg.

It was the Battle of Yorktown that decisively ended the Revolutionary war; Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum; and Jamestown is the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. The three historical sites are within a short drive of each other, lending themselves to exciting shore excursion possibilities.

The 2,200-guest Island Princess was to make three calls and the 3,080-guest Emerald Princess would have made two. With the Princess ships sailing at full capacity, the planned port calls would have delivered around 14,000 cruise guests to the area, representing a boost to regional tourism and to local tour operators.

Emerald Princess Cruise Ship
Emerald princess Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Natasa Ivancev / Shutterstock)

Both ships would tender guests to the port’s Riverwalk Landing, where tour guides for excursions and independent touring options would be available. A communication from Princess Cruises to York County officials on January 26, 2024, delivered the news.

“To ensure our guests experience legendary Virginian hospitality as they explore the region’s significant historical contributions to American history, Princess is confirming Norfolk on the published itinerary for Island Princess and its three new calls to the Commonwealth this summer,” wrote Vicki Johnson, senior vice president of communications for Princess Cruises.

History Cruises to Explore Eastern US, Canada Ports

Norfolk, a considerably larger port some 40 miles south of Yorktown, will be the recipient of the ships’ economic benefits. 

Island Princess will operate 10-day “American Heritage” cruises on June 4 and 25, 2024, roundtrip from New York, and calling at Norfolk, Charleston, South Carolina, Boston, and Halifax, Canada. An 11-day option, departing on June 14, 2024, adds Newport, Rhode Island.

Read Also: Princess Cays, Bahamas: Things You Need to Know

Emerald Princess will sail one 14-day “Canada & Colonial America” cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City on July 19, 2024, with calls at Charleston, Norfolk, New York, Newport, Boston, and Sydney and Saguenay, Canada.

Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia (Photo Credit: Andy Sutherland)

“We hope the collaboration between Norfolk and Princess Cruises is a mutually successful one and also that the ship passengers have wonderful vacations where they make lifelong memories of their travels to Virginia,” said Mark Bellamy, interim county administrator for York County.

York County had come under fire from local residents for its handling of the Princess Cruises’ proposal, which was not fully revealed until a public forum was held in August 2023. A month later, a grassroots group had gathered more than 5,400 signatures on a petition from people opposing the plan.

The petition, by a local group called Preserve Yorktown, cited environmental concerns and impacts on the town’s culture. Yorktown joined a growing list of ports, both small and large, that question the effects of cruise ships on the local quality of life and on environmental practices. These include small ports such as Bar Harbor, Maine, and large ones such as Barcelona, Spain, and Venice, Italy.

Just one cruise line currently includes Yorktown on its itineraries — American Cruise Lines, which operates small ships carrying under 200 guests. The line’s 10-night “American Revolution Cruise,” sailing roundtrip from Washington, DC, is offered from March to June 2024 then again in October and November 2024. The sailing, operated by American Constitution, calls at both Yorktown and Norfolk.

Carnival Auctioning Special Item Inspired by Newest Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Auctioning Special Item Inspired by Newest Ship

Carnival Cruise Line is holding a special auction for a custom-made pair cowboy boots to benefit Operation Homefront, a unique fundraiser that has special connections to the cruise line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee.

The pair of boots are identical to the pair worn by Christine Duffy while she welcomed the first guests aboard the new ship in December 2023, and will be custom-made for the auction’s winner.

Carnival Cruise Line Auctioning Themed Cowboy Boots

Carnival Cruise Line has invited guests to support military families and own a very special part of Carnival Jubilee memorabilia – a custom-made pair of cowboy boots. The cruise line is holding an email auction for the boots with all proceeds donated to Operation Homefront, one of Carnival’s charitable partners.

The boots, designed by Associate Vice President of Interior Design and Architecture for Carnival Cruise Line Petu Kummala, feature not only the name Carnival, but also the cruise line’s characteristic whale tail funnel as well as the iconic Star of Texas that also adorns the bow of Carnival Jubilee.

The original pair of boots were worn by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy as she welcomed travelers aboard Carnival Jubilee on December 23, 2023. Those original boots will be permanently displayed aboard the ship to further showcase its connection to the Lone Star State.

Carnival Jubilee Boots
Carnival Jubilee Boots

“These cowboy boots are an ultimate piece of Carnival regalia, and such a fun way to celebrate the arrival of our new Carnival Jubilee,” said Duffy. “Even more special though is the opportunity for someone to have the only other pair that will ever be made – and for a cause we’re all passionate about here at Carnival.”

