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Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Key Aspects

  • Biscayne Boulevard will have detours and road restrictions in place from August 1 to 4, 2025.
  • Several Carnival Cruise Line ships are due to depart during the roadwork schedule.
  • Booked guests are advised to leave extra time for potential traffic delays.

Arriving in a timely manner at a cruise departure port is the first in a series of must-do’s on embarkation day, but sometimes elements beyond a passenger’s control can impact the experience.

That will be the case in early August, when roadwork along Miami’s busy Biscayne Boulevard will likely affect cruise guests heading to their cruise line terminals.

On July 29, 2025, Carnival issued an alert to guests booked on several ships due to depart from PortMiami between August 1 and 4, 2025, when detours and road closures could potentially snarl traffic.

Biscayne Boulevard is a roughly 12-mile stretch of road that runs through downtown Miami and serves as a major north-south artery in the city.

Passengers who can expect to be affected are those booked on Carnival Conquest’s 3-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 1 and her 4-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 4, 2025.

Also, Carnival Horizon’s 8-night Southern Caribbean departing on August 2, 2025; Carnival Celebration’s 6-night Eastern Caribbean and Carnival Magic’s 7-night Western Caribbean departures on August 3, 2025; and Carnival Sunrise’s 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on August 4, 2025.

“Our partners in Miami have informed us that Biscayne Boulevard will be closed from Friday, August 1, through Monday, August 4, due to roadwork. Consequently, there will be detours and traffic restrictions in certain areas,” Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services for Carnival Cruise Line, wrote in a notice to guests.

“Since this could impact your commute to the cruise terminal, we encourage you to include ample travel time to ensure prompt arrival within your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment,” added Oliverio.

Passengers who bought the cruise line’s transfer service were told that the time of their transfer could be affected, although Carnival Cruise Line is working with its transfer operations vendor to deal with any possible issues.

Anyone who did not purchase a cruise line transfer and is driving themselves or taking public transport to PortMiami should leave plenty of extra time to arrive when required.

Guests were also reminded that they must be onboard their ship by the final boarding time noted on their boarding pass.

Those who miss their ship’s departure must make their own forward travel plans to meet the vessel at a future port call — a task that is often a challenge both financially and logistically.

As the cruise capital of the world, PortMiami is the busiest US port in terms of arrivals and has multiple cruise terminals to accommodate virtually every major cruise line operating. Carnival Cruise Line ships typically depart from Terminal D or E at PortMiami.

A Wide Range of Miami Itinerary Options on Carnival’s Ships

Carnival Cruise Line departures that could be impacted by the road work in Miami include a wide range of itinerary options.

The 2,980-guest Carnival Conquest is sailing 3- to 5-night Bahamas voyages. All cruises call at the line’s new private island destination, Celebration Key. Four- and 5-night sailings add either Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay, and Grand Cayman.

Carnival Cruise Ship Embarkation
Carnival Cruise Ship Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Marcio.Duarte)

The 3,960-guest Carnival Horizon sails 6- and 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises. Featured destinations on the latter include the ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Carnival Celebration, accommodating 5,300 guests, offers 6- to 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean sailings calling at Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Nassau, Bahamas, and Celebration Key.

Read Also: Here’s How You Can Make Cruise Embarkation a Breeze

The 3,690-guest Carnival Magic is sailing 6- to 8-night Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Western Caribbean port calls in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.

Carnival Sunrise offers shorter getaways and accommodates 2,984 guests. The ship sails 4- and 5-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas voyages with calls to Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Donna Tunney
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Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Key Aspects

  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported second-quarter results for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • Revenue totals broke the company’s second-quarter record, reaching $2.52 billion.
  • Occupancy levels for the quarter rose to 103.9%.

Second-quarter results from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) revealed robust bookings, high occupancy levels, and record revenues, as reported in an upbeat financial statement issued on July 31, 2025.

The company’s three cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, together set a second-quarter revenue record of $2.52 billion, an increase of 6% year-over-year.

