Just because you’re on a cruise vacation doesn’t mean perpetrators take a break from looking for opportunities to strike. Even though modern cruise ships are statistically one of the safest forms of travel, it’s still important to remain aware of one’s surroundings in case potential threats are lurking nearby. One TikToker has gone viral for her cruise safety tips for women sailing solo.
Viral Cruise Safety Tips On TikTok
There is some truth to the saying “there’s safety in numbers.” Single travelers, and especially females traveling solo, tend to be more vulnerable targets. Luckily, Victoria from @victorias.way on TikTok has dedicated her channel to sharing travel safety tips, especially for women traveling by themselves.
While onboard a newer MSC Cruises ship, Victoria filmed a video detailing her process to ensure no unwelcome passengers or crew can enter her stateroom. She posted the video on December 9, 2023, and it has since gone viral. She did not specify which ship she was on.
After turning on the lights and locking her cabin door, Victoria ensures her cabin is extra secure with a portable door lock. She then closes the peephole and turns on the “do not disturb” button.
You can watch the video below:
For added security, the TikToker then installs a doorstop alarm at the base of her door, before using a closet hanger to connect the deadbolt to her bathroom door handle for added security, sort of like a makeshift security chain. She then rolls up a towel to stick in the door handle to block anyone from turning it.
Finally, Victoria places a heavy piece of furniture against the door and installs a small, wireless security camera, before moving on to check out the balcony. After a brief survey of her surroundings, Victoria locks the balcony door and closes the curtain for privacy.
At the time of this writing, Victoria’s video has 18.7 million views and 17,657 comments. While most TikTokers agreed with bringing the portable lock and doorstop, some felt the safety routine was a bit overkill, took too much time, or made it too hard to access emergency exits.
“After the doorstop alarm, you’re doing entirely too much for a cruise,” wrote one TikTok user named MaKayla Turner.
“Well, you spend the first 6 days of your 7 day cruise barricading your day,” commented a user posting as David Reynolds2489.
“You forgot the guard dogs and the sniper tower w/spotlight,” joked a user going by the handle messerschmidt86.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individual cruiser to decide what steps make them feel the most safe. Note that modern cruise ships typically have security onboard and CCTV in many public areas.
One day later on December 10, 2023, Victoria also posted a second video about coping with motion sickness during a stormy night at sea. So far, this TikTok has earned 833.2K views and garnered over 9,000 comments.
In the 1-minute clip, Victoria shows how she uses seasickness patches, Dramamine tablets, and fresh air to find relief from motion sickness, before starting a dialogue in the comments by asking for more seasickness tips.
Victoria’s Travel Safety Channel
The @victorias.way TikTok channel is full of videos with travel safety tips for vacations on land and at sea. As of January 1, 2024, the channel has 68.9K followers and 7.8 million video likes.
In addition to mini cruise vlogs and cruise safety tips, Victoria, the face of the channel, also posts hotel safety tips, which contain useful information for those who arrive for their cruise early or remain in the port a few extra days.
Victoria’s page has a “Hotel Safety Tips” playlist with 22 videos, which address how to prevent intruders from entering, checking for bed bugs, and answering questions from the comments.
Additionally, Victoria has shared a playlist of six videos with home security tips, focusing on staying safe when home alone, preventing break-ins, and tips for keeping your home secure prior to leaving on vacation.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy rescued four refugees just north of Havana, Cuba on December 31, 2023. The cruise ship was enjoying a day at sea on its current sailing, when the small craft was spotted and Disney Fantasy rendered assistance.
Disney Fantasy Rescues Refugees on New Year’s Eve
As Disney Fantasy was sailing just north of Cuba on Sunday, December 31, 2023, a small, unpowered craft was spotted with four individuals crowded aboard. The cruise ship immediately stopped to assist, sending out its own pilot craft and rescue personnel to bring the refugees aboard.
All four individuals were successfully rescued, and would have been given any immediate medial care necessary aboard Disney Fantasy, as well as food and water. The cruise ship diverted course slightly to rendezvous with Cuban Coast Guard authorities in order to transfer the refugees to the proper authorities.
Repatriating refugees back to their country of origin is standard practice with these types of rescues. When refugees are brought aboard a cruise ship, they may be taken to the next port of call in order to reach the authorities, depending on where they are found and how convenient a rendezvous may be.
Disney Fantasy Cruise line picks up Cuban migrants at sea 12/31/23 just North of Havana, Cuba pic.twitter.com/aoK2QYNtpH
The incident happened approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) off Cuba’s northern coast, northwest of Havana. Since Disney Fantasy was very close to Havana at the time, it was easy for the ship to divert without a significant impact on her itinerary.
