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Famous Musician Passes Away During Jazz Cruise Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Famous Musician Passes Away During Jazz Cruise Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Jazz musician Ken Peplowski passed away on the final night of the Jazz Cruise 2026 aboard Celebrity Summit.
  • The cause of death was not revealed, but the 66-year-old had previously been diagnosed with a type of cancer.
  • Celebrity Summit was not delayed on her itinerary and has continued with her next cruise as planned.

What ought to have been a fun and festive sailing jazz lovers unfortunately turned into a sad occasion when one of the musicians onboard for a jazz-themed cruise died unexpectedly during the sailing.

Ken Peplowski passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026 during The Jazz Cruise, a charter music event aboard Celebrity Summit. The annual music sailing is described as “straight-ahead jazz heaven” for music aficionados and features more than 200 hours of performances during the 7-night sailing.

“We are sad to report that our dear friend Ken Peplowski died yesterday. Ken was a beloved member not only of The Jazz Cruise family, but of the larger international jazz community as well,” the Jazz Cruise confirmed on Facebook.

It was the final day of the Jazz Cruise and 66-year-old Peplowski was discovered in his stateroom after missing a planned performance. As a consummate performer and dedicated professional, his absence was immediately noted as unusual.

The cause of death has not been determined. Peplowski was in remission for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood’s plasma cells, after being diagnosed with the condition in 2021.

The Jazz Cruise had departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, January 27. Celebrity Summit visited both Perfect Day at CocoCay and San Juan during the weeklong cruise, though the performances from more than 100 musicians onboard were even more popular than the ports of call.

Peplowski was one of the featured reed performers for the Jazz Cruise with his clarinet and saxophone. The entire range of jazz instrumentation was showcased onboard, including trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and more, with both instrumental compositions and vocal performances.

Ken Peplowski
Ken Peplowski

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues? Find Out What Happens

Peplowski’s unfortunate passing did not delay the ship, and Celebrity Summit returned to Florida as scheduled on Tuesday, February 3. The 91,000-gross-ton, Millennium Class ship can welcome 2,158 guests onboard.

The ship has already departed on her next sailing. She is homeported from Fort Lauderdale, offering Caribbean and Bahamas sailings through mid-April, at which time Celebrity Summit will move to the West Coast for the Alaska sailing season with departures from both Vancouver and Seward.

Jazz Lovers React

With more than 50 albums released over a career that spanned four decades, Peplowski’s death is being felt by jazz lovers and muscisians around the world.

“My husband and I were on the jazz cruise with Ken. Our hearts are broken,” one Celebrity Summit guest shared on Reddit.

“He brought joy and kindness to a world that is desperately in need of both. That, along with his unparalleled talent as a musician and leader, are such a wonderful legacy!”

Peplowski was known for his personal generosity as well as his musical breadth and creativity. While he was best known for swing music, his style included a wide range of jazz variations, from traditional to avant-garde in venues from small clubs to Las Vegas headlining to festivals and concerts on land and, of course, at sea.

“He was a great musician, but he was also one of the very best entertainers ever,” said Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Signature Cruise Experiences. “I do not know any musician who respected the bandstand more than Ken. He was always prepared, love performing with his fellow musicians, and, man, could he play!”

Peplowski will be difficult to replace on the Jazz Cruise in the coming years. The annual sailing has been a hit for jazz lovers since debuting in 2001, featuring both lectures and daytime events in conjunction with elite performances in the evening hours and late into the night.

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Musician interviews, panel discussions, tutorials, and more are all part of the lineup, along with all the other fun and activities onboard whichever cruise ship is chartered in any particular year.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Peplowski’s family and friends, fellow musicians, and jazz lovers around the world at this sad time.

Winter Storms Force Closures at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay

Lissa Poirot
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Winter Storms Force Closures at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination has been damaged by the recent bomb cyclone that hit the Bahamas.
  • Great Stirrup Cay’s pier and main pool are reported to be damaged and closed until repairs can be made.
  • Passengers arriving at the destination must tender between the ship and the shore.

