The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a recent outbreak of norovirus aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation, with dozens of guests and crew members reporting symptoms. Sanitation procedures were increased onboard to mitigate transmission, and the situation will continue to be monitored.
Norovirus Onboard Celebrity Constellation
In the first confirmed outbreak of 2024, Celebrity Constellation was stricken with norovirus on the ship’s most recent sailing. The impacted voyage was a 9-night roundtrip cruise from Tampa, Florida that departed on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, and returned to Port Tampa Bay on Friday, January 12 after visiting New Orleans, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya.
The number of guests onboard for the sailing was 2,056, and 68 reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. This is a total of 3.31% of passengers, well over the 2% threshold when ships are required to report cases to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). In addition, 7 of the ship’s 948 crew members (.74%) also reported similar symptoms.
Testing confirmed the outbreak to be norovirus, a very common gastrointestinal illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is very easily transmitted and infected persons may show symptoms 12-48 hours after exposure. The disease typically resolves within 1-3 days without significant medical intervention.
Increased sanitation measures were immediately taken onboard, including enhanced cleaning and isolating guests and crew members reporting symptoms.
It should be noted that at no time were any cases of COVID-19, RSV, or other respiratory diseases reported aboard Celebrity Constellation.
The 90,940-gross-ton, Millennium-class ship can welcome 2,184 guests aboard at double occupancy, and is also home to up to 1,000 international crew members.
Next Steps for the Ship
As the ship is on a turnaround day on Friday, January 12 – debarking guests from one sailing and embarking guests for the next cruise – it is likely that a full deep clean will be made at that time. This may slightly delay embarkation for the next departure, though no impact is expected for the next cruise.
The next itinerary is a 12-night “Ultimate Caribbean & The Americas” sailing, with visits to Grand Cayman, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cozumel before Celebrity Constellation returns to Tampa on Wednesday, January 24.
Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises
Guests booked on the cruise should take extra precautions with hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, and minimizing contact with high-touch surfaces such as elevator buttons, stair railings, and door handles as much as possible.
It is also possible that continued enhanced cleaning procedures will be continued at least through the first few days of the voyage to ensure minimal risk to everyone aboard. Other steps, such as fewer self-serve stations in the buffet, may also be implemented to minimize high-touch contact points.
Recent Outbreaks
While this outbreak aboard Celebrity Constellation is the first to be reported in 2024, there were 13 norovirus outbreaks reported aboard cruise ships in 2023, including vessels from Viking Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Constellation was one of the ships to have an outbreak in 2023, which happened in early March and involved a total of 97 guests and crew members (out of more than 3,000 people onboard). The 2023 and 2024 outbreaks are not related.
It should be noted that norovirus is not confined to cruise ships and outbreaks regularly happen at schools, workplaces, restaurants, sporting events, and other areas where crowds may gather. Because cruise ships are closed environments where tracking cases is possible, reports are easier to note and confirm.
Cruise travelers should always take steps to remain healthy while sailing and minimize any risk of infecting others if they do begin to feel unwell while onboard. Resting, staying hydrated, opting for a bland diet, and using over-the-counter medications for diarrhea and nausea are all effective treatment options.
Costa Firenze has set sail on her final voyage with Costa Cruises before the ship will be officially retired from the line, extensively refurbished, and rebranded to join Carnival Cruise Line as Carnival Firenze.
The final Costa Firenze cruise is a Mediterranean sailing that will ultimately end in Savona, Italy on January 21, 2024, before the ship enters dry dock in preparation for her Fun Ship transformation.
Costa Firenze Sets Sail for the Last Time
Costa Firenze has welcomed guests for her final 10-night Mediterranean sailing, having embarked guests in Valencia, Spain for a trip that will include visits to Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Spain before ending in Barcelona on January 19. A special 1-night cruise will embark in Marseille, France on January 20 and end in Savona, Italy on January 21.
At that time, the ship will officially end her service life with Costa Cruises, and instead will be transformed into the “Costa by Carnival” concept and renamed Carnival Firenze.
This final sailing is sure to a be a celebratory yet sad occasion as crew members and guests alike enjoy what makes Costa Firenze a unique and memorable ship. Undoubtedly, there will be special events and activities onboard to commemorate the ship as she finishes this chapter in her service life.
Upcoming Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mlle Sonyah)
The 135,136-gross-ton, Vista-class Costa Firenze joined Costa Cruises in late 2020 and first set sail in July 2021, and so has had a relatively short lifespan with the Italian cruise line.
Both Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are under the same parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc.