Disney Fantasy is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing for the New Year, having departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, December 30. The day of the rescue was a day at sea, making it easy for the ship to adjust speed and sailing route to preserve the overall schedule while still rendering aid to those in need.
They have been delivered back to the Cuban Coast Guard. Surreal with this happening right Havana in the background. pic.twitter.com/benVGlfD2l
The 129,690-gross-ton Disney Fantasy will visit Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Castaway Cay, Bahamas during the week-long cruise ringing in the new year, before returning to Port Canaveral on Saturday, January 6. The ship can welcome 2,500 guests aboard at double occupancy, or as many as 4,000 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Refugee Rescues in 2023
This region of the Straits of Florida is particularly common for refugee rescues, often individuals attempting to leave Cuba in the hopes of a better life in the United States or other nations.
Key West, Florida is just 105 miles (169 km) north-northeast of Havana. While this can be a perilous trip in a small, makeshift craft, the rewards of a new life often seem worthwhile to individuals who may be facing dire situations in their home country.
January is a popular month for such rescues, as the weather patterns in the region make it easier for rafts, lifeboats, rowboats, and other less-than-seaworthy craft to attempt the journey.
Celebrity Beyond Rescue (Footage Credit: Captain Kate McCue)
Other ships from different cruise lines performed similar rescues throughout the year in different areas of the Caribbean, and several ships made intense rescues in the Mediterranean as well.
Rescue operations can always be tense situations, as crew members take every step necessary to safeguard those in peril. Whether it is a refugee craft, disabled fishing vessel, cargo ship, ferry, or other type of vessel, assistance will always be offered in accordance with international maritime law.
It should be noted, however, that refugees can refuse assistance and cannot be compelled aboard another vessel so long as their craft is still functional and has adequate supplies. The small lifeboat Disney Fantasy encountered, however, had no motor and would likely not have been successful at crossing the Straits of Florida.
Five masts, 56,000 square feet of sails, a stiff breeze, and a rolling sea. This was the recipe for an exciting, Southern Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Clipper, the flagship of the three-vessel Star Clippers line.
What is It Like on the Royal Clipper Sailing Ship?
Commissioned in 2000, the 4,500-gross ton ship is a traditional clipper — a name given to high-performing, square-rigged sailing vessels in the mid-19th century due to their speed. They could travel the major trade routes faster than most merchant ships, typically reaching 18 mph and successfully “clipping” the length of a voyage, saving ship owners and customers time and money.
Royal Clipper is a replica of Preussen, a steel-hulled ship built in Germany that entered service in 1902 and sailed for eight years before a collision sank her in the waters off Dover, England.
The tall ship cruise experience one finds today aboard Royal Clipper is a world apart from the contemporary ships operated by popular brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, and even other small ship lines such as Windstar Cruises.
The four-deck Royal Clipper, with a capacity for just 227 guests, has one dining room, one indoor lounge, two outdoor bars, and a small library. Without an elevator, the ship is a challenge for anyone with mobility issues, since the only way to navigate the vessel’s interior is by climbing up and down narrow and steep stairways.
Royal Clipper Sailing Ship (Photo Credit: SOLOTU)
Ideal for sailing enthusiasts and those looking for a different kind of cruise adventure, Royal Clipper delivers a unique twist on modern cruising. With the romantic atmosphere of a bygone era, the simplicity of her design allows guests to experience the true nature of a sailing ship.
Royal Clipper is 480 feet long, roughly double the wingspan of a 747 aircraft, and sports a narrow beam of just 54 feet. I embarked the ship in Bridgetown, Barbados, and from the cruise terminal I could see her rocking from side to side at the pier as a steady wind blew.
At the next berth, P&O Cruises’ 185,000-gross ton Arvia dwarfed Royal Clipper, and I began to wonder whether my sea legs would carry me through the 7-night sailing that was about to begin.
How Much Wind Is Too Much?
Our cruise in mid-December 2023 called at Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Iles des Saintes, and Martinique. December falls smack in the middle of the Southern Caribbean’s wet season, and the weather was true to its reputation.
We had rain showers on and off throughout our weeklong sailing, but plenty of sunshine, too. What caught most guests off-guard, however, was the presence of a phenomenon called the Christmas Wind.
These east to west trade winds were exceptionally strong and steady, and caused large swells that made the ship rock virtually nonstop. On some of the most windy nights, Royal Clipper was up against 40 knot gusts, which kept many guests awake and reaching for their motion sickness meds.
