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Cruise Ship Breaks Mooring Lines and Causes Damage

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Ship Breaks Mooring Lines and Causes Damage

MSC Cruises’ MSC Sinfonia broke free of her mooring lines on Saturday, January 6, 2024, during gale force winds. The ship drifted significantly and caused damage to nearby vessels and docks.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the ship was returned to a more sheltered, secure berth with the help of four tugboats.

MSC Sinfonia Breaks Mooring Lines

MSC Sinfonia, which is currently out of service for maintenance in Syracuse, Italy on the island of Sicily, broke free of her mooring lines on January 6. At the time of the incident, wind gusts were recorded as high as 46 miles per hour (74 kilometers per hour) or 40 knots, well above the 34-knot threshold for gale force.

The wind direction was directly against the ship’s 13-deck-high side, putting maximum force on the vessel and snapping the ropes that held her docked.

According to SiracusaNews, the vessel’s stern hit the dock, before the ship then drifted into the adjacent Marina Yachting yard and impacted several boats and nearby piers. Several tugboats were needed to bring MSC Sinfonia back under control and move her back to a berth.

Officials from Lakkios Yacht Club, where the majority of the damage occurred, have expressed their dismay at the incident in light of the weather forecasts and the potential for such a troubling situation to develop.

“We believe that the accident that happened today was of an unprecedented severity,” a statement from Yacht Club Lakkios read on January 6, shortly after the incident occurred.

“It is out of every rule of good navigation to dock a 54m tall ship, 275m long and with a capacity of 65,000 [gross tons] perfectly incident to the direction of the wind today – with an angle of 90 degrees – and especially considering the intensity of the wind, intensity confirmed for today and more meteorological models tomorrow as well.”

Multiple small craft in the yacht club are reportedly sunk because of the cruise ship’s impact, and docks destroyed. The full extent of the damage has not yet been confirmed.

Official Investigation to Follow

The Prosecutor’s Office of Syracuse has begun an official investigation into the incident in order to determine if there was negligence involved and who should be liable for damages.

It may take several weeks or months for the full investigation to be completed, as there will undoubtedly be study of the day’s weather patterns, what weather warnings or alerts were issued ahead of time, whether those warnings were properly communicated to the shipyard and cruise line officials, what actions were or were not taken, and the technical details of how the ship was moored.

MSC Sinfonia
MSC Sinfonia (Photo Credit: Roger Utting)

MSC Sinfonia is scheduled to resume service from March 24, 2024, offering Mediterranean sailings. At this time, it is not known whether or not there has been any significant damage to the cruise ship that may delay her return to service.

Guests booked on upcoming sailings of MSC Sinfonia will want to stay in close contact with the cruise line in case there are any adjustments or cancellations.

The MSC Cruises’ ship is not the only cruise ship to have broken mooring lines recently. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima broke free of her lines the day before the incident with MSC Sinfonia, on January 5, 2024, while debarking guests in Galveston, Texas. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident either, but debarkation was delayed for approximately two hours.

As the two mooring incidents happened 6,000 miles (9,650 kilometers) apart, they are unrelated, but it does demonstrate that strong winds and foul weather can impact cruise ships anywhere in the world.

Itinerary Change for New Princess Cruises Ship Maiden Voyage

Melissa Mayntz
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Itinerary Change for New Princess Cruises Ship Maiden Voyage

Princess Cruises’ upcoming Sun Princess – the first ship in the new Sphere class and what will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet – already has an itinerary change for her inaugural cruise, due to a key tourist attraction undergoing maintenance at one port of call.

The new ship will no longer call on Santorini, Greece during that maiden voyage, but an alternate port of call is being arranged.

Sun Princess Maiden Voyage Itinerary Change

The much-anticipated Sun Princess, just one month away from welcoming guests on her inaugural cruise from Barcelona to Rome, has had an itinerary change for that first sailing.

The 10-night “Inaugural Grand Mediterranean” cruise that will depart Barcelona on February 8, 2024, was slated to have visited Santorini, Greece on February 15. Guests have now been notified, however, that the visit will not be possible and an alternate port of call has been arranged instead.

