blog - Page 433 of 602

Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas: A Giant Comparison

Royal Caribbean Cruise Advice

-

Jan 20, 2024

Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas: A Giant Comparison

Royal Caribbean continues to grow with even larger cruise ships, and now that Icon of the Seas is part of the fleet, many will wonder how the giant vessel compares with the second largest in the fleet. That’s why we’re taking you on a wow factor with Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas!

Wonder of the Seas made headlines when it debuted just a few years ago as the largest cruise ship in the world. However, as Royal Caribbean frequently does, the cruise line has something even bigger and better to follow Wonder of the Seas, in 2024.

Icon of the Seas sets sail for the first time this year and it’s been long-awaited as not only the next, biggest cruise ship in Royal Caribbean International’s fleet, but in the world. It’s also one of the line’s (and world’s) most extravagant and impressive cruise ships to date. Seemingly endless entertainment and dining options await cruisers who snag a spot on this ship in the coming months.

However, while both Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are impressive, new and overall mammoth, there are differences between the two ships — differences that may sway you to book a cruise on one over the other.

Wonder of the Seas is, of course, an Oasis-class ship, while Icon of the Seas introduces a new class of ships for Royal Caribbean, the Icon class, and that’s just where the differences start.

So, what can you expect and which should you book? Here’s everything to know about Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas.

**Is Icon of the Seas Larger Than Wonder of the Seas?**

As mentioned, while Wonder of the Seas is big in every sense, Icon of the Seas surpasses it, as the latest and greatest biggest cruise ship in the world at two decks higher, 10 feet longer, and 69 more staterooms. Here’s how the two measure up.

Stats	Icon of the Seas	Wonder of the Seas
Gross Tonnage	250,800	235,600
Length	1,198	1,188
Passenger Decks	18	16
Maximum Passenger Capacity	7,600	7,084
Passenger Capacity at Double Occupancy	5,610	5,734
Cabins	2,805	2,874
Crew Capacity	2,350	2,300

You might notice something a little weird, though. While Icon of the Seas is, yes, technically larger than Wonder of the Seas by gross tons, with more passenger decks, it doesn’t have a higher passenger capacity at double occupancy.

Instead, the passenger capacity at double occupancy is decreased by about 100 people. However, the passenger capacity at maximum occupancy is larger on Icon of the Seas, by about 600 people.

What does this mean? Well, it means Royal Caribbean is likely expecting more suite stays on Icon of the Seas, with more than two passengers staying in a single accommodations option.

Overall, it seems like Royal Caribbean really focused on providing more fun, more options and more luxury to love in Icon of the Seas, versus simply just making a bigger ship to hold more people.

Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas: Construction Cost

Icon of the Seas was built at Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland and was one of the most expensive ships to build, ever, at a whopping $2 billion. She is also powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

Wonder of the Seas, in comparison, cost $1.35 billion to build, substantially less, yet still impressive. Wonder of the Seas was built at Chantiers de L’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France.

As the fifth Oasis-class ship, Wonder of the Seas was ordered nearly a decade ago, before construction began in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic did impact the ship’s construction, delaying the delivery date, originally slated for early 2021. The ship was, instead, delivered in early 2022, when it began sailing out of Florida.

Icon of the Seas was similarly ordered in 2016, as the very first in a new class of ships for Royal Caribbean. Construction for Icon of the Seas began in 2021, wrapping up in late 2023. A January 2024 christening and debut in Miami kicks off the ship’s upcoming year spent sailing the Caribbean.

Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas: Neighborhoods

Royal Caribbean’s ships are split into neighborhoods — areas of the ship designed around a certain theme, and often dedicated to a certain type of activity. Icon of the Seas features eight neighborhoods, including:

AquaDome
Central Park
Chill Island
Royal Promenade
Surfside
Suite Neighborhood
Thrill Island
The Hideaway

Wonder of the Seas actually features eight neighborhoods as well, but the neighborhoods aren’t the exact same as those you’ll find on Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas features a few new neighborhoods, while also improving upon a few of the shared neighborhoods. Wonder of the Seas’ eight neighborhoods include:

Central Park
Royal Promenade
Suite Neighborhood
Boardwalk
Pool and Sports Zone
Entertainment Place
Youth Zone
Vitality Spa and Fitness

So what can you expect in each of these options? Well, among the ship’s shared neighborhoods, Central Park offers an indoor green space. Lush and airy, it’s a central hub in which you can find entertainment and dining venues.

Similarly, each ship’s Royal Promenade is likewise a hub of activity, where you can go to people watch or find your way to the various venues along the promenade, including restaurants and retail. However, Icon of the Seas does feature that Iconic Pearl feature.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas

Both ships’ suite neighborhoods are exactly what they sound like: a neighborhood specifically designated for suite guests. Here, the ship’s VIP cruisers enjoy a bit of privacy from the rest of the cruising masses, with their own private pools and restaurants.

This is where the ships’ shared neighborhoods end. On Wonder of the Seas, you also have the boardwalk neighborhood, with its true boardwalk feel, with games, bright lights and plenty of activity.

The pool and sports zone is what you’d expect, with the ship’s pools and sports courts. Entertainment Place is likewise self-explanatory, housing the theater and casino, among other entertainment venues. The Youth Zone houses the ship’s children’s programming, including the Adventure Ocean kids club, arcade, and teen club. Lastly, the ship’s spa and fitness center get their own neighborhood.

On Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome is a new neighborhood that encompasses the AquaTheater, which you may have seen on past Royal Caribbean ships. It also, though, offers a bit of a nightlife location, with bars and restaurants.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas — Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

Chill Island is the new name for the ship’s pool area. There are four pools here (though you’ll find three elsewhere on the ship). There are also several bars in the pool area.

Thrill Island offers more water-themed fun, with six new water slides. When the ship debuts, it will boast the tallest drop slide on a cruise ship to date, as well as a few “first” water slides for a cruise ship, such as a mat-racing duo slide and an open free-fall slide.

Surfside is all about families. This is where you’ll find the kiddy pools, but also the sports courts and children’s programming. The Hideaway is just that — a tranquil spot where those looking for something quieter can escape. There’s an infinity pool here, plus a bar.