Star Clipper on Deck (Photo Credit: Donna Tunney)
Aside from the uncomfortable overnights, the high winds kept guests off the Sun Deck, where the ship’s three small pools were closed during the roughest days.
Cruisers looking for a smooth sailing aboard Royal Clipper in winter probably should book from mid-January through March, after the winds have settled and the wet season has ended, some of the crew advised.
On the up-side, the windy weather enabled the captain to sail the ship by wind power alone for about 65% of our cruise route, an extraordinary record and one that will appeal to environment-conscience cruisers. Generators remained on for hotel operations when the ship was under full sail power.
Most of the 150 guests on our cruise took the wind in stride, and appeared to become accustomed to the ship’s rocking. Holding onto handrails and bannisters became second nature, but unfortunately, the strong force of the winds put the kibosh on special events, like a barbecue lunch beachside and the use of the ship’s fold-down water sports platform at the ship’s stern.
A Preponderance of Brits
The demographics of our cruise were interesting and, we were told, typical. The lion’s share of guests were British, followed by Americans, Germans, French, and Canadians. Guests were mostly middle-aged and older, with a few in their 80s and even 90s. Unfortunately, those older folks appeared unable to safely navigate most of the ship.
Royal Clipper Vessel (Photo Credit: Pen_85)
Our sailing had a few younger couples and some singles, who had paid hefty single supplement fees to join the voyage. The ship is not conducive to children, as it offers no programming or facilities. On our cruise, there was one young couple with a baby who appeared to be under 1 year old.
Guests doted on the adorable tyke, who was just attempting her first steps. On one of those windy nights, her father quipped, “I hope she doesn’t learn to walk on this ship, she’ll turn out looking like a drunken sailor.”
High Marks for Royal Clipper’s Chef
The one thing that Royal Clipper has in common with the contemporary mega-shipsis the constant availability of food.
Continental breakfast is offered in the Piano Lounge starting at 6 a.m., followed by a full breakfast buffet in the dining room from 8 to 10 a.m.
Buffet lunch is served in the dining room from noon to 2 p.m., and a substantial array of afternoon snacks is set up in the Main Deck Tropical Bar at 5 p.m. Then it’s a multi-course dinner in the dining room from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and the evening closes with a midnight snack, again at the Tropical Bar.
Breakfast buffets are typical, with a good choice of hot and cold items, but there were a few oddities, such as no fresh-brewed decaf coffee — only instant was available.
Lounge on Royal Clipper
Lunches were themed, Caribbean specialties one day, Mediterranean the next, then seafood, etc. Dinners were excellent, and the chef outdid himself every night. Multi-course menus with salads, soups, appetizers, sorbets, main entrees, cheese plates, a selection of pastry desserts — all were superb.
Dinner entrees featured sea bass, duck breast, roast beef, and coq au vin, plus vegetarian offerings such as mushroom quiche, vegetable stews, and spinach cannelloni. Overall, I’d give the food high marks.
Wine was available by the glass and the bottle. We found the prices to be fair, and as with other cruise lines, unfinished bottles are stored for the following night’s meal. In the dining room and the lounge, bartenders provided a generous pour, and cocktails cost about 8 euros.
The line does not offer beverage packages for individual guests, although one can be obtained for groups.
Brother, Can You Spare a Drawer?
Royal Clipper has 114 staterooms, and most of them are quite tight. There are two owner’s suites, 14 deluxe outside balcony staterooms, two deck cabins, 90 outside doubles and six inside cabins.
Outside doubles have portholes and range from 118 to 145 square feet. Inside cabins reach just 108 square feet, and the deck cabins are 156 square feet. For two average-size adults, these are all challenging spaces.
Balcony staterooms are somewhat better, offering 280 square feet, and the owner’s suites measure 430 square feet.
I was booked into an outside double. Bathrooms, which are included in the square footage, were hardly large enough to turn around in. Shelving under the sink works well for storing items, but the sink top is miniscule. Showers are separated from the bathroom area by a low lip on the floor, which does little to prevent water from spilling into the main area.
Star Clipper Ship Cabin
Accumulating water is a problem, and in my cabin appeared to be the cause of rust stains along the lower levels of the bathroom walls. The bathrooms are in need of upgrades, no question, but the water in the shower is consistently hot, and one does get used to the cramped space.
One closet, with a safe, along with a small dresser and two additional drawers rounded out the storage space. Suitcases were hidden under the double bed, and a small chair at the foot of the bed came in handy.
A few of the guests I talked with were disappointed with the size of their accommodations, but most others took a positive view, saying that the unique aspects of the ship made up for the staterooms’ shortfalls.
