An elderly woman died at Celebration Key after her mobility scooter tipped off the dock while she was riding it.
The exact cause of death is not yet known but an autopsy and full investigation is underway.
The woman was a guest aboard Carnival Celebration and the incident happened on the last full day of the cruise.
In a tragic incident on the last day of Carnival Celebration‘s weeklong Eastern Caribbean sailing, an elderly woman died following a fall from the pier at Celebration Key.
According to the Nassau Guardian, the incident occurred at roughly noon on Saturday, May 9, 2026. This was the last full day of the 7-night cruise that had departed PortMiami on May 3.
The woman, identified as an 88-year-old American tourist, was on a mobility scooter and lost control of the scooter, falling off the pier with the vehicle.
As Carnival Celebration had docked at 8 a.m., it is unknown whether the woman was debarking the ship or reboarding after spending time at the popular private destination.
Local investigators believe the woman may have hit her head on the ship as she fell. While she was retrieved from the water, lifesaving efforts onboard the ship (the closest medical facility) were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead.
Carnival Cruise Line stated to Cruise Hive:
“Carnival confirmed that a female guest using a mobility scooter drove off the pier at Celebration Key and fell into the water while Carnival Celebration was in port on May 9. Carnival teams responded, successfully retrieving her from the water. Despite resuscitation efforts, she did not survive. The deceased was taken by the Royal Bahamian Police Department and the coroner’s office. Our thoughts are with her family.“
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
At this time, it is not known whether the woman suffered a medical incident that contributed to her losing control of the scooter, if the scooter may have mechanically failed, or if some other circumstance contributed to the tragic accident.
There generally are no barriers at the edge of the dock, as any significant barriers would impact the ship’s ability to tie off securely and for gangways to be extended. Signage and colored markings typically indicate where guests should exercise caution and where they are not permitted.
No further details about the woman’s identity has been released in order to preserve her privacy and that of her family and any other members of her traveling party.
Guests Witnessed Incident Aftermath
Carnival Celebration can hold 5,374 guests at double occupancy and as many as 6,500 travelers when fully booked. As this tragic incident unfolded, a number of guests witnessed the aftermath and hundreds heard announcements over the ship’s public address system.
There was a great deal of confusion as incomplete information was spread. Multiple guests shared their perspectives on a Reddit discussion, noting that CPR was performed on at least one guest.
It appears another traveler, perhaps the woman’s husband, had jumped into the water in a rescue attempt.
Carnival Glory was also visiting Celebration Key at the same time and guests from both vessels saw the incident firsthand.
Shortly after the incident, local crime scene investigation units arrived on the pier to assess the situation. A diver located the mobility scooter and it was removed from the water.
There was no delay for Carnival Celebration returning to Miami as scheduled on Sunday, May 10.
Not the First Death at the Private Destination
While Celebration Key has only been welcoming guests since July 2025, the popular private destination has already had multiple deaths.
Cruise Hive previously reported on a startling pair of incidents on August 15, 2025 when two guests passed at the destination, though in unrelated situations and from different Carnival cruise ships.
Those were both drowning incidents but may have been precipitated by other medical conditions. One occurred off the beach, the other in the island’s lagoon.
Any such incident is certainly tragic and Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the woman’s family, friends, and everyone aboard Carnival Celebration impacted by this sad circumstance.
Guests booked on Norwegian Jade have been informed that laundry services are temporarily unavailable.
This follows the ship’s 2-week dry dock and the installation of updated laundry equipment is not yet complete.
The situation is temporary, but no date has been confirmed for guest laundry services to resume.
Cruise guests don’t often think about household chores while on vacation, but one specific chore is popular: laundry. Doing laundry on a cruise can help minimize luggage and let guests travel home with fresh, clean clothes rather than a suitcase of dirty laundry.
Guests booked onboard Norwegian Jade, however, will have to plan for that dirty luggage for the time being. Norwegian Cruise Line has begun sending notifications that no laundry services will be available onboard the 93,600-gross-ton ship following her recent dry dock that took place from April 19 to May 4.
“Our laundry facilities are temporarily operating at limited capacity as final installation work is being completed,”the notification explained.“During this period, we must prioritize essential onboard operations, including stateroom linens, towel service, and food and beverage support across the ship.”
