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Carnival Cruisers Risk Losing Status Without Enrolling in New Rewards Program

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Cruisers Risk Losing Status Without Enrolling in New Rewards Program

Key Aspects:

  • VIFP Club members must opt in to the new Carnival Rewards to keep their current loyalty status.
  • Enrollment must be completed individually through a personalized email by August 31, 2026.
  • Carnival Rewards will launch September 1, 2026.

Carnival Cruise Line is preparing to roll out its new loyalty program this fall, but not without adding another layer of frustration for some guests.

The new Carnival Rewards program, which is set to launch on September 1, 2026, has already faced a lukewarm reception from the cruise line’s loyal cruisers.

Now, the company has confirmed that existing VIFP Club members must actively opt in if they want to retain their current status, which could further irritate passengers already skeptical when the overhaul was first announced in 2025.

Under the new requirement, members must enroll individually through a personalized email by August 31, 2026. Without opting in, their loyalty status and sailing history could be lost, a stipulation the cruise line is blaming on privacy regulations.

“Due to privacy laws, your client’s current status progress and benefits from the VIFP Club program will carry over only by opting in and enrolling in Carnival Rewards prior to when the new program launches,” the company said in the letter.

The cruise line announced on May 5, 2026, that all loyalty members will be receiving an email with directions to “Enroll and Accept” that shouldn’t be ignored. Each message is specific to a passenger, nontransferable, and cannot be shared or completed by a third party.

Carnival Loyalty Letter
Carnival Loyalty Letter

That restriction extends to travel advisors, who are not permitted to accept terms or enroll on behalf of clients. Advisors are being encouraged to prepare for questions on the new Carnival Rewards program and guide passengers through the transition process.

Some passengers are already sharing their emails on social media, warning others to act.

“If you receive an email from Carnival about confirming your status, it is legit,” shared one member online, noting that users do not need to wait for the email and can log onto their accounts online to enroll.

New Rewards Structure

The opt-in is just one more hiccup in a rollout that hasn’t been entirely smooth. Carnival Cruise Line previously delayed the launch of the program and the changes themselves, which shift from cruise days to a spend-based system, has drawn criticism from guests who prefer the simplicity of the old model.

Under the new Carnival Rewards program, guests will earn benefits based on spending, which will include cruise fares, onboard purchases such as dining and spa treatments, shore excursions, and casino play.

The program will also tie into a co-branded credit card, allowing guests to earn rewards through everyday purchases.

The system will operate by points and status stars. Points will function as a redeemable currency, and passengers can use them toward future cruises, onboard purchases, and other travel-related expenses. Points will have a fixed value.

Status stars, on the other hand, will determine a passenger’s tier level. These stars will be earned based on spending and will reset on a rolling two-year basis. This is a significant change from the current VIFP Club, where status is based on lifetime cruise days and does not expire.

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The cruise line has said that existing VIFP status will carry over at the launch of Carnival Rewards for those who enroll, and that level will remain in place through at least the end of 2028. After that period, guests will need to requalify under the new system.

The current tier structure of Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond is expected to remain, but how guests move between those levels will change. Higher tiers will be tied more directly to how much a passenger spends rather than how often they sail.

One exception applies to guests who reach Diamond status before the transition. These loyalty members will retain that level as a lifetime designation after the new program takes effect.

Norwegian Joy Cruise Cancelled as Entire Ship Booked for Charter

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Joy Cruise Cancelled as Entire Ship Booked for Charter

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Joy’s April 12, 2027, sailing has been cancelled in favor of a full-ship charter.
  • The cruise line suggested other voyages in April 2027 that impacted guests could book instead.
  • Guests who don’t take any action will automatically receive a full refund of their cruise fare.

Soon-to-be guests of Norwegian Joy are likely feeling a lot less joyful after learning that their sailing has been cancelled in favor of a private charter.