Staterooms

As already mentioned, while Icon of the Seas is definitely larger than Wonder of the Seas, Icon of the Seas can hold fewer passengers at double occupancy, but more passengers at overall occupancy — which basically translates to a focus on suites and other accommodations options where there will be more than two cruisers staying in a single stateroom or suite.

Panoramic Ocean View Cabin on Icon of the Seas

Regardless, what kind of staterooms can you expect on both ships? Icon of the Seas introduces a few new stateroom categories to Royal Caribbean cruisers. New staterooms aboard Icon of the Seas include:

Inside Plus staterooms
Panoramic Ocean View staterooms
Family Infinity Balcony staterooms
Surfside Family View interior cabins
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins
Infinite Central Park View balcony cabins

An Inside Plus stateroom is an interior stateroom, upgraded. It offers a more luxurious experience with more privacy. Panoramic Ocean View staterooms are exclusively situated in the AquaDome neighborhood.

The Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins provide something that you may have seen on other cruise ships (in some version or another), but is a first for Royal Caribbean. The infinite balcony is separated from the rest of the cabin with a glass wall, and that glass wall can be lowered and raised to create an indoor-outdoor space that feels larger, airier and more ocean-view-perfect than ever before.

Family Infinity Balcony staterooms feature the ships’ infinity balconies, which allow you to enjoy a mix of indoor-outdoor space thanks to that wall that’s partially removable; the family versions can fit more cruisers. In the new Surfside neighborhood, Family View interior cabins replace the boardwalk cabins from prior ships.

Other staterooms on Icon of the Seas include:

Standard interior cabins
Spacious interior cabins
Central Park View interior cabins
Ocean view cabins
Ocean view balcony cabins
Ocean view large balcony cabins
Central Park balcony cabins

Staterooms on Wonder of the Seas include:

Studio single cabins
Virtual balcony interior cabins
Spacious interior family cabins
Promenade view interior cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park interior cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park balcony cabins
Ocean view cabins
Family ocean view cabins
Spacious balcony cabins
Ultra-spacious family balcony cabins

Most of these staterooms are pretty self-explanatory. Promenade, Boardwalk and Central Park cabins are obviously located in those neighborhoods within the ship, and their balconies overlook that space rather than the ocean. Virtual balcony cabins feature virtual balconies that display views from the exterior of the ship in real time.

The ultra-spacious family balcony cabins can fit a max of six passengers, with 270 square feet inside and 80 square feet outside (the spacious interior family cabins are very similar, just minus the balcony). The spacious balcony cabins can fit four passengers, with 180 square feet inside and 55 square feet outside.

The family ocean view cabins are even more impressive and should really be considered more of a suite, since there are two bedrooms, with one tucked away behind a divider. Studio single cabins are designed for single cruisers in mind, and are a budget-friendly steal.

Suites

On new ships like these, you can expect some truly stellar suite options. Suite options aboard Wonder of the Seas include:

The Ultimate Family Suite
Junior suites
Grand suites
AquaTheater suites (with either one or two bedrooms)
Owners suites
Crown Loft suites
The Royal Loft

The Ultimate Family Suite made its debut on Wonder of the Seas and was an instant hit. However, it gets an upgrade on Icon of the Seas, as you’ll see below. Suite options aboard Icon of the Seas include:

The Ultimate Family Townhouse
Surfside Family suites
Junior suites
Sunset Junior suites
Sky Junior suites
Sunset suites
Panoramic suites
Infinite Grand suites
Owner’s suites
Grand suites
The Royal Loft
Icon Loft Suites

Some of these suites may be familiar to you, from past Royal Caribbean ships, but others might not be. For example, the Surfside Family suites are new for Royal Caribbean, and place families right in the heart of that family-friendly Surfside neighborhood.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is an upgrade of the Ultimate Family suite introduced on Royal Caribbean several years ago, with plenty of over-the-top amenities for families, such as a theater, in-suite slide and more.

Icon Loft suites offer two floors and lots of privacy for up to four cruisers. Infinite Grand suites feature that new infinite balcony, and Panoramic suites are in the new AquaDome neighborhood.

Dining Venues

Do you have a favorite Royal Caribbean restaurant that you make a point of dining at every single time you’re on a cruise? If so, you’ll be glad to know that when it comes to Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas, both of these ships feature staple Royal Caribbean favorites, alongside lots of new, fun options. However, the dining options aren’t identical. Here’s what to expect:

Restaurant/Dining Option	Featured on Icon of the Seas?	Featured on Wonder of the Seas?
150 Central Park	No	Yes
AquaDome Market	Yes	No
Basecamp	Yes	No
Café Promenade	No	Yes
Celebration Table	Yes	No
Chops Grille	Yes	Yes
Coastal Kitchen	Yes	Yes
Dog House	No	Yes
El Loco Fresh	Yes	Yes
Empire Supper Club	Yes	No
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar	Yes	Yes
Hooked Seafood	Yes	Yes
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi	Yes	Yes
Izumi in the Park	Yes	No
Johnny Rockets	No	Yes
Main Dining Rooms	Yes	Yes
Park Café	Yes	Yes
Pearl Café	Yes	No
Pier 7	Yes	No
Solarium Bistro	No	Yes
Sorrento’s Pizza	Yes	Yes
Starbucks	Yes	Yes
Sugar Beach	Yes	Yes
Surfside Bites	Yes	No
Surfside Eatery	Yes	No
The Grove	Yes	No
The Mason Jar	No	Yes
Vitality Café	No	Yes
Windjammer Café	Yes	Yes
Wonderland	No	Yes

These ships both contain restaurants that Royal Caribbean has long featured on its ships, when it comes to Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas. Beyond the main dining room and classic cruise ship buffet (Windjammer Café), there’s also Sorrento’s Pizza, a Starbucks outpost, the tech-heavy restaurant Wonderland, Giovanni’s for Italian, Chops for steak and Izumi for Japanese.

However, each ship also offers a few favorites that the other does not. For example, Wonder of the Seas has Johnny Rockets, the boardwalk classic; Vitality Café, for healthful eats near the spa; The Mason Jar, which was Royal Caribbean’s take on a southern-style restaurant; and the Dog House, for quick hot dogs and similar bites near the pool.

