Blog Page 442

Celebrity Beyond Arrives in Bahamas to Undergo Repairs

Catie Kovelman
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Celebrity Beyond Arrives in Bahamas to Undergo Repairs

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Beyond arrived in Freeport, Bahamas, on July 21, 2025.
  • The Edge-class vessel’s propulsion issues are being repaired at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, which is jointly owned by Royal Caribbean.
  • Any impact on the ship’s July 27 sailing is still unknown.

The saga continues for Celebrity Beyond after the 2022-launched cruise ship developed propulsion issues at the end of her last sailing.

After making a late arrival in PortMiami on July 20 to disembark the up to 3,260 passengers onboard, the decision was ultimately made to cancel the already delayed July 20, 2025, voyage to allow ample time for repairs to be completed.

The Edge-class ship remained in Miami, Florida, overnight on July 20 to complete an initial assessment and start repairs, but has since relocated to Freeport, Bahamas, to complete the work.

Per cruise tracking data, she sailed to the Grand Bahama Shipyard at reduced speeds of approximately 14 knots per hour and arrived at around 6 p.m. local time on July 21.

The issue at hand has still not been confirmed, but it appears to be related to one of the ship’s Azipod engines.

Videos and photographs taken by passengers show that the 140,600-gross ton ship was operating with just one engine as she inched her way back to Miami.

It’s not clear how long the repairs will take at this time, but it’s not uncommon for cruise ships to visit dry dock to allow specialists to repair or perform maintenance on the engines.

Notably, this is also the first significant propulsion issue that the ship has suffered in her three years at sea.

What Does This Mean for the Next Sailing? 

At this time, there is no word on whether Celebrity Beyond’s next voyage will be delayed or cancelled.

The subsequent sailing is scheduled to embark from Miami on July 27 and sail to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

If it is cancelled, booked passengers can expect ample compensation. Guests of the nixed July 20 sailing received full refunds, reimbursement for travel change fees, and a 100% future cruise credit for their inconvenience.

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Photo Copyright: Doctor Alonso / Shutterstock

Read Also: How Big Is a Cruise Ship Engine?

But before cruisers panic, remember that Celebrity Beyond’s relocation to the Bahamas doesn’t mean she won’t make it back to Miami in time for the next voyage.

The Grand Bahama Shipyard is only 98 nautical miles from Miami, which is a trip that a fully functional cruise ship can make in as little as five hours. It will ultimately come down to how long the repairs will take.

There are shipyards in Miami that specialize in cruise ship repairs, such as RMK Merrill-Stevens and Jones Shipyard, but it’s possible that these facilities were not able to accommodate the Celebrity Cruises’ ship on such short notice.

Royal Caribbean, which owns Celebrity Cruises, is also a joint owner of the Grand Bahama Shipyard with Carnival and the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

This may have made it easier to secure a spot for the vessel, and perhaps get preferential pricing because of Royal Caribbean’s ownership status.

Captain Kirk Named for Upcoming New Celebrity Cruises Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Captain Kirk Named for Upcoming New Celebrity Cruises Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Cruises has named Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas as the master of the upcoming fifth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel.
  • Matragkas has been with Celebrity Cruises since 2000 and is currently the captain of Celebrity Beyond.
  • Also a talented musician, Matragkas often offers drum and guitar performances onboard his ships.

When the new Celebrity Xcel debuts in November 2025, she will have a very famous master at the helm, none other than Captain Kirk.

Beam this Star Trek fan up! Really? Yes, but not THAT Captain Kirk.

Celebrity Cruises has named Captain Kyriakos Matragkas as the vessel’s master. Early in his maritime career, Matragkas chose the nickname “Kirk” for himself, as his Greek name is challenging to pronounce.

Matragkas has excelled with the cruise line for 25 years, beginning in 2000 as a member of the launch team for the then-new Celebrity Millennium. More recently, he has served as the captain of Celebrity Beyond and previously of Celebrity Reflection, among other ships in the fleet.

Now, he will be leading the fifth Edge-class ship into service when she sets sail from Fort Lauderdale in November.

“Every captain has a story. Captain Kirk’s begins with rock ‘n roll, heart, and one unforgettable ‘yes.’ This November, he takes the helm of Celebrity Xcel,” Celebrity Cruises confirmed on social media. “​We can’t wait to sail with him.”