What’s Next for Costa Firenze
Now, the vessel will undergo an extensive refit and revitalization to bring her spaces and atmosphere more in sync with Carnival Cruise Line, though her Italian nature will be preserved. The transfer of the ship was first announced in June 2022, at the same time it was announced that her sister ship Costa Venezia would become Carnival Venezia – which occurred in May 2023.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has even shared hints of what’s to come for the new Carnival Firenze, including the installation of the replica David statue on the ship. The statue was formerly aboard Carnival Pride in the David’s steakhouse, but when that venue was rebranded in May 2023, the statue was removed.
Render Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
“Now, take a look at the photo and the Christmas Tree because when the ship becomes Carnival Firenze there will be something else standing where that tree is now. It’s an old friend from another ship. Can you guess what it is that will have pride of place there?”Heald asked when showing off holiday sailing photos aboard Costa Firenze.
While Carnival Cruise Line has not released a great number of details about Carnival Firenze‘s transformation – undoubtedly, some details will be revealed in the weeks before her debut – some public spaces will be rebranded with Carnival favorites such as the ever popular Guy’s Burger Joint, Bonsai Teppanyaki, the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, and the WaterWorks aquapark.
Render Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The ship will also be receiving the new blue-and-gold livery also worn by Costa Venezia that matches the style of the red-white-and-blue hull livery that debuted with Mardi Gras and has since been rolled out throughout the Carnival fleet.
A range of regular maintenance updates such as flooring refreshes, painting, deck repair, lighting upgrades, and other typical dry dock work will also be part of the three months the ship will be out of service.
Setting Sail With Carnival Firenze
Once refit and ready to welcome guests again, Carnival Firenze will be welcomed into the Carnival Cruise Line fleet with various ceremonies, such as changing her national registry and an official renaming.
On April 25, 2024, the ship will welcome her first guests under the Carnival brand from her new homeport in Long Beach, California – an earlier-than-originally-planned inaugural sailing that has been controversial for some guests.
Carnival Firenze will then offer Baja Mexico and Mexican Riviera sailings ranging from 3-7 nights, visiting ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and Catalina, depending on the sailing date and cruise length.
The ship is scheduled to be based year-round from Long Beach at least through April 2026. Itineraries past that date have not yet been released.
Two new river cruise itineraries that highlight top destinations in Holland and Belgium are on the horizon at Adventures by Disney, the subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that offers river voyages around the globe. The new departures are scheduled for 2025, and are geared to the family travel market.
History, Culture, and Tulips Are Focus of New Sailings
Old World charm takes center stage in two new river cruise sailings operated by Adventures by Disney, including one that features the cities and villages of Holland and Belgium, and another that explores the region’s world-renowned tulip gardens.
All voyages are seven nights and will be held aboard a ship chartered from AmaWaterways, a highly-regarded, luxury-level river cruise operator. Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways have partnered to offer river cruises for more than 15 years.
Adventure Guides, all trained by Disney, will accompany each departure, providing high-level customer service and informative storytelling about each destination.
Four departures are offered on the “Discovering Holland and Belgium Tour,” all roundtrip from Amsterdam on June 28, July 26, September 6, and December 20, 2025. Cruisers will visit Utrecht, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, and Gouda, Netherlands, and Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp, Belgium.
Activities onshore will feature tours of attractions such as the Utrecht Museum Speelklok and Castle de Haar. Cruisers also will enjoy seeing the region’s iconic windmills, some of which date from the 1700s, museums featuring the Dutch masters’ art and architecture, and viewing the Royal Delft pottery that helped to make the region famous.
Photo Courtesy: Adventures by Disney
Active excursions will include bike riding and walking tours. One of the departures will be limited to adults only. The “Tulip Tour” has just one departure, on April 13, 2025, in the prime blooming season.
After the departure from Amsterdam, the itinerary includes Ghent and Antwerp, Belgium, plus Hoorn, Middelburg, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, and Schoonhoven, Netherlands.
Highlighted shore excursions include visits to the renowned Keukenhof gardens, with its 7 million flowering bulbs, the vast tulip farms of Hoorn, and the Floralia Flower Show, the popular flower exhibition held annually in Brussels, Belgium.
Itineraries to Open For Bookings in Mid-January
Sales for all of the new itinerary departures will open on January 16, 2024, for previous Adventures by Disney Guests who have traveled on three or more Adventures; January 17 for all previous Adventures by Disney guests; January 18 for Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Members, and Golden Oak Members; and January 19 for the general public.
Adventures by Disney has not disclosed the name of the ship it will charter for the new itineraries; AmaWaterways operates a fleet of more than two dozen ships.
