Sun Princess is continuing to cooperate with Turkish authorities following an overboard incident late Wednesday night.
The ship is extending her visit to Istanbul, but the port stop in Mykonos has unfortunately been cancelled.
Sun Princess will be able to return to Athens as scheduled for debarkation on Saturday, August 23, as planned.
Following the overboard incident that began in the late night hours of Wednesday, August 20, Sun Princess has altered her current itinerary to continue coordinating with local authorities.
Guests onboard have been updated about the situation, including what resources are available to them and how the end of their 7-night sailing will be impacted.
First, the cruise line confirmed that the overboard individual was a crew member. To protect their privacy, the individual’s name and position aboard the Sphere-class ship have not been disclosed.
As soon as the overboard alert was issued on Wednesday night, the ship initiated search operations with local maritime authorities for several hours, which unfortunately have not been successful.
“Despite these extensive efforts, the crew member has not been located,”the cruise line confirmed.“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of our team members during this difficult time.”
The Princess Family Assistance team is providing support to the crew member’s family and specially trained counselors are now onboard Sun Princess for crew members. Guests are also invited to speak with the counselors if they have a need to do so.
Because the incident is ongoing, Sun Princess has had to change her itinerary.
“Due to this extraordinary circumstance, we were directed to proceed to an anchorage position off Tekrdag to continue coordination with local authorities and support the operation,”the cruise line explained.
“We unfortunately will cancel our call to Mykonos on Friday, August 22, and extend our call to Istanbul.”
The ship was originally scheduled to be in Istanbul from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. Instead, Sun Princess docked at approximately 2 p.m. and guests will need to be back aboard the ship no later than 11:30 p.m.
Mykonos was to have been the last port visit, scheduled for 12-9 p.m. on Friday, August 22. Due to the extended time in Istanbul, however, Sun Princess will be unable to make that port as planned.
Sun Princess Overboard (Credits: Foreign-Pear-2323 & Capt. Kyrylo)
All pre-booked Princess Cruises tours for Mykonos are being automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ shipboard accounts.
In Istanbul, select half-day tours are still able to continue, but with updated meeting times. All other tours have been cancelled and refunded.
The ship’s return to Athens for debarkation on Saturday, August 23 is not expected to be impacted.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts continue to be with the guests and crew members aboard Sun Princess at this difficult time.
Sailing Aboard Sun Princess
The 175,000-gross-ton ship is the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet, able to welcome 4,300 guests aboard for each sailing. Also onboard are approximately 1,600 international crew members.
This is the first reported overboard incident from the vessel. Very few details have been confirmed at this time as the investigation is ongoing. Sun Princess is undoubtedly cooperating with local authorities in every way.
Following the ship’s return to Athens, she will continue to offer Mediterranean itineraries from Rome, Athens, and Barcelona as departure points.
On November 1, the ship will set sail on a 15-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, her winter homeport for both Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.
In March 2026, Sun Princess will return to the Mediterranean for another extensive season, visiting iconic European destinations in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more.
Carnival Panorama unexpectedly encountered a severe storm while sailing in the Gulf of California between Mazatlan and La Paz. The ship is on an 8-night Mexican Riviera itinerary that departed from Long Beach, California on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Guests onboard at the rocky moment report a sudden tilt with gusty winds and rain at roughly 8:15 p.m., just as the second dinner seating was getting underway.
“On board – Captain announced it was 60 mph wind gust that caused the ship listing,”one guest reported.
“It lasted about 30 seconds, we turned around to go around the storm,”another guest confirmed.
Pictures and videos shared on social media show a variety of damage around the ship, including broken glass in the main dining room and bars and tipped displays in the retail shops.
We just finished our appetizer… we got stuck in the eye of tonight’s #gulfofcalifornia huge tropical storm. It was wild and absolutley gorgous! Between Mazatlan and La Paz There were medics called so I hope everyone is ok. @Carnival Panorama @carnival #cruise#travel#storm#weather
Water leaks and minor flooding were seen in some areas, and the ship’s pool and spas were partially drained due to the angle of the tilt.
Carnival Cruise Line also confirmed the incident with Cruise Hive, as well as how elevator operation was impacted.
“Along with some broken glass, water entered the main lobby and some elevator banks, rendering some elevators inoperable,”the cruise line described.
