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Princess Cruises Cancels Visit Six Months Ahead of Cruise

Princess Cruises News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 16, 2023

Princess Cruises Cancels Visit Six Months Ahead of Cruise

Princess Cruises has reached out to guests booked aboard Discovery Princess for the ship’s March 16, 2024 sailing with the news that the planned visit to Lahaina has been cancelled, and another port destination extended as an alternative.

While this will be disappointing to many travelers, the community of Lahaina remains devastated by the August 2023 wildfires and may not be accepting ship visits for many months to come.

Itinerary Change for Discovery Princess

The 145,000-gross ton, Royal class Discovery Princess will not be calling on Lahaina, Maui as planned during the ship’s 15-night Hawaiian Islands cruise departing Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The cruise line has reached out to guests about the itinerary change, six months before the ship sets sail.

“Due to the devastating wildfires in Maui the port of Lahaina has suspended cruise operations indefinitely, and Discovery Princess will no longer call to Maui (Lahaina), Hawaii on Saturday, March 23, 2024,” the notification explained.

Discovery Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)

All pre-booked Princess Cruises shore excursions for Lahaina will be fully refunded to the original form of payment. This itinerary change is the same as one announced just days ago for Crown Princess, though that impacted sailing has a January 7, 2024 departure date, while Discovery Princess is visiting Hawaii more than two months later.

Extending Another Port Visit

To compensate for the loss of Lahaina as a port of call, Discovery Princess will instead extend the time spent in Kona on the Big Island for an overnight visit, arriving at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 23 and remaining in port until 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. Originally, the ship was scheduled to visit Kona from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. only on Sunday.

This will give guests abundant extra time to enjoy more of what Kona offers, such as visiting local historic sites, snorkeling adventures, coastal whale watching, visiting a local coffee farm, or exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

It must be noted, however, that Kona is a tender port that requires guests to transfer from their cruise ship to the dock via smaller craft, which does present some limitations to the time ashore.

“Due to local port restrictions, our water shuttle operations for Kona will be available from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday and from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday,” the email said.

In addition to the call on Kona, Discovery Princess will also be visiting Honolulu – the first port of call when the ship reaches Hawaii on March 21. Those two port visits, albeit the extended one in Kona, are the only Hawaiian destinations on this “Hawaiian Islands” cruise.

After leaving Hawaii, Discovery Princess will make a call to Ensenada, Mexico on March 30 before returning to Los Angeles on March 31.

Why Not Another Maui Port?

While it is certainly understandable that Lahaina will not be ready to receive visitors even six months from now – more than 80% of the port community was destroyed in the wildfires last month – the island of Maui is open to tourist visits and the port of Kahului is able to welcome ships.

In fact, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, which offers 7-night Hawaiian sailings year-round, resumed weekly calls to Kahului at the beginning of September, bringing essential tourist income to the economy which has been so hard hit by the natural disaster.

It is possible that Kahului simply cannot adequately accommodate the much larger Discovery Princess for the March 2024 sailing, or the port schedule does not have suitable availability at that time. Discovery Princess can welcome 3,660 guests per sailing, compared to 2,186 for each cruise aboard Pride of America.

Discovery Princess is currently finishing her Alaska season from Seattle and at the beginning of October will reposition to Los Angeles to offer a variety of California Coast and Mexican Riviera itineraries, as well as special Hawaii sailings. In April 2024, the ship will reposition back to Seattle for another season sailing in the Last Frontier.

Two Cruise Passengers Left in Mexico After Accident

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 16, 2023

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Two Cruise Passengers Left in Mexico After Accident

Two guests from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise never returned to the ship after a day in Cozumel, Mexico, and family members have learned they were in a scooter accident.

The two women are now in a private hospital in Mexico with significant medical bills and it is unknown when they may be able to depart for home in Florida.

