Royal Caribbean International is reaching out to many guests booked aboard Quantum of the Seas to inform them that one Alaskan port will no longer be accessible for the large ship, and therefore a substitute port of call is being used for 2023 sailings. Instead of Skagway, many sailings will instead be visiting Icy Strait Point.
Skagway Removed From Quantum of the Seas Itineraries
Royal Caribbean is notifying guests that many of the 2023 Quantum of the Seas Alaska sailings will not include a stop in Skagway, due to pier damage that occurred from multiple rockslides last summer.
“Last season, landslides in Skagway, Alaska impacted the pier where our ships dock. While repairs have been ongoing, they won’t be ready for two large ships visiting simultaneously,”the email explained.“So, to ensure we provide you with the best experience, we’ve replaced our visit with Icy Strait Point, Alaska.”
All Skagway shore tours booked through Royal Caribbean are being automatically refunded. Guests who have made independent tour arrangements will need to contact their tour operators for options.
Photo Credit: Paolo Trovo / Shutterstock.com
Repair work is continuing on the forward berth of the White Pass Railroad Dock, but the berth is not yet suitable for the largest cruise ships. Weighing in at 168,666 gross tons, Quantum of the Seas is one of the largest ships to have been scheduled for Skagway this year.
For some impacted itineraries, Royal Caribbean is also lengthening the ship’s visit to Sitka by several hours, giving guests more opportunity to immerse themselves in Alaskan culture and beauty, despite missing out on Skagway.
For other itineraries, a visit to Ketchikan is being substituted for the now-cancelled call on Skagway. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this,”the email continued.“Nevertheless, we’re excited to sail away with you!”
Booked guests have reported multiple Quantum of the Seas sailings impacted by this change, including the following departures:
May 15, 22
June 12, 19
July 10, 17, 24
September 11
Additional sailing dates may also be impacted as the cruise line continues to reach out to guests with updated information, and more than likely, all Quantum of the Seas sailings will be adjusted. Any travelers booked on the ship for a 2023 Alaska cruise should stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean for any itinerary adjustments.
Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock
Quantum of the Seas will begin her Alaska season first from Vancouver, Canada, departing on a 7-night voyage on May 8, 2023. This unique sailing is a one-way journey that will visit Alaskan ports of call while repositioning the ship to Seattle, where she will remain homeported for the rest of the season.
The ship’s final Alaska sailing of 2023 will depart Seattle on September 25, 2023, again doing a one-way repositioning to Vancouver. After the Alaska season ends, the ship will sail first to Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving on to Brisbane, Australia, where it will remain homeported for the Austral summer season.
Comparing Skagway and Icy Strait Point
Skagway and Icy Strait Point are roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) apart, but have very different characteristics and experiences.
Skagway is on the Alaskan mainland and was founded in 1897 during the Klondike gold rush. It has the rich, colorful history of a mining town, with extraordinary characters and appropriately tall tales.
It is also the southernmost terminus for the historic narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, which offers guests a scenic trip into Canada with great historical context and phenomenal views.
Icy Strait Point
Icy Strait Point, on the other hand, is a privately owned destination outside of the island village of Hoonah. Owned and operated by the Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point has been developed specifically for cruise tourism, and offers glimpses into Alaska’s native history as well as the importance of the local cannery to the community’s history and economy.
Both ports of call offer unique and interesting opportunities for cruise guests, but because they are such different destinations, guests may be disappointed in the switch.
This is particularly true for travelers who had been booked on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad tour, which is one of the most popular excursions offered in Alaska and is only available in Skagway.
Have you visited Skagway or Icy Strait Point? Which port do you prefer? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!
The upcoming CFC Croisières, a French cruise line, has delayed the debut of its first vessel, Renaissance, due to ongoing technical work that requires more specialization than first realized.
As a result, more than six weeks of sailings are now cancelled, but booked guests are being offered significant compensation options.
Renaissance Delayed, Cruises Cancelled
CFC Croisières was initially scheduled to debut with Renaissance on May 14, 2023, but instead, the new company has been forced to cancel all sailings through June 28.
“During the multi-million-euro renovation and the extensive renovation of Renaissance in Brest, CFC Croisières encountered technical problems beyond its will, requiring pre-operational correction and the involvement of an additional specialist contractor,”the company explained in a statement.
