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MSC Cruises Pulls Multiple South America Sailings for 2026-27

Lissa Poirot
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MSC Cruises Pulls Multiple South America Sailings for 2026-27

Key Aspects:

  • 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.

MSC Lirica Cruise Ship
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 Musica beginning 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.

Read Also: How to Speed Up Your Cruise Refund

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.

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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 Cruise Ship Snaps Free During High Winds at Private Island

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruise Ship Snaps Free During High Winds at Private Island

Key Aspects:

  • 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.

@jelly.mae.aaron

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

♬ original sound – Jelly Mae Goodwin 🇵🇭🇺🇸

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
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.

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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.

Massive Compensation Offered After Royal Caribbean Overbooks February Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Massive Compensation Offered After Royal Caribbean Overbooks February Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • 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.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Passengers Skeptical of Unbelievable Refund Deal

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
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.

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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 Alerts Guests to Bundle Up as Freezing Weather Hits

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Alerts Guests to Bundle Up as Freezing Weather Hits

Key Aspects:

  • 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.

Read Also: Why You Should Always Opt In to Carnival Cruise Line Text Alerts

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
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.

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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 Rolls Out New Hawaii and West Coast Cruises

Donna Tunney
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Holland America Rolls Out New Hawaii and West Coast Cruises

Key Aspects:

  • 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
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.

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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.

Carnival Makes History With Two Ships Homeported in Baltimore for 2027-28

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Makes History With Two Ships Homeported in Baltimore for 2027-28

Key Aspects:

  • Two Carnival Cruise Line ships will be homeported in Baltimore for the first time.
  • Carnival Miracle and Carnival Pride will both be based in Baltimore beginning fall 2027.
  • In addition, Carnival Firenze will operate out of various US East Coast ports during the 2027-28 season.

For the first time in its history, Carnival Cruise Line will homeport two ships in Baltimore beginning in fall 2027, expanding cruise options for Mid-Atlantic guests.

Starting with the 2027-28 season, the 88,500-gross-ton Carnival Miracle will join her sister ship, Carnival Pride, in Baltimore, where the cruise line has operated for more than 20 years.

The 2,134-passenger Carnival Miracle is scheduled to arrive in the Maryland harbor city on November 20, 2027, after completing a 15-day transatlantic crossing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Once in place, the Spirit-class ship will operate a mix of 7-, 8-, and 9-day cruises to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, as well as longer 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys itineraries, which often target off-the-beaten-path calls.

Those extended sailings will include ports such as Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten without the need to fly to Florida to reach the Caribbean ports.

“Baltimore has been an important homeport for Carnival for more than two decades, and we’re excited to continue building on our year-round operations with the addition of Carnival Miracle,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The announcement follows confirmation that the 2,124-guest Carnival Pride will continue to operate year-round from Baltimore, and provides guests with two ship options a year after Royal Caribbean removes its ships from the port.

Carnival Cruise Line Baltimore Return
Carnival Cruise Line Baltimore Return (Photo Courtesy: Carnival)

Carnival Pride currently provides 7-day cruises to the Bahamas and Bermuda, along with longer 9-, 12-, and 14-day Carnival Journeys sailings. Destinations on those longer voyages include Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, and Martinique.

Carnival Cruise Line is committed to operating from Baltimore through 2030, per a renewal agreement that began on January 1, 2025.

“By giving our guests more variety in itineraries and ships, we’re giving them more reasons to take a Carnival Cruise vacation,” said Duffy.

Carnival Firenze Switches Homeports

Beyond Baltimore, Carnival Cruise Line also outlined expanded plans for Carnival Firenze in 2027-28. The 4,126-passenger ship will shift between multiple US homeports.

Beginning in fall 2027, the 135,156-gross-ton vessel will be based in Port Canaveral near Orlando, operating Caribbean itineraries ranging from 4 to 14 days. These will include short Bahamas cruises as well as longer Eastern and Southern Caribbean sailings and select Carnival Journeys voyages.

The sailings will often include a stop at Carnival Cruise Line’s private destinations, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay or the brand-new Celebration Key, which debuted in summer 2025.

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Before relocating to Port Canaveral, Carnival Firenze will operate a one-time 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise departing PortMiami on May 16, 2027. That sailing will visit Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

Following its Florida season, Carnival Firenze will reposition to New York City, where it will offer seasonal summer 2028 sailings to Bermuda.

With two ships in Baltimore and expanded East Coast deployments, Carnival is positioning itself for one of its most ambitious 2027–28 seasons yet.

Cruise Line in Alaska Unexpectedly Shuts Down, All Cruises Cancelled

Donna Tunney
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Cruise Line in Alaska Unexpectedly Shuts Down, All Cruises Cancelled

Key Aspects:

  • Alaskan Dream Cruises has shut down operations and cancelled all future cruises.
  • Booked guests are receiving information about refunds and other next steps.
  • The cruise line operated four small ships in Southeast Alaska.

Alaskan Dream Cruises, a well-respected, small-ship cruise line operating in Alaska since 2011, has unexpectedly shut down.