Two Cruise Guests Injured in Mexico

Two women sailing aboard Carnival Paradise have been injured in a hit-and-run accident while visiting Cozumel, Mexico. The women – Natalia and Ashley – set sail from Tampa on the Fantasy class vessel on Sunday, September 10, 2023, on what was to have been a roundtrip cruise to Mexico. Cozumel was the only port of call on the 4-night itinerary.

According to local Tampa news reports, Carnival Cruise Line reached out to Natalia’s mother, Maria Ortega, with the news that the women had not reboarded the ship after the call to Cozumel on Tuesday, September 12.

Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: Kyle Lee / Shutterstock

“About an hour later, my daughter somehow got ahold of me through someone’s phone, and she told me they were in an accident. It was hit-and-run,” Ortega explained to Fox 13 News.

Further details provided by family members through an online fundraiser note that the accident occurred while the women were returning to the ship. They had rented scooters from a third party earlier in the day to visit a local beach club.

The accident was severe enough that the women lost their personal possessions and were unconscious for several hours. Their injuries include severe bruises, a possible broken foot and broken arm, cuts, and more.

Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Ship Makes Unexpected Visit to Mexican Port

One of the women was reportedly discharged from the hospital because she did not have insurance, while the other is still in the hospital until medical bills – amounting to as much as $10,000 to $20,000 – have been settled. This is common practice at hospitals in Mexico, especially when treating foreign visitors.

Lack of Travel Documentation

To further complicate matters, neither woman has a passport to facilitate their return to the United States. Passports are not required on closed-loop cruises to Mexico, though Carnival Cruise Line does highly recommend that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months after the conclusion of the cruise.

“This will enable guests … who must disembark the ship before their cruise ends, due to an emergency, to fly back to the United States without significant delays and complications,” the cruise line’s website reads.

Carnival Paradise at Tampa Bay Port — Photo Credit: fitzcrittle / Shutterstock

Family members, who are traveling to Mexico to help, have been in touch with the US State Department about gaining permission for the women to return to the country, which requires immigration approval.

Cruise Line Warnings Against Scooter Rentals

Carnival Cruise Line does strongly warn guests against renting scooters in ports of call, as the rental companies are less regulated than in the United States.

The condition of the vehicles and roads, somewhat lax enforcement of local traffic laws, and other challenges make the scooters very hazardous. Similar warnings are offered about renting cars, jet skis, or other vehicles through non-approved tour vendors.

Because the women were not on a shore excursion booked through the cruise line but rented the scooters independently, the ship had no way to know their location or condition, and did leave port without them. This is standard practice on all cruise lines if guests are late returning to the vessel.

Accidents and injuries can happen in any port of call, even to the most cautious traveler. Travel insurance can help cover emergency treatment costs as well as transport back home if necessary, depending on the type of policy and its exact terms and conditions.

It is not known whether or not the women involved in this incident had any sort of travel insurance.

Cruise Ban Petition Gathers Thousands of Signatures

Princess Cruises News

Robert McGillivray

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Sep 15, 2023

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Cruise Ban Petition Gathers Thousands of Signatures

Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation-owned cruise line, is facing substantial resistance to its plans for a two-year pilot historical cruise program in Yorktown, Virginia.

A grassroots group has gathered over 5,000 signatures on a petition opposing the initiative, raising various concerns from environmental impacts to potential alterations in the town’s unique cultural fabric.

Yorktown follows the example of several villages and cities that have been increasingly vocal about their concerns about visiting large cruise ships.

Controversy Brews over Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises faces increased resistance to its calls scheduled to sail to Yorktown in Virginia. A local group, Preserve Yorktown, has already raised 5,435 signatures on its petition at change.org.

“The character of Yorktown, the home to the final victorious battle of the American Revolution, is threatened. We ask that concerned citizens speak out against these ships that will radically alter the character of Yorktown and may have harmful impacts on the York River and the protected site of the Revolutionary War ships in its waters,” reads the petition.

The petition also refers to Princess Cruises’ past criminal convictions for environmental contamination, raising concerns about the health of the York River’s complex and fragile ecosystem.

