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The Fun Squad Star Passengers Love Just Got a Major Carnival Promotion

Carnival Cruise News

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Jul 17, 2026

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The Fun Squad Star Passengers Love Just Got a Major Carnival Promotion

Key Aspects:

Sara Taskoski, a beloved member of Carnival’s Fun Squad, has just been promoted to cruise director.
Taskoski has been working her way up in the cruise company for the past 4.5 years.
She is currently leading the fun onboard Carnival Firenze and will be assigned to Carnival Freedom later this year.

Years of hard work are paying off for Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise director.

After 4.5 years of working her way up the ranks of the Fun Squad, Cruise Hive learned that Sara Taskoski has officially been promoted to cruise director.

“Look Mom, I got my stripes!! Happy to say I am fully promoted to CRUISE DIRECTOR,” Taskoski announced in a social media post.

“Starting with Carnival 4 1/2 years ago I never would’ve thought I would have the strength or confidence to achieve this role. Thank you to all my mentors who pushed me to be the leader I am today,” Taskoski added.

Per her LinkedIn, Carnival originally hired Taskoski as an activity host in 2021. In this role, she would have been hosting events like bingo and trivia and leading deck parties.

She spent her early career working on ships like Carnival Horizon, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Vista.

In August of 2025, she was promoted to acting cruise director, which is a temporary assignment to cover for fully fledged cruise directors who become unavailable.

This role comes with great responsibility. In addition to hosting, she would also be managing the ship’s entire entertainment and activities schedule.

Prior to becoming an official cruise director, she filled the role onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Vista, Carnival Sunshine, and Carnival Firenze.

Over the years, Taskoski has begun to develop a following who love her high-energy hosting style and warm and welcoming personality. Between her years of experience and approachable demeanor, things should keep looking up for Taskoski.

How to Sail With Carnival’s Newest Cruise Director

Already a fan favorite within the cruise community, many passengers will surely be eager to set sail with Taskoski.

Taskoski’s promotion was announced shortly after she began her current contract onboard Carnival Firenze, where she is scheduled to lead the fun from June 29, 2026, until August 28, 2026.

Currently, the 135,156-gross ton vessel is operating 3- and 4-night sailings to Mexico out of Long Beach, California.

After a couple months off, Taskoski will return to ship life onboard the 110,000-gross ton Carnival Freedom, which will be her home for the holidays.

“P.S. Carnival Freedom I’ll see ya in November,” the new cruise director concluded her post.

Her contract is scheduled for November 2, 2026, until March 4, 2027. During this time, the 2,980-guest ship will be cruising to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Any assignments for Taskoski after this point have not yet been publicly revealed, but the cruise personality keeps her followers updated through social media.

Carnival also frequently updates its cruise director schedule with necessary adjustments and new assignments, so guests can always keep an eye out for their favorites.

Cruise Ship Breaks Its Moorings in Maine, Plus Four Rescued From a Sailboat

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 17, 2026

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Cruise Ship Breaks Its Moorings in Maine, Plus Four Rescued From a Sailboat

Key Aspects:

American Cruise Lines’ American Independence broke free from its moorings during a visit to Rockland, Maine, due to strong winds.
The ship drifted in the windstorm and collided with the pier at Safe Harbor.
Four passengers from another smaller vessel fell into the water and were rescued.

Four cruise passengers from a local sailboat took an unexpected dip in Rockland’s Penobscot Bay, and during the same weather conditions, a cruise ship broke away from its moorings.

American Cruise Lines’ American Independence was docked in Rockland, Maine, on July 16, 2026, as part of an 8-night “Maine Coast and Harbors” cruise.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, an intense windstorm with winds of 50 knots suddenly struck. The winds caused the 3,000-gross ton vessel to break away from its moorings. The cruise line has confirmed the vessel did sustain damage. While four passengers from another smaller sailboat fell into the water.

Rockland Fire Chief Christopher Whytock confirmed that all four guests were successfully rescued, with no injuries reported.

Squall Leads to Cruise Ship Collision

Cruise Hive also learned that the 90-passenger ship damaged pilings when it broke away from the floats at Rockland’s public landing.

