Blog Page 47

Norwegian Dawn Changes Debarkation Port to Another Country

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Dawn Changes Debarkation Port to Another Country

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Dawn will be debarking in Tarragona, Spain rather than Lisbon, Portugal on October 4, 2026.
  • The ship’s Barcelona departure on September 27 is unchanged, but the port visit to Portimao is also dropped.
  • Guests are being offered onboard credit, future cruise credits, and travel reimbursement as compensation.

How would you feel if your cruise vacation didn’t end where you expected, but instead would end in a completely different country than planned? That is what guests sailing on Norwegian Dawn‘s September 27, 2026 departure are now facing.

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the 7-night cruise to alert them to the change. The sailing was to have been a one-way voyage from Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal, with visits to Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Motril, Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Portimao along the way.

While Norwegian Dawn will still be departing from Barcelona as planned, the ship will not be going to Portugal at all.

“The cruise will now disembark in Tarragona, Spain, due to port availability in Lisbon, Portugal,” the email notification explained.

A Major Travel Detour for Guests

This change can be problematic for travelers who had already planned their post-cruise travel plans from Lisbon. The two cities are approximately 580 miles apart, as Tarragona is located in eastern Spain on the Balearic Sea, completely across the Iberian Peninsula from Lisbon.

Depending on how guests might move between the cities, the drive can take 11-12 hours. Train and flight options are also available, but schedules will vary.

Since Norwegian Dawn will be arriving in Tarragona at the same time she was planned to arrive in Lisbon, 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, there is no margin for guests to meet any flights they may have planned on debarkation day.

Even if guests had planned very late flights that day in order to enjoy exploring Lisbon, those exploration plans would need to be cancelled just to have enough time to reach the city.

This news follows a previous Cruise Hive report on Norwegian Dawn switching embarkation ports from Barcelona to Tarragona for the August 2, 2026 sailing. In that case, however, the cities are just an hour apart and travel arrangements would be much simpler.

Norwegian Dawn Vessel
Norwegian Dawn Vessel (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis)

In addition to the debarkation port change, Portimao, Portugal, has also been removed from the itinerary, and the ship will be spending the day at sea instead. This is necessary to ensure Norwegian Dawn can reach Tarragona as planned for an on-time debarkation.

No other port visits on the itinerary are impacted at this time.

Because this is a debarkation port change, however, the embarkation port for the next sailing is also changing. The October 4, 2027, departure from Lisbon will now be embarking in Tarragona, and guests booked on that cruise should be on the lookout for updated information about their sailing.

Why Such a Dramatic Port Switch?

Norwegian Cruise Line has only cited “port availability in Lisbon” as the reason for the extreme change in debarkation ports. On October 4, four ships are scheduled for Lisbon.

In addition to Norwegian Dawn, Celebrity Apex will be in port, along with two smaller, regional river cruise ships from Uniworld Cruises.

It is possible that port construction, dredging operations, or other projects may have changed the availability in Lisbon, necessitating the switch.

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Guests are receiving some compensation, however. All guests are being offered up to $300 to reimburse for travel change fees and adjustments.

Furthermore, guests onboard are receiving $200 in onboard credit for the cruise as well as a 20% future cruise credit to use on another Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.

Whether or not the offered compensation is adequate to cover the changes to guests’ plans will depend on individual arrangements. Fortunately, with nearly six months before the cruise sets sail, guests have plenty of time to shop for the best deals and make plans that can fit their budget.

Norwegian Cruise Line Settles with States Over COVID Sales Tactics

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Line Settles with States Over COVID Sales Tactics

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line reached a multistate settlement over how it marketed cruises and handled cancellations during the early months of COVID-19.
  • The cruise line is cited with sales tactics promoting cruises as a safe option.
  • NCL will pay the states $2 million and introduce new training for customers.

Cruising shut down worldwide in 2020 as COVID-19 spread, but years later, the industry is still dealing with the fallout.

On April 10, 2026, a group of state attorneys general announced a settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) over how the company promoted cruises and communicated with customers during the early months of the pandemic.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the investigation looked at whether NCL’s marketing and sales messages misled consumers about the safety of cruising at the time.

The settlement applies to NCL Bahamas Ltd., the corporate entity behind the cruise line.

