Carnival Sunshine will be arriving to Norfolk on Sunday morning instead of Saturday as announced previously.
Guests should keep their original terminal arrival times for embarkation and all guests must be on board by 3 p.m.
The visit to Half Moon Cay is now cancelled but the ship will arrive to Grand Turk three hours early.
Following up on an earlier message alerting guests to the closure of the Port of Norfolk and Carnival Sunshine being delayed in her return to her Virginia homeport, Carnival Cruise Line has now confirmed the changes in embarkation and itinerary.
Furthermore, guests continue to be advised about the cold weather and how it will impact the embarkation experience so they can be prepared for the challenging conditions in Norfolk.
Embarkation Shifted a Full Day
Carnival Sunshine was originally scheduled to return to Virginia on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the end of her current 6-night Bahamas sailing. Blustery conditions, however, forced the Port of Norfolk to close and the ship will now be returning on Sunday instead.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to embarking guests to let them know of the change and how it impacts boarding the ship. Carnival Sunshine can welcome up to 3,002 guests onboard, and it is important that everyone is aware of the adjustments to their sailing.
“Carnival Sunshine is expected to arrive in Norfolk tomorrow morning, Sunday, February 8,”the message confirmed.“For embarkation all guests are being asked to adhere to their original Terminal Arrival Appointment schedule.”
This means the time that guests selected when they checked in for the cruise several weeks is still the time they ought to arrive at the cruise terminal, only on Sunday rather than on Saturday.
All guests must be checked in at the cruise terminal no later than 3 p.m. and Carnival Sunshine should be departing by 4:30 p.m. at the latest.
This is the third consecutive Carnival Sunshine cruise that has faced weather-related challenges. The January 24 departure returned to Norfolk a day early to beat bad weather, while the February 1 departure shifted sailing routes to smoother waters, which meant a port cancellation on the itinerary.
Embarkation to Be Chilly
Carnival has once again reiterated that embarkation on February 8 will be a cold affair, urging guests to dress appropriately.
“Sunday will be cold. So, we encourage you to dress in layers for embarkation, which will come in handy as our team implements additional measures to warm the ship,”the email said.
Carnival Sunshine in the City of Norfolk (Credit: Carnival)
According to the National Weather Service, Norfolk will be under an extreme cold warning from 10 p.m. Saturday night until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The high temperature is predicted to be near 30 on Sunday, but wind chills may be as low as zero degrees. Gusts may reach 33 miles per hour.
Carnival has not indicated what “additional measures” may be used to try and keep public areas of Carnival Sunshine feeling slightly sunnier, but some outdoor areas may be closed to prevent frequent door openings that would release the inside heat.
Itinerary Changed for Shortened Cruise
Because the ship is now leaving on Sunday rather than Saturday, it is not possible to maintain the original itinerary. The cruise had been planned to visit Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, February 10, followed by Grand Turk and Amber Cove on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Since we had to shorten our voyage, we will not be able to visit Half Moon Cay but have arranged to give you some extra time in Grand Turk, where we now expect to arrive at 8:00 AM,”the email explained.
Originally, Carnival Sunshine was to have arrived in Grand Turk at 11 a.m. Now, guests will have three additional hours to enjoy that beautiful port of call on Wednesday, February 11. The ship should still be departing the island at 6 p.m.
The time in Amber Cove on Thursday, February 12 is unchanged from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Likewise, Carnival Sunshine should arrive back in Norfolk as originally planned by 8 a.m. on Sunday, February 15.
Any shore tours pre-purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Half Moon Cay will be automatically cancelled and refunded, while tours in Grand Turk may be adjusted if necessary for the new time in port. Guests can visit the Carnival Adventures desk portside, forward on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck) with questions.
Cruise Hive’s weekly news roundup is a great way to stay informed on the major developments across the cruise industry. Highlights in this edition include coverage of a maritime strike that prevented an MSC Cruises’ ship from docking in Marseille, France; strong winds causing a Celebrity Cruises’ ship to miss the only two port calls on her itinerary; and Carnival Cruise Line announcing an increase in its crew gratuity charge.
Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
Cruising is Booming in the Bahamas
For the third consecutive year, the Nassau Cruise Port set a new record in cruise arrivals, reaching 6.1 million. That’s nearly half of all visitors to the Bahamas, which totals 12.5 million tourists.
The record-high cruise arrival number makes Nassau the world’s busiest transit cruise port, as it received roughly 1,600 ship calls.
Cruise Passengers in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: JuliaDorian)
The 2025 number reflects a 9.5% hike over 2024, when the destination received 5.6 million cruise guests from 1,445 ship calls. In 2023, cruise arrivals totaled 4.4 million.
Confident in the port’s growth pattern, port officials have invested $300 million in upgrades over the past few years. These included six additional, and larger, berths that can accommodate the industry’s largest ships — Royal Caribbean’s Icon class.
The port also reached a new milestone in 2025 in terms of daily passengers. On April 8, 2025, 31,011 cruise passengers arrived in Nassau on five ships: Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, and Disney Dream.
