Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests setting sail aboard Carnival Freedom as the ship begins her transatlantic crossing to Spain for dry dock that some of the most sought after benefits typically provided to returning guests will not be available on this cruise.

This is due to the high number of loyal guests booked on this particular sailing, and is a step the cruise line has had to take with other popular sailings.

VIFP Benefits Reduced Aboard Carnival Freedom

Guests aboard Carnival Freedom as the Conquest-class vessel departs Port Canaveral, Florida en route to Barcelona, Spain, will not be able to take advantage of some of the most desirable benefits of loyalty status. In a notification sent just a week before embarkation, the cruise line explained which benefits could not be offered.

As the concern is only related to loyalty benefits at the top tier Diamond and Platinum VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) status, the letter was only given to guests who have achieved that level with the cruise line.

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

The letter also indicated that guests would not be able to remain in their staterooms until after 1:30 p.m. on embarkation day, though they could drop off any carry-on luggage before heading to lunch. Finally, Diamond level guests would not be guaranteed main dining room seating requests for dinner.

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

For example, Carnival Cruise Line also removed these loyalty benefits from the maiden voyage of Carnival Venezia in May 2023.

No information is available about the exact numbers of Diamond or Platinum passengers onboard this 13-night transatlantic sailing, but it is likely that there are hundreds of guests who would qualify for the benefits.

Carnival Freedom can welcome 2,980 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 3,754 guests if fully booked with all berths filled. All other loyalty benefits, including VIFP gifts, special events, and casino benefits remain intact.

Carnival Freedom on Her Way to Spain

Carnival Freedom departed Port Canaveral at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023 for the one-way trip to Spain, where the ship will enter dry dock for upgrades and general maintenance.

Before arriving in Spain, the ship will visit Bermuda on Sunday, September 24; Ponta Delgada in the Azores on Friday, September 29; and Malaga and Valencia in Spain on October 2 and 3, respectively, before arriving in Barcelona on Wednesday, October 4.

The ship will be out of service for approximately one month, before setting sail from Barcelona on October 23, 2023 to return to Port Canaveral by way of Valencia, Malaga, the Canary Islands, and Bermuda, arriving back in Florida on November 6, 2023, refreshed and ready to welcome guests.

Dry Dock Plans

This dry dock is of particular interest, as Carnival Freedom is currently unique in the Fun Ship fleet.

The ship’s iconic “whale tail” funnel was damaged in a fire in May 2022, and interim repairs involved removing the characteristic wings from the funnel structure. The remaining structure was fully functional, but the ship has been sailing for more than a year without that instantly recognizable feature.

A new whale tail funnel is to be installed during the dry dock in Spain, returning the ship to the classic look that has graced every Carnival ship since Tropicale was first constructed for the line in 1982.

Read Also: Former Carnival Cruise Ships, Where Are They Now?

Another key feature will also be added to Carnival Freedom during this dry dock. The ship is scheduled to receive the new red, white, and blue livery that initially debuted with Mardi Gras in 2021, and has gradually been rolled out across the fleet as ships have had dry dock updates.

Other regular maintenance and refreshment of public areas as well as guest staterooms will be part of the dry dock as well, and in a month’s time, the 110,000-gross ton Carnival Freedom will be upgraded, renovated, and ready to set sail once more with all the charismatic fun of every Carnival ship.

Carnival Cruise Line has responded to yet another rumor circulating on social media, debunking the concern and urging guests to avoid believing or perpetuating unfounded information spread through unofficial websites or fan groups. This time, the rumor involves nothing more or less than water, pure and simple.

Yes, Carnival Has Distilled Water for CPAP Machines

The rumor currently persisting through social media is the idea that Carnival Cruise Line will no longer provide distilled water for use in guests’ CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines.

CPAP machines are essential therapy to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, in which airways can become blocked or collapse during sleep. Various designs of these machines are available depending on individual needs and preferences, but nearly all require distilled water as part of a humidifier component, which helps reduce dry mouth and nasal congestion.

Using tap water in a CPAP can cause contamination and may compromise the machine’s operation, while running it without water could cause the motor to burn out.

The rumor that Carnival would no longer have water for CPAP machines was brought to the attention of John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, via various complaints and indignation about the supposed new policy. “Anyway, we do have distilled water,” Heald confirmed.

Water can be ordered before a cruise and will be waiting in the guest’s stateroom, or can be ordered through room service onboard and will be delivered. There is a nominal charge for the water, which is currently listed at $3.95 (USD) for a 1.5 liter (50.72 fluid ounces) bottle.