State officials said the agreement is meant to prevent cruise companies from making unsupported claims about safety or travel conditions during future emergencies.

“I am pleased that this settlement sends the clear message that in times of emergency, it is crucial to put people before profits,” Raoul said. “I remain committed to advocating for consumers to ensure that their rights and safety are protected.”

Under the agreement, NCL cannot make deceptive or unsubstantiated statements to customers during future disaster declarations.

The cruise line must also introduce new training for employees who interact with customers and ensure senior management reviews marketing messages before they are used during emergencies.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Office
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Office (Photo Credit: Michael Berlfein)

The announcement also highlights how much money was returned to passengers after cruises were cancelled during the pandemic.

Between March 2020 and November 2025, NCL issued more than $3 billion in reimbursements to customers across the United States. That total includes about $2.6 billion refunded to credit cards and another $505 million issued as future cruise credits.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Sanctioned Over Misleading Advertising

NCL will also pay $2 million to the states involved in the settlement, including $116,000 to Illinois.

The settlement includes attorneys general from Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Investigation Traces to Early Pandemic Sales

The dispute dates to the chaotic early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, when cruise ships were rapidly cancelling voyages and passengers were trying to decide whether it was safe to sail.

In March 2020, the Florida Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation into NCL after internal sales scripts were leaked to the media. Those messages allegedly instructed sales staff on how to respond to customers worried about the coronavirus.

Some of the talking points suggested the virus could not survive in warm tropical weather or implied cruises were less risky than other types of travel.

Leaked scripts included, “The Coronavirus can only survive in cold temperatures, so the Caribbean is a fantastic choice for your next cruise” and “The only thing you need to worry about for your cruise is do you have enough sunscreen.”

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The cruise line said at the time that the statements did not represent company policy and that employees were instructed not to use the scripts.

The controversy came as the entire cruise industry faced growing scrutiny over COVID outbreaks onboard ships. Within weeks, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “No Sail Order,” halting cruise operations from US ports. The shutdown lasted more than a year and forced cruise lines to cancel thousands of voyages worldwide.

State officials say the goal is to ensure that future marketing and sales messages accurately reflect travel risks if another crisis affects the industry.

MSC Cruises Bumps Up Gratuity Fees Starting This May

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises Bumps Up Gratuity Fees Starting This May

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises is raising hotel service fees for all guests beginning May 11, 2026.
  • Rates will go up by $1 per guest, per night for standard staterooms and $3 for MSC Yacht Club staterooms.
  • Guests can adjust their gratuity rates onboard if they do not receive satisfactory service during their cruise.

Following similar hikes by other cruise lines, MSC Cruises is quietly raising the fees for its “hotel service charge” (aka, gratuities) for all guests. The new rates will go into effect for all sailings on or after May 11, 2026.

Booked guests have been emailed about the rate increase, while the cruise line’s website does have the new rate listed. The change is an increase of $1 per night per guest for standard staterooms, and $3 per guest per night for the exclusive MSC Yacht Club.

The increase makes the new rates $17 (previously $16) for standard staterooms, and $23 (previously $20) for MSC Yacht Club suites.

No hotel service charges are assessed for children under the age of 2, regardless of stateroom type.

There are limited options for guests to adjust the hotel service fee onboard if they wish. While the cruise line states that the daily amounts have been calculated with high service standards in mind and “cannot be modified,” guests can contact the Guest Relations Manager onboard if they wish to remove any of the charges due to unsatisfactory service.

Because MSC Cruises is a strongly global line, the hotel service charge rates do vary in different sailing regions. This specific increase is only impacting Caribbean and Alaska rates.

Cruise Hive has already reported that MSC Poesia, just out of a dry dock refreshment, is now on her way to begin the line’s first-ever season in Alaska. That first departure from Seattle is on May 11, the same day the hotel service charge increase takes effect.

MSC Seaside Docked in Miami, Florida
MSC Seaside Docked in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Ivan Cholakov)

Guests on upcoming sailings who have already pre-paid for gratuities will not need to make up any difference, even if their cruise departs after May 11.

“We are happy to honor the current Hotel Service Charge for guests who have already paid, as well as those who choose to prepay before the policy change on May 11, 2026,” the cruise line states.

