Page 180 – Cruise Hive (2024)

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 27, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on three upcoming sailings, each for a different vessel, about itinerary changes. Alterations include port reversal orders, a port cancellation, and adjusted times in a popular Mexican destination.

Carnival Adjusting Itineraries on Three West Coast Ships

Three different Carnival ships, including what will be the newest ship in the fleet at the time, are having select itineraries adjusted. The impacted sailings are aboard Carnival Radiance, Carnival Firenze, and Carnival Panorama. Each affected sailing has a different departure date and different changes to the itinerary.

Carnival Radiance Itinerary Change

The Sunshine-class Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory) will sail a reversed itinerary for its November 25, 2024 departure, a 6-night Mexican Riviera sailing roundtrip from Long Beach, California. The itinerary was initially planned to visit Cabo San Lucas first, followed by Ensenada.

Now, the ship will sail the route in reverse, visiting Ensenada before Cabo San Lucas. The port time in Ensenada remains unchanged from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the time in Cabo San Lucas has been adjusted by arriving an hour earlier and departing two hours earlier, a net change of just one less hour in the popular port. The call remains an overnight visit.

Carnival Firenze Itinerary Change

Just months after she joins the Fun Ship fleet in May 2024, Carnival Firenze is having the itinerary adjusted for the ship’s November 29, 2024 departure. That particular sailing is a 3-night voyage roundtrip from Long Beach, visiting Ensenada, Mexico.

The port day was originally to have been on Sunday, December 1, but instead will now be on Saturday, November 30. Sunday, the last full day of the short weekend getaway, will now be a day at sea. No change has been made to the in-port visit hours, which remain from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carnival Panorama Itinerary Change

The Vista-class Carnival Panorama will not be sailing the originally planned itinerary for her November 30, 2024 departure. The impacted cruise is a 6-night Mexican Riviera sailing with calls in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

The changes for this cruise are very similar those for Carnival Radiance, with reversing the order of calls to enjoy Ensenada prior to Cabo San Lucas and adjusting the times in Cabo but still keeping the overnight visit.

The original itinerary had the ship in Cabo San Lucas from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. the next day, while now the visit will be from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. None of the three impacted sailings have their homeport times – setting sail or returning home – changed.

Why So Many Changes?

There has been no explanation given for the itinerary changes for these three ships, all on the same week. Because Ensenada is the port most impacted, port operations may be a factor, such as other marine traffic, pier maintenance, channel dredging, or similar work that may impact when ships can safely visit.

Read Also: 12 Best Cabo San Lucas Beaches

Because the changes are being made more than a year in advance, booked guests have ample time to change any independent tour arrangements they may have already planned. Many tour operators will not even confirm reservations so far in advance, so any difficulties should be minimal.

During the same time period during late November and early December 2024, ships from Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line are also scheduled to visit Ensenada, and it is possible they may see similar itinerary changes.

The changes to Cabo San Lucas – leaving the port earlier than planned – are likely an operational decision to ensure the cruise ships can safely make their way back to Long Beach without overstressing their engines. Cabo San Lucas is approximately 925 miles (1,490 kilometers) sailing distance from Long Beach. Easier cruising speeds also promote better fuel efficiency.

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 26, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on three sailings of Carnival Pride in 2024 to alert them that the ship will be returning to its homeport earlier than originally scheduled on the itinerary.

While the day of arrival will not change, the earlier arrival may impact guests’ travel plans to return home after their cruise.

Carnival Pride to Have Earlier Return to Baltimore

Guests setting sail aboard one of three sailings of Carnival Pride roundtrip from Baltimore, Maryland in 2024 will be returning to Charm City two hours earlier than initially scheduled on the posted itineraries. Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests to notify them of the relatively minor change.

“We have made a slight adjustment to the itinerary for your cruise – our return to Baltimore will be earlier than previous scheduled. Carnival Pride will now be docking at 8:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM,” the email read.