A Good Variety of Shore Excursions
Many guests had looked forward to the water sports platform at the stern of the ship, hoping to swim, kayak, and perhaps paddle board off the platform in some of the quiet harbors on Royal Clipper’s itinerary.
Little of that happened due to the strong winds, which kept the platform closed during most of our sailing. However, most shore excursions went forward as planned, and a wide variety of tours were offered.
Island tours by mini-bus (from about 45 euros), hikes through the islands’ national parks, snorkeling trips, speed boat rides, kayaking on rivers and in harbors (about 85 euros), and some cultural activities, such as rum-making (72 euros), were offered.
A Fellow Gust Climbing the Mast (Photo Credit: Donna Tunney)
There is no advance-booking option for excursions aboard Royal Clipper. Guests simply add their name and cabin number to sign-up sheets located at the cruise director’s desk, and tickets are delivered to their cabins.
Onboard our Royal Clipper cruise, one of the most challenging daily tasks was navigating the gangway and climbing on and off the tenders, since the unrelenting wind caused huge, dangerous gaps between the ship and the tender craft. There was no avoiding it, since tenders were used at every port call.
The ability of the crew assisting guests on and off the tenders was excellent, but I know I was not the only one worrying about whether I’d be able to safely take the big step to board or exit the tender. Each time I made the leap felt like a major accomplishment.
In fact, just sailing on this ship felt like an accomplishment. Royal Clipper was definitely not the easiest vacation at sea, but it was easily the most memorable.
The ship is sailing four itineraries through winter 2024, all roundtrip from Barbados, and will depart the Caribbean on March 30, heading to the Mediterranean for the summer 2024 season.
A concert aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa was abruptly canceled when, just 30 minutes before showtime, a male guest was reported overboard. While the overboard was not connected to the concert, the cancelation was done out of respect to the victim and the rescue personnel hard at work in search efforts.
Guest Overboard From MSC Preziosa
A passenger went overboard from MSC Preziosa in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 30, 2023. The alert was sounded at approximately 12:30 a.m., and emergency procedures were initiated immediately to attempt to locate the guest onboard, as is standard procedure for an overboard alert.
At the time, MSC Preziosa was sailing toward Angra dos Reis, in Rio de Janeiro, for New Year’s Eve events. The special sailing includes a variety of music performances and celebratory activities to ring in the new year.
New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro (Photo Credit: A.PAES / Shutterstock)
Local authorities were notified and search efforts began in the water as well. Once the local Coast Guard had their search underway, the cruise ship was released to continue on its itinerary. This is also standard procedure for overboard incidents.
MSC Cruises has confirmed that the guest intentionally jumped overboard. While the details of the incident have not been released, this was likely determined through onboard security camera footage, which is always reviewed as part of emergency operations when an overboard is suspected and the guest cannot be located.
“Our thoughts are with the guest’s family at this difficult time,”a statement from MSC Cruises read.
In order to preserve the privacy of the guest, their traveling companions, and family and friends, the identity of the guest has not been released. Search efforts are currently ongoing and will continue according to local authorities’ discretion.
The 139,400-gross-ton MSC Preziosa is a modified Fantasia-class vessel that joined MSC Cruises in 2013. The ship can welcome 3,959 guests onboard at double occupancy or as many as 4,345 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. The special nature of this cruise, including it being a holiday sailing, would ensure the vessel is closer to fully booked.
Because of the emergency and the unfortunate nature of the situation, singer Alexandre Pires – who was scheduled to perform at 1 a.m. onboard – canceled his concert just minutes before going on stage, according to iG Gente.
“Out of respect for the victim and the rescue work, we spoke with the organization and reached a consensus not to hold the show, which was scheduled to start at 1am. We had not yet gone on stage when this tragic event happened,”said Pires.
“Our mission is to bring joy and promote culture through music, which would not have been possible due to what happened. I apologize to the fans for the cancellation and everyone’s understanding of the decision we made.”
There is no word on whether or not the show will be rescheduled to a different time. As the cruise is filled with a variety of performances by multiple artists, it may not be possible to accommodate a schedule change.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Pires is an award-winning Brazilian singer-songwriter with a variety of hits in both Portuguese and Spanish. He won the Latin Billboard Music Awards for Artist of the Year in 2003 and for Best Samba/Pagode Album in 2013, with nominations in other categories in several years.
Wesley Safadão, Ana Castela, Gustavo Mioto, Leo Santana, Xande de Pilares, Durval Lellys and other artists are also scheduled to perform during the cruise. There is no word on whether or not any other performances will be impacted by this tragic development.
