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New MSC Ship to Sail on First-Ever Net Zero Emissions Voyage

Robert McGillivray
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New MSC Ship to Sail on First-Ever Net Zero Emissions Voyage

As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the cruise industry is no exception. The industry has been under scrutiny for its environmental impact for years, and now, a significant step forward is on the horizon. 

MSC Euribia, the latest addition to MSC Cruises’ fleet, is set to sail on the first net zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage in the history of the cruise industry, demonstrating a powerful commitment to environmental sustainability.

Setting Sail with Environmental Pioneering

On June 3, MSC Euribia will leave the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking the beginning of the industry’s first-ever net zero emissions voyage, a major goal for the entire cruise industry.

The vessel, which runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG), will sail for four days, arriving for her naming ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 7. With this journey, MSC Cruises aims to show that net-zero cruising is not a distant dream but a viable reality.

“This industry-first net zero gas emissions voyage of our latest flagship MSC Euribia heralds another significant step on our decarbonization journey and demonstrates more than anything the extent of our commitment,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group.

MSC Euribia Cruise Ship
MSC Euribia Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)

As part of their commitment to sustainable cruising, MSC Cruises has purchased 400 tonnes of bio-LNG, highlighting the importance of alternative fuels in the journey towards decarbonization.

This purchase makes MSC Cruises the first ocean cruise operator to use bio-LNG, a fuel source that significantly reduces emissions.

Vago added: “We cannot do this alone, however. Given the absolute importance of alternative fuels for our industry as well as for other sectors across civil society to achieve decarbonization, we all need to work together to increase their availability at scale. 

“Our purchase of bio-LNG will send a clear and meaningful signal to the market that there is demand from cruise lines and the broader maritime industry for cleaner fuels, but we need governments, producers, and end-users to collaborate and scale-up the availability of these much-needed and new sources of power.”

First World Class Cruise Ship

Construction of MSC Euribia, which measures 181,541 gross tons and can accommodate up to 6,334 passengers when fully booked, started on June 28, 2021, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The ship is named after the Greek goddess Eurybia, renowned for her mastery of the seas.

MSC Euribia will be one of three LNG-powered ships in the MSC fleet, with MSC World Europa and MSC World America. It brings the cruise line on par with competitor Carnival Cruise Line which also operates three LNG-powered cruise ships.

MSC Euribia Cruise Ship
Render Courtesy: MSC Cruises

“MSC Euribia’s first voyage will be an incredible feat and represents years of commitment and determination. It should prove that we have the capability to operate on a net zero greenhouse gas emissions basis with existing ship technology,” said Michele Francioni, SVP, MSC Cruise

This clean fuel choice, coupled with other environmental technologies such as a selective catalytic reduction system, an advanced wastewater treatment system, and an underwater radiated noise management system, shows MSC’s intention to reduce the environmental impact of its operations significantly.

Inaugural Voyage

MSC Euribia, part of the Meraviglia-plus class along with her sister ships MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa, is set to be christened during a naming ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 8, 2023. The event will be led by Hollywood icon and Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren.

Following the naming ceremony, the vessel will embark on her inaugural voyage, a 7-night roundtrip sailing from Kiel, Germany. She will call on Copenhagen and three ports in Norway,  Hellesylt, Alesund, and Flam, before sailing to Kiel in Germany. 

MSC Euribia will continue to offer northern European sailings through at least October 2024. Besides Kiel and Copenhagen, the ship also offers cruises from Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Southampton in the UK, and Hamburg, Germany.

Video Shows Cruise Ship Passenger Evacuation 100 Miles From Land

Melissa Mayntz
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Video Shows Cruise Ship Passenger Evacuation 100 Miles From Land

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has released dramatic onboard video footage of a recent medical evacuation from Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, showing just how helicopter assets approach a cruise ship and handle the evacuation procedure.

Medical evacuations occur for a number of reasons and can be assisted by pier personnel, pilot boats, or aircraft as needed for the situation and the ship’s proximity to land.