“The incident was over quickly and as the captain maneuvered the ship to calmer seas, the Panorama crew quickly turned their attention to assisting guests and clean up.”
One of the show performances was abruptly stopped as the ship tilted, a safety precaution for the performers.
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported though nine people did report to the ship’s medical center for treatment.
“There are no serious injuries and all are stable, but two guests will be referred to the hospital for additional evaluation when the ship arrives in La Paz today (Thursday),”Carnival said.
Crew members jumped into action immediately to clean up the debris and resume normal operations.
Minor Damage on Carnival Panorama (Photos Credit: Dee Lis)
While such an incident can be incredibly scary in the moment, cruise ships can actually tilt quite a significant degree without danger. The captain responded quickly to put the ship on a safer course from the sudden storm and ensure the safety and comfort of everyone aboard.
Carnival Panorama is continuing on her sailing with no notable delay. Thursday, August 21, is the ship’s day to visit La Paz, followed by a full day in Cabo San Lucas on Friday, August 22, before returning to California on Sunday, August 24.
To be clear, though some elevators are still undergoing repairs, none of the ship’s other systems are impacted and everything is operating normally.
The ship is homeported from Long Beach year-round, offering both 6- and 8-night Mexican Riviera sailings at least through April 2027.
Carnival panorama During Sudden Storm (Credits: Angel Ramirez & Dee Lis)
Is Rough Weather Really Unexpected?
Considering that weather forecasts have been tracking Hurricane Erin for more than a week, how can such a strong storm suddenly surprise Carnival Panorama?
Mazatlan and La Paz are only 250 miles apart. To sail between them, a cruise ship must pass across the mouth of the Gulf of California.
Unlike larger, well-developed storms that may be seen days in advance, strong thunderstorms can quickly spring up and impact the area without much warning.
Depending on the ship’s angle of sailing, her profile, and the direction of the wind, tilts and rough seas are not necessarily avoidable.
Fortunately, these types of storms are also relatively short-lived and can dissipate quickly as their fast and furious energy runs out.
While it may be scary for those onboard, cruise ship crews are well-trained to handle any weather situation in the safest way possible.
Every cruise ship is also built to withstand far rougher situations than even a sudden storm. The center of mass, stabilizers, and navigational gear all help support the vessel to be sure it stays righted and afloat.
Furthermore, every ship in the Carnival fleet is in constant contact with the Fleet Operations Center in Miami for all weather updates. Sometimes, however, sudden storms simply can’t be avoided.
A similar incident happened to Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas on November 7, 2024, while the ship was making a transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami.
While such incidents are expected in notorious rough waters such as the infamous Drake Passage near Antarctica, rough waters can strike any cruise ship anywhere in the world.
Two cruise guests were charged with using fraudulent gift cards to book a cruise aboard Carnival Sunrise. A third suspect, who did not cruise, also faces charges.
US Customs and Border Protection agents arrested the two cruisers when Carnival Sunrise returned to her base at PortMiami on August 18, 2025.
There were no impacts to the ship’s debarkation, and the vessel departed on schedule for her next Caribbean voyage.
Lots of cruisers use gift cards to book cruises and make onboard purchases, but two Carnival Cruise Line guests who used gift cards allegedly acquired by fraudulent means are in legal trouble.
The guests, Rogerio da Cunha Fernandes, 45, and Aida Parada la Paz, 43, had sailed aboard Carnival Sunrise on a 4-night Bahamas cruise that departed from PortMiami on August 14, 2025.
Upon returning to the port on August 18, 2025, both were arrested by US Customs and Border Protection agents.
According to local media reports, the two guests were charged with buying gift cards using an altered Bolivian bank card. A third suspect faces charges as well, although she did not sail on the ship.
Fernandes and La Paz allegedly booked their Carnival Sunrise cruise on July 26, 2025 using gift cards fraudulently purchased at a Winn-Dixie retail store.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office stated that some 230 fraudulent sales or purchases were made by at least one of the three suspects. The third suspect, Beatriz Paz-Roca, 66, was arrested the same day as Fernandes and La Paz, at a Winn-Dixie in nearby Doral, Florida.
All three were charged with grand theft and organized scheme to defraud. Police said that Fernandes and La Paz fraudulently received $18,000 from the gift card conspiracy, while Paz-Roca received about $12,000.
Federal agents boarded the ship and searched Fernandes and La Paz when Carnival Sunrise returned to PortMiami, and reported they found the Bolivian bank card and other fraudulently purchased gift cards.