The winter storms blasting North America and the Bahamas in 2026 continue to bring disappointment to cruise passengers trying to escape the chill.

Passengers scheduled to visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas have been warned they will encounter changes to their day ashore after a bomb cyclone and rough weather damaged key infrastructure at its private destination.

In a notice dated February 2, 2026, the cruise line informed guests that both the pier and the main pool, which had recently opened at Great Stirrup Cay, are temporarily unavailable due to severe weather in the region.

As a result, Norwegian Cruise Line ships will not be able to dock at the pier, and guests will instead be tendered ashore. 

The company said teams are working to bring the pier and pool back online later in the week, though no specific reopening date was provided.

“We’re reaching out with an update ahead of your visit to Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in The Bahamas,” the notice began. “Following the winter storms that moved through the region this weekend, the island’s pier and pool will be temporarily unavailable as our teams work to bring them back online later this week.”

Guests were told that all other island amenities will continue to operate as scheduled, including beach access, food and beverage service, and shore activities.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay: A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island

“We understand that changes like this can feel disappointing, and we want to assure you that even with these temporary adjustments, Great Stirrup Cay continues to offer a welcoming escape where you can unwind, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the easygoing island atmosphere from the moment you arrive,” Norwegian Cruise Line told guests.

NCL's Great Stirrup Cay Letter
NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay Letter

Norwegian Prima, which called in the private destination on February 2 on its first call of a 7-night cruise from Port Canaveral, was the first to experience the tender operations.

One guest said, “We tendered yesterday, it took awhile but I think around 11 they were steady enough to get to go. We never even made it to the new pool area and still had a great time.”

Other passengers commenting on Cruise Hive’s Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook Group didn’t seem to mind the closures, saying “it happens.”

Norwegian Joy, sailing a 5-night cruise from Miami, arrived today, February 3, to the closures, and Norwegian Dawn is expected to call on February 4.

Norwegian Gem, which is scheduled to arrive February 6, and Norwegian Aqua, scheduled to arrive on February 7 may or may not be affected, depending on how quickly the cruise line can make repairs.

Winter Storm Disrupts the Region

Norwegian Cruise Line’s announcement is the latest example of how winter weather has disrupted cruise operations across the Bahamas and the US East Coast in recent weeks.

Similar storm damage affected Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamas destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, where high winds and heavy seas damaged pier infrastructure. The impact forced itinerary adjustments for Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection, preventing them from docking as planned and disrupting scheduled visits to the island.

In that case, Royal Caribbean was forced to modify calls while assessment and repairs were underway.

Beyond private islands, the same weather system caused disruptions at several ports. Heavy seas and gale-force winds prompted temporary closures or delays at key departure and arrival hubs, including PortMiami, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and the Port of Charleston in South Carolina.

Itineraries out of Port Canaveral and Jacksonville Port saw delays and changed port calls because tug services and harbor operations were restricted by weather conditions.

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Rough seas also lead to the cancellation of some tender operations at smaller ports in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, with lines like Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises all reporting itinerary changes tied to weather-related conditions.

Norwegian Cruise Line anticipates repairs to Great Stirrup Cay’s pier and main pool will be completed in early February.

Star of the Seas Joins Growing List of Ships Missing CocoCay After Storms

Donna Tunney
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Star of the Seas Joins Growing List of Ships Missing CocoCay After Storms

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas revised her Bahamas itinerary due to weather.
  • The ship cancelled a call to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
  • The 7-night voyage added an at-sea day instead of the private island call.

It wasn’t a perfect day at CocoCay for passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas on February 2, 2026, and they have bad weather to thank for it.

The 5,610-guest Icon-class ship cancelled her call to the line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and will spend the day at sea, a notice sent to guests confirmed.

The ship is operating a 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Star of the Seas departed the Central Florida port on February 1, 2026, and CocoCay was to have been the first port of call.