A notice posted on the line’s website advises booked guests that the business ceased operations and will not operate any future sailings.

Based in Sitka, the cruise line’s co-founder, Betty Allen, is a descendant of the Tlingit people who originally inhabited Southeast Alaska. Her heritage made Alaskan Dream Cruises the only indigenous-owned cruise line in the US.

The brand operated through the 2025 season and has four ships, Alaskan Dream, Admiralty Dream, Baranof Dream, and Chichagof Dream.

Booked guests and their travel agents have been notified of the closure, and details about refunds are being issued by email. The notice does not confirm that full refunds are being processed, but that is likely the case.

“Since 2011, Alaskan Dream Cruises has had the privilege of sharing the wonders of Alaska and the richness of our Alaska Native heritage with incredible guests from across the globe,” the company states in its notice.

Betty Allen and her husband, Bob Allen, also owned Alaskan Dream Cruises’ parent company, Allen Marine, based in Sitka, Alaska, a popular port call that is included on most Alaska itineraries.

The current owner of Allen Marine indicated in a local media report that the decision to close down was necessary.

“After careful evaluation of our long-term objectives, we determined that concluding cruise operations allows us to responsibly focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact,” said Jamey Cagle, owner of parent company Allen Marine.

The brand’s ships are small, with the largest, Chichagof Dream, accommodating 80 guests. Admiralty Dream and Baranof Dream each have a capacity for 49 guests, while Alaskan Dream carries just 40 passengers.

Cruise Ship Sailing in Alaska
Cruise Ship Sailing in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ellie618)

The expedition-style brand chose vessels that could navigate through narrow and shallow waterways, enabling close-up views of glaciers and wildlife across Southeast Alaska. It typically operated voyages from May through September.

One of the ships, Admiralty Dream, ranked No. 4 on Cruise Hive’s listing of the industry’s smallest ships. 

In addition to exploring remote areas that large cruise ships cannot access, Alaskan Dream Cruises’ ships offered Native American experiences such as dance performances, carving demonstrations, and interactions with indigenous residents of the area.

Cruise Line’s Fares Were Geared to Upmarket Travelers

The Alaskan Dream Cruises brand attracted upscale guests who seek high-end, small-ship, and small-group explorations.

The cruise line had scheduled itineraries for summer 2026, indicating that its shutdown was unplanned. One itinerary, an 8-night Inside Passage voyage, for instance, was shown on its website priced at $7,600 per person, double.

It promised guests views of calving glaciers, including the Margerie, Grand Pacific, Sawyer, South Sawyer, and Dawes glaciers. Kayaking opportunities and a visit to an Alaska native village were part of the experiences offered.

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In 2025, the brand had been offering a 70% cruise fare discount to residents of Alaska — a sign, perhaps, of financial troubles impacting its viability in a competitive small ship environment.

Other small ship brands operating in Alaska include Un-Cruise Adventures, Discovery Voyages, and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, among others.

Royal Caribbean Confirms Legend of the Seas Chief Dog Officer

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Royal Caribbean Confirms Legend of the Seas Chief Dog Officer

Key Aspects:

  • Legend of the Seas will have Royal Caribbean’s third “Chief Dog Officer” onboard.
  • The news of the newborn puppy was shared with a boop-able photo on social media.
  • The puppy is a female golden retriever, but her name has not yet been announced.

The pack is growing just as the fleet is growing, as Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the upcoming Legend of the Seas will be home to the cruise line’s third “Chief Dog Officer.”

The announcement comes from Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, with a celebratory Facebook post.

“A Legend has been born and she is as cute as cute can be!” he said. “Now if only we had a name for this little cutey and future Chief Dog Officer of the new ICON class Legend of the Seas.”

Bayley shared a close up photo of the young pup, presumably snuggled into her mother’s fur. What a boopable snoot! The puppy appears to be a golden retriever, the same breed as Rover and Sailor, the Chief Dog Officers of Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, respectively.

All that is known about the pup is that she is a female, and she’s definitely going to be serving aboard Legend of the Seas.

“We’re expecting… a new Chief Dog Officer,” the cruise line confirmed shortly after Bayley’s announcement. “Meet our newest and smallest member of the Royal Caribbean family. Can you guess what her name will be?”

It’s likely the puppy is from Eagleridge Goldens, a champion line golden retriever breeder based in Polk City, Florida. Sailor and Rover are from the same breeder, which received a 2025 Best of Florida Award for pet breeders.

Eagleridge Goldens shared Bayley’s post on their own Facebook page, but did not precisely confirm the pup is from their program.

Coincidentally, the new pup has been announced just two days after National Golden Retriever Day – an auspicious time indeed for a legendary new pup to be born!

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas

The Chief Dog Officers are only found on the Icon Class ships, where they comfort not only crew members but also live their best lives, meeting guests and providing just the cutest selfie opportunities.

Legend of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Turku, Finland. Like her sister ships, the new vessel – which was floated out in August 2025 – will measure 250,800 gross tons and be able to welcome up to 7,600 guests at full occupancy. Service dogs will be welcome too!