For context, pilings are a key part of port infrastructure that provide foundational support for piers, wharves, and docks while also serving as bumpers and mooring points to safely guide and secure visiting ships.

The American Independence vessel, which is 226 feet long, then drifted until it bounced off the dock at Safe Harbor, damaging the end of the dock.

Rockland Harbormaster Molly Eddy told Midcoast Villager that the damage was extensive, but it could have been worse. Eddy said that two floats will have to be replaced and that one piling and one dolphin (group of pilings) were damaged.

It’s unclear how long the repairs and related assessments may take, and what that will mean for future ship calls.

As an example, when MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia accidentally damaged the mooring dolphin structure in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the impacted pier remained closed for months.

In addition to American Independence, Rockland is frequented by other ships from American Cruise Lines, including American Legend, American Pioneer, and American Maverick.

The more mainstream cruise brands, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and more, visit Bar Harbor and Portland when sailing to Maine.

As of 11 p.m. EST on July 16, cruise tracking data shows that American Independence remains docked in Rockland.

More Cruise Ships Break Free

American Independence is a smaller vessel, but even larger cruise ships are not exempt from breaking free from their moorings.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic broke free from its moorings in May of 2025 while docked in Catania, Italy.

Two guests, who were using the gangway when the lines snapped with a “loud bang,” went tumbling into the ocean. Both were rescued and subsequently taken to the local hospital via ambulance.

Also in May of 2025, MSC Seascape’s mooring lines broke due to stormy weather during a visit to MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.

The gangway splashed into the water below, but thankfully no guests were using it at the time. Passengers who had gone ashore were left waiting in the rain behind a barricade on the pier as the MSC ship was secured.

But while cruise ship moorings can break when under extreme stress, this isn’t exactly a common occurrence.

These moorings are designed to be extremely tough, with the expectation that they will have to withstand strong currents, inclement weather, and to keep extremely heavy vessels safely tethered to the pier.

Same Alaska Cruise Ship Hit By a Third Outbreak in 2026

Cruise News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 16, 2026

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Same Alaska Cruise Ship Hit By a Third Outbreak in 2026

Key Aspects:

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak was confirmed aboard National Geographic Sea Bird on July 12.
18 of the 62 onboard passengers were affected with symptoms including vomiting and abdominal pain, although the cause is unknown.
This is the third outbreak for National Geographic Sea Bird in 2026.

Another outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was confirmed aboard National Geographic Sea Bird during its five-day, one-way Alaska cruise. Passengers first reported symptoms on July 12, with the predominant symptoms reported being vomiting and abdominal pain.

According to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18 of the 62 passengers onboard were affected, accounting for 29% of total passengers. No crew members reported any symptoms.

The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which monitors and tracks outbreaks on ships visiting US ports.

Although the underlying cause of this outbreak is unknown, the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness, particularly on cruise ships, is norovirus, a highly contagious virus that can spread through physical contact between people as well as through food and touched surfaces.

Symptoms of norovirus typically spring up 12 to 48 hours after exposure and include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.

When the outbreak began, Lindblad Expeditions, which operates National Geographic Cruises, sprang into action, implementing increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and isolating affected passengers.

Onboard medical professionals also collected stool samples from ill guests for testing and consulted with VSP to optimize their cleaning and sanitation procedures. The CDC continues to monitor the situation remotely and is reviewing the ship’s outbreak response procedures.

CDC Sign — Photo Credit: bear_productions / Shutterstock.com

The voyage, which departed from Sitka in Alaska on July 10, hit some of the most popular spots in the region, stopping at Baranof Island on July 11, followed by Icy Strait Point and Inian Islands on July 12, then moved on to Haines on July 13, and Tracy Arm Fjord on July 14, before arriving in Juneau on July 15.

The 630 gross ton cruise ship has since departed Juneau on another five-day, one-way Alaska sailing, stopping in Glacier Bay, Summer Strait, Wrangell, and Misty Fjords, before arriving in Ketchikan on July 20, 2026. No outbreak has been reported on the current sailing.