Norwegian Cruise Line notified booked guests that the 5-night sailing that is scheduled to embark in Miami, Florida, on April 12, 2027, was cancelled because the entire 3,776-guest ship had been bought out by a private charter.

It’s not clear who is behind the charter at this time, but NCL does partner with various organizations for exclusive reservations from time to time.

“Your planned cruise on Norwegian Joy’s April 12, 2027, sailing, has unfortunately been cancelled due to a full ship charter,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to impacted guests, which was shared on Facebook.

Assuming the schedule doesn’t change, the voyage is the final roundtrip Caribbean cruise of the season before the Breakaway Plus-class ship relocates to Seattle to begin its 2027 Alaska deployment.

The now-chartered itinerary includes stops at Cozumel, Mexico, and at Great Stirrup Cay, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.

Guests Offered Alternate Sailings

Of course, Norwegian Cruise Line isn’t just leaving booked passengers high and dry. Cruise Hive has learned that guests have multiple options to choose from in order to make things right.

First, NCL highlighted some comparable cruises departing around the same time that guests with flexible travel arrangements may be interested in taking.

“If one of these options or any other adventure catches your eye, our dedicated team is available to help you rebook or plan a new cruise vacation when you are ready,” NCL wrote.

The first option is a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas onboard Norwegian Getaway, which just like the cancelled sailing, also embarks from Miami on April 12, 2027.

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: M-Production / Shutterstock

This replacement voyage would call to Nassau, Bahamas, and Great Stirrup Cay, so at least guests would still get to visit the newly upgraded private island.

Alternatively, Norwegian Viva is offering two sailings in April of 2027 that impacted cruisers might find appealing.

The first is a 5-night Caribbean cruise that departs from Miami on April 13, which includes calls at Great Stirrup Cay and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

This will be followed by a 7-night Caribbean sailing to Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, NCL’s private destination in Belize; and Great Stirrup Cay.

If any of these three itineraries or another unmentioned cruise seems intriguing, guests are encouraged to contact Norwegian Cruise Line to get rebooked on a new sailing.

Full Refunds Available

If another cruise vacation isn’t in the cards, guests don’t need to take any action. They will automatically receive a full refund of their cruise fare to their original form of payment in approximately seven to 10 business days.

If reservations were made using a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), the used credit will be automatically re-applied to guests’ Latitudes accounts within ten days. For context, Latitudes Rewards is the name of NCL’s loyalty program.

More From Cruise Hive

As a gesture of goodwill, the cruise line will also be giving every impacted guest a 10% discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit, which can be put toward any NCL sailing through December 31, 2027.

The credit will be available starting on May 11, 2026, and will be given to all regardless if they pivot to a different voyage or accept the full refund.

Hope for Stranded Cruise Passengers as Spain Agrees to Receive Hantavirus-Hit Ship

Catie Kovelman
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Hope for Stranded Cruise Passengers as Spain Agrees to Receive Hantavirus-Hit Ship

Key Aspects:

  • MV Hondius, which is currently navigating a hantavirus outbreak that has claimed three lives, won’t be able to disembark as planned in Cape Verde, Africa.
  • Instead, Spain is preparing to safely welcome the ship and disembark passengers.
  • Once medical evacuations for several critical guests are complete, the expedition ship will begin the journey to the Canary Islands.

An end may be in sight for the approximately 150 people stranded onboard Oceanwide Expeditions’ MV Hondius, who are living through an unprecedented hantavirus outbreak that has already led to three deaths.

The small vessel, which left Argentina on April 1, 2026, to begin a voyage to Antarctica, is currently stuck off the coast of Cape Verde, Africa, with guests prohibited from disembarking due to a rare hantavirus outbreak.

According to Spain’s Ministry of Health, Spain has now stepped up to receive the 5,590-gross ton vessel through a coordinated effort with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union.

WHO determined that Cape Verde is not equipped to safely disembark passengers and that Spain’s Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary resources and capabilities to undertake this unusual operation.