“Please be advised that Sun Princess will no longer call to Santorini, Greece on Thursday, February 15, 2024 as onshore activities will be limited due to the Santorini Cable Car being out of service for maintenance,” the email notification explained. “Instead, we will now call to Crete (Heraklion), Greece.”

The new port of call is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 15, the same day as the original call to Santorini but with one hour shorter in port, as the ship was to have remained in Santorini until 6 p.m.

Any shore tours for Santorini that were booked through Princess Cruises are being automatically cancelled and refunded back to the original form of payment. New excursions for Crete are still being confirmed and will be made available online and through the cruise line’s app within two weeks, giving guests ample time to choose new tour options.

Sun Princess Cruise Ship
Sun Princess Cruise Ship

Guests who may have made independent excursion arrangements for Santorini will need to contact their tour operators directly for cancellation and refund options.

Other ports of call on Sun Princess‘ maiden voyage – Palma de Mallorca, Messina, Athens, Kusadasi, and Naples – are not impacted by this change, and the ship should still arrive in Civitavecchia (Rome) as scheduled on February 18.

At 175,500-gross tons, Sun Princess is the largest ship ever constructed for Princess Cruises, and is the first ship for the cruise line to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

She can welcome 4,300 guests aboard at each sailing, with 21 decks of amazing features to explore, including the glass-enclosed, multi-purpose Dome, the classic Piazza in a glass sphere, the largest casino in the fleet, and so much more.

Why the Change?

Cruise guests are accustomed to itinerary changes due to poor weather, port damage, ship mechanical issues, and similar reasons, but it is unusual that an attraction in a port of call would have such a dramatic impact on a cruise ship’s itinerary.

Cable car in Santorini
Cable car in Santorini (Photo Credit: Luciavonu)

Santorini, however, is a very unique destination. The port’s harbor is more than 700 feet below the town of Fira, which is perched above steep cliffs. The Santorini Cable Car, however, makes the dramatic ascent in approximately three minutes, smoothly connecting the port and the town and servicing 1,200 riders per hour. Tickets cost €6 ($6.57 USD) per rider for a one-way trip.

Without the cable car, cruise guests would need to walk up the 500 steep steps leading to the town along a twisting, winding path on the Karavolades Stairs, a physical feat that may not be possible for many passengers, particularly older travelers or those with limited mobility. Traditionally, donkeys are available to ride up and down the stairs as well, but availability can vary.

The cable car is scheduled to be out of service for scheduled maintenance until February 28, 2024. At this time, no other calls for any cruise line are scheduled for Santorini during February 2024, which is traditionally part of the slow season for Greek Island itineraries.

MSC Cruises Forced to Make Significant World Cruise Change

Robert McGillivray
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MSC Cruises Forced to Make Significant World Cruise Change

MSC Cruises has been forced to make some significant changes to the itinerary of its World Cruise onboard MSC Poesia, just before departure. MSC Poesia set off on her impressive 121-day world cruise journey on January 5, 2024, from Genoa, Italy.

The changes are significant, leaving out parts of the cruise through the Mediterranean and the Middle East, including stops in Malta, Greece, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. 

MSC Cruises Alters World Cruise Itinerary

Booking a world cruise is a decision that is usually done with care and consideration, in particular considering which ports the ship will sail to. While many will know and accept that various changes will be made to the itinerary, it’s still a shock when a significant part of the cruise is scrapped altogether. 

Yet, that is what guests on the 121-day World Cruise onboard MSC Poesia have had to deal with this past week. The cruise set sail on January 5, 2024, but just days before, at the end of December 2023, MSC Cruises decided that the vessel would not be sailing through the Red Sea area. With terrorist threats from Houthi rebels, cruise ships sailing through the area are taking considerable risks.

North West area manager of MSC Cruises Gianni Pilato said to ANSA: “The safety of passengers and crew is in the first place for our company, so we necessarily had to make changes to avoid the passage in the Red Sea. We will sail along Africa from the western part, on the Cape of Good Hope route.”