Weather Front Turns Voyage Into Cruise to Nowhere
A three-night weekend getaway cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection was scheduled to make two port calls — to Key West and Bimini, Bahamas.
But the voyage turned out to be a cruise to nowhere, when high winds from an advancing weather front forced the ship to cancel both calls. The ship departed from Port Everglades on January 30, 2026, and was to call at Key West the next day.
Celebrity Reflection in Fort Lauderdale (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Winds of 15-20 miles per hour throughout the day and gusts up to 33 miles per hour were predicted at the time Celebrity Reflection would have been docked. That’s a lot of pressure on mooring lines, and could create unsafe disembarkation via gangways.
Meanwhile, the Port of Bimini shut down due to high winds, so that call was impossible to make, too.
It was a disappointment for guests; however, a ship captain’s first priority is always the safety of guests and crew onboard.
The 3,046-guest Celebrity Reflection, a Solstice-class ship, has plenty of onboard delights, such as the Lawn Club outdoor recreation area, several specialty restaurants, and the AquaSpa, offering more than 100 wellness treatments.
Carnival Cruise Line Hikes Crew Gratuities By $1
For the first time in three years, Carnival Cruise Line is raising its crew gratuity rate, effective on April 2, 2026.
The new rate for guests in standard staterooms will be $17 per person per day, and $19 for those in suites. The increases reflect a $1 rise in each category, and works out to a 6.25% hike for standard stateroom guests and a 5.55% increase for suite guests.
Also, the line is raising the cost of its Bottomless Bubbles soda package, from $9.50 per person per day to $11.99. Guests will still pay a 20% service charge on each soda order.
Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Guests are invited to pre-pay the gratuities or the soda package on any booked cruise before April 2, effective on the day of departure, locking in the lower rate no matter their departure date.
Cruise lines typically raise gratuity rates every few years. This week also saw an increase in gratuities at Margaritaville at Sea, which raised its rate to $22 per person per day, regardless of accommodation category. It also enacted a policy change that prohibits guests from adjusting or removing crew gratuities from their onboard accounts.
Maritime Strike Disrupts MSC Cruises’ Ship
Unionized maritime workers in Marseille, France, organized a strike at the destination’s port on February 2, 2026, an action that prevented MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra from docking there to embark and disembark guests.
The French Riviera port is one of multiple embarkation/disembarkation ports for the 3,223-guest ship, which is sailing a series of 7-night Mediterranean cruises.
The protest had been planned; the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats Maritimes Union had filed a strike notice for February 2 and 3. Local media reported that the demonstrators blocked access to the port.
MSC Orchestra in Marseille (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)
The ship waited several hours for the protest to end, but ultimately left the region. The ship departed from Valencia, Spain, on January 31, 2026, and Marseille was the second call, after Barcelona. Genoa, Livorno, and Rome, Italy, were next on the itinerary, before the ship returns to Valencia on February 7, 2026.
Guests left behind in Marseille posted on social media that the cruise line was hosting them that night at a hotel and would bus them to the next port call, Genoa, where they could embark.
It is likely that similar plans were made for the guests who were to debark in Marseille.
Spa Sales Pitch Angers Royal Caribbean Guest
Most cruisers who have experienced a spa treatment on a cruise ship know that, sometimes, a spa representative will try to squeeze more money out of a guest by attempting to upsell a treatment or sell related products.
It recently happened to one Royal Caribbean guest, who posted on social media about what turned out to be a very frustrating experience.
The passenger described a 20- to 30-minute sales pitch they were subjected to when they arrived for their scheduled massage. So intense was the experience that the guest became angry and left the spa before the $200 massage even started.
Utopia of the Seas Spa (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
They demanded and received a refund, but that wasn’t enough. They also went to the guest services desk and, after complaining about the incident, demanded a refund of all pre-paid amenities and excursions.
Guest services staff complied. The passenger’s tale went viral on social media, with other cruisers relating similar experiences.
Depending on the cruise line, some spa workers are employed by the spa vendor, not the cruise line, and are sometimes, unfortunately, under pressure from the vendor to upsell products.
Cruising? Bring Your Own Umbrella
No one likes to think about a rainy day spoiling part of a cruise vacation, but it does happen from time to time.
One Carnival Cruise Line guest reached out to brand ambassador John Heald, asking whether they should bring their own umbrella or will crew make them available if needed. If not, asked the guest, why not?
Heald, who interacts with guests on his popular Facebook page, replied that no, the cruise line does not provide umbrellas. First, they would need thousands of them on each ship — nearly 95,000 fleetwide, and some would likely not be returned at the end of a sailing.
Carnival Cruise During Rainy Port Visit (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
The exchange prompted other guests to chime in, and some suggested that plastic ponchos were a better idea than umbrellas, which can break in the wind or blow overboard from open decks.
Guests are welcome to pack their own umbrellas — the item is not listed as a prohibited item. Small, compact umbrellas don’t take up much room in a suitcase.
While cruisers sailing in the Caribbean or other tropical regions expect and hope for warm, dry, sunny days, it’s always possible that a weather pattern will bring showers. Best to be prepared.