The health authority asserted that Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist the ship, which has at least 13 Spanish nationals onboard. There are also 17 Americans, 19 British nationals, and others from a variety of countries, including Canada, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, and Argentina.

No hantavirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships have been reported to the CDC in at least the past three decades according to archived data. This means that the situation is really unprecedented and requires careful thought and planning.

Spain’s government is currently working with WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to determine a health and safety protocol to keep everyone as safe as possible as guests and crew members are disembarked, assessed, and likely quarantined.

The health organizations want to ensure that healthcare personnel stay safe and that no passengers have any contact with the local population. Authorities will share prompt updates as a protocol is determined and implemented.

What Comes Next?

On May 5, 2026, the ECDC conducted a thorough review of the vessel to determine which individuals required urgent evacuation.

As of the time of publication, Cruise Hive is aware of three deaths and four additional passengers who are suffering from severe respiratory symptoms. Lab testing has definitively confirmed two cases of hantavirus so far.

In an update from Oceanwide Expeditions issued on May 5, the cruise line confirmed that two individuals requiring urgent care would be evacuated using a specialized aircraft, as well as a companion to a guest who died on May 2.

“The medical evacuation of two individuals currently requiring urgent medical care, and the individual associated with the guest who passed away on 2 May, will occur using two specialized aircraft that are en route to Cape Verde,” the update stated.

MV Hondius Cruise Ship
MV Hondius Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography)

The cruise line said that the evacuees would be bound for the Netherlands, though Spain’s Ministry of Health stated that the Canary Islands would accept the ship’s doctor on behalf of the Netherlands following a formal request to do so.

The doctor is allegedly in serious condition and is being flown to the Canary Islands on a hospital aircraft on or around May 5.

Once medical evacuations are complete, the ship will sail toward Spain’s Canary Islands, although it’s not clear which specific cruise port they will dock at yet. It will most likely be Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

The journey is expected to take around three days once it begins, though the exact timeline is still unclear.

“Once these three individuals have been safely transferred from the vessel and are in transit to the Netherlands, the m/v Hondius will begin repositioning. Our plan is to proceed to the Canary Islands, either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, which will take 3 days of sailing,” the cruise line continued.

Steps have been taken to care for the remaining guests onboard and to prevent additional spread, including enhanced sanitation and cleaning, screening for symptoms, and enforcing quarantines and social distancing.

Outbreak is Under Investigation

Hantavirus is extremely rare and people are usually only infected after coming into contact with rodents, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, or saliva.

Oceanwide Expeditions has released a tentative timeline of how the medical emergency has evolved thus far, but this is a developing situation and the cause of the outbreak is still under investigation.

While the leading theory is that at least one passenger contracted hantavirus in Argentina before boarding MV Hondius, there is some suspicion of human-to-human transmission happening onboard.

That said, transmission between humans is incredibly rare. If this is happening onboard, it would be on a very limited basis between people with very close contact, such as with the married couple who died during the outbreak.

“We do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that’s happening among the really close contacts, the husband and wife, people who’ve shared cabins,” Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told CBS News.

An investigation, quarantine protocols, and contact tracing efforts are in progress to definitively determine the source of the outbreak and mitigate further spread. Cruise Hive will continue to issue updates as soon as they are available.

Carnival Guest Surrenders to Authorities Two Months After Onboard Incident

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Guest Surrenders to Authorities Two Months After Onboard Incident

Key Aspects:

  • A 44-year-old woman has surrendered at a Miami jail nearly two months after an incident on Carnival Sunrise.
  • The woman punched a teenage passenger, breaking the teen’s nose, but was not arrested after the ship returned to Miami.
  • Carnival Cruise Line could ban the former guest or levy fines for breaking the code of conduct.

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens on a cruise ship doesn’t necessarily stay on the ship, even after guests have long since departed.

A 44-year-old woman, Jennifer Frost, was a passenger onboard the Miami-based 2,984-passenger Carnival Sunrise in March 2026 when she got into what seems to have been an unprovoked incident with a teenage girl.