MSC Poesia Cruise Ship Deck
MSC Poesia Cruise Ship Deck (Photo Credit: Shevchenko Andrey)

Beginning in the Mediterranean, MSC Poesia would be sailing to four embarkation ports: Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona. The vessel would then continue to Malta, Cyprus, and Rhodes. After transiting through the Suez Canal, it would sail along the East Coast of Africa.

Also Read: MSC Cruises Opens Bookings for 119-Day World Voyage

The route was designed to circle the Atlantic, touching upon Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the U.S. East Coast, and Canada, before concluding in Northern Europe, with Germany as the final stop. Onboard the 92,627 gross tons MSC Poesia are some 2,300 guests from 57 countries and over 1,000 international crew members.

World Cruise Security Concerns

The new itinerary bypasses the Red Sea, sailing west out of the Mediterranean, down Africa’s west coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, and then north along the African east coast. 

This adjustment removes stops in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, including the passage that MSC Poesia would make through the Suez Canal, and replaces them with new destinations like Alicante and Malaga, Spain; Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Dakar in Senegal, and Mindelo in Cape Verde.

MSC Poesia Cruise Ship
MSC Poesia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock)

Despite the changes, most original destinations are still included in the itinerary, but in a different order. This means that ports on Africa’s eastern coastline, such as Mombasa, Kenia; Mauritius; Madagascar, and Durban, South Africa, are now towards the end of the first half of the voyage. 

The second half of the cruise will sail across the Atlantic to South America, where the ship will sail along the Amazon River to Manaus, Brazil, through the Caribbean and up the US east coast, to Greenland, ending in the spring of 2024 in Northern Europe. 

Disembarkation will be Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. Post World Cruise, MSC Poesia will be based in Warnemünde for the summer season of 2024. 

Though the removal of various European and Middle Eastern ports from MSC Poesia‘s itinerary might have initially surprised guests, the decision is entirely justified given the current security climate. 

In recent weeks, we have witnessed drone attacks on several vessels, highlighting the risks associated with cruising in the region. Despite the challenges, the rescheduling of ports ensures that guests still have ample opportunities to experience Africa and beyond.

Holland America Details Asia Season With Over 50 Ports

Lissa Poirot
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Holland America Details Asia Season With Over 50 Ports

Holland America Line has revealed its extensive plans for Westerdam’s 2025-26 Asia Itinerary. The ship will offer a deep dive into Asia’s varied landscape and traditions, exploring 11 countries and up to 12 ports in a single cruise.

51 Ports and 2 Ocean Crossings Offered in Immersive Schedule

Featuring a strong emphasis on Japan, Westerdam will navigate through more than 50 ports across Asia when it embarks on its Asian voyages between September 2025 and April 2026.

The ship’s 10 unique itineraries and two Pacific Ocean crossings are designed to showcase a rich tapestry of cultural experiences and regional cuisines and will stop in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Twenty-four ports across Japan will be featured, as well. 

“For travelers looking to discover Asia, our 2025-2026 season provides an opportunity to explore the region in-depth via cruise. We want to ensure our guests have an authentic glimpse into the diverse cultures of each country, creating immersive moments and deeper connections to those destinations,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.

Read Also: Holland America to Deploy Two Ships in Asia Covering 49 Ports

Departures are scheduled from major Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Yokohama (Tokyo), and Singapore, with notable overnight calls planned in cities like Shanghai, Bangkok, Manila, Hiroshima, and Seoul. Prices for these immersive cruises start from $1,999 per person.

14-Day Itineraries and Rich Cultural Experiences Await

Holland America’s Westerdam offers a variety of itineraries, each crafted to deliver an enriching cultural experience. The “North Pacific Crossing” itinerary is a highlight, bridging Seattle and Yokohama with scenic stops in Alaska and British Columbia, and culturally rich Japanese cities like Kushiro and Aomori. The journey encompasses a 13-day crossing to Japan and a 15-day return trip.

The “Circle Japan” cruises, lasting 14 or 15 days and departing from Yokohama, delve into Japan’s rich heritage. These itineraries include visits to cities such as Nagasaki and Kobe and an excursion to South Korea, featuring an overnight stay in Seoul.