While this indicates that onboard operations will proceed as normal, extra laundry services will not be available for guests’ clothing.
“All guest laundry services will be unavailable throughout your sailing, including both paid laundry and any complimentary or discounted offerings,”the email confirmed.
The cruise line does indicate that this is a “short-term adjustment,” though there is no timeline provided for when guest laundry services may resume onboard Norwegian Jade.
(Photo Credit: Just dance)
Clearly, the commercial laundry facilities are operational onboard, but it is essential that the ship’s crew members focus on the overall guest experience and sanitation needs to provide clean bedding, fresh towels, and sanitized tablecloths and napkins for every sailing.
What cannot be accommodated are wash-and-fold laundry services as well as dry cleaning services. This includes the free and discounted bags of laundry that are part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes loyalty program, which cannot be offered at this time.
Who Should Be Aware of No Laundry Services Onboard?
To plan for this change, guests booked on Norwegian Jade‘s upcoming sailings will want to be sure they pack appropriately for their cruise with enough clothing for the entire sailing. Another option is to plan on hand-washing select items in their stateroom, which may be a less pleasant but possibly essential chore.
This may be a challenge for guests booked on back-to-back cruises or any longer sailings coming up in Norwegian Jade‘s schedule.
The ship returned from her two-week dry dock in Canada on May 4, welcoming guests to start the Alaska season with 7-night one-way cruises from Whittier and Vancouver for the summer.
Many travelers will opt to enjoy two successive cruises, permitting them to enjoy the full north-and-south experience of a longer Alaska cruise with the convenience of embarking and debarking at the same homeport. Without laundry services onboard, however, this will mean packing extra clothing for the full getaway.
As Norwegian Jade leaves Alaska, her fall cruises that reposition her to Asia are a range of longer itineraries, beginning with a 16-night sailing from Vancouver, Canada to Yokohama, Japan that departs on September 21.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not given any indication about whether or not laundry services will be restored by September, but it is unlikely the services would be absent for that long.
It is common when a ship finishes a dry dock renovation that some issues may not be quite complete on her first few sailings. This may include extra painting work, flooring replacement, or as in the case of Norwegian Jade, the installation of what are likely to be upgraded and more efficient washers and driers.
Other updates from this most recent dry dock include the addition of a Starbucks on Deck 7 to serve the 2,402 guests onboard their favorite morning beverages, as well as adding the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club to the shop.
Other technical updates and general refreshment of public spaces have also been completed and the ship has returned to service.
Vision of the Seas will be departing the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda an hour earlier than originally planned.
The impacted sailing is the ship’s May 9, 2026 departure, a 5-night cruise from Baltimore.
No technical difficulties are reported with the vessel, and the change is just to ensure an on-time return to Maryland.
A long, overnight stay in port can be a great experience on many cruises, especially for such iconic ports as Bermuda. Guests onboard Vision of the Seas‘ upcoming sailing, however, will not have quite as long as they may have planned on the tropical island.
The 5-night cruise is departing from Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Following a full day at sea, the 78,717-gross-ton ship will arrive at King’s Wharf, Bermuda, at roughly 2 p.m. on Monday, May 11.
The overnight visit was to have been extended until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, but guests have now been emailed a notification about the ship’s departure time from Bermuda.
“To ensure a timely return to Baltimore, Maryland, we’ll now depart Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda at 11:59 AM on Day 4,”the notification explains.“Not to worry, you’ll still enjoy an overnight visit with plenty of time to experience everything this beautiful destination has to offer!”
Day 4 of the sailing is Tuesday, May 12. This means the ship’s departure has been moved up by just one hour (and one minute) from the previous schedule.
Such a small change may not seem to be significant, but it can certainly disrupt guests’ plans for their time ashore if they wanted to spend every moment enjoying the British territory.
Vision of the Seas in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Cruise Maryland)
The email noted that any pre-paid tours booked through Royal Caribbean will be adjusted if necessary to accommodate the updated schedule. If adjustments are not possible, the tours will be cancelled and refunded.
Guests who may have made independent tour arrangements or who plan to explore Bermuda on their own will want to be cautious with their schedule and be sure they return to the ship on time for the earlier departure.