Born in Piraeus, Greece, Matragkas continues a proud seafaring tradition that is truly a family trade.

“My father was a Captain, and when school was out, I would join him on trips with my mother,” he said. “The different languages, different cultures, and history that I would be introduced to in each place fascinated me so much, that in combination with my love for the sea, made me want to follow in his footsteps.”

It isn’t just the sea that Matragkas is passionate about, however. He flawlessly (even xcel-lently) combines his passion for travel with music, and is a talented multi-instrument player, including drums and guitar.

In fact, his guitar accompanies him on board his ships, and he has been known to join in playing sets and even offers shows during breaks in his more traditional seafaring duties.

His bold personality and musical charm, not to mention his quirky adaptation of a very famous moniker, have made him a favorite among Celebrity Cruises’ guests who are glad to see him take the helm of Celebrity Xcel.

Sailing With Captain Kirk

Celebrity Xcel is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Her keel was first laid in June 2024 and work has been full steam ahead ever since.

So productive has that work been that the vessel is able to debut earlier than originally scheduled.

While the original 5-night maiden voyage remains the same with a departure date of November 18, 2025, an additional 4-night “preview sailing” was added to Celebrity Xcel‘s schedule in April. That new first cruise will set sail on November 9, 2025 to visit Cozumel, Mexico.

For her regular schedule of cruises, Celebrity Xcel is offering 7-night sailings alternating Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean routes, visiting ports such as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Bimini, and Grand Cayman.

Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship
Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship

Read Also: Celebrity Cruises Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

On April 26, 2026, the new ship will set sail on a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona to begin her first summer in the Mediterranean, with departures planned from both the Spanish port as well as Piraeus, Greece, her captain’s birthplace.

Of special note is the September 13, 2026 departure from Piraeus to Barcelona, calling on Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Valletta. That 8-night voyage will be the annual President’s Cruise for Celebrity Cruises.

Celebrity Xcel will return to the Sunshine State in early November and homeport from Miami for the winter of 2026-2027.

In the months now leading up to her debut, there are still more details, crew assignments, and announcements to come, one of the biggest of which will be who the ship’s ceremonial “parent” will be.

Now, if Celebrity Cruises would only consider William Shatner as the ship’s godfather, what an “Xcel-lent” choice that would be!

Popular Dining Venue and Bar in Grand Turk Expands

Catie Kovelman
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Popular Dining Venue and Bar in Grand Turk Expands

Key Aspects:

  • Jack’s Shack, which is a popular dining venue on Grand Turk, is undergoing an expansion.
  • Initial photos of the expansion have been released, but additional details about everything the expansion entails and when it will be completed are still unknown.
  • Even while growing, Jack’s Shack remains committed to providing the unique experience and atmosphere that cruise guests know and love.

If you’ve been lucky enough to visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, you can likely still fondly recall the amazing vibes, smell, and taste at Jack’s Shack.

As one of the most popular dining venues and bars at the Eastern Caribbean cruise port, the restaurant is making moves to expand. 

It’s unclear at this time exactly when the expansion will be complete and what it entails.

So far, Jack’s Shack has shared photos of what looks like expanded deck space with ocean views where even more cruisers can enjoy a drink or one of the venue’s specialties, such as the famous jerk chicken or the to-die-for conch fritters.

“Exciting news! As some of you may have already noticed, Jack’s Shack is expanding! More space, more fun, and even more ways to enjoy the ultimate island experience,” the restaurant teased on Facebook.

Thankfully for cruisers sailing to the port in the near future, there have been no reports of the beachfront hot spot closing during the expansion process.

Jack's Shack Expansion
Jack’s Shack Expansion

Grand Turk welcomed more than 1 million cruise guestsin 2024, many of whom saw Jack’s Shack as a must-do. 

Before the end of July 2025, thousands more will be coming from ships belonging to Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.

All interested (and hungry) guests will need to do in order to find the restaurant is to take a 10-minute walk along the beach from the Grand Turk Cruise Center or rent a golf cart to zoom over.

Reservations can be made up to two months in advance, but they are not required.

Jack’s Shack Pledges to Remain Authentic 

Many cruisers were excited to hear that Jack’s Shack is growing and thought that the refurbishment was looking quite good.

“We saw the construction going on last month and can’t wait to see the finished product. Jack’s getting bigger and better,” one past diner expressed.