In other sailing regions, MSC Cruises’ hotel service charges are not changing. The rate ranges from $14-19 (USD) for standard staterooms and from $19-23 for MSC Yacht Club staterooms in different regions. In some areas, children ages 2-11 have slightly lower service charge rates, but children younger than 2 never have the charges assessed.

Other Lines Also Making Gratuity Adjustments

Multiple cruise lines have been making gratuity adjustments in recent weeks. Margaritaville at Sea was one of the first to raise rates with an increase from February 1, 2026. Standard staterooms now pay $22 per person, per night while suites pay $25 per person, per night.

Carnival Cruise Line announced an increase to $17 for regular staterooms and $19 for suites in early February. That price change took effect on Thursday, April 2.

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Holland America Line has also announced a $1 per person, per day gratuity increase for all stateroom types, though that change will not impact guests until June 1, 2026.

Budget-savvy cruise guests who may be undecided between different cruise lines can calculate their gratuities and compare across lines to decide what rates work best for their vacation plans.

While small increases of just a dollar or two a day may not seem like much, they can add up significantly for a weeklong family cruise when all family members are assessed gratuities. This type of budget planning is even more important when other service charges and amenities, such as specialty dining and drink packages, add up as well.

It is not uncommon for multiple cruise lines to adjust gratuity rates all within a few weeks, and additional cruise lines may yet be planning rate increases of their own soon.

MSC Cruises Now Charging for Previously Free Baby Care Service

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises Now Charging for Previously Free Baby Care Service

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises’ Baby Care service is no longer free for guests across the fleet.
  • Full pricing and terms have not been disclosed for the previously included service.
  • Other cruise lines already charge fees for nursery care and after-hours babysitting.

Parents planning the ultimate family getaway aboard MSC Cruises ships have discovered the quiet addition of new fees to the cruise line’s MSC Baby Care service.

While there has been no official announcement of the new fee, the cruise line’s website does note that “charges apply” for Baby Care. The cost is not clarified and may vary depending on itinerary, schedule, the amount of time the service is used, and other factors.

MSC Cruises has confirmed that there is now a charge for the previously free service.

“The Baby Care service has been updated over time. Previously, it included two complimentary 2‑hour slots per day, this has since changed to a revised structure with more availability, which is now chargeable,” the cruise line responded to inquiries on X.

Most frustrating to guests is the fact that this is not a new service and there seem to have been no substantive changes other than a “revised structure with more availability.”

Previously, Baby Care was only available for roughly two-hour time slots, twice per day. This would give parents some limited options to enjoy adults-only time, such as a massage in the morning or a cocktail hour in the evening.

The cruise line’s website now shows updated information and further details. Baby Care is available for eight hours per day and still has a limit of no more than 15 babies at one time. The service is only available for babies from six months to three years of age and parents must register their children onboard in order to participate.

MSC Magnifica Open Deck
MSC Magnifica Open Deck (Photo Credit: venuswix)

MSC Baby Care is available across the entire MSC Cruises fleet of 23 vessels, including the newest ship, MSC World America, and the upcoming MSC World Asia, scheduled to debut in December 2026.

The program is offered in partnership with Osservatorio Chicco (Baby Research Center) to create a holiday “tailormade for babies.” Dedicated staff supervise the babies at play in baby-only spaces.

Other Cruise Lines Also Charge for Nursery Care Services

It is the sudden change to a for-charge service that is most surprising to guests. Without publicly disclosed rates, parents cannot plan ahead for the service and whether or not it will fit their cruise vacation budget.

This follows changes aboard most cruise lines in recent years, with previously free services now being for-fee amenities. Room service was one of the first amenities to be assessed a fee, either through a delivery charge or a-la-carte pricing for menu items.

MSC Cruises charges per item for room service, with options varying based on the booking “experience” package guests select when planning their cruise.

Another dining fee is also assessed in the complimentary main dining rooms, with a $5 surcharge for ordering more than one entree from each night’s menu. Other cruise lines have similar fees.

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MSC Cruises is not the only line to charge for some youth care services, either. While general youth programs are typically complimentary, individual babysitting services (where available) or select after-hours care does have a cost.

