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Carnival Replaces Multiple Venues With New Dining Lineup on Two Ships

Carnival Cruise News

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Feb 18, 2026

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Carnival Replaces Multiple Venues With New Dining Lineup on Two Ships

Key Aspects:

The Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse is being added to both Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.
The rebranding replaces Luke’s Bar and Grill on the Australian-based cruise ships.
Also onboard now is the Bonsai Sushi Express Station, and a new burger venue will be added.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced new dining additions coming soon to its two ships permanently based in Australia, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

Both ships will have the onboard Luke’s Bar and Grill restaurant replaced and rebranded into the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, a favorite across the Carnival fleet.

Carnival Encounter is currently undergoing an extensive dry dock in Singapore and will return to service from March 5, 2026. Carnival Adventure has a brief dry dock scheduled in early 2027. The new specialty dining steakhouse, however, will be ready on both ships from their May 4, 2026 departures.

Guests on Carnival Adventure’s 12-night Fiji and South Pacific itinerary departing May 4 from Sydney, as well as Carnival Encounter’s 4-night Airlie Beach sailing from Brisbane that same day, can be the first to enjoy the new venue.

“We are delighted to be bringing Fahrenheit 555 to all of our Australia-based ships, so guests can experience Carnival’s signature premium experience no matter where or when they sail with us,” said Anton Loeb, Carnival Cruise Line Assistant Vice President Sales & Marketing.

The steakhouse is already available onboard Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor. Those two ships both sail in Australia from Brisbane and Sydney, respectively. Carnival Luminosa homeports seasonally Down Under, while Carnival Splendor stays in Australia year-round.

Fahrenheit 555 is an extra charge restaurant with a $77 (AUD – approximately $55 USD) per person surcharge.

The menu includes premium beef cuts such as New York strip loin steak, t-bones, filet mignon, and more, along with seafood, surf & turf, curated sides, an elevated wine list, and decadent desserts.

Carnival Cruise Line Steak (Credit: Carnival)

“You’re going to get all your wonderful steaks, all the brilliant stuff that the rest of the fleet [has] enjoyed,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador. “I’m so glad that we’re able to do this for our Australian guests.”

Reservations are required for the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse. Guests can make those reservations for their sailings through the cruise line’s website or via the Carnival Hub app once onboard for their cruise vacation.

Guests already booked on Australia sailings who have made reservations for Luke’s Bar and Grill will be emailed details about the change to Fahrenheit 555 and how it may impact their dining plans.

Even More Dining Venue Updates Down Under

The addition of Fahrenheit 555 is not the only change coming to Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

Bonsai Sushi Express has also now opened on both ships with its made-to-order variety of sushi, sashimi, and other delicacies. A great grab-and-go snack for those who love sushi, the venue is already popular on many Carnival ships.

The onboard burger joint, Luke’s Burgers, will also be replaced with a new specialty burger venue, Carnival Topside Grill. While this will not be the wildly popular Guy’s Burger Joint, it will offer a new option for dining on both ships.

There have not yet been any further details released about Carnival Topside Grill, including whether or not there will be an extra charge or what items may be on the menu.

The changes to onboard dining, including removing Luke’s Bar and Grill and Luke’s Burgers, follows the successful partnership between the now-retired P&O Cruises Australia brand with celebrated Australian chef and restauranteur Luke Mangan. The new changes bring the two ships more in line with guest-favorite dining offerings across the entire Carnival fleet.

Cruise Hive previously reported on the rebranding to both ships when they joined the Carnival fleet in March 2025. Further details about the updates for each ship will be announced as they are confirmed.

Carnival Cruise Ship Switches Back to Old Safety Briefing for Upcoming Voyage

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Feb 18, 2026

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Carnival Cruise Ship Switches Back to Old Safety Briefing for Upcoming Voyage

Key Aspects:

Carnival Conquest’s February 20, 2026, sailing will begin with an in-person muster drill.
While E-Muster drills are preferred, in-person drills must be completed at least twice a year to comply with safety policies.
This is only a temporary change, and the E-Muster process is not going away anytime soon.

Future guests of Carnival Conquest will start their cruise with a blast from the past – at least when it comes to safety briefings.

Instead of the now-standard E-Muster process, where guests complete the mandatory safety briefing from the HUB App, the Conquest-class flagship’s next sailing will complete a traditional muster drill on embarkation day.