Yorktown, Virginia (Photo Credit: Timothy L Barnes / Shutterstock)

The cruise line announced their Yorktown itinerary in February, promising an influx of tourism to the area. The program was initially discussed with some York County Board of Supervisors members in December 2022.

However, the full scope of the proposal was not revealed to Yorktown residents until a forum at the American Revolution Museum this past August. Locals say this delay has resulted in transparency concerns and a loss of faith in local government.

“The citizens of York County have not been included in the decision about Princess Cruises that has a significant impact on our historic community, environment, and the quality of life in Yorktown,” according to the petition.

Two Ships Scheduled to Make Five Calls

Princess Cruises is planning to send two ships to Yorktown on five cruises in the summer of 2024. Three of these cruises will be on the 91,627 gross tons Coral-class cruise ship Island Princess and two onboard the 113,561 gross tons Emerald Princess, which can accommodate 2,200 and 3,080 guests, respectively.

Princess Cruises’ president, John Padgett: “We couldn’t be more excited about this incredible opportunity to add this truly unforgettable destination experience to our already impressive array of itineraries.”

Island Princess Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock

On its website, the cruise line said the calls will have a significant economic impact on the region, which has played an essential role in American history.

However, while the visits might mean an economic boost to the area, the visits to Yorktown and the ensuing complaints from residents fit into a trend that has been developing worldwide.

In recent years, while cruise lines have experienced a surge in passenger numbers and an increasing demand for unique, less-traveled routes, there’s also been notable resistance from local communities who don’t view the presence of large cruise ships as advantageous to their areas.

A Growing Trend of Resistance

The opposition to Princess Cruises’ plans in Yorktown echoes a broader trend. Recently, the Cornish town of Fowey saw spirited public debate following the arrival of the Spirit of Adventure, a Saga Cruises ship, which temporarily inflated the town’s population by almost half.

In another instance, the Orkney Islands Council has been revising its cruise reservation framework due to the sheer volume of visitors. On some days, over 7,000 cruise ship guests flood the islands, overwhelming a local population of just over 22,000. Other destinations that have spoken up against visiting cruise ships include Juneau, Alaska, Venice Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey.

Stephen Roane, York County District 4 supervisor, stated to Chesapeake Bay Magazine: “Regardless of the possible benefits, the board and county staff will need to diligently ensure the cruise line’s visits are overall a positive experience for York County…That our marine environment doesn’t suffer, our unique culture and character isn’t disturbed, and that the economic benefits outweigh the costs.”

Whether Princess Cruises will adapt its proposal in response to local pushback remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the increasing resistance to cruise line expansions in smaller communities is a trend the industry can no longer overlook.

Princess Cruises Unveils Hollywood-Themed Sailings

Princess Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Sep 15, 2023

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Princess Cruises Unveils Hollywood-Themed Sailings

Lights, camera, action! Princess Cruises is going Hollywood, with three entertainment-themed cruises planned for October 2023 on sailings along the US West Coast and British Columbia.

The line has historic ties to Tinseltown, since its ships were featured in the hit TV show “The Love Boat,” a series that brought the idea of cruising into the homes of millions.

Three Princess Ships to Sail West Coast Itineraries

Princess Cruises has announced three “Hollywood Insider” themed cruises its ships will operate in October 2023, featuring onboard celebrities who starred in top shows from the 1980s, behind-the-scenes special effects professionals, and music performances.

The cruises range from 3 to 7 days, and will sail from Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The ships offering these special cruises will be the Majestic Princess, Crown Princess, and Discovery Princess.

Princess Cruise Ship Aft (Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock)

“As the leading cruise line on the west coast and with our connection to Hollywood as the idyllic, co-starring backdrop on ‘The Love Boat,’ it’s a natural fit for us to introduce a series of cruises highlighting notable entertainment industry artists who have shaped television and film through the decades,” said Denise Saviss, vice president of entertainment experience for Princess Cruises.