‘Beetlejuice’ to Depart From Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva has presented the Broadway-style show “Beetlejuice: The Musical” for more than two-and-a-half years, but the run is ending.
The 90-minute musical, about a dead couple who haunt their country estate, is shown on the ship’s entertainment notes as having its final performance on the March 21, 2026, cruise. No formal announcement has been made.
The move follows the news that another show, “Jersey Boys,” is ending its run on Norwegian Bliss after that ship’s February 8, 2026, cruise.
Norwegian Viva is based in Galveston, Texas. Her March 21 cruise is a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing calling at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
The ship’s entertainment notes also indicate that two new productions will soon be offered.
“Motor City Moves,” featuring “Detroit’s iconic sound,” will be performed during the ship’s first seasonal Mediterranean sailing, departing April 29, 2026, from Barcelona. Later in the season, “Burn the Floor” will be performed. It’s a ballroom dance ensemble.
Other entertainment options aboard Norwegian Viva include the game shows “Deal or No Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” and “Wheel of Fortune,” along with comedy shows and other musical events.
More Cruise Headlines
Now that you’ve read the news recap, Cruise Hive has even more coverage from the past week, including two Cunard ships meeting up for a rendezvous in California, Holland America Line rolling out new Pacific Coast and Hawaii voyages, and Carnival Cruise Line announcing it will base two ships in Baltimore in 2027-28.
Also, Royal Caribbean offers lucrative compensation to lure guests away from an overbooked cruise, and damage from storms causes a temporary closure of the Great Stirrup Cay private destination.
Carnival has contacted guests for Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Pride about weather impacts on their cruises.
Carnival Sunshine will be delayed a day returning to Norfolk and itinerary changes are possible but not yet confirmed.
Carnival Pride has no changes yet but may be impacted on her return to Baltimore on Sunday, February 8.
With rough winter weather continuing to impact the eastern US this weekend, two Carnival cruise ships are now feeling the effect on their schedules. Guests for both Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Pride are being alerted to the situation and advised on what steps to take and what to expect for their upcoming sailings.
“Sadly due to unfavorable weather, the Port of Norfolk will be closed Saturday, February 7, and the ship will be delayed returning from the current voyage,”the email notification explained.“We are now expecting to arrive some time Sunday, February 8.”
By necessity, this will shorten the next voyage from an 8-night sailing to a 7-night itinerary. Carnival will provide a further operational update no later than 3 p.m. on Saturday with details on embarkation and itinerary changes.
The original 8-night itinerary was to have visited Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove. At this time, it is unknown whether all three port visits will still be possible.
Whether Carnival Sunshine can preserve her port visits will largely depend on exactly when the ship is able to arrive, which is not yet confirmed.
Because of the unfortunate timing of rough weather over the past few weeks, Carnival Sunshine has had multiple itinerary disruptions on consecutive voyages.
The ship’s current less-than-sunny sailing, which departed February 1, shifted her route to avoid poor weather, which forced the cancellation of her visit to Bimini. The visits to Nassau and Celebration Key were adjusted slightly to compensate.
On the previous sailing, which left Norfolk on January 24, the ship returned to Virginia a day early to beat the rough weather to the port, though guests could choose to stay onboard until their original debarkation time.
Carnival Pride
Carnival Pride is returning to Baltimore, Maryland from a 7-night Bahamas cruise on Sunday, February 8 and is due to begin another similar weeklong sailing that day.
While there are not yet any confirmed changes for Carnival Pride, the cruise line is being proactive in alerting guests of the possibility of adjustments.
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: denbaim)
“Our Fleet Operations Center is monitoring weather reports and unfavorable conditions are forecasted as the ship returns home,” the email said.“These conditions may delay the arrival and, possibly, impact your embarkation.”
The email reiterates that there are no changes yet, but urges guests to sign up for text alerts to stay updated as quickly as possible should there be any adjustments.
As with Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Pride has also been affected by rough weather recently.
When Winter Storm Fern impacted much of the eastern US in late January, Carnival Pride returned to Baltimore one day late, shortening her January 25 (delayed to January 26) departure to a 6-night cruise. This caused the ship to skip the planned visit to Bimini for that sailing.
A similar situation may develop if the ship is delayed this weekend. The February 8 cruise is scheduled to visit Half Moon Cay, Nassau, and Celebration Key, and it may be necessary to cancel a port visit if any delay is extensive.
Celebrity Cruises currently sails to Alaska with three ships: Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit. There are tons of itineraries to choose from, visiting top destinations in Alaska such as the Dawes and Hubbard Glaciers. So how do you pick the right Celebrity Cruises Alaskan cruise itinerary and ship for your vacation?
I’m going to break down everything you need to know about each of these three ships and what they offer in regards to the Alaskan cruise experience, so you can make the best choice for you and your fellow travelers.
