In the website description for the new CHEERS! Zero-Proof Drink package in Australia, Carnival incorrectly stated that specialty coffees and teas are included for Australian cruises.
Carnival has notified guests who booked the package of the mistake and sent directions on how to get refunds if this is unsatisfactory.
Specialty coffees and teas must be purchased a la carte or are included in the original CHEERS! Drink package.
Carnival Cruise Line may have been too eager to allow guests to start booking the new Zero-Proof drink package, and some guests may have been too eager to do just that.
When thebrand new CHEERS! Zero-Proof Drink Package went live on Carnival’s website on September 5, 2025, the description incorrectly stated that premium coffees and teas were included in the package for Australian cruisers.
While a variety of non-alcoholic beverages are included in this drink package, these specialty beverages definitely are not for Carnival sailings in Australia.
“You were part of a small group of guests who booked the package shortly after it went live on our website on Friday, 5 September,”Carnival wrote to early bookers.
“Unfortunately, for a brief period, the website contained an error, incorrectly listing premium coffee and teas as part of the package and the website has been updated accordingly.”
Adding to the confusion for some, premium coffees and teas are included in the new alcohol-free package for Carnival cruises outside of Australia and are still listed in the description on the website when you access it from the US.
Zero Proof Package
If this information makes the new package undesirable, guests can refund their drink package, which currently runs at $29.99 per person, per day.
“We’re sorry about our error. If you decide you no longer want the CHEERS! Zero Proof non-alcoholic beverage package, you can get a refund for the package via the Cruise Manager tab on the website,” Carnival continued.
Typically, Carnival drink packages can be cancelled and refunded until 10 p.m. EST on the night before embarkation day.
Where to Find Specialty Coffees & Teas Onboard
Trust me, I understand how important it is to satisfy the need for caffeine.
Just because the specialty coffees and teas aren’t included in the Zero-Proof drink package in Australia doesn’t mean that these beverages can’t be found onboard.
On all Carnival cruise ships, regardless of sailing region, premium coffees and teas refer to specialty espresso-based drinks, gourmet teas, and other cafe-style beverages, akin to what you would likely find at your local coffee shop at home.
These can be purchased a la carte from the coffee bars onboard, such as the popular JavaBlue Café.
New Carnival Drink Package
Additionally, Carnival has added the ability to order coffees to go from the Hub App at designated bars on select ships in an attempt to shorten the lines at hot spots like the aforementioned JavaBlue Café.
In addition to purchasing drinks a la carte, coffee and specialty teas are included in the original CHEERS! Drink Package, which starts at $69.95 per person, per day (which is just over double the cost of the new Zero-Proof package).
But for guests on a budget, the free coffee and tea that is provided 24/7 at the Lido Deck Marketplace Buffet and beverage stations might be good enough as a complement to the Zero-Proof drink package.
Standard coffees and teas are also complimentary in the main dining rooms.
Through the Zero-Proof package, guests can still save on sodas, juices, bottled waters, frozen drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, bottled protein shakes, and energy drinks.
Non-alcoholic versions of beer, sparkling wine, and cocktails are also included – and I speak from experience when I say that Carnival crew members make a mean virgin strawberry daiquiri.
Disney Adventure will be delayed nearly three months with her new maiden voyage now set for March 10, 2026 in order to provide the high standards Disney Cruise Line holds.
Guests on the original maiden voyage on December 15, 2025 have the option to transfer to the new inaugural sailing plus receive a 50% future cruise credit, or they may cancel for a full refund plus the credit.
Guests booked on the other now-cancelled sailings will receive full refunds plus the 50% future cruise credit.
The adventure will have to wait a bit longer for guests eager to set sail aboard Disney Adventure. Despite the ship’s very promising departure from the Meyer Werft shipyard on September 1, 2025, Disney Cruise Line has now announced the ship must be significantly delayed.
Rather than welcoming her first guests on December 15, 2025, the ship’s maiden voyage has been postponed for nearly three months, until March 10, 2026. All sailings between December 15 and March 10 are cancelled.