Police said they knew the two were onboard the Carnival ship thanks to a social media posting apparently made by one of the suspects. All three suspects share a residence in Miami.
Carnival Sunrise (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Fernandes, who hails from Brazil, and La Paz, a Bolivian national, were held on a $10,000 bond and an immigration hold, while Paz-Roca, also from Bolivia, was held on the same bond but was not subject to an immigration hold.
Carnival Sunrise, meanwhile, debarked her guests as usual on August 18, 2025 and departed on her next voyage, a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise.
The 4-night sailing on which Fernandes and La Paz sailed had called at Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, both private island destinations operated by Carnival Corporation.
Cruise fares for the short voyage start at about $344 per person for an inside cabin, rising to about $900 per person for suite accommodations.
How Common Is Credit Card Fraud on Cruise Ships?
Credit card-related fraud is not a common problem on cruise ships, but it does occur from time to time. In August 2024, four guests aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica on a sailing from PortMiami were arrested when the ship returned to port.
They had allegedly used fraudulent credit cards in the ship’s casino, attempting to cash out large sums of money.
In another case, in 2023, a cruise guest aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was arrested as that ship returned to PortMiami and charged with paying for the family vacation with stolen credit cards.
Carnival Sunrise is the former Carnival Triumph. The 3,000-guest ship entered service in 1999. Cruise-watchers will remember Carnival Triumph as the location of the so-called Poop Cruise of 2013, when an engine fire knocked out power and the ship drifted for days.
The unfortunate event left thousands of guests without air conditioning, working bathrooms, and other necessities, and was recently featured in the Netflix anthology called “Trainwreck.”
In 2019, Carnival Triumph received a major renovation and a new name — Carnival Sunrise.
Royal Caribbean announced that Grandeur of the Seas will move to Cartagena, Colombia, and Colon, Panama, for 2026-27.
Jewel of the Seas will take over Tampa and Fort Lauderdale itineraries in 2026-27.
Passengers will automatically be transferred with price protection and comparable staterooms.
Royal Caribbean is shaking up its 2026-2027 schedule by switching the deployments of Grandeur of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.
The move means Grandeur of the Seas and its 1,992 guests will now sail from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colon, Panama, while the 1,097-passenger Jewel of the Seas will take over itineraries from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“Our original plan for Grandeur of the Seas was to offer a Summer 2026-2027 season with sailings departing from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale beginning May 2, 2026, through April 17, 2027. Instead, Grandeur of the Seas will offer sailings from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colon, Panama,”the cruise line said in a letter to booked passengers.
Guests scheduled to sail with Grandeur of the Seas received the notification, which revealed their reservations will automatically be shifted to Jewel of the Seas.
The notice said passengers will be assigned to a comparable stateroom, with the original price protected. If the new fare is lower, Royal Caribbean will refund the difference.
The cruise line is also giving guests who are unhappy with the ship the option to rebook any other sailing across the fleet without non-refundable deposit change fees.
The shuffle ensures that Florida continues to have a Royal Caribbean ship offering Tampa and Fort Lauderdale itineraries, while also continuing deployment in Colombia and Panama.
Passengers moved to Jewel of the Seas repositioning voyage from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale on May 1, 2026, will also receive three additional cruising days, at no additional cost.
That journey will include visits to St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, St. Maarten, and Grand Bahama Island.
Ship Swap Details
Currently, Grandeur of the Seas is operating in Florida, sailing 7-night roundtrip voyages from Tampa to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas.
The ship was scheduled to reposition to Fort Lauderdale in May 2026 to offer 3- and 4-night getaway cruises to the Bahamas and the cruise line’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
It was also repositioning to Tampa in October 2026 to return to a schedule of 4- to 8-night cruises to the Western Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas (Photo Credit: Studio Porto Sabbia)
Jewel of the Seas is currently sailing 3- and 4-night getaway cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Key West, Florida.
The vessel will begin homeporting in San Juan at the start of 2026 and was scheduled to begin cruising from Cartagena and Colon in May 2026 to offer Southern Caribbean cruises to Aruba and Curacao.
Many guests have commented that the shift from Grandeur of the Seas to Jewel of the Seas is an upgrade to those embarking on cruises from Florida.