Medical Evacuation From Celebrity Eclipse

On Friday, May 19, 2023, a USCG Aircrew from Air Station Astoria was dispatched for a medical evacuation from Celebrity Eclipse, at a time when the Solstice-class cruise ship was approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the northern Oregon coast.

At the time, Celebrity Eclipse was spending a day at sea as part of its repositioning cruise from Honolulu to Vancouver, following the first part of the overall seasonal repositioning from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver.

Coast Guard Cruise Ship Evacuation
Coast Guard Cruise Ship Evacuation (Courtesy: US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest)

The Honolulu to Vancouver portion of the repositioning was a 12-night sailing, calling at four Hawaiian ports before spending five days at sea prior to arriving first in Victoria, British Columbia and then, on May 21, arriving in Vancouver.

The day of the rescue was the fifth day at sea as the ship headed toward Victoria.

A male guest onboard was experiencing stroke-like symptoms when the medical evacuation was requested, and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was dispatched for the operation.

The video shows the helicopter approaching the in-motion cruise ship and hovering over the bow where the helipad is located. A gurney is lowered to the vessel, which was then used to hoist up the passenger for evacuation.

The helicopter was not able to land on the ship, because the size and weight of the MH-60 Jayhawk is too great for the structure of the ship to safely support.

The MH-60 Jayhawk is a Sikorsky design for all weather, medium range missions, with an overall range of 700 nautical miles (805 miles / 1,296 kilometers). There are currently more than 40 such helicopters in the USCG air fleet.

The helicopter’s exterior length is approximately 65 feet (19.8 meters), with an empty weight of 14,500 pounds (6,580 kilograms).

Coast Guard Cruise Ship Evacuation
Coast Guard Cruise Ship Evacuation (Courtesy: US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest)

After being evacuated from the ship, the cruise guest was taken to Warrenton, Oregon – just across Youngs Bay from Astoria – to be transferred to a Life Flight aircrew, which then transported him to OHSU Hospital in Portland, which is one of the highest ranked hospitals in the United States for treatment of strokes (rankings by US News & World Report).

In order to safeguard the guest’s privacy, no further information about his condition or his traveling party has been released, and the remainder of Celebrity Eclipse‘s itinerary was unaffected.

Dramatic Rescues Recently

The US Coast Guard stands ready to assist with medical cruise ship evacuations whenever necessary, and there have been several dramatic rescues in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, the same type of helicopter nearly crashed while attempting a medical evacuation from Carnival Dream. During that incident, a sudden squall blue up and the helicopter had to abandon its efforts, though a second crew later completed the evacuation successfully.

Carnival Dream Rescue
Carnival Dream Rescue

On another busy weekend, Coast Guard Air Station San Diego made three separate evacuations from three different cruise ships, all within a 24-hour period.

Medical evacuations do happen regularly from cruise ships, but the reasons vary. Most often, the incidents involve life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, injuries that the cruise ship’s medical center may be unable to successfully treat, or conditions that may require surgery or long-term treatment unavailable onboard.

Sometimes, the incidents are unusual, like the guest who was evacuated from Carnival Dream earlier this month for ingesting a battery.

The USCG and related emergency personnel on land, onboard cruise ships, and manning evacuation transportation are all highly trained and dedicated, and perform their duties expertly to preserve the lives and safety of everyone needing their services, no matter what the situation.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Full Season for Another Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Full Season for Another Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard Norwegian Epic from December 1, 2023 through April 9, 2024, to inform them that all of the ship’s sailings within that time frame have been cancelled.

Guests are being offered various refunds and future discounts for the disruption to their travel plans.

Norwegian Epic European Cruises Cancelled

An email sent to booked guests and travel partners has announced the cancellation of more than four months of sailings for Norwegian Epic, with 11 total sailings impacted.

“As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Epic’s sailings from December 1, 2023, through and including April 9, 2024, have been canceled,” the email read.

The affected cruises include various departures from Rome, Haifa, Trieste, and Lisbon. These longer Mediterranean sailings – ranging from 10-14 nights – were to have visited outstanding ports in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Croatia, Portugal, Morocco, Spain, the Canary Islands, and many more destinations.