The impacted itineraries are the May 26, August 18, and September 8 departures in 2024, all of which are 14-night sailings to Greenland and Canada. Each itinerary is identical, with port visits to Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in Greenland; St. Anthony and Corner Brook in Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

On each sailing, the last two days of the itinerary are days at sea.

No explanation is provided for why the ship will be returning to Baltimore two hours earlier, but this is the exact same itinerary adjustment as was announced for Carnival Legend a couple of weeks ago – also impacting 14-night Greenland and Canada itineraries from Baltimore.

None of the impacted sailings for either ship have any other ports of call adjusted at this time.

It is possible the overall route returning from Canada and Greenland has been shifted, resulting in the earlier arrival back to Baltimore, or else Carnival Cruise Line needs to adjust the arrival to accommodate other marine traffic or port operations along that route. Because no other sailings have been similarly adjusted, it is unlikely that the change is due to major Baltimore port projects or schedules.

It should be noted that this shift has nothing at all to do with Carnival Pride‘s recent propulsion difficulties, which have been repaired and are unlikely to be affecting select cruises months in advance.

Carnival Pride is a 88,500-gross ton, Spirit-class vessel, the same as Carnival Legend. As many as 2,124 guests can be welcomed aboard at double occupancy, and up to 2,680 passengers can set sail if the ship is fully booked with all berths filled. Onboard, more than 900 international crew members are available to provide excellent service.

What Guests Should Do

While the first of Carnival Pride‘s impacted sailings is 10 months away, guests can make adjustments to their travel plans now, if necessary. The earlier arrival will mean an earlier debarkation, which can allow guests with flights to select earlier air travel so they can arrive home sooner after their cruise if desired.

Guests who will drive to the port or use public transportation or ride share services may want to investigate possible alternatives or time adjustments as they leave Carnival Pride, to avoid delays as they wait for later transportation.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship?

Similarly, guests who were already concerned about possible tight schedules on debarkation morning will now have more breathing room in the timing of their earlier than expected arrival, which can make managing heavy morning traffic or early flights more feasible and relaxing after their oceangoing getaway.

Cruise lines always have the right to adjust itineraries for safety or operational needs at any time. Guests booked on any upcoming sailings from any cruise line should stay in close contact with their travel agent or the cruise line to be updated on any itinerary changes or adjustments as their departure date approaches.

• Disney Cruise Line News

Jul 26, 2023

Disney Cruise Line has revealed plans for an all-new dance gala to debut on the upper decks ofDisney Dreamduring specific voyages in 2023. These dance parties will also feature a colorful tribute to the 1990s, offering musical fun for both parents and kids.

Disney Dream’s New Dance Extravaganza

Guests sailing aboard the 130,000-tonDisney Dream, built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany in 2011, will be treated to a brand new, dazzling kaleidoscopic dance extravaganza during summer 2023.

Dubbed “Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party,” the event features a 90s nostalgic atmosphere, and will be held on the upper decks during specific sailings.

This much-anticipated festive event made its grand debut on the evening of Tuesday, July 25, 2023, to the likely delight of onboard guests, young and old alike.

These dance parties will be offered during designated sailings in 2023 exclusively aboardDisney Dream— which has a capacity for up to 4,000 passengers — as it cruises through the magnificent Norwegian Fjords, as well as Iceland.Exact dates for the party on future sailings have not been announced.

Lovers of all things Disney, along with dance fanatics and 90s music fans, will be able to groove away at this vivid event. These parties will feature everyone’s favorites Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse sporting a fresh outfit and his one-and-only Minnie Mouse, plus a host of their beloved pals, like the delightful Max, Goofy’s son.

The Disney characters will don their finest attire before unleashing their dance moves on the open deck. Every character is associated with a color. When the spinning wheel lands on a character’s hue (it’s a “spin” party, after all) — the ultimate party mode will be ignited. Merriment and sing-alongs, both during the preshow and the fiesta, will ensue.