Sea Bird’s Rough Final Season

This news comes just weeks after Cruise Hive reported on two separate norovirus outbreaks aboard National Geographic Sea Bird in May and June 2026. Those outbreaks prompted an expanded response from the Vessel Sanitation Program, which even sent investigators onboard the ship to physically assess the situation.

Despite the increased pressure from these investigations, and passing an October 2025 VSP Cruise Ship Inspection with a score of 96, where a score of 86 is considered satisfactory, it seems that the ship has been hit with a stroke of bad luck when it comes to illness outbreaks.

Of the eight illness outbreaks aboard cruise ships in 2026 so far, National Geographic Sea Bird accounts for three of them, an unfortunate 37.5% of all 2026 cruise ship outbreaks.

The ship, originally built in 1982 as Majestic Explorer, operated by Lindblad Expeditions as Sea Bird since 1988 and partnered with National Geographic since 2007, is sailing into her final season. After over four decades of sailing, she is set to retire in 2027.

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Major Upgrades On Two Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 16, 2026

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Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Major Upgrades On Two Ships

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled new looks at a few redesigned spaces aboard Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem.
The ships now feature an upgraded spa, adults-only Vibe Beach Club, and Starbucks Coffee.
Norwegian Jade sails Alaska itineraries through the end of Summer 2026, while Norwegian Gem offers Mediterranean cruises through November 2026.

Norwegian Cruise Line just unveiled new looks at some reimagined spaces aboard two of their ships: the 93,558 gross ton Norwegian Jade and the 93,530 gross ton Norwegian Gem.

The sister Jewel-Class ships emerged from extensive three-week dry docks in May with major upgrades and some fan-favorite spaces added.

In addition to a general sprucing up of the decade-old ships, with Norwegian Jade having launched in 2006 and Norwegian Gem in 2007, the sisters now feature upgraded spa experiences, the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club, and Starbucks.

For travelers who like a relaxing and reinvigorating cruise experience, the Mandara Spa and Salon is now upgraded and expanded on both ships. The Thermal Suite now features three times as many hot tile loungers, upgraded steam rooms and saunas, an updated reception area, and a whole new, more centralized layout.

Additionally, the spa now features a charcoal sauna utilizing a radiant heat system with a charcoal outer layer, an ice room, salt room, IV lounge, and new Four-Senses Loungers, promising an unmatched sensory experience for deep relaxation.

On Norwegian Jade, spa guests can also now experience brand new experiential showers, with multiple water jets and lighting effects, as well as a plunge pool for cold water immersion. Meanwhile on Norwegian Gem, guests can enjoy an updated hot tub and Thalassotherapy pool, with massage jets, bubble loungers, and countercurrents.

Both ships now also feature the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club. Historically only available on select, newer ships, Norwegian Cruise Line has been making an effort recently to add the popular spot to more of its older fleet. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl both saw the club added last year.

Now, with the addition of Jade and Gem, the club is officially available on all Jewel-Class ships.

Vibe replaces the previous sundeck on Deck 14, now offering wide ocean views, a private full-service bar, a hot tub, 50 premium lounge chairs, and seven brand new private cabanas to guests over the age of 18.

If you need a pick-me-up after all the relaxing, both ships now also feature a fully licensed Starbucks store onboard. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple black coffee, or a Venti Double-Blended Caramel Crunch Frappuccino with oat milk, you can now get your fix onboard, and even pay with the Starbucks app.

“Listening to our guests and delivering exceptional experiences across our fleet is at the heart of what we do,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“These recent transformations bring some of our most beloved amenities to Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem, creating greater consistency across our fleet while giving guests more ways to personalize their vacation.”

These updated and reimagined spaces demonstrate that Norwegian Cruise Line is not about to let its older ships become obsolete, opting instead to keep them fresh and exciting.

Where Can You Experience The Upgrades?

Norwegian Jade is currently offering seven-day Alaska and British Columbia itineraries through summer 2026. These itineraries feature stops in popular Alaska destinations such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. In mid-September 2026, she will reposition to Yokohama to offer Eastern Asian itineraries until next Summer.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Gem offers a variety of Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries through mid-November 2026, when she will reposition to Florida for her 2026-2027 Caribbean season.

