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Cruise Passenger Tampers With Cabin Water Bottle By Refilling

A short video has recently gained a lot of attention as it shows a woman onboard a cruise ship happily tampering with a large bottle of water – effectively contaminating it and presumably as a “hack” for savings. Should the woman be banned from the cruise line for such behavior?

Woman Tampers With Cruise Water Bottles

The short video clip – just a few seconds – shows a woman, refilling an empty 1.5 liter Crystal Geyser water bottle from her stateroom’s bathroom sink.

The woman then uses a small bottle of glue to reseal the water bottle’s cap, puts a fresh cardboard tag from an unopened bottle onto the refilled bottle, and replaces it on the shelf where such bottles are left for guests’ convenience to purchase. She is smiling throughout for her “cleverness” and gives a self-satisfied thumbs-up at the end of the video.

The incident was clearly filmed aboard a Carnival cruise ship, as the tag on the water bottle says Carnival and one of the cruise line’s ubiquitous Snoozin’ signs is visible in the background. The colors and décor visible in the video are also consistent with Carnival ships, but there is no way to identify the exact vessel.

Furthermore, it is unknown when the video may have been filmed. The price on the bottle of water is listed at $4.25, but the 1.5-liter bottle has been priced at $4.50 since December 2023. It is possible, however, the onboard price may vary from preorder pricing, or onboard pricing might vary depending on where the ship is sailing. The video already has more than 110,000 views.

Cruise Passenger Tampers With Cabin Water Bottle
Cruise Passenger Tampers With Cabin Water Bottle

Of course, while the video is obviously real, there is no way to know if it is “real” and whether the tampered bottle was, in fact, left for unsuspecting guests to use on a future sailing.

Commenters have pointed out that the woman has to have purchased at least one bottle of the water in order to have an empty one to refill, though this in no way excuses such behavior.

Should the Woman Be Banned?

The video is driving a great deal of discussion, as it is captioned “Tampering with people’s drinking water. Should these women be banned from Carnival?”

To be clear, only one woman is shown in the short video, though there must be another passenger filming the clip, as the camera moves around to follow her actions.

This behavior raises serious concerns about ensuring the integrity of bottled drinking water. If it really is this easy to sneakily refill a bottle and make it look new, it would be equally easy to contaminate the water with foreign substances.

Water Bottles in Carnival Cruise Cabin
Water Bottles in Carnival Cruise Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Some viewers have noted that asking for bottles from the bars onboard is a safer option, as those bottles will never have been accessible to possibly unscrupulous guests.

It is not known whether or not any unused bottles are discarded from staterooms or if cabin attendants may examine water bottles for signs of tampering between sailings to ensure they are safe.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Increases the Price of Water for Third Time

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has been tagged many times by concerned viewers, but has not yet offered a response to the video.

Commenters are strongly agreeing with the idea that the woman in the video – as well as whoever filmed the clip – be banned and perhaps even prosecuted. Some viewers believe the video to be obviously fake, while others note that even if it’s “fake” in that, the woman didn’t actually leave the tampered bottle for the next guest, the video alone could give others the idea to try such poor behavior.

It should also be noted that if the woman drank more than one bottle and simply kept refilling to hide that consumption, it is indeed theft.

What do you think of the woman’s behavior? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!

MSC Cruise Cancelled Due to Operational Reasons

MSC Cruises announced the cancellation of an MSC Magnifica cruise due to operational reasons. Affected passengers have been provided with a range of alternatives to mitigate the impact of the change.

MSC Magnifica Voyage Cancelled

An unwelcome surprise was delivered to passengers on April 15 scheduled to sail MSC Magnifica on May 30, 2025. Citing “operational reasons that have affected the deployment of some of our cruise ships, ”the cruise line has cancelled its 3-night Bahamas cruise from Miami.

The 3,000-passenger MSC Magnifica, which is homeported in Miami, offers 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas throughout the season. The May 30, 2025, offering was scheduled to visit Key West, Florida, and Ocean Cay, Bahamas.

The announcement was accompanied by an apology from the cruise line. “We sincerely apologize for this disappointing cancellation and the disruption to your vacation plans,” MSC Cruises said in a message to guests.

MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: maudanros / Shutterstock

In an effort to address the situation, MSC Cruises is offering four options for passengers, including the automatic reassignment to a similar cruise offering aboard MSC Seascape, departing PortMiami on May 29, 2025.

Alternative Solutions Offered

The 3-night Bahamas cruise is a regular rotation for the 95,128-gross-ton MSC Magnifica’s lineup between May and September 2025. While MSC Cruises did not announce any further cancellations, it did not offer passengers an automatic reassignment for its additional May through September sailings, including its May 23 voyage.

Instead, the cruise line’s change directs affected passengers to the newer 170,400-gross-ton MSC Seascape, which accommodates 5,179 passengers and offers more amenities, including nearly three times the restaurants.

Said the cruise line in its offer, “We are pleased to offer you a new reassigned cruise aboard beautiful MSC Seascape, which will set sail from PortMiami with similar duration and accommodations at no extra cost.”

MSC Seascape Cruise Ship
MSC Seascape Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

No further action is required for passengers accepting the reassignment, but if the change in schedule is not suitable, MSC Cruises is allowing guests to move the booking to “any other MSC Seascape sailing during the same month as your original sailing, with the same number of nights, and stateroom category.”

Travelers are also given the option to select any other sailing on any ship and any date, with any payments made toward the original cruise transferred to the new cruise. “The prevailing rate of the new cruise will apply,” said the cruise line.

A fourth option is a full refund, credited back to the original form of payment.

Expansive Growth for MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises has a busy lineup, which includes the opening of a terminal in Miami in Spring 2025, which is near the time of the MSC Magnifica cancellation. The new facility is anticipated to be the largest cruise terminal in North America, able to manage 36,000 guests daily.

The project, originally scheduled to open in December 2023, is a four-level structure that can simultaneously welcome three large ships and three new docks. It is estimated to cost $450 million.

The cruise line is also improving infrastructure and amenities on its private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises is adding areas to support island tours and watersports, a center for diving and snorkeling, more food and beverage options, and the MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Centre.

MSC Cruises is also expanding its offerings in Galveston, Texas. The $100-million cruise terminal at Pier 16 will be completed in late 2025 to serve as the 170,400-ton MSC Seascape’s homeport.

Along with the new terminal, MSC Cruises will make Downtown Miami its new home in a 130,000-square-foot office space.

Carnival Cruise Line Addresses Loyalty Benefit Behavior

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has issued a reminder to the cruise line’s most loyal guests about the extent of one of the most popular benefits, the ability to access one’s cabin immediately upon boarding the ship. This can be a confusing benefit to some, but it is important to know exactly what it means and not abuse the privilege.

Loyalty Benefit Is Not Absolute

Loyalty benefits are designed to give extra privileges to a cruise line’s most frequent cruisers, and one of the most sought-after benefits of Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program is the ability to access one’s cruise ship cabin right away when boarding the ship.

This benefit is also extended to guests who have booked suites, as well as those who purchase the exclusive Faster to the Fun (FTTF) program.

It must be noted that this benefit is described only as “once on board, you will be able to drop your bags in your stateroom until your room is ready.”

This does not mean that guests may remain in their cabins from the moment they board the ship. Instead, they do not need to be encumbered by toting bags around the ship for lunch, checking in to their muster station, and getting oriented before staterooms are made available to everyone.

Unfortunately, some travelers misinterpret this benefit and the confusion can lead to an unpleasant beginning to one’s cruise. Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has issued a reminder to guests, hoping to clarify the benefit and encourage proper use of the privilege.

Carnival Cruise Stateroom
Carnival Cruise Stateroom (Photo Credit: dkroy / Shutterstock)

“You can go directly to your cabin to drop off your carry-on bags. Please can you leave straight away,” Heald said.

This is essential because before the overall stateroom availability time – usually at about 1:30 p.m. – cabin attendants and other crew members are very busy turning over the rooms so they are clean and stocked for new guests to enjoy.

“I am asking you this on behalf of the crew who are doing everything they can to make sure that the room is ready to the very highest of standards,” Heald explained.