Furthermore, in the spirit of celebration,Disney Cruise Lineencourages all revelers attending Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party to either dress up in the attire of their favorite Disney characters or else create a wardrobe ensemble with lots of colorful pizzazz!

Disney Dream’s2023 and 2024 Itineraries

During the latter part of July 2023, Disney Dream will visit ports in Iceland, Norway, and Denmark. Come August 2023, the vessel will embark from Copenhagen on a 7-day round-trip through northern Europe, along with an 11-day voyage.

Later in August 2023, the ship will head out for a few more round-trip Norwegian Fjords Cruises, plus a couple of shorter 4-day cruises from Southampton to Western France (La Rochelle), and Northern Spain (Bilbao).

In late September, the ship will reposition to New York for a short season of Bermuda sailings, before offering two cruises from San Juan in mid-November. After that, Disney Dream will relocate to Fort Lauderdale to offer primarily 4- and 5-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises before returning to the Mediterranean in May 2024.

Other Disney Onboard Parties

For travelers who like to party, fret not. Disney Cruise Line offers other kinds of onboard parties, as well as specific themed events likePixar and Marvel Day at Sea that feature shows, activities, and characters from these wildly popular movie franchises.

Disney Cruise Line’sDisney Dream, and other ships likeDisney Fantasy andDisney Wish, hosts an energetic pirate night featuring a swashbuckling pirate-themed dinner followed by a mesmerizing “Pirates in the Caribbean” show and deck party.

During this pirate gathering, servers, decked out in pirate garb, heartily welcome guests with cheerful “Ahoy matey!” greetings. To add a touch of pirate flair, each attendee may receive a party bandana to tie on, which should help them get into the brigand spirit. As the night unfolds, a fantastic fireworks display (weather permitting) will light up the skies.

Exact elements of the pirate party vary between individual Disney ships, but it remains a mainstay event across the fleet and a night all guests look forward to.

On all Disney ships, the “Sailing Away Deck Party” gets underway as the ship pulls out of its homeport, kickstarting guests’ vacations with pulsating beats and interactive dance numbers. The opening festivities are even graced by different Disney Characters including Captain Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and many more delightful surprises to get the magic started!

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 26, 2023

Just days after floating out and touching water for the first time, Carnival Jubilee has received her iconic red-white-and-blue winged funnel, giving her that very classic Carnival look that has adorned every ship since Tropicale. This brings the ship one step closer to her debut and marks the ongoing construction of her finishing details.

Cranes Lift and Place Carnival Jubilee Funnel

The winged funnel, designed in the early 1980s by longtime Carnival Cruise Line designer Joe Farcus, was lifted into place on Carnival Jubilee on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

The addition took place as the ship is now docked alongside the outfitting pier at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, where on Friday, July 21, Carnival Jubilee was first floated out and entered the next phase of her construction. At that time, it was revealed that the ship also sports a Texas star on her bow, a first-in-fleet distinction for Carnival Cruise Line.

“Seeing Carnival Jubilee sport the Carnival funnel, the quintessential symbol she’s a ship made for fun, is a gratifying milestone that builds on the excitement after just watching her float out and reveal another important symbol – the Texas star on her bow that signals her Texas pride,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Finishing construction now continues aboard Carnival Jubilee as the ship prepares for her first sea trials, predicted to happen in August. Those tests will thoroughly examine all of the ship’s technical operational systems, including propulsion, navigation, maneuvering, and safety features.

In the meantime, the BOLT roller coaster is being installed around the iconic funnel, and other details are being completed such as decking, painting, exterior awnings, and interior design.

New Features Aboard Carnival Jubilee

A jubilee is a fun and festive celebration, and guests will certainly find a lot to celebrate aboard Carnival Jubilee when she sets sail in December 2023, offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries with as many as 5,374 guests onboard at double occupancy, or up to 6,631 travelers when fully booked.