Cruisers who wish to sail aboard a Disney river voyage sooner, in 2024, have a choice of 22 cruise itineraries in Europe, offered on the Rhine, Danube, and Seine rivers. A Rhine River cruise departing on August 1, 2024 from Basel, Switzerland, and concluding in Amsterdam, visits popular destinations such as Strasbourg, France; and Rudesheim and Cologne, Germany.
Adventures by Disney is a separate unit from Disney Cruise Line, which operates a fleet of five ocean-going ships. A sixth, Disney Treasure, is under construction in Germany and due to launch in December 2024.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady has visited Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, for the first time, having enjoyed a full day’s port visit at the amazingly popular destination.
The inaugural visit was marked with a traditional plaque exchange to commemorate the occasion, and what will hopefully be the first of many visits for the ship during her upcoming years of service.
Valiant Lady Visits Nassau
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, the second of the cruise line’s distinctive “ladyships,” visited Nassau, Bahamas for the first time on Monday, January 8, 2024. Any inaugural visit is a reason to celebrate, as not only does such an occasion bring guests to enjoy the port, but also helps build a relationship between the cruise line and the port of call.
“The arrival of a new cruise ship is always a cause for celebration here. Having recently toured the stunning Scarlet Lady, I am particularly excited to welcome Valiant Lady to our shores,”said Marques Williams, operations manager for Nassau Cruise Port.“We welcome the Valiant Lady and hope to see more Virgin Voyages ships here soon.”
Williams presented the ship’s master, Captain Justin Lawes, a plaque to mark the occasion of Valiant Lady‘s first visit. Such plaques or similar items such as photographs or small sculptures are often displayed on cruise ships and can be a fun gallery for guests to browse to learn where their ship has sailed.
It should be noted that while Valiant Lady has not visited Nassau previously, the ship is no stranger to the Bahamas. She has called on Bimini – 130 miles (210 kilometers) west-northwest of Nassau – a number of times.
Valiant Lady Cruise Ship
Valiant Lady is sailing a 6-night voyage that departed Miami, Florida on Sunday, January 7, and includes visits to Grand Turk and Puerto Plata before the ship will arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday, January 13. At that time, the ship will remain homeported from San Juan through March, offering a series of 10 7-night itineraries featuring southern, southeastern, and Lesser Antilles destinations.
On March 23, 2024, Valiant Lady will leave San Juan for a one-way trip back to Miami, which will include another visit to Nassau. From Miami, the ship will offer a diverse range of 4- and 5-night sailings at least through October 2024.
Virgin Voyages in the Bahamas
Scarlet Lady, the first vessel in the Virgin Voyages’ fleet, made her inaugural call to Nassau in October 2021. The cruise line’s third ship, Resilient Lady, has not yet visited Nassau and is currently sailing from various Australian homeports. Resilient Lady is not scheduled to sail in the Caribbean at least until after October; her itineraries for the end of the year have not yet been announced.
Virgin Voyages, as an adults-only cruise line, tends to favor more exotic ports of call that may not be as frequently visited by big family-oriented cruise ships. In the Bahamas, this means ships typically call on Bimini for beach escapes and resort experiences, as well as a range of other shore tour options.
The ship’s visit to Nassau is just part of the cruise port’s phenomenal growth, with more than 4.4 million passengers visiting Nassau in 2023. Now, Valiant Lady will be part of what is already expected to be an even higher total for 2024.
“The variety of ships that grace our harbor, each offering its own unique charm and experiences, is a constant source of inspiration for us. It fuels our commitment to making Nassau Cruise Port a welcoming and inclusive destination for passengers, crew, and residents,”said Williams.
Though she isn’t quite two years old, having just set sail in early 2022, Valiant Lady has already been welcomed in many ports around the UK and the Mediterranean, where Virgin Voyages tours vessels in their inaugural seasons. She made her North American debut in October 2022 and has successfully welcomed tens of thousands of eager guests from all over the world.
Like all three ladyships in the Virgin Voyages fleet, the 110,000-gross-ton Valiant Lady can welcome 2,770 passengers aboard at each sailing, with just over 1,100 international crew members onboard to ensure everyone has a spectacular cruise.
MSC Cruises is further expanding its US operations with the deployment of one of its newest, largest vessels to Port of Galveston, bringing the line’s unique European influence to the Lone Star State.
Bookings are now open for the 7-night cruises with departures beginning in November 2025, just in time for a fabulous holiday season.
MSC Seascape Bookings Now Open for Galveston
After months of negotiations to bring MSC Cruises to Texas, the cruise line is now thrilled to open reservations for MSC Seascape sailing from Galveston beginning on November 9, 2025, bringing a new and exciting cruise option to millions of travelers who can drive or fly to the Lone Star State homeport.
