Blog Page 65

A New Port Plan Could Solve Tampa’s Biggest Cruise Problem

Lissa Poirot
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A New Port Plan Could Solve Tampa’s Biggest Cruise Problem

Key Aspects:

  • Developers are exploring a privately financed cruise port in West Florida.
  • The port would allow larger cruise ships that cannot pass under the bridge to reach Port Tampa Bay.
  • The proposed terminal must clear local zoning, permitting, and public review before construction can begin.

A proposed cruise port on Florida’s Gulf Coast could allow larger cruise ships to sail from the Tampa Bay region for the first time.

The project would be located south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which cruise ships like Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle, which homeport in Tampa, must currently pass under to reach the Port of Tampa.

The bridge’s 180-foot height restriction prevents many of today’s largest cruise ships from accessing the port, especially Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships, which are nearly 250 feet in height.

SSA Marine, a global marine terminal operator, said it is working with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC to explore development of a cruise port on 328 acres of land known as the Knott-Cowen’s tract in Manatee County.

Details of the proposal were released through a newly launched website promoting the project.

If approved, the project would represent a significant expansion of cruise infrastructure along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Royal Caribbean Ship in Tampa, Florida
Royal Caribbean Ship in Tampa, Florida (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

Construction of the facility, if it moves forward, is estimated to take between 3 and 5 years. Before any construction can begin, however, the project must go through Manatee County’s zoning and permitting process.

This includes reviews by the planning commission and county commissioners, and no timeline has been set for those approvals.

“Throughout this project, we are committed to transparently working through the public process and welcome the opportunity to engage local residents in meaningful dialogue and work collaboratively with the community to ensure this effort reflects West Central Florida’s needs and creates sustained, long-term public benefit,” the project website states.

Project Details

The Knott-Cowen Cruise Port is described as a privately financed project led by SSA Marine, which operates port facilities across Florida, including at Port Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Port Everglades, and JAXPORT in Jacksonville.

Plans call for a multi-berth cruise facility with supporting infrastructure. The project also includes a separate land purchase of Rattlesnake Key, a 710-acre island adjacent to the site.

Developers say the island will not be commercially developed and is intended to remain in conservation.

Knott Cowen tract
The Knott Cowen tract of land is the site of a proposed cruise port near Tampa.

Economic projections published on the project website estimate more than 31,000 jobs tied to construction and related activity, with more than 13,000 ongoing jobs once the port is operational.

Read Also: Tampa Cruise Port – Terminals, Transportation, What’s Nearby

The developers also project roughly $40 million annually in tax revenue, though those figures have not yet been reviewed throughout the public approval process.

Port Tampa Bay recorded about 368 cruise ship sailings in fiscal year 2025, handling more than 1.6 million cruise passengers. That number was a record for Tampa Bay and includes other brands that homeport in the region, like Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Margaritaville at Sea.

Despite that growth, Tampa’s cruise operations remain constrained by the bridge, which provides roughly 180 feet of vertical clearance at zero tide. Cruise ships taller than that cannot access the port.

Most of today’s large cruise ships exceed that height. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, for instance, rise above 200 feet from waterline to top deck, putting them out of reach for Tampa Bay.

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Other Florida ports do not face similar restrictions, and it shows.

In 2025, PortMiami handled more than 8.5 million cruise passengers, while Port Canaveral welcomed more than 8.6 million, making them the busiest cruise ports in the world.

Developers argue that a cruise port south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge could allow Florida’s West Central coast to compete more directly with those high-volume homeports by enabling access for larger ships.

Disney Cruise Line Raises Internet Prices – Is It Too High?

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney Cruise Line Raises Internet Prices – Is It Too High?

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Cruise Line has increased internet pricing for its packages by more than 15% without warning.
  • The prices are now among the highest in the industry with two options for basic internet or streaming quality.
  • Internet access is not strictly necessary during a Disney cruise vacation, depending on guests’ preferences.

As a premium cruise line, Disney Cruise Line includes a lot of amenities in their basic cruise fare that other lines simply do not offer or that guests must add on with extra charges, such as twice-daily stateroom cleaning, room service, and most soft drinks.