Icon of the Seas brings new offerings such as the AquaDome Market, a food hall concept; Empire Supper Club, a fine-dining option with 1920s flair; and Izumi in the Park, for window ordering sushi.

Icon of the Seas Empire Supper Club — Icon of the Seas Dining, Empire Supper Club

Other new options include Celebration Table for special events; Pearl Café for casual bites; Basecamp for fun, theme park-esque options; The Grove, for Mediterranean; and Pier 7, for all-day brunch. With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean truly brings the culinary magic.

Bars and Lounges

There’s also a wealth of watering holes to be found on both Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Some of these bars and lounges are new, while others are tucked away inside of restaurants, while still others are staples on Royal Caribbean ships (like the English pubs and Playmakers sports bar).

Bar/Lounge Option	Featured on Icon of the Seas?	Featured on Wonder of the Seas?
Bionic Bar	No	Yes
Boleros	Yes	Yes
Cantina Fresca	Yes	Yes
Diamond Club	Yes	Yes
English Pub	Yes	Yes
Playmakers Bar & Arcade	Yes	Yes
Pool Bar	Yes	No
Rising Tide Bar	No	Yes
Schooner Bar	Yes	Yes
Solarium Bar	No	Yes
Suite Lounge	No	Yes
Swim & Tonic Pool Bar	Yes	No
The Attic	Yes	Yes
The Hideaway Bar	Yes	No
The Lime & Coconut	Yes	Yes
Trellis Bar	Yes	Yes
Wipeout Bar	No	Yes
Vue Bar	No	Yes
1400 Lobby Bar	Yes	No
Basecamp Bar	Yes	No
Bubbles	Yes	No
Casino Bar	Yes	Yes
Dueling Pianos	Yes	No
Giovanni’s Wine Bar	Yes	Yes
Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues	Yes	No
Rye & Bean	Yes	No
The Grove Bar	Yes	No
The Lemon Post	Yes	No
The Overlook	Yes	No
Music Hall	Yes	No

Just as Icon of the Seas brings the culinary magic, it also brings all the libations one could need. You’ll find the line’s first swim-up bar (in addition to all the other pool bars), bars at many of the brand-new restaurants on the ship, and cool new lounges where you can catch unique drinks and live music, such as Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship — Swim & Tonic Pool Bar on Icon of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas features many of the classic bars and lounges you likely know to expect on a newer Royal Caribbean ship, but has a few that Icon of the Seas does not, such as the Solarium bar (Icon of the Seas ditched the entire Solarium as a whole), and the Bionic Bar, with its robotic twist.

Activities and Entertainment

Both of these ships feature plenty of fun things to do. Beyond the pools, waterslides, and shows further detailed below, both ships also offer lots of extra fun spaces and activities, such as:

Arcade
Casino
Carousel
Mini-golf course
Sports court
Rock-climbing wall
Comedy Club
Escape Room
Ice skating
Laser tag
Karaoke

Entertainment that you’ll find on Icon of the Seas, but not Wonder of the Seas, includes a ropes course named Crown’s Edge. This feature is part skywalk and part ropes course that even takes guests extended out over the ocean! Wonder of the Seas offers a zip line instead. However, otherwise, the ships offer mostly the same entertainment options.

Pools and Waterslides

Both ships are packed with fun ways to soak up the sun and splash in the (manmade) waves. They both ships feature Royal Caribbean’s requisite FlowRider surf simulator. Both feature waterslides and hot tubs. However, there are differences.

Wonder of the Seas, for example, features The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, which has appeared on a range of Royal Caribbean ships over the years. It also features the Ultimate Abyss, which is a dry slide. In total, Wonder of the Seas features five pools and four hot tubs.

Icon of the Seas, however, features a whopping six waterslides, including record-breaking slides such as Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide to appear on a cruise ship; Frightening Bolt, the current tallest drop waterslide on a cruise ship; Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing slide on a cruise ship; and Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter, the first family-friendly raft ride on a cruise ship.

Icon of the Seas features seven pools and nine hot tubs, including the Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Another first is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, located in The Hideaway neighborhood. Located aft of the ship in the Surfside neighborhood, the younger guests can also enjoy the Splashaway Bay aquapark.

AquaTheater and AquaDome

Both of these ships feature the AquaTheater, but only one features the AquaDome: Icon of the Seas. Additionally, Icon of the Sea’s AquaTheater has received some upgrades.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship — Photo: Royal Caribbean

On Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome is situated in the ship’s new AquaDome neighborhood. The theater’s tech upgrades make each show even more immersive and impressive.

Shows

If you never take a cruise without checking out what’s playing in the onboard theater, then you’ll definitely want to be sure to make time in your busy vacay itinerary to catch one of the shows playing on either Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas, whichever you choose.

Wonder of the Seas offers shows at the AquaTheater, as well as ice-skating shows at its ice rink. Theatrical shows include musical reviews, and you can find smaller, music-focused shows in more intimate settings throughout the ship (such as in the lounges) regularly.

Icon of the Seas’ shows include two AquaDome shows that take advantage of the AquaTheater’s unique space; live music performances; an ice-skating performance; and theatrical performances, including a family fairytale-type show entitled “Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball” and “The Wizard of Oz,” a classic.

Which Ship is Better?

So, which one is better, Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas? Whether you book your reservations for an upcoming cruise on Wonder of the Seas or Icon of the Seas is really going to be a personal decision that you’ll base on your own preferences; however, there are some elements that may sway you.

If you’re a cruising fanatic and you love cruising on the biggest, best cruise ships, and being the first of your traveling friends to do so, you’ll want to, obviously, get on Icon of the Seas as soon as humanly possible. This ship has been making headlines for a reason. Avid travelers, and particularly cruisers, can’t wait to see what the latest and greatest from Royal Caribbean has in store, first-hand.

Worth Reading: Wonder of the Seas vs. Titanic – A Giant Comparison

Likewise, if you’ve traveled on Wonder of the Seas before, or just traveled with Royal Caribbean on the line’s newer ships frequently, you may be craving something brand new, and, if so, Icon of the Seas fits the bill.