Only now, nearly two months after debarking the ship, has Frost surrendered to authorities, despite being initially detained on the ship. It is unclear how she managed to leave the ship without being arrested at the time, though onboard surveillance footage and witness statements made clear implications about the incident.

According to 6 South Florida News, Frost surrendered at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on Monday, May 4, 2026. She faces aggravated battery charges.

The altercation happened on March 19 in the Lido Marketplace restaurant. The victim, who has not been identified because she is a minor, stated that she was standing in line with friends when Frost approached, seemingly intoxicated.

The teens were uncomfortable with Frost, but tried to ignore her, and Frost left. After the victim got ice cream, Frost approached again and punched the victim, then fled. The victim suffered a broken nose from the assault.

Security caught up with Frost shortly thereafter, at which time she admitted to the incident without remorse.

Footage of the incident was caught by onboard surveillance cameras as well as body cameras worn by the ship’s security. The incident was also corroborated by witnesses at the time.

Carnival Cruise Line Getting Strict
Carnival Cruise Line Getting Strict

No details have been released about what, if anything, might have provoked Frost’s actions onboard. When she surrendered in Miami, she was accompanied by an attorney. Her bond has since been set at $2,500.

The 101,509-gross ton Carnival Sunrise had left PortMiami on March 16 for the 5-night Western Caribbean cruise. The incident had no impact on the ship’s itinerary, nor was debarkation delayed at the time. The teenage victim was sailing with family, but it is unclear whether Frost was traveling with others or was a solo guest.

Crimes Don’t End When the Cruise Ends

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on cruise guests facing arrests, charges, and convictions for crimes that happen at sea, from assaults to theft to fraud. Just because a ship may be in international waters at the time of an incident, that does not mean the parties involved are free of the consequences of their actions.

Onboard security will intervene in such incidents, and cruise ships do have jails to detain anyone who may be considered a danger to others. Another option can be to confine someone to their stateroom with a guard if necessary.

Criminal reports may be filed once a ship returns to its homeport, and crimes are typically prosecuted in that homeport’s jurisdiction.

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Physical altercations are a violation of Carnival Cruise Line’s guest code of conduct policy and Frost may also face fines from the cruise line or a ban from sailing on any Carnival ship in the future.

“Any allegation of a serious crime committed aboard a Carnival ship sailing from North America is immediately reported to law enforcement in accordance with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010,” the cruise line’s safety and security information clarifies.

Carnival Cruise Line has not commented on the incident and it is not known if Frost will face further consequences from her inappropriate actions.

Cruisers Who Booked Juneau’s Tram Will Get Full Refunds After Extended Closure

Catie Kovelman
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Cruisers Who Booked Juneau’s Tram Will Get Full Refunds After Extended Closure

Key Aspects:

  • Goldbelt Tram, a popular attraction enjoyed by cruise guests in Juneau, experienced an accident that sent two people to the hospital on April 30, 2026.
  • The famous tram was immediately shut down for inspection and repairs, and the closure has now been extended to May 24.
  • 85 cruise ship calls are expected in Juneau during this time period, and thousands of these guests will be entitled to refunds.

Cruisers looking forward to experiencing Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram will need to find a different way to spend their time in Alaska’s capital, at least for the next few weeks.

Cruise Hive initially reported that the famous attraction would be closed at least through the weekend of May 2-3, 2026, following an accident that sent two people to the hospital on April 30.

However, the closure has now been extended through at least May 24, 2026, to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure that all necessary repairs are made.

“On April 30, the Goldbelt Tram experienced an incident involving a tram car carrying five employees. We are grateful there were no serious injuries,” Goldbelt Tram posted on social media.

“The Tram will be closed through May 24 as we investigate the issue and take any necessary corrective measures to ensure the safety of our guests and employees,” the post stated.