NCLH had noted in its first-quarter report that some softening was seen in 12-month advance bookings. While those bookings have now rebounded, the company expanded on that concern in the new report, saying that third-quarter European itineraries had experienced softness in early April 2025.

That concern has now eased, the company said, with the brands’ 12-month-booked positions returning to an optimal range. In fact, NCLH reported its advance ticket sale balance hit a record of $4 billion, rising from $3.9 billion in the earlier quarter.

Cruisers are clearly embracing the three brands, as occupancy levels have risen, too. For the second quarter, occupancy reached 103.9%, up from 101.5% in the first quarter.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay: A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island

“We delivered another record quarter, demonstrating once again the strong customer demand environment, the power of our brands, our outstanding onboard product, and the dedication of our team,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

“Demand has rebounded across all three of our brands, with bookings now ahead of historical levels in recent months and continued strength in onboard spend,” added Sommer.

Looking ahead, NCLH predicted occupancy levels in the third quarter would reach 105.5% and 103% for the full year overall.

Recent Successes Helped Shore Up Financial Outcome

The company pointed to three major initiatives that helped buoy the financial results and its future performance.

First, it announced earlier this year that Norwegian Cruise Line would begin phase two of the expansion at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

A new 6-acre Great Tides Waterpark will be added to the destination in summer 2026, offering multiple thrill rides, splash zones, a whopping 19 waterslides, and an 800-foot-long river.

Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark
Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark

Thrill-seekers will be able to engage in cliff jumping at a new destination called Cliffside Cove, and children will have a 9,000-square-foot space filled with tipping buckets, mini-slides, fountains, water sprays, and more.

Second are the extensive dry-dock renovations to Norwegian Epic and Pride of America. Both ships emerged from their shoreside spruce-ups in time for the summer 2025 season with additional staterooms and upgrades to public areas.

The 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic is currently sailing Mediterranean voyages roundtrip from Rome, while the 2,200-guest Pride of America is the industry’s only ship that sails inter-island Hawaii voyages year-round from Honolulu.

The vessels received enhancements that included a reimagined water park for children and an expansion of the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.

Finally, the company cited the successful launch of Oceania Cruises’ new-build, Oceania Allura. The 1,200-guest ship entered service on July 18, 2025, sailing her inaugural 18-night Mediterranean voyage from Trieste, Italy, to Monaco.

NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Key Aspects: 

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is operating a plethora of cruises to Italy this year, where mosquitos are present.
  • As mosquitos can spread diseases, the cruise line is encouraging passengers to take measures to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
  • Preventative actions include keeping skin covered with clothing, investing in bug spray that contains DEET, and wearing clothes that have been treated with permethrin.

One of the easiest ways to ruin a cruise vacation is staying up all night because of annoying and itchy mosquito bites. I’ve been there, done that, and can assure you that you don’t want to try it.

Norwegian Cruise Line will be operating 27 cruises to Italy before 2025 ends, and is also warning guests about mosquitoes ahead of time to prevent these common pests from ruining any sailings.

For reference, the cruises will be operated by Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

Mosquito bites usually just result in a few days of annoyance, which is of course not fun, but NCL would also like to protect its passengers from the diseases these insects may carry.

“Ensuring your health and safety is our utmost priority throughout your journey with us,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to booked guests.

“As part of our commitment to your well-being, we want to inform you about the presence of mosquitos in certain destinations that we will be visiting during your sailing,” the letter reads.

Several species of mosquitos are currently present in Italy, ranging from the common house mosquito to intrusive varieties like the Asian tiger mosquito.

“Many diseases transmitted by mosquitos do not have vaccines or specific medications for prevention. Therefore, the most effective way to minimize your risk is by taking proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites,” NCL added.

The aforementioned Asian tiger mosquito, which can be recognized by its black and white stripes, is usually the culprit when it comes to spreading diseases.

In recent months, West Nile virus and dengue fever have been the most prevalent threats, but cases of chikungunya and Zika virus have also been reported in the past.

