John Heald has clarified that just 12 guests are permitted at Carnival’s onboard ashes scattering ceremonies.
Ceremonies are arranged to be as private as possible, but there are limits to what can be offered.
Carnival does not charge for these ceremonies, but they must be arranged in advance.
While a cruise vacation ought to be a happy getaway, there are times when it’s a more solemn occasion for remembrance. Many cruise guests arrange ashes scattering ceremonies for their loved ones, perhaps to remember the individual’s love of cruising or to share one last voyage with them.
Some recent disappointment aboard a Carnival ship, however, has the cruise line clarifying exactly what is needed for such a ceremony and what guests can expect at the event onboard.
Furthermore, there is a strict limit that guests might not expect when arranging that last goodbye to their loved one.
The details come from John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, who arranges many such events for grieving guests each week. He notes, however, that not everyone can attend such events.
“I help to organise many of [these ceremonies] each week and do so I hope with humility and with genuine care for those who wish to say their final goodbye from a ship,”he explained.“This ceremony takes place in a small but quiet crew area of the ships. The maximum number of guests that can attend is twelve.”
It is that limit of 12 guests for each ashes scattering ceremony that has caused dismay to some guests.
“A lady was very angry with me and more importantly with my colleagues on the ship for refusing to allow all 30 people in her group of family and friends to attend,”he noted.“The words used included ‘cruel’ and that this decision was ‘inhuman.'”
Heald does acknowledge that he hasn’t been too clear on the capacity limit previously. While he doesn’t confirm why such a limit is in place, it likely concerns general logistics for large crowds in smaller crew spaces.
Passengers on a Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Amonarch)
Bringing too many guests into the crew spaces might also present a security risk or require too many crew members to guide the group.
A very crowded ceremony would also be less respectful as it might require shouting or cramped standing to accommodate everyone, creating a situation where those in attendance would be unhappy at the event’s organization.
In an age when more large families may be sailing together or even cruising with family reunions or other celebrations, it’s important to know that bidding farewell to a loved one cannot be as large of an event.
As a matter of note, there is no charge for ashes scattering ceremonies onboard Carnival cruise ships.
What Guests Need to Know About Carnival’s Ashes Scattering Ceremonies
Heald goes on to outline exactly what guests need to know about arranging to scatter their loved one’s ashes from a Carnival ship, including what documentation is required and what to expect.
For example, a copy of the deceased’s death certificate must be brought along, and any container that will be going into the ocean (if applicable) must be biodegradable.
Heald can help make arrangements for these delicate ceremonies but guests must contact him via his popular Facebook page three days before setting sail.
Carnival’s website also offers more details, including noting that the location onboard may not be accessible and guests might need to be able to navigate steps safely in order to attend.
While Carnival Cruise Line will take into account a guest’s suggestions for the time and location of the scattering, the ship’s operational requirements and local regulations must also be taken into account. Ashes cannot be scattered while a ship is in port.
“The date and time will be based on environmental restrictions and must be performed beyond twelve nautical miles from land and outside any special areas,”the cruise line explains.
While there are limitations to how ashes scattering ceremonies can be performed, Carnival does try to accommodate religious preferences and the crew members coordinating the event step away to permit guests privacy during their last moments with their loved one.
Following the event, guests will be presented with a special commemorative folder with the coordinates of exactly where and when their loved one’s ashes were released, including the captain’s signature.
Scattering ashes at sea can be a fine way to enjoy one last voyage with someone special, but it’s important to understand exactly what is and is not possible so no one is disappointed.
Norwegian Jewel will no longer be able to visit Charleston, South Carolina, on several cruises to Bermuda.
Charleston will be completing work on a redevelopment project that makes it impossible to accommodate larger cruise ships.
All voyages from July 2 to August 20 have replaced by Charleston with Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Norwegian Jewel is about to begin a historic season of cruising out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but her Bermuda-bound sailings will look a bit different from what was expected.
The NCL ship will be in Philadelphia from April 16, 2026, until August 27, 2026, making her the first ship to homeport there in years while also operating her first-ever season of dedicated Bermuda voyages.