Holland America Westerdam Cruise Ship
Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line

For those interested in exploring the dynamics between Japan and its neighbors, the “Japan and South Korea Discovery” (14 days) and “Japan, South Korea, and China” (13 or 14 days) itineraries blend historical and modern landscapes across these countries, featuring overnights in Seoul and Shanghai, respectively, and the maiden port of Takamatsu, Japan.

Expanding further, the 14-day “Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan” voyage connects the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia and East Asia, stopping at Manila, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines; Keelung (Taipei) and Kaohsiung in Taiwan; and Osake, Naha, and Ishigaki in Japan.

Worth Reading: Large Passport Book vs Standard – Does it Matter?

Meanwhile, the 13- or 14-day “Far East Discovery” cruise takes guests on a journey through the vibrant cities and stunning natural beauty of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, visiting iconic locations such as Halong Bay, Day Nang (Hue), Sihanoukville, Laem Chabang (Bangkok), and Nathon (Koh Samui).

Holland America Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Angel DiBilio / Shutterstock

For those intrigued by Indonesia’s charms, the “Indonesian Holiday” offers a 15-day roundtrip journey from Singapore through the Indonesian archipelago, including stops at Probolinggo, Surabaya, and Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) on Java; Celukan Bawang and Benoa (Denpasar) on Bali; Komodo Island; Lembar on Lombok; and scenic cruising by the Krakatau Volcano.

Lastly, the “Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines” 14-day cruise combines the exotic charm of Southeast Asian countries, offering an enriching experience Bangkok; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; Puerto Princesa and Manila in the Philippines; and Phu My in Vietnam.

Limited-Time Packages Available

Launched in 2004 and receiving numerous renovations over its history, the 11-deck Westerdam is an award-winning member of Holland America’s fleet. It can accommodate 1,916 passengers and weighs 82,348 gross tons.

For a limited time, guests booking select 2025-26 Asia cruises with the “Have It All” premium package will receive standard amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi. Additional perks include free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Carnival Cruise Line Urges Respect Between Passengers

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Urges Respect Between Passengers

An empty elevator can be the most coveted space on a cruise ship, but frequent cruisers know how rare that phenomenon can be. Due to elevator crowding, the space can get particularly tense when mobility scooters are in use, especially in smaller elevators. Due to a rise in unpleasant interactions, Carnival Cruise Line is now urging respect on both sides of the elevator door.

Mobility Scooter Concerns Onboard Carnival Ships

All cruise lines deal with occasionally tense situations, but none can get more frustrating for guests than the etiquette of elevator usage. This is especially true when passengers have mobility scooters, wheelchairs, or strollers, bulky items that may take up most of an elevator’s limited space.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has recently addressed guests’ concerns about mobility scooters with regards to onboard elevators. Both sides of the debate can be heated – who should have priority using the elevators, and whether or not “aggressive driving” is a concern onboard.

Are Reserved Elevators the Answer?

These concerns are raised in the ongoing debate about who should have use of an elevator, depending on whether or not a guest using a mobility scooter is waiting. Should they be permitted first use of the next available elevator, regardless of whether or not other passengers have been waiting longer? Or does it depend on how full the next available elevator may be?

Frustrated guests who do require scooters have suggested that the cruise line provide a dedicated elevator for scooter use, perhaps with a crew member available to ensure compliance with who uses what elevator.

“We do not have the manpower to have a crew member reserve an elevator all day at each elevator bank just for mobility scooters,” Heald explained. “I wish we did. But I do know that most (I know not all) guests will be respectful to those guests who do need [scooters] to get about the ship.”

To station a crew member to reserve an elevator for mobility scooters is simply not feasible. Such a crew member would likely need to be on every deck – meaning a dozen or more crew members assigned to this single duty at just one elevator bank. Furthermore, most ships have several elevator banks onboard – forward, mid-ship, and aft at least – and so even more crew members would have to assume that duty.

Carnival Conquest Cruise Elevators
Carnival Conquest Cruise Elevators (Photo Credit: gary yim)

If a cruise line opted for just one reserved elevator onboard, that would likely not satisfy many passengers, as it would require mobility scooter users to move forward and aft to a single elevator bank each time they needed to move between floors.

A single reserved elevator also would not be efficient if there are many mobility scooters on a particular sailing, as each elevator can accommodate just 1-2 scooters per trip.

