Life at Sea Cruises has officially cancelled its ambitious three-year cruise, disappointing passengers who had booked the voyage. The cancellation comes after a series of delays and logistical challenges, leaving behind guests who have spent thousands of dollars on what now appears to be a fairytale turned nightmare.  At the base of the problems for Life at Sea Cruises and its parent … [Read more...]

A much-beloved cruise director at Carnival Cruise Line, Jonathan “Cookie” Adams, has decided to step down from his post. Scores of supporters and past cruisers posted tributes about the upbeat and outgoing personality, who helped to make great Fun Ship experiences for many guests. Jonathan “Cookie” Adams Leaves Carnival Jonathan “Cookie” Adams, a well-known and popular cruise director on … [Read more...]

Cruise arrivals to Turks and Caicos rose substantially in the first 10 months of 2023, and total visitors by air and sea broke the 1 million mark, an achievement that local tourism officials say bodes extremely well for the upcoming winter high season. Cruise Guests Jump By 30% Versus 2022 The Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed 677,943 cruise arrivals between January and October 2023, … [Read more...]

Two Carnival-owned cruise lines, P&O Cruises and Cunard Line, may be considering firing then rehiring more than 900 UK-based crew due to renegotiations of contract terms, including salary cuts. The two parties, the union employees and the employment firm managing the contracts, seem at odds with what to call the situation, but the end result may be the same. P&O Cruises and Cunard … [Read more...]

The Balearic Islands have witnessed a significant surge in cruise passenger numbers this year, marking a strong recovery post-pandemic and a growing preference for these picturesque Spanish destinations among cruise passengers. During the first ten months of the year, the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, welcomed over two million guests from cruise ships. However, … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line is offering a very special Thanksgiving Day dinner menu in Main Dining Rooms fleetwide, featuring classic favorites for the American celebratory meal. Guests can also enjoy a range of other dishes as well and no matter what their taste preferences, dietary needs, or holiday treat choices may be, Carnival is serving up deliciousness. For one special dinner only, … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas had an unexpected passenger aboard a late October sailing, one that required immediate quarantining. Much to the surprise of the ship’s crew and local biohazard officers, a cat was discovered onboard. Cat Discovered on Cruise Ship A pet cat was found aboard the 168,666-gross-ton, Quantum-class Ovation of the Seas on a recent cruise while … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises celebrated the inauguration of a new cruise terminal in Durban, South Africa, on November 23, 2023, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and various other dignitaries in attendance. The newly inaugurated Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, a project spearheaded by MSC Cruises marks a notable improvement for cruises sailing in South Africa. The $16 million facility in Durban’s … [Read more...]

Whether you are planning your first cruise vacation or are a seasoned traveler, you might wonder about safety standards and what would happen if your cruise ship were involved in an accident. Today, we are going to answer some of those questions by taking a look at some recent and famous cruise ship accidents.  While these incidents can be unsettling, they have also significantly improved … [Read more...]

An urgent diversion that required the ship to alter course has delayed MSC Seaside on her one-way, 6-night Southern Caribbean cruise, causing an adjustment in the ship’s itinerary. Because the ship will be arriving much later than expected, many shore tours are cancelled and guests are receiving full refunds of those excursion costs. MSC Seaside Diverts to Evacuate Passenger A medical … [Read more...]

Seabourn celebrated a historical moment as Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture, two of its new expedition ships, met for the first time in the stunning and remote setting of Antarctica. The unique encounter occurred at the entrance to Neko Harbor, a location famous for its breathtaking icescapes. Seabourn Pursuit has only recently embarked on its maiden season in Antarctica, while Seabourn … [Read more...]

Celestyal Cruises has announced that Celestyal Olympia, a former Royal Caribbean cruise ship, will be retired at the end of 2023, with a new vessel to take her place with planned sailings. Celestyal Olympia has been welcoming guests for more than 40 years, with a variety of cruise lines. Celestyal Olympia to Retire Celestyal Olympia, which as been sailing with Celestyal Cruises since 2014, … [Read more...]

Frank Del Rio, the former CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has listed his Vero Beach, Florida, mansion for $15.9 million, following his retirement in June. Known for his extensive career in the cruise industry, Del Rio has decided to embark on a new journey, embracing the life of a cruise guest after years at the helm of one of the world’s leading cruise companies. Del Rio’s Nautical … [Read more...]

The Port of Galveston, on the sunny Gulf Coast of Texas, continued to enjoy a robust cruise industry rebound in 2023, and is on track to see a double-digit increase in operating revenues. A Thanksgiving holiday message from the port’s top official reviews the facility’s advances in the last year and looks ahead to a rosy future. Port Revenues, Cruise Arrivals on the Rise A strong financial … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to travel agents and booked guests to notify them that seven months of cruises aboard Norwegian Sun have now been cancelled. This includes cruises from late March through early November 2025. Norwegian Sun Cruise Cancellations and Refunds Booked guests have begun to receive notifications that seven months of sailings aboard Norwegian Sun have been … [Read more...]

Just two days before the Thanksgiving festivities begin, Carnival Cruise Line revealed some spectacular food quantities that will be consumed onboard Carnival ships this year, including 48,000 pounds of turkey. The cruise line is set to create a Thanksgiving feast of epic proportions, marking the largest celebration in its 51-year history. The culinary spectacle is not just about the sheer … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises has announced a comprehensive development plan for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Private Island in The Bahamas to enhance the guest experience and contribute to marine conservation.  The investment, valued at $100 million, marks a new chapter for the private island destination, which has been an example of sustainable and environmental stewardship. MSC Cruises transformed the … [Read more...]

The Antigua Cruise Port is perfecting its home-porting capabilities with the successful turnaround of several hundred cruise guests from two ships on November 18, 2023. The mega-ship Arvia, operated by P&O Cruises, and Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Sakara, held turnaround operations on the same day. Mega-Ship Arvia Among Home-porting Vessels It was a busy day at Antigua Cruise Port on … [Read more...]

Oceania Cruises announced a major refurbishment is on the horizon for Marina, the last of its ships to undergo the line’s comprehensive upgrade program. Marina will enter dry dock in May 2024 and emerge with three new dining venues and a refresh of the line’s signature Polo Grill steakhouse, among other improvements. Major Refit Planned For Oceania Cruises’ Marina Oceania Cruises’ … [Read more...]

Multiple claims of bed bug infestations aboard P&O Australia’s Pacific Explorer have arisen, causing the cruise line to initiate a thorough investigation and leading to formal complaints from one cruise passenger. All the complaints are focused on one cabin on the ship, but across separate cruises between August and October 2023. Bed Bugs Reported on Pacific Explorer Three passengers … [Read more...]