“We understand the desire to travel now more than ever, so we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the email continued.

Refunds and Discounts Offered

All impacted guests will receive a full refund automatically returned to the original form of payment. With so many refunds – Norwegian Epic can welcome as many as 4,100 guests per sailing at double occupancy, which could mean up to 20,000-45,000 refunds – it may take up to 30 days for refunds to be processed.

If guests paid for their now-cancelled cruise with a future cruise credit (FCC), the FCC will be returned back to their Latitudes loyalty account automatically within 10 days.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel / Shutterstock

As further compensation, Norwegian Cruise Line is also offering guests a 20% discount for any European sailing through and including April 30, 2024 departures. This can be a great deal to rebook a similar sailing on a different Norwegian ship, with plenty of extra time to make vacation plans.

All guests will also receive an additional 10% discount as an FCC for any future voyage for sailings through and including December 31, 2024. This 10% discount can be used in any sailing region, but may not be combined with the 20% European sailing discount.

“We sincerely appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you aboard very soon,” the email concludes.

Plans for Norwegian Epic

While 4.5 months of European cruises are being cancelled, Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet announced where Norwegian Epic will be sailing in the meantime.

The email indicates “a fleet redeployment” but does not indicate what that may be. It is likely the vessel will instead sail in popular winter destinations, such as offering Caribbean itineraries, or could even be redeployed to Australia or New Zealand during that region’s summer sailing season.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship
Photo Credit: zkolra / Shutterstock

There is no mention of any dry dock or refurbishment plans that would remove the ship from service. Nor are these cancellations apparently the result of full ship charters, as is the case with the cancellation of much of the 2024 Alaska sailing season for Norwegian Spirit, which was just announced a few days ago.

Norwegian Epic is currently scheduled to resume Mediterranean cruises from April 19, 2024, with a 10-night roundtrip Greek Isles sailing from Rome, calling on such amazing ports as Santorini, Athens, Mykonos, and Corfu in Greece, as well as additional ports of call in Malta and Italy.

The ship will remain homeported from Rome (Civitavecchia) through early November 2024, when she will reposition to Port Canaveral to offer 7-night cruises that include Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

In April 2025, Norwegian Epic will return to Rome for another season of Greek Isles sailings.

Disney Cruise Line Details Anniversary Fireworks Shows

Donna Tunney
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Disney Cruise Line Details Anniversary Fireworks Shows

Disney Cruise Line is making sure guests know there is plenty of extra magic onboard its summer 2023 Silver Anniversary at Sea sailings, with new details revealed about the line’s spectacular fireworks shows.

Along with the planned pyrotechnic extravaganzas, the cruise line is marking its 25th year of operations with special events, cuisine, and services through September.

Not All Cruises Will Feature Anniversary Fireworks

Disney Cruise Line has provided guests booked on select Silver Anniversary at Sea voyages in the Caribbean and Europe this summer with more details about entertainment options they can enjoy during their voyages, particularly the highly anticipated new signature anniversary fireworks displays.

In an email to booked cruisers, guests are assured that fireworks will be part of the festivities on most cruises, but will not always be the special anniversary show. While detailing its plans, Disney Cruise Line noted that all fireworks shows are weather dependent.

The line confirmed that all 3-night cruises aboard Disney Wish will offer the line’s traditional and very popular Pirate’s Night fireworks, while the ship’s 4-night cruise departing July 3 will feature two fireworks shows, one celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, plus the pirate show.

The 4-night Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings aboard Disney Wish departing June 12 and 26, July 24, and August 7 also will include one Pirate’s Night fireworks show plus the anniversary show, and guests aboard 4-night Silver Anniversary at Sea Sailings on Disney Dream, departing Aug. 26 and 30, will see the new Silver Anniversary Fireworks at Sea presentation.

Fireworks
Photo Credit: Dmytro Balkhovitin / Shutterstock

The anniversary shows are set to iconic Disney music and to a new signature song created for the anniversary celebrations.

Disney Cruise Line has not detailed which shows will be offered on Europe cruises, saying only that certain itineraries would not offer any fireworks due to the speed and location of the ship.