Meanwhile, others worried that the venue would lose the original atmosphere that made it special.

Jack's Shack
Jack’s Shack

“Don’t get me wrong, awesome work and I get it expanding, but losing the original vibe stinks. Please don’t turn into Margaritaville. Jack and company would even play rock music,” one fan replied to the news.

“I miss the OLD Tiki Bar and few tables from many, many years ago. Now that was a true island experience,” another former visitor agreed.

Read Also: Grand Turk Cruise Port: Pier, Facilities and What’s Nearby

But fans of the venue who are on the fence about the expansion can take solace in knowing that management is committed to maintaining the restaurant’s unique character and atmosphere.

“Thanks for your feedback as we step into this new phase. We all know how much the old shack meant to us—the cozy charm, the good times, and the simple joy of hanging out in that special tiki,” Jack’s Shack shared in a subsequent social media post.

“As our community grows, we knew it was time to expand and welcome even more incredible people. But don’t worry—while we’ve added more space, we’re keeping that same energy and beachy-vacation vibe we all love,” the post continued.

Guests will still be able to enjoy the drinks and food they know and love and reunite with their favorite “crew members” – just in a revamped space.

Progress Continues at Antigua’s New Cruise Terminal

Donna Tunney
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Progress Continues at Antigua’s New Cruise Terminal

Key Aspects

  • The passenger terminal will have dining and shopping venues, and the Antigua Day Club, which will feature a swimming pool.
  • Top government officials explored the site, including the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
  • The destination is predicting it will welcome 900,000 cruise arrivals in 2025.

A who’s who of Antigua’s governing elite turned their attention to the island’s very bright prospects in cruise tourism by touring the building site of the Caribbean destination’s new passenger terminal.

The inspection by government officials on July 21, 2025, showcased progress being made by Antigua Cruise Port in developing the terminal on Newgate Street in the capital city of St. John’s. 

The project held its ground-breaking ceremony in February 2025 and is being overseen by Global Ports Holding (GPH), the London-based port management firm that took over operations of the port following an agreement in 2019 with the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

The country is experiencing a fast-growing cruise-tourism industry, with port call arrivals steadily increasing each year.

The first phase of construction includes the building of the cruise terminal along with shopping and dining venues. That phase is expected to be completed in late 2025. Estimated to cost $40 million, the new terminal is slated to open in summer 2026.

The government delegation that inspected the terminal’s progress included those at the highest levels.

“When I came here about three months ago for the groundbreaking I never anticipated that you would have piled off the entire area and that a couple of the buildings would be significantly advanced,” said Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

“It tells me that the pace of work is extremely impressive, and we look forward to the completion of the first phase,” added Prime Minister Browne.

The new cruise terminal is situated on four acres and will feature a local marketplace and the Antigua Day Club, providing cruise guests with a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar.

The land-side area where the new terminal is rising used to be an unsightly space where sunken barges and boats were left to the elements.

Now the construction region, known as the Upland Development, is undergoing a transformation. Government officials praised Global Ports Holding for its commitment and investment in the project.

“What we are seeing today is a clear indication of what the cabinet and government acquired in terms of working with GPH,” said Charles Fernandez, minister of tourism in Antigua and Barbuda.

“Antigua and Barbuda was the first country in the region to sign with GPH and irrespective of the naysayers, they couldn’t understand the vision and the concept,” added Fernandez.

The country forged its pact with GPH in 2019, the year before the pandemic forced major cruise-tourism infrastructure improvements to be delayed. Now, however, they are proceeding.

GPH has vastly expanded its presence in the Caribbean in recent years. It manages cruise port operations at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Nassau, Bahamas, and most recently finalized an agreement with St. Lucia, where it plans to build a cruise berth able to accommodate the world’s largest ships.

Antigua On Track to Welcome 900K Cruise Arrivals

Antigua experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with 580 cruise ship port calls that delivered 825,000 guests to the island. The number reflected a 27% spike in ship visits and 23% growth in passenger numbers versus 2023.

Read Also: IDEAL Eastern Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit

In 2025, the island nation estimates that 900,000 cruise passengers will visit. Among the ships calling at the port during summer 2025 are Royal Caribbean’s 2,400-guest Rhapsody of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises’ 3,000-passenger Celebrity Reflection, and Disney Cruise Line’s 2,700-guest Disney Magic.