Internet access, however, is not one of those included amenities, and guests will now be paying more to stay connected while on a magical cruise vacation.

Guests booked on Disney cruises have noticed the increase from January 2026, with prices now significantly higher than other lines charge for different wi-fi packages. No notice of the increase was given to booked guests, with no option to lock in lower costs before setting sail.

The price increases are now as follows:

  • Standard Internet 24-Hour Access – $30 (previously $26)
  • Premium Surfing and Streaming – $49 per day (previously $42)

These increases are 15% and 17%, respectively, and prices apply to just a single device.

Disney Cruise Line does not offer a discount for multiple devices for the same guest or traveling party. If guests can use just a one device at a time, they could log in and out on different devices with just one charge, but this would be cumbersome for multiple guests.

While these increases are just a few dollars a day, the costs can add up quickly when multiple guests in the same family want to connect their own devices to stay in touch on social media, play online games, check email, connect to digital meetings, or stream their favorite shows.

Prices Higher Than Other Cruise Lines

The internet costs aboard Disney ships are significantly higher than most other cruise lines.

Onboard Carnival cruise ships, for example, internet pricing ranges from $20-35 per device, per day depending on the speed of the service, which plan a guest chooses, and whether they purchase the package pre-cruise or after boarding.

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: MartinLueke)

Many cruise lines have varied pricing on different ships or itineraries, but general costs range from $19-40 per device, per day. Overall costs will vary based on speed, length of service, and number of devices.

Now that Disney Cruise Line has increased internet pricing, it is possible that other cruise lines will follow suit.

Is Internet Necessary on Disney Cruise Ships?

It should be noted that internet access or wi-fi plans are not necessary to connect to the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to stay updated about onboard events, restaurant menus, and other information.

Furthermore, it is entirely possible – even relaxing! – to take a Disney cruise without internet access, and many guests prefer to unplug during their oceangoing vacation.

Read Also: How Much Is a Disney Cruise? I Did All the Checking!

Completely disconnecting isn’t always possible for every traveler, however. For guests who just want to check email or touch base on social media, perhaps to keep up with family and friends at home, the basic “Stay Connected” internet package is sufficient and can be the best bargain.

This package permits access to popular social media sites, including Instagram and Facebook, as well as short-form videos like Snapchat and TikTok. It is suitable for basic internet browsing as well as making audio or video calls.

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For streaming favorite television shows or movies, however, the higher-priced streaming package is necessary for the additional bandwidth. This would permit smooth access to YouTube, Spotify, and other podcasts and video game services.

Guests should note, however, that there is an extensive library of Disney television shows and movies available on demand (and free!) in every stateroom. If that’s the “streaming” you want to do on a Disney cruise vacation, no internet package is necessary!

Holland America Passengers Caught Out After Tendering Took a Rough Turn

Melissa Mayntz
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Holland America Passengers Caught Out After Tendering Took a Rough Turn

Key Aspects:

  • A sudden squall disrupted Noordam‘s tender operations at Kiriwina Island on Wednesday, January 14.
  • Several hundred guests were temporarily stranded ashore and tenders were left bobbing in severe swells.
  • No injuries were reported and tendering resumed after the squall passed and it was safe to bring the small boats alongside.

Tendering can be a fun ride from ship to shore at ports without a cruise ship dock, but a sudden squall made the small boats much less fun for guests aboard Holland America Line’s Noordam on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The incident happened midway through the ship’s 42-night one-way Sydney to Auckland journey that departed Australia on December 21, 2025. The squall suddenly appeared at Kiriwina Island in Papua New Guinea, a tender port the ship was visiting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The weather had been calm enough for tendering operations to begin as planned, but the squall brought winds up to 40 knots (46 miles per hour) to the immediate area.

According to Paul and Carole Love To Travel, who were onboard Noordam at the time, chairs were flying across the ship’s deck and the tenders currently heading between the ship and the island were forced to wait out the vicious weather.