The 73,817-gross-ton Grandeur of the Seas, which launched in 1996, is one of Royal Caribbean’s older ships, while the 90,090-gross-ton Jewel of the Seas launched in 2004.
The vessels are two different classes: Vision and Radiance, respectfully, with the 13-deck Jewel of the Seas offering more dining and entertainment options than the 12-deck Grandeur of the Seas.
An 83-year-old Scottish man died of natural causes aboard Marella Voyager while on a cruise in Italy.
Italian authorities conducted an investigation and confirmed there was no foul play, clearing the ship to continue its Mediterranean itinerary.
Passenger fatalities on cruise ships are not uncommon given the tens of millions who sail annually.
What began as a sunny port day in Naples quickly turned tragic for passengers aboard Marella Cruises’ Marella Voyager when an 83-year-old Scottish man suddenly collapsed in the pool and died.
The ship had just tied up in the port of Naples, Italy, on August 19, 2025, when fellow travelers witnessed the man become unwell. Despite urgent efforts by the crew and the ship’s medical team, the man could not be revived.
“I can confirm that sadly a passenger passed away of natural causes onboard Marella Voyager,” a spokesperson for the cruise linetold news outlets.
The cruise line extended its thoughts tothe passenger’s family and said its care team is providing assistance.
The 1,912-passenger ship, which had departed Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on August 16, was enjoying its second port of call after Olbia, Sardinia, on a 7-night “Treasures of the Mediterranean” itinerary.
Local authorities reportedly boarded the vessel to conduct an investigation. Their review confirmed the man died of natural causes and Marella Voyager was cleared to resume its scheduled itinerary, albeit a little late for its originally scheduled 5 p.m. departure.
The 77,302-gross-ton ship carried on to Civitavecchia, Italy; Ajaccio, Corsica, and Palamos, Spain, and will return to Palma de Mallorca on August 23, 2025.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting the man’s family and coordinating with the British Embassy in Rome.
Cruise Deaths Remain Rare
Hosting tens of millions of passengers annually – 34.6 million passengers in 2024 alone – passenger deaths on cruises are statistically rare.
Earlier this year, Newsweek reported that “hundreds” of cruise-related deaths occur annually, working out to be about one death per 150,000 guests. Other estimates suggest around 200 deaths each year across the entire industry.
Morgue
A long-term review of data from 2000 and 2019 documented 623 deaths at sea across 78 ocean and river cruise lines, with nearly nine in 10 being passengers.
Among the leading causes of death, 18 percent passed due to unspecified natural causes and 16 percent due to cardiac incidents.
Marella Voyager is the newest ship owned by parent company TUI Cruises, having debuted in 2023. TUI is a joint venture between Germany’s TUI Group and Royal Caribbean, with Marella Cruises recently announcing it will build two new cruise ships in 2030 and 2032.
While this is the first noted passenger death aboard the vessel, modern cruise ships are built with facilities to manage such situations. Most crew ships include a small morgue for passenger deaths that occur at sea, designed to preserve dignity until the ship can reach port.
In the case of the Scottish man’s passing, crew were able to contact health officials in Naples, and the passenger would have been transported to a local hospital.
The identity of the passenger has not been released out of respect for the family.
Cruise Hive extends its deepest sympathies to the man’s family during this difficult time.
Carnival Cruise Line has secured an off-site parking lot at the Port of Long Beach due to limited parking availability at the cruise terminal.
The cruise line issued a detailed set of parking instructions that guests booked to sail on Carnival Panorama’s August 24, 2025 departure must follow.
Free shuttle service will be provided to bring guests into the port after parking their cars off site, however, the cruise line advises guests to use alternate transportation that will not require parking.
For at least the second time this summer, guests booked to sail on a Carnival Cruise Line ship out of Long Beach, California, are being warned about limited parking availability at the facility.
In an alert sent to guests booked to sail aboard Carnival Panorama’s August 24, 2025 cruise to the Mexican Riviera, the cruise line advised that an off-site parking area has been arranged.
Detailed instructions about accessing the lot are included in the notice, but the line also strongly recommends that passengers use an alternate transportation option that will not require parking at all.
The notice provided no specific reason for the alert, however, the 3,000-guest Carnival Radiance, will have departed the Port of Long Beach two days before Carnival Panorama departs.
It seems likely that guests aboard the two mega-ships, which will not return before Carnival Panorama departs, will have secured many of the port’s available parking spots.