Ship visits substantially increase during the winter months, with more and larger vessels calling at the popular port. In winter 2025-26 they will include P&O Cruises’ 5,200-guest Arvia and Royal Caribbean’s 4,100-guest Odyssey of the Seas.

Protests Stop Cruise Ship From Calling at Greek Island

Donna Tunney
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Protests Stop Cruise Ship From Calling at Greek Island

Key Aspects:

  • Crown Iris had a six-hour port call planned at Syros, Greece, about 80 miles south of Athens.
  • Cruise guests were told to remain inside the ship while the protests were held.
  • The cruise ship ultimately left Syros and called at Cyprus instead.

A few hundred protesters demonstrating at the port of Syros, Greece, caused an Israeli-owned cruise line to cancel its ship’s port call on July 22, 2025, disappointing the 1,600 passengers onboard the vessel.

Crown Iris is sailing a 4-night Greece cruise roundtrip from Haifa, Israel, and had called at Rhodes, Greece, on July 21, 2025. The ship arrived as scheduled in Syros for a port call that was to begin at noon on July 22, 2025. 

However, a pro-Palestinian rally at the port of Ermoupoli ultimately prompted the ship to depart and sail to Cyprus instead.

Local media reports indicate that cruise ship officials initially told guests there would be a delay in debarking at Syros, a pristine island located about 80 miles southeast of Athens and known for its Greek architecture and culture.

Cruise ship officials expected the demonstration to end, but the delay soon turned into a cancellation, and the planned six-hour port call was nixed.

The time spent at the Syros port was challenging for guests, who were told by onboard security to remain inside the ship and avoid the outdoor decks while the protest was happening.

“We felt safe inside the ship, but the children are a little stressed,” one passenger onboard Crown Iris told local media.

Protesters carried signs reading “Stop the Genocide” and Free, Free Palestine!,” among other messages referring to the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war.

Local police and members of the Syros Port Authority were called to the scene, and government officials, including the foreign ministers of Greece and Israel, got involved in trying to resolve the port stand-off.

Media reports pointed to ship officials deciding to leave Syros and instead visit Cyprus, fearing there could be violence if cruise passengers attempted to disembark Crown Iris.

Crown Iris is owned by Israel-based Mano Maritime, which is mainly a cargo operator. It bought  Crown Iris — its sole cruise ship, in 2018. The ship entered service in 1992 and previously sailed for multiple cruise lines.

The 40,876-gross-ton ship was built for Birka Line but was first operated by Majesty Cruise Line. In 1997, she was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and sailed as Norwegian Majesty. 

Read Also: How to Enjoy a Cruise Vacation in Uncertain Times

Louis Cruises bought the ship and changed her name to Louis Majesty. In 2012, the ship was chartered to Thomson Cruises and then returned to Louis Cruises before her sale to Mano Maritime.

Crown Iris Earlier Evacuated Youth Group From Israel

Crown Iris was in the news recently when the ship was used to evacuate a group of US-based young adults from an Israeli port following Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites on June 13, 2025.

Crown Iris
Mano Cruises’ Crown Iris (Photo Credit: Mali Sokol)

About 1,500 Jewish people visiting Israel as part of a heritage trip organized by the non-profit Birthright Israel were picked up by Crown Iris at the Port of Ashdod, located south of Tel Aviv. The ship, under escort by the Israeli Navy, evacuated the youth group to Cyprus.

The Israel-Hamas war has disrupted cruising in the region since October 2023. At least eight cruise lines immediately suspended calls to Israel, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Azamara, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and Holland America.

As conflict spread across the Middle East into 2024, additional regions were impacted by cruise ship reroutings and port call cancellations.

Bermuda Arrests Involves Four Cruise Ship Passengers

Lissa Poirot
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Bermuda Arrests Involves Four Cruise Ship Passengers

Key Aspects:

  • Four Carnival Cruise Line passengers were arrested in Kings Wharf port, Bermuda.
  • Bermuda Police Services said suspects were said to be carrying deadly drugs with intent to sell.
  • If found guilty, the guests face severe penalties under both US and Bermudian law.

Four cruise passengers aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship were arrested in Bermuda after allegedly attempting to bring a stash of illegal drugs ashore.