No Reason Given for Time Shift
Royal Caribbean has not provided any further explanation for the ship’s earlier departure from Bermuda other than “to ensure a timely return to Baltimore.”
At this time, Vision of the Seas is expected to be back in Maryland to begin debarkation at approximately 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 14.
While no other cruise ships are scheduled for the Port of Baltimore on that day, other shipping operations and port scheduling may be impacting Vision of the Seas.
Similarly, while Norwegian Aqua will be in port with the Royal Caribbean ship in Bermuda, the two vessels’ departures should not conflict with one another. Vision of the Seas is leaving on Tuesday, while Norwegian Aqua, which is homeported from New York, is leaving on Wednesday.
The earlier departure could also be influenced by other maritime traffic along the sailing route, pilot availability either in Bermuda or Baltimore, port tidal schedules, or weather systems along the way that may necessitate changes in route or speed.
These types of small tweaks are not uncommon for cruise ship schedules. Cruise Hive has previously reported on such changes for different cruise lines related to fuel efficiency, sailing speed, protecting whale migration routes, and other reasons.
There is no indication that Vision of the Seas has any mechanical difficulties or other operational or safety concerns related to this slight itinerary change. The up to 2,514 guests the ship can welcome are sure to enjoy their Bermuda getaway, even if it is a wee bit shorter than originally anticipated.
Just over one year ago, mass layoffs at the CDC threw the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) a major curve ball.
Despite the challenges, the VSP has come back stronger and is completing more cruise ship inspections than before.
Gastrointestinal outbreaks onboard cruise ships are also trending down compared to last year.
In April of 2025, a new restructuring plan was implemented by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which led to mass layoffs in the CDC and essentially defunded the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).
This led to panic within the cruise community, as the VSP is responsible for conducting health inspections and tracking outbreaks on all ships that carry at least 13 passengers, visit US ports, and operate international itineraries.
But despite the barriers against the organization, the VSP has essentially risen from the ashes to continue to inspect and monitor US-based vessels. If anything, oversight from the health officials has only gotten more stringent.
During the layoffs, the headline that made the rounds was that all of the CDC’s full-time inspectors were terminated. However, this didn’t mean no inspectors remained at the CDC.
A small but mighty group of 12 US Public Health Service officers kept their jobs, and have continued to carry out cruise ship inspections with fervor.
For context, US-based ships are subject to surprise inspections twice per year to ensure that they are meeting all sanitation, safety, and health standards. Cruise ships need to score an 86 or higher on a 100-point scale in order to pass.
As an example, Cruise Hive reported that Carnival Jubilee passed an inspection with a perfect score in March of 2026. This inspection would have been conducted by the VSP.
And despite the layoffs, the number of inspections has only increased. The CDC inspected 273 cruise ships in 2025, which is a 39% increase over the 197 ships inspected in 2024.
Currently, 56 ship inspections have been posted on the CDC’s website for 2026, and we are not even half way through the year yet.
CDC Sets New Guidelines for Cruise Ships
When not conducting inspections, the VSP isn’t just sitting idly by and twiddling its thumbs. Instead, it is keeping an eye on potential health risks on cruise ships and adjusting guidelines accordingly.
Unfortunately, pools, spa areas, and whirlpools can become hot spots for the Legionella bacteria if left unmonitored and unchecked.
Under the new guidance, which went into effect in March 2026, cruise lines have to more thoroughly define monitoring frequencies, implement remediation protocols when issues are detected, and maintain more comprehensive records when corrective actions do need to be taken.
This is just another example of the VSP doing more instead of less to ensure the safety of all guests and crew members on cruise ships.
Cruise Ship Outbreaks Decline
First, it’s important to note that the CDC only plays a role in outbreaks on US-based ships. Situations like the hantavirus crisis, which has been centered around Cape Verde, Africa, are not under the CDC’s jurisdiction.
And while it’s true that norovirus has been surging in the US, that doesn’t necessarily mean that is the case on all cruise ships. Based on the ships that the VSP monitors, gastrointestinal outbreaks are down significantly compared to the same time last year.
By mid-May of 2025, the VSP had already reported 17 outbreaks, with a total of 23 outbreaks occurring before the year ended.
This year, the VSP has reported a total of four gastrointestinal outbreaks, which is a 76.5% decrease compared to the same time period in 2025.