So, whether you’re in the mood for glaciers, pasta, or sunny beach vibes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check out the upgrades on these Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.

Carnival Clears Up Confusion Over Room Service Breakfast

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 16, 2026

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Carnival Clears Up Confusion Over Room Service Breakfast

Key Aspects:

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald has made it clear that room service breakfasts aren’t going anywhere.
Instead of placing orders via paper door hangers, guests must call room service to place their orders for the following day.
The continental breakfast service is complimentary and available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Carnival ships in the US.

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald took to his public Facebook page to set the record straight when it comes to ordering breakfast.

Heald shared an interesting exchange with a guest, named Louise, who was upset because she thought she was no longer able to pre-order breakfast to her stateroom.

The passenger was expecting to find a breakfast door hanger in her cabin that she could fill out with her order and leave on her door for the room stewards to collect. When this item was missing, she incorrectly assumed breakfast service was a thing of the past.

However, this is simply not true. At least for guests cruising in the US, breakfast room service is still available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and is complimentary.

“Louise mentioned that she missed the breakfast order door hangers which had to be placed outside of the cabin door the night before. I answered with what system had replaced that and she replied that she had no idea this was possible,” Heald posted.

“Room service breakfast is complementary between 6 AM and 10 AM. My apologies, but this does not include the ships from Australia,” the brand ambassador continued.

The same continental breakfast menu is fully available, including items like fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt, cereals, and beverages like juice, hot tea, hot chocolate, and coffee. The only thing that has changed is how guests place their order.

Ordering Breakfast on Carnival Cruise Ships

Instead of using the old-fashioned paper hanger method, cruise passengers will need to call the room service team from their stateroom phones to place their orders.

“You can call 8000 the night before order and set your time for it to be delivered. Just tell the lovely room service operator what you wish to be served from the breakfast room service menu and the time you wish it to be delivered the following morning,” Heald explained.

It only takes a couple of minutes to make the phone call, and then guests can get right back to their cruise vacations.

Carnival Cruise Door Signs (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Ultimately, this system is much more efficient because crew members don’t need to spend time printing, delivering, and collecting door hangers every day. With the old system, there was also always a risk that an order could be missed by accident.

Additionally, making phone calls is more sustainable and cost efficient than relying on the paper.

As an example, Louise was sailing onboard Carnival Legend, which has 1,062 guest staterooms. This means 1,062 paper door hangers would need to be distributed on embarkation day, with hundreds to thousands of replacements handed out throughout each cruise.

Alternate Carnival Breakfast Options

Eating breakfast in bed or on your private balcony is an experience that many cruisers love, but it’s not for everyone.

Guests who would rather be out and about can enjoy breakfast and brunch in the main dining rooms and the Lido Marketplace Buffet, which has everything from grab-and-go options to made-to-order omelet stations.

Additionally, specialty spots like BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que (select ships only), and Emeril’s Bistros (select ships only) serve themed breakfast items.

Enhancing the breakfast experience is also something that Carnival cares deeply about. In 2025, Cruise Hive reported that a new Bagels @ Sea menu was tested onboard Carnival Panorama.

Also in 2025, Carnival introduced a “coffees to go” mobile ordering feature on the Hub App, that lets guests get their morning caffeine fix with a lot less waiting.

Cruise Passenger Dies On Deck During Mediterranean Sailing

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 15, 2026

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Cruise Passenger Dies On Deck During Mediterranean Sailing

Key Aspects:

A British cruise guest was found unconscious on the deck of his cruise ship while sailing near Crete, Greece.
Despite medical intervention, the passenger was declared dead at a hospital in Chania.
Chania Port Authorities are investigating the sudden death, though no foul play is suspected.

A cruise vacation has come to a tragic end for a British passenger, who died on the morning of Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

According to The Mirror, the 79-year-old man was found unresponsive on the deck of his cruise ship while the unidentified vessel was sailing off the coast of the Greek island of Crete. Crew members immediately began resuscitation efforts.