Ship Overview
Ship
Class
Homeport(s)
Glacier Access
Best For
Celebrity Solstice
Solstice
Seattle
Endicott Arm / Dawes Glacier
First-time cruisers, families, modern design
Celebrity Eclipse
Solstice
Vancouver
Hubbard Glacier
Scenery lovers, couples, large-ship amenities
Celebrity Millennium
Millennium
Vancouver & Seward
Hubbard Glacier
Adventure travelers, land tours, smaller ship
Celebrity Edge
Launched in 2018, Celebrity Edge is no longer the cruise line’s biggest or newest ship, but it still certainly appeals to those wanting a modern, upscale cruising experience when they travel to the Last Frontier.
And, if you’ve never sailed with Celebrity Cruises before, it’s worth noting that, in terms of luxury, the line isn’t considered a super-luxury brand, like Regent Seven Seas or Silversea, but it’s definitely a step above the budget guys.
Given its newness, Celebrity Edge hasn’t received any extensive renovations since its debut, just some minor updates during a 2023 dry dock.
Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)
Features you can expect include the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves along the ship’s exterior and is used during boarding and disembarking, but also as a bar and restaurant during sailings. There are also infinite veranda staterooms that merge the indoors and outdoors into one cohesive space.
Celebrity Edge is the newest and most modern of the three Celebrity Cruises ships that travel to Alaska, making it an excellent choice if having the best and newest features and amenities possible during your cruise experience is of the utmost importance to you.
2026–2027 Alaska Deployments
Celebrity Cruises currently offers seven-night sailings on Celebrity Edge, departing from both Seattle and Vancouver, with prices starting as low as around $130 per night. Highlights along the way include Ketchikan, Skagway, Dawes Glacier and the Alaska Inside Passage.
Just note that not all of these are your typical round-trip deployments. Instead, some itineraries travel from Vancouver to Alaska and then back to Seattle (or vice versa) rather than returning to their original port of call.
Celebrity Edge Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage: 129,500
Passenger Capacity: 2,918
Staterooms: 1,467
Guest Decks: 14
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Celebrity Edge
During an Alaskan cruise on Celebrity Edge, you’ll enjoy a modern, upscale cruising experience, with lots of amenities and ways to stay entertained on the ship, when you’re not in port. Cruisers often mention loving the dining and live entertainment on Celebrity Edge. There’s also an indoor pool, so you can take a dip regardless of the weather.
Definitely book an infinite veranda stateroom if you’re sailing on this ship to Alaska. The views from the entirety of your cabin will be well worth the extra cost, when it comes to watching the wildlife and marine life, from sea lions to killer whales.
If you don’t book a room with at least a window, you’re going to need to get up early so that you can catch the scenic views without fighting against a crowd.
Who Should Avoid This Ship
The ship only sails seven-night itineraries, and visits primarily the top spots in Alaska. If you want a longer sailing or visits to smaller locales, you may be better off picking another ship. Additionally, this ship does not stop at Hubbard Glacier, so if that’s on your bucket list, look elsewhere for other cruise types.
Celebrity Edge Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Big, modern ship with lots of amenities typical for Edge series ships
Short itineraries that aren’t always round-trip (which can result in greater airfare costs)
Infinite Veranda staterooms offer spectacular views of the breathtaking beauty of Alaska
Short itineraries that aren’t always round-trip (which can result in greater airfare costs) Itineraries may not visit all the top spots you want to see
Celebrity Solstice
Originally launched in 2008, Celebrity Solstice is the lead Solstice-class ship. As such, when it made its debut, the ship was full of rave-worthy new features. The ship introduced Celebrity Cruises’ Lawn Club, with its hot glass show, as well as the AquaClass staterooms.
Given its age, the ship has received multiple refurbishments over its lifetime, including in 2016, 2021 and, most recently, early 2026. The latest round of refurbishments was part of a broader $250 million effort to modernize all Solstice-class ships, with expansive changes all around.
Celebrity Solstice in Alaska (Photo Credit: Bill Wilcox)
Now, cruisers traveling to Alaska on this ship will enjoy fully upgraded staterooms, as well as the option to book four new stateroom categories. All these new staterooms are sure to offer stellar Alaska views, whether you book a panoramic infinite veranda suite, deluxe panoramic ocean view suite, panoramic ocean view suite or deluxe panoramic ocean view stateroom.
New restaurants and social spaces are also being added. Given all of the above, then, if you were worried about booking an Alaskan cruise on Celebrity Solstice because it’s on the older side, don’t be.
This ship has been given a heavy makeover that takes care of past complaints that it’s on the tired and dated side. Additionally, a lot of these upgrades make for better views in both indoor and outdoor spaces — perfect for Alaska!
2026–2027 Alaska Deployments
With prices starting at $107 per night, you have a wealth of Celebrity Solstice Alaska deployment options to choose from. The majority are 10-night trips with shore excursions included, though you can also find cruises that are as little as five nights. Ships sail to both the Hubbard Glacier and Dawes Glacier.
Celebrity Solstice Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage: 122,000
Passenger Capacity: 2,852
Staterooms: 1,479
Guest Decks: 13
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Celebrity Solstice
Given the ships’ recent updates ahead of the 2026 Alaska season, you can expect a modern cruise experience on Celebrity Solstice, with plenty of places to take in the views, whether you’re indoors or out, in your cabin or mingling with your fellow cruisers.