The 183,521-gross ton ship will be home to Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse’s third restaurant at sea, Emeril’s Bistro 717, joining the spectacular Emeril’s restaurants already found on Carnival Jubilee‘s Excel-class sister ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Two new immersive zones have also been designed exclusively for Carnival Jubilee – Currents and Shores.

Popular favorite venues also return aboard Carnival Jubilee, including delicious dining like Rudi’s Seagrill and Cucina del Capitano, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaquille O’Neal’sBig Chicken restaurant.

The Carnival Seaside Theater will showcase blockbuster movies, the two-story Jubilee Theater will offer spectacular production shows, and the expansive Serenity area will be a calm and relaxing adults-only retreat, along with much, much more.

A Classic Carnival Symbol

The classic “whale tale” winged funnel has been an instantly recognizable feature of every Carnival cruise ship since the line’s first new build, Tropicale, joined the fleet in 1982.

The three earlier ships that began the cruise line, Mardi Gras, Carnivale, and Festivale, were purchased from other cruise lines and did not have the winged funnel, though their straight funnels still sported the red-white-and-blue coloration.

Today, only one ship in the Carnival fleet temporarily lacks the funnel – Carnival Freedom‘s funnel was damaged during a fire while the ship was docked in Grand Turk in May 2022. The damage was repaired but for now the ship has a straight funnel reminiscent of those on the earliest Carnival ships. A new whale tail will likely be installed when the ship enters its next dry dock.

• Princess Cruises News

Jul 26, 2023

Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess made her maiden call to the Port of Dover in southeast England, the starting point for the ship’s 55-night world cruise. The port, which is a major cruise, cargo, and ferry facility, welcomed Coral Princess guests with fanfare and special entertainment.

Ship Calls at Dover During World Cruise

Considered the gateway to Britain, the Port of Dover received a special guest on July 26, when Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess visited for the first time. The ship was poised to begin a 55-night segment of a 107-day world cruise operating roundtrip from Auckland, New Zealand.

The port, which can accommodate up to three cruise ships simultaneously and recently opened a new marina, is a popular call for cruise ships with itineraries focusing on the British Isles, Iceland, Norway, and Scandinavia. Between cruise and ferry passengers, the port welcomes about 11 million visitors each year.

“As a world-class cruise port situated next to a stunning new marina and the dramatic views of the White Cliffs and Castle, it is no wonder that we are the port of choice in England for flagship, once-in-a-lifetime cruises sailing across the world,” said Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover.

“With plans for further growth and expansion, we can’t wait to welcome even more extraordinary calls like this in the future,” Limbrick added.

Read also: Crystal is Back With Another World Cruise

Guests onboard the 2,000-guest Coral Princess enjoyed entertainment in the cruise terminal, where a local storyteller provided a behind-the-scenes account of Dover’s history and heritage.

Princess Cruises’ President John Padgett said, “The world awaits the guests on board Coral Princess who are setting sail from Dover on a fantastic global journey. Our thanks go to the Port of Dover for providing our guests with a fantastic experience. It’s a great partnership and we look forward to returning next year.”

Several of the major cruise lines’ ships call at Dover during the port’s high season, which runs through October. In August, some of the ships scheduled to visit include Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella, Seabourn Cruises’ Seabourn Quest, Viking’s Viking Jupiter and Viking Mars, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride.

Coral Princess Is Bound For South Pacific

After departing from Dover, Coral Princess will make calls in Scotland and the Shetland Islands, followed by Iceland, French Canada (Quebec), and Nova Scotia before arriving in New York on August 16.

From there, the 91,627-gross ton ship will sail south, transiting the Panama Canal and calling at ports in Peru before cruising to South Pacific destinations such as Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, and Tahiti, before reaching Auckland.