Other Recent Overboards
Unfortunately, the holiday season can be an especially difficult time for anyone suffering from depression or other issues that may lead them to feelings of hopelessness and futility. Overboard situations at this time of year are especially tragic.
In mid-November, a guest was reported missing and confirmed overboard from Carnival Glory. Again, the search was ended unsuccessfully despite exhaustive search efforts over a very broad area.
Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship in Miami (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
Earlier in November, another music cruise also had an overboard situation. The incident happened from Norwegian Pearl and after nine hours, the search had to be ended, once again without success.
No matter what time of year, such incidents are difficult to deal with. Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the guest, as well as the crew members of MSC Preziosa and the rescue teams that respond to such tragic circumstances.
Thanks to social media posts that were shared by many concerned community members, a teenage girl missing from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit has been safely located and reunited with her family. Thankfully, what must have been a worrying time for the girl’s family was able to have a happy ending.
Teen Missing From Norwegian Spirit
When Norwegian Spirit docked in Dunedin, New Zealand on Saturday, December 30, 2023, one family went ashore for fun exploration that quickly turned frightening when a 15-year-old girl named Cameron was separated from her parents and missing in the city.
Cameron – whose last name has not been identified to preserve her and her family’s privacy – did have a cell phone, but did not have a New Zealand sim card. Therefore, the phone could not be used to contact her parents or for her parents to locate her via any tracking features.
When the girl was noted as missing, her parents quickly alerted authorities, who then spread the word via social media posts and outreach, including Cameron’s description – 5.5 feet tall, wearing black leggings and a black crop top, and with a dark red hoodie.
Time was of the essence to locate the missing teen, as Norwegian Spirit was scheduled to depart Dunedin at 4 p.m. that afternoon. Cruise ships must keep very strict schedules and it is well known that passengers may be left behind if they do not return to the ship for the scheduled departure.
Fortunately, a member of the public spotted Cameron after seeing the social media posts, and was able to alert local police. An officer then found the girl and reunited her with her parents, well before the ship’s departure.
Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: David MG / Shutterstock)
“The missing girl was located by someone who had seen our original Facebook post,”said a statement by the Southern District Police.“Police would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Dunedin community, who shared that original Facebook post and got the word out far and wide.”
The 75,904-gross-ton, Leo-class Norwegian Spirit is currently sailing a 12-night holiday cruise that departed Sydney, Australia on Saturday, December 23. The ship has already called in Melbourne and enjoyed beautiful cruising in Fiordland National Park. After Dunedin, the ship will visit Wellington, Picton, Napier, and Tauranga before arriving in Auckland on Thursday, January 4.
Keeping Safe in Ports of Call
While the details of how Cameron was separated from her parents have not been disclosed, there are many ways a family could inadvertently become separated in a busy port of call.
Dunedin is the second-largest city on South Island, after Christchurch, with a population of nearly 135,000 people. Port areas can be notoriously crowded, especially around security stations, popular retail shops, or areas where tour buses may be picking up or dropping off cruise passengers.
Norwegian Spirit (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)
As Norwegian Spirit can welcome 2,018 guests aboard for each sailing, this can make for a very crowded port area indeed. Also in port at the same time Cameron went missing was Regent Seven Seas’ Cruises Seven Seas Explorer, adding as many as another 750 passengers to the port crowds.
It would be very easy for any teen to have been looking at items in a shop, or perhaps taking a selfie at a spot with a great view, or even simply looking for a restroom and get disoriented, unable to find their parents again.
Parents should always try to stick close by their children, though with teens this is often less practical. Using walkie-talkies could be a way to stay in contact even if a family becomes separated, though the range is often very limited.
A pre-arranged meeting spot and time, someplace very visible and easy to find, is another option families and groups could use if they become separated.
Children of all ages should also be instructed to seek out authority figures if they become lost, such as local police or even to ask a store employee for assistance.
Carnival Cruise Line certainly knows how to party, and there’s no better time to party than New Year’s Eve. While every ship in the fleet will have festivities onboard to ring in 2024, guests who aren’t sailing a New Year’s cruise can also enjoy Carnival fun from the iconic Times Square New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast.
Carnival Cruise Line Sponsoring Times Square Party
Millions of people will be able to enjoy Carnival Cruise Line’s special party style with New Year’s Eve festivities from Times Square in New York City as 2023 ends and 2024 begins. This year, America’s Cruise Line is not only lighting the iconic ball, but is the official cruise line sponsor for Times Square New Year’s Eve for the third year in a row.
Furthermore, Carnival is a musical sponsor for the ever-popular “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024” on ABC, a live broadcast of the festivities that will start at 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023 and continue into 2024 until 2 a.m. iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app will also broadcast the celebration.