“Expanding to Galveston with the magnificent MSC Seascape is a pivotal moment for us at MSC Cruises and for our guests,” said Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA.
“Expanding our U.S. footprint makes our unique cruise experience more accessible to travelers in the central and western parts of the country and it illustrates our commitment to providing families in the region with unparalleled vacation options.”
The 170,400-gross-ton ship, one of the largest and most innovative in the MSC Cruises fleet, will offer 7-night Western Caribbean sailings visiting top ports such as Roatan in Honduras and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. At each destination, the cruise line will be offering immersive shore excursions to explore local culture, flavors, history, and much more.
Travelers will be able to enjoy wildlife tours, natural swimming holes, world-class snorkeling, spectacular Mayan ruins, archeology tours, ancient caves, wildlife encounters, and other excursion options. Exact offerings will vary based on destination and sailing date.
Growth in Galveston
MSC Seascape, joining the array of ships sailing from Galveston, is the latest step in the homeport’s amazing growth.
“Welcoming MSC Cruises and the MSC Seascape to Galveston offers cruise passengers a new cruise experience and opportunities to explore Galveston Island, a tropical Texas island rich with history, Victorian architecture, sparkling beaches and great restaurants,” said Rodger Rees, Port Director & CEO, Galveston Wharves. “MSC passengers can come for a fabulous cruise and stay to discover our island treasures.”
Port of Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
In addition to MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line all offer sailings from Galveston. While some lines only offer seasonal deployments, there are amazing cruise options from Galveston year-round.
Of special note is that one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, Norwegian Prima, is currently sailing from Galveston, as is the brand-new Carnival Jubilee, which just debuted with her inaugural sailing from Texas in December 2023.
Onboard MSC Seascape
During each cruise, guests will also have multiple days at sea to enjoy everything the Seaside-EVO class vessel has to offer, including the ROBOTRON thrill ride, six outstanding theater production shows, 11 different dining venues, six swimming pools, and the unique glass-floored Bridge of Sighs on Deck 16 with a unique and thought-provoking ocean view.
“MSC Seascape’s family-friendly amenities, award-winning entertainment and innovative offerings will help us deliver exceptional value and memorable journeys for more guests than ever before,”said Rodríguez.
Photo Credit: MSC Cruises
The ship also features more than 7,500 square feet of space dedicated to youth programs for ages 0-17, offering great entertainment and activities for younger cruisers.
Altogether, MSC Seascape can welcome 5,179 guests per sailing, and is also home to more than 1,600 international crew members. Currently, the ship is homeported from Miami, Florida offering a variety of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, including calls on MSC Cruises’ private island, MSC Ocean Cay.
The ship will remain in Miami through early September 2025. During the few weeks’ gap between her deployment to Miami and her move to Galveston, the ship may offer additional cruises or could enter a maintenance dry dock, refreshing her for her new homeport.
A recent guest onboard Wonder of the Seas described having difficulty with an adjacent stateroom and after feeling unsuccessful with assistance from the cruise ship’s security department and Guest Services, posted her concerns on TikTok as a way to get a resolution.
Was her tactic successful, and is it the proper way to address concerns from a situation onboard?
Woman Experiences Poor Conduct on Wonder of the Seas – But Was Hers Better?
A recent passenger onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, Cayce Evans Newton, had hoped to enjoy a wonderful New Year’s cruise with 19 of her family members, but instead found herself at frequent odds with guests in the next door stateroom.
In a video posted to the social media video site TikTok where she goes by the username itsmecayce, Newton described the situation she and her family members encountered while trying to enjoy quiet nights in their staterooms during the ship’s December 30 sailing, an 8-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day itinerary.
“We are on day four of our cruise and we’ve had an ongoing problem with the people in the room next to us, playing loud music all night long, really loud,”Newton said.“Now they’re smoking on their balcony, which is an interior balcony, smoking in their room, and just making so much noise, really rude music.”
@Royal Caribbean how can we get help with nightmare stateroom neighbors? We paid over $40,000 for our family group of 20 people for this vacation. Weve cslled guest services and security numerous times and nothing has helped.
Newton mentions that she and her family members had called security eight times to report the poor behavior by day four, and had spoken with Guest Services but without results.
“We’re not getting any relief from the problem of the people next door,”she said.
Newton tags Royal Caribbean in the video’s description to attempt to catch the cruise line’s attention, and several times asks the cruise line directly for assistance, claiming that very little was done onboard at that point. To date, Newton’s video has had more than 423,000 views.
Is This a Karen Situation?
While social media users are generally on the side of those who may indeed be under stress from poor behavior, what Newton brings up next has rubbed many commenters the wrong way.