“As previously announced by our Captain, we, along with our chief meteorologist, Craig Setzer, have been closely monitoring a strong cold front which has affected and impacted our own Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, as well Nassau and the surrounding Bahamian waters, yesterday, today and for tomorrow,” Royal Caribbean’s advisory to guests states.

“As a result of the high winds and large ocean waves in and around Perfect Day at CocoCay, we’ll skip our visit and enjoy a Sea Day instead,” it explains.

The notice apologized for the itinerary revision, adding that being onboard a cruise ship is the safest place to be since the vessel can maneuver away from rough weather.

Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral
Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

Guests who posted the notice on social media received plenty of sympathy from others for missing the exciting CocoCay destination. Some had similar weather experiences in recent days, as the bad weather impacted the entire Bahamas area as well as most of Florida.

“I just got off of star of the seas yesterday. I was on the January 25 to February 1 sailing and there was 70 mile an hour winds when we came into port,” wrote one commenter.

“We got off the ship on Sunday it was 20 degrees at the port in Florida! Crazy weather!” posted another commenter.

The stormy weather and frigid temperatures impacted a large area from Florida to the Bahamas. The remainder of the itinerary is, so far, unaffected.

Read Also: Star of the Seas Size and Stats: How It Towers Over Other Cruise Ships

The ship is calling at Cozumel, Mexico, on February 4; Roatan, Honduras, on February 5; and Costa Maya, Mexico, on February 6 before ending in Port Canaveral on February 8, 2026. The last full day of the cruise will be an at-sea day.

Bahamas Weather Caused Earlier Changes, Too

The problems at Perfect Day at CocoCay began a few days ago. Oasis of the Seas cancelled its call to Perfect Day on January 31. It would have been the final call on a Southern Caribbean cruise that left Port Everglades on January 24, 2026.

Utopia of the Seas nixed her call to the private destination on February 1 and shortened a planned call at Nassau, Bahamas, on January 31. Also, Wonder of the Seas cancelled her call to CocoCay on January 31 as well as Nassau on February 1, making the sailing a cruise to nowhere, since those were the only scheduled calls.

Part of the problem at CocoCay stems from damage to the pier, where strong winds caused the collapse of several catwalks, the elevated walkways that enable people and cargo to access the ships.

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The damage, on the eastern side of the pier, means that just one ship, instead of the usual two, can dock. The Star of the Seas’ notice to guests does not specifically point to the damaged catwalks and the reduced pier operation as the reasons why the ship cancelled her call.

Other cruise lines have been dealing with the unusual weather in the Bahamas region, too. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine, for example, cancelled her calls to Nassau, Bimini, and Celebration Key on her February 1, 2026 sailing from Norfolk. This voyage also became a cruise to nowhere.

Broadway Show Ending on Another Norwegian Cruise Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Broadway Show Ending on Another Norwegian Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

  • The run of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” onboard Norwegian Viva is ending in late March 2026.
  • This is the second musical to be discontinued recently, following the announcement of the end of “Jersey Boys.”
  • Other, non-Broadway shows will be offered onboard Norwegian Viva, along with game shows and more.

Less than three years after the ship first joined the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, Norwegian Viva is losing her production showing of the award-winning “Beetlejuice: The Musical.”

The show featuring the “ghost with the most” has been part of the Prima-class ship since shortly after her August 2023 debut. Initially, the 90-minute musical was not available on the ship’s first sailings due to undisclosed “delays in production.” Now, it is being discontinued completely.

Norwegian Cruise Line has made no formal announcement about the shifts in their entertainment offerings, but the official website describing Norwegian Viva‘s entertainment notes that the final performances for “Beetlejuice: The Musical” will be from March 21-27, 2026.

NCL Show Notes
NCL Show Notes

Norwegian Viva is currently homeported from Galveston, Texas. The March 21 departure is a 7-night Caribbean itinerary with calls planned for Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

The removal of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” from Norwegian Viva comes just days after guests received notification that “Jersey Boys” was being discontinued from Norwegian Bliss. The final shows for that production are from February 8-14.