“This ship represents a bold new chapter for Disney Cruise Line, as we transform a partially built vessel into a fully reimagined Disney experience at sea,”the cruise line explained.
“As we bring this vision to life, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process. To ensure every detail meets the high standards you expect from Disney, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage.”
Disney Cruise Line does indeed deliver exceptional, immersive experiences far beyond a typical cruise vacation. If those standards aren’t yet available aboard Disney Adventure, it is better to delay the ship’s debut rather than risk unfavorable reactions from dissatisfied guests.
Guests booked on the ship’s first 22 sailings will undoubtedly be disappointed, but Disney Cruise Line is offering compensation for the inconvenience.
Those already booked on the ship’s original maiden voyage, a 3-night cruise, are being automatically transferred to the new inaugural sailing departing Singapore on March 10, 2026. They will also be given a 50% refund of their cruise fare.
If guests’ travel plans do not permit them to shift to the March departure, they can request a full refund instead. They will still receive the 50% bonus as a future cruise credit.
The future cruise must be booked by March 31, 2026, and the replacement sailing must depart no later than March 31, 2027.
The shift to the new maiden voyage only applies to guests booked on Disney Adventure‘s original inaugural cruise.
Guests booked on any of the other now-cancelled departures will automatically receive full refunds. They are also getting 50% of their cruise fare paid as a future cruise credit discount on another Disney Cruise Line sailing.
The replacement sailing does not need to be aboard Disney Adventure, though blackout dates and other terms and conditions apply for the use of the future cruise credit.
The 208,000-gross-ton Disney Adventure will be homeported year-round from Singapore, offering 3- and 4-night sailings to as many as 6,000 guests.
Why the Unexpected Delay?
Disney Adventure has been a long time coming, considering the ship’s first steel was cut as Global Dream in March 2018.
The pandemic shutdown and bankruptcy of parent company Genting Hong Kong fully halted construction. Eventually, the partially-completed hull was sold to Disney Cruise Line in November 2022.
It isn’t an easy process to fully re-design a ship already under construction to match the very exacting level of detail that is a signature feature of Disney cruise ships.
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship Floats Out
Now that Disney Adventure has completed her first set of sea trials, the rest of the finishing work must be scheduled. This includes both interior and exterior work, such as decking, design details, artwork installation, and more.
Disney Cruise Line has not indicated how well the ship performed during her sea trials. It is possible that some mechanical or engineering adjustments may also be necessary.
This is not unusual for brand-new ships, particularly new classes or special circumstances, such as how much Disney Adventure has been reimagined.
Hopefully, this delay will be the only adjustment for the ship’s inaugural season, and in March 2026, she will be ready to offer guests spectacular experiences for every oceangoing adventure.
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition cannot finish its planned visits to Scotland due to poor weather.
Instead, the ship has turned south and will visit Ringaskiddy in Ireland as a replacement port.
This is the second consecutive cruise when weather has forced Ambition to change course and alter ports.
It’s been rough sailing lately for Ambassador Cruise Line’s ship Ambition, as yet another itinerary is dramatically impacted by poor weather.
The ship is in the middle of a 9-night sailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Liverpool, by way of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The vessel set sail on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Unfortunately, three of the upcoming ports of call must be cancelled due to poor weather in the sailing region. The cruise line has consulted with port authorities in all three locations to come to this difficult decision.
“Regrettably the strong weather conditions have meant that Ambition’s planned calls to Runavik on 11 September, Scrabster on 12th, and Portree on 13th have had to be cancelled,”Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed.
The severe weather includes wind gusts and swells that would make navigating to docks or anchoring for any tendering operations especially challenging and even dangerous.
Because of this, the ship is unable to continue further north for the final planned calls in Scotland.
“We have already started a voyage South to take shelter from the worst of [the storm],”the cruise line said.“We have been able to confirm an alternative port in Ireland and will call at Ringaskiddy on Saturday 13th September.”
Ringaskiddy is in County Cork, just across the mouth of the Lee River and Cork Harbour from Cobh Cruise Terminal. Ambition is now scheduled to dock in Ringaskiddy from 9 a.m. until late in the evening, though the departure time has not yet been finalized.