Carnival Panorama guests were advised to arrive at the terminal at their scheduled time and drop off luggage and any traveling companions. While in the drop-off line, they will receive directions to the off-site lot as well as an entry and identification card.
Guests should be prepared to pay the $20 per day parking fee — by credit card only — upon entry to the off-site lot.
“A dedicated agent will be available to process your card payment, as only card payments will be accepted. Parking accommodations will be in place for guests with mobility limitations,” Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services for Carnival Cruise Line, wrote in her notice to guests.
Once guests secure their parking spaces, free shuttles will bring them back to the cruise terminal. The final shuttle will leave the parking lot 30 minutes before the final boarding time.
The shuttles will also return guests to the off-site lot at the conclusion of the voyage.
Off-Site Parking Lot Has Vehicle Limitations
The notice points out that the off-site parking lot cannot accommodate any vehicle taller than 6-feet, 6-inches, nor can it accept any oversize vehicles.
Also, any guests sailing on back-to-back cruises aboard Carnival Panorama may not use the off-site lot at all, since it is available only for the length of a single voyage.
The August 24, 2025 departure is a 6-night cruise calling at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. The ship’s next sailing is an 8-night Mexican Riviera voyage departing on August 30, 2025.
Warnings about limited parking and the cruise line’s off-site lot had been issued in June 2025, when a similar situation unfolded at Long Beach. The instructions for Carnival Panorama’s June 21, 2025 sailing were identical to this latest alert.
Parking issues were not the only concerns for cruisers departing from Long Beach in summer 2025. On August 3 and 4, 2025, guests booked to sail on Carnival Panorama and Carnival Firenze, also homeporting at Long Beach, were warned about the closure of the Shoemaker Bridge, a main route into the port.
Margaritaville at Sea is relaunching its unlimited, non-consecutive Paradise Pass.
The Silver Pass focuses on 2- and 3-night trips from Palm Beach with casino credits, onboard discounts, and reduced rates for additional guests.
The Ultimate Gold Pass covers 4- to 7-night itineraries from Tampa with larger credits and deeper discounts.
If you’re a passenger who keeps booking cruise after cruise, Margaritaville at Sea is betting a pass may make it easier to book multiple cruises.
The Florida-based cruise line is bringing back its “Paradise Pass” program, giving frequent cruisers the option to lock in unlimited trips for a single, upfront price.
This time, however, the program comes in two versions.
The Silver Pass is aimed at shorter escapes, covering 2- and 3-night sailings mostly designed as weekend getaways. The Ultimate Gold Pass extends the offer to longer 4- to 7-night itineraries across Mexico and the Caribbean.
Both tiers apply to departures from the line’s Florida homeports of Port of Palm Beach and Port Tampa Bay and are now available for sailings scheduled through December 31, 2026.
“Margaritaville at Sea is bringing back its much-loved Paradise Pass program with two brand-new and exciting options – the Silver Pass and the Ultimate Gold Pass,”the company said in its August 21, 2025, announcement.
At the core of the press is the promise of unlimited, non-consecutive sailings for the holder and one guest in an oceanview stateroom. Bookings can be confirmed up to 30 days before departure, giving passengers a wider window to secure cabin assignments.
The program also includes discounted rates for family and friends sailing on the same trip and offers a way to add additional guests to a passholder’s cabin at set rates.
Two Passes Unveiled
The relaunch of the Paradise Pass is split between the two tiers, with the Silver Pass including an oceanview stateroom for two guests, along with a $25 casino match/free play credit on each sailing.
Passholders also receive 5 percent discounts on both onboard purchases and pre-cruise enhancements. Outside of the pass window, they can claim an additional 10 percent off retail bookings.
The Silver option also includes 10 percent off fares for friends and family sailing on the same trip, and passholders have the ability to upgrade at the pier, when space allows.
2026 Paradise Pass Program
Those traveling with larger groups can add a third or fourth guest to their cabin at $99 per adult and $59 per child.
Meanwhile, the Ultimate Gold Pass, doubles the casino credit to $50 per sailing and discounts increase to 10 percent on onboard purchases and enhancements, and 20 percent on retail bookings outside the pass window.
Gold passholders also receive 20 percent off fares for friends and family sailing with them, plus a one-time Free Express Pass.
These passholders can also secure a Breezy Balcony upgrade for $299 and additional guests can join for $249 per adult and $99 per child.