However, if you would like to avoid those huge crowds of eager travelers flocking to Icon of the Seas, you may prefer Wonder of the Seas. This ship is still relatively new and offers lots and lots of fun to love, so you won’t be missing out on all that much. You will, though, be missing out on all those crowds, which is a plus.

Lastly, on Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas, think about destinations. While you might be more interested in the ship than where it’s going, destination still matters. Getting to the departure port will be an added cost to consider, and you’ll likely want to disembark at least for some of the days in port. Would you rather disembark in the Mediterranean or the Western Caribbean, or the Bahamas? Do you want to have a Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Regardless, though, both ships are excellent options for a range of cruisers, whether you’re a single traveler or couple looking for luxury and lots to do, with plenty of entertainment, dining and drinking options, or you’re a family who wants to take the kids on an unforgettable trip.

Newest Carnival Cruise Ship Delayed for Next Sailing

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

-

Jan 20, 2024

0

Newest Carnival Cruise Ship Delayed for Next Sailing

Carnival Jubilee is just completing her fourth cruise and will be delayed returning to Galveston on Saturday, January 20, 2024 due to a medical emergency.

Consequently, this will delay the embarkation for the next cruise. Guests have been contacted and asked to adjust their arrival appointments, while guests already on board have been given a timeline for what to expect on debarkation morning.

Carnival Jubilee Delayed

A “medical deviation” has delayed Carnival Jubilee on her return to Galveston, Texas. The incident happened while the ship was north of the Yucatan Peninsula, at sea making her way back to Galveston at the and of a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.

While details of the medical emergency have not been released in order to protect the privacy of the individuals involved, it did require the ship to reverse course significantly.

Because of this deviation, Carnival Jubilee will not be in Galveston as early in the morning as planned. Guests booked on the next sailing are being asked to adjust their arrival to the cruise terminal.

“Due to a medical deviation on the return to Galveston, the ship will be arriving later than scheduled,” the email notification explained. “As a result, embarkation for your cruise has been revised. We must allow debarking guests to leave the terminal before we can accommodate your arrival.”

The embarkation delay is expected to be just one hour. If guests had selected an 11-11:30 a.m. arrival appointment, for example, their new arrival time would be 12-12:30 p.m. instead.

Carnival Jubilee Sea Trials (Photo Courtesy: Meyer Werft)

“Guests who arrive earlier will be asked to return at their newly assigned time,” the email warns.

All passengers must be onboard Carnival Jubilee no later than 3:40 p.m. for the ship’s departure, so it is critical that no one be late even with the day’s brief delay. The scheduled departure time from Port of Galveston is 4 p.m.

If guests have purchased transfer services through Carnival Cruise Line, their transfer times will be automatically adjusted based on the revised embarkation windows. Guests who will be driving to the port or who have made independent arrangements with shuttle services, ride shares, or other transportation will need to adjust their plans accordingly.

How This Affects Guests Onboard

Meanwhile, guests already onboard Carnival Jubilee have been alerted to the delay as well, and provided a timeline for how their slightly delayed debarkation will work on Saturday morning.

The estimated time for the ship to arrive to the Port of Galveston is 9 a.m., with actual debarkation expected to begin by 9:30 a.m. after the ship has been cleared by local customs and immigration officials.

Guests are asked to vacate their staterooms no later than 10 a.m. This will permit the cabin attendants to begin cleaning, changing bedding, exchanging towels, and doing other turnover work to prepare the staterooms for embarking guests. Public areas will be available for guests to wait until it is their time to debark.

Carnival Jubilee Arrives in Galveston (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Guests using self-assist debarkation – carrying all their own luggage off the ship – will debark first, followed by guests with priority debarkation privileges.

All guests must have left Carnival Jubilee no later than 12:30 p.m.

It should be noted that the earliest terminal arrival appointment on the revised schedule is 11:00-11:30 a.m. This does not indicate an actual embarkation time, however, but only when incoming guests will be able to complete their cruise terminal check-in and paperwork. As soon as all guests have left the ship, embarkation for the next cruise will be able to begin.

As the 183,521-gross-ton Carnival Jubilee can welcome 5,347 passengers at double occupancy or up to 6,631 guests when fully booked with all berths filled, it can take some time to process all travelers from one cruise to the next.

At this time, there is not expected to be any further impact on the ship’s next sailing, an identical 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. All ports of call remain as scheduled on the original itinerary.

Carnival Cruise Passenger Captured Climbing Over Balcony

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

-

Jan 19, 2024

0

Carnival Cruise Passenger Captured Climbing Over Balcony

A Carnival Cruise Line guest could soon face severe consequences after video has surfaced of them climbing over the balcony of their stateroom and standing on an adjacent roof area.

The incident happened on the December 30, 2023 sailing of the brand new Carnival Jubilee, which was just the ship’s second ever voyage welcoming guests.

Carnival Guest Goes Over Balcony Railing

Video posted to social media shows disturbing behavior from a Carnival Cruise Line guest, as a woman is seen standing outside her balcony stateroom on an adjacent section of roof covering the public area of the deck below.

The short 18-second clip clearly shows the woman completely over her balcony railing, leaning back over and appearing to speak with someone before she hops back up to sit on the railing before swinging her legs over and disappearing from view. Another passenger is seen two decks higher, peeking over another balcony to watch the antics.

“Our security team on Carnival Jubilee identified the guests involved in this matter, and those guests will no longer be sailing on Carnival ships. The safety of everyone on board is our priority and we do not tolerate this behavior,” Carnival Cruise Line stated to Cruise Hive.

The ship’s bridge is clearly seen in the background, including ship officers moving about, but it is unclear whether or not they see the woman’s actions.

The video was taking on the December 30 sailing of Carnival Jubilee, the ship’s second ever cruise with guests. The ship’s maiden voyage was from December 23-30, while the second cruise departed Galveston on Saturday, December 30 and continued through January 6. There is no date listed with the video, which could have been taken at any time during the cruise.

What We Know

While the video is short and details are few, there is some information the clip provides. For example, the ship’s motion is clearly seen in the water, which indicates the incident did not happen while the ship was docked, but instead while it was at sea. This could have been during a day at sea or else shortly before or after Carnival Jubilee was in port.