“In order to allow the complete resolution of these problems before Renaissance begins its first season at the departure of the Havre, CFC Croisières is unfortunately forced to postpone its cruise operations until 29 June 2023.”
Photo Credit: Compagnie Française de Croisières
A total of six sailings are cancelled, as well as two nights of “Follies” – special one-night onboard gala events that allow guests to experience the ship and the company’s signature French flair without actually setting sail.
Guests who had been booked either for a full sailing or Follies events have a number of options. Full refunds are being made available, or guests may choose alternate dates on similar sailings with significant discounts.
Future discounts are also being offered for guests who do rebook their reservations. Stateroom upgrades and onboard credit are also being offered for guests to rebook on future sailings.
The exact sailing dates available for rebooking depend on the original cruise itinerary, with comparable cruises offered as alternatives. The renovated ship’s new maiden voyage will set sail on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
About Renaissance
It is not completely unexpected that Renaissance would need extensive technical work, as the ship was originally constructed as Maasdam for Holland America Line in 1992, and entered service in 1993.
The ship was sold during the pandemic-related industry shutdown, and initially purchased by Seajets (a Greek/Cypriot ferry company) to operate as Aegean Myth, but never entered service for the line. In 2022, CFC Croisières purchased the vessel and began renovating it for the new line, to be very aptly named Renaissance.
As an older ship, Renaissance would need significant upgrades to meet the expectations of a more modern and competitive market. Part of the CFC Croisières’ intention was to lower the ship’s overall capacity from 1,258 guests to just 1,100 guests, which could create more suites or larger staterooms onboard as well as ensure superior service.
Additional technical upgrades will be necessary to bring the ship up to current safety and environmental standards, as well as to improve and enhance public areas.
CFC Croisières is planning an extensive variety of itineraries with destinations all over the world, from the British Isles, northern Europe, and the Canary Islands to various African destinations, ports in the Caribbean, the Greek Islands, Iceland, and much more.
Most notably, Renaissance will set sail on a “World Tour” voyage in January 2024, visiting dozens of amazing ports of call for the 120-night sailing.
No indication has yet been made as to whether or not CFC Croisières intends to purchase a second vessel to further expand its offerings, or whether the new cruise line may be able to invest in a new-build cruise ship in the near future.
Cunard’s upcoming new vessel, Queen Anne, reached a momentous milestone on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 as the ship was floated out at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy. This brings the much-anticipated ship one step closer to completion and her debut in May 2024.
Queen Anne Floated Out
Queen Anne officially touched water for the first time on May 3, 2023, exactly 365 days before her planned maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3, 2024.
The float out ceremony is a grand occasion for any vessel, and includes blessings, speeches, and cheers as water is flooded into the dry dock and the ship finally begins to float on her own.
“We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of Queen Anne. The float out ceremony marks the ship’s transition from her building dock to where she truly belongs – in the water,”said Sture Myrmell, Carnival UK President.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Ship (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)
Cunard is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, the same umbrella company that owns Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and other popular cruise lines around the world.
Queen Anne‘s construction officially began in September 2022 with the keel laying ceremony, which included traditional coins and marked the beginning of the ship’s physical construction. The float out now notes the completion of the ship’s exterior hull, and the outfitting of interior spaces can begin.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Ship (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)
“Queen Anne is the third ship we have the pleasure to build for Cunard, a pillar in the history of British seafaring, with whom we share a real commitment to excellence,”said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri.
“Building a liner for this shipowner takes us back to our roots yet, at the same time, spurs us forward to the future in a spirit of determination to bring together tradition and innovation and further strengthen our longstanding relationship.”
Fincantieri also built two of Cunard’s other active vessels, Queen Victoria (2007) and Queen Elizabeth (2010).
“Today marks a significant moment for Queen Anne as we recognise the dedication by the master ship builders at Fincantieri to build a ship that reinforces our position as a world-famous luxury brand,”said Myrmell.
Up Next for Queen Anne
Now that the 113,300-gross-ton ship’s exterior hull is complete, the next phase of construction is to add the line’s signature luxury and elegant finishes to the interior.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Ship (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)
The design concepts for Queen Anne, the 249th vessel that will sail under the prestigious Cunard flag, have been founded on heritage, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, blending both classic and contemporary styles for distinctive flair.