Ultimately, the solution for how mobility scooter users should be accommodated on elevators comes down to courtesy. If an elevator is very full already and a scooter would not fit, other passengers can feel free to board the elevator even if they have not been waiting as long.

If the elevator is empty enough for a scooter, however, it is polite to permit the passenger on the mobility scooter to board first, as it may be several minutes before another elevator arrives that could accommodate them.

Read Also: Mobility Scooter Causes Fire Scare on P&O Cruise Ship

Guests who are able to ease the load on elevators may also consider taking the stairs if they are only going up or down a deck or two. In crowded areas – such as at forward elevator banks just after a production show – all guests could consider skipping the closest elevator bank and moving to another, less crowded area for more space.

Aggressive Driving Concerns

Carnival guests who do not use mobility scooters have shared a different concern with Heald, that of overly aggressive driving.

Several travelers have reported being nudged, bumped, or outright hit by mobility scooters, both in elevators and in public areas of the ship. While some scooter users do express remorse at such incidents, it seems equally common that their aggressive driving goes unacknowledged – even when other passengers may be injured by the heavy scooters.

Cruise Ship Mobility Scooter
Cruise Ship Mobility Scooter (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)

“Can I ask mobility scooter users to please drive carefully,” Heald said. “Most of you do and are respectful to other road users, or deck users in this case. But a few do drive too quickly and this can result in a broken toe or as on a ship recently, three broken toes.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s guidelines for guests with mobility limitations explicitly states “Guests must drive at a safe speed to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on board.”

In crowded areas is can be difficult for scooter users to get by other guests without physical contact, but simply saying “Excuse me” in a loud but polite voice can easily alert others to the need for a bit more space.

Similarly, guests without scooters should remain aware of the space around them, and politely move aside if a scooter needs to get by.

As guests using scooters learn the layout of a particular ship, they could seek out better routes that offer more space, and be sure to leave early to reach activities and shows on time without needing to rush, which might accidentally cause them to hit someone.

Icon of the Seas Miami Arrival and Crew Party Detailed

Melissa Mayntz
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Icon of the Seas Miami Arrival and Crew Party Detailed

All eyes in the cruising world are on Icon of the Seas with the new ship’s debut less than three weeks away. But more than just the ship itself, the crew is what makes cruising amazing, and Royal Caribbean International is treating Icon of the Seas‘ crew to some great celebrations ahead of the ship’s maiden voyage.

Icon of the Seas Celebrating Crew Members

Royal Caribbean International’s new and sensational ship – the most anticipated new ship debuting in 2024 – is less than three weeks away from welcoming her first guests, but great things are in store for the vessel in the days ahead of her maiden voyage.

Icon of the Seas just completed a visit to Ponce, Puerto Rico, where the ship took on additional supplies and underwent regulatory inspections prior to beginning passenger service. A variety of shipyard workers also left the vessel after completing onboard work, and the ship is one big step closer to her inaugural sailing.

The next stop for the massive 250,800-gross-ton vessel is not yet her homeport of Miami, Florida, however. Instead, Icon of the Seas will be visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay for a well-deserved party for her crew members.

“Our amazing Icon crew will be the first to experience the biggest and best private island party at the new Hideaway Beach,” announced Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

“This break is so well-deserved as they’ve been working hard to put the finishing details on Icon, making sure the ship is just right for our first guests. I am so grateful for this startup crew and the years of expertise and passion they bring to the World’s Best Family Vacation.”

Star of the Seas at PerfectDay at CocoCay
Star of the Seas at PerfectDay at CocoCay

The new Hideaway Beach is an exclusive, adults-only addition to CocoCay, featuring new bars and dining venues, private cabanas, an acre of white sand beach, in-water hammocks, and more. Hideaway Beach is slated to open in late January, coinciding with Icon of the Seas‘ first visit to Royal Caribbean’s private island destination.

It is wonderful that Royal Caribbean is celebrating the hard-working crew members aboard Icon of the Seas by arranging the massive crew party at Hideaway Beach on Monday, January 8.