What Entertainment Will Replace Beetlejuice?

The entertainment calendar for Norwegian Viva indicates that two new shows will be debuting onboard shortly after “Beetlejuice: The Musical” ends its more than two-year-run.

First is “Motor City Moves,” which is described as “a high-energy tribute to Detroit’s iconic sound” with “reimagined” hits with a modern twist. That performance will debut May 1-2 during the ship’s first Mediterranean sailing of the summer season.

Several weeks later, “Burn the Floor” will also debut onboard Norwegian Viva. This ballroom dance ensemble features a championship dance team showing off moves from Grand Viennese waltzes to tango, rumba, and much more. That performance will first welcome guests on May 24-25.

Original Broadway Company- Beetlejuice
Original Broadway Company- Beetlejuice

It should be noted that “Motor City Moves” is also available on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun. Likewise, “Burn the Floor” is showcased on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.

Popular favorites such as the nostalgic game shows “Deal or No Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “Press Your Luck” remain onboard, as well as the interactive music experiences of Syd Norman’s Pour House and multiple comedy shows. These are popular options across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

It is unknown whether or not additional performances of the game shows or comedy acts may be added to the entertainment schedule to fill in any remaining gaps now that the musical is ending.

Shift in Entertainment Offerings

This latest end-of-run for a Broadway musical supports a distinct trend in Norwegian Cruise Line entertainment. Rather than licensing Broadway shows, the cruise line appears to be moving toward more in-house production entertainment.

These new shows may not have the initial popularity of Broadway productions, but they also do not require the same licensing fees and other arrangements that could make them challenging to produce at sea.

In-house entertainment can be just as spectacular and creative, and offers guests an exclusive opportunity found only at sea.

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This can also be a great opportunity for Norwegian Cruise Line to provide adaptive entertainment that can be adjusted for different performers. This can make it easier to substitute entertainers if necessary to cover vacations, illnesses, or other special circumstances that might otherwise disrupt an entire performance.

Furthermore, the trend toward game shows and interactive entertainment continues to grow, and possibly offering extra showings of those entertainment options can give more guests the chance to participate and make even better cruise memories.

Storm Damage at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay Disrupts Plans for Two Cruise Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Storm Damage at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay Disrupts Plans for Two Cruise Ships

Key Aspects:

  • The recent storm in the Bahamas damaged the pier at CocoCay and only one ship can now dock per day.
  • The popular port has two ships scheduled nearly every day, so there could be many disruptions to upcoming sailings.
  • No timeline has been given for how long repairs may take or when both sides of the pier will be available.

The severe weather that disrupted cruise operations across the Bahamas last weekend is having an ongoing impact at one of the most popular destinations in the islands: Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Guests on both Freedom of the Seas‘ and Celebrity Reflection‘s current sailings are now learning their visits to CocoCay must be cancelled because the damage limits berth capacity. It’s important to know that both vessels are owned by Royal Caribbean Group, so vessels from both lines can visit the island.

“Due to this past weekend’s winter storm, which included strong winds and heavy seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, catwalks fell into the sea on the eastern side of the pier,” the notification letter to guests onboard Freedom of the Seas explained.

“Unfortunately, divers have not been able to locate all of them, which prevents us from safely docking the ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

Freedom of the Seas is currently on a 5-night Bahamas sailing that departed Miami on Monday, February 2. Instead of CocoCay on Tuesday, February 3 as planned, the ship spent the day at sea and a call to Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic has been added to the itinerary.

Similarly, Celebrity Reflection‘s plans to visit CocoCay this week are also disrupted. The ship departed Fort Lauderdale on Monday for a 5-night sailing that was to have visited both CocoCay and Nassau. Now, Celebrity Reflection will go to Freeport instead of CocoCay, though the visit to Nassau should remain the same.

Some Ships Can Still Dock

It should be noted that while the east side of the pier is currently unsafe for docking, ships can still dock comfortably on the west side of the pier.