There is a slight possibility that the temporary closure could be extended further, which would be a shame given the 2026 Alaska cruise season is just starting to really ramp up.

An Investigation and Repairs Are Underway

For unknown reasons, a cable car came into the base station too fast and made an abrupt, and rather violent, stop. This resulted in minor injuries to the people onboard and damage to tram infrastructure.

The cause behind the accident is still under investigation, and Cruise Hive will issue another update if and when more details become publicly available.

Juneau Tram
Juneau Tram (Photo Credit: Jing Zhong)

The Tram was carrying five employees, and thankfully, no cruise guests. The two workers who were taken to the hospital were treated and quickly released.

According to the Juneau Independent, damage occurred at the stations at both the top and bottom of Mount Roberts because two cable cars were being operated simultaneously. The extent of the damage is unclear.

Rest assured that Goldbelt Tram will not reopen until a thorough investigation is complete and the appropriate repairs are made and inspected.

Refunds Provided to Cruise Guests

Because of its prime downtown location and close proximity to the cruise port, the Goldbelt Tram is a popular shore excursion that can be booked directly through the major cruise lines.

Some brands, such as Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, offer multiple versions of the Goldbelt Tram that sell the experience on its own or paired with other attractions, such as seeing the Mendenhall Glacier.

As Goldbelt Tram is unable to resume its normal operations, the company is in the process of issuing full refunds to its guests. For cruisers who booked the experience through their cruise line, Goldbelt is likely refunding the cruise company, who will refund guests.

“The Tram is in the process of refunding all pre-paid tickets for visits scheduled during the closure period that were purchased through our website. If you purchased tickets through a third party, such as a cruise line, please contact that vendor directly for refund assistance,” Goldbelt Tram advised.

Between the time of publication and end of day on May 24, Juneau is anticipating a staggering 85 cruise ship calls.

While this number may seem high for just about three weeks, Juneau is the busiest cruise port in Alaska. Up to five large cruise ships can dock at the southeastern city at once.

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Over the coming weeks, major brands like Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and more will be represented in the port.

Smaller ships from brands like Windstar Cruises, UnCruise Adventures, and Silversea Cruises are also on the schedule.

Though thousands of cruise guests will likely be disappointed by the tram’s closure, there is thankfully no shortage of things to see and do in Juneau.

Carnival Strips Platinum Benefits from Alaska Sailing Just Days Before Departure

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Strips Platinum Benefits from Alaska Sailing Just Days Before Departure

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Luminosa‘s May 11, 2026 sailing is the latest that will not be offering key Platinum loyalty benefits to guests.
  • The 10-night cruise is departing from San Francisco for a round-trip Alaska itinerary.
  • Priority embarkation and debarkation, early stateroom access, and priority luggage delivery will not be available.

It’s getting to be almost expected that Carnival Cruise Line’s Platinum VIFP guests, those who have achieved the next-to-highest benefit level with the cruise line, will not get to use those benefits on any unusual, longer, or unique sailing.

Such is the case with guests sailing aboard Carnival Luminosa on the ship’s May 11, 2026 departure, as they have now been notified that some of their most desirable benefits will not be available.

“Due to the high number of Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide the following benefits,” the cruise line began.

The notification, just a week before the cruise is set to embark, goes on to list the benefits that will not be available to Platinum level guests.

This includes priority embarkation and debarkation both at the ship’s San Francisco homeport, as well as any of the ports of call on the 10-night Alaskan itinerary. The ship will be visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Prince Rupert Island.

When Platinum guests board the ship on Monday, May 11, they will also be unable to access their staterooms early to drop off luggage.

“To allow the housekeeping team to get the staterooms ready by 1:30 PM, early luggage drop off cannot be facilitated given the limited turnaround time,” the email explained.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Ships in Alaska – Which One to Choose?

Furthermore, no priority luggage delivery will be available for Platinum guests. General luggage delivery can take several hours, and guests may not receive all their bags until later in the evening.