“We’re bringing the signature Carnival fun back to Times Square in celebration of our remarkable achievements this year,”said Josh Weinstein, President & CEO and Chief Climate Officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.
“Looking back on 2023, we delivered stellar vacations to millions of people and saw record bookings and unprecedented growth from several of our brands, including Carnival Cruise Line. We have raised the bar, so now it’s time to raise the Ball! We have plenty to be proud about and we’re confident that 2024 is set to be another record-breaking year across our company.”
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
While the ball has already been tested to be sure it functions properly, the official lighting for this year’s party will be at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, when the ball will be raised to the top of One Times Square for all to see.
The iconic New Year’s Eve Ball is a geodesic sphere 12 feet in diameter, weighs 11,875 pounds, and is covered with 2,688 triangular crystals. A total of 32,256 LEDS illuminate the ball.
For more than 30 years, the ABC special has been the top viewing choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with more than 17.9 million viewers at the peak moment when midnight is reached.
During the celebration, several LED billboards in Times Square will also display Carnival Cruise Line’s new “No One Does Fun Like Carnival” advertising campaign.
New Year’s Eve at Sea
While the Times Square New Year’s Eve party is well-known worldwide, it is at sea that end-of-year parties are truly global. Carnival Cruise Line’s 26 ships will all be holding their own celebrations to ring in the new year, at destinations around the world.
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor are sailing in Australia and will be the first ships to ring in the new year, while the new Carnival Jubilee will be enjoying her second-ever sailing from Galveston for the new year festivities. From New York to New Orleans and Baltimore to Mobile to all the Florida homeports, Carnival ships are ready to sail into 2024.
Onboard celebrations will include deck parties, countdowns, balloon drops, champagne toasts, and more, including the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with special treats as well as themed activities throughout New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
All of these festivities are to ring in the new year with Carnival’s signature fun, leading to what should be a fantastic 2024 for the cruise line.
“We start off 2024 with gratitude for our great guests, team members, travel advisors and business partners who have helped make our brand such a success and position us for a great year ahead,”said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President.
“Now, as we ring in 2024, we’re also set to share more plans for our new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, which opens in 2025 and will truly be a game-changing addition to Carnival cruises.”
Another thing to look forward to with Carnival Cruise Line in 2024 will be the addition of Carnival Firenze to the fleet in late April, sailing from the West Coast and bringing a distinctive Italian flair to new Carnival itineraries.
What else might be coming for Carnival Cruise Line in the new year? Stay tuned to Cruise Hive to find out!
Carnival Cruise Line has released the updated list of onboard parties for every vessel in the fleet, including exclusive parties for the new Carnival Jubilee – just in time to ring in the new year.
From popular favorite events to exclusive events for some ships and special Carnival Journeys voyages, there are fun parties awaiting every guest who sets sail with Carnival in the coming months.
Carnival Cruise Line Updated 2024 Theme Party List
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has released the updated list of themed parties for every Carnival cruise ship. These parties are a highlight of each sailing for many cruisers, who may choose what to pack based on what outfits match the different parties onboard.
It should be noted that outdoor deck parties may change due to weather, if conditions will not permit the event to be held on the Lido Deck as planned. This could be due to high winds or rain that might endanger sound equipment or make the surface unsafe for guests to get their groove on.
“Take a look at what our brilliant stable of Cruise Directors and their Fun Squads will be hosting for you when you cruise,”said Heald.