The ship should still make her planned visit to Belfast on Monday, September 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is also no change to the planned debarkation in Liverpool on Tuesday, September 16.
North Sea Weather Unpredictable
This is the second significant itinerary change for the 48,123-gross-ton Ambition in the past two weeks. On the ship’s previous cruise, an 11-night summertime Norwegian fjords adventure, Ambition was unable to call at Kristiansand on September 4 and instead remained overnight in Stavanger.
An earlier call in the sailing, a visit to Geiranger on Saturday, August 30, was also missed. That cancellation was due to a minor operational issue rather than weather, however.
Poor weather can impact cruises in all parts of the world at any time of year. Cruise lines monitor regional weather closely and coordinate with port authorities, local weather bureaus, and other resources to ensure they have the most accurate and updated information as possible.
While it is always the intention to keep original schedules, sometimes that just isn’t possible. Safety of the guests, ship, crew members, and port communities will always be the top priority.
Ambassador Cruise Line is doing its very best not only to keep everyone safe, but also to ensure full transparency for necessary changes.
Furthermore, the line is working to ensure guests still have an amazing onboard experience by arranging alternative ports whenever possible, which isn’t always an easy task.
Most guests are very understanding of such changes, agreeing that it is better to ensure safety rather than risk a potentially dangerous port. There will always be another cruise itinerary to enjoy!
MSC Cruises has cancelled a 2026 Grand Voyage aboard MSC Euribia because it cannot guarantee the safety of guests while transiting the Red Sea region.
The voyage was to depart Dubai on April 4, 2026 and sail a 25-day cruise to Southampton, UK.
Booked guests were offered three alternatives, including two rebooking options and a full refund.
Another voyage that featured Middle East port calls and transits through the Suez Canal and Red Sea was cancelled by MSC Cruises, which cited ongoing security concerns across the region.
Guests booked to sail a 25-day Grand Voyage aboard MSC Euribia from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Southampton, UK, on April 4, 2026 were recently notified of the cancellation. One disappointed guest posted the notice on social media on September 10, 2025.
The Meraviglia-Plus-class ship that accommodates 5,800 guests in double occupancy was to call at Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Muscat, Oman, and Aqaba, Jordan, before entering the Suez Canal for a two-day transit.
From there, the ship would call at Alexandria, Egypt, then spend two days crossing the Red Sea into the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Considering that the ongoing geopolitical situation still does not allow us to guarantee a safe transit across the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, we have had to cancel MSC Euribia’s Grand Voyage from the United Arab Emirates that was due to depart in April 2026,” the cruise line wrote to booked guests.
Following its entry into the Mediterranean, the ship was to call at Rome, Barcelona and Cadiz, Spain, Lisbon, and Le Havre, France, before ending in Southampton.
The line apologized for the disappointment and offered three alternatives. Guests can transfer their booking to any other MSC Grand Voyage of similar length. The line said it would grant “the most convenient cruise fare between the original sailing and the new one.”
This appears to mean it would charge the lower of the two cruise fares; flights and other services are not included in the offer.
Under the second option, guests can transfer their booking to any other cruise shown on the line’s website without any change fee. Guests who choose a more expensive sailing will pay the difference in the fares, while those who select a cheaper option will be refunded the difference.
MSC Euribia in Cadiz, Spain
The third alternative is a cancellation and full refund of the cruise fare paid for the Grand Voyage.
MSC Cruises told booked guests that these offers are valid until September 30, 2025, and that they should contact the line or their travel agent by that date.
Also, the cruise line’s notice states that it is not offering any compensation for flights or other transport, or hotel stays that guests might have already booked in connection with the cancelled sailing.
Red Sea Security Issues Have Impacted Other Ships
MSC Cruises is among several cruise lines that have cancelled sailings or rerouted ships away from the volatile Red Sea region. In fact, this is the second time that MSC Euribia’s Grand Voyage along a similar route has been cancelled.
The line nixed the ship’s October 19, 2024 departure of a Grand Voyage that was to depart from Kiel, Germany, and sail to Dubai. At the time, MSC Cruises told booked guests that it had cancelled the sailing due to continuous attacks on ships in the area.