Two other benefits may also be cancelled, though the email is not clear about how firm the option may be. The priority line at Guest Services on Deck 2 in the Supernova Atrium may not be available, and the dedicated phone assistance from Guest Services may also be discontinued.

It is likely that those two benefits may only be offered intermittently during the sailing when staffing and operations permit.

Carnival Luminosa in Seattle
Carnival Luminosa in Seattle (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)

Carnival Luminosa can welcome as many as 2,286 guests onboard, but the cruise line does not release details about the breakdown of how many guests are at which loyalty levels for any particular sailing.

The notification for this loss of benefits comes just as Carnival Cruise Line is reaching out to thousands of guests in the VIFP loyalty program to alert them that it is necessary to opt-in to the upcoming Carnival Rewards program or they risk losing any accumulated benefits when the new program begins in September.

Why Are Benefits Removed Again?

Carnival explains these adjustments to the Platinum benefits for this sailing as “consistent with other voyages where we have a very large number of Platinum guests.”

It should be noted that benefits remain in place for the highest tier of the loyalty program and Diamond cruisers will still be able to take advantage of their full benefits. At this time, the adjustment only impacts Platinum guests.

Most recently, the FFS cruise with brand ambassador John Heald lost the same Platinum benefits as Carnival Luminosa‘s sailing. That once-a-year cruise offers special events, photo ops, and swag for Heald’s fans and is always quick to sell out.

While Carnival Luminosa is not having such a special guest onboard, the unusual departure point for the cruise has likely made it more popular. The ship is homeported in San Francisco and is offering multiple sailings to Alaska this season.

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The 10-night itineraries are longer than the typical 7-night cruises that depart from Seattle. With San Francisco as a departure point, cruise guests also have different pre- and post-cruise options that can be more convenient than sailing from Washington state.

Cruise Hive has reported on other Carnival cruises that have frequently lost VIFP benefits, including transatlantic sailings, repositioning cruises, Greenland itineraries, and the longer, more immersive Carnival Journeys cruises.

Margaritaville at Sea Asks Passengers to Arrive an Hour Later for Upcoming Cruise

Lissa Poirot
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Margaritaville at Sea Asks Passengers to Arrive an Hour Later for Upcoming Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • Passengers sailing on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise on May 7, 2026, are being asked to arrive later for embarkation.
  • Embarkation times have been pushed back by one hour.
  • Passengers can find their new schedules in the Cruise Control portal.

Passengers heading to the Port of Palm Beach in Florida for a quick Bahamas getaway this week will need to adjust their timing before they step on board.

Margaritaville at Sea is rolling out a revised boarding plan for its May 7 sailing of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, warning guests in advance that embarkation will be delayed and arrival times have been pushed back.

“At this time, we are anticipating a delayed embarkation for your May 7, 2026, sailing,” the notice reads. “For your comfort and to minimize your wait times at the terminal, we request that you arrive 1 hour after the scheduled arrival time currently printed on your Boarding Pass.”

The 4-night roundtrip cruise is scheduled to depart Palm Beach at 3:30 p.m., with stops in Freeport on May 9 and Nassau on May 10 before returning on May 11.

Under the updated plan, passengers are being instructed to arrive one hour later than the original time listed on their boarding pass. An 11:00 a.m. arrival window, for example, is now a 12:00 p.m. arrival.

Updated boarding times will appear in Margaritaville at Sea’s Cruise Control portal, and the cruise line is asking all guests to double-check this portal to see their updated boarding times before heading to the port.

Paradise Cruise Ship
Paradise Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: Port of West Palm Beach)

The advisory does not specify the cause of the delay or if the delayed embarkation will also push back the cruise’s departure time.

The 52,926-gross-ton vessel is currently on a 4-night Cozumel Express sailing that is scheduled to return to Palm Beach at 8:00 a.m. on May 7.