According to local police, the cruise line’s onboard security detained the passengers and turned them over to authorities upon the ship’s arrival in Bermuda.

Carnival Cruise Line has several ships that regularly call in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, including Carnival Pride and Carnival Sunshine with overnight calls on the island.

But the four passengers detained spent their arrival behind bars after police confirmed the group was in possession of cannabis, THC vape pens and gummies, and a package containing carfentanyl.

The police believe the passengers planned to sell the drugs while they were in port.

Acting Detective Superintendent Derrick Burns of the Bermuda Police Service highlighted the dangers of the substances found on the passengers in a statement.

“Carfentanyl is about 100 times stronger than fentanyl and was originally used to sedate large animals like elephants,” she said. 

The Bermuda Police Service says its Narcotics Unit is actively investigating the case. No further details have been issued by the police or Carnival Cruise Line.

Serious Penalties May Follow

Both US and Bermudian authorities maintain strict policies regarding the possession and transport of illegal drugs but others took to social media to complain that US Customs and Border Control should have found and seized the drugs before they left the US.

“How on earth did the US miss such a huge bust on their side?” wrote one. 

Kings Wharf Bermuda
Kings Wharf, Bermuda (Photo Credit: Viktor Hladchenko)

Still, many praised the collaborative work of the Carnival Cruise Line crew and Bermuda authorities.

“Good job, heads up for catching these criminals,” said a Bermudian local. “We don’t want any type of drugs on this little rock. Glad they seized the drugs.”

Read Also: Bermuda Cruise Port: Docks, Getting Around and What’s Nearby

Bermuda has a zero-tolerance stance on drug importation and the cruise guests face criminal charges that can lead to heavy fines and prison time, according to the US Consulate General Bermuda.

“Many drug-related arrests of American citizen visitors are made each year, and there are several American citizens serving extensive prison sentences in Bermuda,” it said.

The detained cruise passengers are actually subject to enforcement under both jurisdictions.

In the United States, US Customs and Border Protection enforces federal laws and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act is one such law with fines up to $5 million and prison sentences from up to 20 years to life.

Carnival Cruise Line also has a zero-tolerance policy due to the federal regulations. Not only are passengers found in possession reported to authorities, but they are also removed from the ship and banned from cruise line for life.

More From Cruise Hive

Said the cruise line in a statement, “We follow a zero-tolerance drug policy, as we strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and we also advise our guests that they can be personally subject to local law enforcement actions.”

The passengers are also responsible for all expenses to return home with no refund for unused cruise fare.

NOTE: This article was updated to reflect that Carnival Pride was not confirmed as the ship the passenger’s were arrested from.

Cruise Guests to Get Front-Row View of Historic Battleship at Galveston

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Guests to Get Front-Row View of Historic Battleship at Galveston

Key Aspects:

  • USS Texas will be permanently berthed at Pier 15 at Port of Galveston beginning in 2026.
  • Pier 15 is between the Royal Caribbean and (upcoming) MSC Cruises terminals.
  • A museum, onboard exhibits, and tours will be part of the historic battleship’s new home.

Cruise guests setting sail from Port of Galveston will have a unique and amazing opportunity beginning in 2026 to see and experience a new ship at the port, even if they won’t be able to sail on her.

Galveston Wharves and the Battleship Texas Foundation have reached an agreement for the permanent berthing of USS Texas, the only BB-35 ship of her kind remaining and an important piece of maritime history.

The battleship, which was commissioned in 1914, will be berthed at Pier 15 as her new home once restoration work is complete and she can properly display her long history in all her glory.

“As restoration work continues across the channel, we look forward to relocating her next year and continuing our mission to create a world-class historic destination,” confirmed the Battleship Texas Foundation Group.

“The Battleship Texas … is a powerful symbol of our nation’s history and permanently berthing her to Galveston is a true honor.”

Pier 15 is between the new Royal Caribbean cruise terminal, which opened in late 2022 and the new Cruise Terminal 4 that is currently under construction for MSC Cruises and planned to open in November 2025.

This gives guests aboard both Royal Caribbean ships as well as MSC Cruises ships the unique opportunity to be berthed within feet of astonishing naval history.