The 2,368-guest ship was slated to primarily operate 7-night sailings to Kings Wharf, Bermuda, and Charleston, South Carolina, during the summer months, but plans for redevelopment in Charleston have led to an unfortunate change of plans.
Because of construction related to the redevelopment, the cruise port will no longer be able to accommodate Norwegian Jewel.
“Due to a new development project in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, beginning in July 2026, the port is limiting its cruise operation to smaller vessels,”Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letterto impacted guests.
“As such, it will no longer be able to accommodate large cruise ships, and our scheduled visit has therefore been cancelled,” NCL continued.
Cruise Hive confirmed that all voyages scheduled to embark between July 2, 2026, and August 20, 2026, will be impacted by the itinerary change. The spring-time sailings from April 16 to June 25 have not been affected at this time.
New Port Added to the Itinerary
In an effort to still cultivate an exciting vacation for guests, Norwegian Cruise Line has replaced Charleston with a day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
“In its place, we’re pleased to welcome Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to your itinerary,”the cruise line confirmed.
Understandably, the change was met with some disappointment. Some guests booked the cruise to specifically go to Charleston and weren’t happy about the change in plans.
Norwegian Jewel in Boston (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
The itinerary also calls for the 93,502-gross ton ship to be in Halifax from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. when it visits, which is both too early and too little time in port for many guests. The visit to Charleston would have lasted for a full day and started at 11 a.m.
“We are so very disappointed about this change. Charleston was the highlight for us, and the new ports are poor substitutes,” one impacted passenger said in Cruise Hive’s Norwegian Cruise Line News, Tips & Chat Facebook group.
Especially for those scheduled to sail in July, news of the change came after their full payment was due, which they incorrectly thought meant that they couldn’t cancel their sailing without penalty.
“I am on the July 2nd cruise and I am extremely angry. They sent this exactly at 119 days prior so I can not get a full refund since it’s less than 120 days. Very shady and not ok at all,”another passenger complained.
However, this guest was not entirely correct. Full payment is due 120 days out, but sailings can be cancelled with no penalty up to 90 days before departure.
Redevelopment & Cruise Ship Limits
It’s no secret that Charleston has been slowly phasing out cruising. Homeporting operations ceased at the end of 2024 with the departure of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine, which had called Charleston home for five years.
The purpose of ending cruise ship departures was to redevelop the Union Pier Terminal into a mixed-use, walkable waterfront district featuring residential houses, shopping, office spaces, and public green spaces.
Construction is ongoing, and no completion date has been announced as of the time of this publication. With the redevelopment, homeporting operations will not be possible, and only short one-day ship calls will be accommodated by the port going forward.
The Southern port has also set a voluntary limit of allowing no more than 104 cruise ship visits per year and not accepting ships that carry more than 3,500 passengers.
The purpose of these limitations is to protect Charleston’s historic downtown, reduce negative environmental impacts, and manage overtourism.
Hopefully, cruise guests who are missing out will get another chance to explore all that the city has to offer in the future, perhaps even taking advantage of some of the new developments.
Carnival has adjusted the itinerary for Carnival Freedom’s transatlantic crossing that embarks on August 18.
Instead of Gibraltar, UK, guests will get to enjoy a day in Tangier, Morocco.
Gibraltar remains on the itinerary for the return sailing to the US that departs on October 17.
Carnival Freedom will briefly say goodbye to Port Canaveral and operate a sold out transatlantic crossing to Barcelona beginning on August 18, 2026. However, the itinerary guests booked is not quite what they are getting.
The 14-night one-way sailing was supposed to visit Gibraltar, UK, on August 29 as part of its journey. However, this particular stop has been cancelled and replaced by Tangier, Morocco.
“We have made an adjustment to your itinerary – Gibraltar was replaced with a visit to Tangier, Morocco, and port times were slightly modified,”Carnival said in a letter, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
The revised port times were not yet publicly available as of the time of this writing, but they should be posted on Carnival’s website and in the Hub App within 24 hours.
Aside from adjusting the time in port, there is no impact on the rest of the itinerary at this time. The 2,980-guest ship will also visit Celebration Key, Bahamas; Malaga, Spain; and Alicante, Spain; before arriving in Barcelona on September 1.