The auction pair of boots will be commissioned by Carnival and custom made for the auction’s winner by Parker Boot Company. The Houston-based company uses all genuine leather and time-honored methods for crafting fine boots, with personalized attention to ensure the highest quality and customization.

Place Your Bids

The auction – with bids submitted via email – will run for three weeks. A custom-made pair of Parker Boot Company boots typically cost around $8,000. Should the winning bid exceed $10,000, Carnival Cruise Line will also add a 7-night cruise aboard Carnival Jubilee in a balcony stateroom to the prize.

The 183,900-gross-ton, Excel-class vessel is homeported from Galveston, offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries that visit Roatan, Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

Carnival Jubilee Boots
Carnival Jubilee Boots

To enter the auction, guests must email Carnival Cruise Line with the amount of their bid, their full legal name, telephone number, and their Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty number, if applicable.

A special blog has been set up for auction updates, and the winner – who submits the highest bid – will be announced at Carnival Jubilee‘s official naming ceremony. The exact date for the naming ceremony has not yet been announced.

Carnival Cruise Line Supporting Operation Homefront

Carnival Cruise Line partners with Operation Homefront on a number of charitable ventures. In November 2023, the cruise line introduced a special “Heroes American Pale Ale” available aboard the five vessels with onboard breweries: Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Celebration, and Mardi Gras.

The new brew debuted on Veterans Day, and $1 for each pint glass purchased is donated to Operation Homefront. Select ships are also selling special Heroes souvenir pint glasses, which also include $1 donations to Operation Homefront.

“We’re proud to sail more veterans and military families than any other cruise line, and so proud that our guests support our causes generously,” said Duffy.

Operation Homefront offers support to military families in a variety of ways, including offering housing assistance, providing children with back-to-school supplies, holiday toy drives, and more.

Princess Cruises World Voyage Rerouted Due to Red Sea Unrest

Catie Kovelman
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Princess Cruises World Voyage Rerouted Due to Red Sea Unrest

With tensions continuing to rise in the Red Sea, yet another cruise line has decided to alter course to avoid the region. 

In an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises announced that Island Princess would no longer be sailing to the Middle East or Asia as part of its current world cruise due to the uncertainty surrounding the conflict. 

Island Princess Rerouted To Avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal

Island Princess embarked on a 111-night world cruise on January 4, 2024, with the intention of visiting 51 destinations across 27 countries and six continents. 

But for cruisers hoping to check off the Middle East and Asia from their travel bucket lists, they’ll have to hope for better luck next time. 

Due to the ongoing political conflict in the Red Sea region, the cruise line has made the decision to avoid the area altogether, meaning the world cruise will no longer visit the Middle East or Asia and will bypass the Suez Canal. Princess Cruises explained the change to guests in a letter on January 30, 2024. 

“Based on the current security environment and future uncertainties in this area of the world, we have made the difficult decision to bypass the Red Sea and surrounding region, including the Suez Canal,” reads the cruise line’s letter.

Island Princess Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock

This change impacts the Island Princess’ itinerary beginning on February 16, 2024, with the 91,627-gross ton vessel now spending more time in Australian waters.

The 2,200 passenger ship will call on Melbourne, Australia, on February 16, Perth (Fremantle), Australia on February 21, Port Louis, Mauritius on February 29, and Cape Town, South Africa on March 6. The ship will remain at sea between the port calls, spending up to seven days at sea between destinations.

Princess Cruises Prioritizes Guest and Crew Safety

The current unrest in the Red Sea is largely attributed to Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been disrupting a key maritime route that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. While no cruise ships have been attacked during the conflict, many cruise lines have opted to avoid the region to be on the safe side, which now includes Princess Cruises. 

In addition to the port changes, guests who were planning to disembark in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 11 will also now be disembarking five days earlier in Cape Town.

Worth Reading: Princess Cruises Swaps World Cruise With 131-Day Pacific Voyage

“We have revised our ports of call in Australia and will no longer visit Asia or the Middle East. Instead, we will make a call to Mauritius followed by Cape Town, South Africa – where you will now disembark five days earlier on March 6, instead of in Dubai, UAE,” Princess Cruises said in its letter.

Island Princess Cruise Ship
Island Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Andres Felipe Perez)

The change in itinerary means the following ports will be skipped: Burnie, Tasmania; Bali, Indonesia; Singapore; Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Salalah, Oman; Aqaba, Jordan; and the Suez Canal.