The December 30 sailing was a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that visited Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan – the same as all week-long cruises the ship is offering.

@lovepeacecruise
DO NOT DO THIS: On the Carnival Jubilee December 30th sailing a passenger films fellow cruiser on Deck 9 climbing over their obstructed view balcony onto a common area roof below them. #carnivaljubilee #carnivaljubilee2023 #carnivalcruise #dontdothis #cruisetok #cruiseship #cruisevideo
♬ original sound – Dumb Ways to Die

The stateroom the woman exited and then reentered was on Deck 9, which features a variety of balcony cabins. The deck below – Deck 8 – has a public promenade and lanai space around the ship’s edge, including outdoor eating space for Rudi’s Seagrill, a specialty restaurant only on the cruise line’s Excel-class ships. Much of this outdoor space is covered, which is the roof the woman was standing on.

The balcony stateroom in question is on the ship’s port (left) side, which is clear because of the orientation of the bridge.

Consequences of This Behavior

This type of reckless behavior is a clear violation of Carnival Cruise Line’s guest code of conduct policy, which prohibits unsafe behavior.

Section 9(j) of the Cruise Ticket Contract states: “Any Guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of other guests or crew will be detained onboard and/or disembarked at their own expense and will be prohibited from sailing with Carnival in the future.”

This situation could have had a much more tragic outcome than a brief video clip if she had slipped, fallen, or been affected by strong winds during her time over the balcony.

Unfortunately, such incidents are occurring more and more frequently as some travelers seek a brief moment of internet fame via social media sites by engaging in outrageous acts such as fishing off a cruise ship balcony, throwing items off a ship, or even climbing between balconies.

These poor behaviors are not confined to Carnival Cruise Line, as guests have been noted acting irresponsibly on various cruise lines. Such actions are not tolerated by the cruise lines, and often result in lifetime bans, extensive fines, being disembarked from the vessel at the next port at the guest’s expense – or all three. Is that risk, as well as the risk of injury or death, worth likes and shares?

Royal Caribbean Addresses Fate of 9-Month World Cruise

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

-

Jan 19, 2024

0

Royal Caribbean Addresses Fate of 9-Month World Cruise

Royal Caribbean International has commented on the fate of the immensely popular Ultimate World Cruise in light of rising tensions in the Red Sea that may threaten a significant part of the ship’s upcoming itinerary.

Speculation has arisen that the itinerary may be radically altered or the cruise could even be ended early to ensure the safety of the guests, crew, and ship.

The Ultimate World Cruise – Less Than Ultimate?

The Ultimate World Cruise – a 274-night adventure aboard Serenade of the Seas visiting all seven continents, 65 countries, and more than 150 ports of call – has only been sailing for five weeks, but already questions are being asked about whether or not the voyage will continue.

A woman by the name of Adita (@aditaml2759) is currently onboard Serenade of the Seas and posting regular TikTok videos of her experiences, including a discussion of rumors that the sailing may end in Los Angeles.

“I’ve been hearing a couple of rumors and I am starting to get a little worried,” Adita said. “The rumor that I’ve been hearing is that Royal Caribbean is thinking of ending the World Cruise in Los Angeles due to the problems in the Middle East and us not being able to go through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.”

Adita asks for clarity and communication from Royal Caribbean and is not confirming any itinerary changes, but only asking if there has been any official word.

“I don’t like putting rumors out there, but I think we also, the passengers that invested so much money and so much time to see the world, we deserve to know what is going on, what the plans are, what Plan B is,” she said.

@aditaml2759
Rumors, and again just rumors right now, that UWC may end in Los Angeles 😩😫😭😢#royalcaribbeanultimateworldcruise #ultimateworldcruise #royalcaribbean #uwc
♬ original sound – Adita

Possible options that have been speculated about include the itinerary shifting to go around Cape Horn and up the west coast of Africa. Alternatively, passengers could be flown from Dubai to a destination in the Mediterranean while the ship crosses the Red Sea and Suez Canal with minimal crew complement before picking guests back up to resume sailing.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean’s 274-Night World Cruise is Making a Buzz

Adita’s video on these rumors has been viewed more than 85,600 times and is one of her more popular videos documenting this extreme journey. Other videos include showing weather conditions it the Drake Passage, tips for organizing and storage for such a long trip, and other tidbits that bring viewers along on the spectacular sailing.

Royal Caribbean Responds

Royal Caribbean International has responded to the rumors and confirmed that at this time, there are no changes to the planned Ultimate World Cruise itinerary.

“Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise will continue its current schedule as planned,” a cruise line spokesperson said to Business Insider. “The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. In collaboration with our Global Security team, we continuously monitor the situation in the region and make any necessary adjustments. Guests will be notified directly of any changes.”

Several cruise lines have already adjusted or cancelled cruises in the Red Sea region due to escalating geopolitical tensions. Drones and mines have been used to disrupt marine traffic, and while no cruise ships have yet been attacked, all cruise lines are closely monitoring the situation as necessary to protect their respective fleets.

Serenade of the Seas (Photo Credit: Diego O. Galeano)

Royal Caribbean stated to Cruise Hive, “The Ultimate World Cruise has given guests the opportunity to see the world in a unique way, and we have loved watching their reactions to this incredible experience. This adventure will complete its first segment in February, and we can’t wait to kick off the next part of the journey shortly after and begin exploring Asia.”

MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Cunard Line, and others are all keeping updated on the situation and will adjust itineraries if needed.

It should be noted that Serenade of the Seas is not scheduled to enter the Red Sea until mid-May. With four months to go until that portion of the Ultimate World Cruise is reached, there may yet be many factors to consider about whether or not the itinerary will proceed and the situation is evolving every day.

Meanwhile, if the speculation about the sailing ending in Los Angeles were accurate – which it is not – that would mean the cruise would end on February 11, 2024, just two months after beginning on December 10, 2023. Furthermore, this would mean the “world” cruise would only have explored one small section of its diverse and detailed itinerary.

The sailing has already had an itinerary change due to weather conditions near Antarctica, and undoubtedly there will be further itinerary adjustments in the months to come. Hopefully, tensions will ease and no such dramatic change as skipping an entire portion of the cruise route will be necessary.