The ship’s 14 decks will offer travelers several breathtaking moments, including the largest curated art collection at sea. Other features include the spacious Grand Lobby, the relaxing top deck Wellness Studio, numerous lounges for live music, entertainment, and socializing, a putting green, multiple sun-soaked pools, and much more.
First Sailings for the New Queen
Queen Anne is scheduled to debut in May 2024, and she will offer a variety of itineraries on her inaugural tour. Among her destinations will be top ports of call throughout the British Isles, the Canary Islands, the Norwegian fjords, northern European capitals, western Mediterranean hotspots, and other outstanding destinations.
The ship will be homeported primarily from Southampton, but will also offer select embarkations from Germany and Italy.
In early 2025, Queen Anne will reach North America for the first time as part of her epic “Maiden World Voyage,” a 112-night roundtrip sailing from Hamburg that departs on January 7, 2025. This distinctive tour will include destinations in the Caribbean, transiting the Panama Canal, and stops in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, China, Vietnam, Oman, Egypt, and many other amazing ports of call.
When the new ship enters service next year, it will be the first time Cunard has simultaneously operated four ships since 1999.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) performed an exceptional rescue on Saturday, April 29, 2023, airlifting a guest from Carnival Dream under extremely hazardous conditions.
The situation was so rough, the aircrew had to abort the first rescue attempt after being forced near the water’s surface, but a second crew was able to return when the weather eased to complete the medical evacuation.
Hazardous Conditions Cause Evacuation Abort
Carnival Dream was on the last day of an 8-night cruise when a 76-year-old man began experiencing heart attack-like symptoms. After evaluation by the onboard medical team, a request was made for medical evacuation, and the call went out at approximately 4:30 a.m. to the Coast Guard.
At the time, the ship was approximately 300 miles (483 kilometers) south of Fort Morgan, Alabama, en route to Galveston, Texas at the end of an 8-night sailing that had visited Key West, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. April 29 was the last full day of the cruise, and was a day at sea as the ship crossed the Gulf of Mexico.
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry and Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk aircrews were sent to assist in the medical evacuation.
The Jayhawk crew lowered their rescue swimmer to the cruise ship, but while hoisting a cruise ship nurse as part of the evacuation team, a severe squall pummeled the helicopter, and it was forced to back off from the vessel.
A cruise ship was in distress off the coast of California, and a helicopter almost fell into the sea during rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/2l30TmUEOT
Severe downwind air currents forced the helicopter perilously close to the water’s surface in extremely poor visibility, risking the safety of the aircraft and the crew onboard. The crew was able to recover, and both the Jayhawk helicopter and Ocean Sentry aircraft returned to base due to weather.
When the weather stabilized enough, a second Air Station New Orleans Jayhawk helicopter aircrew returned to the scene, hoisted the cruise guest and rescue swimmer, and transferred the patient to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at University Medical Center.
You can watch footage of the eventual rescue from the Carnival cruise ship below:
“During the rescue, the aircrew experienced severe and rapidly deteriorating weather that forced them to abort the mission,”described Cmdr. Keith Blair, commanding officer, Air Station New Orleans.“Through exceptional real-time risk management, crew resource management, and superb piloting, the aircrew was able to safely recover the aircraft and land at the air station without further incident.”
“Through continual coordination with U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District, Sector Mobile, and Aviation Training Center Mobile, Air Station New Orleans was able to later return to the cruise ship and recover the patient and rescue swimmer, delivering the patient to University Medical Center for treatment in stable condition.”
Carnival Dream was not appreciably delayed in its return to Galveston, and the ship’s next itinerary – a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise to Costa Maya, Belize City, and Cozumel – set sail as planned.
No further details about the passenger’s medical condition or name have been revealed, in order to safeguard their privacy and that of their family members and traveling companions.
The 128,250-gross-ton vessel can welcome 3,646 guests onboard at double occupancy, or as many as 4,633 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Rescues Always Hazardous
While the conditions for this particular medical evacuation were exceptionally hazardous, it should be noted that all airlifts from cruise ships entail considerable risk, and are undertaken only when the onboard medical team believes it essential for a guest to receive more advanced or extensive treatment than the cruise ship can provide.