Cruises Showcase Actors, Special Effects, Music

The 5-day “Hollywood Insider with 80’s Primetime Stars” will be operated onboard Majestic Princess from October 3 to 7, 2023, sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles. The Royal-class ship that carries 3,560 guests will call at Victoria, Canada.

Guests can rub elbows with actors who starred in the show “Dallas,” including Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton, Christopher Atkins, and Sheree J. Wilson. Onboard the Majestic Princess, which launched in 2017, cruisers can attend meet-and-greet and speaker events with the celebrities, who will share stories about their experiences on the show.

Crown Princess, a Crown-class ship that accommodates 3,080 guests, will host the “Hollywood Insider: Behind the Screen EFX” cruise, a 3-night sailing from Seattle to Vancouver departing October 16, 2023. The cruise will highlight the roles that special effects professionals played in popular productions.

Crown Princess Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe / Shutterstock

Guests can hear the personal stories of Michael Westmore, an Emmy award-winning makeup artist who is known for his work in “Star Trek” productions, and Johnnie Spence, who created special effects for movies such as “Spider-Man 3,” “Man of Steel,” and “Face Off.”

Also appearing on the special effects-theme sailing is Tym Buchaarern, a winner of awards for his makeup artistry in productions of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Hairspray Live!,” and “Glee.”

The third and final themed cruise, “Hollywood Insider: Music Connection,” will be held onboard the 3,660-guest Discovery Princess, a Royal-class ship that launched in 2021.

The 7-day sailing departs on October 21, 2023, and sails roundtrip from Los Angeles. The ship will call at San Francisco, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico.

Onboard, guests can attend vocalist performances and meet-and-greet and speaker events. Among the celebrity guests will be Allan Dennis Rich, a songwriter whose credits include Whitney Houston’s “Run to You” and Natalie Cole’s “I Live for Your Love.”

Also appearing will be Freda Payne, the singer and actress who performed with The Supremes in the 1960s and was heralded for her work as a solo artist who recorded the 1970 hit single “Band of Gold.”

Other musicians who will join the cruise include Al Jardine, of The Beach Boys, who sang the lead vocals on the hit song “Help Me Rhonda,” and Leo Rossi, a former tour director for Fleetwood Mac and road crew member for Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand, operates 15 ships in global destinations. The cruise line will soon launch its 16th ship, when Sun Princess debuts in February 2024. The 4,300-guest ship will feature new onboard spaces and spend her first season in the Mediterranean.

Itinerary Change, Cancelled Ports for Carnival’s Epic Cruise

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 15, 2023

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Itinerary Change, Cancelled Ports for Carnival’s Epic Cruise

Just as one of Carnival Cruise Line’s longest-ever cruises has begun, guests onboard Carnival Luminosa have been notified of an itinerary change that is causing three port cancellations and other adjustments for the voyage.

The cruise line is providing compensation and hopefully, the rest of the lengthy itinerary will have smooth sailing.

Carnival Luminosa Itinerary Change

Just as guests were boarding Carnival Luminosa on Thursday, September 14, 2023 to begin the ship’s epic 30-night repositioning cruise from Seattle to Brisbane, they received notification of an itinerary change cancelling all the ports in Alaska, as well as the scenic cruising for Hubbard Glacier.

“In partnership with our Fleet Operations Center, we are monitoring a low-pressure system in the greater Alaska region which is forecasted to create unusually high swells and strong winds that will impact the first part of our itinerary,” the notification read.

According to local radar, the rough weather and rainy conditions extend along much of southeastern Alaska, with wind speeds as high as 28 knots (32 miles per hour / 52 kilometers per hour) along the sailing route the ship would need to take to reach the planned ports of call.

Carnival Luminosa in Seattle (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)

In order to keep the ship safe and comfortable from the storm, a more southerly route is essential, which means it is not possible for Carnival Luminosa to visit Alaska. The visits to Ketchikan (Saturday, September 16) and Icy Strait Point (Sunday, September 17) are cancelled, and there will be no scenic glacier cruising (Monday, September 18).