This means that one ship can still visit CocoCay each day, but on days when two ships are scheduled for the private island, one may have to be diverted to a day at sea or an alternative port.

On Tuesday, February 3, Wonder of the Seas was able to enjoy her planned visit to CocoCay while Freedom of the Seas was at sea instead.

Royal Caribbean's CocoCay During Bad Weather
Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay During Bad Weather (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

With the popularity of CocoCay on Royal Caribbean Bahamas itineraries, most days do have two vessels scheduled for docking. This means many different ships could have the port cancelled in the days to come until the eastern side of the pier can be reopened.

Which ship will be granted access to CocoCay on any given day will likely depend on the ship’s capacity, which ship was already scheduled to be docking first or on the western side of the pier, and where alternative ports could be added to individual ship itineraries.

In some cases, it may be possible to shift ships to a different day to visit CocoCay. For example, on Thursday, February 12, there are no ships currently scheduled for the island, so one vessel could be accommodated that day if itineraries permit.

No doubt, the cruise line will notify guests will be notified onboard or just prior to their sailing if their visits to CocoCay are impacted.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay – Full Guide

Naturally, any pre-paid shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean (or Celebrity Cruises) for CocoCay will be automatically cancelled and refunded if a ship is unable to visit, as is standard practice for any port visit.

How Long Will Repairs Take?

There has been no timeline announced for how long the repairs may take to reopen both sides of the CocoCay pier.

It is essential to either locate the missing catwalks or else ensure that the entire docking area, including any turning basin space or approach avenues, is clear and safe for ships to maneuver without risk of hitting submerged debris.

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The catwalks will also need to be replaced and inspected before the pier can be used for docking again. This could take just a few days, or the disruption could be longer and impact many more ships in both fleets.

Carnival’s New Gratuity Hike Sparks Strong Passenger Reactions

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival’s New Gratuity Hike Sparks Strong Passenger Reactions

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival’s gratuity rate increase is generating a lot of discussion among guests on tipping and service charges.
  • Guests are concerned about whether or not gratuities supplement wages and how that could be changed.
  • Carnival Cruise Line has noted that crew members receive 100% of their gratuities, no matter how the tips are paid.

Just one day after Carnival Cruise Line announced an increase in gratuity rates for all stateroom types, the debate is already raging about how much is too much, how crew members receive gratuities, and how the increase compares to other service charges.

The $1 per guest, per day increase is the first time Carnival Cruise Line has raised crew gratuity rates since April 2023.

To many guests, this is a fair increase in line with today’s cost of living and inflation, particularly since it has been three years since Carnival last raised gratuities. Even with the increase to $17 per person, per day, Carnival remains one of the lower gratuity rates in the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean is $18.50, Norwegian Cruise Line is $20, and Margaritaville at Sea is $22. Virgin Voyages is also $22, but is discounted to $20 if guests choose to pre-pay gratuities before sailing.

Of course, gratuity rates are subject to change at any time. Once one cruise line increases rates, other cruise lines often follow with similar adjustments.

Will Crew Members See the Extra Dollar?

No one is suggesting that crew members don’t deserve financial recognition for the services and attention they provide. What is of concern to many, however, is how much of that extra dollar will actually reach crew members.

John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, has frequently addressed the issue and noted that 100% of gratuities do go to the crew, whether guests pre-pay before sailing, leave their automatic gratuities intact on their Sail and Sign accounts, or tip in cash.

“Every single penny that you give the crew, whether it’s prepaid gratuities at the new rate of $17 per person per day, or whether you have it charged to your account towards the end of the cruise, or if you withdraw your gratuities and give the same in cash, which some of you like to do, it all goes to the crew,” Heald confirmed in his daily video.

Carnival Cruise Ship Ocean View Stateroom
Carnival Cruise Ship Ocean View Stateroom (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

What guests don’t like, however, is the idea that the tips they offer are somehow supplementing for lower wages.

“Tipping is getting out of control. For once they should do the right thing and pay them a reasonable salary with attached benefits and adjust the fares accordingly,” one Cruise Hive reader commented. “At that point tips could become just that, once more.”