To be clear, this is the 4-night Bahamas sailing embarking in Miami, Florida, on February 20, 2026.

“Shortly before departure, a full safety drill will take place on your upcoming sailing,” Carnival told impacted guests in advance.

“This is a mandatory procedure, and all guests will be required to participate in this brief but essential exercise,” the cruise line continued.

This means that guests will need to assemble at their assigned muster stations, where attendance will be taken. They will then watch life jacket demonstrations and receive any other relevant safety information.

The ship’s emergency signal, which consists of seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast, will also be sounded.

Why Has the Muster Drill Changed?

This isn’t the first time that Carnival Conquest has temporarily reverted back to the old mustering format, and it likely won’t be the last time the 2,980-guest ship does so.

Cruise Hive also reported on a switch to the former mustering process for Carnival Conquest in March of 2025, which took place onboard another Bahamas-bound sailing.

In October 2025, Carnival confirmed that the in-person muster drill must be completed at least twice a year for safety reasons.

However, this change is only temporary, and there are no plans to revert to traditional muster drills full-time.

“The safety of everyone on board is always our priority, and we are dedicated to maintaining responsible and secure operations,” Carnival stated in the letter to guests.

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

Even though the E-Muster drills are strongly preferred these days, it’s still important to go through this exercise occasionally to make sure that all crew members are properly trained on what to do if an emergency did occur.

This is in addition to other routine drills and training that the approximately 1,150 crew members go through regularly to ensure they are ready to respond in essentially any emergency situation.

This exercise is also necessary to remain in good standing with the regulations established by Carnival Corporation’s Health, Environmental, Safety & Security Committee (HESS).

The purpose of these standards is to supervise and monitor health and safety programs onboard all Carnival ships and to ensure the vessels comply with the regulations set forth by the different regions where the cruise line operates.

Will My Cruise Have a Traditional Muster Drill?

Carnival Cruise Line randomly selects ships and sailings to go through the old muster process to make sure important safety standards are met.

There is no way to tell if your sailing will be selected for this process at the time of booking, but Cruise Hive typically sees Carnival notify guests in advance if their voyage has been selected for this exercise.

The only other time guests might have to revert to the old ways without advance notice is if there is a technical difficulty that hinders the E-Muster process.

But when all is said and done, traditional muster drills only take around 30 minutes to complete from start to finish. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a lot of time to take out of your vacation to ensure everyone stays safe.

Expectant Mother Faces Heartbreaking Loss Aboard Norwegian Jewel

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Catie Kovelman

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Feb 18, 2026

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Expectant Mother Faces Heartbreaking Loss Aboard Norwegian Jewel

Key Aspects:

Paris Singleton-Ajaero was excited to join her mother for a music-themed cruise onboard Norwegian Jewel, which embarked on February 1.
At only 21 weeks pregnant, Paris was allowed to sail onboard the NCL ship.
But during the cruise, she went into early labor and her twins could not be saved.

Paris Singleton-Ajaero and John Ajaero were overjoyed to find out they were expecting a baby in October of 2025, and that excitement only doubled when they learned they were having twins.

On February 1, 2026, Paris and her mother embarked on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel in Tampa, Florida, for the inaugural music-themed Rise and Rhythm cruise.

It was meant to be a fun, 4-night getaway to Cozumel, Mexico, before the family really doubled down on preparing to welcome their dual bundles of joy.

At only 21 weeks pregnant, Paris was well within Norwegian Cruise Line’s requirements to set sail. NCL permits pregnant women onboard as long as they are less than 24 weeks along when the cruise ends.

But unfortunately for the Maryland-based couple, the dream vacation turned into a nightmare when Paris sadly lost both of her twins in the middle of the cruise.

What Happened?

Despite having no previous pregnancy complications, Paris went into preterm labor soon after embarking on the sailing. As recently as the day before the cruise, Paris was the picture of health at a routine doctor’s appointment.

“I couldn’t get comfortable and went into preterm labor on the cruise,” Paris told WMAR 2 News in Baltimore.

“Everything was going according to plan, like there was no signs or signals or anything being problematic with the twins. I actually just went to an appointment the day before,” she continued.

Paris was taken to the ship’s medical center, where her son, John Junior, was born prematurely. He sadly was too young to survive.