“Everyone’s safety is our priority, and we really have no choice other than to change our itinerary,” the notification explained. “We know you were looking forward to visiting Alaska as part of this unique adventure and we share your disappointment.”

The letter to guests also encourages them to take extra precautions when moving around the ship over the next few days, as extra motion might be felt even with the route change.

Alternative Ports Added

In revising the itinerary, Carnival Cruise Line has added two additional Japanese ports of call. The earlier than anticipated arrival in Japan is necessitating the cancellation of one of the already scheduled Japanese ports, however, and the ship will not be visiting Kushiro on Tuesday, September 26, which was to have been the first city to visit in Japan.

Now, Carnival Luminosa will instead call on Otaru and Hakodate on Monday and Tuesday, September 25 and 26, respectively. Both port visits are full day stops, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Otaru and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Hakodate.

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

It must be noted that because of the cancellation of the Alaska ports, Carnival Luminosa will now spend the first 10 days of the cruise at sea, with no port visits at all in that time. This includes when the ship will cross the International Date Line, which is a momentous occasion on any transpacific sailing.

At this time, the rest of the ship’s itinerary through Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia is unchanged, and there is no impact on the anticipated October 15, 2023 arrival into Brisbane, Australia.

Compensation Offered

While weather-related itinerary changes are out of the cruise line’s control, Carnival is offering guests $200 (USD) onboard credit per stateroom to enjoy extra activities, drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, fitness class, or other offerings.

Furthermore, all pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions for the now-cancelled Alaska ports of call are being automatically refunded. Guests will be able to purchase new tours for Japan or other ports of call through the Carnival Hub app or by visiting the Carnival Adventures desk on Deck 2, portside, in the Supernova Atrium.

While it may be a somewhat rough start to this epic, 30-night Carnival Journeys voyage – one of the longest in the cruise line’s history – hopefully, it will be smooth sailing for the next 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) that Carnival Luminosa will be covering along the way.

Carnival Cruise Ship Departs on One of Line’s Longest Sailings

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 14, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Ship Departs on One of Line’s Longest Sailings

Carnival Luminosa is making history today as the ship sets off on an epic 30-night sailing, one of the longest ever in Carnival Cruise Line’s history.

Having finished the popular Alaska season, Carnival Luminosa is now setting sail for Australia via Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia along the way.

Carnival Luminosa Sailing for a Month-Long Cruise

The 92,720-gross ton, Spirit class Carnival Luminosa is now sailing one of the cruise line’s longest-ever sailings, departing Seattle, Washington today on a 30-night transpacific cruise to reposition to Australia for the summer season Down Under homeporting from Brisbane through March 2024.

“Today marks the start of a very special voyage. Having completed a wonderful Alaskan cruising season the Carnival Luminosa will leave on a 30 day voyage home to Australia,” said John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador. “It is a truly stunning itinerary.”

During this remarkable Carnival Journeys cruise, Carnival Luminosa – which debuted with the Fun Ship fleet in late 2022 after being transformed from Costa Luminosa – will call on amazing exotic ports, starting first in Alaska with Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, as well as scenic cruising to bid farewell to Hubbard Glacier for the season.

Next, the ship will spend a week at sea before arriving in Japan to enjoy the stunning ports of Kushiro, Aomori, Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Naha, each one offering unique cultural insight into this bucket-list cruising destination.

Two more days at sea will bring Carnival Luminosa to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, and next on the itinerary will be Bitung, Indonesia.

Several more sea days will give the 2,076 travelers onboard a last chance to enjoy all 12 decks of fun before the ship arrives in Brisbane, Australia on October 15, 2023. Guests from the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom are all onboard to enjoy this unique sailing.

Onboard Fun

Passengers on this once-in-a-lifetime cruise can look forward to a great range of activities and other fun, including four “Elegant Evenings” with extra photography opportunities, as well as relaxing spa treatments, fitness seminars, hilarious comedy shows, trivia contests, a wide range of live music in multiple venues, Seaside Theater movies, amazing entertainment, deck parties, and so much more.