Newton mentions that her group of travelers had paid more than $40,000 for their getaway, and that a small child was part of the group and being subject to the “disturbing language” and poor behavior of the travelers next door.
Those details seem to indicate what could be considered a sense of entitlement, causing many commenters to label Newton as a Karen – a derogatory, slang term for someone who may be a busybody or exhibit excessive entitlement, often with an “I want to talk to a manager” perspective.
It should be noted, however, that at no point does Newton offer any personal attacks or unkind comments about the travelers she claims are causing the disturbances. She does point out that the ship has smoking areas, lounges and nightclubs that play music, and plenty of opportunities for everyone to enjoy themselves, without disrupting the peace of other passengers.
@Royal Caribbean good luck getting the smoke stench out of cabin 10709 on Wonder of the Seas. Guest Services tried to be helpful but never resolved the issue with the noise and smoking. Thank you to everyone who left kind and helpful comnents. We had a wonderful trip but not sure if we will ever cruise RCCL again.
“We want them to have fun just like we want to have fun,”she said.
She does offer a potential solution, but the idea also has commenters seeing a sense of entitlement.
“I don’t know if you can move them, kick them off the boat, I don’t know what you can do for them,”she said after mentioning the ship’s code of conduct, which all passengers agree to before boarding.
Royal Caribbean’s Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy does state that “It is a condition of boarding and remaining onboard any of our ships or in our private destinations, that all guests comply with this Policy and all of our health and safety policies and procedures.”
Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)
While much of the policy is concerned with interactions between guests, it does state that “boom boxes, loud radios, or other noise nuisance(s) are not permitted” and that “Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom balcony.”
If guests violate these policies, they could have certain onboard privileges removed, be confined to their staterooms or a holding cell, or even removed from the ship and denied future cruises with all of Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise lines.
What Was Done
In a follow-up video on the last night of the cruise, Newton updated her viewers on the situation.
“Guest Services was great keeping in touch with us, but they never really resolved the problem,”she said.
Newton was offered a free bottle of wine and a complimentary lunch at Johnny Rockets onboard the ship, plus her daughter was offered a 10% discount on a future sailing due to the inconvenience and disturbance of being right next to the offending stateroom.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
“It was definitely a rough week with those people. We were trying to just get over it, trying not to be bothered by it. We had a great vacation,”she concluded.“It is what it is.”
On a ship the size of Wonder of the Seas – at 235,600 gross tons with more than 5,700 guests aboard – it is inevitable that not all passengers will agree on what constitutes acceptable behavior, good music, or other conditions that might make one’s cruise experience more or less enjoyable.
While reaching out on social media is not always the nicest way to seek a resolution, Newton and her family members did work through appropriate channels – calling ship’s security and Guest Services – to try to improve the situation, without escalating any problems with their neighboring passengers.
With the proliferation of influencers on different social media platforms increasingly wanting their own exclusive video footage, more and more travelers are hoping to bring drones onboard cruise ships.
While drones are not explicitly prohibited at all times, Carnival Cruise Line has responded to guest inquiries and clarified why the popular robotic aircraft are not permitted for use on ships.
Drones Not Permitted for Onboard Use
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald, who answers hundreds of questions daily on his popular Facebook page, has addressed the somewhat controversial topic of drones.
Travel influencers – individuals who market themselves through social media promoting brands, destinations, and experiences – are always looking for new photos and video footage that will set them apart from the thousands of other influencers looking for the same market share. Exclusive drone video footage is a top option to showcase oneself in a unique way.
Drones, however, are not permitted for use onboard Carnival cruise ships. The technology is listed under the “Items for Port Use Only” section of Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list. Heald has also directly responded to inquiries about drones and their use onboard.
Carnival cruise ships in port (Photo Credit: pablopicasso)
“I get asked so much these days about our rules on this that I thought I had better mention it,”Heald said.“I am sorry but for safety reasons of the drone perhaps crashing into a guest or damaging the ship in some way we cannot allow people to be flying drones over the ship.”
The prohibited items policy does note that drones are permitted, but details how they must be kept onboard.
“Drone(s) are allowed, but must be held in the custody of the Chief Security Officer and must be checked out/in by the owner for PORT USE ONLY,”the policy reads.
Heald has further clarified that it is the guest’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with local laws about drone usage.
“You will be given the drone back in port but please check on the websites and the rules of the places you are cruising to so that you can make sure drone flying is allowed,”he said.
Drone Being Used (Photo Credit: Yesurathinam)
Because many cruise ports are government facilities that may also service official vessels, including military craft, many ports do not permit drone use at all.