At the time of the incident, the unidentified cruise ship was operating a Mediterranean itinerary. The vessel diverted to dock in Crete, where first responders met the vessel to rush the guest to a hospital in Chania.

It’s unclear which specific port the ship briefly docked at. Souda Port in Chania seems more likely given the hospital the passenger was sent to, but Heraklion is the busier port and the capital city.

Unfortunately, the passenger was declared dead by doctors soon after arriving at the hospital.

The guest’s name and the ship he was sailing on have not been released publicly at this time to protect his privacy and the privacy of his loved ones, though it’s unclear if he had any travel companions.

Per cruise tracking data, several cruise ships are operating in the vicinity of the Greek Isles, including MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia, Norwegian Viva, Costa Fascinosa, Sun Princess, Celebrity Xcel, and more.

Authorities Begin Cruise Death Investigation

Though the death is not considered suspicious, the Chania Port Authority has begun a preliminary investigation into the passenger’s death and has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause.

It is standard for authorities to investigate deaths that occur at sea, though the exact agencies involved depend on factors like the ship’s location, registration, and whether foul play is suspected.

Chania, Greece (Photo Credit: Mayumi.K.Photography)

Typically, the cruise ship’s onboard security team also conducts its own internal investigation and incident report.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the UK told The Daily Mail that “we are supporting the family of a British man who died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”

This is still a developing situation, and Cruise Hive will issue an update if more information becomes available.

A Second Death in Greece

In a tragic coincidence, this is the second time a British cruise guest has died in Greece. The previous death occurred just over one year earlier, on July 2, 2025.

Cruise Hive reported that a 67-year-old man was pronounced dead while his cruise ship was docked at the Greek Island of Corfu.

In line with the standard protocol, an investigation was conducted by the Corfu Central Port Authority and the body was transferred to a local hospital for an autopsy.

While cruise ship deaths are far from common, they are an unfortunate inevitability with millions of people from all walks of life booking cruise vacations every year.

The cruise lines prepare for this reality with onboard morgues and by training members of its guest care team to properly support the travel companions of the deceased.

Carnival Ship Cancelled Port Due to a Technical Issue and Local Regulations

Carnival Cruise News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 15, 2026

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Carnival Ship Cancelled Port Due to a Technical Issue and Local Regulations

Key Aspects:

Carnival Adventure’s visit to Mystery Island on July 11, 2026 was cancelled due to a delay.
The delay was caused by a technical issue closing the ship’s pontoon door before departing from Port Vila.
Guests were compensated with onboard credit, and all shore excursions on Mystery Island were refunded.

Guests aboard Carnival Adventure received a disappointing update on July 11, 2026.

The 9-night Vanuatu and New Caledonia cruise that departed from Sydney, Australia on July 6 got through the first leg of its journey without issue. However, Cruise Hive has learned that, due to a technical issue closing the ship’s pontoon door, the 2,636-passenger vessel’s departure from Port Vila on July 10 was delayed.

As a result, the scheduled visit to Mystery Island in Vanuatu the following day was cancelled. The uninhabited island destination was subsequently replaced by an additional sea day.

Guests were notified by a ship-wide announcement the night before the visit on July 10, as well as by letter the following morning.

“As shared in my announcement last night, I’m sorry to advise that we will be unable to visit Mystery Island today and will instead spend the day at sea,” Captain Francesco Bencivenga wrote in the letter. “We sincerely apologise for this disappointment and any inconvenience caused.”

The rest of Carnival Adventure’s sailing was unaffected, stopping in Noumea, New Caledonia on July 12 before returning to Sydney on July 15.

Carnival Adventure Cruise Ship Docked in Sydney (Photo Credit: Elias Bitar)

Affected guests were compensated for the loss with AU$100 of onboard credit per stateroom. Guests who had booked prepaid shore excursions on Mystery Island were also refunded to their Sail and Sign accounts.

The 108,865 gross ton vessel, formerly known as Pacific Adventure sailing under P&O Australia, has since departed on a 4-day, round-trip sailing from Sydney, with a single stop at Moreton Island.

Why Was The Visit Cancelled Instead of Delayed?