“As it was unsafe for the tenders to come alongside the ship, 700 passengers were stranded on the island and some passengers already in tenders were bobbing around for up to 90 minutes,” the couple described.

Video of the incident shows the small tender boats bobbing aggressively in the wind and rain, with the cloth over the boats’ entrances whipping about with the gusts. At times, the boats’ bows are splashing in and out of the aggressive swells.

The situation was certainly frightening and uncomfortable for guests who were on the tender boats, though no injuries were reported. There was some minor damage to the tenders, but nothing significant and the boats were in no way compromised.

Furthermore, the “stranded” passengers were only temporarily unable to leave the island, waiting for the squall to pass before tendering operations could resume. Some food and water were shuttled to the island in the meantime, for everyone to remain as comfortable as possible.

Onboard Noordam, the captain made several announcements to keep guests apprised of the situation and how operations were being handled.

Once the squall passed, all guests were brought back to the ship safely and without incident, and Noordam was able to complete her visit.

Are Tender Boats Safe?

While the dramatic video may make it seem as though the situation was dangerous, the small boats are equipped to handle such conditions and are engineered not to capsize or sink even if they take on water.

Because local communities cannot offer shuttle service to a ship as large as Noordam with her 1,916 guests, the ship’s own lifeboats are used as tenders in such remote destinations.

Each tender boat can hold at least 200 guests, but it is unclear whether or not they were fully loaded when the squall hit.

Holland America Tender Boat
Holland America Tender Boat (Photo Credit: EA Given)

Every tender is crewed by experienced seamen who can handle such rough conditions if necessary. All of the small boats are also equipped with life jackets and other emergency gear.

Read Also: Cruise Ship Tendering – Top Pro Tips

Naturally, such a rough time in the tenders would not be pleasant, and it’s possible that multiple guests experienced seasickness and other discomfort during the squall.

Several guests have reported that crew members did a fantastic job in such extraordinary circumstances.

“This really does show the skill and experience of the tender pilots to be able to ride this out and keep everyone safe if not comfortable,” one guest noted.

“The crew handled the situation very well,” another commented.

Noordam Continues Voyage

Despite the brief squall that made the visit to Kiriwina Island far more memorable than anticipated, Noordam was able to continue on her lengthy cruise.

The 82,500-gross-ton ship has already visited many outstanding ports in Australia after departing Sydney, including Burnie, Adelaide, Port Arthur, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

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Earlier in the sailing, the ship did skip the planned visit to Townsville due to Cyclone Koji.

Following several ports in Papua New Guinea, Noordam is visiting the Solomon Island, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and several ports in New Zealand before debarkation in Auckland on February 1.

Hopefully, the ship and all her tenders will have smooth sailing for the rest of her voyage!

P&O Reverses Its No-Compensation Decision After Britannia Guests Push Back

Lissa Poirot
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P&O Reverses Its No-Compensation Decision After Britannia Guests Push Back

Key Aspects:

  • P&O Cruises is offering a Future Cruise Credit to passengers that sailed Britannia on December 26, 2025.
  • The credit is worth 25 perfect of their cruise fare and valid for sailings through December 31, 2027.
  • The offer follows an earlier announcement that no compensation would be given.

The drama keeps unfolding for P&O Cruises’ Britannia passengers from the holiday December 26, 2025, sailing. A week after the sailing ended in Barbados on January 9, 2026, guests are finally getting a compensation notice.

Passengers have received notice from the cruise line offering a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) worth 25 percent of the cruise fare, a shift from P&O Cruises’ earlier stance that no refunds or compensation would be issued for the itinerary disruption that took place during the 14-night sailing.

P&O Cruises is offering the FCC as a “gesture of goodwill” in recognition of the issues experienced.

“Thank you for choosing to sail with us on Britannia in the Caribbean. We recognize, however, that your holiday was not the experience you were expecting, nor was it the one we would wish for you, or the standard we set for ourselves,” began the letter from P&O Cruises.

It continued, “The issues that affected your cruise fell short of our usual high standards, and for that we are very sorry.”

The company then awarded guests the FCC, available from January 20, 2026. Bookings must be made by December 31, 2026, and passengers must sail by December 31, 2027.