Popular Bahamas Shore Excursion Shuts Down After Shark Bite

Port News

Catie Kovelman

-

Jan 19, 2024

0

Popular Bahamas Shore Excursion Shuts Down After Shark Bite

For many cruisers sailing to the Bahamas, swimming with sharks in the tropical waters is at the top of their bucket list. But there is always a risk involved when interacting with wild animals.

One family learned this the hard way after their young son was bitten by a shark during a popular shark tank expedition in the Bahamas. The excursion has been temporarily closed in the wake of the attack.

Shore Excursion Closes After Shark Attack

The chances of being attacked and killed by a shark are low, only about one in 4 million. There’s never been a guest-related shark incident at Blue Adventures by Stuart Cove since its opening in 2006 – that is, until Monday, January 15, 2024.

The up-close and personal shark experiences, run out of the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas, has been temporarily shut down pending an investigation after a 10-year-old boy was bitten during his swim in the shark tank.

It’s unclear if his family was in the water with him, but the boy was accompanied by a dive instructor and dive guide when the incident occurred.

According to a statement from the Royal Bahamas’s Police Force, the boy was bitten on his right leg shortly before 4 p.m. local time. “He was transported to the hospital for medical attention and is currently in stable condition. Investigations are ongoing into this incident.”

Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Francesco Joesph)

The unidentified boy was transported back to his home state, Maryland, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, where he will receive further treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Cruisers hoping to swim with sharks on an upcoming visit to Paradise Island, which is only a couple miles from the popular port of Nassau, may need to pick a new shore excursion, as the shark diving expedition has been temporarily closed following the attack.

Blue Adventures by Stuart Cove, which operates the experience, released a statement on January 17 saying they have opened an investigation into the incident and are “fully cooperating” with local authorities. The excursion will not reopen until the findings have been reviewed.

“Incidents like this involving interactions with marine life, even with the species of sharks included in this experience, are rare and never acceptable,” said the company.

Shark Diving In the Bahamas

Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas offers a variety of port adventures, including snorkeling, scuba diving, snuba, boat charters, and of course, shark diving. The company has partnered with Atlantis Paradise Island since the early 2000s to offer watersports and animal encounters at the Bahamas resort.

The shark tank expedition the victim participated in is part of the Mayan temple area of Paradise Island’s Aquaventure Zone. During the experience, participants wore special helmets to breathe underwater while they got up close and personal with nurse and reef sharks.

The shark excursion has since been removed from the resort website, but many other shark-related shore excursions can still be booked on popular websites like TripAdvisor, through companies like Unexso, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center, and Aquaquest escapes.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers its own Shark Encounter & Snorkel Excursion at Blue Lagoon Island, just three miles from Nassau, starting at $119.99 (USD) for kids and $129.99 for adults.

Ultimately, it’s up to each cruiser to determine if shark diving is right for them or if another shore excursion would suit them better. While shark attacks are rare, this boy was not the first shark bite victim in the Bahamas.

In September of 2022, a 58-year-old woman visiting Nassau as part of a Royal Caribbean Cruise died after she was attacked by a bull shark during a snorkeling excursion.

More recently, a 44-year-old woman from Boston, named Lauren Erickson Van Wart, was killed in a shark attack while paddleboarding in the Bahamas in December of 2023. Wart was less than one mile from shore when the shark bit, fatally wounding her.

Carnival Addresses Plastic Straws, Water Bottles to Be Replaced

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

-

Jan 18, 2024

0

Carnival Addresses Plastic Straws, Water Bottles to Be Replaced

In response to concerns about straws available onboard, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has clarified the cruise line’s policy and commitment to keeping debris out of the marine environment.

This also includes the announcement that plastic water bottles may soon be unavailable on Carnival Cruise Line.

Edible Straws on Carnival Cruise Line

In the move to eliminate single-use plastics and minimize waste, particularly items that could potentially go overboard and end up in the ocean, Carnival Cruise Line uses edible straws rather than plastic straws, a move that was made in 2019. Not all cruise guests are a fan of edible straws, however, no matter how much more environmentally conscious they are.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has addressed guests’ concerns about the straws, which recently compared Carnival’s use of edible straws to another – unnamed – cruise line’s continued use of plastic straws.

“So plastic straws. While I cannot answer for other cruise lines and what they may do, we have no problem in holding our heads high and saying we are working hard to protect the oceans we cruise on and the creatures who call those oceans home,” Heald said.

While admittedly not an extreme environmentalist, Heald does urge guests to give the edible straws a chance or to bring their own alternatives onboard – but preferably not plastic.

“I know the edible straws are not a favorite of everyone but you can bring your own straw, a stainless steel or reusable straw but please, not plastic,” he said. “We do not have a rule on bringing plastic straws on board but please try not to if you can.”

Drink on Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Evan Reece)

Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed what type of edible straws are used onboard, and it is likely that supplies may change periodically due to straw availability from different manufacturers, cost considerations, straw effectiveness, and other factors.

Guest feedback is sure to be considered as well, and different straws might be paired with different onboard beverages.

Edible straws may be made from a variety of foods, including tapioca, rice flower, or other starches, and are designed to not dissolve too quickly in various drinks. The straw’s flavor may be negligible or could be a subtle accompaniment to each type of drink, such as cookie-flavored or chocolate-flavored straw for a milkshake, a fruit-flavored straw for punch-based drinks, or other flavors.

As Heald explained, guests are welcome to bring their own reusable straws onboard. Metal, glass, silicone, plastic, and other types of reusable straws are all available, and often come with handy cleaning brushes and carrying cases.

While Heald does urge guests not to bring plastic straws onboard, undoubtedly, he is referring to single-use straws that would be discarded after every drink.

Water Bottles May Be Next

Heald also hinted that plastic water bottles may soon become scarce onboard Carnival cruise ships.

“We still have some work to do with plastic water bottles and the Beards are working hard to find a replacement for these in 2024,” he said.

Bottles of water are one of the most common beverages purchased onboard, with some guests simply preferring the taste and the convenience of having their own bottle on hand whenever they are thirsty. Some travelers also purchase bottled water for use in CPAP machines or to mix with baby formula.