Royal Caribbean, for example, offers a “Late Night Party Zone” group sitting for young cruisers ages 3-11 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for an extra fee, and the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery offers care for infants from 6-36 months for $9-12 per hour.

Carnival Cruise Line also offers an “Under 2” drop-off nursery time on select sailings and at limited times for $9 per hour per child plus a 20% service charge. The Night Owls babysitting fee is the same.

With MSC Cruises now adding a fee, the cruise line is more closely aligned with competitor cruise lines in how services are charged.

Stepbrother Indicted as Adult in Cruise Ship Murder of Anna Kepner

Melissa Mayntz
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Stepbrother Indicted as Adult in Cruise Ship Murder of Anna Kepner

Key Aspects:

  • The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
  • 18-year-old Kepner was killed onboard Carnival Horizon in early November 2025.
  • Kepner’s stepbrother will face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

Five months after the tragic death of Anna Kepner during a family vacation aboard Carnival Horizon in November 2025, official charges have been filed against the young woman’s 16-year-old stepbrother.

The US Department of Justice has identified the young man simply by the initials T.H., but he has been indicted as an adult. The charges include murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual abuse. Initially, T.H. was to have been charged as a juvenile but the case was transferred for adult prosecution.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said US Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida.

“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Attorneys and court officials make the determination for juvenile versus adult prosecution based on the crime’s severity and individual circumstances, including the histories of those involved as well as psychological evaluations and other information.

Carnival Horizon and Anna Kepner
Carnival Horizon and Anna Kepner (Credits: Ceri Breeze & anna.kepner16)

If T.H. is convicted, he will face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Assistant US Attorney Alejandra L. López is prosecuting the case.

Cruise Hive has followed the case closely, from the time Kepner was first discovered deceased onboard Carnival Horizon. Carnival Cruise Line has not commented publicly on the case, as is standard for any ongoing legal proceedings.

To be clear, no crew members were involved in the incident and the cruise line is not part of the lawsuit.

The Death of Anna Kepner

Anna Kepner was found dead in her cruise ship stateroom on November 8, 2025. She had embarked Carnival Horizon in Miami on November 2 for a 6-night Western Caribbean sailing to Grand Cayman and Cozumel with her family.

Kepner was sharing a stateroom on Deck 8 with the 16-year-old T.H. and another 14-year-old stepbrother. She was found wrapped in a sheet beneath the bed and hidden by lifejackets after failing to arrive for breakfast on Saturday, November 8, the last day of the cruise.

First reports of her death did not identify Kepner as the victim, but the news quickly broke about the tragedy. Because of the suspicious nature of the death, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was notified and took charge of the investigation.

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The cause of death was determined to be “mechanical asphyxiation” from a bar hold, a type of brutal strangulation by leaning a forearm across the victim’s throat. The cruise ship was in international waters at the time of Kepner’s death.

Anna was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. She was set to graduate in May 2026 and had ambitions to join the military.

Tremendous drama has surrounded the investigation into her death, particularly when text messages sent between Kepner’s stepmother and her ex-husband, T.H.’s father, seemed to indicate a type of damage control mindset for the parents who already suspected their son might be charged.

Kepner was beloved in her community and had hundreds of tributes from classmates, teachers, friends, co-workers, and other community members.

All authorities involved in this case have continued to stress that T.H. is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. At this time, no trial date has yet been announced.

Costa Cruise Ship Rerouted to After Winds Shut Down Tunisia Port

Lissa Poirot
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Costa Cruise Ship Rerouted to After Winds Shut Down Tunisia Port

Key Aspects:

  • Costa Smeralda will skip its April 15 call in La Goulette, Tunisia, due to forecast wind conditions that could make it unsafe to dock.
  • The Tunisia stop has been replaced with a port call in Cagliari, Sardinia.
  • Shore excursions in La Goulette were automatically cancelled and refunded, with new tours available for booking in Cagliari.

A Mediterranean sailing aboard Costa Smeralda, a Carnival Corporation Costa Cruises vessel, saw a key port removed from its itinerary after forecasts indicated wind conditions could make entry unsafe. Again.