The Coral-class ship entered service in 2003. The ship offers five stateroom categories, six lounges, four pools, and multiple dining venues, including two main dining rooms, the Horizon Court buffet, and the restaurants Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse, International Cafe, and La Patisserie.

Two Princess Ships to Sail World Cruises in 2024

Coral Princess is scheduled to sail a world cruise in 2024 as well, roundtrip from Brisbane, Australia, departing on May 2. The six-continent, 110-day voyage visits popular destinations, including Scandinavia, Iceland, and South America, and transits the Panama Canal for her Pacific crossing.

The ship will make seven maiden calls to Aarhus, Crete, and Edinburgh, Scotland. All told, she will visit 47 destinations in 32 countries, with overnight stays in New York and Lima, Peru.

A second Princess Cruises’ ship, the 2,200-guest Island Princess, also will operate a world cruise in 2024. The 111-day voyage departs January 18 roundtrip from either Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles, and calls at 51 ports in 27 countries. Princess Cruises is one of nine Carnival Corporation brands.

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 26, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard two upcoming cruises on Carnival Dream that the port of call visit in Jamaica has been changed.

While the ship will still be visiting the tropical island nation, it will be arriving at a different port than originally scheduled. Furthermore, on one of the sailings, port time at another stop has been adjusted.

Itinerary Changes for Carnival Dream

Guests setting sail on the 130,000-gross ton Carnival Dream on the October 21, 2023 and January 13, 2024 departures have received notification of a slight itinerary change to their cruises, with port swaps for both sailings in Jamaica.

The October 31 cruise is a 14-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, calling on Key West, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Croix, and Jamaica. The original port planned for Jamaica was to have been Montego Bay, but that has now been swapped for Falmouth.

Likewise, the January 13 cruise is a 14-night sailing as well, with plans to visit Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cozumel, Mexico.

For this sailing, the original Jamaica port was to have been Ocho Rios, but will now be Falmouth as well. Another change to this itinerary is a slight modification for the port times in Colon, Panama, though the ship is still visiting the port.

No explanation is given for these changes, but it is not unusual for cruise lines to tweak itineraries to provide the best possible experience for their guests. Such port swaps may be due to an overcrowded port, when another port has fewer ships and can therefore offer a more exclusive visit.

In general, Falmouth is the least-visited of the three Jamaican ports, but still welcomes cruise ships year-round.

Port construction or pier maintenance projects, harbor dredging work, and other operational needs may also impact whether or not a cruise ship can keep an original itinerary, and those needs may not be known when the cruise is initially planned and offered for booking.

Carnival Cruise Line is making adjustments for impacted shore tours as well.

“Pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions will be automatically adjusted based on these changes,” the email read. “If a port was cancelled, they will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment.”

Guests who have booked independent excursions will need to contact their tour provider for cancellation options or to see if arrangements can be made for the different port arrival. Because the ports of call are not too distant from one another, alterations may be possible depending on the tour operator’s service range.

About the Jamaican Ports of Call

While Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth are all on Jamaica’s northern coast, they are significant distances from one another.

Montego Bay is the westernmost port destination, and is approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) from Falmouth. Depending on the shore excursion and exact time in port, many options for guests may be preserved with this port swap.

Ocho Rios, however, is the easternmost of the three ports. It is roughly 45 miles (73 kilometers) from Falmouth, which means more excursions and shore tour options may be impacted for the swap on the January 13, 2024 sailing.

All three ports of call do offer fun options for visiting cruisers. In Falmouth, top tours and things to do include historical tours of the town’s amazing architecture, rafting on the Martha Brae River through the mangrove forest, visiting the iconic Dunn’s River Falls, rum factory tours, or enjoying the region’s spectacular beaches.

Carnival Cruise Line regularly visits all three ports in Jamaica. In the next few months, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Paradise all have Jamaica on their coming itineraries.