Over the past two years, Carnival Cruise Line has nearly tripled the price of bottled water onboard, due to increased inflation and shipping costs.

Water Bottle — Photo Credit: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock

Some cruise lines already use boxed water rather than bottled, and emergency supplies of water often come in durable bags. Both types of packing materials can be recycled and may have less debris than typical plastic bottles.

Heald has not elaborated on what might replace bottled water on Carnival ships. Before a final decision is made, it is possible that different types of packaging options might be tested on different ships to see which works best.

Of course, cruise travelers are always welcome to bring their own reusable water bottles or tumblers. Onboard water from bathroom taps is perfectly safe to drink, and cabin attendants can bring ice for guests to use if desired.

Signage does ask that guests not refill large bottles at Lido self-serve drink stations, to be sure supplies (particularly of ice) don’t run out for other guests getting their own drinks, and to keep the stations as sanitary as possible.

Do you bring your own reusable straws on a cruise? What about water bottles? Share your preferences on the Cruise Hive boards!

Cruise Homeport Announces Phenomenal Increase in Passenger

Port News

Lissa Poirot

-

Jan 18, 2024

0

Cruise Homeport Announces Phenomenal Increase in Passenger

The Port of Galveston in Texas has shattered its previous records in cruise operations, marking 2023 as a year of exceptional growth and prosperity.

New Cruise Records Spearhead Port Growth

With unprecedented growth in cruise passenger numbers, substantial infrastructure improvements, and significant economic impact, the Port of Galveston has solidified its position as a leading destination in the cruise industry.

According to Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees, the Gulf of Mexico port witnessed a phenomenal 42% increase in cruise passengers compared to 2022, welcoming an impressive 1.49 million cruise passengers through embarkations and debarkations.

The surge can be attributed to the opening of a third cruise terminal, enhanced popularity as a cruise home port, and the arrival of larger vessels, including the 183,521-gross-ton Carnival Jubilee, which set sailing in December carrying 6,200 passengers.

Adding to this momentum, Princess Cruises, a member of Carnival Corporation, began operations at the port with the Regal Princess becoming the largest ship in its fleet to sail from Galveston in November 2023.

Moreover, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima, the first ship in its Prima Class, marked its inaugural season in Texas in December 2023, establishing Galveston as its new homeport for the 2023-2024 cruise season.

Regal Princess at Port of Galveston (Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises)

The influx of passengers and the addition of 354 cruise ship sailings have infused new energy into Galveston’s maritime and tourism sectors.

Said Rees, “Cruise growth also fuels job growth on the waterfront. This, along with our growing roll-on/roll-off cargo business, contributed to 657,180 total labor hours in 2023. This is the highest number of labor hours in recent years and a 7% increase over 2022. These hours equate to approximately 316 full-time jobs, helping to make the maritime industry a major employer for our region.”

Major Overhaul Elevates Passenger Experience

An integral part of the Port of Galveston’s remarkable year was the comprehensive renovation of Cruise Terminal 25, the port’s oldest cruise terminal.

The $53-million refurbishment, in collaboration with Carnival Cruise Line, significantly upgraded the port’s operational capabilities and passenger services.

Galveston Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Additionally, Royal Caribbean opened a new cruise $125-million terminal in late 2022, becoming the homeport to Allure of the Seas, the largest ship in Port of Galveston at 225,282 tons and bringing approximately 630,000 cruisers in 2023. The terminal was the first LEED-certified, zero-energy facility in the world.

Historic Grant Awards Fueling Future Development

In addition to its triumphs in the cruise sector, the Port of Galveston achieved a significant milestone in securing funding for future growth and sustainability. The port’s strategic efforts have culminated in a record-breaking year of financial achievements.

A total of $42.3 million in state grants was awarded to the port for vital cargo and transportation infrastructure projects, with a $1 million state grant dedicated to pioneering a shore power microgrid.

Norwegian Prima at Port of Galveston (Photo Courtesy: NCL)

This project is set to revolutionize the way docked cargo ships are powered, marking a significant step towards reducing emissions and promoting clean energy use at the port. Additionally, a federal grant of $340,000 was allocated to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Anticipating Future Growth and Developments

Looking ahead, the horizon is bright for the Port of Galveston as it gears up for continued expansion in 2024.

The arrival of Carnival Jubilee, Regal Princess, Norwegian Prima, and increased sailings by Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are set to further elevate the port’s status as a premier cruise destination.

Upcoming sailings taking place this month include Norwegian Prima; Carnival’s Dream, Jubilee, and Breeze; Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, Disney Cruise Line’s Magic; and Regal Princess.

Cruise departures from the Port of Galveston visit exotic destinations in Mexico, Belize, the Honduras island of Roatan, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.

Cruise Ship Damaged by Rogue Wave Plans Return to Service

Cruise News

Donna Tunney

-

Jan 18, 2024

0

Cruise Ship Damaged by Rogue Wave Plans Return to Service

HX, the Norwegian cruise line formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, revealed that its 532-guest ship MS Maud will return to service in April 2024 following an extended dry dock where repairs are being made to the ship. Her return-to-service cruise will be a British Isles expedition roundtrip from Dover, England.

MS Maud to Sail British Isles, Northern Europe

MS Maud, the HX ship that was seriously damaged by a rogue wave in December 2023, will officially resume operations on April 14, 2024, with a 13-day voyage exploring the British Isles.

Several British Isles departures are scheduled in April and May, along with a summer series that will feature Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland, Greenland, and Scandinavia.

MS Maud was hit by a rogue wave while sailing in the North Sea between Norway, Denmark, and the UK on December 21, 2023. Windows were broken in the incident, including on the bridge, and the ship was temporarily adrift after losing power. No serious injuries were reported, but the ship required navigational assistance.

The ship was operating a 14-night “Northern Lights” expedition cruise roundtrip from Tilbury, England, when the wave hit. Authorities were quickly alerted and multiple nearby vessels and rescue personnel responded to the scene.

MS Maud was ultimately towed to Bremerhaven, Germany, where she is undergoing repairs at Bredo Dry Docks.

The ship’s next scheduled cruise, a 13-night Christmas Expedition to various ports in Norway, was cancelled as damage to the vessel was being assessed. Two cruises slated to depart in January, both Norwegian fjord cruises from Amsterdam, also were cancelled, and now all other published cruises through mid-March 2024 are cancelled.