Cruise lines do not publicly disclose the wages they pay different positions, but it is no secret that gratuities are a large part of what crew members can actually deposit in the bank.

Worth Checking: Calculate and Compare Your Cruise Gratuities

For Carnival cruises from Australian homeports, gratuities are already included in the cruise fare. Heald has noted several times, however, that there are no plans to include gratuities in fares from US or European homeports.

Gratuities or Service Charges, Which Is Which?

Cruise guests often enjoy offering a tip for truly outstanding service for a crew member who does something special or extra that makes a cruise more memorable. What does irritate many guests, however, is the combination of gratuities and service charges.

“I have absolutely no problem with the increase in the gratuities,” one reader explained. “What I thought was out of hand is the mandatory 20% service charge on EVERYTHING you purchase during cruise, meanwhile additional cash tips are also still expected. I have no problem tipping, but this adds up pretty fast.”

In late 2025, Carnival Cruise Line increased the “service charge” for various packages and add-ons from 18% to 20%, without any notice or opportunity for guests to lock in lower rates for booked sailings.

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That service charge applies to all drink packages and individual drink purchases, specialty dining charges, in-stateroom gift decorations, and pre-purchased stateroom deliveries such as toys, flowers, bottled water, and more.

That charge has never been explained, but it is clear that it is not considered a gratuity and therefore would not go to individual crew members.

Carnival Shuts Down Guest Request for Free Umbrellas in Rainy Weather

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Shuts Down Guest Request for Free Umbrellas in Rainy Weather

Key Aspects:

  • One Carnival guest thinks the cruise line out to hand out free umbrellas for use on rainy days.
  • John Heald notes this will not be happening, as many umbrellas would likely be kept as souvenirs.
  • Other guests discuss problems with umbrellas and what their personal solutions are.

Everyone wants to enjoy beautiful sunshine and perfect weather during their cruise vacation, but what if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate? Should cruise lines provide supplies to counteract bad weather?

One guest believes Carnival Cruise Line should freely equip guests on rainy days, and they reached out to John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, with their suggestion.

“Do we need to bring our own umbrella? I would think Carnival would hand them out at the gang plank if it was raining in the islands. Better yet have them in the room closet,” the guest asked. “Will Carnival give umbrellas? If not why not?”

Not to rain on the guest’s idea, but since when is a cruise line responsible for providing supplies for contingencies during one’s cruise vacation? There would be too many options and far too much for a cruise line to be prepared for, particularly with thousands of guests onboard every sailing.

“We don’t have umbrellas for guests I am afraid,” Heald responded. “That would be a heck of a lot of umbrellas some of which would possibly not be returned.”

“Possibly” is likely an understatement, considering some guests have made off with the luggage mat from their stateroom, using it as a souvenir blanket.

Furthermore, to fully equip all ships in the Carnival fleet, even just for double occupancy, which might not provide an umbrella for every guest onboard, the cruise line would need to invest in 94,200 umbrellas, not counting extras for loss or breakage or to equip future ships.

Would Umbrellas Work Well on a Cruise?

Other guests noted that umbrellas aren’t always the best option in the rain, as wind can bend, twist, break, or simply blow them away. The outer decks of a cruise ship, higher up on the vessel, tend to be even windier, and it would be inevitable that some umbrellas would blow overboard. This would be a violation of environmental policies and could subject Carnival Cruise Line to significant fines.

If umbrellas were only handed out at the gangway, they could be collected when guests return to the ship. The same issue might be a problem, however, if umbrellas were “wind-assisted” on the piers, which can be quite breezy.

Many guests suggested just packing along an inexpensive plastic poncho, which can easily fit in a pocket, purse, or bag without taking up much space.

Wet Cruise Ship Deck
Wet Cruise Ship Deck (Photo Credit: Fsendek)

Both umbrellas and ponchos are generally for sale in ports of call, and buying one if needed helps support the local economy. Other travelers just enjoy the rainy experience, even if it might not be what they’d originally anticipated for their cruise vacation.