Palm Beach Boarding

The Port of Palm Beach has long been active, but mostly for cargo and ferry service. Its role as a cruise homeport dates back to 2016 when Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, now Margaritaville at Sea, began sailing short itineraries from the port.

Since then, it has remained a one-ship operation built around quick turnarounds and shorter cruises.

The 1,316-passenger Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, originally built as Costa Classica for Costa Cruises, has been sailing from Palm Beach for years and was rebranded in 2022 when Margaritaville at Sea launched. 

The vessel recently completed a 2-week dry dock in Freeport in January 2026 that included upgrades and refreshes to its 658 staterooms, dining venues, and the Euphoria Lounge. Following the multimillion-dollar refurbishment, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise returned to service in Palm Beach and resumed back-to-back sailings.

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This is not the first time the cruise line has pushed back embarkation timing at the Port of Palm Beach. As a small terminal, amenities are limited, with no dedicated lounges or indoor waiting spaces for early arrivals. Because of that setup, arrival windows are strictly enforced to prevent crowding.

Guests who arrive before their assigned boarding time will be required to enter through the Standby Check-in Lane and may experience delays before being allowed to board.

For those who do arrive early, there are a few casual dining options within a short distance of the port, including a restaurant about a five-minute walk away.

Passengers Watch as Disney Cruise Ship Crew Members Arrested in San Diego

Melissa Mayntz
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Passengers Watch as Disney Cruise Ship Crew Members Arrested in San Diego

Key Aspects:

  • Several Disney Magic crew members were arrested in San Diego by US Customs and Border Protection agents at the end of April.
  • No official charges or the identities of those arrested have been released or confirmed.
  • The incident was filmed by a guest on Disney Magic who recognized her head waiter as one being arrested.

Several crew members from Disney Magic were arrested by US Customs and Border Protection agents at the end of April while the ship was at her temporary San Diego homeport, but why?

10 News confirmed the arrests, which had been filmed by Dharmi Mehta. Mehta had been a guest onboard Disney Magic and believed one of the crew members arrested was the head waiter who had served her and her family during the 4-night sailing to Catalina and Ensenada.

Mehta recognized the server as he was still in his crew uniform. He and the others being detained did not appear to have any personal belongings with them as they were escorted to a white, unmarked van. The crew members were in restraints at the time.

“He was full in uniform, which was in a blazer, tie. Some of the other employees were still in their chef’s uniforms with their name tags on it,” Mehta said.

Less than an hour earlier, Mehta said the server had been completing their breakfast service.

The arrests occurred on Thursday, April 23, 2026. An immigration rights political group, Union del Barrio, noted that roughly 10 Disney Cruise Line employees were arrested on that date, followed by several crew members from Holland America Line’s Zandaam several days later.

No names or nationalities of the impacted crew members have been released. Disney Magic is home to roughly 950 crew members.

Union del Barrio and other local community groups held a press conference on the pier on Tuesday, May 5, to address their concerns. At the time, Disney Magic was no longer in port, as the 83,350-gross-ton ship had departed on April 27 to make her way to Vancouver to begin her season in Alaska.

Cruise Hive reported recently that Disney Cruise Line has now made a strong agreement with the Port of San Diego, pledging to roughly double sailings from the southern California homeport at least through 2031. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will continue offering seasonal departures from San Diego.

Why Were the Crew Members Arrested?

There has been no official release or statement about why the Disney Cruise Line employees were arrested and detained. Local police departments were not involved in the arrests, and neither were port authorities.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does have full jurisdiction over ships docked in US ports, so it was not unauthorized for CBP agents to make the arrests.

Charges could vary from visa or paperwork issues to criminal activities such as theft or assault. In September 2025, two crew members from the new Disney Adventure were arrested during a refueling stop in Germany due to outstanding warrants concerning drunk driving and fraud charges.

Cruise lines will cooperate with state, federal, and local authorities, though they are not obligated to comment publicly on any pending charges or potential legal action.