In Alaska, Disney Wonder is substituting all fireworks shows with the line’s “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends” deck party.

Line Plans More Celebratory Anniversary Events

Disney Cruise Line, which launched operations in 1998, has created other special events to mark the anniversary through the summer season.

“To commemorate our anniversary we invite you to partake in new offerings this summer. You will be able to meet favorite Disney characters dressed in new, shimmering outfits created just for the anniversary. Plus, you can enjoy festive décor, limited-time food and beverage and special photo opportunities,” the email states.

Guests can look forward to attending a Silver Anniversary at Sea toast with the ship’s captain and cruise director, an event that will be held one evening on each sailing and is described as a glittering event in the ships’ atriums.

Disney Cruise Line 25th Anniversary Treats
Disney Cruise Line 25th Anniversary Treats (Photo Courtesy: Disney Parks Blog)

A collection of new anniversary desserts sure to tempt cruisers with a sweet tooth, along with a special adult beverage and other novelties, also were announced. The hallmark dessert is a 25th Anniversary Disney Cruise Line Cupcake, a vanilla sponge cake with vanilla frosting topped with sprinkles and a 25th chocolate decoration.

Both the 4,000-guest Disney Fantasy and the 5,000-guest Disney Wish are sailing from Port Canaveral, offering Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries and Bahamas cruises, respectively. Disney Magic, with a capacity for 2,700 guests, is homeported at PortMiami, also sailing Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.

All three ships’ itineraries include calls at the line’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Farther afield, the 4,000-guest Disney Dream is sailing in Europe for the summer, while the 2,700-guest Disney Wonder is deployed to Alaska. (Alaska cruises will not have any fireworks shows, however, and some Mediterranean itineraries will not feature them.)

Disney Treasure Keel Laying Ceremony
Photo Credit: Robert Fiebak

Along with its five ships sailing today, the cruise line has a new vessel under construction. Disney Treasure is being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and marked its milestone keel laying in March 2023. The ship is due to enter service in 2024.

Princess Cruises Offers Compensation to Guests for Disturbed Voyage

Robert McGillivray
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Princess Cruises Offers Compensation to Guests for Disturbed Voyage

As reported by Cruise Hive a few days ago, guests aboard the Sky Princess cruise ship experienced an unexpected turn of events as their vacation was interrupted by severe weather conditions, canceled port calls, and a medical emergency. With the vessel now away from the worst of the weather, Princess Cruises has started making amends. 

Acknowledging the inconvenience caused, Princess Cruises reached out to guests with a letter, ensuring a form of compensation for the disrupted itinerary.

An Unexpected Turn of Events

The Sky Princess, a Royal-class cruise ship weighing 145,281 gross tons, embarked on its cruise from Southampton on May 13.

It was intended to be a voyage that would treat its 3,660 guests to the picturesque beauty of selected Norwegian and Icelandic ports before returning to Southampton, England, on May 27.

However, adverse weather conditions, which Cruise Hive reported on May 22, put a damper on these plans, causing drastic changes to the itinerary. 

The journey that started positively with visits to Norwegian ports such as Skjolden, Olden, and Alesund soon met with the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the region’s weather.

This resulted in canceling and rescheduling several anticipated stops in Iceland, including Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur, and Reykjavik.

Sky Princess Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Doctor Alonso / Shutterstock

Worth Reading: Rough Seas on a Cruise Ship – How They Handle it

In the face of disappointment and inconvenience caused to the guests, Princess Cruises has stepped up to take responsibility. Captain Marco Fortezze, Master of Sky Princess, issued a letter on May 23 expressing regret for the disruption. 

He wrote: “While missing multiple ports in Iceland has been beyond our control, we deeply regret the disruption to your cruise vacation.”

Acknowledging the guests’ understanding during these challenging times, the letter also revealed Princess Cruises’ plan to offer compensation for the situation.

“We recognize that the weather prevented us from providing the cruise itinerary you expected, and as a gesture of concern for your experience and gratitude for your understanding, each guest will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 20% of the cruise fare paid for this voyage.”