All ships are equipped with advanced medical centers, but are unable to provide long-term or extremely complex care. In those cases, a guest may be evacuated at a port of call, met by a pilot boat near a port, or airlifted if necessary.
Cruise Hive wishes all the best of recovery to every cruise guest faced with medical evacuation, and offers thanks to every aircrew, medical team member, and emergency personnel who offers care to keep all guests sailing safely.
Carnival Cruise Line has released a range of great new itineraries onboard Carnival Spirit from Mobile, Alabama, for the 2024-2025 cruise season. Carnival Spirit will set sail from Mobile for the first time in October this year, after a full year without cruises sailing from Alabama.
In addition to the cruises sailing from Mobile, Carnival Cruise Line has announced two new Carnival Journeys cruises departing from Seattle. These include Carnival’s first-ever cruise from Seattle, Washington, to Hawaii, and a 16-day voyage from Seattle to Louisiana.
2024/2025 Carnival Spirit Sailings from Mobile, Alabama
Carnival Cruise Line has opened up bookings for Carnival Spirit cruises from Mobile, Alabama, for the 2024/2025 cruise season.
The 88,500 gross ton cruise ship will return to Mobile in October, after a year in which no other ship in the fleet has sailed from since the departure of Carnival Ecstacy from the fleet.
The Spirit-class cruise ship will be operating a series of six- and eight-day cruises through the spring of 2024. The new itineraries released today, May 2, onboard Carnival Spirit from Mobile, offer a diverse selection of cruises, spanning from the fall of 2024 to the spring of 2025.
Photo Credit: fitzcrittle / Shutterstock
Fred Stein, Carnival’s vice president of revenue planning and deployment: “The sailings we’re opening today offer some great new choices for our guests and build on our plans for the Mobile community, where we’ve enjoyed a long and successful partnership.”
“When Carnival Spirit arrives for her first season this year and then returns for the cruises we’re announcing today for next year, she won’t just be bringing a newer and larger ship experience to the port, she’ll deliver more opportunities to visit beautiful destinations compared to our past operations there.”
Cruises on offer include, amongst others, an eight-day exotic Western Caribbean cruise sailing on October 26, 2024, visiting Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; Belize; Costa Maya, and Cozumel, Mexico. There is also an eight-day Bahamas cruise to Key West, Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay, sailing on November 9 and 23, 2024.
A six-day Western Caribbean cruise will have multiple departures between November 2024 and April 2025, visiting Belize and Cozumel. There will also be a 12-Day Carnival Journeys Cruise departing Mobile on January 18, 2025, and visiting Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Aruba; Curacao; Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
The ship is presently sailing from Seattle, Washington, offering a series of Alaskan sailings that will conclude this fall with a Carnival Journeys cruise from Seattle to New Orleans.
New Carnival Journeys Itineraries from Seattle
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit will also sail two Carnival Journeys cruises from Seattle, offering longer sailings and more destinations. Carnival Journeys cruises are enhanced with dining and entertainment activities reflecting the ship’s destinations.
Photo Courtesy: Panama Canal Authority
The newly opened Carnival Journeys sailings aboard the Carnival Spirit include a 15-day Hawaii cruise departing Seattle on September 24, 2024. This cruise marks Carnival’s first-ever sailing from Seattle to the Hawaiian Islands, visiting Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hilo, Hawaii; and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The second Carnival Journeys is a 16-day Panama Canal cruise departing Seattle on October 9, 2024. This voyage includes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; a transit through the Panama Canal; and a visit to Cartagena, Colombia, before arriving in New Orleans.
It was a busy weekend for Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, with three separate rescues evacuating four passengers from cruise ships within a 24-hour period off the coast of southern California.
Two of the three incidents were from Carnival cruise ships, while the third – involving two passengers at once – was from a Princess Cruises vessel.
Three Rescues From Three Different Cruise Ships in 24 Hours
Coast Guard Air Station San Diego rose to the challenge of multiple rescues with precision and efficiency over the weekend, when multiple calls came in from cruise ships requesting medical evacuations.
Carnival Panorama Rescue
The first was at approximately 7:10 p.m. Friday evening, April 28, from Carnival Panorama. At the time of the assistance call, the ship was positioned 165 miles (265 kilometers) south of San Diego on the last night of a 7-night Mexican Riviera sailing roundtrip from Long Beach, California.
Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock
A 47-year-old female was reportedly suffering from a “progressive acute illness,” and the cruise ship rendezvoused with the USGS MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter 100 miles (161 km) south of San Diego. The guest was hoisted aboard and transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego.
Majestic Princess Rescues
Just three hours later, a second call came in from another cruise ship involving two guests requiring medical evacuation from the same vessel. The guests were aboard Majestic Princess when the call for assistance was made at 10:20 p.m. on Friday evening.
One passenger, a 74-year-old female, was suffering stroke-like symptoms, and the second passenger, a 77-year-old female, was suffering from kidney failure.
Both evacuations were recommended within 12-14 hours, and the airlift by a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was coordinated for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, approximately 150 miles (241 km) southwest of Point Conception, or 280 miles (450 km) west of San Diego. Both patients were again transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital.
Photo Credit: RickDeacon / Shutterstock
Majestic Princess was sailing her 31-night repositioning cruise from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver, Canada, in preparation for the Alaska sailing season. The ship had departed Australia on Tuesday, April 4, and the evacuation came en route to Los Angeles as the ship’s next port of call on the extended itinerary.
Carnival Spirit Rescue
While the evacuation from Majestic Princess was being completed, a third evacuation request was made, this time from Carnival Spirit. As soon as the transfer of the two Majestic Princess passengers was completed, the same aircrew diverted directly to Carnival Spirit, at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.
The Carnival ship was approximately 86 miles (138 km) west of San Clemente Island, or 165 miles (265 km) west of San Diego at the time of the airlift.
The 84-year-old female passenger was reported with stroke-like symptoms, and was transferred to emergency medical services at Coast Guard Sector San Diego.
Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
At the time of the airlift, Carnival Spirit was also on a repositioning cruise, moving from Miami, Florida to Seattle, Washington to begin the Alaska season. The ship’s most recent – and last – port of call on the journey was Cabo San Lucas on Thursday, April 27, and the ship is due to arrive in Seattle on Tuesday, May 2.
To protect the privacy of the evacuated guests, as well as their family members and loved ones, no further details about their conditions have been released.
Medical Evacuations Not Uncommon
While medical evacuations from cruise ships are not uncommon, it is unusual for a single air crew to participate in so many airlift operations in such a short time span. To do so requires superior training, commitment, and focus.
Cruise ships are equipped with medical centers and highly trained medical staff, but equipment onboard may be limited. If the onboard medical team determines that additional care or emergency services are needed, guests can be evacuated from the ship.
Medical evacuations can vary depending on where the ship is located, what its sailing route may be, and what resources are available. At times, the cruise ship may be able to divert directly to a nearby port with adequate medical facilities, or a pilot boat from a port could meet the cruise ship offshore.
However, when ships are further out to sea, airlifts are the fastest and safest option to ensure guests get prompt emergency care.
Cruise Hive says well done, and thanks to all the dedicated crew members of the United States Coast Guard and other organizations that provide such emergency evacuations to safeguard all cruise travelers as needed.
MSC Cruises has announced winter sailings from Japan, a first-ever commitment from the cruise line, which has sailed seasonally in Japan for 15 years.
Now, MSC Bellissima will offer varied sailings from November 2023 with cruises of different lengths to permit travelers multiple options for exploring the region, providing a new seasonal look at the intriguing nation and other top Asian destinations.
New Winter Season Japan Cruises
While MSC Bellissima was docked in Yokohama, Japan recently to begin the summer 2023 season, MSC Cruises used the opportunity to announce a new winter season in Japan, just open for sale on May 1, 2023 and marking the beginning of a year-round presence in Japan for the rapidly growing cruse line.
MSC Cruises is proud to offer the largest cruise capacity in the region, and with the new winter season offerings aboard MSC Bellissima, MSC Cruises is on course to become Japan’s number one cruise line.
The new winter season will begin in November 2023 and will include 6-, 9-, and 11-night sailings from Yokohama. Then, from January through March 2024, MSC Bellissima will move to homeport from Naha/Okinawa for additional cruises, with 4- and 5-night itineraries.
Depending on the sailing date and cruise length, the ship will visit such phenomenal ports of call as Okinawa, Ishigaki, Kobe, Hakodate, and Mijako Island, bringing guests to the heart of Japanese culture and beauty with pristine tropical beaches, stunning waterfront communities, amazing snorkeling and diving options, inspiring historical sites, and so much more.