The itinerary change affected the ship’s scheduled call in La Goulette, Tunisia, the port serving the capital city of Tunis along the African country’s northern coastline, during a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise that departed Barcelona on April 13, 2026.

According to the notice distributed to guests as they boarded the ship for the week, Costa Cruises had been monitoring weather forecasts along the vessel’s route and determined that wind conditions near the port could exceed safe limits for entering the harbor during its first call on Wednesday, April 15.

Weather forecasts noted unsettled conditions along Tunisia’s northern coast, including rain and shifting winds, with daytime temperatures near 76°F and continued storm activity.

Forecasts also warned of strong west winds, suggesting wind speeds reaching 20 to 30 miles per hour. These conditions would make it difficult for large cruise ships like Costa Smeralda to safely maneuver.

La Goulette
La Goulette cruise port and terminal at La Goulette at Tunisia (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

“Due to weather conditions expected in the port of La Goulette, it is anticipated that wind speeds could exceed the operational limits required for safe entry into the harbor,” said Captain Giovanni Cosini in a letter distributed to guests.

He continued, “For this reason, in line with our commitment to safety and in compliance with current maritime regulations, the itinerary will be modified.”

The disruption also follows a similar situation earlier this year, when Costa Smeralda was forced to cancel a scheduled stop in La Goulette after strong winds made docking unsafe on March 4, 2026. Instead, the ship diverted to Naples, Italy, as reported by Cruise Hive.

Passengers on this voyage were informed that the Tunisia call would be replaced with a call at the nearby Italian island of Sardinia’s Cagliari.

Visiting Italy

The 185,010-gross-ton Costa Smeralda began its current roundtrip voyage on April 13.

Under the original schedule, the ship was set to make its first stop in La Goulette on April 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. The port serves as the main cruise gateway for the Tunis region and excursions often take guests to Carthage, the historic Medina of Tunis, and the seaside village of Sidi Bou Said.

Instead, the ship will visit Cagliari, where it is scheduled to dock from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving passengers 9 hours ashore.

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According to the letter sent to guests, shore excursions booked for La Goulette have automatically been cancelled, with refunds issued to the original payment method used for purchase.

Passengers are now able to book new excursions in Cagliari through the ship’s excursion desk or onboard booking system, with options typically including visits to the city’s historic Castello district, Roman ruins, and nearby beaches along Sardinia’s southern coast.

Aside from the port substitution, the remainder of the itinerary will proceed as scheduled, with Costa Smeralda continuing to Savona, Italy, on April 18, and Marseille, France on April 19, before the ship returns to Barcelona on April 20.

MSC Cruises Just Revealed a Stunning New Luxury Private Island in the Bahamas

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises Just Revealed a Stunning New Luxury Private Island in the Bahamas

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Group has announced Sandy Cay, a luxury beach retreat near MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.
  • The new island destination will focus on beach experiences and the ultimate in serenity.
  • Both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships will be visiting Sandy Cay when it opens in 2028.

Private islands can be the perfect beach days and that is exactly what MSC Cruises is planning for its newest destination, Sandy Cay in the Bahamas.

Located adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, roughly 120 miles east-northeast of Nassau, the new private island is conceived as a more luxurious, intimate escape with perfect sandy beaches.

Aragonite sands give the island and its sheltered coves its name. Aragonite sands are a natural formation of calcium carbonate with a unique crystalline structure and chemical composition that helps preserve marine environments and provides habitats for coral and marine life.

As with Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises seeks to help guests connect to nature at Sandy Cay. The pure, pristine sands and plentiful beach access are part of that mission.

Initial artistic renderings of Sandy Cay show multiple broad beaches and sandy coves, dining pavilions, and relaxing pools. Because the site is focused on serenity, it does not appear to have any water slides, zip lines, or other high-energy features. Instead, peaceful relaxation will be the order of the day with every visit.

It is unclear if Sandy Cay will be a destination all its own, but no cruise ship pier is pictured in the renderings. A docking area for small boats does appear to be located in one sheltered location, which might service tender boats or tour groups.

Sandy Cay may be offered as an optional excursion during visits to the MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises does describe the new destination as “an intimate complement to Ocean Cay” that will be an “elevated and immersive experience” and “a new dimension of discovery, serenity, and escape.”