“You get stuck in the downpour and enjoy the memory,” one guest suggested. “Here’s looking at you Bimini! Stuck in a good sized downpour on a golf cart with our kids. It was the best time ever. Soaked to the bone but laughing.”

Of course, umbrellas are not on Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list, and it’s perfectly acceptable to pack a small travel umbrella in your luggage in case of rainy weather during a cruise.

Other Items Carnival Cruise Line Will Not Provide

This isn’t the first time that guests have reached out to Heald with unusual, and often unreasonable, requests for items Carnival Cruise Line “ought” to provide.

For example, in July 2025, a guest complained that Carnival did not have “water spritzers” to help control sunburn, and many times Heald has been asked about slippers to wear in staterooms.

Fans are another commonly requested item. While Carnival does have a few fans onboard each ship that guests can borrow for the duration of their sailing, they are not guaranteed.

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If Carnival Cruise Line were to provide all these items, where should it stop? Aqua shoes for rocky beaches, gloves and coats for Alaskan itineraries, translation dictionaries in Europe?

Ultimately, the best option is if guests think they may need or want a particular item, they should always pack it along themselves (checking to be sure it is not prohibited first!).

Cruise Guest Goes Nuclear After Frustrating Spa Experience

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Guest Goes Nuclear After Frustrating Spa Experience

Key Aspects:

  • A recent Royal Caribbean guest left their massage appointment early after excessive upselling from the spa staff.
  • Even after getting a full refund for their massage, the guest went “a little scorched earth” on guest services.
  • Other cruise fans have had similar spa experiences, and not just onboard Royal Caribbean ships.

One Royal Caribbean guest just had a spa experience that was anything but relaxing.

The guest, who did not specify which ship they were sailing on, took to Reddit to vent about how they were subject to a surprise “20-30 minute sales pitch” before even getting to their massage.

The passenger was so frustrated by the pushiness that they decided to walk out of the appointment. The massage they booked cost $200 and they had no plans to make additional purchases.

Read Also: 12 Smart Tricks to Stop Wasting Money on Cruises

“I should be in the middle of a 75 minute massage right now, but I walked out before it even started. I felt like I was being held hostage in a timeshare presentation the way my massage therapist was trying to sell me every skincare item under the sun,” the upset passenger recounted.

“When she continued after I told her I would only use products my dermatologist prescribes for me, I decided to walk out,” they continued.

A Refund Wasn’t Enough

Upon leaving the appointment, the cruiser did receive a full refund for their $200 massage. This was lucky, as Royal Caribbean typically requires a 24-hour notice to cancel spa services.

“I walked out, explained the situation to the spa manager (who had an attitude and said they simply “recommend” their products), and demanded a refund, which they provided,” the passenger wrote.

Their next stop was the guest services desk, where they made the crew members aware of the situation to try to save other passengers from the same experience.

“I wasn’t looking for anything for free – I just wanted her to know that guests don’t appreciate spending $200 on a massage and then sitting through an unnecessarily and absurdly aggressive sales pitch,” they said.

Vitality at Sea on Oasis of the Seas
Vitality at Sea on Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

But even after saying their piece, the frustration lingered. The crew member went back to guest services for a second time and asked the team to cancel every other excursion and activity they booked for the remainder of the cruise.

“I decided to go a little scorched earth. I went down to guest services again and had them cancel and refund every single excursion and activity I booked the rest of the cruise,” the guest wrote in an edit.

They explained that they would make last-minute tour bookings with third-party vendors instead of giving Royal Caribbean “another dime” during their sailing.

Of course, they also blasted the experience on Reddit, where it has gone viral among the cruise community.

Why Do Crew Members Push for Sales?

Other cruise guests could empathize with the experience, as they had also been pushed to make additional purchases by spa staff in the past on multiple cruise lines.