The Silver Pass starts at $799 while the Ultimate Gold Pass starts at $1,499.
From Palm Beach, most sailings on the 52,926-gross-ton Margaritaville at Sea Paradise are quick trips to the Bahamas, including Freeport and Nassau, and are a better fit for the Silver Pass.
From Tampa, the 85,619-gross-ton Margaritaville Islander expands the brand’s reach to Mexico and the Western Caribbean, offering itineraries that range from 4 to 7 nights.
These are better suited for the Ultimate Gold Pass with sailings that include stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso in Mexico, as well as other Western Caribbean ports.
Currently, Paradise is on a quick adventure to Freeport, Bahamas, and alternates that itinerary with one that calls in Nassau, as well as a slightly longer version that visits both Bahamian ports.
Islander is currently sailing a 7-night route that includes Cozumel and Costa Maya but extends to Roatan, Honduras, and Belize City. Some voyages call in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Grand Cayman.
Today, Holland America Line is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company. Carnival Cruise Line is also a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation.
The current president of Holland America is Beth Bodensteiner, who reports to Carnival Corporation’s CEO, Josh Weinstein. Bodensteiner took over in December 2024 after the previous company president, Gus Antorcha, moved to take over the role at Princess Cruises.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about Holland America Line’s ownership, leadership, and more!
Since Holland America Line is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, the cruise line and its fleet of 11 cruise ships are led by the company president, Beth Bodensteiner.
This means Holland America Line itself doesn’t have a separate CEO, but as company president, Bodensteiner reports to Carnival Corporation’s board of directors and acting CEO, Josh Weinstein.
Bodensteiner took over the president position on December 2, 2024. She is a 20-year veteran of Holland America Line and previously served as the cruise line’s Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer.
Beth Bodensteiner
Through these roles, Bodensteiner proved her leadership skills, but it was her involvement in getting the brand through the financial difficulties of the post-pandemic period that really put her in the spotlight.
Bodensteiner took over the role as company president from Gus Antorcha, who held the position from 2020 to 2024. Today, he serves as the president of Princess Cruises, a sister company to Holland America that is also owned by Carnival Corporation & plc.
Prior to Antorcha’s stretch as president, the cruise line was led by Norwegian-born Stein Kruse. (A fitting name for someone working in the cruise industry!) Kruse assumed the role in 2013 before retiring in 2020.
The current company president, Beth Bodensteiner, may not be a household name, and she doesn’t often present herself as the face of Holland America, but she is well known within the industry.
Even as far back as 2015, Bodensteiner appeared in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. In her previous role as Senior VP, she also spearheaded Holland America Line’s YODA System, which increased bookings and helped manage inventory across the entire company.
While Carnival Corporation’s headquarters are in Miami, Florida, Holland America’s home office is in Seattle, Washington. Holland America may employ staff around the globe, but Beth and the rest of the leadership team get to enjoy life in the Pacific Northwest.
The Carnival Corporation acquired Holland America in 1989. Prior to that, Holland America Line was a fully independent cruise line that was founded back in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company.
At the time of the takeover, Carnival Corporation was the fastest-growing cruise company in the world. After going public in 1987, Carnival began expanding and buying other cruise lines.
In February of 1989, Carnival agreed to purchase Holland America Line, then known as Holland America Line and Westours Inc., for roughly $625 million, or around 1.2 billion Dutch guilders.
As part of the purchase agreement, Carnival Corporation agreed to keep Holland America as a distinct brand under the Carnival umbrella, rather than just absorbing its ships and other assets.
In fact, at the time of the takeover, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation even explained that Carnival had “no intention of ‘Carnivalizing’ the Holland America ships” or adding any of their signature elements into their fleet.
The thinking here was that ships under the Holland America banner would have a distinct style and focus on sailing Alaska during the summer months, while Carnival-branded ships would stick to the Caribbean itineraries throughout the year.
While the acquisition meant Holland America Line was no longer an independent cruise line, ownership under the Carnival Corporation meant they were able to expand their fleet and upgrade their existing ships.
These efforts to expand the fleet with much larger ships stepped up in the late 1990s, when work began on two Rotterdam-class ships: the MS Volendam and MS Zaandam. Each had a capacity of nearly 1,500 guests, and represented a big step up for the Holland America fleet.