In addition to stateroom cleaning, crew members may be restocking towels and toiletries or attending to minor maintenance concerns, such as a broken showerhead, burned-out lightbulb, or other small tasks that are nevertheless necessary to ensure that each guest has a great cruise.

Abuse of the Privilege

Unfortunately, some passengers prefer to remain in their cabins with this early access, despite being asked not to. Heald has noted that different guests have tried a variety of tactics and excuses about why they need to stay in their staterooms.

“Some have tried to have a shower, some have tried to unpack, and one gentleman literally decided to show his loyalty card very close up to the housekeeping staff demanding she leave the cabin, which was yet to be prepared because, ‘he needed to take a nap,'” Heald described.

All the early access benefit permits guests to do is enter their stateroom to leave their carryon bags in a safe place before they get started on their cruise vacation fun.

Carnival Sunrise Cabins

Ideally, guests should have just one or two travelers take their bags to their room – rather than a whole large family going to the stateroom – and the bags should be placed out of the way in the closet, under the bed, or in a far corner so the luggage is not in the way for the cabin attendant’s continued work.

Read Also: What a Cruise Ship Cabin Steward Really Does

Guests should then leave their cabin right away, heading out for lunch, to visit their muster station for the mandatory safety check-in, or to enjoy numerous activities such as spa tours, embarkation day trivia, a first dip in the pool, or a trip down a waterslide, and much more.

Some Carnival cruisers have responded to Heald’s reminder with concern that if abuse of this very convenient privilege continues, the benefit may be removed, and no stateroom access may be permitted before all rooms are open for guests’ use.

Heald has hinted in the past that a revamp to the VIFP program is likely in the near future, though no timeline or other details about such adjustments have been released. At this time, there is no discussion about removing the early cabin access benefit, but it is possible that such a step might be considered.

10 Things You’ll Wish You’d Packed for Your Cruise

Every experienced cruise traveler has a list of must-haves for their vacation packing. What items should you be adding to your travel gear for your next cruise vacation?

With your ship on the water hundreds of miles from the nearest convenience store and ports of call in foreign countries with different languages and currencies, you’ll want to be sure you pack these items along instead of leaving them behind.

Few cruise passengers will forget basics such as sunscreen, a swimsuit, or formal attire, but once you’re onboard, you may wish you’d found room in your bags, totes, and carry-ons for these cruise essentials.

1. Extension Cords and Adaptors

Outlets are notoriously sparse in cruise ship cabins, and if you have several devices to recharge, need a CPAP machine, or use different hair styling tools, you’re going to be juggling those few plugs. A couple of short, simple extension cords can help you arrange what you need exactly where you need it.

At the same time, don’t forget the appropriate chargers and USB adaptors for your devices, especially if your cruise ship will be departing from a foreign port. Take care not to pack along power strips with surge protectors, though, as they’re not permitted on most cruise ships and will be confiscated.

2. Pen and Paper

Whether you want to jot a note to your stateroom steward or leave a note for a friend or family member to let them know where you’re going on the ship, a pen and a small pad of paper can be invaluable.

It can also be easier to have your own comfortable, reliable pen or pencil if you enjoy onboard trivia, Sudoku, or other games instead of trying to write with a tiny and possibly not-too-sharp pencil when a coveted keychain, ship-on-a-stick or other prize may be at stake.

3. Small Currency Bills

Your cruise ship card is your room key, on board identification, and ship-wide charge card, but it won’t be useful off the ship, such as renting a locker during a beach excursion, tipping a fabulously funny bus driver, or paying for that quirky little souvenir. Instead, bring along small bills suitable for minor onshore purchases or tips as needed. Also, if you want to tip your cabin steward or room service attendants a bit extra for their hard work, cash is most appreciated.

US Currency
Photo Credit: RomanR / Shutterstock

Cash is also necessary for playing games of skill in the casino or arcade, where just $1 can win you fabulous prizes – if your hand-eye coordination is good enough. As a special note, if you prefer to carry larger bills for the convenience, the casino cashier or Guest Services desk can usually break bills into smaller denominations.