The cruise line also said it is determined to make the next experience everything guests could hope for.

The offer lands after frustrated passengers spent days posting and sharing earlier correspondence that pointed them toward travel insurance, rather than P&O Cruises, if they wanted reimbursement for missed ports.

P&O Britannia Cruise Ship
P&O Britannia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

In an onboard letter dated January 8, 2026, the cruise line apologized for itinerary changes due to a technical issue, but also told guests to keep the letter for their records if they planned to file an insurance claim and said no compensation would be provided.

The back and forth has fueled confusion and anger among passengers who argue the disruption stems from a mechanical issue and should have been better managed.

What Went Wrong on P&O Britannia?

Britannia sailed from Bridgetown, Barbados, on December 26 for a New Year’s Caribbean voyage with more than 3,600 passengers onboard.

Early calls included Grenada and Curaçao, but then the cruise began to unravel, beginning with passenger accounts of a power outage in Curaçao.

A December 31 call in Aruba was next scrapped due to high winds. Shortly after, guests were informed the ship would skip St. Lucia and head directly back to Barbados due to technical issues, cutting short plans that originally included two days in Castries.

The 143,000-gross-ton vessel arrived in Barbados on January 3 and remained there through the evening of January 5 for repairs, adding multiple days in port. At this time, passengers began to complain about onboard shortages, especially drinks, after the unexpected extra sea days and extended stays.

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Once Britannia was able to return to sea, the ship cancelled a planned call in Antigua and replaced it with Martinique on January 6 as the ship worked to resume its schedule.

For some guests, the problems didn’t end with the cruise on January 9. A winter storm in the UK disrupted the cruise line’s fly-cruise flights, delaying Britannia passengers trying to get home by roughly 24 hours.

In spite of the new FCC being offered, some guests are still not happy and are demanding a cash alternative, vowing never to sail with P&O Cruises again.

High Winds Disrupt Perfect Day Plans for Thousands on Two Royal Caribbean Ships

Catie Kovelman
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High Winds Disrupt Perfect Day Plans for Thousands on Two Royal Caribbean Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Neither Liberty of the Seas nor Radiance of the Seas made it to CocoCay on January 15.
  • The call to Royal Caribbean’s private destination had to be cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions.
  • Both Royal Caribbean ships spent the day at sea instead.

Thanks to some rough weather, thousands of disappointed Royal Caribbean guests never got to experience their “perfect day.”

Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas were supposed to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas on January 15, 2026, and both ships had to cancel due to unsafe weather conditions.

With room for 3,798 guests onboard Liberty of the Seas and 2,134 guests onboard Radiance of the Seas, Royal Caribbean could have nearly 6,000 upset passengers to contend with.

“The Radiance and the Liberty just cancelled Coco Cay for tomorrow. This is my second time in 4 months. I guess I’ll get there someday…,” one impacted guest shared on Reddit on January 14.

“For those wondering, they cancelled due to high winds/safety concerns,” another guest added to the post.

Royal Caribbean’s private destination was meant to be the final stop of the current sailings for both ships, which are operating identical 4-night Bahamas itineraries that embarked in Fort Lauderdale on January 12, 2026.

The only other port call was to Nassau, Bahamas, where both vessels stopped on January 13.

How Bad was the Wind?

Per weather forecasts, the Berry Islands – where the private destination is located – have been experiencing winds of up to 35 miles per hour throughout the day on January 15.

The winds started picking up the previous day, with guests from Utopia of the Seas who had visited CocoCay on January 14 taking note of the rocky conditions as they departed at approximately 5 p.m. local time.

Bad Weather at CocoCay
Bad Weather at CocoCay (Photo Credit: dnaveh)

“Was there on Utopia today. The wind definitely picked up a crazy amount at the end of the day when we were leaving,” one cruiser commented on the situation.

Read Also: Rough Seas on a Cruise Ship – How They Handle It

While cruise ships have no problem navigating strong winds at sea, docking is unfortunately a different story.