Meanwhile, Union del Barrio is demanding that cruise lines take more steps to protect their employees and that there be greater transparency from federal agencies when such incidents occur.

The group describes itself as “an independent political organization” and has used terms such as “abduction” to describe the actions of CBP.

Royal Caribbean Confirms Temporary Bahamas Alcohol Ban Will Impact CocoCay

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Confirms Temporary Bahamas Alcohol Ban Will Impact CocoCay

Key Aspects:

  • Alcohol sales will be forbidden during the Bahamas’ general election on May 12.
  • Royal Caribbean has confirmed that alcohol will not be provided at Perfect Day at CocoCay on this date.
  • The ban should also impact Royal Caribbean Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau.

As Cruise Hive previously reported, alcohol sales will be forbidden in the Bahamas on May 12, 2026, which is the date of the swiftly approaching general election.

This rule is enforced at all Bahamian destinations, including cruise line-owned private islands, to ensure that the polling process is conducted in an orderly fashion and that voting is taken seriously.

While some held onto false hope that Perfect Day at CocoCay might still be able to sell alcoholic beverages since it’s a private island just for cruise guests, Royal Caribbean has confirmed that this will definitely not be the case.

Both the 5,734-guest Wonder of the Seas and the 5,606-guest Oasis of the Seas will be visiting the private destination on election day.

“There is a public notice issued by the Ministry of National Security in The Bahamas that prohibits the distribution of alcohol during national elections,” Royal Caribbean wrote in a letter to impacted guests.

“We’ve explored whether any exceptions could be made; however, this restriction applies nationwide throughout the Bahamas. As a result, alcoholic beverages will not be served at Perfect Day at CocoCay during your visit,” the cruise line continued.

Royal Caribbean Bahamas Election Letter
Royal Caribbean Bahamas Election Letter

For reference, the private destination is located in the Bahamas in the Berry Islands, roughly 55 miles north of Nassau.

More than 750 Royal Caribbean staff members live on the island, many of whom are locals from the Bahamas who would be eligible to participate in the election.

Impact on Royal Beach Club, Paradise Island

As was the case during advanced polling on April 30, Royal Caribbean will likely also be prohibited from serving alcohol at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

The private resort only recently opened in Nassau in December of 2025. Admission starts at $129.99 for adults, with many of the packages including alcoholic refreshments as the price goes up.

On April 30, the cruise line actually came under fire for not providing advance notice of the temporary alcohol ban and was forced to refund hundreds, if not thousands, of guests who visited the beach club.

Royal Caribbean's Nassau Beach Club
Royal Caribbean’s Nassau Beach Club

The cruise line claimed that it did not know about the restriction until the day of the visit. But either way, note that the cruise line is not repeating this blunder by giving guests more than a week of notice about the temporary alcohol ban on May 12.

“Earlier today, we were informed of a public notice issued by the Ministry of National Security in The Bahamas that prohibits the distribution of alcohol during national elections where advanced polling stations are located,” Royal Caribbean wrote in a letter on April 30.

“Taking this into account, and to better support your experience, you will receive a 100% refund for your Royal Beach Club experience in the form of Onboard Credit,” the cruise line continued.

For reference, the 5,668-guest Utopia of the Seas will be visiting Nassau on election day as part of a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas.

Alcohol is Still Available Onboard

Before cruisers panic, it’s important to keep in mind that the temporary ban will only last for one day and that alcoholic beverages will be available onboard Royal Caribbean ships the entire time.

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This is because the Bahamas’ restriction only applied to land-based establishments, such as bars, restaurants, and stores on shore.

“While these services will be impacted ashore, guests may continue to enjoy alcoholic beverages onboard, and our teams will be there to ensure you continue to enjoy a fun and relaxing experience,” Royal Caribbean confirmed.

Other than not serving alcohol, Royal Caribbean’s Bahamian destinations will operate normally. All other amenities, entertainment, and food will be provided as normal, including non-alcoholic beverages.

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