The credit on offer can be used for booking future cruises and applied to non-cruise fare items, including flexible flights, pre and post-cruise packages, or plan coverage. Guests on the back-to-back 21-day voyage will receive 20% of the cruise fare paid for the first fourteen days of their cruise.

According to a guest onboard, passengers were initially offered reimbursement for port taxes. These fares are previously paid in the cruise fare and would apply only for the missed ports.

Maintaining a Delicate Balance

Captains onboard cruise ships must find a delicate balance between ensuring guests have the cruise experience they expect while keeping the ship and everyone onboard safe. Something that is not always possible.

Captain Marco Fortezze, Master of Sky Princess: “We sincerely sympathize whenever a change is required in order to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests and crew, and we again thank you for your understanding. On behalf of all our officers and crew, we look forward to continuing to serve you on our voyage together.”

The unexpected interruptions and the subsequent compensation offer have been received with mixed emotions among the guests. One guest, who shared a message with Cruise Hive, voiced concerns about the frequency of such changes, mentioning previous itinerary cancellations.

Sky Princess Cruise Ship
Sky Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright / Shutterstock)

The guest wrote: “We were aboard the Sky Princess when it repositioned from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton mid-March for 28 days and just prior to dry dock in Rotterdam.”

During the initial phase of our cruise, ‘Captain Cautious,’ as his crew calls him, canceled two out of the only three ports for the transatlantic crossing due to potential inclement weather. Each passenger received an immediate $100 on-board ship credit for the ‘inconvenience.'”

Nonetheless, Princess Cruises remains hopeful that the compensation offered will make up for the guests’ inconvenience. 

As Captain Fortezze expressed in his letter: “It is our sincere hope that these credits will help you to come back and create new cruise memories with us in the near future.”

Sky Princess will return to Southampton on May 27. From there, the cruise ship will sail to Kristiansand, Norway; Copenhagen and Skagen, Denmark; and Oslo, Norway.

Royal Caribbean Planning to Hire New Chief Meteorologist

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Planning to Hire New Chief Meteorologist

Just days after former Chief Meteorologist for Royal Caribbean International James Van Fleet officially announced his separation from the company, the cruise line has posted a job opening for the position.

The new career opportunity comes shortly before the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, just when personalized updates on weather conditions that might affect cruises would be most welcome.

New Chief Meteorologist to Be Hired

Royal Caribbean International has posted a job opening for a Chief Meteorologist, the position most recently held by experienced weather personality James Van Fleet. Van Fleet recently announced his separation from the company, effective May 1, 2023.

Now, the cruise line is seeking a new chief meteorologist with at least 15 years of forecasting experience and a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related science, such as climatology, atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, or environmental science, with a masters or doctorate degree preferred.

James Van Fleet
James Van Fleet

Other qualifications for the position include different traits that would be ideal when working with a cruise line and interacting with various international teams and guests worldwide.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; the ability to present forecasts via television, radio, and social media; operational experience from a transport sector; and substantial media and public speaking experience are all listed as key qualifications.

Cruise-specific experience or vacation preferences with a cruise line is not part of the job description, but would undoubtedly be helpful as well.

What Does a Cruise Line Chief Meteorologist Do?

The duties listed in the job description of course include forecasting, analyzing and interpreting weather data, but also feature a range of other potential roles within the company.

The Chief Meteorologist, for example, will also be responsible for maintaining a prominent presence on social media to serve as a “key subject matter expert spokesman for weather situations which are of public interest,” as well as acting as a “liaison with academic institutions and the science community for oceanographic and meteorological data collection and analysis.”

Since Royal Caribbean is often at the forefront of cruise ship design, introducing new features and innovations onboard each new class of ships – such as the first-of-its-kind AquaDome coming on Icon of the Seas – it is sensible that they would expect their Chief Meteorologist to be at the forefront of weather forecasting.

The Chief Meteorologist would also be responsible for advising on long-term global ship deployment plans based on seasonal weather patterns, providing guidance for fuel savings based on weather, managing meteorological training programs for other fleet officers, and overall managing the cruise line’s fleet weather support services.