Additionally, any Carnival tours that were purchased for Gibraltar will be automatically cancelled and refunded to the original payment method. New shore excursions for Tangier are available for purchase.
A Quick Visit to Dry Dock for Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom will only be in Europe for a little over a month before making her return to the US. During that time, the 2007-launched vessel will exit service to visit dry dock from September 1 to October 8 to undergo routine maintenance and potential refurbishments.
This will be the first time the ship goes to dry dock since 2023, which is when the Conquest-class vessel received a new “whale tail” following a funnel fire in 2022.
She will re-enter service in Barcelona on October 9 to operate her one and only round-trip Mediterranean sailing of the season, which is an 8-night cruise.
The 110,000-gross ton vessel will then begin the 13-night voyage back to Port Canaveral, Florida, on October 17. She will then homeport in the Orlando-based cruise hub until she relocates to Norfolk, Virginia, in May of 2027.
No Changes to the Journey Home
Interestingly, Carnival Freedom’s repositioning cruise from Barcelona back to Port Canaveral is the same itinerary as her voyage to Barcelona, but in reverse. The ship is once again scheduled to stop in Alicante, Malaga, Gibraltar, and Celebration Key, but in the opposite order.
Per booked passengers, Gibraltar is still part of the voyage back to the US as of the time of publication. These guests are hopeful it won’t be cancelled a second time.
“We are the Freedom going over and coming back also. Excited about the Tangier and change but hoping they keep Gibraltar on the October return,” one guest, who is booked on both repositioning voyages, said.
As Carnival did not confirm the reason for the port swap, it’s hard to predict what the future may hold for the return sailing.
Port swaps happen for a variety of reasons, such as changes in port availability, safety concerns, and revenue management. If additional itinerary changes are made, Cruise Hive will make sure to report on the updates.
Guests onboard MSC Euribia in Dubai should stay alert for two new emergency code announcements.
These “Delta Tango” blue and red codes indicate emergency situations for the ship’s safety.
MSC Euribia remains docked in Dubai amid Middle East violence, but guests are gradually being flown home.
With MSC Euribia remaining docked in Dubai for the time being and violence unpredictable in the region, guests still onboard the Meraviglia Plus Class vessel are being advised of unique emergency procedures.
The new alerts go beyond standard safety procedures that guests always practice before setting sail. Those safety drills typically involve the need to assemble at muster stations in case an evacuation is necessary.
The new information, however, is special color-coded alerts guests may need to respond to if there is an immediate threat to the ship, such as with a drone or missile attack. This may seem extreme, but with the current tension in the region it is critical for everyone to be aware of updated safety procedures.
Letters delivered to guests’ staterooms outline the alert system and how guests will need to react in case of an emergency.
“Dubai’s port area continues to be considered secure. However, considering our prolonged stay in port, as a precaution, we have implemented additional safety procedures to ensure we are fully prepared should the situation change,”the letter explained.
The new emergency codes are “Delta Tango Blue Code” and “Delta Tango Red Code” respectively. Should guests hear those codes broadcast over the ship’s public address system, their immediate response is essential.
The “Blue Code” is the more moderate emergency, should there be a potential threat near the ship. At that time, crew members will begin clearing any outer decks that are still open and guiding guests to designated safe zones onboard. Guests are asked to “kindly follow crew instructions promptly” in that situation.
Should the “Red Code” be announced, “this indicates an immediate emergency affecting the ship.”
At that time, guests will be directed to safe areas that may be onboard or ashore if necessary. They are asked to remain calm and follow crew instructions “immediately and without delay” indicating greater urgency to the situation.
The “Delta” code is normally reserved for damage to a ship’s hull, but different cruise lines may use it differently. As this situation is unprecedented, the new codes are necessary for clear communication.
MSC Euribia Cruise Ship in the Middle East (Photo Credit: frantic00)
MSC Euribia‘s Captain Paolo Benini is stressing that there is no change in the risk assessment for the ship at this time. The new codes are just to be sure everyone can stay safe and informed should new situations develop in the coming days.
“Our crew is fully trained and prepared, and we continue to closely monitor the situation in close coordination with the relevant authorities,”the letter stated.