Carnival Journeys cruises are specially curated with extra activities such as guest lectures, language lessons, local entertainers while in port, and more.

What can guests expect onboard this unique cruise? Perhaps a lesson in the Japanese art of paper folding, origami, or tips on how to roll sushi or other regional cooking demonstrations.

Special in-cabin movies set in upcoming destinations are likely to be played on stateroom televisions, or local dance troupes or musicians may be brought onboard for one-time-only entertainment in ports of call.

Undoubtedly, there will be special mention when the ship crosses the International Date Line, a momentous occasion for anyone aboard a ship.

Guests will also be able to enjoy all that Carnival Luminosa offers, including the ship’s miniature golf course, basketball court, casino, jogging track, pools, and other amenities.

In Australia and Future Sailings

While in Australia, Carnival Luminosa will offer a range of Great Barrier Reef, South Pacific, and Airlie Beach sailings from Brisbane, including the occasional cruise-to-nowhere short getaway. Several longer sailings will visit Papua New Guinea as well.

In April 2024, the ship will reverse this amazingly epic journey with a return trip from Brisbane to Seattle, calling on different destinations including Guam, Seward, and Ketchikan before arriving at her summer homeport for the Alaska season.

Carnival Luminosa will continue to homeport between Seattle, Washington and Brisbane, Australia at least through September 2025, offering amazing itineraries ideal for adventurous travelers.

Royal Caribbean Reveals First Adults-Only Private Island Escape

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 14, 2023

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Royal Caribbean Reveals First Adults-Only Private Island Escape

Royal Caribbean International has announced a first-of-its-kind adults-only getaway coming soon to CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island destination in The Bahamas.

Scheduled to open in January 2024, the new Hideaway Beach will feature beachside and poolside options, along with exclusive bars and dining venues for guests to enjoy.

Hideaway Beach – A First for Adults on CocoCay

A new development on the northwest side of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Hideaway Beach is an exclusive, adults-only retreat for guests ages 18 and up when visiting the private island.

With all the features guests love – a pristine sandy beach, pools, cabanas, live music, and more – Hideaway Beach is a destination in itself for those who want relaxation without the little ones around.

“Hideaway Beach is a completely new vibe and experience that vacationers are looking for on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Everything from its hidden-like location to the exclusive beach and pools to the private cabanas is designed for adults who want a day just for them,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

You can watch a video about the new Hideaway Beach below:

The cruise line prides itself on providing great experiences for all family members, whether that means adventurous waterpark fun, family-friendly splashes, or now, the adults-only Hideaway Beach.

Features of the new part of CocoCay include more than an acre of white sand beach adjacent to turquoise waters, with loungers and umbrellas on the shore and in-water hammocks and swings for getting some toes in the water. A live DJ will spin tunes by the Hideaway Pool and its swim-up bar, with in-water seating and an infinity edge.

Royal Caribbean's Hideaway beach — Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway beach

For even more exclusivity, guests can enjoy 10 poolside cabanas with private attendant service and other amenities, including charging outlets, mini-fridges, secure storage, and floating beach mats.

Guests looking to level-up their hideaway can also opt for the even more exclusive area, The Hideout, with 10 cabanas and a chill vibe with its own exclusive plunge pool, in-water loungers, resort seating, and an outdoor shower.

Visitors won’t have to leave the adults-only area for refueling and refreshment, with exclusive bars and dining venues right at Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean's Hideaway Beach Map — Royal Caribbean’s Hideaway Beach Map

The Slice of Paradise rustic pizza haven will serve up outstanding tropical pies such as Bahamian-style Guava Barbecued Chicken, Bahamian Jerk Chicken, or Veggie Feast pizzas alongside craft cocktails. Meanwhile, the Snack Shack will offer burgers, fried mozzarella sticks, chicken sandwiches, funnel cakes, and more. Both restaurants are complimentary.