It is unclear whether or not these are all duties that James Van Fleet performed, or if the cruise line has either expanded or contracted the scope of responsibilities for the position since Van Fleet’s departure.

There is also no mention of compensation or overall salary or benefits. It is likely these terms would be negotiated individually with a selected candidate based on their unique qualifications.

Rehiring for the Position

The posting of the Chief Meteorologist position is particularly curious, since Van Fleet had previously responded to his followers’ comments that the position was not to be filled after his departure.

Those comments now appear to have been removed, and it is likely that Van Fleet is not privy to the company’s plans now that he is no longer employed by Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Hendrickson Photography / Shutterstock

Since the cruise line is seeking to fill the position, it is unknown why Van Fleet was released. Speculation was that eliminating the position was simply a cost-cutting measure, and while Van Fleet’s salary as well as the salary for the new position is not public information, there are many reasons why he may have left the company.

Salary negotiations, change in duties, emergency availability, travel responsibilities, public appearances, and other factors could all have been cause for renegotiation of Van Fleet’s contract, and if both sides cannot agree, it makes sense for Royal Caribbean to seek someone new to fill the position.

Carnival Cruise Line Removes Benefits for Maiden Voyage

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Removes Benefits for Maiden Voyage

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard the maiden sailing of the new Carnival Venezia that certain loyalty benefits will not be available due to the overwhelming number of most loyal guests on the momentous voyage.

Diamond and Platinum guests will not have access to priority embarkation or debarkation during any part of the sailing, nor will their staterooms be available immediately upon boarding.

VIFP Benefits Adjusted for Carnival Venezia

Diamond and Platinum VIFP guests aboard Carnival Venezia‘s maiden voyage, departing Barcelona on May 29, 2023, will not be able to take advantage of some of their most popular loyalty benefits. Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to notify guests of the operational change.

“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 email explained.

Diamond and Platinum are the highest loyalty levels in Carnival Cruise Line’s “Very Important Fun Person” (VIFP) loyalty program, earned after 75 cruise points for Platinum guests, and 200 cruise points for Diamond guests.

Carnival VIFP
Photo Copyright: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive

The benefit of being the first to board a cruise or the first to exit the vessel, including at ports of call where applicable, is one of the most sought-after perks of the high loyalty status.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Hints at Loyalty Program Overhaul

Another much-desired perk is for the most loyal guests’ staterooms to be ready immediately upon boarding, but this is another perk that will not be available during Carnival Venezia‘s first sailing. These guests can, however, drop off their bags in their stateroom right away, before heading to enjoy lunch at one of the ship’s 15 amazing dining venues.

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

The standard VIFP benefits will still be applied to later Carnival Venezia sailings; at this time, the adjustment of privileges is only for the inaugural cruise.

Inaugural Popularity

The very first sailing of a new ship is always a momentous occasion, and the debut of Carnival Venezia is especially exciting as the ship has undergone extensive renovation and refurbishment to transform from the former Costa Venezia into a unique and exciting Carnival ship with distinctive Italian flair.

The ship’s first sailing is a 15-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to New York, calling on Malaga, Spain; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; Ponta Delgada in the Azores; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The cruise departs Barcelona on Monday, May 29, and will arrive in New York on Tuesday, June 13.

Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)

The first cruise will be filled with special events and even more special guests, as Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse will also be aboard for at least part of the sailing.

A variety of VIP events are already planned, including a cooking demonstration by Lagasse, a special Sail Away Party, a special Fireside Chat, and more.

Once homeported in New York, Carnival Venezia will offer 4-night Bermuda cruises as well as 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailings and select departures for Canada and New England itineraries, longer Southern Caribbean explorations, and more extensive Eastern Caribbean cruises.

The ship will remain homeported from the Big Apple through November 2024, when she will reposition to Port Canaveral to offer Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises from Florida, as well as special Panama Canal sailings.

