Blog Page 461

New Virgin Voyages App Now Available for All Smartphone Users

Catie Kovelman
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New Virgin Voyages App Now Available for All Smartphone Users

Key Aspects:

  • The new and improved Virgin Voyages App, which has been rolling out in waves, is now available for both iPhones and Androids. 
  • The redesigned app is meant to fix concerns related to performance and usability that plagued the original Sailor App.
  • Even though it can be used now, the new Virgin Voyages App is still being tested and some key features haven’t been added just yet.

Virgin Voyages has quickly become a fan favorite in the cruise world because it listens to guest feedback and tries to weed out potential annoyances, even when it comes to how we use our personal smartphones.

With that customer feedback in mind, the adults-only cruise line has completely replaced its Virgin Voyages Sailor App. The new and improved app is now officially available for both Apple iPhones and Android devices.

Over the past four years or so, the old app received complaints related to login issues, poor user experience, unreliability, and buggy navigation.

The new app, which is simply titled Virgin Voyages, has been thoughtfully designed to fix all the issues of the original Sailor App.

To ensure its functionality, the app underwent extensive beta testing to work out the kinks with select iPhone users beginning in February of 2025.

Worth Reading: Canadian Firm to Handle Payments on Virgin Voyages’ Sailor App

The cruise line chose to perfect the app with the IOS system (used by iPhones) first – no offense to the Android users out there.

In June of 2025, after about three months of testing and tweaking, the app was made widely available to all iPhone users.

But as of August 18, 2025, android users have begun to notice that the rebuilt app has now become available for download in their Google Play accounts as well.

“Our shiny new Virgin Voyages app has arrived – your passport to an unforgettable voyage,” reads the app description on androids. 

Future cruisers can now download the new app from the App Store or the Google Play store.

For clarity, this is not an update to the Sailor App, but rather an entirely new app that needs to be downloaded separately.

A Better Experience With More to Come

While the Virgin Voyages app will be somewhat similar to its predecessor, cruisers will notice improved features like a redesigned homescreen that features a cruise countdown and updated event schedules that are easier to navigate.

The changes that were made were designed to streamline the pre-voyage process, making online check-in, required health declarations, and pre-reserving dining and shore excursions simpler.

The new app was also rebuilt using smartphone native technologies (Swift and Swift UI for iOS and Kotlin for Android devices), which will improve reliability and connectivity for guests onboard.

Read Also: Virgin Voyages Is Booming: CEO Shares the Secrets Behind the Surge

Virgin Voyages Cruise
Virgin Voyages Cruise (Photo Credit: Toni-Ann McKenzie)

That said, some key features won’t be added until future updates roll out, and it’s unknown exactly when that will happen.

“We’re still hoisting the sails on our latest Virgin Voyages app – this version is a sneak peak of what’s to come. Stay tuned for the full launch very soon,” reads the description in my personal iPhone’s App store.

One of those features that is noticeably absent is the Ship Eats feature, which can be used to order snacks and drinks to cruise cabins or other specific locations onboard.

Additionally, the Shake for Champagne ability has not yet made an appearance on the new platform.

This interactive feature, which is unique to Virgin Voyages, works by revealing a secret button in the app when cruisers shake their phone. When this button is hit, a bottle of champagne is brought to the guest’s location.

For now, guests can use the new app in tandem with the original Sailor app to have access to everything. The original will not be phased out until its replacement is fully up and running with all the bells and whistles.

No Carnival Refunds for Hurricane Cancellations – Except One Way

Melissa Mayntz
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No Carnival Refunds for Hurricane Cancellations – Except One Way

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line will not provide refunds to guests who choose not to sail if a hurricane disrupts their cruise.
  • Refunds will only be provided if the cruise line cancels a sailing, not if itineraries are changed.
  • Rude behavior is not tolerated from any guest, and in fact is a violation of Carnival’s Guest Ticket Contract.

With at least nine cruise ships sailing across six different cruise lines making itinerary changes due to Hurricane Erin, what if guests no longer feel confident to go on their cruises?

While such feelings can be understandable, Carnival Cruise Line will not be providing refunds upon request if guests choose not to set sail.

The issue comes from a rather colorfully-phrased and less-than-polite inquiry to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

“Trying to get an answer from you or the —-s at your call center is like finding a needle in a haystack,” the obviously upset guest claimed. “Does Carnival give full refunds if we decide we ain’t cruising while there is a hurricane out there. Hello, McFly? Hello? Anybody home?”