Once winds reach speeds of around 30 miles per hour, the risk of colliding with port infrastructure or another ship becomes too great, especially if there are stronger gusts.

Where Did the Ships Go Instead?

In this case, Royal Caribbean did not replace the skipped port call with another destination.

According to cruise ship tracking data, both of the vessels spent the day at sea instead. This was also confirmed by passenger accounts.

“View from our balcony on Radiance of the Seas. We have been at sea since Tuesday at 5:30pm because it was too rough to go to Coco Cay this morning,” one guest onboard Radiance of the Seas shared, along with a photo of the sunset.

“They canceled it because of the weather. So we just had another day at sea until we dock tomorrow,” a guest of Liberty of the Seas’ said in a separate update.

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At this time, it appears no compensation was provided to guests over the missed call, nor is Royal Caribbean required to provide any based on the cruise contract.

Both cruise ships are due back in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 16, for disembarkation. Hopefully, guests were able to make the most of the final day of their vacation, even if it wasn’t what they expected.

Dozens of Cruise Cabins Flooded After Pipe Bursts on MSC Ship

Catie Kovelman
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Dozens of Cruise Cabins Flooded After Pipe Bursts on MSC Ship

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Seaview experienced flooding after a pipe burst, impacting Deck 10.
  • The pipe, which is now fixed, was part of the ship’s built-in fire safety system.
  • Approximately 40 cruise cabins were affected by the flooding, with these guests temporarily displaced.

Some of the current guests onboard MSC Seaview had a water-filled Monday morning, and it wasn’t because they were hanging out on the pool deck.

According to local outlet Mix Vale, a pipe within the ship’s fire safety system burst at around 7:45 a.m. on the morning of January 12, 2026, leading to flooding on Deck 10.

Photos and videos shared by impacted passengers show flooding in the hallways and their staterooms, with water rising to their ankles in some places.

Approximately 40 cruise cabins were affected, many of which were serving as homes away from home for families with small children and elderly passengers for the duration of the 7-night South American voyage.

Read Also: How Do Cruise Ships Get Fresh Water?

At the time of the flooding, the 153,516-gross ton vessel was still early in the sailing, which embarked in Santos (Sao Paulo), Brazil, on January 10, 2026.

Passengers were supposed to be enjoying a sea day as the Seaside-class ship made her way from Buzios, Brazil, to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.

Crew Members Take Quick Action

Though a flooding incident is no one’s idea of a good time, the problem was at least identified and resolved quickly. Everything was said and done within a few hours.

Onboard engineers who are part of the ship’s technical team were able to locate the leak within the fire safety system and make the appropriate fix.

Cruise lines usually install advanced water sprinkler or mister systems throughout the ship because they are highly effective at knocking out fires, should a flame decide to spark.

“A leak was identified in a water pipe that is part of the ship’s fire safety system, resulting in water entering some guest cabins and a common area corridor,” MSC Cruises said in a statement.

“The problem was quickly resolved by our technical teams, and all affected areas underwent thorough cleaning. Guests were promptly assisted, and at no time was there any risk to their safety. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our guests,” the cruise line continued.

Once repairs were made, the affected areas were thoroughly cleaned and dried by the housekeeping team. Guests were then welcomed back to their cabins.

For good measure, an additional inspection of the pipes was also completed by the Port Authority of Alagoas when the 5,119-guest ship visited Maceio, Brazil, on January 14.

How Were Guests Impacted?

Aside from getting a rude wake-up call for passengers who were still asleep, guests were asked to vacate their staterooms until repairs were complete.

Most were sent to a bar on Deck 8 to wait for additional updates, but a few guests with special circumstances were assigned temporary cabins based on availability.

Passengers board MSC Seaview Cruise Ship
Passengers board MSC Seaview Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Alexandre Rotenberg)

During the hours-long waiting period, crew members offered guests drinks and water from the bar. Impacted passengers were also given $150 per cruise cabin as compensation for the inconvenience.

Additionally, they were told to report damage to items such as cell phones, suitcases, and clothing to guest services for potential reimbursement.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual onboard the rest of the ship. The incident was contained to Deck 10, and all other amenities, dining, and entertainment operated normally.