4. Air Freshener

The sea air may be fresh and bracing, but your cabin and its teeny bathroom won’t smell so good with wet and dirty clothes, smelly shoes, room service food, or the inevitable results of overeating or overindulging on alcohol. A simple room spray, Poo-Pourri toilet spray, or a hanging freshener can do wonders to keep your cabin smelling clean and fresh.

Do not, however, bring scented candles, incense, or anything that requires heat or flame to release a pleasing aroma, as these are prohibited items that will be confiscated at check-in and not allowed on any cruise ship.

5. Alarm Clock

Most cruise ship cabins do not have any alarm clocks, and while you can arrange a wake-up call through the ship’s phone service, it is a good idea to have a backup alarm ready so you don’t miss the early departure time for a popular shore excursion or your scheduled debarkation time.

Travel Alarm Clock
Travel Alarm Clock (Photo Credit: ByNuts FotoBike / Shutterstock)

Setting an alarm can also help you enjoy an afternoon nap without missing any upcoming activities, but avoid smart watches, cell phone alarms, or any clocks that automatically reset when you move between time zones. Many cruise ships remain on “ship time” which doesn’t always match local time zones.

6. Ship Shoes

A comfortable pair of slip-on shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or slippers will be welcome footwear on board the ship. Instead of lacing up sneakers or putting on uncomfortable heels for a quick trip to the buffet, a round of miniature golf, or wandering over to a trivia contest or craft project, you’ll be glad you have more casual footwear to make walking across hot or slippery decks safer and easier.

Before setting sail, make sure to break in any footwear, so it is comfortable and won’t cause blisters or sore feet. On bigger and bigger cruise ships, you’re bound to do more walking than you might anticipate!

7. Travel Fan

Cruise ship cabins are air-conditioned, but the power of the air conditioner can vary greatly depending on the ship and individual cabin locations. A small travel fan can create a nice breeze to circulate air and keep your cabin much cooler, and the fan’s white noise can make sleeping even easier as you rest up for another fun-filled day.

Travel Fan
Travel Fan (Photo Credit: studio_24 / Shutterstock)

A fan can also help you dry off swimwear or damp shoes much more quickly so you can wear them again. For a fan that will do double duty, look for a design that can also charge USB devices, but be sure the fan is small enough to meet cruise lines’ individual guidelines for what can be brought onboard.

8. Playing Cards or a Travel Game

There is always a packed schedule on a cruise vacation, but there are times when you want to arrive at activities early – to get the best seats for the nightly show or to be in the lounge for a comedy act, for example. While you’re waiting for the fun to start, a pack of playing cards or a fun travel game can pass the time.

This will also be very helpful on both embarkation and debarkation day, when you may spend an hour or two waiting in the cruise terminal or a lounge before it is your turn to board or leave the ship. Furthermore, if any shore tours you choose have long bus rides, you will welcome the diversion!

9. Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is essential on a cruise, when exposure to salt water, not to mention warmer temperatures, can dry your skin out. Staying hydrated will also help keep you healthier and more energetic, so you don’t miss a moment of your vacation.

Travel Water Bottle
Travel Water Bottle (Photo Credit: Darya Lavinskaya / Shutterstock)

Instead of paying for increasingly expensive bottled water or struggling to bring your own water on board (which is not permitted by every cruise line), just bring a reusable bottle you can easily refill whenever you’re thirsty. The ship’s water is perfectly safe to drink, so have no fear on those refills.

10. Binoculars

There is so much to see in port and just watching over the side of the ship, you’ll wish you had better eyesight. A pair of binoculars can be the best thing you pack, whether you plan to use them while watching for whales or dolphins from the ship, scouting out ports as you dock, or taking them along on shore tours for an even better view of everywhere you visit.

Read Also: What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation

Binoculars do not have to be expensive to offer you a better view, and opt for a travel pair or even a monocular to save space in the luggage as you pack everything you need for your cruise.

What essential items do you always bring along on a cruise? Share your must-pack tips on the Cruise Hive boards!

Carnival Ship to Disembark in Norfolk After Weeks of Uncertainty

Guests aboard the one-way repositioning cruise of Carnival Pride that was to take the ship from Tampa to Baltimore have now learned for certain that they will, instead, be disembarking the ship in Norfolk, Virginia.