As mentioned, you’re going to want to book one of those newly added stateroom categories with access to a balcony, infinite veranda or panoramic ocean view. The Sky Lounge also offers great views, but that’s not necessarily new.
Who Should Avoid This Ship
While the ship is updated, Celebrity Edge does still have some features that you won’t find on Celebrity Solstice, so if you’re keen to experience Edge class-exclusive amenities and venues, avoid Celebrity Solstice.
Celebrity Solstice Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
The ship was significantly updated in early 2026
While updated, this still isn’t technically a new ship
Offers a wide range of deployments, with stops in top spots like Sitka, Juneau, and the Icy Strait Point
Offers a wide range of deployments, with stops in top spots like Sitka, Juneau, and the Icy Strait Point
Celebrity Summit
A Millennium-class ship, Celebrity Summit, is the oldest and smallest ship of the three that Celebrity Cruises is sending to Alaska. As such, if you like a more intimate, less crowded cruising experience, this may just be the ship for you.
Sailing on a smaller ship to Alaska can be a great choice for myriad reasons. Smaller ships can go places that larger ships can’t, so you can see more of the great outdoors beyond the tourist hot spots. Fewer people onboard means less scrambling for a good spot to take in the scenery as well.
Celebrity Summit in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ken Schulze)
However, there are trade-offs. While this ship, which launched in 2001, has been refurbished as recently as 2019, you can only do so much to a smaller ship, so don’t expect all the venues and amenities you’d find on a Celebrity Cruises vessel that’s 20 years its junior. Still, it does have The Retreat and Sky Lounge, fan favorite spaces.
2026–2027 Alaska Deployments
Find week-long or longer Celebrity Summit cruises starting at under $90 per night. Having trouble picking? The one-way sailings between Vancouver and Seward are a top pick due to the amount of time they give you both in port and visiting glaciers.
Celebrity Summit Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage: 90,940
Passenger Capacity: 2,158
Staterooms: 1,119
Decks: 11
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Celebrity Summit
As alluded, smaller ships have more flexibility with their itineraries, and that’s one of the things cruisers love about Celebrity Summit’s Alaskan cruises. Plan to thoroughly enjoy time in port and visiting glaciers, as well as simply relaxing on this laid-back, low-key vessel.
Get the best views in the Sky Lounge, and consider picking a veranda stateroom. While you’ll get somewhat better views higher up, just keep in mind that staterooms higher up on a cruise ship generally come with more motion and noise.
Who Should Avoid This Ship
You should probably pick another Celebrity Cruises ship for an Alaskan cruise if you prefer newer, bigger ships. If you love having a lot of options during a cruise, you may end up underwhelmed or bored by Celebrity Summit’s relatively limited offerings.
Celebrity Summit Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
A smaller ship means fewer crowds
This ship is on the older side, and hasn’t received that recent of refurbishments
Itineraries prioritize time in Alaskan ports and at glaciers
Smaller ships mean fewer amenities and venues
Which Ship is Cheapest?
On average, out of these three ships, you can expect the cheapest cruise fares on Celebrity Summit. However, fares always range significantly depending on things like demand, exact stateroom booked, etc.
Here are the lowest and highest per-night costs for each ship:
Celebrity Summit: $89.32–$693.52
Celebrity Edge: $128.80–$874.63
Celebrity Solstice: $118.60–$752.05
Generally, smaller, older ships are going to have lower fares than newer, bigger ships, as can be seen in Celebrity Cruises’ pricing for its Alaskan voyages.
MSC Cruises has pulled MSC Lirica from its 2026-27 South America lineup.
Previously booked passengers received a note of the cancellations and were offered alternatives.
The cruise line has not revealed where MSC Lirica will sail instead.
Passengers booked on cruises departing from Rio de Janeiro were notified this week that their sailing aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Lirica has been cancelled due to changes in ship deployment.
According to a message sent by MSC Cruises to booked guests, the cruise line said the cancellation is the result of “operational reasons,” but did not explain what those reasons are.
“We regret to inform you that we have had to cancel the cruise due to operational reasons affecting MSC Lirica’s deployment,” the message said to one passenger scheduled to depart on a December 9, 2026, voyage.
Rather than sailing a full winter schedule from Brazilian ports as originally planned, MSC Lirica will no longer operate in South America, with all South America itineraries for its 2026-27 season removed from MSC Cruises’ website and booking system, as well as the repositioning cruise.
As of now, the ship’s last voyage concludes in Venice on November 15, 2026, when the vessel was to begin a repositioning sailing to South America. Its updated 2026-27 schedule has not yet been released.
MSC Cruises’ South America program for 2026-27’s winter season had been announced months earlier with multiple ships scheduled, including MSC Lirica alongside larger vessels such as MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, and MSC Musica.
The lineup was intended to support a range of regional itineraries out of Brazilian homeports, including Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Itajaí, and Parangaguá, as well as select transatlantic repositioning.