Worth Reading: Man Surfs “Tsunami” Created by World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Of course, the event will also be a trial of the new destination’s facilities to help work out any difficulties before guests arrive, and crew members may be asked to provide feedback to help tweak the space for more efficiency and enjoyment.

Icon of the Seas‘ Arrival Into Miami

While the new ship will be just 140 miles east of her new homeport on Monday, Tuesday will be spent at sea in anticipation of some stormy weather. Then, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Icon of the Seas will sail into PortMiami for the very first time. Her arrival time is expected at approximately 7 a.m., and a welcome party is planned as the ship cruises to the terminal.

“Wednesday morning we have a huge celebration planned for all of our shoreside teams and guests and loyalists are also welcome to see this historic occasion,” said Bayley. “Let’s wake up the whole city with our excitement for the Icon of Vacations’ arrival home.”

Icon of the Seas in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Icon of the Seas in Ponce, Puerto Rico

The official welcome event will be held at the Jorge M. Pérez Art Museum of Miami-Dade County (Perez Art Museum Miami) in downtown Miami with games, refreshments, live music, and giveaways. The museum is located at 1103 Biscayne Boulevard, just at the base of the MacArthur Causeway and with a spectacular view of Biscayne Bay for the ship’s arrival.

Icon of the Seas will welcome her first official guests aboard on Saturday, January 27, 2024 as she begins passenger operations. The inaugural sailing is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, during which the ship will visit St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and CocoCay. Icon of the Seas will be homeported year-round from Miami, offering alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries at least through April 2026.

Deployment plans after April 2026 have not yet been finalized. At that time, the second Icon-class ship – Star of the Seas – will already be sailing from Port Canaveral, and it is possible Icon of the Seas may be moved to a different homeport to bring her iconic brand of vacations to a new sailing region.

Some Not Happy Over Preferential Treatment on World Cruise

Catie Kovelman
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Some Not Happy Over Preferential Treatment on World Cruise

It’s been less than one month since Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas embarked from Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, but some passengers are already finding the cruise to be beneath their expectations because of alleged unfair treatment toward some of the guests. 

Not Happy About Pinnacle Guests

The 274-night sailing onboard Serenade of the Seas is the longest of its kind. When all is said and done, the cruise will have sailed to all seven continents, called at 150 destinations across 65 countries, and visited the 11 wonders of the world.

But drama is already brewing onboard Serenade of the Seas less than one month into the nine-month voyage. In a now viral video on the @UKsecrettravel channel on TikTok, a woman known as “Tea Captain” certainly had some tea to spill in a video titled “Ultimate World Cruise Guests Are Not Happy!,” which has been viewed 2.1 million times by the time of this publication.

You can watch the video below:

According to an unnamed source currently onboard Serenade of the Seas, some guests are unhappy with the cruise line treating certain passengers better than others.

Namely, Pinnacle members are receiving preferential treatment compared to other passengers on board. Pinnacle members are the highest tier of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program.

The TikToker’s contact alleges that Pinnacle members are being given special treatment and opportunities not available to other passengers, such as exclusive opportunities and not having to wait in line to board the ship.

“They’ve been invited to meetings in town halls, which all the guests haven’t been invited to,” says The Tea Captain. “Things that are going on in these meetings are affecting the ship.”

The source also says all Pinnacle members got to see the Northern Lights, but no other passengers were made aware of the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. The other issue at hand, per the travel influencer, is that “world cruisers” who are staying for the entire nine-month journey may be getting better treatment than “segmenters,” or passengers who are only onboard for a portion of the sailing. 

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s World Cruise Has Flooding Just 3 Weeks Into Voyage

Approximately 700 passengers are completing the full nine-month sailing, but some cruisers are only joining the cruise for one of four segments, each of which still lasts for more than 60 nights, or on shorter nine to 28-night cruises wrapped into the World Cruise itinerary.

Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas
Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock

In her video, the Tea Captain reports that many of these segmenters are being excluded from social media group chats by other passengers because they were not completing the full cruise, causing them to miss out on opportunities during their time onboard. 

“So, to wrap up, a lot of segmenters on the cruise are really unhappy with how Royal Caribbean are handling the situation. They’re treating the guests completely differently when they’ve paid the same price,” the Tea Captain says to conclude her video.