Furthermore, many popular tourist areas prohibit drones for various reasons, such as to protect wildlife from disturbances in nature preserves, to safeguard visitors’ privacy at resorts, or simply to prevent any inadvertent mishaps.
Carnival Cruise Line is unlikely to assist any passengers who may find themselves in a difficult situation with local authorities because they violated a drone use policy.
What Would Happen If a Drone Went Overboard?
It should also be noted that should a drone malfunction or be misdirected and accidentally crash into the sea, international maritime laws about debris and refuse could apply. Such an incident would also be in violation of Carnival Cruise Line’s Ticket Contract, which all guests must abide by while on a Carnival cruise.
Section 9(i) of the contract reads:“Any willful or negligent act of discharging or releasing any unauthorized item overboard, without the express permission of the ship’s staff may result in a $500 charge, per violation, posted to Guest’s Sail & Sign account.”
Carnival Cruise Line Ship (Photo Credit: Amonarch)
Guests might also be liable for additional fees or fines if a drone went overboard.
“Guest shall also be responsible for any fines or penalties imposed on Carnival by any government, governmental agency or official, port or port official, or for expenses or losses caused or incurred for Guest’s violation of this policy,”the contract continues.
Additional consequences for violating the cruise line’s environmental policy – which covers items gone overboard – could include guests being disembarked at the next port of call and left on their own to return home.
Carnival Cruise Line would not cover such travel expenses or other charges, and no refund of any unused portion of the cruise fare would be provided. Guests might also be banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line in the future after such an incident.
If you’re already excitedly anticipating booking a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas, aka the largest cruise ship in the world, you’re not alone. This ship has been making headlines for months now, as avid cruisers and avid travelers in general look forward to future sailings.
Icon of the Seas is set to offer a wealth of unique and new features. However, it’s not just the dining and entertainment that’s sure to turn heads. The Icon of the Seas suites and staterooms are just as impressive.
So, how do you choose the perfect Icon of the Seas cabin for your family or other traveling crew? Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
There are nearly 30 types of rooms you can choose from on Icon of the Seas, including both Icon of the Seas suites and staterooms, for 2,805 options in total, to fit more than 7,000 passengers at maximum capacity.
All the cabins have a smart design, with more storage compared to other Royal Caribbean cruise ships, USB ports and outlets, and a modern design. Guests can also take advantage of adjusting their cabin’s lighting and temperature with their phone, using the Royal Caribbean App, which is a first for the fleet.
Icon of the Seas Accommodations Guide
Icon of the Seas Staterooms
Staterooms alone can be broken down into just a few broad categories: 535 interior staterooms, 276 ocean view staterooms and 1,815 balcony staterooms. The balcony staterooms account for the majority of the ship’s accommodation options.
Most staterooms are suitable for at least two passengers, but some are better suited to families than others. Here’s what you need to know.
Standard Interior Cabins
At 156 square feet, these cabins are the smallest option and really only suitable for a max of two travelers. They give you everything you need in a cabin, and nothing you don’t, so don’t expect any frills or thrills here. It’s a basic — if high-end and brand-new — cabin, most suited to those who don’t plan on spending much time in their cabin during their cruise in the first place.
Icon of the Seas Interior Cabin
– Room Size: 156 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 2 – Decks: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 – Number of Cabins: 75
Interior Plus Rooms
These rooms measure in at 157 square feet and offer walk-in closets. They’re not as large as the Spacious Interior Cabins, but they’re still quite nice. They’re the perfect luxury option for a traveling couple or a single traveler, who either prefers interior cabins or who doesn’t want to splurge on a larger cabin.
Interior Plus Room
– Room Size: 157 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 2 – Decks: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Number of Cabins: 203
Spacious Interior Cabins
At 178 square feet, these cabins are pretty much exactly like the Standard Interior Cabins, but you get just a little extra space to spread out.
Spacious Interior Cabin
– Room Size: 178 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 2–3 – Decks: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 – Number of Cabins: 192
Surfside Family View Interior Cabins
These cabins replace the boardwalk view cabins that you may have seen on Oasis class Royal Caribbean ships. They measure in at 187 square feet, so they’re a little bigger than some of the other interior cabin options, but not quite as large as some of the ocean view and balcony cabins. These staterooms are located on the interior of Icon of the Seas, but offer a view of the surfside neighborhood.
Surfside Family View Interior Cabin
– Room Size: 187 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 3–4 – Decks: 8 – Number of Cabins: 20
Central Park View Interior Cabins
These interior cabins offer views of the Central Park neighborhood. You get a little natural light and lots of people watching opportunities, but no ocean view.