Photo Credit: Mummert-und-Ibold / Shutterstock
Currently, the website shows MSC Musica, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Divina, and MSC Splendid offering South America itineraries, with MSC Musicabeginning her season following renovations to install the MSC Yacht Club.
This isn’t the first time MSC Lirica avoided Brazil. In June 2025, MSC Cruises swapped the 2,679-passenger vessel with MSC Sinfonia for the current 2025-26 season in South America.
Options After Cancellation
In the cancellation notice, MSC Cruises did not offer an alternative sailing for the 65,591-gross-ton MSC Lirica, instead outlining three options for affected passengers.
The first option allows guests to transfer their booking to another South America cruise of equal duration during the same season. The cruise line said it will apply “the most convenient cruise fare between the original sailing and the new one,” provided passengers book the same cabin category.
This option applies to cruise fare only. Flights, hotel packages, shore excursions, and other add-on services are excluded.
MSC Cruises noted that Christmas and New Year’s sailings may only be selected if the original reservation was already booked for a holiday departure.
Under the second option, guests may move their bookings to any other MSC Cruises sailing currently available for sale without paying a change fee. The new cruise will be repriced at the current fare.
Passengers choosing a more expensive sailing will be required to pay the fare difference, while those selecting a cheaper cruise will receive a refund for the difference.
The third option allows guests to cancel the booking entirely and receive a full refund. The notice did not specify deadlines for choosing an option or timelines for processing refunds and rebookings.
MSC Seaside broke away from the pier at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve on Thursday, February 5.
Strong and unexpected wind gusts caused the incident, but there were no injuries or damage reported.
All the private islands in the Bahamas have had weather-related challenges over the past few weeks.
Cruise line private islands are designed to be relaxing, peaceful escapes, but it was anything but peaceful at MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas for a few minutes on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
During a burst of high winds, MSC Seaside broke free from her mooring lines and drifted sharply away from the pier while guests were still on the island and waiting to reboard the ship.
A video posted on social media shows the ship loose at the bow with broken lines dangling into the water. The ship remained attached at the aft and did not drift completely from the pier.
We are very grateful to all the hardworking crews of MSC Seaside for keeping us safe yesterday during the unexpected weather @Oceancay #MSCseaside#msccruise#oceancay#oceancaymscmarinereserve @MSC Cruises US @MSC Cruises Official
Nevertheless, the sudden and unpredictable motion made it unsafe for the gangways to be used, and guests were temporarily barred from returning to the ship.
MSC Cruises stated to Cruise Hive:
“Due to inclement weather, the vessel separated from the pier, resulting in a temporary pause in embarkation. Our crew responded immediately to safely secure the ship, and there were no injuries or damage. All guests rejoined the vessel and departure proceeded as scheduled.“
The 153,516-gross-ton ship was visiting Ocean Cay from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on what was to have been a lovely day. In fact, when MSC Seaside docked in the morning, winds were negligible and while the day was cool, it was looking fine for a winter beach day.
According to Weather Underground, the winds began to pick up shortly after 9 a.m. Steady wind speeds were 10-15 miles per hour throughout much of the rest of the ship’s visit.
Two different gusty periods were recorded, however. The first was at about noon, when wind gusts rose as high as 29 mph. Gusts continued even higher until about 4 p.m., with the highest speed recorded at 3:43 p.m. at 37 mph.
MSC Seaside Breaking From Moorings at Ocean Cay (Credit: @jelly.mae.aaron)
These severe and unexpected gusts can put too much strain on any cruise ship’s mooring lines, which snap under the pressure. Fortunately, MSC Seaside did not drift far before her thrusters were able to bring her back to the pier and the vessel could be secured again, and guests were able to resume using the gangways.
No damage or injuries were reported in the incident. MSC Seaside was able to depart as planned and return to Miami with no delays.
The ship is homeported year-round from the Sunshine State at least through April 2028, offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises, with up to 4,132 guests onboard at double occupancy or up to 5,119 travelers when fully booked.
Challenging Winter for Private Islands
It’s been a lot of difficult weather for all the private islands in the Bahamas over the last few weeks, with high winds and rough swells causing multiple itinerary changes and port cancellations across different cruise lines.
Because of departure delays due to winter storms, MSC Meraviglia had to skip visiting Ocean Cay on the ship’s February 1 departure, while Disney Wish had to skip a planned visit to Castaway Cay the same weekend due to high winds.
Multiple ships have had to cancel visits to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay either due to poor weather or recent pier damage because of storms. When possible, ships have been rerouted to alternative ports, though some have had days at sea instead.
Even when guests can visit the private islands, the rough weather has made those visits less enjoyable than expected. At Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, for example, the pier and main pool have been temporarily closed, requiring ships to use tenders to ferry guests to shore.
Both the pool and pier are recent additions to Great Stirrup Cay, and this is a rough way for them to debut.
While all cruise guests understand that safety is the first priority and itinerary changes do happen, hopefully, the winter weather will ease up soon and the private islands will once again offer warm, peaceful welcomes to all guests.
The February 7, 2026 sailing of Oasis of the Seas is overbooked and guests have a tempting offer to consider.