What is Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society?

The Crown and Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program to reward its guests. The more cruises someone takes with the cruise line, the more benefits they reap. 

Pinnacle members have the highest rank, which earns them extra benefits onboard Royal Caribbean cruises and why they may be getting extra perks on the Ultimate World Cruise. In fact, it’s quite normal for the major cruise lines to offer extra perks to their more elite loyalty members – a fact that was pointed out in many comments on TikTok.

Passengers earn points for every cruise they go on, which leads to a higher status within the society and more benefits. Every night spent on a Royal Caribbean in a normal stateroom earns one point, while each night spent in a suite earns two. 

All guests are automatically enrolled in Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society after they complete their first sailing with the cruise line.

There are several tiers within the Crown and Anchor Society that are reached as points are gained. The lowest tier is Gold, which requires three points or one three-night sailing to reach. But avid cruisers can work their way up to the top tier, Pinnacle status, which requires 700 points. 

Norwegian Cruise Ship Breaks Mooring Lines During Debarkation

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Ship Breaks Mooring Lines During Debarkation

While debarking guests in Galveston, Texas on Friday, January 5, 2024, strong winds caused Norwegian Prima to break her mooring lines, causing a temporary closure of the gangways and delaying ship operations.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the ship has been able to depart on her next sailing with what appears to only be a slight delay.

Norwegian Prima Breaks Mooring Lines

While Norwegian Prima was docked in Galveston, Texas and debarking from her most recent sailing, strong wind gusts caused the vessel to break her mooring lines.

The ship had just finished a 7-night cruise with visits to Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Roatan, and Cozumel. That cruise had departed on Friday, December 29, 2023.

The strong weather included wind gusts recorded as high as 47 miles per hour (76 kilometers per hour), conditions strong enough to put too much stress on the lines holding the 143,535-gross-ton vessel. At least one mooring line snapped, which could be dangerous if the line had ricocheted toward dock workers.

Fortunately, most workers had already taken shelter and were far enough from the incident to remain safe. The ship did not break completely free, and was quickly re-secured. When any lines break, a large ship will be drifting somewhat loosely, which can be a dangerous situation.

The incident happened at approximately 7 a.m., just as debarkation began. Some guests had already left the ship safely, but debarkation was halted immediately to ensure everyone’s safety.

Norwegian Prima has 20 total decks (16 accessible to guests), giving her an exceptionally tall profile that can be more susceptible to strong winds and gusts than smaller, more compact ships.

Debarkation Delayed

Because of the strong weather, debarkation was temporarily suspended, a delay that extended to approximately two hours. This was due to the breaking of several lines, as well as damage to one gangway used for debarkation.

“We would like to thank you for your patience this morning and have a safe trip home, thank you,” the ship’s captain announced while explaining the situation during the delay.

The debarkation delay also had a slight knock-on effect for the following embarkation. The impact was minimal, however, considering how the situation could have evolved if the damage had been more severe.

Instead, the ship has already been able to depart on her next sailing, another 7-night voyage visiting the same ports of call as her previous sailing. Norwegian Prima is offering the same itinerary each week through early April.

On April 5, the ship will depart Galveston for the last time on an 11-night, one-way repositioning sailing to Miami, and from there, to New York. After New York, the ship will move to Southampton, where she will begin her summer season in Europe, offering alternating departures from Southampton, UK and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Not a First Mooring Break for Norwegian Prima

Interestingly, this is not the first time Norwegian Prima has broken free of her mooring lines. A similar incident happened in July 2023 while the ship was docked in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

That stop was a port of call visit and the breakaway was also a result of strong winds that pushed on the vessel. During that incident, both forward and aft gangways dropping into the water as the ship drifted, though no injuries were reported and the ship’s overall itinerary was not impacted.

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

With the same ship experiencing two similar unfortunate events in less than six months, it may seem to be a design flaw of the Prima class that the vessel could break lines with such frequency. Most cruise ships enjoy many years of service without a single such incident.