Since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, there has been uncertainty about whether or not marine traffic would be able to access the Port of Baltimore in time for the ship’s embarkation on April 21. Now, the cruise line has confirmed that reaching Baltimore will not be possible, and the ship is instead going to debark in Norfolk.

Carnival Pride Heading to Norfolk

It has been an uncertain time for guests aboard Carnival Pride for a rare repositioning sailing, as their cruise itinerary was immediately called into question when the Port of Baltimore was closed following the tragic bridge collapse.

Carnival Cruise Line has remained in contact with guests, hopeful that Port of Baltimore would still be reachable, but that has not been possible. Even when the cruise set sail on Sunday, April 7, where the cruise would end was not yet certain.

“Thank you for your continued patience as we finalized debarkation plans for the sailing,” a notification letter sent to guests’ staterooms on Saturday, April 13 said. “Our shoreside leadership team has spent the last week having some personal discussions with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Port of Baltimore Officials regarding the harbor traffic plans so we can make informed decisions.”

“While progress on the bridge accident recovery is being prioritized and progressing well, your cruise itinerary will end in Norfolk on Sunday morning, April 21.”

Carnival Pride, Francis Scott Key Bridge, Port of Baltimore
Carnival Pride in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Cruise Line is arranging complimentary bus transportation to all four major airports in the region – Norfolk International (ORF), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Reagan National (DCA), and Dulles International (IAD).

Read Also: How Is the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Impacting Cruises?

As space is limited on the shuttle buses, however, the cruise line is asking that guests complete a debarkation questionnaire to confirm their travel needs and arrangements so transportation can be arranged. Guests are also asked to note if a fully accessible vehicle for a scooter or wheelchair is needed.

Help Rearranging Flights

To assist guests with rearranging flights to later times if necessary – a drive to the DC-area airports could be roughly 5 hours from the Norfolk cruise terminal – all guests are able to access the ship’s Wi-Fi for 24 hours so they can make appropriate travel plans.

If passengers have booked airfare through Carnival’s Fly2Fun program, those flights will be automatically updated and individual guests will be notified of their new flights once arrangements are confirmed.

The cruise line is also offering up to $200 (USD) per person for any non-refundable air travel change fees. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement consideration.

Carnival Pride in Dover
Carnival Pride in Dover (Photo Credit: Port of Dover)

Guests should note that the shuttle buses will be prioritized for the airports further away, and if guests are able to rebook flights from Norfolk, they may not be debarking the ship as early as anticipated. The drive from Port of Norfolk to Norfolk International Airport is just 20 minutes.

“We will work to get everyone off as quickly as possible,” the letter stressed.

Guests are asked to return their debarkation questionnaires to the ship’s Guest Services desk, on Deck 2 in the Atrium, no later than 8 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

Next Cruise Embarking From Norfolk

Carnival Pride‘s next sailing – the April 21 departure, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing to Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport – will depart from Norfolk, and guests booked on that cruise have been notified of the change.

Shuttle service is also being provided for both embarkation and debarkation, though travelers do have to register for the service in advance. Further details of how to do that will be communicated to guests in the next few days.

At this time, it is unknown when the Port of Baltimore may reopen to cruise ship traffic, but guests booked on any sailing from the city in the next few weeks should stay in close contact with their cruise line for changes and updates.

The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Pride is scheduled to remain homeported from Baltimore year-round, and will undoubtedly shift operations to that planned homeport as soon as safely and reasonably possible.

Search Underway for Missing Holland America Line Crew Member

Authorities have begun search operations for a crew member reported missing and overboard from Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. At the time of the incident, the ship was sailing eastward in the Florida Strait south of Marathon, roughly midway along the Florida Keys, while finishing a 6-night Western Caribbean sailing.

Crew Member Missing From ms Rotterdam

A crew member has been reported missing from Rotterdam and search operations have been initiated to try and locate the individual. At this time, the identity – age, gender, crew position, nationality – of the individual has not been released, in order to safeguard their privacy.