Two full-service beach bars as well as the On the Rocks al fresco bar and the Hideaway Bar two-level swim-up bar will all offer refreshing drinks along with top ocean views and the ultimate in tropical vacation vibes.

Visiting Hideaway Beach

As part of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Hideaway Beach will be available to guests on any sailing that visits that private Bahamian island. The new resort-style area is scheduled to debut in January 2024 with the inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas when the ship begins offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami, all of which will visit CocoCay.

In total, 22 vessels in the Royal Caribbean fleet will be visiting CocoCay in 2024, offering sailings from a variety of US homeports including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Tampa, and New York.

The new part of the private island will have an entry charge, which will likely vary based on how long a particular ship is visiting the island and how many passengers are on CocoCay that day.

Exact fees have not yet been announced, and may change from sailing to sailing. Initial reports are day passes at approximately $45-75 (USD) per person, depending on ship and sailing date. Discounts are offered for pre-cruise bookings, but limited spots are selling out fast.

Cruise Ship In Trouble After Sailing Through Restricted Area

TUI Cruises News

Robert McGillivray

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Sep 13, 2023

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Cruise Ship In Trouble After Sailing Through Restricted Area

The captain of TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 is facing a serious investigation after the ship reportedly navigated through a restricted area in the Fehmarn Belt, a waterway separating the German island of Fehrman and the Danish island of Lolland.

The incident could have significant repercussions, including criminal negligence charges against the captain and the ship’s first officer. While guests did not notice anything of the incident, the risks were significant, with Mein Schiff 4 sailing in close proximity to an operational dredging ship.

Mein Schiff 4 Enters Restricted Area

On September 5, the 99,526 gross tons German cruise ship Mein Schiff 4, operated by TUI Cruises, entered a restricted zone around 10 PM local time.

The cruise ship was en route from Kiel, Germany, to Gdynia, Poland. According to local police reports, the vessel sailed directly through an area reserved for the dredging vessel Manta, which is currently involved in constructing a Baltic Sea tunnel between Germany and Denmark.

The ship came dangerously close to the dredging crew, closing in to within approximately 150 meters. A safety radius of 926 meters applies around the dredging vessel.

Mein Schiff 4 (Photo Credit: penofoto / Shutterstock)

This close call could have ended much worse than it did. Besides the potential risks of sailing too near to a dredging ship, which often has submerged equipment that could prove hazardous, the crew of the dredging vessel was forced to release its anchor chains to prevent a direct accident.

“Recognizing the immediate threat, the crew of the dredger released their anchor chains, allowing the cruise ship to pass safely,” said a police spokesperson.

The incident led to local authorities initiating criminal proceedings against the captain and the first officer for allegedly negligently endangering maritime traffic. According to criminal law provisions, a conviction could result in a fine and up to two years in prison.

In the aftermath, officials boarded the Mein Schiff 4 in Kiel for further questioning. “The primary focus of the investigation is to reconstruct the ship’s route to ascertain whether there was any deviation from the planned course,” stated a police report.

Safety Measures and Guest Impact

While the investigation continues to unfold around the Mein Schiff 4 incident, it raises questions about how it happened. Cruise ships have advanced GPS systems that offer real-time tracking and navigational assistance.

Additionally, vessels must register with traffic control centers, such as the one in Travemünde for the Fehmarnbelt. These centers monitor sea routes and provide essential details like weather conditions, restricted areas, and other maritime hazards.

TUI Mein Schiff 4 — Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com

Areas like construction zones for the tunnel between Denmark and Germany are generally marked by buoys emitting signals. Captains receive real-time updates about these restricted areas and are expected to divert the ship’s course to avoid them.

According to the traffic control center in Travemünde, which monitors the Fehmarnbelt, Mein Schiff 4 has confirmed its familiarity with the area, including the restricted zones.

The ongoing investigation will likely scrutinize why these standard safety protocols did not prevent the Mein Schiff 4 from sailing into a restricted zone, which could have far-reaching consequences for the Captain and First Officer.