While it’s possible that the number will skyrocket in the second half of the year, the data is promising and suggests the small but mighty VSP team is doing the best possible job with the resources they have been given.
It’s been a rough week of cruise news, with a major US airline shutting down just before summer, a deadly snorkeling incident on a private island, and Disney crew members hauled off in restraints in front of guests.
Plus, a Bahamas alcohol ban is shaking up itineraries, more loyalty program drama at Carnival, a charter cancellation on Norwegian Joy, and a cruise passenger finally facing the music two months later.
We’re going to get into it all right now!
Spirit Airlines Shuts Down Right Before Summer Cruising Season
Thousands of cruisers are scrambling for alternative travel plans this week as Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased all operations on Saturday, May 2, 2026, leaving guests stranded just as the busy summer cruise season ramps up.
The budget airline confirmed the shutdown on its website and social media, telling travelers not to come to the airport. Refunds will be processed automatically to the original cards used, though guests who booked through travel agencies need to contact those operators directly. Spirit also can’t help rebook anyone on other carriers.
Spirit Airlines in Florida (Photo Credit: Markus Mainka)
Some relief is coming from the competition. JetBlue is offering $99 one-way fares for stranded Spirit passengers on the same routes through May 6, while Frontier is cutting up to 50% off select base fares. American and Delta are running discounted rescue fares too. Still, it’s not nearly enough to cover everyone.
The pain is especially sharp for Florida cruisers. Spirit was headquartered in Dania Beach, just five miles from Port Everglades and 25 miles from PortMiami. The airline had 237 flights scheduled out of Orlando International alone in just the next week, the closest major airport to Port Canaveral.
And here’s the worst part for cruise guests: cruise lines are not responsible if guests can’t reach the terminal, and no line has yet offered any exceptions. So if your flight was on Spirit, you’re on your own.
American Cruise Passenger Dies Snorkeling at NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay
The man had started snorkeling along the beach with his son around 2:00 PM. Towards the end of their session, the son spotted his father unresponsive in the water without his mask. Officers from Bullocks Harbor and a local doctor were alerted shortly after 3:00 PM, and the elderly man was confirmed deceased at the scene.
Passengers on the Beach at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit:Dennis MacDonald)
Norwegian Getaway was the only ship calling at Great Stirrup Cay that day. The vessel was on a 3-night voyage that had departed Miami on May 1, with a stop in Nassau on May 2 before the private island visit. The 145,650 gross ton ship has since returned to Miami.
NCL extended its condolences in a statement, confirming its medical team and local emergency responders provided immediate assistance but were unable to revive the guest. An investigation into the cause of death has been launched.
Bahamas Election Day Alcohol Ban Forces Itinerary Changes
A peculiar bit of Bahamian law is about to throw a wrench into multiple cruises next week. May 12, 2026, is the Bahamas’ general election day, and alcohol sales are forbidden across the country to maintain public order. That includes ships, ports, and even cruise line-owned private islands.
NCL has already pushed back Norwegian Getaway’s visit to Great Stirrup Cay by one day to May 13. Carnival is going further, swapping Carnival Vista’s call at RelaxAway Half Moon Cay entirely for an alcohol-friendly stop at Grand Turk on its 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral.
Meanwhile, Excel-class Carnival Glory and Conquest-class Carnival Freedom are still expected to visit Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, just without the booze.
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Sven Hansche)
Royal Caribbean has prior experience with this. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island already had an alcohol-free day on April 30 for election-related activity.
The cruise line refunded guests with 100% onboard credit since they allegedly didn’t get advance notice. Utopia of the Seas will be visiting Nassau on May 12, while Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas will be at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Disney hasn’t publicly commented yet. Disney Wish is scheduled to call at Castaway Cay and Disney Fantasy at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on May 12. As a more family-friendly brand, Disney may be less inclined to alter the itineraries. Either way, onboard bars will still be pouring once everyone’s back onboard.
Carnival VIFP Members Risk Losing Status If They Don’t Opt In
Not everyone has had a great time with Carnival lately, and the new loyalty program rollout just got messier. Carnival has confirmed that existing VIFP Club members must actively opt in to the new Carnival Rewards program by August 31, 2026, or risk losing their current status and sailing history altogether.