“A team member on Rotterdam was reported missing after the ship docked in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 13. A review of closed-circuit TV footage indicates the person went purposefully overboard around 9:45 p.m. on April 12 while the ship was sailing off the Florida Keys. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and began a search of the area, which remains underway,” a statement from Holland America Line to Cruise Hive read.

It is not known how the crew member was discovered missing, though it may be a failure to report for a duty shift or to check in with a supervisor or roommate. Once it was known the crew member was not aboard, the ship’s security footage was reviewed, and the individual was seen going overboard on the previous evening.

This detail will help concentrate search operations, as the ship’s exact location at that time can be pinpointed. By using known weather data and knowledge of local water currents, it is hoped the search may prove successful.

At this time, both marine and air assets from the US Coast Guard are involved in the search 20 miles south of Marathon, Florida. Undoubtedly, Holland America Line is also providing support to other team members onboard as well as impacted family members and friends at this troubling time.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the team member’s family at this difficult time,” the cruise line statement concluded.

No Impact to Sailings

Rotterdam returned to Fort Lauderdale as scheduled on Saturday morning, finishing a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise that had departed on Sunday, April 7 and visited Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

The ship has already departed on its next sailing with no delay. The current cruise is a 14-night one-way repositioning transatlantic sailing from Fort Lauderdale to the ship’s namesake city, Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

Holland America Line's Rotterdam Ship
Holland America Line’s Rotterdam Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)

Rotterdam will remain homeported from Rotterdam through mid-October, offering a range of Norway, Norse Legend, and Viking-themed voyages to top ports such as Alesund, Flam, Bergen, Oslo, Kristiansand, and Sandnessjoen, depending on the exact itinerary and departure date.

The 99,863-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class vessel is the newest ship in the Holland America Line fleet, and can welcome 2,668 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,173 travelers if fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are approximately 1,050 international team members.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the Rotterdam crew, as well as the friends and family members of the missing team member, at this very difficult time.

Three Carnival Cruises Lose Loyalty Benefit Availability

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests at the highest levels of the past passenger loyalty program, alerting them that some of their benefits are unavailable for specific sailings in April 2024.

The impacted cruises are all longer Carnival Journeys voyages, which often have such benefits curtailed due to the logistics of having higher-than-typical numbers of high-level loyalty passengers aboard.

Some Loyalty Benefits Removed From Highly Desirable Sailings

Three Carnival cruises aboard two different vessels will not be able to provide all the anticipated benefits for Diamond and Platinum guests, due to high numbers of those guests joining the select voyages.

The impacted sailings are the April 6 departure of Carnival Miracle, a 15-night Hawaii cruise roundtrip from Long Beach, California. The April 7 departures for Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit are likewise affected.

Carnival Pride is sailing a 14-night repositioning cruise from Tampa to Baltimore (now to Norfolk as a temporary homeport), while Carnival Spirit is on a 16-night repositioning from Tampa to Seattle ahead of the Alaska season.

Longer sailings, especially repositioning cruises, are often popular with frequent cruisers. Because of this popularity, it can become logistically impossible for any cruise line to successfully offer elite benefits to a large number of cruisers on the same sailing.

“Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide priority embarkation or debarkation (including at any ports of call),” the notification emails read.

One additional Diamond-level benefit is also rescinded for these three sailings. Diamond is the highest current level in Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP loyalty program, requiring 200+ points to reach that status.

Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship
Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)

“Related to Diamond guests, due to capacity limitations, we cannot guarantee main dining room seating requests for dinner,” the emails explained.

It should be noted that Platinum guests still receive “priority reservations” at the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants, but these have never been a guaranteed benefit, only a priority consideration.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

“This operational change is consistent with other Carnival Journeys cruises where we have a very large number of Diamond and Platinum guests,” the emails explain. “We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding.”

While many Carnival Journeys cruises have similar limitations based on ship capacity and the overall numbers of high level loyalty guests, any restrictions are based on evaluations of the logistics for an individual sailing. If one of these longer, more immersive itineraries had fewer high level VIFP guests, the benefits would remain intact.