As other cruise lines have already done, Princess Cruises opted to reroute Island Princess to avoid the escalating tensions in the Red Sea out of an abundance of caution.

More From Cruise Hive

“As always, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew is our foremost priority. Our company’s Global Security team, working in close consultation with security experts and government authorities around the world, is actively monitoring the evolving Red Sea regional situation,” wrote the cruise line.

In addition to Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line has decided to reroute itineraries for 12 ships across its seven brands, including Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Seabourn, and AIDA Cruises. MSC Cruises has also made itinerary changes to its own world cruise for the same reason.

Carnival Cruise Ship Returning Late Due to Technical Issue

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Ship Returning Late Due to Technical Issue

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard Carnival Elation to alert them that the ship will be late returning to Jacksonville, which will subsequently have a knock-on effect for embarkation for the next sailing. A technical issue is impacting the ship’s cruising speed, delaying the vessel by several hours.

Carnival Elation Delayed

Carnival Elation is experiencing an issue impacting her cruising speed, and therefore will be late returning to her homeport of Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Accordingly, this will also affect embarkation for the next cruise, which will be delayed for three hours while passengers debark the ship.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to travelers with notification of the delay and advice not to proceed to the cruise terminal until a final update is issued.

“The ship is experiencing an issue that is limiting its cruising speed and will be docking later than scheduled this morning. This will affect your embarkation, and our team is now revising the plans,” the notification sent early Thursday morning read.

While Carnival Elation is the only ship sailing from JaxPort on February 1, it is still necessary to delay arriving guests so the cruise terminal can be cleared of debarking passengers and parking areas can open up.

Carnival Elation Cruise Ship Overboard
Carnival Elation Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright Mellissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

“Since we must allow debarking guests to leave the cruise terminal before we can accommodate your arrival, please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you receive our final update with your new terminal arrival appointment time,” the notification read.

The final update on revised embarkation plans was provided at 11 a.m., confirming the three-hour delay.

“Our engineers have resolved the issue and the ship is now in port,” the 11 a.m. notification said. “Please delay your terminal arrival appointment by 3 hours.”

This will permit adequate time for onboard guests to smoothly debark the ship and clear not only the cruise terminal but also the parking facilities, so arriving guests can be accommodated. All guests must be onboard by 5 p.m. for the ship to depart.

As compensation for the delay, all embarking guests are also being give $25 (USD) in onboard credit, “so you can enjoy lunch on us.”

Carnival Elation is the oldest ship in the Carnival fleet having debuted in March 1998, though she has been updated several times throughout her service life. The 71,909-gross-ton, Fantasy-class vessel can welcome 2,190 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 2,697 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled.

Carnival Elation recently experienced an outbreak of gastroenteritis, though this is not a factor in the ship’s delay and the outbreak was successfully mitigated with enhanced cleaning and other precautions.

Why the Delay?

The nature of the issue impacting Carnival Elation has not been disclosed. It is possible it could be a main engine issue that affects overall cruising speed, making the ship slower overall.

Carnival Elation Cruise Ship
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

It is also possible the ship’s thrusters could be affected, which would impact her ability to safely navigate up the St. John’s River to the cruise terminal. Other electronic or computer malfunctions onboard might also impact the ship’s navigation and therefore require a slower speed.

The ship is returning from a 5-night sailing to the Bahamas that visited Nassau and Half Moon Cay, and is due to begin a 4-night Bahamas cruise that will visit Freeport and Nassau. There is no word yet on whether or not the next itinerary will be impacted.

Cunard Changes World Cruise to Bypass Troubled Red Sea Region

Melissa Mayntz
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Cunard Changes World Cruise to Bypass Troubled Red Sea Region

Cunard Line has reached out to guests booked on a portion of Queen Mary 2‘s World Voyage about a dramatic itinerary change that will now bypass the troubled Red Sea region.

Instead, the ship will sail up the west coast of Africa, which doubles some of the existing itinerary and changes a month of the cruise’s route. Guests are being provided with generous compensation for the extensive shift.

Queen Mary 2 World Voyage Itinerary Change

The iconic ocean liner Queen Mary 2 began her 100+ night world sailing earlier this month, and guests are now informed that nearly one-quarter of the extensive voyage is being rerouted with a complete itinerary change.

This is a result of the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea – which have already impacted multiple ships from multiple cruise lines, including other world voyages – and is a necessary shift to ensure the safety of the guests, crew, and ship.