TUI Cruises

Mein Schiff 4 is a cruise ship operated by TUI Cruises, a partnership between TUI and the Royal Caribbean Group. The cruise line currently operates six cruise ships, Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 6, with Mein Schiff 7 currently under construction in Finland.

Another new cruise ship, Mein Schiff 8, is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Both new vessels are expected to set sail in 2024.

Mein Schiff 8 will be the first LNG-fuelled ship and the largest ship for the company at 161,000 gross tons. A second LNG-powered cruise ship, Mein Schiff 9, is expected to launch in 2026.

Carnival Cruise Line Expands Popular Game Show to More Ships

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Sep 13, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Line Expands Popular Game Show to More Ships

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that more guests will have the opportunity to battle it out with the popular Family Feud Live game show, already a hit on the line’s Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

Now, the cruise line will offer the exciting competition on 12 additional ships, with debuts coming over the next year.

Family Feud Expanding to 12 More Carnival Ships

The immensely popular Family Feud Live game show, currently featured aboard Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration with great success, will be brought to a dozen more Carnival cruise ships over the next year.

Debut dates for the show will vary, with Carnival Vista and Carnival Legend debuting the interactive entertainment this month, on their September 16 and September 30 sailings, respectively.

Later in 2023, three additional ships will showcase the game show: Carnival Pride on the ship’s November 19 departure, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel, along with Carnival Miracle on her December 14 departure, a 5-night Mexican Riviera sailing from Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico.

The new Carnival Jubilee will be the last ship to debut the game show in 2023, when it is featured on the ship’s inaugural cruise. That sailing departs Galveston, Texas on December 23, with visits to Roatan, Honduras and both Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

“Family Feud Live is such a fun and unique entertainment option because guests get into the action and participate in the same way they’ve watched the game played on TV,” said Chris Nelson, vice president of entertainment for Carnival Cruise Line. “Building on its popularity by bringing it to more ships will ensure that more of our guests get to experience the fun and friendly competition of Family Feud Live.”

2024 Game Show Debut Dates

During 2024, an additional seven Carnival cruise ships will set sail with the show with various debut dates. First will be Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon in March 2024, on the ships’ March 2 and March 30 sailings, respectively.

Carnival Liberty will debut Family Feud Live on its May 26, 2024 sailing, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from New Orleans, visiting Key West, Freeport, and Nassau.

Carnival Luminosa will be the next ship to feature the game show on her June 20, 2024 cruise, the first time Family Feud Live will be played aboard a ship in Alaska, as the ship sails a 7-night Last Frontier cruise from Seattle.

Carnival Spirit will also bring the game show to her Alaska season, first appearing aboard the July 23, 2024 departure. That cruise is a 7-night Alaska cruise from Seattle, calling on Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Mardi Gras Family Feud Live — Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

Guests aboard Carnival Magic will be able to join the excitement on the ship’s August 18, 2024 departure, a 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami and calling on Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay.

Carnival Dream is the last ship planned to debut Family Feud Live in the coming months. The show will first appear on the ship’s October 5, 2024 sailing, an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Galveston, calling on Key West, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

At this time, it is unknown whether the live game show will eventually be expanded to the entire Carnival fleet. Licensing arrangements and the technical capabilities of each vessel to accommodate the show will undoubtedly be factors in any such plans.

Playing Family Feud Live Onboard

Carnival Cruise Line has an exclusive partnership with the Fremantle entertainment company, and first debuted the game show aboard Mardi Gras when the ship set sail in 2021.

The live game show’s format mimics the television program with two 5-person teams trying to guess popular answers to survey questions. Unlike the iconic show, however, the onboard contestants don’t always have to be family members or close friends, but are all “cruise family” aboard their Carnival sailing.

Three rounds of questions are played, as well as the Fast Money round. The winning team receives fun prizes to commemorate their participation and reward their success at guessing the most popular responses.

The game show is played in each ship’s main show lounge to full capacity crowds, and is the evening’s featured entertainment when it is showcased.