If a cruise guest is bitten and develops symptoms like fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and/or a rash, they are encouraged to seek immediate treatment from the onboard medical center.

Staying Safe From Mosquito Bites 

We already know that the best way to prevent bug-borne illness is to never get bitten in the first place, but how can cruisers make themselves less appetizing to these insects?

Luckily, Norwegian Cruise Line shared a list of suggestions that have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

First, cruisers should choose outfits that keep their skin covered as much as possible. After all, if the buggies can’t get to your skin, they can’t bite!

This means wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to stay protected, as well as opting for closed-toe shoes like boots.

I’m particularly fond of the sun shirts and hoodies sold by companies like REI and the North Face, which protect you from the elements but are made with light fabric to keep you cool in warmer weather.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship
Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: hydebrink)

As an added level of protection, passengers may also want to treat their clothing and bags with permethrin. However, this synthetic insecticide should never be allowed to touch skin to avoid negative reactions.

Read Also: Is it Safe to Go on a Cruise – All You Need to Know

Of course, there is always the tried-and-true method of wearing insect repellants that contain DEET as an active ingredient, which are actually designed for direct application onto skin.

There are a variety of bug sprays out there to choose from, so make sure to consult the list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents before purchasing.

Additionally, you can even buy mosquito repellent bracelets. These are small, easy to pack, and usually waterproof.

Though results with these bracelets alone aren’t foolproof, they are a good add-on when other preventative measures are already being taken.

Finally, try to prioritize accommodations that are air-conditioned, screened-in, and far away from areas with standing water (which is where mosquitoes like to hang out).

This likely won’t be an issue once onboard the cruise ship, but it is something to think about when booking accommodations for before and after the sailing.

Coast Guard Evacuates Woman From Carnival Ship During Tsunami Warning

Melissa Mayntz
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Coast Guard Evacuates Woman From Carnival Ship During Tsunami Warning

Key Aspects:

  • A 71-year-old woman was evacuated from Carnival Legend 120 miles off the Oregon coast during the tsunami warning.
  • Emergency crews from Air Station Astoria responded to the emergency situation flawlessly with an efficient airlift.
  • Coast Guard crews are highly trained to respond to a wide range of emergencies, assisting cruise ships when medical needs arise.

It can be hard to predict any type of emergency, much less multiple emergencies at the same time. Yet U.S. Coast Guard crews are ready, willing, and able to respond to multiple events simultaneously whenever needed.

Such a multi-tiered situation arose late Tuesday evening, July 29, aboard Carnival Legend during a day at sea at the end of a 10-night Alaska sailing.

The ship was 120 miles west of Grays Harbor, Washington, sailing from British Columbia to San Francisco, when a 71-year-old woman experienced a cardiac emergency onboard.

The emergency call was put out from the vessel at 6 p.m. and picked up by the Coast Guard Northwest District Command Center. Emergency crews from Air Station Astoria were immediately alerted to assist.

The rescue team aboard the MH-60 helicopter arrived at the ship at 8:39 p.m. and successfully hoisted the guest from the ship’s deck.

They were able to transport her safely to Air Station Astoria where she was transferred to emergency medical services.

You can watch the released footage of the airlift below:

To safeguard the guest’s privacy as well as that of her traveling companions, her name has not been released. There have been no further updates on her condition.

What further complicated this rescue, however, was what happened as the helicopter was making its way toward the cruise ship: the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Russia, triggering tsunami warnings around the Pacific.

The estimated arrival time of the tsunami wave to the Oregon coast was roughly 11-11:30 p.m. This meant the USCG crew was also on the lookout for potentially dangerous waves while they conducted the delicate rescue operation.

“While carrying out a critical long-range medical evacuation from a cruise ship, Coast Guard Northwest District units also stood ready to respond to the threat of a distant tsunami,” said Commander Neal Corbin, commanding officer of Air Station Astoria.

“Their ability to answer both calls at once is a powerful testament to the Service’s unwavering dedication to saving lives and protecting the maritime community.”