“My son was delivered on the cruise, and I just didn’t really comprehend what was happening at that moment,” Paris recalled.

Crew members then made arrangements to medically evacuate Paris and her mother to the nearest hospital, which was in Cancun, Mexico. This is where John Junior’s sister, Journey Rose, was also delivered prematurely. The baby girl could not be saved either.

The Twins Remain in Mexico

Cruise Hive learned that Paris was finally able to connect with her husband, John, from the hospital in Mexico. She introduced him to the twins over video chat.

Due to issues related to international regulations, obtaining foreign death certificates, and repatriation, Paris and her mother could not take the twins home with them when they returned to Maryland.

Paris only got one day with her children before she was discharged, and their father has not yet gotten to see them in person. John described seeing his twins on video chat as “somebody reaching into your chest and just squeezing your heart.”

“I still haven’t gotten to hold them. That is another painful part of it,” he added.

The couple is working on reuniting with their twins before they are laid to rest in the US.

Calls for Financial Aid

In the midst of mourning this tremendous loss, the couple has also been hit with medical bills and costs related to bringing their twins back to the US.

A friend of the family, Rhonda Wall, has started a GoFundMe to help provide financial relief. The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $28,000, and so far over $19,000 has been donated.

“The emotional toll has been immense, and now Paris and her family are facing overwhelming medical bills,” Wall wrote on the fundraiser.

“The hospital has requested an initial payment for the emergency transportation and care Paris received,” Wall continued.

It’s unclear if the cruisers had purchased travel insurance that may cover any of the emergency transportation or medical expenses.

Cruise Hive sends our thoughts and prayers to the family as they navigate this tragedy.

Interim Findings Released in Investigation Into Cruise Elevator Crew Death

P&O Cruises News

Lissa Poirot

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Feb 17, 2026

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Interim Findings Released in Investigation Into Cruise Elevator Crew Death

Key Aspects:

A new investigation reveals the latest findings of a crew member’s death on P&O Cruises’ Arvia.
The crew electrical technician died after being crushed inside an elevator shaft due to equipment defects.
The investigation is ongoing and focused on preventing future accidents.

A routine maintenance check aboard one of the world’s largest cruise ships turned fatal when a crew member became trapped inside an elevator shaft while the vessel was sailing in the Atlantic, according to a new investigation report.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), working on behalf of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority, is examining the death of an electrical technician aboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia, a Bermuda-registered vessel.

The incident occurred October 26, 2025, as the vessel, carrying more than 5,000 passengers and 1,600 crew members, sailed from Southampton, England, to Santa Cruz, Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands.

At about 5:52 a.m. UTC, the technician and the ship’s staff electro-technical officer were testing a passenger elevator following overnight repairs. The elevator had been stopped on deck 11 while testing was carried out from inside the car.

The report reveals the technician left to inspect the top of the elevator from higher decks but ran into a problem on deck 12. A defect prevented the door release key from working, blocking access to the elevator shaft. He then moved up to deck 14 to access it.

Moments later, the lift reactivated automatically.

According to the interim report, safety interlocks were restored once the lift doors closed on the 2022-built vessel, and a stored call signal triggered the elevator to move upward, crushing the technician between the car and the shaft wall.

P&O Arvia in Europe (Photo Credit: Claudine Van Massenhove)

A medical emergency was declared at 6:02 a.m., and the crew member was pronounced dead by the ship’s doctor at 6:07 a.m. The ship diverted to A Coruña, Spain, where local emergency services recovered the body.

The investigation stresses the report’s release is focused on safety rather, not blame, stating, “The sole objective of a safety investigation into an accident under there regulations shall be the prevention of future accidents through the ascertainment of its causes and circumstances.”

The cause of death remains pending a postmortem report, and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators now say a combination of equipment defects and safety procedures is under close review.

What Happened Aboard Arvia

The death of the electrical technician aboard Arvia was first confirmed to Cruise Hive by P&O Cruises the day after the accident. The cruise line said that a crew member had died following an onboard accident while the ship was two days into a transatlantic sailing.

At that time, the company said it was offering “every possible support” to the family, friends, and colleagues of the crew member without releasing his name or role.

Arvia, one of the largest ships in the P&O Cruises fleet, had departed Southampton on October 24 for a repositioning voyage to Bridgetown, Barbados.