The impacted sailing is an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Guests can opt to skip the cruise for a full refund and a 50% future cruise credit with the limited-time offer.
Guests excited about their upcoming Oasis of the Seas sailing on Saturday, February 7 just might be more excited about not setting sail after all. Royal Caribbean has reached out to travelers with a special offer, likely due to overbooking.
The notification email concerns the ship’s 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary departing Fort Lauderdale this weekend. Port visits are planned to Aruba, Curacao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay (weather permitting of course!).
“Ahead of our Oasis of the Seas February 7, 2026, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel arrangements,”the email said.
If guests do not have that flexibility, there is no need to do anything and they will be able to enjoy their cruise as planned. For guests who do have travel flexibility, however, Royal Caribbean has a very tempting offer indeed.
“Offer: Cancel your booking and receive a 100% refund, PLUS a 50% Future Cruise Credit to book an alternative Royal Caribbean sailing.”
Yes, you read that right. Guests who accept the offer will receive a full refund with no fees or penalties, including non-refundable deposits and reimbursement for pre-purchased expenses such as flights or hotels.
Additionally, guests who accept the special offer will also receive a future cruise credit (FCC) worth 50% of their original cruise fare. This amount does not include port fees, taxes, or other onboard pre-purchased expenses, such as drink or dining packages, shore tours, or pre-paid gratuities.
The FCC can then be used on any future Royal Caribbean cruise so long as the new sailing departs no later than February 7, 2027. The new cruise does not need to set sail from Fort Lauderdale, be aboard Oasis of the Seas, or be on a similar itinerary, but can be any sailing guests choose, including the upcoming Legend of the Seas.
To be clear, the FCC total will be based on the price of the Oasis of the Seas fare and is not a guarantee of a 50% discount on the future cruise, but the dollar amount can be applied to that future sailing regardless of fare price.
To take advantage of the offer, interested guests must fill out a survey and wait to hear if they are selected. The offer is only for a limited time and is subject to availability.
Is Oasis of the Seas Oversold?
While Royal Caribbean does not confirm that Oasis of the Seas is oversold for the February 7 departure, that is the most likely explanation for such a generous offer. Even though the ship can welcome 6,780 guests at maximum occupancy, there just may not be room for everyone.
Overbookings could result from technical problems with online booking engines, phantom cabins being booked that might not actually exist following upgrades or renovations, or simply errors in the reservations system.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: orso bianco)
Cruise lines can also deliberately overbook a few cabins, knowing from their decades of experience that some guests will cancel at the last minute or simply not show on embarkation day.
By making very attractive special offers, the cruise line would be hoping to resolve the situation so all guests are happy, without the need to force anyone to miss their vacation because of room availability.
Some guests would likely accept the special offer and be thrilled with the prospect of a generous FCC to rebook on a different sailing, and other guests get to enjoy their vacation without knowing they might have missed out if no one took the deal.
So what would happen if not enough guests took advantage of the special offer? It’s possible that another, even more attractive offer might be made, such as upping the FCC amount or adding onboard credit to the future booking, which could tempt a few more guests to take advantage of the deal.
In very rare cases, guests may be denied boarding if no staterooms are available. This did happen for a Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane, Australia, in November 2023. Those guests were given a full refund and a 25% FCC for their abruptly cancelled vacation.
In late 2022 and early 2023, Wonder of the Seas also had a number of overbooked cruises, as did Allure of the Seas. More recently, Liberty of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas both had overbooked sailings in May 2025. Adventure of the Seas was overbooked in June 2025, and Radiance of the Seas had a similar problem in October 2025.
The exact offers made to guests on impacted sailings varies depending on the extent of the overbooking, the time before sailing for Royal Caribbean to correct the situation, and other factors.
Carnival is alerting guests boarding Carnival Sunshine on Saturday to prepare for colder than expected temperatures.
Extra measures will be taken to warm the ship, but the expected temperature is 15 degrees below normal.
At this time, there is no delay for the ship and no changes to the 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
On a ship named Carnival Sunshine and an itinerary aimed for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, guests would probably expect warm temperatures and beautiful weather for their cruise vacation.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the ship’s February 7, 2026 departure, that this will not necessarily be the case, at least during embarkation in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Due to the significantly low outdoor temperatures in the area, in combination with the many open decks, it is going to take extra measures to warm the interior parts of the vessel while it is docked in Norfolk,”the guest advisory email said.
“We encourage you to dress in layers for embarkation, which will come in handy as our team implements additional measures to warm the ship.”
To be clear, there is no change in embarkation timing or procedures for Saturday, February 7, but the weather may not be as “sunshiny” as guests might have hoped.
Guests are also advised to stick to their terminal arrival appointment for check-in, and all guests must be onboard by the final boarding time. There are no anticipated delays to the ship’s 4:30 p.m. departure from the Old Dominion State.
No details have been disclosed about what the “additional measures” may be to warm the ship, but it could involve closing some areas of the open deck to help contain heat to indoor public areas, as well as the use of space heaters or other temporary measures to make public areas more comfortable.