More recently, the cruise line substantially altered the 2026 World Cruise aboard MSC Magnifica, routing the ship away from the Suez Canal and instead sailing to South Africa.
The revised itinerary now features a route that takes the ship north along Africa’s western coast, entering the Western Mediterranean rather than the originally planned Eastern Mediterranean. The new routing added 12 days to the voyage, bringing it to 131 days.
Celebrity Silhouette’s 8-night sailing that was scheduled to set sail on February 13, 2027, has been cancelled in favor of a full-ship charter.
The cruise line has given impacted passengers three options to re-book or refund their vacation.
If guests are opting to move their cruise to another date, they must notify Celebrity Cruises by September 25, 2025.
Celebrity Cruises only recently released its initial 2027-2028 itineraries in August, and an upcoming voyage for 2027 has already been cancelled.
Celebrity Silhouette was supposed to embark on an 8-night voyage to Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire on February 13, 2027, out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
But unfortunately, the voyage has been scrapped in favor of a charter sailing in what is likely a strategic business decision by the cruise line.
As the first full day of the voyage would have been Valentine’s Day, this news is likely particularly disappointing to couples looking forward to celebrating at sea.
“We’re reaching out to let you know that, regrettably, we must cancel our February 13, 2027, Celebrity Silhouette sailing, as it has been impacted by a charter sailing,” Celebrity Cruises wrote to impacted guests.
The Royal Caribbean-owned cruise line did not specify who was behind the charter, but Celebrity ships have been chartered by all kinds of music groups, affinity groups, corporate businesses, and social groups in the past.
“We understand that this is not an ideal situation, and we truly apologize for the impact this has on your vacation plans,” the cruise brand apologized.
Making matters weirder, the entire month of February 2027 has been inexplicably removed from cruise tracking data and from the Celebrity Cruises website for the 2,902-guest ship.
Others are wondering if more of February 2027 has been chartered or if the 2011-launched ship might be temporarily leaving service to undergo maintenance or repairs and booked guests just haven’t been notified yet.
Compensation Offered to Booted Cruisers
In light of the cancellation, Celebrity Cruises is offering guests three options to try to make things right.
“The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, so we’ve put together some alternative options that we hope will work for you and those in your party,” the cruise line wrote.
The first option is to re-book on a recommended 2027 sailing that embarks from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 2, 2027, or January 30, 2027.
Both of these options are 8-night cruises that sail to Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, just like the now-cancelled voyage on February 13.
Guests’ original cruise cabin price will be protected, and they will either keep their original price or receive a refund if the cruise swap lowers the price.
As a gesture of goodwill, Aqua Class guests and below will receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom and suite guests will receive a $400 onboard credit per stateroom.
If the January 2027 dates aren’t acceptable, guests do have the option to re-book on any other Celebrity Cruises sailing.
All non-refundable deposits and change fees will be waived, and these guests will also receive a $200 or $400 onboard credit per stateroom, depending on their cabin category.
Finally, if none of these options work, guests can simply do nothing and wait for a full refund to process on their original form of payment. This will consist of the full cruise fare, including non-refundable deposits and pre-purchased amenities.
If guests would like to book a new sailing, they must call Celebrity Cruises directly before September 25, 2025. If the cruise line does not hear from impacted passengers by this date, their sailing will automatically be cancelled and refunded.
Carnival Cruise Line is completing the rollout of all Coke products across the fleet.
Carnival Jubilee is the last ship to begin serving Coke beverages, according to the cruise line’s brand ambassador.
Guests can still bring aboard a 12-pack of non-alcoholic cans or cartons at embarkation and each port of call if they prefer different drinks.
The day is here for Coca-Cola lovers as Carnival Cruise Line is finishing the fleetwide rollout of various Coke beverages. While some ships have already been serving Coke products for weeks, Carnival has confirmed that the completion is on September 27.
That last converted ship is, coincidentally, the newest Excel-class ship and flagship of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, Carnival Jubilee. Carnival’s brand ambassador initially said the completion would be on September 13, but that now does not seem to be the case.