Despite what could have been very challenging circumstances for the long-distance evacuation during a tsunami alert, the rescue went smoothly and Carnival Legend continued to San Francisco without difficulty.

Read Also: Who Owns Carnival Cruise Line?

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the evacuated guest and her loved ones in the hopes that she has a full recovery and is able to enjoy many future cruises.

Challenging Evacuations Under Many Different Circumstances

Any medical evacuation from a cruise ship can be harrowing. The USCG crew must coordinate the operation with the moving cruise ship on an unsteady ocean surface, yet with perfect precision for a safe, smooth outcome.

Poor weather, strong swells, low visibility, distance from land, or especially delicate medical circumstances can all cause added difficulty.

In November 2024, for example, rough weather complicated a rescue from Carnival Vista while the ship was near Puerto Rico.

Carnival Legend Airlift
Carnival Legend Airlift (Credit: US Coast Guard)

US Coast Guard evacuation crews, however, are highly trained and focused on their work with intense concentration that enables them to react quickly to even the most challenging situation.

Furthermore, rescue crews may be called upon to react with the same skill and precision over and over.

This was the case in May 2023 when Air Station San Diego performed three separate rescues in a 24-hour-period from three different cruise ships.

Cruise guests everywhere are undoubtedly grateful for the dedication and service of these specialized crews. While we hope never to use their services, if we do need them, they never fail to perform.

Multiple Celebrity Beyond Cruises Adjusted for Ongoing Speed Issues

Melissa Mayntz
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Multiple Celebrity Beyond Cruises Adjusted for Ongoing Speed Issues

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Beyond‘s sailings in August, September, and October 2025 are being adjusted to accommodate a lowered speed.
  • Port visits are being preserved, but most itineraries are swapping port days or adjusting times in port to compensate.
  • At this time, no additional sailings are cancelled for the vessel, but further adjustments are always possible.

Things may not be quite back up to speed for Celebrity Beyond following her recent engine repair. Guests booked on multiple upcoming sailings have received itinerary change notifications, all citing the same technical concern for the adjustments.

The ship sailed at “a lowered speed” for her first itinerary back from emergency repairs in Freeport, Bahamas. That itinerary departed on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

At the time, it may have seemed that the lowered speed was part of the testing process or a “breaking in” period for repairs, just to ensure the ship was able to function at peak performance.

Now, however, several other cruises have had similar adjustments, including the following departure dates:

  • August 3, 24, 31
  • September 14, 28
  • October 5, 12, 19

To be clear, these are only the adjusted sailings that Cruise Hive has confirmed. With changes impacting so many itineraries already, it is likely that additional voyages may also have similar changes.

Guests booked on Celebrity Beyond in the coming months will want to stay in close contact with Celebrity Cruises in case of additional itinerary adjustments or more drastic changes or cancellations.

For each impacted sailing, the notification email has used identical language to break the news that the ship has to put on the brakes.

“Due to a reduced sailing speed, we’ve made a few adjustments to ensure our voyage remains smooth, comfortable, and above all, safe,” the emails read.

Homeported from Miami, Celebrity Beyond offers 7-night sailings on both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean routes. How individual cruises are adjusted depends on the sailing date, route, and what alternative ports or adjustments may be possible.

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Skyshark Media / Shutterstock

For example, the ship’s August 24 departure is a Western Caribbean voyage to Bimini, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. That itinerary has now been adjusted as follows:

  • Sunday, August 24 – Depart Miami
  • Monday, August 25 – Bimini, Bahamas; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (formerly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, August 26 – Day at Sea
  • Wednesday, August 27 – Falmouth, Jamaica; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (formerly Cozumel)
  • Thursday, August 28 – George Town, Grand Cayman; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (formerly 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Friday, August 29 – Cozumel, Mexico; 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (formerly Falmouth)
  • Saturday, August 30 – Day at Sea
  • Sunday, August 31 – Arrive Miami

These changes are typical of the shifts being done to other itineraries, including altered times in port and swapping port visit days.