It always fascinates me that people expect polite and professional answers when they don’t exhibit those qualities themselves. Still, Heald responds with far more courtesy than such a guest deserves.

“Thank you and the answer is that we will not give a full refund unless your cruise is canceled. However, this is a great question,” he notes.

“The simple advice here is that we will always keep you safe, always. Trust the Captain, trust the crew, and have all the fun you deserve.”

Carnival Cruise Line does reserve the right to change ports of call, itinerary routes, and otherwise adjust any sailing at any time, as outlined in the Cruise Ticket Contract, section 8(d).

There is a long list of possible reasons for such changes, including “adverse weather, hurricanes, [and] tornadoes.” All of these may be possible with Hurricane Erin.

This type of clause is standard in the cruise industry and is not just exclusive to Carnival Cruise Line.

Heald does note that if Carnival cancels a voyage, guests will receive a full refund. This does not apply, however, if guests voluntarily choose not to set sail.

Worth Reading: Carnival Provides Updates on Ships Impacted by Hurricane Rafael

This can be difficult for guests who may live in storm-impacted areas. It can certainly put a damper on even the best cruise if you are worried about damage to your home or the safety of your family and friends while you’re at sea.

Still, this is not the cruise line’s responsibility. Just like missing the ship due to traffic on the drive to the homeport, no refunds will be available for such cancellations or no-shows.

Poor Treatment of Crew Members Is Never Acceptable

The guest goes on with a Back to the Future reference to the character Marty McFly, which doesn’t make sense for Carnival Cruise Line. On Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas, however, “Back to the Future: The Musical” is a headlining show.

At any rate, Heald also addresses the guest’s reference to the cruise line’s call center employees as “—-s” (fill in the four-letter word of your choice).

Carnival Crew-Only Area
Carnival Crew-Only Area (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)

“My colleagues though at the Mother Ship do a fabulous job and will always do their best for you so calling them —-s was uncalled for sir,” he said.

Heald will not tolerate abuse of any crew members, whether onboard a Carnival ship or over the phone. Instead, he asks that if someone feels it necessary to curse or call names, they do that to him instead.

More From Cruise Hive

In fact, such abuse is also prohibited by the Guest Ticket Contract, as outlined in Section 9(h), which prohibits “obscene, offensive, or outrageous behavior.”

Should guests violate that policy, they may be debarked at the next port of call, again without any refund.

Cruise Line Unveils Unlimited Lifetime Cruises With Age-Based Fares

Donna Tunney
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Cruise Line Unveils Unlimited Lifetime Cruises With Age-Based Fares

Key Aspects:

  • Older guests pay less to buy a stateroom on the Villa Vie Odyssey residential cruise ship.
  • The lowest of the new Golden Passport rates are for guests aged 90 and older.
  • The ship operates continuous around-the-world voyages.

Villa Vie Residences, the residential cruise brand that operates one ship on continual world voyages, unveiled yet another level of cruise fare, this one based on the ages of guests.

The older you are, the lower your lifetime around-the-world cruise fare will be under a new program called Golden Passport, which became available on August 19, 2025.

Villa Vie Residences’ Villa Vie Odyssey, now sailing her first world voyage, is scheduled to sail back-to-back cruises every 3.5 years. The brand was created in 2023 and has continually expanded its roster of available cabin purchase and rental options.

The latest, Golden Passport, offers eight tiers of age-based pricing, with the lowest cost of $99,999 per person offered to guests who are age 90 or older and who book the lowest stateroom category — a Deck 2 porthole cabin.

For the same accommodation, the youngest age group offering for those between 55 and 59 will pay $299,999. Golden Passport covers all meals, beer and wine with meals, housekeeping, medical check-ups, internet access, laundry, and entertainment.

“As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money. With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears—one payment secures a lifetime of adventure,” said Mike Petterson, founder of Villa Vie Residences. 

“Our age-tiered pricing ensures that Endless Horizons is no longer just a dream for the few, but an attainable reality for many,” added Petterson.

Worth Checking: Prices and Itinerary Options on World Cruises

The pricing of the sample Deck 2 porthole cabin decreases with age. For instance, those aged 65 to 69 pay $249,999 per person, guests 75 to 79 pay $189,999, and those 85 to 89 pay $129,999.