How Common is Cruise Ship Flooding?

Despite the best efforts of crew members, sometimes things simply go wrong. Cruise ships operate essentially non-stop, which can lead to wear and tear.

While not a staple of every voyage, flooding incidents do occur from time to time across the major cruise lines. This is not a situation that is unique to MSC Cruises.

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MSC Seaview is also not known to have a recurrent problem with flooding, but this event is reminiscent of an incident that occurred shortly after the vessel entered service in June of 2018.

On August 17, 2018, another pipe burst during a Mediterranean sailing that sent water flooding down a central stairwell leading into the atrium. This incident was also resolved quickly.

Harsh Weather Forces Cruise Ship to Remain an Extra Night in Port

Melissa Mayntz
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Harsh Weather Forces Cruise Ship to Remain an Extra Night in Port

Key Aspects:

  • Ambassador Group’s Ambition must remain in Lisbon, Portugal, longer than planned due to rough weather.
  • This has the knock-on effect of shortening the next port of call, an overnight visit to Funchal.
  • Ambition will still visit Funchal, but just for a day call instead of the anticipated overnight on the 23-night itinerary.

The 23-night “Enchanting Escapes and Iberian Charm” itinerary of Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition is off to a less-than-enchanting start as the ship is unable to escape the harsh weather impacting Lisbon.

High waves are expected on the route from Lisbon to Funchal, making it impossible for the ship to leave the capital of Portugal as planned.

“We are sorry to announce the forecasted weather for Ambition’s passage to Funchal is predicted to be severe with waves in excess of 5m [16 feet]. Ambition will now stay an extra night in Lisbon,” the cruise line explained when notifying guests.

Ambition was to have departed Lisbon at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 16. On Friday afternoon and late evening, forecast winds are roughly 25-30 miles per hour on the route to Funchal. On Saturday, winds may reach as high as 40 miles per hour.

This means the next port visit, originally planned as an overnight in Funchal from 8 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, through 11 p.m. on Monday, January 19, will now just be a day visit on Monday.

“Your comfort and safety is always our first priority, and so we have rescheduled our port calls so that we can avoid the worst of this weather,” Ambassador Cruise Line said.

Ambition left Tilbury, UK on Monday, January 12, 2026 for the 23-night itinerary, and Lisbon has been just the second port visit following Oporto, Portugal.

Fortunately, while the ship will be unable to enjoy the overnight visit to Funchal, the port is not completely cancelled.

Also on the extensive itinerary are amazing ports throughout the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Gibraltar before the ship returns to Tilbury on Wednesday, February 4.

Ambassador Passengers Understanding of Change

While the loss of the itinerary’s only overnight port visit will understandably be disappointing to guests, travelers are magnanimous about the decision and agree that safety should always be the paramount consideration.

Ambassador Ambition Cruise Ship
Ambassador Ambition Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)

“After experiencing the struggle to get back on a Tender New Year’s Eve to the Ambience in Funchal I can fully understand this decision,” one guest shared. “As frustrating it is I wouldn’t want to experience that again.”

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

Other travelers who have visited Funchal note that there is plenty at the port to fill a day’s visit, even if the overnight isn’t possible. The botanical garden with views overlooking the city and cruise port are especially popular and highly recommended.

Cruise Line Experienced With Changes

Ambassador Cruise Line (now Ambassador Group) is no stranger to unique weather-related itinerary changes for their ships, Ambition, Ambience, and Renaissance.

In September 2025, Ambition remained overnight in Stavanger, Norway, due to high winds and swells. This delay resulted in a port cancellation during the Norway itinerary.

On the very next sailing, the ship also adjusted its itinerary in Scotland due to poor weather that cancelled three consecutive port visits.

In November 2024, Ambition remained in port for the entirety of a short 3-night sailing when Storm Bert was pummeling the UK. The ship was unable to leave at all, but onboard operations remained intact for cruise guests to enjoy a unique “staycation” instead of their planned cruise.