After being rerouted to A Coruña, the ship remained in port for several hours, and local authorities then confirmed a workplace accident involved a “deceased crew member.”

It’s not the first time elevator maintenance was the cause of death for a crew member. In December 2015, a member of crew on Carnival Cruise Line’s Ecstasy was also pinned between the car and the shaft wall while working on an elevator. The ship was in port in Florida at the time.

Elevator systems on cruise ships are heavily regulated and inspected, especially because vessels can carry thousands of passengers and crew across many decks.

When the rare incident does occur, they typically involve maintenance or testing scenarios and not routine passenger use.

Princess Cruises Showcases Special US Voyages Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary

Princess Cruises News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 17, 2026

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Princess Cruises Showcases Special US Voyages Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary

Key Aspects:

Princess Cruises is offering special commemorative merchandise for America’s 250th Anniversary on select itineraries.
The line is offering 2026 sailings exploring historic US destinations, including Alaska, New England, and Hawaii.
Special savings are now available on select sailings for budget-friendly explorations of the US.

With the US preparing to celebrate its semiquincentennial, Princess Cruises is highlighting unique voyages along the iconic coasts of the US, along with special deals and commemorative merchandise to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Of great interest is the cruise line’s largest-ever season in Alaska to date. Cruise Hive has previously reported that the newest Princess ship, Star Princess, will sail the Last Frontier in 2026, offering spectacular 7-night itineraries from Seattle starting on May 3.

Star Princess will join seven other ships in Alaska this year. Together, the Princess Cruises Alaska fleet will offer 180 different departures with itineraries that include 19 unique destinations such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Skagway.

Alaska is a bucket-list destination for many travelers. Visiting on a Princess cruise offers not only a chance to immerse oneself in the history and cultures of some of the last remaining frontier towns, but also to marvel at the phenomenal vistas along the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, and Tracy Arm Fjord.

“As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it feels especially meaningful to celebrate by sailing alongside the landscapes and visiting landmarks that helped shape our nation,” said Marie Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of Princess Cruises.

Land-and-sea cruisetour options offer guests even more options to explore Alaska with visits to Denali National Park and other national parks, along with stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Onboard the Alaska sailings, guests will have the unique opportunity to buy souvenirs specifically designed for this special year. Not only will limited-edition blankets inspired by Alaskan landscapes be for sale, but special “Celebrating America 250 by Princess” collector pins and other merchandise will be available.

Other Itineraries Exploring America

If Alaska doesn’t appeal to guests, Princess Cruises is offering itineraries that explore other parts of the US with the same premium experiences the cruise line is known for.

“From Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness to the tropical beauty of Hawaii and the historic charm of New England’s coastal towns, our 2026 sailings invite longtime Princess guests and first-time cruisers alike to experience the places that tell America’s story,” said Lee.

View of Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)

For example, this fall Princess Cruises is offering a short series of Canada and New England Itineraries on Majestic Princess departing from New York.

Not only can guests explore the Big Apple before or after their 7-night sailing, but along the way the ship will visit such historic destinations as Boston, Newport, and Portland, depending on departure date.

Sapphire Princess is also offering 10-night, one-way trips between Boston and Quebec City this fall if guests want to spend more time in Massachusetts, right where so much of America’s history began.

Cruise guests who want to celebrate America’s 50th state will enjoy Emerald Princess’ Hawaiian Islands voyages. These 16-night voyages are offered roundtrip from Los Angeles on a variety of departure dates, including September 30, October 16, November 8, November 28, and December 14.

The Aloha vibes will include visits to Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo, with exact ports depending on departure date.

For a limited time, Princess Cruises is offering a special “Princess Signature Sale” on select US itineraries. The deal is available through March 17, 2026 and includes instant savings, reduced deposits, and free third and fourth guests on select sailings, making it a budget-friendly way to set sail with this year’s historic celebrations.

Investor Calls for Major Changes for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Lissa Poirot

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Feb 17, 2026

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Investor Calls for Major Changes for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Key Aspects:

Elliott Investment Management is pushing for sweeping leadership and board changes at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
The investor believes the company has underperformed, despite strong industry demand.
Elliott has warned it may take the case directly to shareholders at the annual meeting in March 2026.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is under pressure from one of its biggest investors to make major leadership and strategy changes, and fast.