The themed parties for every Carnival ship are the following:
Carnival Breeze: Rock the Promenade, Motown Showdown, Decades Atrium Party, White Night Silent Party, 80s Rock and Glow
Carnival Celebration: 80s Rock and Glow, White Hot Party, Motown Party, Evolution Party
Carnival Conquest: 80s and 90s Party (3- and 4-night sailings), Motown Party (4-night sailings only), Mega Deck Party
Carnival Dream: Rock the Promenade, Motown Party, 90s Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Silent White Night Party
Carnival Elation: Rock the Promenade, Motown Trivia Party, Mega Deck Party, 80s Party
Carnival Freedom: Rock the Promenade, Motown Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Decades Party
Carnival Horizon: Motown Party, White Night, Farewell Music Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Silent Disco Party
Carnival Legend: Motown Party, 90s Party, Mega Deck Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Silent Party
Carnival Luminosa: Silent Night White Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Island Nights (7-nights and shorter sailings), Backyard Bash (8-night sailings and longer), Motown and 70s Party, Decades Music Party, Superhero Party
Carnival Magic: Rock the Promenade, Motown Party, Farewell Music Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Serenity Nights (8-night cruises only)
Carnival Miracle (two consecutive 14-night Journeys cruises): Ballroom Dancer Demonstrations, Hula Class, Hawaiian Appreciation Event, Farewell Music Party, Sail Away Party, Luau Deck Party, Silent White Night, 80s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party
Mardi Gras: 90s Party, White Hot Party, Tiki Party, Rock and Glow
Carnival Paradise: 80s Rock and Glow, Rock the Prom, Motown Party, Fun Farewell
Carnival Panorama: Motown Party, White Party, Farewell Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Silent Night Disco, Mega Deck Party
Carnival Pride: Silent Disco, Mega Deck Party, Electric White Night, 80s Rock and Glow, 70s and Motown Party
Carnival Radiance: Mega Deck Party, Rock the Promenade, 80s Rock and Glow, Motown Showdown, White Party
Carnival Spirit: Mega Deck Party, 80s Rock and Glow, Silent White Party, 70s and Motown Party, Fun Farewell
Carnival Splendor: Superhero Party (5-night and longer sailings), 80s Rock and Glow, White Hot Party (6-8 night sailings), 90s Party, Island Night (8-night and longer sailings), Backyard Bash (8-night and longer sailings)
Carnival Sunrise: Rock the Promenade, 90s Party, White Hot Party, 80s Rock and Glow
Carnival Sunshine: Rock the Promenade, Motown Showdown, 90s Party, Mega Deck Party
Carnival Valor: 80s Rock and Glow, Motown Party, 90s Trivia Party
Carnival Venezia: Motown Party, 80s Rock and Glow, 90s Party, White Party, Silent Party, Festa Italiana
Carnival Vista: Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Motown Party, White Hot Party
Enjoying Onboard Parties
The onboard parties are a highlight of any cruise and a fun way for guests to enjoy music, dancing, and more. Depending on the type of party, some events are held on the Lido Deck, while others are hosted in the ship’s main atrium, where guests can join in from different decks with great views. Other events may be held in the onboard nightclub or other spaces as necessary.
Different cruise directors also add their own flair to each party, whether through crowd interaction, music trivia, flashy costumes, prizes tossed to the crowd, and more. Line dances or dance-offs can be part of different events, or there may be costume contests, singing challenges, or other competitions.
Photo Credit: vvoe / Shutterstock
Many guests will specifically pack items to coordinate with the theme parties, such as an all white outfit for the Silent White Party, or day-glo gear for the Rock and Glow events. This is not necessary, however, and everyone is welcome to enjoy each party in their own way.
Each cruise will have several parties onboard, but passengers should check the Fun Times (either through the Carnival Hub App or the printed version available from Guest Services) for the days and times of each event. These special-themed parties are only offered one time per sailing.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party
Some parties are also limited-time events and may not be offered on future sailings once ships change sailing regions or itineraries. During the Alaska sailing season, for example, ships in the Last Frontier will often offer themed Alaska parties, but may drop other parties to accommodate the exclusive event.
Which theme party is your favorite? (I enjoy the Mega Deck Party and all the fun line dances, myself!) Share your onboard party tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
After two straight years of being a runner-up, Royal Caribbean International has the top-ranked cruise ship in the 2023 Cruise Hive Awards. Wonder of the Seas took top honors in the annual contest.
Wonder of the Seas Tops for Best Overall Cruise Ship
Wonder of the Seas came out on top among ships across multiple cruise lines nominated by readers in 2023 for the Cruise Hive Awards. Royal Caribbean International came in second place for the honor in 2021 and 2022.
Royal Caribbean also scored first place for most anticipated cruise ship for 2024 – Icon of the Seas. The ship is scheduled to make her inaugural cruise on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Best Overall Cruise Ship
The Cruise Hive Awards started as an annual feature in 2014, though the Best Overall Cruise Ship category began in 2021. Voting opened on October 1, 2023, and closed on Friday, December 22, with Cruise Hive readers casting a single vote in each of the eight categories. Check the results for all other categories here.
Wonder of the Seas currently is homeported in Florida’s Port Canaveral, where it’s sailing 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island.
The Oasis-class ship, which was the world’s largest cruise ship when she made her maiden voyage on March 4, 2022, is 236,857 gross tons and has a maximum occupancy of nearly 7,000 guests.
Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)
Among its features are FlowRider, a 30,000-gallon surf simulator, and the AquaTheater, the deepest pool at sea with 30-foot diving platforms that serve as a set for mesmerizing water shows.