The issue was not just the delay in departing Port Vila. The timing very well could have allowed the ship to dock at Mystery Island later than planned, with a shortened stop. However, Vanuatu biosecurity regulations meant that the ship was unable to legally dock at the island after sunset.

“Vanuatu’s biosecurity regulation states that vessels are unable to travel to another island within Vanuatu after dark because of the potential risk of transporting a beetle that can damage coconut trees,” the letter to guests reads.

“We appreciate your understanding of the importance of these measures in protecting the local environment and economy.”

The beetle in question is likely the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, an invasive species first detected on the island of Efate in Vanuatu in 2019. In recent years, the beetle has since spread to several of Vanuatu’s outlying islands. The beetle burrows into the crown of coconut palm trees, severely weakening the structure and leaving them vulnerable to damage and disease.

This rich ecological landscape in Vanuatu is isolated and fragile, and invasive species such as the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle have the potential to decimate it.

Vanuatu took a major blow to its environment and economy after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the region in December 2024, putting a halt on cruise tourism for months.

Carnival Adventure was the first ship to dock in Vanuatu following the earthquake in August of last year. Carnival Cruise Line maintains a very good working relationship with the island nation, and clearly has no interest in souring that relationship by ignoring regulations.

While the loss of Mystery Island surely came as a blow to cruise guests, Carnival and other cruise lines’ cooperation with the Republic of Vanuatu’s biosecurity regulations helps to keep the islands beautiful and healthy for visitors for years to come.

Popular Cruise Destination Pushes Back on Updated US Travel Advisory

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 15, 2026

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Popular Cruise Destination Pushes Back on Updated US Travel Advisory

Key Aspects:

Turks and Caicos issued an official response to the updated US travel advisory for the Caribbean destination.
Officials reaffirmed the destination’s commitment to safety and highlighted the nation’s progress in lowering crime rates.
The US government classifies the severity of the risk as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

The US Department of State updated the travel advisory for Turks and Caicos, and local officials have something to say about it.

Cruise Hive reported that the language of the advisory was updated on July 7, 2026, but the severity of the warning did not change. Turks and Caicos continues to be listed as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

In response to the update, key officials from the Caribbean island nation, including the Acting Governor, the Premier, and Minister of Tourism, gathered on Sunday, July 12, to discuss the advisory.

While the local powers respect the right of its international partners to provide travel information to their citizens, the government wanted to publicly clarify that the safety of its citizens and cruise guests are its top priority.

This is the second year in a row that the British Overseas Territory has responded to an updated travel advisory to reaffirm its commitment to safety.

“The safety and security of our residents and visitors remains one of this Government’s highest priorities,” Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, OBE, JP said in a statement, which was shared on social media.

“We take all matters relating to public safety seriously and continue to invest significantly in strengthening law enforcement, border security, intelligence-led policing and crime prevention initiatives across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Misick continued.

The Premier also cited recent statistics from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force that indicated serious crime rates have decreased significantly in the first half of 2026 compared to the same time period in 2025. For example, murder rates dropped by 40%.

Cruisers Should Take Reasonable Precautions

For context, crime is one of the risks listed on the updated advisory. Cruise guests are more likely to be victims of petty crime or crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing or purse snatching) than serious or violent offenses.

In order to mitigate risk, the US government is encouraging visitors to use caution when walking or driving (especially at night) and not to resist in the event a robbery does occur.

Cruise Passengers on the Pier in Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Ajith Achuthann)

Minister of Tourism Hon. Zhavargo Jolly agreed that guests should exercise caution while exploring the cruise port, but that this should always be the case regardless of the destination they are visiting.

“We encourage all visitors, as they would anywhere in the world, to exercise sensible precautions, remain aware of their surroundings and familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations before travelling,” Jolly advised.

He also echoed Misick in asserting that Turks and Caicos would do its part by continuing to monitor and strengthen public safety initiatives.

Cruises Keep Sailing to Turks And Caicos

It’s worth noting that the cruise lines will not continue sailing to destinations if they believe doing so will put their passengers and crew members at risk.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean has cancelled all of its visits to Labadee, Haiti, through June of next year due to ongoing unrest and related safety concerns.