Costs rise as the accommodation category changes. A Deck 6 ocean view cabin starts at $199,999 per person for guests aged 90 and older, rising to $319,999 for those 70 to 74 years old, and to $399,999 for the youngest 55- to 59-year-old level.

Each world voyage is slated to visit more than 140 countries on all seven continents. Port calls number roughly 400, and itineraries promise visits to 12 of the 14 Wonders of the World. 

Are There Plans For a Second Ship in the Fleet?

In addition to the amenities and services included in Villa Vie Odyssey’s fares, the company announcement noted that the new Golden Passport fares are “transferable access across the Villa Vie Residences fleet.” 

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost to Live On a Cruise Ship?

However, the cruise line operates just one ship, so this reference could indicate that it plans to acquire another vessel at some point.

Villa Vie Odyssey
Villa Vie Odyssey

Villa Vie Odyssey is an old ship by industry standards. Launched 32 years ago, she most recently operated as the Braemar for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.  Before that, she sailed under various names for multiple cruise lines, including Commodore Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Cunard.

The 24,344-gross-ton ship accommodates 929 passengers. Its maiden world cruise as Villa Vie Odyssey got under way in October 2024 following a months-long delay due to various mechanical issues.

The exact number of guests currently aboard the ship is unconfirmed, but is thought to be under 200. Since its launch, the company has continuously introduced new offers for cabin sales and rentals, and short-term try-out cruises for skeptical buyers.

Under a seasonal ownership plan, for instance, guests pay $24,999 per person to receive 120 credits, which can be redeemed when they wish to board the ship. The Endless Horizons plan was the first geared specifically to retirees.

Another recently added option, Tour La Vie, invites passengers to buy memberships of one to four years, with rates starting at $49,999 per person. The program includes ocean-view villa accommodations.

Celebrity Priority Booking Access for New River Cruises to Open

Donna Tunney
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Celebrity Priority Booking Access for New River Cruises to Open

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity River Cruises’ guests can receive Priority Booking Access by placing a deposit on a future river cruise starting on September 3, 3025.
  • The $500 deposits, which are refundable, will be converted into actual bookings once reservations are opened for sale.
  • River cruise bookings are expected to open in 2026, with the first itineraries operating on the Danube and Rhine rivers in 2027.


The excitement that comes with the launch of a new cruise line is building for Celebrity River Cruises, a division of Celebrity Cruises set to begin operations in 2027.

While itineraries have not been disclosed and bookings have yet to open, the river cruise brand is inviting prospective guests to plop down a deposit and in return, receive Priority Booking Access.

Worth Reading: With Ships Poised For Sale, Celebrity Cruises Details Rebooking Options

A $500 refundable deposit can be made starting at 9 a.m. on September 3, 2025, providing early access for the voyages. Those who reserve their priority access will be able to view and book cruises before sales open to the general public.

Also, they will get first glimpses into the ships’ staterooms and see details of itineraries that will feature the Danube and Rhine rivers.

“We are excited to offer guests the chance to experience the first-ever Celebrity River Cruises vacations in 2027 with Priority Booking Access,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.

“Guests will enjoy the warm hospitality Celebrity is known for, on innovative ships, with land experiences unlike any other, as we set sail on Europe’s iconic Danube and Rhine rivers,” added Hodges Bethge.

The cruise line’s August 19, 2025 announcement of the priority booking offer noted that bookings are expected to open in 2026.

Like many other river cruise operators, Celebrity’s cruise fares will include all meals and drinks, WiFi access, and a shore excursion in each port call. Pre- and post-cruise land stays will be offered in Prague and Budapest once cruise bookings open for sale.

Celebrity River Cruises promises guests will enjoy cuisine inspired by the destinations visited and choose from multiple shore excursions.

Future guests who take advantage of the priority offer will be notified by the cruise line when they can convert their deposit into a booking. And the cruise line is making the offer risk-free, since the $500 deposit is fully refundable.

Celebrity Cruises Ship
Celebrity Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

Celebrity Cruises announced it would enter the river cruise space in January 2025 when it revealed it was ordering 10 river ships that will sail in Europe.

The ships will be designed with a nod to Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ocean ships, which are known for maximizing ocean views with concepts such as floor-to-ceiling veranda windows, and popular, open-air venues, including the Rooftop Garden.