Whenever possible, the overall number of port visits are being preserved, but further adjustments are always possible.

On each impacted sailing, any pre-purchased Celebrity Cruises shore tours are being adjusted in accordance with the schedule changes as needed.

Wasn’t Celebrity Beyond Just Fixed?

The 141,420-gross ton, Edge-class Celebrity Beyond first developed a “technical issue” that required slower sailing speeds on her July 13 sailing.

At that time, the ship was delayed in her return to Miami, and her July 20 departure was subsequently cancelled for emergency repairs.

Theoretically, those repairs were completed in Freeport, Bahamas and the ship returned to service for her July 27 departure. So why are so many upcoming cruises continuing to be adjusted, and should guests be concerned?

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

First, the ship would not have welcomed guests if she was not seaworthy or if any safety systems were compromised. Likewise, there have been no reports of any difficulties with her onboard systems, such as restaurants, entertainment, hotel operations, etc.

Read Also: Who Owns Celebrity Cruises?

It is possible that the reduced sailing speed is simply precautionary to prevent additional difficulties.

Full repairs to return to the ship’s top speeds may not be possible until a more extensive dry dock. At this time, a preliminary dry dock appears scheduled for the ship in early November 2026.

If these issues persist or worsen, however, it may be necessary for another emergency dry dock to be arranged so more repairs can be made.

Protestors Delay Celebrity Cruise Ship Homeporting in Amsterdam

Catie Kovelman
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Protestors Delay Celebrity Cruise Ship Homeporting in Amsterdam

Key Aspects: 

  • The Extinction Rebellion group has staged another anti-cruise protest, this time blocking Celebrity Eclipse from docking in Amsterdam on July 27, 2025.
  • During the protest, around 30 environmental activists blocked the 2,850-guest ship from entering the harbor by forming a barrier with smaller boats and inflatables.
  • The stand off lasted for about two hours, delaying disembarkation from a now-concluded 11-night cruise.

The Amsterdam cruise terminal in the Netherlands welcomed over 1.1 million passengers last year, but an activist group called Extinction Rebellion would prefer that this number dropped to zero immediately.

The environmental organization vehemently opposes cruise tourism, which they believe should not be allowed to continue due to ship-caused pollution and the potential negative environmental impact on coastal communities.

Approximately 30 members came out in full force in Amsterdam on the morning of July 27, 2025, to block Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse from docking at what has been her homeport since the end of April.

Ominous pictures show the protestors surrounding the bow of the cruise ship just as the dawn is breaking, getting way too close to the significantly larger vessel for comfort.

“Dabbling in boats, canoes and inflatable animals, 30 rebels again took action against the cruise industry. This time we stopped the cruise ship the Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers and 1,200 crew members) from docking at the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam,” the group posted on their social media.

“We protest with this blockade against the harmful influence of cruise ships on humans, nature and the climate,” the post continued.

The group has caused cruise ships to delay arrivals and skip port calls entirely in Europe before by blocking the entrance to harbors, with members sometimes even using their own bodies to block critical access locks.

This time, activists gathered starting at around 4:30 a.m. in canoes, inflatables, and other small water crafts to form a barrier well before the Solstice-class vessel arrived closer to 6 a.m.

Once the ship arrived, which was carrying thousands of guests who needed to disembark from an 11-night sailing to Iceland and Ireland, a two-hour stand off ensued until the protestors could be removed.

Law enforcement did eventually intervene to break up the protest, with five activists arrested on charges of assault, obstructing the cruise ship, and refusing to provide identification when asked.

At least two of the individuals who were taken into custody have already been released.

Some of the protestors have also alleged that police boats collided with their inflatable vessels, but this has not been confirmed and no injuries have been reported.

Celebrity Eclipse was able to dock safely and is already in the middle of a 7-night sailing to the Norwegian Fjords that set sail at around 5 p.m. the very same day.

Protesting With Renewed Passion

Unfortunately, the conflict between the cruise industry and Extinction Rebellion does not seem to be going away anytime soon. If anything, tensions are actually increasing.