“Many years ago on another cruise line I actually had to get aggressive in saying no because of how pushy they were. It was the first massage I ever got (a couples massage) very expensive and that ruined my whole experience,” one cruise fan said.

Others have even threatened to take away the gratuities of the spa workers in advance of their appointment to try to avoid the pressure to buy.

“I broke down and booked a massage on my recent cruise and put a note on the intake form that said I would only add additional gratuity if there was no upselling and it worked,” another shared.

“I think it’s ridiculous that I have to resort to this, but I did have a good experience for once,” they continued.

While this doesn’t justify the negative experience, it’s worth noting that Royal Caribbean spa workers typically have sales and services quotas that they are supposed to meet on every sailing.

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These crew members are usually employed by a third-party vendor, OneSpaWorld, who puts immense pressure on these workers to meet their targets. Failure to meet these quotas can result in termination.

Crew members may push a bit extra hard because their livelihood is at stake, but it is always ok for guests to politely set boundaries or remove themselves from uncomfortable situations when necessary.

MSC Ship Barred From French Port by Protesting Sailors

Catie Kovelman
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MSC Ship Barred From French Port by Protesting Sailors

Key Aspects:

  • Protesting sailors prevented MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra from docking in Marseille on February 2.
  • This meant that the planned embarkation and debarkation could not go ahead as planned.
  • Guests who were left behind in Marseille will be able to join the ship in Genoa, Italy, on February 3.

MSC Orchestra was blocked from docking in Marseille, France, on February 2, 2026, by protesting sailors.

Per local outlet Ouest-France, the demonstration blocked the north access to the cruise port, which prevented the 3,223-guest ship from docking.

Despite waiting for several hours, the Musica-class ship was eventually forced to give up on calling at the popular port, which is part of the French Riviera.

This is problematic, as Marselle is one of the homeports for the 7-night Mediterranean sailings that the MSC ship simultaneously operates – meaning the disembarkation and embarkation process could not happen as planned.

The other homeports include Barcelona and Valencia in Spain and Genoa, Livorno, and Civitavecchia (Rome) in Italy.

Impact on Passengers

A good chunk of current guests were supposed to disembark from the 92,409-gross ton ship in Marseille and a new round of passengers was supposed to take their place.

Obviously, this did not happen, negatively impacting hundreds (if not thousands) of guests.

“I’m at the dock in Marseille and the boat left embarrassingly without us. We’ve been stranded since 11 am this morning,” one of the impacted passengers shared on social media.

“The boat just left in the direction of Genoa. It was waiting for negotiations that did not come until 20h. We had the boat in view till 8pm,” another stranded guest chimed in.

MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship
MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)

This has been verified by cruise tracking data, which shows the ship sailing toward Genoa on the night of February 2 at speeds of 18 knots. It is scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. on February 3.

Per guests who were left behind in Marseille, MSC Cruises has put them up in a hotel and will shuttle them to Genoa to join the ship there. The ports are approximately 244 miles apart, which is a distance that takes around two and a half hours to drive.

Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For

“They transferred us to hotels and tomorrow we’re heading to Genoa by bus,” one of the impacted cruisers confirmed.

It’s not clear if additional compensation will be provided for the missed cruise day or how the cruise line is assisting guests who missed their disembarkation, though a similar transfer option will likely be available.

Why Were the Sailors Protesting?

It’s not the first time that cruise ships have been blocked by protestors in Marseille, but the circumstances on this occasion are different.

In the past, the protests were orchestrated by environmental activism groups like Extinction Rebellion and Stop Croisières. This time, striking sailors are to blame.

Sailors in the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats Maritimes Union (FNSM-CGT) filed a 48 renewable strike notice to take place on February 2 and 3, which conflicted with MSC Orchestra’s planned visit.

The main purpose of the strike is to secure more jobs, higher pay, and better working conditions for French seamen.

Thankfully, no other cruise ships should be impacted by the demonstration, assuming the strike is not renewed. MSC Orchestra was the only ship present on February 2.

The next planned call is on February 6, which is when Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Vesta is scheduled to arrive.

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