Guest Feedback Prompted Expansion Into River Cruising

Celebrity Cruises is a premium line owned by Royal Caribbean Group, which also operates Royal Caribbean and the ultra-luxury line Silversea Cruises. Company executives have attributed the decision to expand into river cruising to guest feedback.

Read Also: River Cruise vs. Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?

They indicated that roughly half of the celebrity guests have taken or plan to take a river cruise. The upmarket river cruise niche attracts cruisers who prefer smaller ships, as river vessels typically top out at about 220 passengers, and those who wish to avoid rough sea conditions.

More From Cruise Hive

With its expansion into river cruising, Celebrity Cruises became the first of the major cruise lines to embrace the cruise segment, which is already well established across Europe. Once operating on Europe’s rivers, the new line will face competition from several popular river cruise lines.

While priority booking access will provide guests with itinerary options before the general public, it does not guarantee any specific cabin category, river ship, or departure date until the deposit is converted into an actual booking.

Disney Announces New Cruises, Expands San Diego and Galveston Lineup

Lissa Poirot
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Disney Announces New Cruises, Expands San Diego and Galveston Lineup

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Wonder and Disney Magic will offer a combined 93 sail dates from San Diego and Galveston from fall 2026 through spring 2027.
  • The rest of the fleet, including Disney Destiny, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Treasure, will remain in Florida while Disney Adventure homeports in Singapore.
  •  “Halloween on the High Seas” and “Very Merrytime Cruises” seasonal voyages will return.

Families in California and Texas will soon have more chances to sail with Disney close to home. Disney Cruise Line just announced new fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries on August 19, 2025, and notably it features longer deployments from San Diego and Galveston.

The move means an increase in options for cruisers who prefer to start sailing without a cross-country flight to enjoy the spoils of Disney.

Plus, the new schedule places two Disney Cruise Line ships together on the West Coast for the very first time.

Disney Wonder will sail from San Diego for seven months beginning in October 2026, while Disney Magic will also homeport there in October and November before shifting to Galveston, where it will remain through April 2027

Worth Reading: Disney Cruise Line Makes a Major Move for Galveston, Texas

“Today, Disney Cruise Line releases the fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries, offering West Coast and Texas families more sailings in their backyard with even more voyages from San Diego and Galveston,” said the cruise line.

For the 2,400-passenger Disney Wonder, guests will find 47 sail dates ranging from 3 to 7 nights. Short Baja cruises will feature stops in Ensenada, Mexico, and Catalina Island, California, while longer voyages reach Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Meanwhile, Disney Magic will add 46 new sail dates for its 2,713 guests, mostly 4-, 5-, and 7-night itineraries from Galveston. Western Caribbean routes include Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, while Bahamian sailings will feature Nassau and the private Disney Castaway Cay.

Fleet Deployments and Holiday Themes

As Disney Cruise Line’s two oldest ships journey far from Florida, the rest of the Disney Cruise Line fleet will mostly be based in the Sunshine State.

Disney Destiny, the cruise line’s newest ship debuting in November 2025, will sail from Fort Lauderdale between October 2026 and May 2027. 

The ship’s itineraries will include 4-, 5-, and 7-night cruises to Disney’s Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, as well as Cozumel, Nassau, San Juan, and Puerto Plata.

Also sailing from Fort Lauderdale as well as Port Canaveral will be Disney Dream, offering 3- to 7-night voyages to similar ports, with calls also further afield in St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands.

Disney Cruise Ship Docked in Galveston
Disney Cruise Ship Docked in Galveston (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

Both Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish will feature 3- to 5-night cruises from Port Canaveral with stops at Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, and Nassau, as the new Disney Treasure, which debuted in December 2024, will take guests on longer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

Those include visits to Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and St. Thomas and Tortola in the Virgin Islands.

Additionally, the new Disney Adventure will be based in Singapore for its inaugural fall 2026 season. 

Homeporting in Singapore when it embarks on its maiden voyage in December 2025, the vessel will operate 3- and 4-night itineraries across Southeast Asia between October and December 2026.

The cruise line also revealed its continuing popular themed cruises like “Halloween on the High Seas,” with sailings across US-based ships taking place from September through October 2026.

From November through December 2026, the fleet will shift to “Very Merrytime Cruises” with Christmas-themed programming, decorations, and seasonal menus.