Central Park View Interior Cabin
– Room Size: 187 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 4 – Decks: 9 – Number of Cabins: 45
Panoramic Ocean View Cabins
Measuring in at 258 square feet, the panoramic ocean view rooms offer floor-to-ceiling views and ocean views. These cabins, while they don’t have a balcony, are actually larger than some of the balcony cabins, so you might find them worth your consideration if you prioritize interior space. You’ll hardly notice the balcony is gone, anyway, when you take a look at that gorgeous view right next to the plush bed.
Panoramic Ocean View Cabin
– Room Size: 258 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 3 – Decks: 14 – Number of Cabins: 12
Standard Ocean View Cabins
These cabins are your basic ocean view stateroom. While they’re modern, luxurious and beautiful, just like every cabin on this ship, they still just have that standard, square window on the far side of the cabin wall, so keep that in mind if you’re wanting something new, fresh and different.
Standard Ocean View Cabin
– Room Size: 160–187 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 2–4 – Decks: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Number of Cabins: 264
Standard Ocean View Balcony Cabins
These cabins are available in both a standard, ocean-view balcony variant, as well as in a connected variant, in case you want to book a stay next to your fellow travelers, but don’t want to actually travel with them, inside the same cabin.
Want even more outdoor space than what the Standard Ocean View Balcony cabins on Icon of the Seas offer? Then you’ll want to book an Ocean View Large Balcony cabin, with up to 20 more square feet of outside living space.
While you won’t get a sea view with these balcony cabins, you will enjoy views of the ship’s Central Park neighborhood. People watch from your balcony and enjoy the fresh air that filters in from the neighborhood’s open-air design.
The Infinite Ocean View Balcony offers a unique twist on the standard balcony cabin that you might be accustomed to on most cruise ships. A new offering for the cruise line, the cabins offer a typical balcony, but it’s separated from the rest of the cabin via a glass wall that can be partially lowered, for more of an inside-outside living space.
These cabins are just like the Infinite Ocean View Balcony Cabins, but they’re a little larger so that they can accommodate families with ease. These cabins can sleep up to six, with plenty of space for families to live and play without feeling cramped. Think nicely separated sleeping arrangements and a split bathroom, with a shower and sink on one side and a sink and toilet on the other side. The cabin also features multiple televisions.
These family-oriented cabins are in the Surfside area of the ship, but they offer the traditional balcony layout that you might find elsewhere on Icon of the Seas.
In this cabin, you get that same Infinite balcony design, with the ability to enjoy indoor-outdoor space with just the push of a button. However, rather than enjoying the sea breeze, you’ll enjoy views of the Central Park neighborhood.
If you’re looking to upgrade your experience on Icon of the Seas, you’ll not be left wanting for options. The luxurious Icon of the Seas suites are sure to please even the most discerning traveler, and there are 179 suites for you to choose from. The ship even has the Suite Neighborhood that spans four decks and also features the new Grove Suite Sun Deck, a two-level Coastal Kitchen Mediterranean dining venue, and stunning views of the AquaDome.
Royal Caribbean has the Royal Suite Class, which is three different levels of benefits that suite guests can purchase. So, Icon of the Seas guests can enjoy the perks from Sea Class, Sky Class, or the highest Star Class. The Star Class level includes popular options such as Royal Genie, complimentary specialty restaurants, a deluxe beverage package, and more.
Junior Suites
These smaller suites offer ocean views, a wall of glass so you can look out over your balcony and the ocean, and room enough for four across the pull-out sofa and window-facing bed.
With these Icon of the Seas suites, you may get an ocean view, or you may get a view of the Surfside area of the ship, depending on the exact suite you book, so keep that in mind. Soaring ceilings and panoramic windows await, either way.
At 269 square feet, this Icon of the Seas suite sleeps four and features separate sleeping areas that are nicely divided for families’ privacy. The 53-square-foot balcony, as the suite’s name would suggest, overlooks the ship’s Surfside area. Do note that this Icon of the Seas suite isn’t quite outfitted for four adult travelers; two adults and two children will be more comfortable.
Sky Junior Suites are pretty much the same as a regular Junior Suite, but they get their name because they’re located on higher decks. There are also additional perks that come with this suite, such as access to the ship’s Suite neighborhood.
Larger balconies and ocean views from a comfy large double bed await in a Sunset Suite. Book a Sunset Corner Suite for even better views and a larger balcony that shows off views of the ship’s wake.
In the AquaDome, the Panoramic Suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows and furniture perfectly situated to allow you to take in the views. Unfortunately, these suites do not include balconies.