“Cruise ships are floating environmental disasters. They should not be allowed in Dutch waters. We demand strict and binding national and international environmental standards and regulations, as well as strict enforcement and sanctions policy,” Extinction Rebellion posted.

“We will continue with actions like this until this harmful tourist industry is banned from Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands,” the group asserted.

That said, this stance may be a bit harsh as the cruise lines have made a real effort to be carbon neutral by 2050 (or sooner) and have been prioritizing sustainability in recent years.

Protesters Block Celebrity Eclipse
Protesters Block Celebrity Eclipse (Photo Credit: Extinction Rebellion NL)

For example, many cruise lines have updated their fleets to be able to connect to shore power, which is a greener fuel alternative, and have built new ships to have this capability from the start.

Of course, Extinction Rebellion’s efforts do have a negative impact on cruise operations, which is what the group wants.

Top brands like Royal Caribbean (the sister brand to Celebrity Cruises), Disney Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Ambassador Cruise Line have all been forced to pivot due to the group’s actions in 2024.

The delays and skipped port calls that this group has caused leads to unhappy passengers and significant expenditures when the cruise lines have to refund shore excursions or compensate guests.

The passengers onboard, meanwhile, may be forced to skip tours they paid for or miss flights or other pre-booked transportation if disembarkation is significantly delayed.

More From Cruise Hive

On the shore side, tour providers are forced to quickly adjust, especially if guides and buses are already waiting at the port, and perhaps lose out on significant income, impacting their livelihoods.

The protestors are risking their own safety as well. At 121,878-gross tons and 1,041 feet long, Celebrity Eclipse is a large ship that is certainly capable of damaging or sinking the activists’ vessels.

Canadian Port Replaced for Multiple Liberty of the Seas Sailings

Catie Kovelman
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Canadian Port Replaced for Multiple Liberty of the Seas Sailings

Key Aspects: 

  • Royal Caribbean has replaced the port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, with an extended visit to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, for at least two cruises.
  • The impacted cruises are both 9-night sailings that embark from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on September 18 and October 2 in 2025. 
  • The reason for the switch is unconfirmed, but many wonder if it has to do with the breakdown of the free shuttle service in Sydney. 

Many future passengers of Liberty of the Seas who were looking forward to exploring Sydney, Canada, won’t get the chance to experience the Nova Scotia destination after all.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship will soon be operating a handful of 9-night sailings to different destinations around New England and throughout Canada, coinciding with the famously beautiful fall season.

But for the voyages due to embark from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on September 18, 2025, and October 2, 2025, the 3,634-guest vessel will no longer sail to Sydney as planned.

Instead, the day-long visits to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, that were already on the itinerary will be extended into overnight calls.

“We’re on the October 2nd sailing and were notified today that Sydney has been cancelled. Now overnighting in St John…..so this might happen to you all also,” one booked guest confirmed.

“It also happened on our sailing on Sept 18th. Our group of six are bummed,” another guest added.

Liberty of the Seas will still be visiting Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on these voyages, as was called for on the original itinerary.

The Freedom-class cruise ship is also supposed to operate two more similar 9-night voyages to Canada that embark on September 4, 2025, and October 16, 2025, for which no changes have been announced publicly at this time.

But given the other changes, passengers booked on these voyages will want to keep an eye out for possible communications from Royal Caribbean.

Cruisers Want Answers 

While itinerary changes can be disappointing, part of cruising is that the cruise lines may switch up ports of call for pretty much any reason.

This is usually a term that passengers agree to in their cruise contract when they first book their sailings.

But while Royal Caribbean fans understand that change is sometimes inevitable, many wished that they knew the reason behind this one. The cruise line apologized for the inconvenience, but did not provide its rationale.

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock)

“Why don’t they give us a reason for the change to the itinerary?  I mean we are more than two months out from the cruise,” one passenger inquired.