Nearly a dozen specialty dining venues await guests, including The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, which debuted on Wonder of the Seas. The rustic-designed eatery offers a southern-accented menu with items such as johnnycakes, crab beignets, and fried green tomatoes. For guests looking for a little more zing, more than a dozen American whiskeys are offered.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Wonder of the Seas is organized into eight signature neighborhoods. On deck, guests can enjoy ample attractions, including zip lines, mini golf, and Ultimate Abyss, a twisting slide that travels down 10 stories over the ship’s stern.
Construction of the ship – the fifth of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class of vessels – began at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, in May 2019. Its original delivery date of 2021 was ultimately pushed until 2022 due to the COVID pandemic.
Carnival’s Celebration and Mardi Gras Among Top 3 Ships
Wonder of the Seas landed in first place in the Cruise Hive Awards by a handful of votes over Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Celebration, which is homeported at PortMiami where it also offers 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Carnival Celebration made its maiden voyage in 2022.
Royal Caribbean International came in second place for the honor in 2021 with Symphony of the Seas and again in 2022 with Wonder of the Seas.
Carnival Celebration Cruise Ship
Carnival’s Mardi Gras, which won the title for best overall cruise ship in 2022 and 2021, came in third place for 2023. Mardi Gras, like Wonder of the Seas, is homeported at Port Canaveral and likewise sails on 7-night Eastern and Western voyages.
Other ships finishing in the top six for 2023 were Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond (fourth place), Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas (fifth place), and Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy (sixth place).
In 2022, Carnival’s Mardi Gas was tops, followed by Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, and Celebrity Cruise’s Celebrity Solstice. In 2021, Mardi Gras was followed by Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas and CarnivalHorizon.
The annual Cruise Hive Awards were created in 2014 to offer insights from real cruise fans on different cruise lines and experiences to help others better plan cruise vacations.
Guests sailing aboard a Costa Cruises’ ship in the Arabian Sea are credited with helping to rescue five fishermen stranded in the sea near the vessel’s location. The incident, which happened on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, took place between Mumbai and Kochi, India.
Shipwreck Victims Spotted From a Balcony
The view from a ship’s balcony usually provides a calming ocean scene, perhaps with a pretty coastline in the distance or some seabirds soaring nearby, but on Christmas Day 2023, guests aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Serena spotted something unusual: A group of people stranded in the water wearing life vests.
The guests immediately alerted crew members, and the ship’s Captain, Andrea Bardi, altered the ship’s route in the direction of the stranded group. It was roughly one mile from the ship’s location where five fishermen were located bobbing in the water, the victims of an apparent shipwreck off India’s southwest coast.
Costa Serena’s crew assisted the fishermen aboard the ship, while officials contacted the Indian Coast Guard, which arrived on the scene a few hours later. The rescued men were transferred to a coast guard ship and ultimately brought to a hospital in Mumbai. All were reported to be in good health.
On December 26, 2023, Indian Coast Guard officials visited Costa Serena while she was docked in Kochi, India, and delivered a plaque to the ship’s captain and crew in appreciation of their efforts to rescue the fishermen.
Costa Serena Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Igor Grochev / Shutterstock)
Costa Serena, a Concordia-class ship that entered service in 2007, is seasonally home-ported in Mumbai and operating a series of 23 2- to 5-day cruises to Kochi, Goa, and the Lakshadweep Islands. The 3,780-guest ship began her winter series on November 3, 2023 and will sail the route until January 11, 2024.
At the time of the rescue, Costa Serena was operating a 5-night sailing roundtrip from Mumbai, with calls at Kochi and Bangaram, India. The sailing will conclude on December 29, 2023, and embark that day on a 3-night New Year cruise, with one port call at Goa, India.
No Shortage of Rescues Around the Globe
Cruise ships are obligated to safeguard all life at sea and offer assistance to anyone who may be in distress, whether they are commercial fishermen, cargo vessels, pleasure craft, ferry boats, or even makeshift refugee boats.
Rescues by cruise ships in locations around the globe are not uncommon, and appear to be happening with increasing frequency.
Additional victims were reported missing, and the US Coast Guard arrived on the scene to take over search and rescue efforts, allowing Carnival Vista to continue on her itinerary.
Carnival Vista was operating a 6-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, and rescued the group as she sailed from Nassau, Bahamas, to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic.
MSC Preziosa, a Fantasia-class ship operating a 3-night cruise roundtrip from Sao Paolo, received an SOS call from the disabled ship. The cruise ship crew rescued the men, who had embarked on a deep-sea fishing trip and encountered a storm at sea.
Six fishermen were treated by the ship’s medical personnel and transported to a nearby town, while one of the group died and was later recovered.