What Is the Puppy’s Name?

The puppy’s name has not been announced, but both Bayley and Royal Caribbean have asked guests either for name suggestions or for guesses about the name.

Creative choices for the new puppy’s name include:

  • Siren – For the seagoing myth that attracts sailors (and cruisers!)
  • Noci – Icon spelled backwards
  • Athena – As a fierce female legend in her own right
  • Coco – Named in honor of Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • Helen – For Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships
  • Skipper – As captain of the upcoming ship
  • Schooner – Keeping with the nautical name theme

Guests are excitedly suggesting a wide range of other names, either with nautical themes to match Sailor or “wandering” themes to match Rover. Of course, “legendary” names are also top choices.

Royal Caribbean Dogs
Royal Caribbean Dogs (Photos Credit: Michael Bayley)

It is possible that Royal Caribbean has already selected a name, or perhaps there may be voting or other means for guests to join in naming the new puppy in the next few weeks.

The New Puppy’s Debut

The puppy will undoubtedly be ready to make her oceangoing debut just as Legend of the Seas welcomes her first guests. The third Icon-class ship’s first voyage will be a 7-night Mediterranean sailing departing Rome on July 4, 2026.

At that time, the puppy will be five months old, well able to leave her mother and littermates. Most dogs head to their new homes when they are just 2-3 months old.

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It’s possible, however, that the Chief Dog Officer may not be aboard the ship’s first Mediterranean sailings. There are restrictions about internationally transporting young animals, and the cruise line may prefer to keep the young dog in training programs until she can join the ship when it comes to Fort Lauderdale in November.

Further details on the puppy, including her name announcement and her crew work schedule, will undoubtedly be announced closer to the new ship’s maiden voyage.

Carnival Cruise Line to Air Super Bowl But Not Olympic Games

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line to Air Super Bowl But Not Olympic Games

Key Aspects:

  • John Heald has confirmed that the Super Bowl will be shown on all Carnival cruise ships on February 8.
  • Formal night will be moved to accommodate the big game and dining venues will change hours for game snacks.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will not be able to be shown onboard due to network contracts.

Sports fans can be frustrated on cruises when their favorite teams, games, and events might not be available. NFL fans don’t have to worry this weekend on Carnival cruise ships, however, as the cruise line will not only be airing the Super Bowl, but will have unique events and rearranged schedules to accommodate the big game.

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, confirmed the Super Bowl plans during a recent video, reassuring football fans that the game will be shown on every ship.

“We will be covering it on all the ships,” he said. “The ships that have the big screens on the Lido Deck will be showing the game, [and] there will be a tailgate party. The ships that don’t have that, they’ll show it on the big screen in the main theater.”

Because of the popularity of the Super Bowl, which draws more than 100 million viewers annually, some onboard entertainment and dining scheduling will be rearranged for the game.

Heald noted that on ships that are scheduled to have an Elegant Evening on game day – Sunday, February 8 – the formal night will be swapped to a different night during the sailing so it doesn’t conflict.

After all, tuxedos, sports coats, and cocktail dresses aren’t exactly football attire, nor are jerseys and fan gear the most appropriate wardrobe for formal night!

The full game and halftime show will be shown, but interested guests should note that because of how it will be broadcast, the famed Super Bowl commercials will not be aired on Carnival ships.

Carnival Cruise Super Bowl
Carnival Cruise Super Bowl (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks & Andrew Angelov)

“Unfortunately, you won’t get to see the commercials because we get the direct satellite feed, which doesn’t include the United States commercials,” Heald explained.

The 2026 Super Bowl will be a fight between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, hosted at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Eastern US time.

If guests aren’t interested in the Super Bowl, the full schedule of other events will still be planned on every ship, including games, trivia contests, comedy shows, and more.

Onboard Dining to Have Special Game Hours

Because the Super Bowl will begin at dinnertime for many Carnival guests, what dining can football fans expect if they don’t want to miss the game? Sports fans can be very loyal to their favorite game day snacks.

There will be an onboard tailgate party before the game begins, though whether or not that will include game-ready snacks is not clear. What Heald has noted, however, is that various dining options will have special hours because of the game.

“Guy’s Burgers and all the food outlets will remain open throughout the game for you,” he said.

Assigned dining times are unlikely to be changed, but guests can enjoy food from the Lido Marketplace buffet, room service, pizzeria, deli, and other venues to satisfy their game day munchies.

Of course, guests who have Your Time Dining rather than an assigned time, or those who prefer specialty dining, can arrange their reservations for Sunday’s dinner around the game if they wish.

Olympics Will Not Be Shown Onboard

While football fans will be cheering the news about the Super Bowl, sports fans who want to tune in to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy will, unfortunately, be disappointed.

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Heald noted that Carnival Cruise Line does not carry the network that will be broadcasting the Olympics and so the games will not be available onboard.

Guests interested in the Olympics, which are from February 6-22, could still purchase wi-fi packages to stream their favorite skiing, figure skating, speed skating, bobsled, and other events on their own devices.

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