“Given recent developments and following extensive consultation with global security experts and government authorities, we have made the decision to reroute our itinerary to bypass the Red Sea and the surrounding area,” the notification explained.

The change in itinerary begins following the ship’s call on Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 31. After that point, the complete itinerary will shift. Rather than heading northwest to the Middle East and on to the Red Sea, Queen Mary 2 will instead head southwest to the Cape of Good Hope and up the west coast of Africa.

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship
Queen Mary 2 (Photo Credit: Lykourgos06 / Shutterstock)

Cunard Line is clear that the length of the voyage, as well as the planned disembarkation in Southampton, UK on April 28, will remain the same. Ports of call the ship will no longer be visiting include destinations in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, and Spain.

Instead, Queen Mary 2 will now be visiting African ports in various countries, including Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, and Portugal. Unfortunately, four of these port visits duplicate visits earlier in the sailing, as the ship is already sailing down the west African coast as the first part of the World Cruise.

This may be frustrating to travelers who are onboard for the entire cruise, but will still be a new and exciting itinerary for passengers boarding later in the voyage, albeit not the original destinations that were planned.

Dubai Debarkation Impacted

For guests who had only booked part of the voyage and planned to debark in Dubai on April 7, that debarkation is no longer possible. Instead, those passengers will continue on with the ship to debark in Cape Town, South Africa on April 13. The extra six days of the itinerary are complimentary.

Dubai Cruise Terminal
Dubai Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Steve Heap)

Airfare arrangements can be complicated, though Cunard Line will assist guests who have paid for air travel through the cruise line. Exact arrangements, including potential reimbursement for change fees, will vary depending on how guests booked their travel after debarkation.

Compensation Offered

Guests scheduled for the impacted part of the World Cruise are being offered generous compensation for the changes in the itinerary.

Cunard Line is offering on board credit of $500 (USD) per person (amounts may vary depending on individual bookings), and all guests sailing on the voyage will also receive a future cruise credit valued at 15% of the cruise fare paid for the days of the voyage impacted. Future cruise credits are good for any new Cunard Line reservation booked by January 30, 2025.

Read Also: Cunard Unveils Extraordinary 2025 Alaska Season

All pre-booked shore tours arranged through the cruise line for ports that are now cancelled will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. If guests have made independent arrangements, they will need to contact their tour operators for options. New tours for the new ports of call will be made available through guests’ online accounts in the coming days.

“Our apologies once again that it has been necessary to amend our itinerary,” the notification concludes. “Please know that our entire crew will be working hard to ensure you have a wonderful vacation on board.”

The 149,215-gross-ton Queen Mary 2 can welcome 2,695 passengers aboard, and is also home to more than 1,200 international officers and crew members. These itinerary changes have not been made lightly, but are always made with the safety of guests and crew in mind.

Over 100 Cruise Passengers Ill on Cunard Operated Ship

Lissa Poirot
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Over 100 Cruise Passengers Ill on Cunard Operated Ship

An outbreak has struck Queen Victoria, a Cunard Line ship, affecting over 100 passengers and crew members during its current 111-night voyage from Hamburg to Sydney. Health officials are investigating the cause, with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

CDC Investigates Health Incident

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an outbreak on Queen Victoria, operated by Carnival Corporation-owned Cunard Line. During the ship’s current journey, which began in Fort Lauderdale on January 22, 2024, 120 of the ship’s 1,824 passengers and 15 of the ship’s 967 crew members have reported illness.

Symptoms predominantly include diarrhea and vomiting. In response, Cunard has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures and isolated those who are ill.

In a statement made to FOX Business, a spokesperson for Cunard said, “They immediately activated their enhanced health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all guests and crew onboard.”

The CDC noted, “The gastrointestinal illness cases reported are totals for the entire voyage and do not represent the number of active (symptomatic) gastrointestinal cases at any given port of call or at disembarkation.” 

The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is closely monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship’s response and sanitation measures.

Potential Causes

While the causative agents of the outbreak remain unidentified, norovirus is a common illness on cruise ships, as well as workplaces, schools, and other crowded areas. Characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly in enclosed environments like ships.

Queen Victoria Cruise Ship
Queen Victoria Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ATGImages)

Notably, Celebrity Constellation is the first ship to report a norovirus outbreak in 2024. The outbreak struck the ship on its 9-night roundtrip cruise from Tampa, Florida, which departed on January 12, 2024. 