Select itineraries will also visit Keelung, Taiwan, where guests can marvel at breathtaking views and indulge in deliciously varied street food to get a true taste of the area, while others call on Busan, South Korea, for yet another perspective of diverse Asian cultures.
The new winter Asian sailings are now available for booking, and other itineraries are also available exploring the region throughout the year.
Sailing Aboard MSC Bellissima
The Meraviglia-class MSC Bellissima is one of the largest ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet, and offers a wide range of amenities everyone can enjoy.
The ship features 12 distinctive dining venues, from the Butcher’s Cut American-style steakhouse to HOLA Tacos & Cantina to the French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot. More than 20 bars and lounges offer luxe libations, while the Mediterranean-style promenade is the heart of the ship, topped with a 262-foot-long spectacular LED Sky Screen at Sea.
Photo Credit: Lena Maximova / Shutterstock
The MSC Aurea Spa is a luxurious Balinese spa offering signature relaxation treatments as well as a relaxing thermal area and pampering appointments, while guests can also relax poolside.
For evening flair and excitement, the London Theater offers excellent sightlines for Broadway-style production shows with an international lineup of artists. The Carousel Lounge presents exclusive high-energy, avant-garde performances with immersive elements and cutting-edge effects.
Family areas, the Arizona Aquapark, a full-size bowling alley, and children’s programs are also available onboard MSC Bellissima, or guests can opt for even more luxury and all-inclusive elegance by staying in the exclusive 3-deck MSC Yacht Club.
MSC Bellissima weighs in at 171,598 gross tons, making her one of the top 20 largest cruise ships in the world, along with her sister ship, MSC Meraviglia. MSC Bellissima joined the MSC Cruises fleet in 2019, and can welcome 4,500 guests onboard each sailing.
Persistent rumors on social media have prompted Carnival Cruise Line to confirm documentation requirements for cruise travelers. This is specifically for roundtrip sailings from US homeports and whether or not passports are required, or will soon be required, by the cruise line.
Rumors Suggest Carnival Cruise Line to Require Passports
Rumors on different social media sites have suggested that Carnival Cruise Line will begin requiring all guests to have passports for all sailings beginning in 2024, regardless of the cruise embarkation port, itinerary route, or duration.
While all cruise guests are required to present proper identification before embarkation, Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that passports are not required for all sailings and that the cruise line’s documentation requirements are not planned to change.
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald spoke in detail about the concern, verifying document requirements for guests.
US Passport (Photo Credit: diy13 / Shutterstock)
“There are no requirements from us that a passport will be needed next year except on specific cruises to places in Europe and other specific locations,”Heald said.“However for Caribbean and all closed loop cruises there have been no changes set by Unites States Customs and Border Protection so you may use your birth certificate and Government issued ID.”
A “closed loop” cruise is defined as one that both embarks and debarks from the same homeport – a roundtrip sailing.
Guests booked on upcoming Carnival cruises should note that one-way, repositioning, or transoceanic sailings, as well as voyages departing from homeports outside the US that require guests to travel to a different country before embarkation may have different documentation requirements.
Depending on the sailing, some cruises – even though they may be closed loop itineraries – still require all guests to have valid passports. For example, all Carnival cruises that visit Greenland require a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the last day of the cruise.
Similarly, all Europe and transatlantic cruises also require US citizens to carry passports valid for at least 6 months after their visit. These requirements are set by the countries being visited as part of their international security protocols, and are not determined by Carnival Cruise Line.
Cruising Without Proper Documentation
All cruise travelers should be aware that without the required documentation, guests will not be permitted to board their cruise ship and will instead be turned away at the embarkation terminal.
Documentation requirements are set by US Customs and Border Protection, and all cruise lines must abide by those guidelines.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
Carnival Cruise Line’s online FAQ states“Any guest without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of proper travel documentation.”
Travel documentation requirements can change on short notice, and cruisers should stay updated about required documents well before their sailing date to ensure they have the proper documents.
Passports are often recommended and can make the check-in process faster at the cruise terminal, as well as being valuable documentation in case of any emergency during the cruise that might require guests to remain in a port of call or leave the ship to return home before the cruise ends.