Eight bottles can be purchased for $20, or 12 smaller, half-liter (16.9 fluid ounces) bottles are available for $9.95. All water purchases are also subject to an 18% delivery fee.

If guests do not want to pay for distilled water onboard, they can bring on their own water in accordance with Carnival’s carry on beverage policy.

Guests are asked to pre-purchase water if they will be needing it onboard, in order to ensure the ship has an adequate supply of bottles to meet the demand for each sailing. Occasionally, deliveries to ships can be delayed, which can cause confusion.

“There was a situation this week where one ship did not have their delivery,” Heald explained. “After speaking with the team they arranged for another ship to transfer some in port so all was well.”

Guests Urged to Avoid Rumors

Many different rumors about Carnival Cruise Line have been circulating on social media in recent months, from “no more towel animals” to “gratuities pay crew salaries” to “priority boarding is cancelled” and more.

Each time, enraged social media users flood John Heald’s popular Facebook page with complaints, comments, and more than a few ALL CAPITAL LETTER admonishments about how the cruise line needs to do better.

The problem is, the rumors are untrue, and the cruise line is, in fact, continuing to provide fun and memorable cruise vacations to millions of eager guests. “Please, do your best if you read [social media] take things with a dollop of salt,” Heald urges guests.

Heald answers hundreds of online questions each day, as well as sharing insights into Carnival cruising, providing updates on different issues, offering peeks into special voyages – such as Carnival Luminosa’s current epic 30-night sailing from Seattle to Brisbane – and helping solve problems and concerns for guests onboard.

Rather than rely on social media comments from unauthorized sources, prospective guests are urged to contact John Heald via his Facebook page or reach out to Carnival Cruise Line’s guest services to get accurate, updated information for any of their cruise-related concerns.

Carnival Cruise Line is inviting prospective guests to be the first to know details about the line’s upcoming new destination, Celebration Key, whether or not they already have a cruise booked. Guests can register for exclusive updates and emails with special savings as the July 2025 debut of the new destination approaches.

Register to Know More About Celebration Key

Carnival Cruise Line revealed the name of its new Bahamas destination, Celebration Key, less than a month ago, and now guests can register to receive updates and details as the private destination is developed. A login on Carnival’s website is required, and Very Important Fun People (VIFP) – past guests who are loyal to Carnival Cruise Line – can login with their loyalty number.

“As the first cruise port destination being designed specifically for Carnival guests, we feel it’s important to invite them along for this special journey as we continue to work our way toward the opening of Celebration Key in July 2025,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The frequency of emails or the information that will be revealed to registered guests have not been detailed, but will likely include first-to-know announcements about which ships will be visiting Celebration Key on which itineraries, as well as upcoming features and amenities at the destination as they are confirmed.

About Celebration Key

Celebration Key is the new $200 million (USD) development being built roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the existing cruise dock in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Ground was officially broken for the new destination in May 2022, and the projected opening is July 2025.

Described as a “uniquely Bahamian experience” Celebration Key will include a mile-long white sand beach, tropical native plant landscaping, a nature reserve, and Bahamian-run retail that will include merchandise, artwork, dining, and more. Not only will this introduce guests to the distinctive culture of the Bahamas, but will also provide economic support to the local community.

“We are working very closely with the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to ensure that we are highlighting the best of Grand Bahama and its culture, combined with fun like only Carnival can provide,” said Duffy.

Celebration Key will be available only to Carnival Cruise Line guests, a first in the company’s history. For now, Carnival ships call on two other private destinations in the Bahamas – Princess Cays, which is dedicated first to Princess Cruises, as well as Half Moon Cay, which is primarily used by Holland America Line.

While all three cruise lines are part of the Carnival Corporation family, Celebration Key will bring a new “fun” vibe to the Bahamas with a destination specifically designed with Carnival guests in mind.

Carnival Cruise Line has not yet announced which ships or itineraries will be the first to visit Celebration Key, but has hinted that the announcement will be coming in late September 2023.

At least 10 ships are slated to have calls on Celebration Key, from various homeports. It is likely that cruises departing from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York, Tampa, and other homeports that regularly visit the Bahamas will include itineraries visiting Celebration Key, possibly on sailings from 3-10 nights in length.

Part of the plan for the new destination is a lengthy pier that will be able to welcome two Excel-class ships at once, meaning that as many as 13,000 guests could be enjoying the destination at the same time on the same day if both ships were fully booked with all berths filled.

Will you be one of the first to know about Celebration Key, one of the first to visit the new destination, or both?