“Next up we have Coca Cola which as of tomorrow, September 13th, will be available on the Carnival Jubilee which means that all the fleet is now serving Coke products,”confirmed John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador.
Carnival Jubilee is homeported from Galveston, Texas. She is currently offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries, and from September 2026, will offer 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Bahamas voyages.
It takes time for a cruise ship to reduce the onboard supply of Pepsi products as well as to become fully supplied with the complete range of Coke products now offered.
Those products include the following sodas, energy drinks, flavored waters, and protein shakes:
Coca-Cola
Coke Zero
Diet Coke
Caffeine-Free Coke
Caffeine-Free Diet Coke
Sprite
Sprite Zero
Barq’s Root Beer
Fanta Orange
Topo Chico Tangerine
Topo Chico Lime
Topo Chico Blackberry
Powerade Lemon/Lime
Powerade Fruit Punch
Powerade Zero Fruit Punch
Powerade Zero Mountain Blast
Fairlife Core Power Chocolate
Fairlife Core Power Vanilla
Heald has also confirmed that one other favorite beverage is available on select ships, which includes Carnival Jubilee.
“As for Dr. Pepper, this is for now only being served on ships sailing from New Orleans, Mobile, and Galveston,”he said.
Carnival Cola (Photo Credit: Carnival & Myllac)
In response to guest inquiries, Heald is asking the cruise line’s executives whether or not Dr. Pepper can also be added to ships departing from other homeports. This is not yet confirmed, but is under consideration.
All Coca-Cola products are included in the cruise line’s new CHEERS! Zero-Proof drink package, along with mocktails, smoothies, premium coffee, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
What If I Don’t Like Coke Products?
Guests who aren’t on the Coke side of the cola wars (I’m a Pepsi girl myself) aren’t out of luck for their favorite carbonated beverages onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line’s official Liquor & Beverage Policy is that guests can bring aboard a “small quantity” of non-alcoholic cans or cartons with their carry-on bags.
“A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person,”the policy reads.
Heald has confirmed, several times, that guests can also replenish their supply of non-alcoholic beverages at different ports of call.
This means guests can bring aboard whatever sodas they wish, so long as they abide by the limits. Guests can even bring Coke products onboard, which can be a significant savings depending on how much they will or won’t imbibe during their cruise.
One Carnival guest believes the cruise line is trying to cut costs by not telling cruisers the Main Dining Room is open for breakfast on debarkation morning.
John Heald offered a poll that proves most guests do know about the debarkation breakfast options, but the Lido buffet is the most popular choice.
Debarkation morning dining options are published in the FunTimes newsletter, the debarkation information letter, and on the Carnival Hub app.
The end of a cruise can be a depressing day as one has to leave behind outstanding service, stunning destinations, and attentive service. But even on debarkation morning, there is one more chance for deliciousness with breakfast.
Or is there? One Carnival guest has reached out to John Heald, upset that they didn’t know about all their morning meal options before debarkation.
“I have been on seven cruises with Carnival. It was only on my last cruise Breeze that I realized the main dining hall was open for breakfast,”the guest explained.
“This is never advertised. Carnival [is] trying to cut food costs with this and just wants us off.”
Well, I’ve been on 27 cruises with Carnival (I’ve been cruising for awhile!) and I’ve always known that the Main Dining Room is open for breakfast on debarkation morning.
Furthermore, the information is printed in the FunTimes newsletter and available on the Carnival Hub app.
Debarkation letters delivered to guests’ staterooms on the last day of the cruise with information about the debarking process also list breakfast options for that final morning.
So, the idea that the Main Dining Room breakfast is “never advertised” is frankly preposterous. While it’s true that Carnival has taken steps to curb food waste, not letting guests know where meals are served is not a cost-cutting tactic.
This prompted Heald to list breakfast options for a daily poll to see what guests prefer. The results resoundingly note that not only do guests know where breakfast is available, but quite a few enjoy that last cruise vacation meal in the Main Dining Room.
Out of more than 12,400 votes, just over 620 did not realize the Main Dining Room was actually open on debarkation day.
Meanwhile, more than 4,900 guests are aware they could break their fast in the Main Dining Room, and 1,850 guests actually do so.