This type of private excursion experience would be similar to Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Beach Clubs, such as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau. Cruise Hive has also reported on the development of other Beach Club locations, including in Santorini, Greece and Lelepa, Vanuatu.

MSC Seashore in Ocean Cay
MSC Seashore in Ocean Cay (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

A few further details about Sandy Cay have been confirmed. At this time, it is not known whether the destination may be adults-only, what type of dining options may be available, or what other features will be present. Sandy Cay is expected to open sometime in 2028.

In the meantime, guests can enjoy upgrades coming to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, including new dining venues, family-friendly beach activities, expanded relaxation areas, wellness activities, conservation experiences, and more.

“Together, these developments reinforce the Company’s vision of creating private island destinations that continue to evolve in line with guest expectations while respecting the natural environment and beauty of The Bahamas,” said MSC Cruises.

Which Ships Will Visit Sandy Cay?

It isn’t just MSC Cruises ships that will be able to visit Sandy Cay. The destination will also be available to Explora Journeys cruises, which is MSC Group’s luxury division.

While only two ships are currently part of Explora Journeys, two additional vessels are already under construction and two more are ordered.

Explora I first set sail in August 2023, followed by Explora II in September 2024. Explora III is scheduled to debut in July 2026, followed by Explora IV in April 2027 and Explora V in December 2027. Explora VI will debut in 2028.

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All the luxury Explora Journeys ships have been, are, or will be constructed by Fincantieri and can welcome approximately 900 guests at double occupancy.

Of course, the MSC Cruises fleet is much more extensive, with 23 ships currently sailing and an astonishing 10 additional vessels either under construction or on order.

The largest MSC Cruises ship is currently MSC World America sailing from Miami with both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Global-class ship can welcome more than 6,700 guests.

Why Were Fighter Jets Flying Over Port Canaveral’s Cruise Ships Over the Weekend?

Melissa Mayntz
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Why Were Fighter Jets Flying Over Port Canaveral’s Cruise Ships Over the Weekend?

Key Aspects:

  • The Blue Angels buzzed by Port Canaveral over the weekend as part of the Cocoa Beach Air Show.
  • 11 ships were in port on Saturday and Sunday, offering thousands of guests outstanding views of the jets.
  • No cruise ship operations were impacted by the show, but traffic in the area could be challenging.

Cruise guests setting sail from Port Canaveral on the Space Coast occasionally get unique, up close views of rocket launches. This past weekend, however, guests got a fly-by view of another kind as the US Navy Blue Angels buzzed the port during the Cocoa Beach Air Show.

The annual event is held just five miles south of Port Canaveral and in 2026 featured the Blue Angels demonstrating close flight formations. During several of their maneuvers, the flight aerobatic demonstration team passed near the port while various ships were docked.

With 11 ships from six different cruise lines at Port Canaveral over the weekend during the two-day show, as many as 98,000 cruise guests may have gotten unique views of the flyovers, depending on when the planes passed by the ships and when guests were boarding.

“Cruise guests sailing from Port Canaveral not only enjoyed the convenience of sailing from the world’s busiest cruise port but also a front row seat to the awe-inspiring Blue Angels in town for the Cocoa Beach Air Show,” Port Canaveral posted on Facebook, sharing fly-by videos from Duty Harbormaster Annette Crisafulli.

In particular, the world’s largest cruise ship got a fantastic view as the Blue Angels made a close formation turn near Star of the Seas on Sunday, April 12.

Guests onboard were able to watch the planes in a diamond formation as well as doing other maneuvers nearby. Anyone who stayed on the beach for a night or two before the sailing was also able to catch a preview of the team’s practices before the show.

Star of the Seas was scheduled to depart Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. on a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary, with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya in the coming days.

The Cocoa Beach Air Show, which is an annual event, has various aerial events from roughly 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a 40-minute demonstration with 20 different maneuvers by the F/A-18E Super Hornets that are the Blue Angels.

Blue Angels Buzz Star of the Seas
Blue Angels Buzz Star of the Seas (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)

In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the 2026 show was especially memorable with intricate maneuvers and heart-stopping demonstrations from a B-52 Stratofortress, the US Special Operations Command Parachute Team, the F-16 Viper Demo Team, and more.