Meanwhile, cruise tourism is actually on the rise in Turks and Caicos. The Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed more than one million passengers in 2025 and is on track to do it again in 2026.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands remains one of the world’s premier luxury tourism destinations, recognised for its exceptional hospitality, outstanding natural beauty and unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike,” Jolly added.

Per the port schedule, Grand Turk is expecting a total of 350 to 400 calls for the entire year.

Major cruise lines will be calling in the months that remain, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Royal Caribbean, and more.

Royal Caribbean Confirms Labadee Cancellations Extended Through June 2027

Royal Caribbean News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 15, 2026

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Royal Caribbean Confirms Labadee Cancellations Extended Through June 2027

Key Aspects:

Royal Caribbean will continue to avoid Labadee, Haiti, through June 2027 due to ongoing safety concerns.
62 port calls were scheduled for the first half of next year, including from the newest Icon-class ships.
Labadee is being replaced with other destinations throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean will continue to steer clear of its private destination at Labadee, Haiti, through at least the first half of 2027.

In January, the cruise line made the decision to cancel all Labadee visits for the remainder of 2026 due to ongoing unrest in Haiti. This lengthy hiatus is now being extended until June of 2027.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the decision in a statement that was sent to Cruise Hive:

“As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind. We have communicated these changes directly with guests.”

All sailings to Labadee before July of 2027 have already been removed from Royal Caribbean’s website, but the cruise line originally had 62 ship calls scheduled for the first half of next year.

Some of the most exciting ships in the fleet were on the original schedule, including the newest additions to the Icon-class, Legend of the Seas (2026) and Star of the Seas (2025).

Familiar favorites were also slated to visit the exclusive destination, including Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas.

Guests Notified of Itinerary Changes

As of July 14, 2026, the thousands of impacted passengers were being notified of changes to their itineraries.

Labadee is being replaced with new destinations whenever possible, but these swaps depend on the ship, sailing dates, overall port availability, and the impact to the rest of the originally scheduled itineraries.

Based on letters circulating on social media, replacements have included Nassau, Bahamas; Puerto Plata and Samana in the Dominican Republic; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

For example, one letter to guests booked on Star of the Seas’ May 2, 2027, sailing received the following letter:

“As you prepare for your vacation, we wanted to share an update to your May 2, 2027, itinerary. We’ve reviewed our sailing plans and made an adjustment to the ports of call we will visit. Instead of visiting Labadee, we’ll now enjoy a day in Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

Notably, the 5,610-guest Legend of the Seas will be dropping several of its visits to Falmouth, Jamaica, in addition to Labadee. While not confirmed by the cruise line, this is likely a casualty of swapping out the temporarily off-limits resort.

In a letter to passengers booked on Legend of the Seas’ March 28, 2027 sailing, Royal Caribbean wrote the following:

“Instead of visiting Labadee, we’ll now enjoy a day in Samana Port, Dominican Republic…Additionally, we’ll now visit Ponce, Puerto Rico from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM instead of Falmouth, Jamaica.”

Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in Labadee (Photo Credit: BrianPIrwin)

The recently debuted vessel also saw both ports dropped from its February 14, 2027, voyage, with the destinations replaced by Costa Maya and Cozumel.

All Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Labadee (and Falmouth when applicable) will be automatically cancelled and refunded without guests needing to lift a finger.

The letters conclude with the cruise line apologizing for the inconvenience and reaffirming that safety is the brand’s top priority.

Is Labadee Dangerous?

Royal Caribbean started cancelling visits to Labadee following severe civil unrest and gang activity that caused a widespread government collapse in 2024, though the political, economic, and social crisis really began to escalate in 2018.

Relatedly, the US Department of State has Haiti listed as a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited access to health care.

The majority of the unrest is concentrated around Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, which is around 134 miles away from Labadee. Given the less-than-ideal road conditions, it would take over six hours to make the trek from Port-au-Prince to the private resort.

Between the distance, protective fencing, and a private security detail that guards the 260-acre resort, Labadee is likely safer than the rest of the country. But either way, Royal Caribbean isn’t taking any chances.