The Lido Marketplace buffet is the most popular breakfast option on debarkation day, with more than 2,800 voters confirming it is their breakfast of choice.
For me, I’m part of the roughly 2,200 voters who prefer not to eat at all on debarkation morning. By that time, I’ve had more than my fill of cruise ship food. Because we self-assist our luggage for an early getaway to head home, I prefer to just be on my way off the ship and out of the cruise terminal.
Why Do People Choose Different Dining Options?
Exactly why some cruise guests choose the Main Dining Room over the Lido Marketplace buffet (or vice versa) is a matter of personal preference.
Some travelers prefer the faster service of the buffet, meaning they can grab-and-go and be on their way more quickly. Others might just prefer something light and not be interested in a full meal.
Some cruise guests, especially those whose travel plans are more flexible, love the option to extend their vacation experience just one more hour with a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room.
“I appreciate the dining room being open on debarkation morning. We do not have to catch a flight and are in no rush to get back home to the grind,”one guest explained.“It’s a good way for us to tuck in and relax one last morning before heading home.”
Others note that going to the Main Dining Room means less of a rush for elevators and missing out on the long lines as debarkation begins. I know those lines very well, so skipping that part of the process would definitely be nice!
For some guests, it’s simply a matter of food preference, as there are breakfast options available in the Main Dining Room (like bacon every day) that aren’t offered at the Lido Marketplace.
Tropical Storm Mario officially formed on the morning of Friday, September 12, 2025.
With the storm running parallel to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, it will no longer be safe for Ovation of the Seas to visit Cabo San Lucas as planned.
Instead of spending the night in Cabo San Lucas, guests will enjoy two sea days and an overnight call in Ensenada.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas has made a last-minute itinerary change due to poor weather brewing in the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Storm Mario, which officially formed on Friday, September 12, 2025, is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to Mexico’s Pacific Coast through the weekend – which makes the Quantum-class ship’s planned route unsafe.
The 4,180-guest ship embarked on a 5-night sailing to Mexico from Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2025, the very same day Mario fully formed.
The only port of call was supposed to be an overnight visit to Cabo San Lucason September 14 and September 15, which would have been Saturday and Sunday.
But because of the weather, the Royal Caribbean cruise ship has been re-routed to Ensenada, Mexico. Guests will now get to enjoy two days at sea and two days in the replacement port.
“On Ovation preparing to leave Los Angeles…The captain just came on and due to Tropical Storm Mario forming near Cabo San Lucas, our ship’s itinerary has changed. We have 2 days at sea now and 2 days in Ensenada, Mexico (overnight),”one guest shared on social media.
“Our overnight cruise to Cabo on Ovation just was bumped to Ensenada because there was no chance for tenders with the tropical storm. Entirely understandable but still a massive bummer,” another current guest confirmed.
Cabo is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, and the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) anticipates heavy rain and strong winds in this area as the storm system moves parallel to Mexico’s southwestern Coast through at least Saturday.
Notably, Cabo is also a tender port, and tendering operations are not possible during inclement weather conditions for safety reasons.
Should Cruisers Worry About Tropical Storm Mario?
As of the time of publication, Ovation of the Seas is the only known ship to have had to adjust due to Tropical Storm Mario.
“Mario is a tiny tropical storm, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) to the north of the center,”reads NOAA’s update from the morning of September 12, 2025.
Though it’s nowhere nearas strong as the hurricanes that have impacted cruising in the past, Mario may still bring wind, flash flooding, and up to six inches of rain to parts of Mexico.
Tropical Storm Mario
A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for parts of the Michoacán state that spans from Lázaro Cárdenas to Punta San Telmo.
“Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Mario will impact Jalisco and nearby areas into Saturday morning, which could result in flash flooding, particularly in areas of higher terrain,” NOAA advised in the afternoon update on September 12.
“Tropical storm conditions are possible along portions of the coast of Michoacán today while Mario moves roughly parallel to the southwestern coast of Mexico. Gusty winds are possible elsewhere along the coasts of Western Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima through tonight.“
By Sunday or early next week at the latest, Mario is expected to weaken and lose wind intensity – before it can have too much impact on the cruise industry.