• Holland America Line News

Jul 25, 2023

Holland America Line has added a unique and nostalgic itinerary to its Legendary Voyage roster of longer sailings. Departing in November 2024, the 42-night cruise aboard Volendam will mimic a voyage that set sail in February 1925, visiting many of the same ports of call and offering guests the chance to visit nine different countries in the Mediterranean.

New Legendary Voyage Offered

The new 42-night “Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” sailing is scheduled to depart on November 9, 2024. A roundtrip voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the cruise will visit 16 diverse ports of call across nine countries as well as provide guests with both eastbound and westbound transatlantic crossings.

“Holland America Line was one of the first companies to feature cruise vacations that went beyond a transatlantic crossing, and today we’re continuing to innovate our itineraries by offering memorable voyages like this ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic passage sailing,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line.

Ports of call for the upcoming voyage include Tangier, Morocco; Naples, Italy; Athens, Greece; Haifa (Tel Aviv) and Ashdod (Jerusalem) in Israel; Alexandria, Egypt; Cadiz, Spain, and more.

Of special interest are two overnight stays – Livorno (Pisa/Florence) and Rome in Italy, giving guests extra time to explore those rich and historic destinations. The cruise will end December 21, 2024 back in Fort Lauderdale.

More than 20 days at sea – which includes scenic cruising through the Strait of Gibraltar – will ensure guests can thoroughly enjoy all the amenities that the 61,214-gross ton, Rotterdam-class Volendam offers. The ship debuted in 1999 and is the oldest and smallest in Holland America Line’s fleet, but still offers elegance and distinction for all travelers to experience.

Volendam‘s unique décor has a floral- and nature-inspired theme, including huge vases of fresh flowers to lend both beauty and aroma to the surroundings. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers relaxation and wellness treatments along with a thermal suite, and guests can stay fit with a friendly game of pickleball onboard.

Other features include innovative shows, the onboard movie theater, an outdoor walkaround promenade, great music at the Piano Bar, 24-hour room service, quiet spaces in the library, and much more.

Nearly 100 years ago, Holland America Line operated a similar sailing, 42 nights roundtrip from New York City aboard Rotterdam IV. That cruise departed on February 4, 1925 and visited many of the same ports of call scheduled on the 2024 itinerary.

The two ships are very different, however, as Rotterdam IV only had capacity for 550 passengers, while Volendam will welcome 1,432 (based on double occupancy), bringing this unique opportunity to nearly three times as many adventurous travelers.

About Legendary Voyages

Legendary Voyages are Holland America Line’s longer sailings, ranging from 25-59 days. Similar to Grand Voyages, these itineraries typically focus on a single region, visiting multiple ports of call and offering in-depth exploration and longer port visits where available.

“Since introducing this new Legendary category of cruises that offer an in-depth focus on one region, they’ve been very popular. We’re excited to add a longer voyage that makes it easy to explore the Med in depth without a long-haul flight,” said Bodensteiner of the newly released itinerary.

Onboard these unique sailings, travelers will also enjoy curated programming and special guests to share cultural and historical insights into the ports of call, offering even more immersion for a truly memorable, and indeed legendary, experience.

Read Also: Holland America Unwraps Longer Voyages for Three Ships

Other Legendary Voyages coming up from Holland America Line include a 35-day cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, and Marquesas from San Diego; a 35-day “Voyage of the Vikings” visiting Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Norway from Boston; and a 53-day “Majestic Japan” sailing from Seattle and visiting ports in Alaska, Japan, Midway, and Hawaii.

From homeports outside the US, spectacular Legendary Voyages include a 28-day “Coral Triangle, Volcanos, & Great Barrier Reef” sailing from Singapore, as well as a 35-day “Australia Circumnavigation” from Sydney.

• Royal Caribbean News

Jul 25, 2023

A new photo circulating on social media showing two children sitting on a cruise ship balcony railing has raised concerns about safety, poor behavior, and other issues that appear to be on the rise not just one a single cruise line, but across different lines and on all types of different ships.