No Other Benefits Changed

At this time, no other benefits have been restricted for any of these three cruises. Blue (first sailing), Red (second sailing to 24 cruise points), and Gold (25-74 points) passengers have no changes to their benefits, and all other upper tier benefits remain intact.

Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship
Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: achinthamb / Shutterstock)

For example, benefits such as free bottles of water – especially notable as Carnival Cruise Line recently increased the price of bottled water – Carnival logo gifts, free wash and fold laundry services, collectible pins, and other loyalty amenities will still be available.

Changes to Loyalty Program Coming Soon

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has hinted several times in recent months that a significant overhaul to the loyalty program may be in the works.

Details of such a change have not yet been released, nor is there any firm date for when changes to the program may take effect. It is possible that Carnival Cruise Line may add new levels with different requirements of points earned, or the benefits available to each level may be adjusted.

Cruise lines do regularly adjust their loyalty programs, including available perks, based on guest feedback, program growth, and operational needs.

What loyalty benefits do you enjoy the most, and which ones wouldn’t you mind changing? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!

Princess Cruises Launching Major Dining Changes Across Fleet

Princess Cruises has announced a comprehensive revamp of its dining options across all ships. The program introduces flexible dining choices integrated with an anywhere service. Designed to enhance guest convenience, the new dining plans will take effect on voyages departing September 14, 2024.

Expanded Dining Choices Unveiled

In a major weekend announcement, Princess Cruises revealed an extensive enhancement to its main dining services across its entire fleet, slated to provide flexibility in dining choices. Starting September 14, 2024, the cruise line will offer three distinct table service options in its Main Dining Rooms: Traditional, Reservable, or Walk-in Anytime.

Options will include traditional dining with a consistent waiter, table, and time each night or more flexible dining, which allows for dinner at any available time and table size in either the Reservable or Open-Seating dining rooms.

Designed to cater to every guest’s preference, the new dining options are also integrated with the OceanNow service, which allows guests to enjoy their meals wherever they choose onboard.

The new dining strategy follows the successful implementation aboard the newly launched 4,300-passenger Sphere-class Sun Princess, where passengers first experienced the flexibility of choosing from multiple dining formats in a unique three-story dining room. Each floor is sectioned to accommodate traditional, reservable, or anytime diners.

Sun Princess Dining Room
Sun Princess Dining Room (Photo Credit: Vintagepix / Shutterstock)

Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage at Princess Cruises, said about the expansion, “Our guests have been delighted with the dining flexibility aboard Sun Princess, and we’re pleased to extend the concept to all the other ships in our fleet.”

He added, “Now whether guests prefer an early seating every evening, or change things up every night, or even change their mind, these flexible dining options ensure that their dining preference is effortlessly accommodated.”

A Smooth Transition

The transition to the new dining system across the fleet will begin with cancellations of existing main dining reservations for voyages sailing on or after September 14, 2024, except for those already booked on Sun Princess, which set off on her inaugural voyage in February with the program in place.

Read Also: Sun Princess Sets Sail, Marking New Milestone for Princess Cruises

The cancellations include reservations on the Alaskan itineraries of Discovery Princess’ 7-night “Inside Passage” departing from Seattle; Royal Princess’ 7-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” departing from Whittier, Alaska; and Sapphire Princess’ 10-night “Inside Passage” cruise departing from Vancouver. Each are scheduled to embark on September 14.

Princess Cruises Dining Room
Princess Cruises Dining Room (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)

The September 14 departure of Enchanted Princess’ 7-night “Canada & New England” cruise from New York City, as well as subsequent September cruises aboard Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Emerald Princess, and Grand Princess are also welcoming the dining program.

Starting June 17, passengers booked on upcoming cruises can use the Princess Cruises app to select their preferred dining style. The Main Dining Rooms aboard the fleet, which provide an all-inclusive, multicourse gourmet meal set in a restaurant-style dining room, will be divided into the three new selections.

However, Coral Princess and Island Princess will combine Reservable and Walk-in Anytime Dining into one Main Dining Room, due to space.

Reservations will not be cancelled at specialty dining areas such as Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, the Catch by Rudi, Churrascaria Brazilian Grill, Kai Sushi, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Crab Shack, Harmony, the Salty Dog Gastropub, Bayou Café, and the seven-course 360 and Chef’s Table experience.