Cruise ducks are a fun phenomenon that has truly taken flight aboard cruise ships, but why? What is up with ducks on a cruise? What is so appealing about these cute and quirky figures, and how can you join the feathered fun? Let’s get quacking!
A cruise duck is a small rubber duck that gets to take a big vacation aboard a cruise ship. These colorful toys may be plain or themed, and may even be homemade or decorated. They are hidden around cruise ships in a fun, passenger-led game of hide-and-seek.
Exciting to find and cheerful to share, cruise ducks come with a “hide or keep, you decide” philosophy. Some passengers love to re-hide ducks to bring joy to other passengers, while some collect ducks as whimsical vacation souvenirs.
Various Cruise Ducks (Photo Credit: Cliff Johnson / Creative Commons)
Many cruise ducks are labeled with stickers, tags, or ribbons with the name of the ship and sailing date, and may also include a family name, social media hashtag, or QR code with an invitation to snap a duck selfie to share in Facebook groups or on other platforms such as Twitter or Instagram.
Some ducks travel even further than a single cruise, and may eventually be spotted on different ships all around the world as they are kept by different guests for re-hiding on future sailings.
How Cruise Ducks Got Started
The exact beginning of the cruise duck phenomenon is shrouded in mystery, as some guests remember setting sail with rubber ducks for many years as far back as 2015 or earlier.
The most widespread acknowledgment of the accepted beginning of cruising ducks is in March 2018, when an 11-year-old girl named Abby Davis brought 50 ducks aboard Carnival Breeze, setting sail from Galveston to spread kindness and fun during her spring break vacation. The project was a rousing success, with one duck “hiding” in plain sight for three days before being found.
The Original Cruising Duck! (Photo Credit: Cruising Ducks Original)
Today, the cruise ducks phenomenon has become a type of oceangoing geocaching, with guests from all over the world eagerly hunting ducks on every major cruise line, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and more.
Social media groups dedicated to the ducks continue to drive interest in the game, and finding even one duck can be a source of delight for folks of all ages. Similar to the painted rocks scavenger hunts, the hide-and-seek of ducks can add even more fun to every cruise sailing.
Types of Cruise Ducks
The traditional cruise duck is a small rubber duck, similar to the classic bathtub toy, but that’s only the beginning of the fun.
Many rubber ducks have themed designs, and holiday ducks are especially popular for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, or other holiday sailings. Pirate, captain, or mermaid ducks are other fun designs popular on cruises.
Many guests also choose ducks with themes to match their hometowns – cowboy ducks for Texas cruisers, for example – or to represent their favorite sports teams, careers, animals, or military branches. Some ducks are used to help raise awareness of individual causes, or to celebrate a special someone.
Handcrafted ducks are a popular favorite, or basic ducks may be hand-decorated with extra bling. Crocheted or origami ducks are also great choices. Many cruisers are opting for even more unique ducks with key chains, magnets, hair barrettes, or plush toys. Some ducks have wacky hairstyles, and some even light up.
Guidelines for Hiding Ducks
No matter what type of duck will take a cruise, there are basic guidelines for safely and effectively hiding the ducks. While no formal rules exist, these guidelines help ensure everyone can enjoy cruise ducks.
Ducks should be hidden in public areas only, never in crew-only areas or on any restricted equipment such as lifesaving gear.
No ducks should be hidden in any retail stores to minimize any hint of shoplifting or theft when the duck is discovered and picked up.
Do not hide ducks in restrooms or locker rooms, spa treatment rooms, on buffet food serving dishes, or anywhere sanitation may be a concern.
Duck tags or labels should be family-friendly without any vulgarity or profanity, as it is never known who will find and pick up the duck.
Avoid placing ducks in any spot that may be windy or if there is any risk of the duck accidentally going overboard, which would violate many cruise lines’ environmental policies.
Do not place ducks in a ship’s pools or hot tubs where kids might overreach in their eagerness to collect the duck and could fall into the water.
Do not place ducks irretrievably high where they will be hard for most passengers to reach, even if they do spot the duck.
Ducks should be in relatively plain sight so they can be seen without moving or rearranging items such as stacks of towels, library books, or dishes.
Fortunately, there are many great nooks and crannies to hide ducks. In stairwells and elevators are favorite spots, as are nestling ducks into potted plants or balancing them on sculptures, artwork frames, or statues.