It’s also not expected to make landfall, and instead will just be running parallel to Mexico.
While it’s possible that additional ships sailing around Mexico may need to alter course, it seems like it’s a quiet weekend for cruising at potentially impacted cruise ports.
In addition to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Acapulco, Manzanillo, La Paz, and Huatulco are all located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
But per cruise tracking data, none of these ports have scheduled ship calls this weekend and no other vessels aside from Ovation of the Seas are expected to call on Cabo San Lucas until after the weather passes.
Let Cruise Hive keep you informed about all of the big cruise developments each week.
In this week’s recap of the major headlines, our coverage includes a construction milestone for Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon-class ship, Norwegian Cruise Line adding a no-show fee for those who don’t arrive for their specialty dining reservation, and a true-crime theme cruise getting mysteriously cancelled.
It’s easy to stay in-the-know when it comes to cruise industry news. Just sign up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update and get the top stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Guest Complains of Casino Closure During Emergency
Carnival Horizon Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
A Carnival Cruise Line guest complained he received no compensation for an inconvenience he experienced when his cruise ship returned to its homeport due to a medical emergency onboard.
The inconvenience was the closure of the casino — ships routinely close their casinos and retail shops while in port due to local laws, and this disgruntled passenger wants to be compensated.
The guest reached out to brand ambassador John Heald on his Facebook page, expressing his displeasure at the early closure of the casino.
It is not clear which ship the emergency occurred on, but the vessel made a return to PortMiami around 11:30 p.m., which is prime time for casino activities. The line has multiple ships based at the Florida port, including Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Magic, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Horizon.
Heald explained that the cruise line does not provide any compensation in cases like this. Many medical evacuations are carried out at sea, using Coast Guard helicopters. In this case, the decision was made to turn the ship around and head back to PortMiami.
Keel-Laying Ceremony Held for Fourth Icon-Class Ship
Fourth Icon Class Ship Keel Laying
She doesn’t have a name yet, but Icon 4, the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, reached a construction milestone at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on September 8, 2025.
The ship’s keel was laid, and as is tradition, coins to bring good fortune and protection to the vessel were placed under the first steel block. Shipyard and cruise line officials were on hand to celebrate the event.
A short distance away at the same shipyard, the third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, is under construction.
Two Icon-class ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, are already operating and have proven popular with guests. The Icon-class vessels are true mega-ships, with capacity for 7,600 guests with all berths occupied. This is in addition to roughly 2,300 crew members.
Icon 4 is due to enter service in 2027. Before that, Legend of the Seas will debut in 2026. In fact, that ship was recently floated out of her construction bay, which means her hull touched water for the first time, and now the outfitting phase of construction can begin.
Carnival Confirms No Sharing of Alcoholic Drinks Plan
Carnival Cruise Line Zero Proof Drink Package
Carnival Cruise Line took steps to clarify rules surrounding its all-inclusive CHEERS! alcoholic beverage package. If one person in a stateroom buys the package, anyone else sharing that stateroom who is over age 21 must also buy it.
Some confusion erupted after the line introduced its new CHEERS! Zero-Proof drink package, which provides for many non-alcoholic beverages.
Guests wondered whether the requirement tied to the alcoholic beverage package would now be relaxed — could one person in the cabin buy the alcoholic plan and another occupant buy the non-alcoholic plan, and share them?
The answer is no, according to brand ambassador John Heald. The sharing of the alcoholic beverage plan is not allowed, he said, and the line has not changed its policy.
However, he pointed out that not all cabin occupants must buy the non-alcoholic plan just because one person buys it. Basically, it’s the alcoholic drinks package that guests are not permitted to share.
The alcoholic beverages plan costs $69.95 per person, per day, while the new zero-proof plan costs $29.99. A third plan, Bottomless Bubbles soda package, costs $9.50.
Two Ships New to Galveston to Set Sail in 2027-28
Two Carnival Cruise Ships Docked in Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: NAN728)
Carnival Cruise Line will homeport four ships in Galveston, Texas in 2027 and 2028, and two of the ships are new to the destination.