Cruise Hive has previously reported on the missile-armed drone crash at the Port of Dubai, so close to TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 that the ship felt the blast. No damage to the ship or guest injuries were reported, but had the crash been just a bit closer, the outcome could have been very different.
Now, however, guests are starting to be able to make connections that will fly them safely out of Dubai.
Dubai International Airport (DBX) is located just five miles from Port Rashid, where MSC Euribia is docked. With the current situation, however, many flights are cancelled. At this time, only limited operations have resumed with select flights.
On Monday, March 2, the airport confirmed the reopening of the facilities.
“Dubai Airports confirms that a limited resumption of operations will begin later today, 2 March, with a small number of flights permitted to operate from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC),”a Dubai Airports spokesperson said.
Al Maktoum International is 40 miles from the cruise terminal and generally offers far fewer flights for passengers as most traffic is cargo-based.
In comparison, Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving more than 92 million passengers annually (according to 2024 figures, the most recent statistics available).
That cruise guests are starting to be flown home is a positive step toward ensuring everyone’s safe return from MSC Euribia, though it may take several more days to completely evacuate the 6,327-guest cruise ship.
Norwegian Epic has cancelled a visit to St. Lucia on the ship’s March 8, 2026 departure.
Instead, the ship will extend its visit to Barbados the day before into an overnight call.
No other ports on the 7-night sailing from San Juan are impacted at this time.
Many cruise guests select their vacation very carefully in the hopes of visiting specific port destinations that might not be otherwise convenient for a getaway. Cruise lines can and do change itineraries, and ports may be cancelled.
For guests boarding Norwegian Epic on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, one specific port on the 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary has now been cancelled. The ship will not be visiting Castries, St. Lucia, as planned.
Norwegian Cruise Line reached out to booked guests to alert them to the change and the substitution that has been arranged.
Norwegian Epic was to have been in St. Lucia from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, following port visits to Tortola, Antigua, and Barbados earlier in the sailing.
Instead, the 155,873-gross-ton ship will be overnighting in Bridgetown, Barbados. This offers guests the rare opportunity to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the island nation.
Norwegian Epic will arrive in Barbados at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and will remain docked until 1 p.m. on Thursday. Originally, the ship was visiting Barbados on Wednesday only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At this time, no other ports on the itinerary are impacted. After Barbados, Norwegian Epic will proceed to St. Maarten on Friday and St. Thomas on Saturday before returning to San Juan on Sunday, March 15.
Why Is the St. Lucia Visit Cancelled?
Norwegian Cruise Line noted port congestion as the reason for cancelling the visit to St. Lucia. On Thursday, when Norwegian Epic was to have visited, two other ships are also listed for the port: TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent.
Together, the three ships could have brought more than 10,000 guests to Castries in a single day. In comparison, the complete population of the capital of St. Lucia is just 20,000 people.
Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
Such a tremendous influx of cruise visitors could overwhelm port facilities and mean that no one would have a very enjoyable visit. This would be particularly true when considering the availability of port tours, size of shopping centers, beach crowds, and more.
Because Norwegian Epic is the largest of the three originally planned vessels that day, with 4,100 guests, it makes the most sense for that ship to cancel its visit. This will ensure that guests on the other two ships have a more enjoyable experience.
Ultimately, the decision of which ship to cancel may not have been up to Norwegian Cruise Line, but could be determined by the port authorities. All parties involved do want guests to have an amazing time and be able to enjoy all the port has to offer.
Guests React to Last-Minute Itinerary Change
So, what do guests really think of cancelling St. Lucia and extending the time in Barbados to an overnight visit? Different guests familiar have shared their experiences on Facebook.
One person posted, “It’s a very small port and narrow channel into Castries. They also have an airport that cuts across the channel so Port Authority and Air Traffic Control have to work in tandem for all marine and air traffic. This probably makes things more challenging for cruise ships.“
Another said, “We’re on the ship now – in st Lucia! And while we had a decent tour today it has been my least favorite / dirtiest island. Loved all the others esp Barbados and wanted to do more things there.“
Naturally, some guests are disappointed at the change, especially losing the opportunity to visit the Pitons, a pair of volcanic spires that are roughly a 2-hour drive from Castries. The Pitons are a World Heritage site and popular hiking site, often included on scenic shore tours.