Read Also: Galveston Cruise Port – Essential Guide for Your Cruise

This is not necessarily a flaw, however, as it is more likely for larger ships to experience line breaks in foul weather, especially with severe wind gusts. It is simply bad luck that Norwegian Prima has been twice affected by the unique conditions that can cause such incidents.

At the same time, it is a credit to the ship’s crew as well as local dock personnel that in neither case were any severe injuries reported, and the ship was able to be re-secured and continue operations relatively promptly when the weather permitted.

Royal Caribbean Ship Makes Maiden Port Call After 14 Years in Service

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Ship Makes Maiden Port Call After 14 Years in Service

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas has made her inaugural visit to the beautiful destination of Aruba – more than 14 years after the ship first set sail.

It certainly isn’t unusual for new cruise ships to visit ports for the first time, but it is more unique for an older vessel to have new destinations on her itineraries.

Oasis of the Seas Visits Aruba for the First Time

Oasis of the Seas made her very first-ever visit to the gorgeous island of Aruba on Wednesday, January 2, 2024 – more than 14 years after the ship debuted. The stop was part of the ship’s current sailing, a 9-night Southern Caribbean Perfect Day itinerary that departed Miami, Florida on Friday, December 29, 2023.

“We couldn’t be happier today with another first call in our Port of Oranjestad. Welcome to Oasis of the Seas’ first visit,” said Aruba Ports Authority (APA) while commemorating the occasion.

Inaugural visits are often marked with special ceremonies and greetings. Port officials will frequently present the ship’s master with a token to mark the occasion, such as a plaque, photo, or small sculpture. These items are typically displayed onboard in a gallery of sorts, which can be a fun exhibit for passengers to browse.

Similarly, the ship’s officers may also present port officials with a commemorative item, cementing the connection between the ship and the port and ensuring a good relationship for future visits.

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship
Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Artesia Wells)

Also in port during Oasis of the Seas‘ first visit was P&O Cruises’ Britannia. Additional Royal Caribbean International ships will also be calling at the port this month, including Rhapsody of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas. Even more ships will visit throughout 2024.

Aruba was the third of four ports of call on Oasis of the Seas‘ current sailing. Prior to arriving in Oranjestad, the ship enjoyed visits to CocoCay in the Bahamas and Willemstad in Curacao, and afterward, is visiting Falmouth, Jamaica, before returning to Miami on Sunday, January 7.

Why Hasn’t Oasis of the Seas Been to Aruba Yet?

Oasis of the Seas debuted with her maiden voyage on December 5, 2009 as the first in the revolutionary Oasis class of ships. During the 14 years the ship has been in service, she has sailed to many ports worldwide, including throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Canada, and more.

The ship has been homeported in various locations to offer such diverse itineraries, including Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Barcelona, and Rome.

It is not uncommon for cruise lines to move new ships around to various homeports in their first few years, especially when a ship is debuting a new class with all new features. This brings the new vessel to more travelers and generates greater interest and more bookings.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: BA Arts)

Because Oasis of the Seas has been homeported several times from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, it is unusual that the vessel had not visited Aruba until this year. The tropical island – part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – is not as frequently included on Caribbean itineraries as many travelers may expect, however.

This is because of the island’s distance from US homeports. Aruba is 1,300 miles (2,092 kilometers) of sailing distance from Miami, the southernmost major US cruise homeport, and 1,500 miles (2,414 km) from Port Canaveral, the busiest passenger cruise homeport in the world.

Cruising to Aruba

Aruba is one of the stars of what are casually called the A-B-C itineraries – Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. This is a popular Southern Caribbean itinerary for cruise lines, but because all three islands are just 60 miles (97 km) off the northern coast of Venezuela and so far from popular homeports, these are not frequently scheduled itineraries.

Cruises to reach Aruba do tend to be longer, with 7-night sailings generally the minimum to visit one of the A-B-C islands. Longer 8, 9, or 10+ night itineraries are more likely to include one or more of the coveted destinations.

These itineraries frequently have several days at sea in order for ships to comfortably reach the region, and may also include stops in other ports of call such as Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, or the Bahamas, depending on the cruise line and sailing route.

In addition to Royal Caribbean ships, vessels from Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and more will be calling on Aruba in 2024, giving cruise travelers plenty of options to see this amazing destination.

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