The cruise line announced on May 5 that all loyalty members will receive a personalized email titled “Enroll and Accept.” The message is nontransferable, can’t be shared, and can’t even be completed by a travel advisor on a client’s behalf. Carnival is blaming privacy regulations for the requirement.
Carnival Cruise Ship Whale Tail Funnel (Photo Credit: Simon Lofgren)
This is yet another speed bump in a rollout that’s already been bumpy. The new Carnival Rewards program launches September 1, 2026, after a previous delay, and it shifts the entire structure from cruise days to spend-based earning. That alone has drawn fierce criticism from longtime cruisers who prefer the old model.
Existing VIFP status will carry over for those who opt in, and that level will be locked in through at least the end of 2028. Guests who reach Diamond before the transition will keep that tier as a lifetime designation.
Everyone else will eventually need to requalify based on spending, with status stars resetting on a rolling two-year basis. So if you’re a loyal Carnival cruiser, check your inbox. This isn’t one to ignore.
Norwegian Joy Sailing Cancelled in Favor of Private Charter
Imagine planning a cruise for almost a year and then getting an email saying your ship has been bought out. That’s exactly what happened to guests booked on Norwegian Joy’s April 12, 2027, sailing.
NCL notified passengers that the 5-night voyage embarking from Miami has been cancelled because the entire 3,776-guest Breakaway Plus-class ship was chartered out.
The original itinerary included Cozumel and Great Stirrup Cay. It was also the final roundtrip Caribbean sailing of the season before Norwegian Joy relocates to Seattle for her 2027 Alaska deployment.
Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship in Alaska (Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson)
NCL is offering several alternatives. There’s a 4-night Bahamas sailing on Norwegian Getaway departing the same day from Miami, plus two Norwegian Viva options departing the day after, including a 5-night Caribbean run and a 7-night sailing to Roatan, Cozumel, Harvest Caye, and Great Stirrup Cay.
If none of that appeals, guests can simply do nothing and receive a full refund to their original payment method within seven to 10 business days. NCL is also throwing in a 10% discount as a Future Cruise Credit, available from May 11, 2026, that can be used on any sailing through December 31, 2027, regardless of which option guests pick.
Carnival Sunrise Passenger Surrenders Two Months After Punching a Teen
Here’s a reminder that what happens on a cruise ship doesn’t stay on the ship. A 44-year-old woman named Jennifer Frost surrendered to authorities at a Miami jail on Monday, May 4, 2026, nearly two months after an unprovoked attack on a teenage girl aboard Carnival Sunrise.
The incident happened on March 19 in the Lido Marketplace. The teen was waiting in line with friends when Frost approached, seemingly intoxicated. The girls tried to ignore her. After the victim got ice cream, Frost approached again, punched her in the face, breaking her nose, and fled the scene.
Carnival Sunrise and Jennifer Frost (Photo Credits: Just dance & Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation)
Onboard security caught up with Frost shortly after, and she reportedly admitted to the incident without remorse. The whole thing was captured on ship surveillance and on body cameras worn by the security team.
Yet somehow, when the 101,509-gross ton Sunrise returned to PortMiami, Frost managed to leave the ship without being arrested. How? That’s still unclear.
She now faces aggravated battery charges and her bond has been set at $2,500. Frost may also face fines or a lifetime ban from Carnival under the cruise line’s guest code of conduct.
As Carnival’s own safety policy makes clear, allegations of serious crimes aboard ships sailing from North America are reported to law enforcement under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010. The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they do turn.
Disney Magic Crew Members Arrested by CBP in San Diego
In a story that’s raised plenty of eyebrows, US Customs and Border Protectionagents arrested several Disney Magic crew members in San Diego at the end of April. Passengers watched the whole thing unfold.
The arrests took place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, and were filmed by Dharmi Mehta, who had just sailed onboard Disney Magic on a 4-night voyage to Catalina and Ensenada. Mehta recognized one of the detained crew members as the head waiter who had served her family.
Less than an hour earlier, he’d been completing breakfast service. He was still in his blazer and tie, while others were in chef’s uniforms with name tags. They were in restraints and being escorted to a white, unmarked van without any personal belongings.
Disney Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ajith Achuthann)
According to immigration rights group Union del Barrio, roughly 10 Disney crew members were arrested that day, followed by several Holland America Zaandam crew members several days later.