Not only did the takeover mean that Holland America’s fleet was expanded, but the focus also changed.
When they purchased the cruise line, Carnival Corporation also took over Westours, which was a smaller tour company owned by Holland America.
Westours was a small branch of the company that focused almost exclusively on Alaska cruises, while the rest of the Holland America fleet toured the Caribbean and Europe.
Carnival saw the takeover as an opportunity to have the entire fleet begin focusing on Alaska and the Pacific coasts of Canada and the United States.
This focus helped spread awareness of the Holland America Line name in North America. Once established, the cruise line’s focus expanded beyond Alaska, and Holland America began offering cruise itineraries in other markets.
By 1997, Rotterdam VI, the biggest ship in the fleet at the time, set sail from Holland America’s newly introduced private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. This marked the beginning of Holland America’s move towards being a brand that would focus more on premium service and experiences.
In my experience, I’ve found them quite similar to Cunard Line, where the focus is more on luxury and traditional cruising experiences.
History of Holland America
Holland America Line in Rotterdam (Photo Credit: trabantos / Shutterstock)
Holland America dates back to April 18, 1873. It was first founded in Rotterdam, Netherlands, as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company (NASM).
As a passenger and cargo line, its first ship, Rotterdam, sailed from the Netherlands to New York City for its maiden voyage in 1874. In addition to carrying freight, the ship also carried immigrants and visitors between Europe and North America.
After the Second World War, Holland America began shifting its focus towards more leisurely transatlantic travel and European cruises. Through the 1950s and 1960s, they gained a reputation for fine dining, and their ships became known for their unique green and white paint.
In the late 1960s, the company rebranded its passenger arm as Holland America Cruises. When 1971 arrived, they bought Westours to strengthen and increase the size of the company and gain a foothold in the Alaska cruise market.
In 1975, Holland America ran the very first Alaska Inside Passage cruise with its ship Prinsendam. Then in 1987, they acquired 50% ownership of Windstar Cruises, which would eventually be fully acquired by Carnival Corporation as part of the Holland America purchase two years later.
After Carnival acquired Holland America in 1989, it continued evolving, right into the 2000s. Adding Vista-class and Signature-class ships to the fleet was a significant step forward.
In 2004, they made world headlines by offering adventure cruises that crossed the Amazon River. They also added a world voyage in 2008, which visited 39 different ports in 29 countries.
Today, Holland America Line is one of the most recognizable cruise lines anywhere. With 11 cruise ships that sail throughout the entire world, it has made major steps since its early days in Rotterdam.
Is Holland America a high-end cruise line?
Dining Room on Holland America’s Zaandam Ship (photo Credit: WESLEY FOULDS)
Holland America Line markets itself as a premium cruise line. The branding tends to have a more upscale vibe to it than you get with the mass-market family fun ships operated by Carnival Corporation under the Carnival banner.
With that said, it’s not quite as luxurious as the most premium brands, like Regent or Silversea. Still, in my own experience, the focus is on excellent cuisine, classic décor, embracing the culture of the destinations its ships visit, and providing spacious staterooms and suites.
While there’s still plenty to do on Holland America cruise ships, their entertainment options lean more toward gyms, spas, nice restaurants, and live music, rather than theme park-style attractions.
Even some of the signature features on a Holland America cruise have a sophisticated feel, like art auctions, fine dining, and their unique EXC Talks, where local experts provide educational lectures about the regions the ships visit.
Holland America Line Dutch Tea (Photo Credit: Holland America)
All of this is to say the target demographic tends to be older and more affluent travelers, rather than young families traveling on a budget. With that said, I’ve seen plenty of younger passengers enjoying Holland America cruises, so don’t feel like you’ll be bored or out of place if you’re looking for fun and relaxation.
Prices start in the hundreds of dollars for two-day trips to places like the Bahamas. A typical 7-day cruise package usually runs about $800 to $1,500 per person.
If you want to get into the really high-end side of things, you can spend well over $10,000 for their long-duration itineraries, like their 93-day Grand Australia & New Zealand Experience.
While they also offer cruise voyages in Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South America, and even Antarctica, their most common routes include the Bahamas, New England, Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterranean, Hawaii, and, true to their past, Alaskan summer cruises.
What is Holland America’s net worth?
Since Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, it doesn’t have its own market value or public net worth. However, their parent company is worth just shy of $38 billion.
How many ships does Holland America own?