Activist firm Elliott Investment Management has built a stake of more than 10 percent in the company and is pushing for major leadership and strategy changes. The move makes Elliott one of Norwegian’s largest shareholders and sets the stage for what could become one of the cruise industry’s most significant activist campaigns in years.

In a detailed letter to the board and an accompanying presentation titled “Norwegian Now,” Elliott argued that the cruise operator has failed to keep pace with competitors despite strong demand across the industry.

“The case for change at Norwegian is as compelling as any we have ever seen,” the firm wrote in a letter signed by Partner John Pike and Portfolio Manager Bobby Xu.

“We believe the gap between Norwegian’s current performance and what it should be achieving under capable leadership represents one of the clearest value-creation opportunities in the public markets.”

Elliott said NCLH, which owns Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has gone from being one of the cruise industry’s strongest performers when it first went public in 2013 to trailing behind rivals like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation.

The investor firm said rising costs, missed revenue opportunities, and an inconsistent strategy are to blame, criticizing the board’s leadership decisions. It says recent executive appointments have not addressed long-term performance issues.

Elliott Investment Management has issued a “Norwegian Now” proposal for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ future success.

Elliott believes NCLH’s stock could reach $56 per share – about 159 percent higher than recent levels – if changes are made.

The firm said it is willing to work with the board but has warned it could take its case directly to shareholders at NCLH’s upcoming annual meeting in March 2026 if progress is not made.

“Norwegian’s shareholders have waited long enough,” Pike and Xu wrote.

Drawing Scrutiny

Elliott Investment Management’s push comes just days after NCLH announced a leadership change that is already drawing scrutiny from investors.

On February 12, 2026, the cruise company said it had appointed John W. Chidsey as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Chidsey previously served as CEO of Subway and Burger King and has been a member of NCLH’s board. He replaced Harry Sommer, who had been in the role since 2023.

NCLH said Chidsey was selected to help improve execution and financial performance as the company moves into its next phase of growth.

Elliott, however, criticized the decision in its letter, noting that the board chose a long-tenured director with no executive experience in the cruise industry.

The firm said the move reflects broader concerns and underscores the need for new independent directors with relevant industry expertise, and calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the company’s board and executive leadership team, and suggested recruiting those with cruise leadership experience, including former Royal Caribbean executive Adam Goldstein.

NCLH’s financial performance has not followed the same trajectory as its competitors, according to the investors.

The company, which will release annual earnings on March 2, 2026, reported revenue of about $2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025, which was about 3 percent lower than the same period in 2024. That was followed by a rebound to roughly $2.5 billion in the second quarter, and a record $2.9 billion in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, competitors reported significantly larger annual results.

Royal Caribbean Group, which owns Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and has a joint-venture with TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, generated roughly $17.9 billion in revenue in 2025.

Carnival Corporation, which operates Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA, and P&O Cruises, reported record revenue of about $26.6 billion.

Elliott Investment Management argues NCHL should be delivering stronger returns in an environment of higher passenger demand and strong industry pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been making growth moves in recent months. In December 2025, the company named industry veteran Marc Kazlauskas as president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

On February 17, 2026, the company also announced a major long-term expansion of its brands with new ships for all three of its brands planned through 2037.

Stormy Conditions Derail Disney Wonder’s Planned Hawaii Sailing

Disney Cruise Line News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 17, 2026

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Stormy Conditions Derail Disney Wonder’s Planned Hawaii Sailing

Key Aspects:

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder cancelled a call to Kauai due to high winds.
The ship altered her itinerary and added an overnight in Honolulu.
The 10-night cruise sails to Vancouver before returning to San Diego.

Strong winds and poor weather conditions are impacting some areas of the Hawaiian Islands, including regions where Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder is sailing.

The 1,750-guest ship was due to depart Honolulu on February 16, 2026, operating a 10-night voyage to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Three port calls were originally scheduled, including an overnight in Nawiliwili, on the island of Kauai on February 17 and 18, followed by Kahului, Maui, on February 19, and finally Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, on February 20. After that, the ship will sail 5 at-sea days before arriving in Vancouver on February 26.

“We have been closely monitoring a weather system that has the potential to impact our planned stop in Nawiliwili, Hawaii. Given the anticipated strong winds and adverse sea conditions, we will not be able to visit Nawiliwili on Tuesday and Wednesday,” a notice from Disney said, which was posted online.