Carnival Sunshine Letter
Guests may also be asked to keep their balcony doors closed until the ship is able to turn her bow toward the south.
Carnival Cruise Line will continue monitoring the weather and will update guests in case there are any confirmed changes to the ship’s arrival, debarkation plans, or itinerary.
This is the second consecutive cruise where winter weather has impacted Carnival Sunshine. On her February 1 departure, guests were advised at embarkation that a different route would be necessary to avoid the roughest weather caused by the winter storm, which meant the port call to Bimini had to be cancelled.
Onboard the ship, guests have also noted inconsistent heating and chilly areas, particularly near the open decks where constantly opening and closing doors makes it difficult to keep indoor spaces warm.
What Will the Weather Be?
So, how cold will it really be in Norfolk to embark on Carnival Sunshine? The National Weather Service is forecasting a partly sunny day for Saturday, with temperatures near 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winds may reach as high as 29 miles per hour in the afternoon, with gusts that could be 45-48 miles per hour. That wind chill can make the temperature feel much colder.
In fact, parts of the Chesapeake Bay where Carnival Sunshine will sail to reach the Port of Norfolk are under a gale watch from late Friday evening until Sunday morning. In contrast, typical early February temperatures in Norfolk are usually closer to the mid-40s.
This significant cold front is the latest of several winter storms that have pummeled the eastern US in recent weeks, including a cold blast that dropped to record freezing temperatures in Florida, the so-called Sunshine State.
Will the Cruise Be Warmer?
Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine will be happy that the weather for their 8-night sailing does look better further south.
The ship is scheduled to visit Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, February 10, and the temperatures should be in the low to mid-70s with very little chance of rain.
On Grand Turk, the next day, guests should enjoy temperatures near 77 degrees, and in Amber Cove on Thursday, February 12, the high is predicted to be 82 degrees.
When the 103,881-gross-ton cruise ship returns to Norfolk on Sunday, February 15, temperatures at her homeport are likely to be in the mid-40s, much closer to the typical mid-February temperatures in Virginia.
Holland America Line has enhanced its Pacific coastal voyages in 2027-28.
Longer Hawaii cruises are featured aboard two ships.
Panama Canal transits are offered between San Diego and two Florida ports.
Holland America Line is offering a slew of new experiences on its Pacific Coast and Hawaii cruises in 2027-28, emphasizing cultural experiences and destination immersion.
Four ships, Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zaandam, will sail a series of some 35 voyages featuring Panama Canal transits, Mexico’s west coast, the US Pacific coast, and the Hawaiian tropics.
“Whether guests are chasing the sun in Hawaii or seeking the rugged, untouched beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest, this season truly has something for every type of cruiser,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment for Holland America Line.
The wide variety of voyages will operate from October 2027 to April 2028, and are open for booking.
Holland America Line is sending the 2,650-guest Koningsdam and the 1,432-guest Zaandam to Mexico’s west coast, offering voyages in the romantic-sounding Sea of Cortez — also known as the Gulf of California, the body of water separating Baja California from Mexico’s west coast.
Options include an 11-day Mexican Riviera & Sea of Cortez cruise aboard Koningsdam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego on multiple departures. Port calls will bring guests to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, La Paz, Loreto, and Manzanillo.
History and heritage will take center stage on Zaandam’s 12-day Historical Baja Peninsula voyage sailing roundtrip from San Diego on December 6, 2027. Guests will visit Loreto, Guaymas, Topolobampo, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada.
Both ships will sail 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises with multiple departures from San Diego. Port calls are planned to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Holland America Zaandam Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wayleebird)
In Hawaii, Holland America Line is upping the ante with longer voyages that feature overnight calls in Honolulu — some up to 40 hours long, plenty of time to absorb the true flavor of the destination.
Koningsdam and Zaandam will offer the 17- or 18-day Circle Hawaii sailings, calling at Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Kahului, Maui; and Kona and Hilo, on the Big Island.
Sailings Feature Panama Canal, Great Bear Rainforest
A range of Panama Canal cruises, from 14 to 22 days, will allow guests to experience not only the engineering feat of the canal itself but also Mayan archaeology and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Voyages include transits between San Diego and Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
Zaandam will transit the canal on a 14-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego on January 16, 2028, for example. Scheduled calls feature Cartagena, Colombia; Acajutla, El Salvador; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and three Mexico ports, Santa Cruz Huatulco, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas.
While many voyages focus on the Mexican Riviera, another set of Pacific coast cruises features California destinations. Eurodam, Koningsdam, and Zaandam, for example, will sail several cruises between San Diego and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Four- to 6-night sailings onboard the 2,104-guest Eurodam, with multiple departures, are slated to call at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Astoria or Victoria, Canada.
Additionally, Eurodam’s April 23, 2028, cruise roundtrip from Vancouver is a 7-day adventure calling at Ketchikan, Alaska; Prince Rupert and Nanaimo, British Columbia; and Victoria. Guests on this itinerary will have the opportunity to explore British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Guests booking the 2027-28 cruises can buy the Have It All premium package, offering included amenities such as specialty dining, crew gratuities, and WiFi, among other benefits.