Nevertheless, there will be amazing things to do in Barbados, particularly with an extended overnight visit. Not only can guests enjoy shore tours as planned, but they could try more local food with dinner ashore or even schedule a second tour so they don’t miss any sights at this amazing destination.
Norwegian Sun was unable to visit Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on March 5 due to cargo congestion.
Instead, the ship enjoyed a visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on the 2-week cruise.
Norwegian Sun will be leaving the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in late 2027.
A two-week cruise vacation can be an amazing chance to visit a variety of different countries and explore different cultures. That’s exactly what guests aboard Norwegian Sun are currently doing on the ship’s two-week cruise from Taiwan to Singapore, with calls in six different countries.
Unfortunately, one country has now been removed from the itinerary, but another has been added in its place. A letter delivered to guests’ staterooms has explained the updated itinerary and why the changes are necessary.
“Due to ongoing cargo congestion in Phu My, [Vietnam] our scheduled berth for March 5, 2026 is no longer available and our visit has unfortunately been canceled,”the letter read.“In its place, we’re pleased to welcome Sihanoukville, Cambodia.”
Phu My was Norwegian Sun‘s only planned port visit in Vietnam. The port serves as a gateway for tours to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the most populous city in Vietnam.
In contrast, no stops in Cambodia were on the original itinerary. This means guests are still visiting six different nations on this sailing, but not the same countries as initially planned.
If guests had already booked tours for Ho Chi Minh City through Norwegian Cruise Line, those excursions will be automatically cancelled and refunded to individual onboard accounts.
Sihanoukville is located opposite Ho Chi Minh City on the Gulf of Thailand rather than the South China Sea. The destination offers amazing beaches, natural beauty, religious temples and more for guests to explore.
Norwegian Sun Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez)
No other changes have been made to Norwegian Sun‘s itinerary at this time. The ship departed Keelung (Taipei) on Tuesday, February 24 and has already visited Hong Kong, two ports in the Philippines, and destinations in both Malaysia and Brunei.
Following the visit to Cambodia, the ship will also visit Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand before arriving in Singapore on Tuesday, March 10 for debarkation.
The 78,309-gross-ton Norwegian Sun can welcome 1,976 guests at double occupancy or up to 2,400 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to just over 900 international crew members.
Diverse Final Year for Norwegian Sun
As one of the oldest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, Norwegian Sun will have a diverse range of itineraries and departure points for last year with the line.
Guests already booked on Norwegian Sun do not need to worry, however, as the ship will finish her planned itineraries with Norwegian Cruise Line through late 2027.
Before then, the ship will offer a variety of departures around the world, including sailings from Singapore, Thailand, Mauritius, Cape Town, Southampton, Copenhagen, Helsinki, New York, Miami, Rome, Ravenna, and Athens.
At the moment, Norwegian Sun‘s final scheduled cruise as part of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet is her September 5, 2027, departure from Athens, a 21-night itinerary one-way to Dubai. Along the way, the ship will make her final port visits to destinations in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oma, and Qatar.
Following that sailing, the ship will undoubtedly be extensively renovated and refit for her new service with Cordelia Cruises, where she will continue to offer guests outstanding visits to unique and amazing ports.
The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice after poliovirus was detected in 32 countries.
Several destinations on the list include major cruise hubs or ports visited by ships.
Health officials recommend passengers ensure they are up to date on polio vaccinations before international sailings.
A global polio warning from US health officials is drawing new attention to dozens of destinations popular with cruising.
As millions prepare for spring and summer trips, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says poliovirus has been detected in 32 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The agency has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice advising travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” when visiting areas where poliovirus has been detected within the last year.
For cruise guests, the warning is particularly relevant. Many itineraries span multiple countries in a single voyage, increasing the likelihood of visiting destinations where the virus has recently been detected.
While many associate polio with a disease largely eradicated decades ago, the virus continues to circulate in parts of the world and occasionally appears in unexpected places through environmental monitoring.
The CDC says the affected destinations include countries with active transmission as well as places where the virus has been detected through wastewater surveillance.
Some countries on the list, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Indonesia, are well-known hubs and ports frequently visited by cruise itineraries.
“Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines,” the CDC wrote in its advisory. “Before travel to any destination listed, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series may receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.”
Polio, according to the CDC, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily spreads through contaminated food or water and poor hand hygiene. The virus can affect the nervous system and, in rare cases, lead to paralysis or death.
Countries Affected and What to Know
The CDC’s Level 2 advisory includes countries across several regions where poliovirus has been detected in the past 12 months.
Europe includes several countries on the advisory, including Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the UK. Among these, Spain and the UK are major cruise embarkation sites with Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia in Spain among the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a Level 2 alert about the detection of polio in more than 30 countries.
In the UK, Southampton serves as one of Europe’s largest cruise homeports for ships sailing Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and transatlantic voyages, as well as UK-specific sailings.
Germany is also a significant embarkation point through Hamburg.
Africa and the Middle East account for the largest number of countries on the CDC advisory list, although many of the destinations are not typical cruise stops due to limited tourism infrastructure or ongoing security concerns.
The list includes Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen, along with Gaza.
Included in the advisory are Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, which are well-known safari destinations, as well as Egypt, where Nile River cruises are popular.
However, cruise itineraries in the region have recently shifted due to geopolitical tensions, with many ships avoiding the Red Sea and, many Middle East sailings cancelled amid conflict involving Iran, as reported by Cruise Hive.
In Asia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea have experienced poliovirus cases, with Indonesia a popular cruise destination, particularly for itineraries that include Bali.
The CDC is not recommending cancelling travel to destinations included in the advisory. Instead, the notice is serving as a reminder for passengers to review their vaccination status before departing on international voyages.
Keeping up with the major cruise news headlines across the globe is easy with Cruise Hive’s weekly update, where we recap the big developments. Top stories in this edition include the delivery of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna; the christening of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in Singapore; and Royal Caribbean’s plan to control sargassum seaweed along Mexico’s Costa Maya region.
Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
NCL Extends Drink Packages to Private Island
Norwegian Cruise Line reversed a new policy that would have invalidated the use of various drink packages on its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, effective March 1, 2026.
The line has now extended the use of the packages through March, while a new drink package designed specifically for Great Stirrup Cay is being created. In fact, the new drink plan was supposed to debut on January 1, 2026, but it has still not been revealed.
Guests Enjoying a Day at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
Norwegian’s decision to prevent the drink packages from being used in the private destination on March 1 drew the ire of many booked guests, who criticized the move. The extension allowing the plans to be valid through March didn’t satisfy all guests, particularly those who had bought the upgraded Free at Sea Plus plan.
It features top-shelf spirits, and premium wines and champagne, plus many other non-beverage benefits. It also costs more than Free at Sea and More at Sea packages, so some guests who purchased the upgraded plan are looking for a refund.
No details have emerged regarding the special drinks plan for Great Stirrup Cay.
Refit Adds More Staterooms, Venues to Celebrity Solstice
A slew of upgrades and the addition of 54 staterooms have debuted aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice as the 121,878-gross-ton vessel emerged from a dry dock renovation.
The refit is part of a $250 million enhancement of the line’s Solstice-class ships; Celebrity Solstice was the first in the class and entered service in 2008.
With the added staterooms, there are now 1,479 cabins on Celebrity Solstice. The ship formerly accommodated 2,852 guests in double occupancy.
Celebrity Solstice relaunches in Singapore following major renovation. (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
During the refit, the vessel received several dining and lounge spaces. They include Trattoria Rossa, serving Italian dishes; Fine Cut Steakhouse; the Boulevard Lounge entertainment space and Boulevard Bar; and Sunset Park Cafe, a breakfast and lunch spot.
Among her new accommodation categories are the luxurious Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View. The ship’s AquaClass staterooms received updates, and the Retreat Lounge was refitted with high-end furnishings.
Celebrity Solstice departed on her first post-dry dock voyage on March 2, 2026, a 12-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong. Port calls are being made to Ko Samui and Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Halong Bay, Vietnam.
In April 2026, the ship will deploy to Vancouver, British Columbia, to begin a series of Alaska cruises through the summer.
Robert Downey Jr. Christens Disney Adventure
It was a star-studded christening ceremony for Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Adventure in Singapore on March 4, 2026, as American actor and Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr. officially named the ship.