But Mother Nature is intervening with rain and wind gusts up to 36 miles per hour during the planned call to Kauai. The overnight stay was cancelled and is being replaced with an overnight in Honolulu on February 16-17, followed by a sea day on February 18.

“We will instead overnight in Honolulu tonight with an 8:00 a.m. departure on Tuesday morning before spending a day at sea on Wednesday, where conditions are forecasted to be more favorable,” the cruise line added.

Additional Disney Wonder Itinerary Change

However, a later message from the line indicates that the ship will now call at Hilo twice — on February 18, rather than spending the day at sea, and again as originally planned on February 20.

The new itinerary, as it currently stands, is as follows: The ship overnighted in Honolulu on embarkation day, February 16; operates a sea day on February 17; calls at Hilo on February 18; Maui on February 19; and Hilo on February 20. After that, the ship is at sea until her arrival in Canada.

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory, prompting the itinerary changes.

The revised itinerary was announced on departure day, and the line’s notice confirms that all excursions in Kauai booked through the cruise line are being automatically removed from guests’ onboard accounts.

New excursions are being made available via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and at the Port Adventures department onboard the ship.

Some guests posted their frustrations on social media.

Wrote one cruiser on Reddit: “I know it’s out of their control and I’m still looking forward to the rest of this cruise, but just wanted to vent a little. . . . EDIT: Disney came through – they added another stop at Hilo to make up for the cancellations. This is why I love traveling with Disney!!”

Weather Impacted Another Ship’s Operations in Kauai

The weather around Kauai has been problematic for several days. As Cruise Hive reported, rough seas played a role in an incident where a harbor pilot fell into the water as he was trying to board a Princess Cruises’ ship on February 10, 2026.

In that case, Emerald Princess was preparing to enter the port on Kauai as the harbor pilot was coming aboard. He was retrieved from the water quickly and was uninjured.

Even in Europe, high winds and storms are impacting some itineraries. MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida was unable to dock in Marseille, France, on February 15, due to high winds.

Following the Honolulu to Vancouver cruise, Disney Wonder will depart the Canadian port on February 26 and return to her homeport of San Diego, where she will operate a series of voyages to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Disney Wonder is one of seven ships in the cruise line’s fleet; she entered service in 1999.

Marella Ship Shelters in Port Overnight, Misses Next Call

Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 16, 2026

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Marella Ship Shelters in Port Overnight, Misses Next Call

Key Aspects:

Marella Voyager remained in Las Palmas overnight unexpectedly due to rough weather.
The extended stay cancelled the ship’s visit to Arrecife the following day.
During her new overnight visit, the ship had to close gangways to transfer to a different berth.

Marella Voyager‘s current 7-night “Canarian Flavours” sailing has not been quite as flavorful as guests may have hoped, as poor weather has kept the ship in port unexpectedly overnight and forced the cancellation of another port visit.

Guests onboard were notified of the change via loudspeaker announcements as well as a letter delivered to their staterooms over the weekend regarding the adjustments.

“We can confirm that it is not possible for Marella Voyager to call to the port of Arrecife, Lanzarote, tomorrow the 15th February 2026 as a result of poor weather conditions,” the letter explained.

“The weather forecast tonight continues to deteriorate significantly which does not ensure the safety of maneuvers due to high winds. So, we will remain in the shelter of the port, here in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria overnight until 17.00 [5 p.m.] tomorrow.”

Marella Voyager is homeported in the Canary Islands, offering departure options from both Tenerife and Las Palmas.

The ship’s current weeklong sailing began on Friday, February 13, from Tenerife, and the visit to Las Palmas was the first port on the itinerary on February 14. Instead of moving on to Arrecife the next day, the ship remained in Las Palmas, giving guests the rare opportunity to enjoy the destination’s sparkling nightlife.

The weather in Arrecife on Sunday was indeed blustery. On the small island of Lanzarote, where the port of Arrecife is located, Weather Underground recorded that steady winds remained from 20-30 miles per hour throughout the day, only slowing slightly after 6 p.m.

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands and a popular port for ships visiting the archipelago. Marella Voyager will return to Arrecife for her next visit on Sunday, February 22, weather permitting.

In the meantime, any excursions guests had booked through Marella Cruises for their time in Arrecife were cancelled automatically and refunded.