While the air show did not directly affect port operations, traffic heading out toward Cocoa Beach was heavier than typical for the weekend. Cruise guests needed to be careful to plan accordingly to arrive at their terminals on time, as none of the ships in port had delays or changes to their planned departures.

Local Events Often Impact Cruise Guests

It is important that cruise guests be aware of any major events that may happen at their homeport during their embarkation.

Cruise Hive has regularly reported when different events may impact traffic in and around homeports, such as music festivals and marathons in downtown Miami and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa.

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Of course, road construction and building new cruise terminals can have a major impact on traffic at cruise ports. PortMiami, in particular, has been having many traffic snarls in recent months because of such construction.

If guests are aware of potential traffic issues they can plan appropriately to have enough time to board their cruise ship on time. While many travelers strongly recommend getting to the homeport city a day or two prior to setting sail, that isn’t always possible for every guest. By knowing about local events, however, any guest can plan to reach their cruise terminal in good time.

Why MSC Cruises Is the Latest Line to Skip Alaskan Fjord

Lissa Poirot
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Why MSC Cruises Is the Latest Line to Skip Alaskan Fjord

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises replaced Tracy Arm with Endicott Arm on MSC Poesia Alaska sailings.
  • The official change affects the August 17, 2026, Seattle departure, but other reports suggest the change across the season.
  • Tracy Arm is experiencing evolving geopolitical conditions that raise safety concerns for vessels.

A key scenic highlight on one of MSC Cruises’ Alaska itineraries is officially being rerouted before the season begins.

The cruise lines notified booked guests that MSC Poesia will now sail through Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm during its August 17, 2026, departure from Seattle. The change affects the scenic cruising portion scheduled for August 21, part of a 7-night Alaska itinerary that also includes Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Victoria.

Tracy Arm is being excluded due to the evolving geological conditions that have raised safety concerns for ships entering the narrow fjord.

“Due to current geological conditions, MSC Poesia will sail through Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm Fjord,” the cruise line wrote in a notice sent to booked guests.

The message added that the alternative location still offers glacier viewing and dramatic scenery. “Endicott Arm is a remarkable destination known for its dramatic landscapes and active glacier activity and provides the chance to admire close-up views of the Dawes Glacier,” it said.

According to the original schedule, MSC Poesia was set to cruise Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. before docking in Juneau from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The voyage, which departs from Seattle on August 17, will return to its homeport on August 24, as one part of the cruise line’s inaugural season in Alaska.

MSC Poesia Cruise Ship
MSC Poesia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Stop Kadras)

MSC Cruises said the itinerary update will appear in guest reservations through the cruise line’s “Manage Your Booking” system once updates are processed.

Passengers on other sailings have reported to Cruise Hive Boards that they have received similar updates to their Alaskan sailings. MSC Poesia kicks off her Alaska season on May 11, 2026, and continues through September 28, 2026.

Cruise Lines Moving Away from Tracy Arm

MSC Cruises is not the only cruise line modifying Alaska itineraries involving the popular Tracy Arm.

Several cruise companies have recently removed the fjord from schedules after concerns about landslide risks and unstable terrain along the steep glacier-carved valley walls.

The narrow waterway, located south of Juneau within the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area, has long been known for icebergs, tight navigation channels, and rockfall hazards.

Read Also: Best Cruise Lines for Alaska in 2026 – Top Picks for Every Type of Traveler

Recent geological assessments have suggested that certain slopes surrounding Tracy Arm could be vulnerable to landslides capable of triggering large waves in the confined fjord, creating potential safety risks for vessels operating nearby.

Those concerns have already prompted multiple cruise lines to adjust their Alaska deployments.

As reported by Cruise Hive, Carnival Cruise Line recently replaced Tracy Arm visits with Endicott Arm, along with Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, and Virgin Voyages, which is hosting its inaugural Alaska season aboard the new Brilliant Lady.

While Tracy Arm has long been considered one of the region’s most dramatic glacier fjords, Endicott Arm offers similar scenery and glacier viewing and is not a dramatic departure for any of the cruise lines, nor does it require any changes to pre-booked excursions due to its scenic cruising schedule.

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