Homeporting for the first time in the Gulf Coast port will be Carnival Spirit and Carnival Horizon, joining Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee.
Galveston is one of the cruise line’s most popular homeports, and the addition of the two vessels will offer more variety to guests.
Carnival Horizon will sail 70-plus seasonal cruises from the Lone Star State beginning on May 19, 2027. The 4,000-guest ship will offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries with port calls to destinations such as Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.
The 2,100-guest Carnival Spirit will sail seasonal cruises from Galveston starting on October 11, 2027, operating 4- to 10-night sailings to Eastern and Western Caribbean ports.
Carnival Spirit will arrive in Galveston following a 16-night Carnival Journeys cruise that will transit the Panama Canal and visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Columbia. The sailing departs from Seattle on September 25, 2027.
True Crime-Themed Cruise Unexpectedly Cancelled
Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Cruisers who were looking forward to sailing on a true crime-themed cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy in early 2026 were disappointed to learn it has been cancelled.
The sailing, which was not a full-ship charter, was to feature the “Wondery Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise” experience. The 4-night Bahamas cruise from PortMiami is scheduled to call at Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.
The theme cruise was to be hosted by John Walsh, creator of the hit TV show “America’s Most Wanted.” Activities slated for the cruise included a live murder mystery show, and educational elements tied to forensic science, investigations, and crime-solving practices.
Booked guests suggested that perhaps sales were slow. All guests will be refunded. However, they can rebook the sailing if they wish. The ship has plenty to entertain — it just won’t have the true crime component.
Those still seeking a true crime experience have another option: Virgin Voyages is hosting its first true-crime cruise on Valiant Lady in October. The 5-night sailing, also from PortMiami, departs on October 10, 2025 and will visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Bimini Island, Bahamas.
Another Line Adds Specialty Dining No-Show Fee
French Le Bistro on Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett / Cruise Hive)
Norwegian Cruise Line became the second brand in a week to announce a crackdown on specialty dining reservation no-shows.
A $10 per-person fee will be charged to those who book a table at a specialty restaurant and then don’t show up. The penalty will be implemented if guests do not cancel or change their reservation at least two hours before the specific time originally booked.
The decision reflects the line’s desire to enable more guests to experience specialty dining venues, which typically have limited space. Popular venues on Norwegian ships include Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Q Texas Smokehouse, Teppanyaki, and Los Lobos, among others.
The policy was quietly enacted without a cruise line announcement. Royal Caribbean recently added a no-show fee on its ships, too.
Royal Caribbean did not reveal the amount of its fee. Guests sailing with that line are exempt from the fee if they have a dining package or are booked in a Star Class suite.
Gambling Debt Prompts Man to Jump Ship in San Juan
Cruiser Jumps From Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan (Credit: Federal Prosecutor’s Office)
A gambling debt seems to be the reason why a cruise passenger jumped overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas at the conclusion of a weeklong Caribbean voyage.
It was around 9:15 a.m. on September 7, 2025 when Jey González-Díaz plunged into the harbor in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an effort to avoid having to pay $16,710.24 he apparently gambled away in the ship’s casino.
The ship was in the process of disembarking guests at the end of the cruise. A passing jet skier picked up González-Díaz and took him to shore. About an hour later, US Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended him a short distance away.
Local media reported that he was found with $14,600 in cash and five different identities, among other items. The suspect was charged with failing to report the entry of more than $10,000 that was obtained outside the United States.
Authorities also determined that González-Díaz boarded the cruise ship under his brother’s name.
Will Rhapsody of the Seas’ casino ever recoup the money González-Díaz lost? It’s probably unlikely. Meanwhile, González-Díaz was released on bail.
More Cruise Headlines
Cruise Hive has many more important cruise stories for you to check out, including Holland America Line unveiling its 2027 Canada/New England voyages, a new study detailing how younger cruisers are changing the demographics of the industry, and Disney Cruise Line delaying the launch of the new Disney Adventure by three months.
Also, Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship will enter service with two cruise directors instead of the traditional one, and Carnival Cruise Line confirms its ships will broadcast National Football League games this season.