Carnival Cruise Guest Dies While Swimming Ashore

Robert McGillivray
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Carnival Cruise Guest Dies While Swimming Ashore

In an unfortunate turn of events, a guest aboard the Carnival Splendor cruise ship met a tragic demise during a swimming expedition on Mystery Island, Vanuatu. The incident occurred during a 9-day South Pacific cruise.

The circumstances leading to this unfortunate occurrence are yet unclear. The guest had embarked on a routine swimming session on the scenic Mystery Island, a well-loved destination for water activities. 

Carnival Cruise Line, the company operating the ship, issued a statement addressing the occurrence. The cruise line suggested the cause of death was likely a medical emergency.

An Unfortunate Event

A cruise ship passenger passed away while swimming at Mystery Island, Vanuatu. The guest was on a 9-day cruise onboard Carnival Splendor, which left Sydney, Australia, on May 15.

The guest, whose identity remains undisclosed, participated in a swimming activity on May 20 when an apparent medical issue caused the tragic outcome. Carnival Cruise Line issued the following statement:

“Carnival Cruise Line is deeply saddened by the death of a guest on Mystery Island, following what appears to be a medical situation whilst swimming,” said the cruise line. “Our Care Team are supporting the guest’s family along with other guests during this difficult time,” added Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Jon Ingall / Shutterstock

According to an onboard source who spoke with 7NEWS, the guest was pronounced dead while snorkeling. 

Snorkeling and swimming are often seen as enjoyable and relaxing activities. However, they also come with potential risks, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. Understanding these dangers can ensure a safer experience for all participants.

One common risk in snorkeling is shallow water blackouts caused by holding one’s breath for too long. This can lead to unconsciousness and potential drowning. Snorkeling in areas with strong currents or rough seas can also lead to exhaustion and difficulties returning to the shore or boat.

This is the second tragic accident to occur this month. On May 9, Cruise Hive reported about a ship’s pilot who died while boarding the Diamond Princess.

Carnival Splendor on Nine-Day Voyage

The tragedy unfolded on the Carnival cruise ship Carnival Splendor, a 113,300 gross ton vessel capable of hosting 3,012 passengers.

The vessel was midway through a nine-day journey across the South Pacific, departing from Sydney, Australia, on May 15, 2023, and scheduled to return on May 24, 2023. The cruise itinerary included visits to Sydney, Noumea, Lifou, and Mystery Island.

Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Gerry H / Shutterstock

Following the tragic incident on Mystery Island, the cruise ship continued its itinerary, docking at a port in New Caledonia. Carnival Splendor operates year-round in Australia and the South Pacific, sailing cruises to New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands, and Australia, ranging in length from three to sixteen nights.

Despite the tragic incidents, Carnival Splendor continues its cruising schedule. The next cruise, a 4-night journey to Tangalooma and Moreton Island, is set to embark on May 24, 2023. 

A 12-night South Pacific cruise will follow, starting May 28, 2023, visiting Noumea, New Caledonia; Lifou, New Caledonia; Mystery Island, Vanuatu; Vila, Vanuatu; and Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo. Other upcoming itineraries include the Great Barrier Reef and additional South Pacific voyages.

How Early Can You Board a Cruise Ship?

Haiyan Ma
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How Early Can You Board a Cruise Ship?

The excitement leading up to a cruise vacation can be overwhelming, to the point where you can’t wait for embarkation day. When that day arrives, it may be tempting to head out to the ship at the crack of dawn to start your vacation. This leads to the question, how early can you board a cruise ship? Is there even such a thing as being too early for your cruise vacation?

In this article, you’ll learn how early you can board your cruise ship on embarkation day and start your dream vacation.

In This Article…

How Early Can You Board a Cruise Ship?

Let’s jump right into it and find out how early you can plan to get on board your cruise ship.

The most straightforward answer is that it depends on the port and your cruise line. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect the earliest embarkation time to be four to five hours before sailing.

As most cruise lines leave port at around 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm, in most cases, you can anticipate the earliest time you can board to be at around noon.

Boarding a Cruise Ship
Boarding a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: KarSol / Shutterstock)

This scheduling is because cruise ships usually run a tight schedule and may have people disembarking and embarking on the same day at the same cruise port. Guests usually disembark from their cruise in the morning – around 10:00 am. This gives the crew a few hours to clean and ensure everything is ready for the next guests.