No names, nationalities, or charges have been officially released. Disney Magic itself is home to roughly 950 crew members. The 83,350-gross-ton ship has since departed San Diego for Vancouver to begin its Alaska season.
So why the arrests? CBP does have full jurisdiction over ships docked in US ports, so the detentions weren’t unauthorized. Charges could range from visa or paperwork issues to criminal matters. Back in September 2025, two Disney Adventure crew members were arrested at a refueling stop in Germany over outstanding warrants for drunk driving and fraud.
Union del Barrio held a press conference at the pier on May 5, demanding greater transparency, using strong language, including “abduction” to describe CBP’s actions. For now, plenty of questions and very few answers.
A Costa Cruises cruise director has been awarded €130,000 after failing to be rehired after 51 contracts with the line.
An Italian labor court judged that the excessive use of fixed-term contracts is an abuse of the contract style.
This judgment could have ramifications for crew members throughout the industry if hiring practices are adjusted.
An Italian crew member with Costa Cruises has been awarded a court settlement that includes a generous payout and rehiring following a lawsuit that found, in part, that his past employment with the cruise line had been illegal.
The suit was taken up by the Bari Labor Court in Italy after the employee was not rehired for his position as cruise director. Costa Cruises is headquartered in Genoa, Italy and the line’s nine ships are all flagged in Italy.
According to ANSA, the unnamed crew member has worked for Costa Cruises for 18 years with a total of 51 individual contracts from 2003 to 2021.
This averages to 3.5 contracts per year, though the exact lengths and other terms of the individual contracts were not specified. It is unknown whether he always served as cruise director or if he changed positions or roles during his tenure with the cruise line, as is common for crew members who advance to leadership positions.
At the end of the employee’s most recent contract, his service with the cruise line was not renewed. No explanation has been released regarding why he was not rehired for another contract.
Generally, when a contract is not renewed, all benefits are subsequently terminated, including health coverage and any potential pensions or bonuses.
To be clear, the crew member had been hired through a company based in Curacao. It is not uncommon for cruise lines to work with different employment agencies around the world, particularly in countries known for their customer service and other qualities highly desirable in crew members.
The crew member appealed the dismissal with surprising results from the court.
Court Rules Contract Style Is Being Abused
Rather than just reinstating the crew member, the court judged that the repeated use of a “fixed-term contract” for such a lengthy period was an abuse of that type of contract in violation of both Italian and European Union laws.
A “fixed-term contract” is a specific type of agreement for exact duties over a defined period of time. The most common use of fixed-term contracts is for project work such as consulting or freelance assignments.
Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Director (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
The Italian court judged that this crew member should have been treated as a permanent, long-term employee of Costa Cruises, given the length of time and number of contracts he had with the cruise line.
It was ordered that the crew member be returned to work, and Costa Cruises was further ordered to pay €130,000 (approximately $153,000 USD) in compensation for the contract violations, as well as interest on that amount. No further fees for any stress or emotional concerns were awarded.
Costa Cruises may appeal the decision, but the cruise line has not made any official statement on the litigation.
Could Crew Contracts Change?
This lawsuit could be the beginning of a change in how cruise line crew members are hired and employed by different cruise lines.
Fixed-term contracts are quite common in the cruise industry, covering many different types of crew members from stateroom stewards and dining room wait staff to entertainers, photographers, shore excursions and guest services team members, and yes, even cruise directors.
While such limited contracts are generally acceptable for intermittent or short-term work, long-standing cruise line crew members might find themselves in more unique situations that could necessitate contract changes.
Cruise lines might change their hiring practices to adjust to this type of situation, or might create a different type of contract for a crew member who satisfactorily completes a certain number of fixed-term contracts.
Contracts might also be rewritten with language better clarifying the nature of the fixed-term clauses to ensure cruise lines are protected from such lawsuits in the future.
MSC Preziosa has cancelled an overnight stay in Hamburg with a sea day.
The itinerary change for May 9, 2026, means guests will miss the annual Hafengeburtstag port festival.
MSC Cruises offered 50 euros per person – up to 100 euros per cabin – as compensation for the adjustment.