MS Maud Expedition Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Bjoern Wylezich)

Several options are being offered to guests booked to sail on the ship through March. Guests can instead sail aboard the line’s MS Spitsbergen, which offers the same Northern Lights itinerary that MS Maud was supposed to sail.

Guests also can rebook on other voyages through mid-April, including select Norway sailings on sister brand, Hurtigruten, including the North Cape Express roundtrip from Bergen, Norway, and select sailings departing from Hamburg, Germany, aboard MS Otto.

The offers are based on availability, and guests can rebook their original cabin category choice where available. Other options include a full refund, or a future cruise voucher that can be applied to a different expedition voyage.

Arctic and Antarctic Sailings on Horizon

When MS Maud returns to service in April for her British Isles expedition cruises roundtrip from Dover, she will offer guests opportunities to explore destinations such as Wales; Northern Ireland; the Orkney Islands, Stornoway, Islay, Isle of Man, and Isles of Scilly, all in Scotland; and England’s Devon coast, before returning to Dover.

The April 14, 2024 departure will feature a special guest, Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who will entertain guests with lectures and Q&A sessions. Several other notable itineraries are coming up in 2024.

On July 18, 2024, the ship will operate her “Cruising Under the Midnight Sun” Arctic voyage. The 20-day cruise visits Greenland and Iceland, including five ports above the Arctic Circle.

Hurtigruten MS Maud (Photo Credit: Bjoern Wylezich)

In fall of 2024, the ship will reposition to Antarctica and operate a series of expedition cruises to the Patagonian fjords and the White Continent. A 17-day Chilean Patagonia and Antarctica expedition, with departures in November and December 2024, will call at ports in South America, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.

Onboard MS Maud, guests will find decor inspired by Norway’s natural wonders and furnishings and fixtures in the art deco style. The ship features a Science Center, where guests can become involved with active research projects.

Three dining venues are offered, including the fine dining Restaurant Lindstrom, the casual Restaurant Fredheim, and the main dining room, Restaurant Aune. The ship also provides a fitness room, a sauna and whirlpool, and one bar/lounge.

MS Maud’s experience with a rogue wave is unusual, but the phenomenon does happen from time to time. In December 2022, Viking’s Viking Polaris expedition ship was hit by a rogue wave in the Drake Passage as the ship was making her way from Antarctica to Ushuaia, Argentina. That sailing ended in tragedy, as one person died in the accident and four were injured.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Adds New Call as Part of Itinerary Change

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

-

Jan 18, 2024

0

Norwegian Cruise Ship Adds New Call as Part of Itinerary Change

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests and travel agents about itinerary changes for an upcoming sailing of Norwegian Star. Times in several port destinations have been adjusted, and an extra port of call has been added to the sailing to give guests a new spot to explore during the one-way cruise.

Norwegian Star Itinerary Change

Guests setting sail on the March 3, 2024 departure of Norwegian Star – a 14-night one-way South America and Falkland Islands cruise – now have multiple itinerary changes compared to their original cruise schedule.

Norwegian Cruise Line has notified guests of the changes, which include time adjustments for four different ports of call as well as a new destination added to the itinerary.

The four adjusted ports of call are as follows:

Monday, March 4 – Montevideo, Uruguay – Now departing at 4 p.m. instead of 3:30 p.m. (+30 minutes)
Wednesday, March 6 – Puerto Madryn, Argentina – Now 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (-60 minutes)
Friday, March 8 – Stanley, Falkland Islands – Now 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (+30 minutes)
Monday, March 11 – Punta Arenas, Chile – Now 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (-180 minutes)

In total, guests are losing three hours of port time across the four adjusted ports. On this port-intensive itinerary, four other ports of call are not adjusted at this time, and these changes are not too dramatic.

Norwegian Star Cruise (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)

Norwegian Star will also be adding a new port to the itinerary, however. Instead of spending Wednesday, March 13, as a day at sea, the ship will be visiting Laguna San Rafael in Chile from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., adding 10 additional hours of time with spectacular glacier viewing and other amazing natural scenery.

At this time, no other ports of call have been adjusted, and Norwegian Star‘s initial departure from Buenos Aires, Argentina and her arrival to San Antonio, Chile are not impacted.

Shore Excursions Also Adjusted

Because of the multiple time changes for various ports, any impacted shore excursions booked through Norwegian Cruise Line will be automatically adjusted and guests do not need to take any action to protect their tour reservations.

If passengers have made independent arrangements, however, they will need to contact their tour operators to see about adjustment options or cancellations if necessary.

Because Laguna San Rafael is a new port on the itinerary, shore excursions for that destination will be available from January 23, 2024 through guests’ cruise line accounts or by contacting the cruise line. Norwegian Cruise Line does alert travelers that they will not be permitted to go ashore without a tour at this new destination, however.

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Lukassek / Shutterstock)

“Please note, guests will not be able to go ashore independently in Laguna San Rafael,” the notification stated.

Because the new destination is a national park, special permits and admission fees may be necessary for travelers to go ashore, which would be included in any shore excursion options but may not be available individually.

Why the Changes?

The notification to guests did not provide details for the itinerary adjustments, only that they were being made for fuel efficiency.

“We are committed to providing the best vacations at sea and have been working tirelessly to continue to elevate the quality of our offerings and overall guest experience while driving a positive impact on society and the environment,” the email notification explained. “As we optimize itineraries for fuel efficiencies, we have modified Norwegian Star’s itinerary.”

Norwegian Cruise Line regularly makes relatively minor changes to itineraries all over the world to maximize fuel efficiency, including on the February 4, 2024 departure for Norwegian Star.

By adjusting times in port, the ship can sail at lower speeds or maneuver more efficiently in tricky sailing regions, which can improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. In turn, this protects local environments to keep them more pristine and enjoyable for all visitors.

The 91,740-gross-ton Norwegian Star can welcome 2,348 passengers for each sailing, and also has just over 1,000 international crew members onboard. The March 4 departure is the ship’s next-to-last sailing from Buenos Aires before she will reposition to Europe for the summer sailing season.