The 6,000-guest Disney Adventure, the largest in the Disney fleet, had arrived in her homeport a day earlier to a celebratory fireworks display and water cannon salute.
Downey, who has starred in several Disney movies, including as Iron Man in the films of the same name, entertained attendees along with international singers Dami Im and Jed Madela.
Disney Adventure Christening
Disney characters were on hand, too, of course, as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse delighted the audience.
Disney Adventure will be based in Singapore for the next five years, and is the cruise line’s first ship to specifically cater to the Asian market. The ship will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to nowhere from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
The ship’s inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart on March 10, 2026.
Partially constructed when Disney Cruise Line bought it in November 2022, Disney Adventure was built to her new owner’s specifications, adding many of Disney’s signature spaces and services.
Formerly called Global Dream, the ship had been owned by Genting Cruise Lines, which went bankrupt in early 2022.
Royal Caribbean Takes On Sargassum Seaweed
In an effort to stem the growth of sargassum seaweed blooms, a brown algae that gives off a smelly hydrogen sulfide gas, Royal Caribbean will undertake a protection and removal plan in Mahahual, a coastal village in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
The village, near the Costa Maya cruise port about 120 miles south of Cozumel, is where the cruise line’s Perfect Day Mexico is being built. The mitigation program is being created with input from residents, environmentalists, and government officials, including the Mexican Navy.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Costa Maya, Mexico (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
While sargassum blooms are a turn-off to tourists, they can also cause fish kills and damage to the marine ecosystem. Protection efforts will include a netting system to control the spread of the seaweed and a skimming procedure that can stop the blooms from reaching beaches.
A collection process, also in the works, would gather and compost the seaweed for other uses.
Royal Caribbean has committed to the mitigation program not just in the vicinity of its planned Perfect Day destination, but up and down the southern coastal region of Quintana Roo.
Perfect Day Mexico is due to open in the fall of 2027.
Norovirus Sickens 76 on Holland America Ship
The norovirus stomach bug reared its ugly head again, this time aboard Holland America Line’s Westerdam as she sailed a 28-night voyage in Asia.
With a capacity for 1,964 guests in double occupancy, the ship reported that 76 cases of the bug were confirmed. These included 65 guests and 11 crew members. The outbreak happened during a cruise that sailed roundtrip from Tokyo on February 15, 2026.
During a port call in Hong Kong on March 1, representatives from the Hong Kong Department of Health investigated the outbreak, bringing local health officials onboard the ship.
Holland America Westerdam in Asia (Photo Credit: MasaPhoto)
Passengers suffering from the virus included those between the ages of 24 and 92. Thirty-eight men and 38 women were impacted by the bug, which typically causes vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
While in Hong Kong, health officials established a medical station in the cruise terminal where guest health assessments were made. Meanwhile, the ship was cleaned and disinfected.
The virus spreads mostly through contaminated surfaces and food. Additional port calls in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan are scheduled before the ship returns to Tokyo on March 15.
A Not-So-Fabulous Night on Costa Favolosa
It was a rocky night for guests sailing aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Favolosa on February 18, 2026, thanks to rough seas caused by an extratropical cyclone off the coast of Brazil.
The 3,780-guest ship was sailing an 8-night voyage between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When the storm hit, the 113,216-gross-ton Costa Favolosa was sailing from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Balneario Camboriu, Brazil.
Costa Favolosa Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ricochet64)
Passenger videos from around 10:30 p.m. show guests dealing with the tilting ship, as plates and glasses in the main dining venues were smashed to the ground. Some guests were clearly panicking as the storm raged and winds reached 60 miles per hour.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the ship’s structural integrity remained sound. Costa Cruises initiated safety protocols, which likely included closing outdoor decks, draining pools, and removing or tying down loose items outdoors.
Costa Favolosa’s itinerary was not affected, and the cruise continued on schedule as the storm passed.
Shipyard Officially Hands Over Norwegian Luna
Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard has formally delivered Norwegian Luna to Norwegian Cruise Line. The 3,565-guest ship is the second in the line’s Prima Plus Class, following the 2025 debut of Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian Luna’shandover ceremony was held in Marghera, Italy, on March 5, 2026, five days before her inaugural transatlantic voyage from Rome on March 10, 2026. The 156,000-gross-ton ship will arrive at PortMiami on March 23, and be christened there on March 27.