USS Texas is the only remaining American battleship to have served in both World War I and World War II. She participated in the Battle of Normandy, was the first US battleship with anti-aircraft guns, and provided support during the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The battleship is currently undergoing significant restoration just across the channel (literally 4,000 feet away) at the Gulf Copper Shipyard facility, where she has been located for repairs since August 31, 2022.

Battleship Location at Port of Galveston
Battleship Location at Port of Galveston

The agreement to confirm a permanent home for the retired naval vessel has been ongoing, though negotiations broke down in October 2024. The impact hurricanes could have on an aged ship that cannot be evacuated from the coastal port was a significant part of the concern.

Now, however, the protective system to safeguard the vessel will be re-engineered for her new location and the potential for stronger storms. Previously, USS Texas was moored at the San Jacinto Battleground, 35 miles northwest of what will become her new location at Port of Galveston.

Further work that needs to be completed before the battleship can once again receive visitors includes dredging at her upcoming location, superstructure repairs, deck replacement, repainting, and the installation of interior exhibits.

Can Cruise Guests Visit the Battleship?

Part of the reasoning for moving USS Texas is that her visitor numbers were dwindling at her previous location. It is expected, however, that she may attract twice as many (or more!) guests when she has been restored and reopened.

Cruise guests will likely be a significant part of that number as it will be very convenient to visit the historic ship before or after a sailing. In addition to the ship herself, there will also be a museum featuring educational programming, exhibits, and artifacts showcasing the ship’s more than 30 years of active service.

Port of Galveston, Texas
Port of Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

What a great way to spend a couple of hours waiting for one’s terminal arrival appointment or before heading on for post-cruise travel!

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

In addition to Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, other cruise lines that homeport from Galveston include Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.

No firm date has yet been decided for USS Texas‘ grand reopening. Any weather-related delays, the extent of the restoration work, and additional funding challenges may yet delay the ship’s debut at her new home.

Celebrity Cruises Lures Guests Away From Overbooked Sailing

Catie Kovelman
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Celebrity Cruises Lures Guests Away From Overbooked Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Millennium’s 12-night voyage through Japan that embarks on March 16, 2026, has been oversold.
  • Celebrity Cruises is making tempting offers to encourage some of the booked guests to change their travel plans, including switching to a new sailing for a partial refund or cancelling their trip for a full refund and a 200% future cruise credit.
  • Guests who do not want to change their plans do not need to worry, and not everyone who volunteers to accept the offers will be approved.

Celebrity Cruises is following in its sister-company Royal Caribbean’s footsteps in how the brand is dealing with high demand during peak cruise seasons.

Throughout the summer, Royal Caribbean has made multiple hard-to-resist offers to tempt passengers to change their travel plans and voluntarily opt out of overbooked sailings.

Now, Celebrity Cruises has come out with a can’t miss offer of its own for a presumably overbooked voyage onboard Celebrity Millennium, which will be sailing through Japan in spring of 2026.

The specific cruise in question embarks from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan, on March 16, 2026, on a 12-night sailing to Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Jelu Island, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and Shimizu.

Even though the cruise is still just under a year away, spring-time cruises to Japan often sell out because the famous cherry blossoms are in bloom and the weather is particularly pleasant.

“If your travel plans are flexible, you may be able to take advantage of our special offer,” the cruise line teased in a letter to booked guests.

The first option the more than 2,000 passengers have is to put off their cruise vacation by a year in exchange for a 50% refund of the cruise fare and a $200 onboard credit per stateroom.

Instead of sailing as planned in 2026, they would switch to the 12-night Japan cruise that embarks from Tokyo, Japan, on March 2, 2027.

The replacement voyage features calls on Osaka, Kochi, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and Shimizu in Japan, as well as Busan, South Korea.

Alternatively, guests can cancel their booking entirely in exchange for a full refund and a 200% future cruise credit to book a different Celebrity Cruises voyage that sets sail on or before March 16, 2027.

In both cases, documented airline change fees will be reimbursed (up to $350 USD per person), as well as other non-refundable travel-related costs (up to $500 USD per stateroom).

Should Booked Guests Worry?

Especially for less experienced cruisers, receiving a letter asking them to change their plans can be a bit anxiety-inducing.

“Flights are booked and we have made arrangements with work for this trip, but now I’m curious what this email could mean. Has the cruise over sold / not sold enough tickets,” one guest, who booked the sailing as their honeymoon, asked on Reddit.