Marella Cruises Funnel (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

For the remainder of this cruise, no further changes are expected. Marella Voyager moved on to Puerto del Rosario on Monday, February 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a day at sea.

Wednesday, February 18 will be spent in Funchal from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., while La Gomera is the final port visit on Thursday, February 19 from 1-7 p.m. The ship will return to Tenerife for debarkation on Friday, February 20.

The 77,300-gross-ton Marella Voyager is the newest ship for Marella Cruises, having just joined the line in 2023. She can welcome 1,912 guests aboard for each sailing.

Berth Shift Limits Gangway Access

While the ship did indeed remain in Las Palmas overnight, she did not remain in the exact same position.

“To facilitate this extended stay we are required to change berth within the port,” the letter explained.

This could have been due to previous scheduling conflicts, the facilities available to service the ship overnight, or ensuring the vessel was in as much of a protected position as possible for her longer stay.

To accommodate the move between berths, Marella Voyager pulled up her gangways from 10:30 p.m. until midnight during her overnight stay.

During those 90 minutes, the ship moved to her new location, where the gangways were again lowered for guests to come and go as they wished. This move was timed so that the disruption interfered with as few guests as possible and was accomplished without difficulty.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on similar occasions when cruise ship must remain sheltered in port, such as when Ambassador Group’s Ambition remained overnight in Lisbon due to rough weather in mid-January.

When cruise ships have such last-minute changes with longer stays in port, every effort is made to keep the vessel at the same berth. If a change is necessary, it is done as quickly and efficiently as possible, and guests onboard Marella Voyager were not unduly inconvenienced.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Orders New Ships for Every Brand

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 16, 2026

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Key Aspects:

Great things are coming for every brand under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) as the company has announced an agreement with Fincantieri for three new ships, one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The Italian shipbuilder will design and construct all three new ships, with delivery dates in 2036 and 2037.

The Norwegian Cruise Line ship will be the fourth in the upcoming as-yet-unnamed new class for the line, which Cruise Hive has previously reported.

The new class will be the largest ever built for Norwegian Cruise Line, with the first vessel slated to debut in 2030. At an expected 225,000 gross tons, the new class will rival Royal Caribbean’s famed Oasis class ships and each vessel should be able to welcome approximately 5,100 guests at double occupancy.

For Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas cruises, the new ships will both be sister ships to existing designs in new classes to debut in the next two years.

The Oceania Cruises’ new ship will be a sister ship to Oceania Sonata (debuting in 2027) first in the new Sonata class, while the new ship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, scheduled to debut in December 2026.

“Together with Fincantieri, a trusted partner for decades, we continue to advance a disciplined approach to fleet growth that builds on the strength of our brands, defines the future of cruising and elevates the guest experience for years to come,” said John W. Chidsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCLH.

“This agreement secures access to valuable shipyard capacity through the end of 2037, supporting our long-term growth while maintaining financial discipline and driving sustainable shareholder value.”

By adding a new, upcoming ship to each of its brands, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is ensuring continued growth across the breadth of the cruise market, from the mass-market appeal of Norwegian Cruise Line’s megaships to the luxury experiences aboard the Oceania and Regent Seven Seas fleets.

17 New Ships Planned Across Three Cruise Lines

In total, Norwegian Cruise Line now has 17 newbuild ships on order with delivery dates as follows:

Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Luna (2026); Norwegian Aura (2027); Prima-plus (2028); New class (2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2037)
Oceania Cruises: Oceania Sonata (2027); Oceania Areitta (2029); Sonata class (2032, 2035, 2037)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Seven Seas Prestige (2026); Prestige class (2030, 2033, 2036)

Adding new ships to each fleet is an important growth strategy for the company, ensuring appeal to all types of cruise guests. New ships offer new venues, features, and amenities that keep guests returning for future cruise vacations.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age

It should be noted that future cruise new build contracts are always subject to financing. This is a standard agreement but protects both the cruise line and the shipyard in case of financial conflicts or economic fluctuations.

In today’s competitive cruise market, however, it is imperative that cruise lines secure adequate shipyard space for the construction of future ships.

Shipyard logistics can be complicated, needing to accommodate not only new builds but also regularly scheduled dry dock operations as well as emergency repairs.

By placing these new build orders nearly a decade before construction would even begin on the three ships, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings continues to position itself for growth and innovation in the ever-expanding cruise industry.