Panoramic Ocean View suite
– Room Size: 370–440 square feet – Balcony Size: NA – Occupancy: 4 – Decks: 16, 17 – Number of Cabins: 10
Infinite Grand Suites
Much like the Infinite Balcony stateroom options, the Infinite Grand Suites offer a convertible glass wall separating your living space from the balcony, so you can enjoy an indoor-outdoor living experience. The Infinite Grand Suite sleeps four. A split bathroom makes getting ready for bed, the pool or just a day at port easier for busy traveling groups of two or more.
Owner’s Suites are spacious, airy and relaxing, with a neutral and light blue color palette that draws the eye to the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out to the balcony beyond the living space. Guests also enjoy a large bathroom with a double vanity.
Relatively small compared to some of the other Icon of the Seas suites, Grand Suites still provide plenty for small groups of travelers to love, with floor-to-ceiling views from the bed and a small living area.
You may be familiar with The Royal Loft, as it’s appeared on Royal Caribbean ships in the past. Still, that doesn’t take away from this suite’s luster. It offers loads of amenities and cool features, such as a wet bar, piano, hot tub on the balcony and more.
There are seven Icon Loft Suites on the ship. Set over two floors (well, technically one floor is a loft, not a full floor), these suites provide plenty of space and privacy, thanks to the two separate bedrooms and bathrooms. There’s a living room and even a dining area, and a shower that can fit two.
Royal Caribbean introduced the Ultimate Family Suite a while ago, and if you loved all the cool amenities it offered, you’ll love the Ultimate Family Townhouse even more. There’s so much to enjoy here, including the in-suite slide for the kids, karaoke, theater, two balconies (totaling 750 square feet) and easy access for your seven co-travelers to explore the surrounding Surfside area of the ship.
An iconic new era of cruising travel has arrived, as at approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas sailed into PortMiami for the very first time.
Great fanfare accompanied the ship’s arrival to her homeport, as this day has been highly anticipated ever since the record-breaking vessel was first announced in 2016 and the first steel was cut for the ship in June 2021.
Icon of the Seas Has Arrived!
A moment that has been years in the making, Icon of the Seas arrived in PortMiami on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. As is customary when welcoming a new ship, the vessel was accompanied by multiple pilot boats, tugs, and the traditional escort of fire boats with water cannons blazing.
Even more fanfare was necessary to welcome such a massive, innovative ship, however, and planes soared above Icon of the Seas towing welcome banners.
On shore, crowds gathered at the official welcome party at the Perez Art Museum Miami to watch as the ship pulled into Biscayne Bay for the first time, some carrying signs to greet the ship and her 2,350 crew members.
Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida
A local marching band and cheerleaders were on hand for the celebration, a festive occasion like the world has never seen.
Onboard, crew members lined the decks, waving streamers and clearly excited for the homeport arrival. Also enjoying the excitement was Rover, the “Chief Dog Officer” of the vessel, who was seen greeting crew members and posing for selfies and plenty of petting. Rover also got to enjoy a special birthday cake – could it be the canine’s birthday, or the birth of a new era in Royal Caribbean cruising?
The entire arrival was livestreamed on Royal Caribbean’s Facebook page and other social media, with fun hashtags and greetings like “Knock Knock Miami Your Icon Is Here” and “This Season’s It Girl Has Finally Arrived” showing enthusiasm for the occasion. Drones followed the ship’s arrival, providing unparalleled views of the ship and her crew.
“Miami’s skyline is getting even more iconic,”said Royal Caribbean.
A Journey Completed
The massive ship has been on the move for weeks, first leaving the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland after her official delivery to the cruise line on November 27, 2023. The first major milestone of the voyage was passing underneath the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, a technical feat only possible because of the ship’s retractable, telescoping funnels.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Copyright: Jarp2)
Icon of the Seas then spent several days in Cadiz, Spain for final outfitting before beginning her transatlantic crossing to Puerto Rico, where she took on new crew members and supplies, as well as underwent some final regulatory testing.
The ship then visited Perfect Day at CocoCay where the crew members were treated to a massive party at the new Hideaway Beach, the adults-only area of the island that will officially debut for guests when Icon of the Seas visits the private port of call.
Finally, the ship has moved to Miami, where she will now continue to take on supplies and prepare for her first guests on January 27, 2024.
Naming Ceremony Announced
The official naming ceremony for Icon of the Seas is the next step in officially welcoming the ship to the Royal Caribbean fleet. That event will take place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, as the Icon of Icon – famous football star Lionel Messi – will christen the ship.
That event will also include traditional blessings for the ship and her safety, wishing smooth sailings for everyone aboard as she enters what is sure to be a long and phenomenal, even an iconic, service life.