As suites and reserve collection cabins have dedicated dining rooms with no need for reservations, passengers booked in these will not have any changes. Reservations for trips through September 13 will also remain unaffected.

Carnival Ship to Begin Sailing From Norfolk Due to Baltimore Closure

Carnival Pride, which is currently sailing a 14-night, one-way repositioning cruise that was to have moved the vessel from Tampa to Baltimore, will instead be sailing from Norfolk, Virginia, at least for her first planned Baltimore departure.

Carnival Cruise Line reached out to guests with the notification and is arranging complimentary bus service from Norfolk to Baltimore as needed, as well as providing additional compensation to guests.

Carnival Pride to Sail From Norfolk

Guests setting sail aboard Carnival Pride‘s April 21, 2024 departure will not be embarking nor returning to the planned homeport, as the Port of Baltimore remains closed to marine traffic following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. Instead, the ship will operate from Norfolk, Virginia at least for this upcoming sailing.

“Thank you for your patience as we worked through the plans regarding your upcoming cruise,” the email notification began. “We have spent the last week having some personal discussions with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Port of Baltimore officials regarding the harbor traffic plans so we can make informed decisions.”

At the moment, debris is still being cleared from the Patapsco River, including removing concrete and other materials from the bridge itself as well as containers from the ship Dali, which collided with the bridge following a power failure, resulting in the collapse.

“While progress on the bridge accident recovery is being prioritized and progressing well, we must assume that your cruise cannot operate from Baltimore,” the email explained. “Therefore, we have made arrangements to sail from and return to Norfolk, Virginia.”

As the Port of Baltimore and Port of Norfolk are approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) apart, roughly a 4-5 hour drive depending on traffic conditions, this can significantly impact passengers’ pre- and post-cruise travel plans.

Carnival Pride Cruise Ship
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)

Carnival Cruise Line is providing complimentary bus service between Baltimore and Norfolk, both for embarking as well as debarking guests. The service is limited, however, and travelers need to register to ensure their space on the shuttle. For guests on the April 21 departure, information about shuttle registration will be provided the week of April 15.

Read Also: How Is the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Impacting Cruises?

Guests are also being provided a $100 (USD) onboard credit per stateroom as a courtesy for the inconvenience of the changed homeport.

Further details about the shuttle buses and both embarkation and debarkation plans will be provided in the days to come as the cruise departure date draws closer.

Where Is Carnival Pride Sailing?

Carnival Pride‘s April 21 departure is her first roundtrip sailing from the region, following a one-way repositioning cruise from Tampa to Norfolk (Baltimore). Guests onboard that cruise are also being provided with details of their Norfolk debarkation.

The April 21 cruise is a 7-night, Eastern Caribbean sailing that is planned to visit Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport, with several days at sea. The ship’s new deployment alternates these Eastern Caribbean itineraries with Bahamas cruises, as well as three special 14-night sailings to Greenland – one departing on May 26, another on August 18, and the last on September 8.

The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Pride is also offering several Bermuda sailings planned from Baltimore, beginning with the August 11 departure and following with departures on September 1, September 22, October 6, and October 27.

Carnival Pride Cruise Ship
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: PIXAS / Shutterstock)

The ship is scheduled to remain sailing from Baltimore through April 2026, though it is possible that deployment may change if plans to reopen the port to cruise traffic take longer than expected. At this time, however, there is no indication that such a dramatic change may be necessary.

Carnival Pride can welcome 2,680 guests aboard at double occupancy, and is also home to approximately 900 international team members.

When Will the Port of Baltimore Reopen?

No firm schedule has been announced for the reopening of Port of Baltimore and it is not yet known when cruise operations may restart from Charm City.

When the bridge collapsed on March 26, cruise lines immediately shifted operations to Norfolk as the nearest possible homeport that could handle the traffic as well as ensure itineraries were preserved as much as possible.

Any cruise passengers – from any cruise line – with plans to sail to or from Baltimore in at least the next few weeks should be prepared for changes and keep in close communication with their cruise line for updates about their individual sailings.