Disabled Boat Nearly Collides With Cruise Ship in Tampa Bay

Melissa Mayntz
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Disabled Boat Nearly Collides With Cruise Ship in Tampa Bay

Key Aspects:

  • A pontoon boat in Tampa Bay narrowly avoided Margaritaville Islander but was towed to safety by the sheriff’s office.
  • The boat became temporarily disabled when a line wrapped around its propeller as the cruise ship was approaching.
  • Fast action and a quick tow meant no injuries or lasting damage in what could have been a much more tragic incident.

It was a tense situation in Tampa Bay on Sunday, August 17, when Margaritaville Islander had a close encounter with a disabled pontoon boat.

Fortunately, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Enforcement Section was on hand for assistance, rescuing six adults stranded in the channel as the cruise ship approached.

The incident happened just after 4 p.m. as Margaritaville Islander was setting sail on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing.

The 85,600-gross-ton cruise ship had just departed the cruise terminal and was heading south into Tampa Bay when a pontoon boat with six adults aboard became temporarily disabled.

“[Our] Marine Enforcement Section jumped into action when a pontoon boat with six adults on board was stranded in the channel in the path of an outbound cruise ship,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The pontoon had a line wrapped around the propeller, keeping it from moving. Our deputies conducted an emergency tow and stayed until their boat was operable. We’re always ready to assist when trouble arises!”

Video of the incident shows the tow being undertaken while the cruise ship draws closer and closer.

No one was injured and there was no damage to the cruise ship.

It would be very challenging for the ship to have steered clear of the pontoon boat, which wouldn’t have been immediately visible to the moving ship. Furthermore, the cruise ship has to keep a precise path down the channel to stay in a safe navigation lane for its size.

Worth Reading: Small Boat Scrapes Docked Carnival Cruise Ship

There have been no delays for the Margaritaville at Sea ship. The vessel spent Monday at sea and is visiting Cozumel, Ratan, Belize, and Costa Maya over the next four days before returning to Tampa on Sunday, August 24 as planned.

No other cruise ships were in Port Tampa Bay on Sunday. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise along with Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas all homeport from Tampa.

Stay Out of the Way of Cruise Ships!

While no one is at fault in this accidental situation, other than perhaps whomever may have improperly discarded the line that disabled the pontoon boat, this isn’t the first time a smaller boat has encountered a cruise ship in Tampa Bay.

In January 2025, two people and their dog found themselves too close to a passing ship and their smaller boat was swamped by the wake and ultimately sank.

In that incident, the cruise ship in question was either Radiance of the Seas or Enchantment of the Seas, as both were departing Port Tampa Bay at the time.

Margaritaville Islander in Tampa, Florida
Margaritaville Islander in Tampa, Florida (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)

While the smaller boat was destroyed, luckily there were only minor injuries reported.

Tampa Bay is often impacted by poor visibility and heavy fog. To prevent these types of incidents from happening more frequently, the bay will be closed until conditions improve.

At times, this means cruise ships may be delayed for hours until it is considered safe to navigate the bay.

Visibility was not a factor in this weekend’s encounter with Margaritaville Islander; in fact, the ship could be seen from quite a distance.

Hopefully, this close encounter of the cruise kind will remind other boaters to stay alert to debris and hazards in the water that might cause even bigger problems than anticipated.

Another Two Carnival Cruise Ships Forced to Adjust Due to Hurricane Erin

Melissa Mayntz
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Another Two Carnival Cruise Ships Forced to Adjust Due to Hurricane Erin

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Elation and Carnival Venezia have both had itinerary adjustments due to Hurricane Erin.
  • Itinerary impacts are being felt in the Eastern Caribbean, the Bahamas, and at private islands, especially where there are no dock facilities.
  • Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to a Category 2 but still has a massive wind field with impacts felt hundreds of miles from the storm’s center.

As Hurricane Erin turns more toward the north at her closest point to the Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Line has adjusted two more ships to ensure the safest and most comfortable sailings.

The cruise line’s meteorologist consultant, Amy Sweezey, has provided the latest update for the fleet, noting that safety is always the foremost consideration.

“Safety is Carnival’s priority, factoring in guidance from the National Hurricane Center, the U.S. Coast Guard and local port authorities,” she said.

In total, five different Carnival ships have now faced at least some changes from Hurricane Erin. This includes Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras, and Carnival Sunshine, which we’ve already covered on Cruise Hive.

The cruise line is committed to ensuring guests on every ship have the safest, most comfortable, and most enjoyable experience possible.