Passengers sailing aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa received an unexpected itinerary update after the cruise line delayed the ship’s arrival into Hamburg, Germany.
Guests were wrapping up a port call in Kristiansand, Norway, on May 6, 2026, when notices began arriving in cabins outlining changes to the remainder of the 7-night Northern Europe sailing from Hamburg.
Under the revised itinerary, MSC Preziosa will no longer arrive in Hamburg on the evening of May 9, as originally scheduled. Instead, passengers will spend that day at sea before arriving the morning of May 10 for disembarkation.
The change also extends the ship’s stop in Skagen, Denmark, by three additional hours.
“Our arrival in Hamburg has been postponed to the early morning hours of Sunday, May 10, due to operational reasons. At the same time, we are pleased to let you know that this will allow you to spend additional time in the charming coastal town of Skagen,” the notice read.
The notice said the change was necessary due to “urgent maintenance work,” although the cruise line did not provide additional details about the issue affecting the vessel.
MSC Cruises also encouraged passengers to take advantage of the longer Skagen stay by booking additional shore excursions through the cruise line.
Originally, the ship was scheduled to depart Skagen by 4 p.m. on May 8 before arriving in Hamburg at 5 p.m. the following day for an overnight call. Under the revised itinerary, the ship will now remain in Skagen until 7 p.m. before spending May 9 at sea.
To offset frustration over the change, MSC Cruises issued passengers a non-refundable onboard credit worth 50 euros per person, capped at 100 euros per cabin.
Hamburg (Photo Credit: Martin Dworschak)
The credit can be used on board the ship for purchases such as drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, and other onboard services.
MSC Preziosa is one of MSC Cruises’ Fantasia-class ships that can carry about 5,000 guests when fully occupied. The affected sailing departed from Hamburg on May 3 and also included visits to Copenhagen and Oslo.
Missing Out on the Fun
For many passengers aboard MSC Preziosa, the schedule change goes beyond losing an overnight port call. The revised schedule now means guests will miss one of Hamburg’s largest annual events.
The ship had originally been scheduled to arrive during Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstagcelebration, also known as the Port Anniversary festival, which runs from May 8 through May 10.
The event is one of the world’s largest maritime festivals and regularly draws more than a million visitors to the German port city each year for fireworks over the harbor, ship parades, concerts, food stalls, waterfront events, and appearances by cruise ships, naval vessels, and tall ships.
Several cruise ships are expected to participate in this year’s festivities, including TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7; AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla,AIDAsol and AIDAluna; andNorwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky, along with several other regional cruise lines.
Passenger reactions online quickly reflected disappointment over the change, with one guest saying on social media, “Eighty percent of the people booked this cruise to celebrate the Hamburg Port anniversary and see the fireworks.”
The annual Hafengeburtstag celebration is one of the largest port festivals in the world, drawing more than a million visitors annually.
Some passengers also criticized the onboard credit offer as inadequate compensation for missing one of Germany’s biggest celebrations.
Vision of the Seas is dropping two ports and adding alternatives for her May 10, 2027 sailing.
The 11-night cruise will now visit Samana Port and Perfect Day at CocoCay instead of St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
No other ports on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary have been changed at this time.
Many cruise guests carefully choose their oceangoing getaways based on ports of call, perhaps for their favorite destinations or new spots to visit. It can be disappointing, then, when the itinerary is changed and multiple ports are swapped.
Guests booked on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas may be feeling that disappointment as they learn about a dramatic change for their upcoming sailing. The impacted cruise is not until May 2027, but the cruise line has reached out to notify guests about multiple port adjustments.
“From time to time, updates are necessary as we finalize scheduling, port arrangements, and operational details,”the email explained.“As a result of a recent review, your May 10, 2027 sailing has been updated.”
The impacted sailing is an 11-night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Baltimore. Originally, Vision of the Seas was to have visited Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas before returning to Maryland.
Both St. Maarten and St. Thomas have now been removed from the itinerary. Instead, the 78,340-gross-ton ship will be visiting Samana Port in the Dominican Republic as well as Perfect Day at CocoCay instead.
Vision of the Seas will call on Samana Port on May 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the day that was previously planned for St. Maarten. Likewise, the visit to CocoCay will be on May 18 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. That day had previously been a day at sea, which has now been moved to May 17.