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While it may seem that the cruise line is overly cautious about weather-related changes, it should be noted that Ambition is a smaller ship at just 48,123 gross tons. This can make the ship particularly susceptible to rough conditions, creating a less-than-pleasant experience for the roughly 1,300 guests onboard.

Instead, safety is always the top priority and the cruise line will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure guests are comfortable and secure, regardless of weather conditions.

Carnival Cruise Line Unlocks New Cruises From California

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Cruise Line Unlocks New Cruises From California

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line opened sales on Carnival Radiance’s Baja Mexico voyages.
  • The sailings in 2027 and 2028 will visit Ensenada and Catalina Island.
  • Most cruises are 3- and 4-day getaway sailings.

Calling all Baja Mexico and California coast enthusiasts! Carnival Cruise Line has opened for booking a slew of voyages operating from Long Beach in 2027 and 2028.

The 2,764-guest Carnival Radiance, based year-round at the Southern California port, will sail a series of short cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Starting with departures on May 3, 2027 through April 28, 2028, the ship will offer 3-day getaways with one port call to Ensenada and 4-day cruises calling at both destinations.

“We value our long-standing partnerships in Catalina Island and Ensenada, and appreciate the continued collaboration with these communities,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

“We look forward to continuing to bring our guests to these treasured ports of call,” Duffy added.

Catalina Island, just 22 miles off the coast of California, is a rising star in West Coast cruising. The destination offers restaurants and bars, and a wide range of water-based and cultural activities.

Read Also: Ensenada Cruise Port – Terminals, Getting Around, and What’s Nearby

The island is home to just one city, Avalon, and a small village called Two Harbors. Carnival Cruise Line, in fact, recently signed a 15-year pact with Avalon, securing anchorage agreements.

Ensenada Bay Village Render
Ensenada Bay Village Render (Credit: ITM Group)

Ensenada is equally charming, with plenty of eateries and souvenir shops along the waterfront and nearby attractions such as La Bufadora, a huge marine geyser, and the Valle de Guadalupe — Mexico’s premier wine region.

Moreover, it is possible that Carnival Corporation’s planned Ensenada Bay Village, a shoreside destination, could be open by the start of 2028, adding another experience for guests sailing on Carnival Cruise Line and her sister brands.

Special Voyages Include Christmas Sailing in 2027

Along with its short sailings from Long Beach to Baja, Carnival Radiance will offer a unique 4-day cruise featuring back-to-back visits to Ensenada on January 3, 2028, and a 5-day Christmas cruise departing on December 23, 2027. That voyage will call at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

Carnival Radiance was formerly known as Carnival Victory, constructed as the last of the line’s Destiny class. The ship launched in 2000, then underwent a $200 million renovation in 2021 that transformed it into a Sunshine-class ship.

It was renamed Carnival Radiance following the upgrade. The ship is one of three vessels operating from Long Beach in 2026. In addition to Carnival Radiance, the line offers cruises on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Panorama to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. The two ships sail longer voyages, from 4 to 6 days.

In 2027 and 2028, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Legend will join Carnival Radiance in sailing the region.

While none of the itineraries specifically show Ensenada Bay Village as a port call — since opening day has not been set — it is likely that if the destination is completed by the start of 2028, all of Carnival Cruise Line’s ships sailing to Baja are likely to visit.

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Ensenada Bay Village represents a $26 million investment by the cruise line and will feature recreation and relaxation areas such as wellness spaces, hot springs, family activities, and an adult-only pool.

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy announced the planned construction of the village in December 2025, as she visited the destination onboard Carnival Panorama.

Disney’s Biggest Ship Yet Makes a Florida Debut With a Long Journey Ahead

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney’s Biggest Ship Yet Makes a Florida Debut With a Long Journey Ahead

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Adventure has arrived at Port Canaveral for a brief stop before she continues on to Singapore.
  • There are no sailings offered from Florida, but the ship will be taking on supplies and cast members.
  • The ship is the largest ever built for Disney Cruise Line and will remain homeported in Asia for at least five years.