Some of these changes may seem last-minute. Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald explained recently, however, that such changes are often made while en route or even the same day to ensure the most accurate information.

Carnival Elation and Carnival Venezia are the latest ships to have itinerary adjustments for the storm.

Carnival Elation

Carnival Elation Cruise Ship
Carnival Elation Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Sailing from Jacksonville, one of the line’s smallest ships, Carnival Elation, will not visit Half Moon Cay on August 20 as planned. Instead, the Fantasy-class vessel will visit Freeport.

As Half Moon Cay does not yet have a dock, it is impossible for a visiting ship to safely use tender boats when the sea is more active. Even with Hurricane Erin now 245 miles northeast of Half Moon Cay, higher waves make using tenders unsafe.

Carnival Elation is currently sailing a 5-night Bahamas itinerary and should be able to call on Celebration Key on Thursday, August 21 as planned. The ship will return to Jacksonville on Saturday, August 23.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia set sail from New York on Tuesday, August 19, for what was to have been a 9-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

While the ship will still be sailing in the same region, the calls to St. Thomas on August 23 and San Juan on August 23 have been cancelled. Instead, Carnival Venezia will visit Celebration Key on Saturday, August 23.

The visit to Grand Turk on Monday, August 25, is unchanged, and the ship should be able to return to New York as planned on Thursday, August 28.

Hurricane Erin Update

Hurricane Erin, Advisory 34A
Hurricane Erin, Advisory 34A

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. update on Tuesday, August 19, Hurricane Erin is rated as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour.

She is now moving north-northwest at 10 mph, with her track exactly as expected between Bermuda and the US coast through Wednesday and Thursday.

The biggest concern from Hurricane Erin is the size of her wind field. Hurricane force winds extend 80 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles.

Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!

This means the storm’s total diameter is more than 450 miles. Significant swells can be felt even further away.

Cruise guests booked on any sailing in the Bahamas or Eastern Caribbean over the next couple of days, as well as Bermuda, should stay in close communication with their cruise line for any further updates and changes.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Hunkers Down in New York to Wait Out Hurricane

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Cruise Ship Hunkers Down in New York to Wait Out Hurricane

Key Aspects:

  • Instead of trying her luck at sea, Norwegian Escape will stay within the safety of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal until Hurricane Erin passes. 
  • Because of this necessary change, ports have been removed and replaced from the 10-night sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda that was supposed to set sail on August 20, 2025.
  • Hurricane Erin is expected to bring strong winds, flooding, and dangerous rip currents to New York and much of the East Coast during the second half of this week.

In the past few days, more than a dozen cruise ships have altered course to stay away from Hurricane Erin. Norwegian Escape, however, is taking a different tactic.

Instead of heading out to sea or pivoting to visit a different part of the world as other ships have done, she will stay put at New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal for two extra days.

The sailing that will be impacted by this is a 10-night cruise to the Caribbean and Bermuda that was supposed to depart New York tomorrow, on August 20, 2025.

The Breakaway Plus-class vessel will stay docked in Manhattan through August 21, and will anchor in the harbor through Friday, August 22.

Those two days were originally supposed to be sea days, before the NCL ship called on Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 23 and 24, respectively.

Because of the delayed start, neither of these port calls will be possible anymore. That might be for the best, as Erin brought heavy winds and rain that left more than 150,000 people in Puerto Rico without power.

These days will now be spent at sea instead of in port.

In a domino effect, this means that the visit to Philipsburg, St. Maarten on August 25, and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on August 26 will also need to be scrapped.

As a more practical alternative, those dates will be spent in Nassau, Bahamas, and Great Stirrup Cay, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas and the future home of the Great Tides Waterpark.

The only port call on the itinerary that has been left untouched is the planned visit to King’s Wharf, Bermuda, on August 28.

Stormy Weather Worsens Sea Conditions and Moods

Everyone knows that cruise lines can’t control the weather, or else hurricanes would never happen!

Even so, many of the up to 4,266 guests booked on this sailing are disappointed by the change, potentially leading to some stormy attitudes onboard.

As a good-will gesture, Norwegian Cruise Line has offered a 20% refund and a $200 onboard credit.

Norwegian Escape in New York
Norwegian Escape in New York (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)

“They sent out an email stating itinerary changed due to hurricane Erin potential impact. Severe downgrade if you ask me and they’re only giving 20% refund and $200 credit per stateroom,” one impacted passenger shared.