Vision of the Seas in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Cruise Maryland)
At this time, there are no changes to the visits to Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, and San Juan, nor have the ship’s departure or return times to Baltimore been adjusted.
The email notes that any shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for the now-cancelled visits to St. Maarten and St. Thomas will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. If guests have made independent tour arrangements, they should reach out to their tour providers for cancellations as needed.
Why Are These Ports Changed?
Royal Caribbean has not provided any further details for why both St. Maarten and St. Thomas are now cancelled, other than “as a result of a recent review.”
There could be many reasons why the changes have been made. Because Vision of the Seas is one of the smaller ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, she may be making way for larger vessels to take her place at St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
Rising fuel costs could also be a consideration, as the ship will now not be traveling nearly as far. On the original itinerary, the furthest point east on the sailing was to have been Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
Now, however, Samana Port on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic will be the easternmost destination. In comparison, Philipsburg is 400 miles further east than Samana Port. This means the ship will be sailing 800 fewer miles overall for the itinerary.
Overall port schedules, dock maintenance, cruise terminal availability, booking popularity, and recent guest feedback may also be factors in the itinerary changes.
Guest reactions are mixed for the changes, with some travelers intrigued by the opportunity to visit the little-known Samana Port. Typically, smaller ships visit Samana, which is not a common destination for Royal Caribbean ships.
Star of the Seas is scheduled to visit Samana Port twice in May 2027, albeit not on the same day as Vision of the Seas. It is possible that the Icon-class ship’s itineraries may yet be adjusted as well, or other vessels could also have their schedules tweaked.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, on the other hand, is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ports of call, common on itineraries of all lengths. While some of the up to 2,514 guests that could be sailing aboard Vision of the Seas may be excited about the destination, others could prefer a more relaxed, unique port visit.
Carnival’s booking system will undergo planned maintenance from 9 p.m. ET on May 8 through 3 p.m. ET on May 9.
During this time, guests will not be able to book new sailings or manage existing reservations.
If guests want to feel productive, they can still research the cruise line’s offerings or opt in to the new Rewards Program during the outage.
If you’re planning to book a new Carnival cruise, don’t expect to do it between 9 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8 and 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9. During this time, Carnival’s reservation system will be unavailable due to planned maintenance.
“In efforts to better support you and help you plan in advance, please be advised our reservation systems will be undergoing maintenance and will be temporarily unavailable,” Carnival wrote in an email to Cruise Hive.
Unlike past situations, such as when a glitch kicked guests off the website and the Hub app for days and impacted pre-cruise purchases in December of 2025, this is a planned outage.
The outage is not expected to extend beyond the listed time frame, but Cruise Hive will monitor the situation and issue an update if there are any last-minute changes.
In the past, Brand Ambassador John Heald has also shared updates with the cruising community when technology has been uncooperative, though he has not posted about the planned maintenance as of the time of this publication.
What Features Will be Unavailable?
During the 18-hour outage, guests will be unable to make new reservations or manage existing bookings.
Calling the cruise line also won’t make a difference. Just like cruisers at home, Carnival’s customer service representatives will also be unable to update reservations or make new bookings on behalf of eager guests.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” Carnival apologized.
Carnival Cruise Line Logo on Hull (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Additionally, travel advisors will be unable to use the GoCCL Dashboard to access new booking information or to claim bookings in the Loyalty Rocks! rewards program, which offers training and benefits for industry professionals.
In the meantime, guests can research and fantasize about their upcoming cruise vacations so they are ready to book once the systems are back online. Carnival’s marketing pages with information about the cruise line’s many offerings will still be accessible.
Maintenance Will Not Impact Rewards Program Enrollment
While Carnival guests won’t be able make or alter reservations for a little while, they can still opt in to Carnival’s Rewards Program, which goes into effect on September 1, 2026.
In early May, Carnival guests were informed that they must opt in to the new Rewards Program by August 31, 2026, in order to maintain their VIFP status during the transitionary period.
The top-tier Diamond members will keep their status for life thanks to a program revision, while all other guests will maintain their earned loyalty status through at least December 31, 2028.
The process is very quick, and is done by clicking the link in a personalized email that was sent to all VIFP members. It’s at least something that guests can do to feel productive while they wait for the booking system to come back online.