“I will enjoy the cruise either way but it would be nice if they had the courtesy to let us know why they had to change the port,” another echoed.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Though unconfirmed, the leading theory in this case is that the change has to do with the breakdown of the free shuttle service that transports passengers from Sydney’s second berth to the main terminal when more than one ship is present.

The second berth is rather far from the main Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion terminal, making transportation a necessity.

“My daughter did some research and it seems the transportation bus is non operating and they have used the school bus for July and August but since school will be in session after that….maybe no transportation,” one passenger guessed.

“Some ships apparently had to hire private taxi and shuttle services and it was very slow so I think this led to them preemptively canceling the port as there’s no timetable for resolution,” another cruiser theorized.

According to cruise tracking data, a second cruise ship is scheduled to be in the port at the same time as Liberty of the Seas would have been for the September 18 and October 2 sailings.

Interestingly, she is the only ship scheduled during her planned visits for the voyages that so far remain unchanged.

Cruise Guest Questions Policy That Makes Carrying Bags More Difficult

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Guest Questions Policy That Makes Carrying Bags More Difficult

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line does not permit collapsible wagons to be used at embarkation or debarkation, even in ports of call.
  • Similarly, they may not be used onboard ships due to safety constraints and damage to the decks and architecture.
  • Guests can bring such wagons aboard but must carry (not wheel) them off for use only in ports.

Are you a chronic overpacker? Do you feel better bringing all your luggage onboard with you on a cruise? It can be challenging if you have a lot of carry on items, but a small, collapsible wagon could make it easier to lug bags around.

Unfortunately, wagons are not permitted on Carnival cruise ships at the times when they might be most useful. This includes embarkation and debarkation, as well as when going to and from the ship at ports of call.

One guest has reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, to better understand the reasoning and why wagons can’t be used onboard.

“We used to take a small folding wagon to check in and walk around the ship until we could access our rooms. We don’t carry a ton on, but some things you have to carry on (like soda, medicines, etc.). It ends up being more than I can carry,” the guest explained.

A wagon could make it much easier to bring multiple bags up the sometimes lengthy gangways and onto the ship. This could be especially true for any guest who also brings aboard their preferred soft drinks or who might also have small children.

“Our last cruise, I saw that we can no longer use wagons,” the guest noted. “Are we able to take wagons through the check in process and onto the ship? It would make boarding so much easier on this body of mine.”

The answer Heald offered, however, is not one the guest might have wanted.

“I’m so sorry to tell you that these are now strictly not allowed,” he said.

This is not a new policy, as collapsible wagons have been listed on Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list since at least 2021. They aren’t actually 100% prohibited, however.

“They [can] be used in port but not carried or dragged around the ship,” Heald confirmed.

Wagons are listed under the “Items for Port Use Only” portion of the prohibited items list. This means guests may bring them aboard the ship, but may only use them while off the vessel at different destinations.

This policy further clarifies that wagons cannot be rolled on or off the ship either at the beginning or end of a cruise or while visiting ports of call.

“For the safety of our guests, the wagon cannot be rolled onto/off the ship during embarkation and debarkation and cannot be rolled off/onto the ship while in port,” the policy outlines.

Other cruise lines, such as MSC Cruises, have similar restrictions on wagons.

Why Aren’t Wagons Allowed on Carnival Ships?

Heald further explained why wagons aren’t permitted, and it goes beyond just safety.

“They have been damaging the decks and some of the architecture as well as causing problems in other ways as well,” he said.

Different wagons use different materials for wheels. Some materials may scratch, scuff, or leave debris on the different flooring and deck materials onboard ships, especially after busy, sandy beach days.

Travel Wagon
Travel Wagon (Photo Credits: msg919)

Furthermore, if the wagons are carelessly bumped or crashed into corners, poles, railings, or doorways, that could create even more damage.

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

Heald does not offer details about what other problems wagons might cause. Depending on their use, however, wagons could easily take up excess space in already crowded elevators, injure other guests with bumps or squashed toes, or cause difficulties if they are “parked” in corridors.

So how can guests bring their essential items when they board the ship, if there is just a bit too much to tote?