While cruise guests could use this as an opportunity to explore New York more deeply, they likely will have to contend with some windy or rainy weather during their extended stay.

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

Although Erin has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm as of August 19, the hurricane is still quite intense with wind speeds of 105 miles per hour.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s (NOAA) latest update at 5 p.m. EST on August 19, Erin will be running parallel to the US East Coast and is expected to be present from the night of August 20 (Wednesday) through at least all day August 21 (Thursday).

Although the hurricane will not make landfall, Erin may still bring storm surges and waves as high as 20 feet tall, potentially deadly rip currents, coastal flooding, and strong wind gusts.

Two New York-Based Princess Cruise Ships Disrupted by Erin

Catie Kovelman
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Two New York-Based Princess Cruise Ships Disrupted by Erin

Key Aspects:

  • Island Princess will stay safely docked in Brooklyn, New York, until Hurricane Erin passes through – which disrupts her 10-night sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda.
  • At the same time, Enchanted Princess has had to delay her return to New York from August 23 to August 25 because of the dangerous weather conditions. 
  • Enchanted Princess’s delay will carry over to the subsequent 7-night cruise to New England and Canada, which will now have to be shortened. 

Because of Hurricane Erin, Island Princess is stuck in New York and Enchanted Princess is stuck at sea as she tries to return to New York. Either way, cruisers won’t be happy. 

Starting with Island Princess, the 2,210-guest ship was supposed to depart from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in New York today, August 19, to operate a 10-night sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda. 

But with Hurricane Erin bringing potentially life-threatening rip currents, strong winds, and waves of up to 20-feet tall to the US East Coast over the next few days, Princess Cruises had to make the decision to keep the ship safely docked in Brooklyn. 

“We have learned that our originally planned passage to the Caribbean would be impacted by the predicted path of the storm, and as the safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority, we have made necessary adjustments to our scheduled itinerary,” Princess Cruises wrote in a letter, which a current guest emailed to Cruise Hive.

“In order to avoid the worst of the weather, we will now remain in Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for three nights and will commence our journey on Friday, August 22, once conditions have improved.”

The Coral-class vessel will stay put through Friday, August 22, before heading straight to King’s Wharf, Bermuda, which was supposed to be an overnight call from August 26-27. 

Guests will now get to spend an extra day exploring Bermuda with an early arrival on August 25, but the destinations that were supposed to be visited along the way will be skipped. 

These included Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

“Due to this delay, regretfully we no longer have the required time to make our passage to the Caribbean. As a result, we will no longer call to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; or San Juan, Puerto Rico,” the letter continued.

“Instead, after our departure from New York, we will proceed to Bermuda, and we are happy to share that we have arranged an additional day and night for you to enjoy the island.”

Island Princess Cruise Ship
Island Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Brian Logan Photography)

While in New York, guests are able to go ashore to explore, with Princess Cruises providing free shuttle services to and from Manhattan. 

However, those who would rather throw in the towel are allowed to disembark early and receive a full refund. 

Enchanted Princess Delays Return to New York

While Island Princess rides out the storm from Brooklyn, Enchanted Princess is too far away to make it safely back to New York as planned on August 23, 2025. 

The Royal-class vessel is now expected to sail back into New York on August 25, 2025. 

She is currently in the middle of a one-way Caribbean voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to New York that embarked on August 9. 

The 3,660-guest ship has already had to skip planned calls to Dominica on August 17 and St. Maarten on August 18 to avoid the Category 2 Hurricane, and is now stuck on the other side of the weather as Erin looms closer to the US East Coast. 

Cruise tracking data currently shows the vessel sailing northwest away from San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Read Also: Rough Seas on a Cruise Ship – How They Handle it

The 145,281-gross ton vessel will not make it back to New York until August 25, but she will return to Fort Lauderdale on August 22 where guests may disembark early if they wish. 

“We are on Enchanted now. We are stopping in FLL on the 22nd, and you have the option to get off early. Or, you can stay until the 25th and go to NYC. The next cruise will be shortened,” a current guest reported. 

As they pointed out, this means that the subsequent sailing that would have embarked on August 23 will now be shortened. 

The next voyage was supposed to be a 7-night sailing to New England and Canada, although it’s unclear how the new itinerary will shake out at this point. 

In both cases, compensation will almost certainly be provided, but what that looks like is not publicly known – although Princess Cruises is surely communicating with impacted guests.

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