Roughly 10% larger than the line’s Prima-class ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, the Prima Plus vessel measures 1,053 feet long and has 1,809 staterooms.
Norwegian Luna Cruise Ship
According to Fincantieri, some 3,000 shipyard workers were involved in the ship’s construction.
Following her naming ceremony, Norwegian Luna will sail 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean voyages. A sample 7-night sailing visits destinations such as Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
In April 2027, the ship will reposition to New York for a series of Bermuda cruises before returning to Miami in October 2027.
More Cruise Headlines
Get even more cruise news by checking out additional stories in Cruise Hive, including Avora Residences announcing a long-term charter of a Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship; Princess Cruises adding another Southern Caribbean homeport; and strong winds causing a Costa Cruises’ ship to miss a port call in Tunisia.
Also, Carnival Corporation brands mark 20 years of sailing to Grand Turk, and dense fog at a Florida port delays the arrival of a Carnival Cruise Line ship.
MSC Cruises has made great progress in sending home thousands of guests from the Middle East.
As of March 6, more than 1,500 guests have been placed on flights and seven have already departed.
Crew members continue to provide top-notch care for the passengers who remain onboard.
The end is in sight for cruise passengers who have been sheltering onboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai. The 6,327-guest ship has been in the port since February 27, 2026, arriving just one day before the conflict exploded in the Middle East.
MSC Cruises had previously announced that it had been working to secure flights home for stranded passengers, which is no easy task thanks to airspace closures and very limited flight availability.
At this time, the Dubai International Airport (DBX), which is only five miles from Port Rashid, has resumed operations on a limited capacity and flight cancellations are still common.
But as of March 6, 2026, the cruise line has officially arranged flights for more than 1,500 guests and a total of seven flights have already departed from the war-torn region.
This was accomplished by partnering with Emirates and Fly Dubai, organizing charter services operated at MSC Cruises’ expense, and grabbing seats on government-organized flights.
The passengers have been flown to a large range of destinations throughout the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Brazil, and the US.
“Our Ship Command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner,”said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
“We have received unparalleled support from our airline partner, Emirates as well as the regional and national governments who are supporting us to facilitate the necessary operational logistics and authorisation for the flights,” Vago continued.
Some guests still remain onboard the Meraviglia-Plus class vessel and the cruise line is working tirelessly to secure return flights for them as well.
The cruise line requested priority service from its airline partners and has been prioritizing which guests to send home first using their original departure dates.
What is it Like Onboard MSC Euribia?
While guests wait for their turn to leave the war-torn Middle East, they are doing so in comfort. Cruise Hive understands that the conditions onboard are calm and that guests have access to the cruise ship’s normal services and amenities.
“The situation on board remains calm. Guests are regularly updated on the situation and have full access to all onboard services and facilities. We continue to provide a high standard of care, comfort and support,”MSC Cruises confirmed.
The only thing that may be a bit different is that access to outdoor areas may be limited or restricted entirely, and guests have to listen out for two new emergency codes designed for the unprecedented situation.
MSC Euribia in the Middle East (Photo Credit: Q world)
If guests hear “Delta Tango Blue” broadcast over the PA system, it means that there is a moderate emergency or a potential threat near the ship.
If guests hear this code, it means that crew members will clear any outer decks that are open and guests should follow instructions immediately to gather at designated safe zones.
If “Delta Tango Red” is announced, this indicates an immediate emergency is directly affecting the cruise ship.
All that said, these codes were only created out of an abundance of caution should the situation change directly. As of the time of this writing, Dubai’s port area is considered secure.
Leaving the Middle East
Along with MSC Cruises, brands like TUI Cruises are also working hard to secure flights home from the Middle East for guests of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. Of course, it’s nice to see some progress being made for stranded passengers.
As far as the cruise ships go, the already complex situation is even more complicated. In order to leave the ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, the ships would need to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, which is dangerously close to Iran.
And due to retaliation from Iran, the waterway remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping and passenger vessels. It’s unclear when it will reopen at this time.