The self-assist luggage option is always available and does not have size restrictions. Guests can (and I have!) bring aboard larger rolling bags, so long as they can manage the bags without help from crew members.

Carnival’s Costa Brand Pulls Out of Middle East Due to Fluid Situation

Donna Tunney
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Carnival’s Costa Brand Pulls Out of Middle East Due to Fluid Situation

Key Aspects

  • Costa Toscana was set to operate a series of winter voyages from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
  • The Excellence-class ship will instead remain in the Mediterranean.
  • Cost Cruises attributed the decision to unpredictable conditions in the region.

Faced with ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Middle East, Costa Cruises has revamped the deployment of Costa Toscana, which was to sail a series of voyages from the United Arab Emirates and Dubai during winter 2025-26.

Instead, the ship will remain in the Mediterranean for the season. Costa Toscana, with a capacity for 5,300 guests in double occupancy and 6,500 with all berths occupied, currently sails the Western Mediterranean with embarkation from multiple ports.

“Due to the currently fluid situation in the Middle East, which remains unpredictable for the foreseeable future, Costa wants to provide its guests with reliable clarity on their vacation plans for the upcoming winter season as early as possible,” the cruise line stated.

The cruise series was to include 7-night sailings roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, UAE, calling at Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; and Doha, Qatar. Seven-night voyages roundtrip from Doha were to call at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat.

Worth Reading: Costa Cruises Cancels All Asia Homeport Cruises

Additionally, the ship’s fall 2025 and spring 2026 repositioning cruises to and from the Middle East homeports also are cancelled. The cruise line has contacted all booked guests on the impacted cruises to advise them of the change and offer alternative options.

Costa Toscana, an Excellence-class ship that launched in 2021, was scheduled to remain in the Mediterranean until mid-November 2025, before deploying to the Middle East.

Under the updated schedule, the ship will continue to sail the Mediterranean, however, the cruise line has not revealed or opened for sale any of those cruises yet.

Costa Toscana Cruise Ship
Costa Toscana Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)

The ship is currently operating 3-, 6-, and 7-night voyages roundtrip from multiple embarkation ports. Her 7-night sailing from Barcelona on August 26, 2025, for example, calls at Ibiza, Spain; Palermo, Sicily; Rome and Savona, Italy; and Marseille, France.

A shorter 3-night getaway from Barcelona to Palermo on September 9, 2025, calls at Ibiza, while a 6-night cruise from Rome on September 6, 2025 takes guests to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, and Ibiza.

Costa Cruises indicated that Costa Toscana’s updated fall-winter schedule would be released soon.

Canary Islands, Caribbean Are Options For Winter Cruising

Meanwhile, the cruise line, a Carnival Corporation brand, reminded prospective guests that starting in December 2025, Costa Fortuna will offer a series of Canary Islands voyages from Barcelona, Marseille, and Savona, and roundtrip from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

Prospective cruisers looking to explore the Caribbean can sail on the line’s Costa Fascinosa or Costa Pacifica, both offered with Costa’s “fly&cruise” package that combines air and cruise fares.

A 7-day voyage aboard Costa Fascinosa offers embarkation from Martinique, Guadeloupe, or Santo Domingo, and calls at destinations including Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Dominican Republic.

Costa Pacifica offers several longer itineraries. A 15-day cruise roundtrip from La Romana, Dominican Republic, calls at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Barbados; Guadeloupe; Saint Kitts and Nevis; British Virgin Islands; and Grand Turk.

The decision to cancel Middle East cruises was not the first for Costa Toscana. As tensions in the Red Sea emerged in early 2024, the ship’s 19-night repositioning cruise from Dubai to Italy was cancelled just six weeks before departure.

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The regional unrest, which stemmed from conflicts involving Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeted maritime traffic and caused multiple cruise lines to cancel cruises or reroute itineraries away from the Red Sea.

Costa Toscana made her inaugural call to Dubai in late 2022 and remained in the region that winter, cruising between Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.

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