Holland America operates 11 cruise ships. Most of those ships can be classed as mid-sized cruise ships, with passenger capacities ranging from 1,432 to 2,650 guests.
All of HAL’s cruise ships are currently spread across four different classes:
Rotterdam Class:MS Volendam (1999), MS Zaandam (2000)
Vista Class:MS Zuiderdam (2002), MS Oosterdam (2003), MS Westerdam (2004), MS Noordam (2006)
Signature Class:MS Eurodam (2008), MS Nieuw Amsterdam II (2010)
Pinnacle Class:MS Koningsdam (2016), MS Nieuw Statendam (2018), MS Rotterdam (2021)
If you haven’t noticed, all of the ships carry names that reflect the cruise line’s historical ties to the Netherlands. MS Rotterdam is the seventh ship in the company’s over 150-year history to bear the name.
One thing I’ve noticed whenever I’ve traveled on any Holland America cruise ship is that they are maintained to a high standard-even the older vessels. This reflects the cruise line’s commitment to providing passengers with a quality and upscale experience.
Port Canaveral is considering a parking rate increase from $17 to $20 per vehicle, per day.
If approved, the new fee would take effect from October 1, 2025.
This would be the first parking fee increase for the popular cruise port since 2017.
Parking at a cruise port can be a substantial expense, particularly for a longer sailing. It is one guests must budget for, however, if they will be driving to the ship’s homeport.
Later this year, guests driving to Port Canaveral may need to budget a bit more for parking fees. The port’s commissioners are now discussing the coming fiscal year, which includes a parking fee increase as part of the proposed budget.
The increase would raise parking rates to $20 per vehicle per day, up $3 per day from the current $17 rate. This would be an increase of 17.6%.
The last time Port Canaveral raised rates was in 2017. At that time, the parking fee was increased from $16 to $17 per day, a 6.3% increase.
If approved, the new fee would take effect from October 1, 2025.
When parking at Port Canaveral, guests pre-pay as they enter the parking facility, and no reservations are available.
Full-day fees are charged for both the day of arrival as well as the day of departure, regardless of what time cruisers actually park their vehicles or leave the cruise port.
Discussion of the increase began at the commission’s August 20 meeting. The proposed increase will not be voted on until the next meeting, scheduled for September 24.
If expected guest figures are reasonably accurate, the increased parking rate could generate as much as an additional $12.8 million in revenue for Port Canaveral.
That money could then be turned into additional projects to continue updating and expanding the port. This could include cruise terminal and parking facility projects to accommodate the dramatic increase in both ships and guests at Port Canaveral.
Cruise operations are far and away the largest part of the port’s budget, bringing in more than $175 million annually. This is in comparison to cargo operations, which are bring in roughly $24 million.
During the upcoming fiscal year 2026 (from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), Port Canaveral is expected to have 994 cruise ship homeport calls and 89 day port visits.
Royal Caribbean is the port’s largest cruise line with three ships homeported year-round: the brand-new, just-named Star of the Seas, the ultimate weekend with Utopia of the Seas, and classic cruising with Adventure of the Seas.
Explorer of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas offer seasonal cruising from Port Canaveral.
Vehicles at Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto)
Carnival Cruise Line has four year-round vessels from the Space Coast: Mardi Gras, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Vista. Seasonally, Carnival Venezia offers sailings from Port Canaveral.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises all offer seasonal options from Port Canaveral, though they do not homeport ships there year-round.
How Much Parking Costs at Other Florida Homeports
While an extra $3 per day (a total of $24 extra for a 7-night sailing) may not seem significant, this rate increase would bring Port Canaveral’s parking fees closer to the fees charged at other Florida homeports.
At PortMiami, for example, rates range from $20-35 per vehicle per day, depending on the parking garage used.
At Port Tampa Bay, parking ranges from $75-96 per 4-night cruise or up to $155 for a 7-night sailing, with pre-pay and valet options available. Rates can vary depending on sailing date and type of parking space.
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale charges $20 per day per vehicle, or $25 per day for oversized vehicles.
In Jacksonville, JaxPort parking rates range from $85-170 per sailing for a 5-night cruise, or from $136-272 for 8-night sailings.
At all parking facilities at all cruise terminals, rates are subject to change. Guests driving to homeports should always check parking information shortly before their departure date to be sure of the most updated information and applicable rates.