It’s exactly seven weeks before the adventure begins in Singapore with Disney Cruise Line’s biggest ever ship, but the 208,100-gross-ton Disney Adventure is already on the move with an appearance in the Sunshine State before she continues on her way to her Asian homeport.

The highly anticipated ship arrived in Port Canaveral at roughly 7 a.m. Thursday morning, January 15, and she will spend just under two weeks in Florida before departing to continue her journey to Singapore.

Captains Mickey and Minnie Mouse were on hand for the welcome, along with cast members and cruise ship fans.

“The Disney Adventure has arrived at Port Canaveral, Florida and we are one step closer to the magical Maiden Voyage on 10 March!” Disney Cruise Line posted on Facebook.

While in Florida, she will undoubtedly be taking on supplies and cast members, but there are no media sailings or previews available.

Disney Adventure Arriving at Port Canaveral
Disney Adventure Arriving at Port Canaveral

Instead, the ship will head on her way on Tuesday, January 27, continuing her journey toward Singapore while Disney Cruise Line fans eagerly watch her progress and await her inaugural sailing.

“The ship will continue to sail through the Panama Canal, making a stop in Los Angeles before voyaging across the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo and concluding her journey to its homeport in Singapore,” the cruise line said. “Our Captains can’t wait to sail with you soon!”

Why the Strange Route?

It’s curious that Disney Adventure has sailed from Germany to the US and will move through the Panama Canal to Japan before finally arriving in Singapore.

Overall, that route is approximately 19,500 miles, an astonishing distance for the ship to travel without guests aboard.

In contrast, if Disney Adventure had moved through the Mediterranean, passed through the Suez Canal, and sailed through the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to reach Singapore, the route would have been just 10,100 miles.

Dangerous waters and pirate activity makes the Red Sea an unsafe route, however, and many cruise lines have altered itineraries to avoid the region. In that case, if Disney Adventure were to circle around the coast of Africa instead, her route from Germany to Singapore would have been roughly 14,300 miles.

So why would the ship go on the longest possible route to Singapore? With Port Canaveral as the premier homeport and Disney Cruise Line headquartered in central Florida, it makes sense that the ship would call there.

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This is an opportunity for cast members who have been training in Florida to more easily board the ship, as well as for branded merchandise and other supplies to be loaded aboard. Additional cast members and supplies will undoubtedly come aboard the new ship in Los Angeles as well.

This circuitous route is also an opportunity for more visibility for the new ship, as she attracts attention and interest around the globe from eager cruisers and Disney Cruise Line fans alike.

An Epic Adventure to Bring the Ship to Life

The Global-class ship was delivered to Disney Cruise Line in mid-December at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, following the end of her construction and her successful sea trials and final outfitting.

The adventure of the ship’s construction has been a lengthy one, as she was originally ordered in 2018 by the now-defunct Dream Cruises. When the parent company, Genting Hong Kong, went bankrupt in 2022, the partially-completed hull was sold to Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Adventure in Bremerhaven
Disney Adventure in Bremerhaven (Photo Credit: Eckardt)

At that time, the ship was renamed Disney Adventure and contracted to be refit to Disney Cruise Line’s standards by Meyer Werft, the same company that has built 5 of the cruise line’s active ships, including the Wish-class ships.

Now, after a delay of several months that cancelled more than 20 sailings, Disney Adventure is nearly ready to welcome her first guests.

She can welcome 6,000 guests per sailing, and she offers unique and outstanding experiences onboard, including Asian-inspired venues and dining options sure to appeal in the Singapore market.

Disney Adventure also includes innovative new spaces, such as the richly themed Disney Imagination Garden that features a three-deck-high castle, the first representation of an iconic castle on any Disney cruise ship.

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Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Marvel Landing, and other spaces will also be found onboard, along with unique dining and touches from a wide range of classic Disney film favorites, including “Moana,” “Tangled,” “Frozen,” “Cinderella,” “Finding Nemo,” “Luca,” and much more.

Disney Adventure will offer 3- and 4-night sailings to nowhere from the Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore for at least five years before she may redeploy to bring her adventures elsewhere around the globe.

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