Some cruise lines will ask you to pick a time to embark in advance. This is usually just a time that you would guess to be arriving for embarkation to help control traffic – it’s not set in stone, and you’re not bound to it. 

Check-in vs. Boarding

Along with knowing how early you can board a cruise ship, it’s essential to understand the difference between checking into your cruise and boarding your cruise. 

Checking into a cruise ship is similar to checking in for a flight, meaning you can do it way in advance. However, check-in times vary per cruise line. For example, Royal Caribbean requests guests check in no later than three days before their cruise.

Cruise Check-In
Cruise Check-In (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock)

If you fail to check in before the three days, then you’ll be required to check in at least two hours before your cruise on the day of. 

While you may be able to check in earlier, you’ll most likely be unable to board until just a few hours before your cruise, depending on the cruise line.

Boarding Times for Cruise Lines

Every cruise line has its own policies regarding cruise embarkation day – mainly, how early or how late you’re allowed to board. To give you an idea, here are the boarding times for three of the largest cruise lines.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship?

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean suggests arriving for the time slot you pre-select on the app. They claim that those who arrive before the time they pick may not be able to board before that time.

Royal Caribbean PortMiami Terminal
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz

The same goes for those who arrive after their scheduled time – they may have to wait until others who did arrive on time embark. So it’s crucial to pick an embarkation time that works for you and stick with it. 

While their website does not specify how early you can board a cruise ship run by Royal Caribbean, you must be boarded at least 90 minutes before the cruise ship’s scheduled time to leave, or else you will not be permitted to embark and sail.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line provides even less information on how early you can board their cruise ships. However, like most cruise lines, you can expect the earliest you can board the ship to be about four hours before departure.

Carnival Cruise Terminal
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

What Carnival does offer as information is that every guest is given a specific arrival time through an Arrival Appointment. Guests sailing on Carnival must choose an Arrival Appointment no later than midnight before their embarkation date.

You can select these times as early as 14 days before departure. Carnival will assign one to you if you fail to self-select an Arrival Appointment yourself.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line does not provide specific times for how early you can board the ship, but they recommend that guests who haven’t completed online check-in arrive at least two hours before the embarkation time printed on their ticket.

Norwegian Escape in Miami
Photo Credit: TetKabrit / Shutterstock.com

Guests who have completed online check-in can arrive an hour before the embarkation time on their ticket. Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends that guests complete their online check-in at least four days before embarkation day.

Cruise Ship Boarding FAQ

How early is too early to arrive for boarding?

As mentioned, cruise ships usually start boarding four to five hours before departure and won’t allow you to board until they’re ready. So there’s no use in arriving at the cruise terminal first thing in the morning as you’ll have to wait around for hours before you can even board.  If you need to arrive early for any reason, you may be able to board early, depending on the cruise line and how busy embarkation is.

What’s the latest you can board your cruise?

The latest time to board your cruise mainly depends on the cruise line and its policies. However, for most cruise ships, you must embark, at most, an hour or two before departure, with the absolute minimum being one hour. If you’re any later than the strict time that your cruise line stated in your policies, you won’t be allowed onboard, so it’s much better to be too early than too late!

What is the best time to board your cruise?

The busiest time on cruise embarkation day is between noon and 2 pm. Therefore, if you prefer to be early rather than late, the best time to arrive at the cruise terminal is before noon. This is especially true if you have a family with young children, as you may need the extra time to settle in. While you may have to wait a bit before embarking, you’ll be on the ship in time for lunch!

The Verdict: Plan to Board Your Cruise Ship Early

To sum up, when you can board a cruise ship depends on your cruise line’s policies and the time you choose at check-in. If you want to embark as soon as possible, choosing an early time when you check in is best.

However, it’s better to err on the side of too early than too late. Remember that it’s always better to be a little early and wait a little longer before embarking rather than show up late and miss your trip entirely! Check out this article with other tips for embarking on a cruise ship.

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