On this cruise, 68 of 2,056 passengers and seven of the ship’s 948 crew members reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

Thirteen norovirus incidents were reported in 2023 on various cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, Holland American Line, Royal Caribbean International, Viking Cruises, and P&O Cruises.

Preventative Measures for Passengers

Cruise travelers are advised to take precautionary measures to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness. Passengers are also encouraged to practice good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, to minimize the risk of infection.

If illness is suspected, key practices include isolation, resting, staying hydrated, opting for a bland diet, and using over-the-counter medications for symptoms like diarrhea and nausea.

Queen Victoria Cruise Ship
Queen Victoria (Photo Credit: Martin Augustus / Shutterstock)

The smallest of Cunard’s ships in operation, Queen Victoria weighs just over 90,000 gross tons and can accommodate up to 2,061 guests. Refurbished in 2017, the ship features 143 inside cabins and 860 outside cabins across 12 decks. Her homeports include Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, and Southampton, England.

Queen Victoria is currently on a “111-Night Full World Voyage” from Hamburg, Germany, to Sydney, Australia, with stops including Bermuda, Florida, Aruba, Mexico, California, Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand. It is currently at sea en route to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, arriving on February 3.

Despite the outbreak, the cruise is continuing as planned, with the health and safety of passengers and crew a top priority.

Island off California Poised for Landmark Cruise Season

Lissa Poirot
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Island off California Poised for Landmark Cruise Season

The Port of Avalon on Catalina Island, California, is poised for a landmark year in cruise tourism, with a record number of first-time visits in 2024. The surge in tourism will significantly boost the island’s economy and local businesses.

A New Wave of Cruise Ships Arrives

In a surge of maritime activity, Catalina will host five inaugural cruise ship visits in 2024, marking a significant milestone in its role as a premier cruise destination. The series of first-time calls to the island underscores its growing appeal within the global cruise industry.

The inaugural season began on January 12, 2024, with the Seaborn Sojourn docking at the Port of Avalon. 

“Cruise ship visitors are important to the local economy, especially in winter and spring when other travel to the island tends to be at a much-reduced rate,” said Jim Luttjohann, Love Catalina’s president and CEO. “In most years, cruise ship visitors make up about 25% of total visitor volume for Catalina. Cruise passengers generate revenue for the City of Avalon through the payment of port fees too.”

On May 5, 2024, Avalon will host Celebrity Summit from Celebrity Cruises. Following closely, on May 13, Carnival Firenze, the new 4,126-passenger ship from Carnival Cruise Line, will make its maiden call. 

A highlight of the late summer will be the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas on September 27, with another jewel in the fleet, Radiance of the Seas, arriving for the first time on October 4.

Added island retail owner Catrina Awalt of Twos Company, “The diversity of this year’s ship line-up is wonderful news for retailers. We have some of the top lines calling on us, bringing a higher-end clientele to our shores. Having Royal Caribbean resume calling on us and recently the addition of Disney Cruises has really made a difference in our local economy.”

Welcoming a Fleet of Giants

The 2024 cruise schedule extends beyond inaugural visits, with regular stops by industry giants like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.

Notably, Holland America’s Eurodam and Zaandam are returning after absences since 2028 and 2010, respectively.

January saw multiple visits from Carnival Radiance and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, setting the stage for a busy February with Carnival Miracle, which arrives on the 5th and 14th, and continued visits from Carnival Radiance.

Cruise Ship at Avalon, Catalina Island
Cruise Ship at Avalon, Catalina Island (Photo Credit: cvalle)

March is equally bustling, with Miracle and Radiance returning Carnival for six more visits, Zaandam’s arrival on the 21st, and Disney Wonder gracing the port on the 16th, 20th, and 31st.

Read Also: Disney Cruise Line Will Return to Catalina Island

While Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas and Carnival Radiance will be regular visitors throughout the year, select ships like Brilliance of the Seas will make special, one-time appearances.

The total capacity of these liners is projected to bring over 260,000 visitors to Catalina Island in 2024.

A Premier Destination

As Avalon gears up for its year of maritime activity, the broader appeal of Catalina Island, with its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and compressive amenities, remains a key attraction.

The island, located 22 miles off the coast of California, is becoming a popular cruise port for U.S. West Coast cruises and boasts 33 restaurants, lively seaside bars, and a wide variety of on- and off-water activities.

With eight marine sanctuaries and 48,000 acres of pristine protected wilderness under the stewardship of the Catalina Island Conservancy, Catalina’s allure offers endless opportunities for exploration.

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