The tops of signs, sitting on tables or chairs, atop a piano, in corners, or in a ship’s atrium are other popular places to hide cruise ducks. Some cruisers also choose to leave a duck in their stateroom for their attendant or future cruisers to find.
Once ducks are hidden, many participating cruisers enjoy going back to the hiding spot to see if the duck has been discovered, and it can be even more fun to try and find the same duck later during the cruise.
Tips for Finding Ducks
You don’t have to hide ducks in order to find them, as the game is not necessarily a reciprocal activity. If you find a duck, you can choose to rehide it, or you can keep it as a souvenir or gift. But how can you improve your odds of finding a cruising duck?
Be alert to unique and unexpected hiding places, especially high (above eye level) and low (closer to the ground), and frequently check for clever hiding spots.
Choose different stairwells and elevators when walking around the ship to cover as many potential hiding spots as possible.
Head out early in the day on a duck hunt to check out as many hiding spots as possible, as many participants hide ducks either late at night or early in the morning.
Revisit different areas of the ship throughout the day, as ducks may migrate to new spots each time they are found and rehidden.
Two Cruise Ducks (Photo Credit: G Allen Penton / Shutterstock)
When you find a duck, the choice is yours whether or not to keep it or hide it again for someone else to enjoy, with no judgment about which you choose. Some travelers reposition ducks immediately, while others might wait for a day or two.
Some even keep ducks until their next cruise, or photograph them on different adventures at different ports of call, even on different ships as they travel the cruising world.
What Do Cruise Lines Think?
There is a lot of debate about whether or not cruise lines approve of hidden ducks or not. While there are no official policies about cruise ducks, in general, crew members enjoy finding them and may keep or hide the ducks again themselves.
Some guests report seeing ducks discarded in the trash, though this was more frequent when the game was less well-known than today.
Large Cruise Duck! (Photo Credit: Cuson / Shutterstock)
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has commented on cruising ducks, and encourages the fun aboard the Carnival cruise ship fleet.
“Many of the crew love finding the ducks and have them in their cabins as they bring them cheer,”Heald said.“We have absolutely no problem with guests leaving them as we do think it’s fun.”
While there are always those who hate ducks and think the practice should be banned, no cruise line has yet added “little rubber ducks” to its list of prohibited items.
Travelers who think the activity is silly can simply overlook any ducks they see, just as all cruisers are able to pick and choose which activities onboard a ship they want to join in and those they prefer to avoid.
Where to Buy Cruise Ducks
If you want to bring your own toy ducks to hide onboard a cruise, where do you buy them? Any small rubber duck will work, such as those found in claw game vending machines or sold as bath toys for young children.
Ordering ducks online is the easiest way to get a selection of ducks, with a greater variety of designs and themed ducks available with bulk quantity discounts. Amazon, party stores, and toy store websites generally have good selections of ducks available, and you can even buy duck kits that include pre-printed labels to attach to the ducks.
Rubber Ducks in Ship (Photo Credit: New Africa / Shutterstock)
Other options to check for buying ducks are local discount or dollar stores, as well as flea markets that may have bulk toy vendors. Online auction sites like eBay may also have great deals on ducks perfect for cruising.
Just how many ducks to bring along for a cruise vacation is a personal decision. Some travelers prefer to pack along just a few ducks, while others may prepare whole flocks to set sail. While cruise lines do not mind the activity, it is always best to be mindful not to cross the line between fun and obsession, and be sure not to bring so many ducks that they start to be seen as litter or debris.
If the ducks you buy do not come with pre-made labels or passport tags, a variety of templates for cruise duck tags can be found online, including on the dedicated cruising ducks Facebook page and groups.
You can also choose to make cruise ducks with whatever craft you enjoy, such as crocheting or knitting ducks, making hair bows, carving wooden ducks, creating felt ducks, or decorating duck ornaments. Every style is welcomed in the game, and more unique ducks make even more desirable and sought-after ducks to find.
Cruising ducks are a creative, cheerful, and fun way for many passengers to add enjoyment to their cruise vacations. Whether you bring ducks aboard to hide, prefer to be a duck finder and keep the ducks you seek, or rehide every quirky duck you come across, everyone can be a part of this oceangoing scavenger hunt.