“Is there a problem with the ship? I’m worried now that the cruise will get cancelled leaving us in a difficult position closer to the time,” they continued.

Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

Others worried that the cruise line would change their reservations without their approval, or that if they chose to stay, the sailing would be overly crowded.

Read Also: How to Book a Cruise on Cruise Hive and Why You Should

But when the offers are this good and made this far in advance, the cruise line should not have any issues finding enough takers.

In fact, the letter suggests the cruise line expects more volunteers than they will actually need, as not everyone who expresses interest will be able to take advantage of these offers.

“Please note that this special offer is time-limited and subject to availability,” the cruise line advised.

“If you’re successful, we’ll reach out by either phone or email and send an updated booking invoice to your given email. If you haven’t heard from us by August 5, 2025, you will remain booked on your existing Celebrity Millennium Sailing.”

Guests who do not want to change their plans can ignore the invitation with no penalty or impact to their reservations.

Ambassador Itinerary Changed Due to Unexpected Fresh Water Shortage

Melissa Mayntz
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Ambassador Itinerary Changed Due to Unexpected Fresh Water Shortage

Key Aspects:

  • Ambition is swapping the order of two ports of call on her current sailing to take on additional fresh water supplies.
  • No onboard water conservation measures are necessary as adequate water supplies have now been arranged.
  • There is no mechanical problem with the ship’s reverse osmosis system, but that system is not operated in port due to safety and hygiene reasons.

Getting extra water on a cruise ship may not seem desirable, but in fact, ships require a great deal of water for onboard operations. When that water runs short, it can be challenging to ensure an adequate supply.

Just such a situation has arisen with Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, currently sailing an 11-night Normandy and British Isles itinerary roundtrip from Newcastle. The ship departed on Saturday, July 19, 2025, but was unable to set sail with enough water for her voyage.

Guests have been kept apprised of the situation in great detail, including an itinerary shift to take on additional supplies.

“Due to events beyond our control, we were not able to load the normal volume of fresh water in Newcastle at the beginning of the cruise,” the cruise line notified guests.

“Ambition manufactures fresh water from the sea using Evaporators and Reverse Osmosis equipment, but for safety and hygiene reasons we do not use these systems in all ports and sea areas.”

Instead, the cruise line explained how additional supplies are brought onboard to supplement the fresh water supply throughout a cruise.

Because not enough water was able to be loaded at the beginning of the cruise, however, the ship faced two possibilities: either ask everyone aboard to conserve water, or to change port visits in order to load more supplies. It is the second option that will now be happening.

“To maintain standards of comfort, we have changed the order of our calls at Fowey and Portland to allow us to take on more fresh water supplies in good time,” the cruise line confirmed.

Read Also: How Do Cruise Ships Get Fresh Water?

Now, Ambition will call on Portland on Friday, July 25, instead of Saturday as originally scheduled. Likewise, the calls to Fowey will be moved to Saturday instead of Friday.

Ambition Cruise Ship
Ambition Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Kevin Shipp)

“Your safety and comfort are always our top priority and this alteration will allow us to maintain normal stocks of fresh water and avoid potential restrictions,” the cruise line explained.

Those restrictions could have included options like limiting ice, reduced laundry services, closed restrooms, or other conservation measures.

Tours at both Portland and Fowey are being adjusted as needed for the new timing, and guests of any changes to their excursions.

No other port visits have been impacted. Ambition is still scheduled to visit Cherbourg on Sunday, July 27, followed by Honfleur on Monday, July 28. A day at sea will follow before debarkation at Newcastle on Wednesday, July 30 as planned.

Not the Usual Water Problem

Ambition is not the first cruise ship to have run short of fresh water. Following Carnival Spirit‘s dry dock in March 2025, the ship experienced fresh water shortages during her return transatlantic sailing. This was due to continued maintenance that may have been impacting the reverse osmosis system.

In June 2023, Carnival Elation also ran short of fresh water during a 5-night Bahamas sailing from Jacksonville, Florida and diverted to Port Canaveral to load extra supplies.

Other “water events” have happened on various cruise ships, from broken pipes to storm flooding to accidental sprinkler activations. Of course, these often involve too much water rather than too little, but each one can be a wet blanket on a cruise vacation!

My favorite? The six-deck pool overflow on Harmony of the Seas in January 2023 due to a sudden course correction. What a sight that waterfall must have been!

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