What might this mean for cruise line policies in the future?

Young Passengers Seen Sitting on Cruise Ship Railings

A photo now circulating on social media shows two young cruise ship passengers who appear to be boys sitting on the railing of a stateroom balcony, dangling their stockinged feet over the edge.

One of the guests appears to be holding onto an overhead support. No adults are visible nearby, other than another passenger on a higher deck, who may not have been aware of the young guests’ behavior.

It is not clear which cruise ship the young guests are on, nor is the photo dated. As the photo has been widely shared, its origins have not been determined.

The style of the balconies, however, as well as the visible deck furniture, do identify the ship most likely as part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Radiance class. This means the behavior could have occurred on Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, or Jewel of the Seas.

The photo is creating uproar among cruise fans, as the behavior shows blatant disregard for cruise ship safety rules and onboard behavior guidelines.

This behavior is recklessly dangerous, and could be disastrous if one of the boys were to have slipped. If that had happened, the guest would either have fallen into the water – and there is no way to tell what deck the photo is from, so no way to know how far that fall would be – or fallen onto a lower deck, which could have been equally dangerous.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas – Overview and Things to Do

Many cruise fans have questioned “Where are the parents?” or otherwise wondered about adult supervision and how such behavior could occur. Other cruisers have doubted the veracity of the photo, citing details such as the similar attire the teens appear to be wearing or size proportions to indicate that it may be a photoshopped image.

Reckless Behavior on the Rise on Cruise Ships

Whether the photo is real or fake, it does indicate a fascination with reckless and dangerous behavior, as well as the desire to “go viral” with social media likes and shares. When this behavior is glorified, it gives others the idea to gain their own popularity from copycat or similar acts.

All children, particularly teens, seek to push boundaries and may occasionally do silly, stupid, or outright reckless things. Other recent behavior from other cruise ships has shown similar incidents on various ships – and not always with teenagers.

In mid-April 2023, for example, a video showed a group of teens climbing between cruise ship balconies on Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras. Five young guests appeared to be involved in that incident, and may have been playing a game or retrieving something accidentally tossed to the higher balcony.

Similarly, in November 2022, a woman on a Carnival cruise ship, apparently in Mexico, was dangerously astride a balcony railing before being pulled off the railing by ship’s security. In that incident, emotional distress or alcohol appeared to be a factor in the woman’s very dangerous behavior.

Not all bad behavior is necessarily dangerous, but still disregards cruise line policies. In April 2023, an adult male guest was filmed fishing off a Carnival cruise ship balcony while docked in Nassau, pulling up what appeared to be a buffalo trunkfish with a long fishing line. The guests from that video were able to be identified and have been subsequently banned for life from Carnival Cruise Line.

Supervising Teens on Cruise Ships

While most cruise lines offer teen programs and teens-only spaces, children in that age range are generally not restricted to supervised-only areas and may wander freely about the ship, enjoying public areas or hanging out in their staterooms at their parents’ discretion.

Many cruise lines have policies explicitly prohibiting dangerous, reckless, or disruptive behavior. Royal Caribbean International, for example, does have language in section 9a of its cruise ticket contract regarding that passengers “shall at all times comply with the provisions of this Agreement, all applicable laws, and rules, policies and regulations.”

Further language in the contract states that “Each adult Passenger undertakes and agrees to supervise at all times any accompanying minors.”

When behavior like this incident is recorded, such supervision is clearly not taking place. Royal Caribbean then has the right to intervene with ship’s security, detain guests, suspend loyalty privileges, remove guests from the vessel, or ban them from the cruise line completely, among other consequences outlined in the Guest Conduct Policy.

Also in the policy is the note that all guests must immediately report to ship’s security staff or management “any unsafe or possibly illegal behavior.” One explicit instruction in the Guest Conduct Policy states without ambiguity:

“Sitting, standing, jumping, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective behaviors is strictly prohibited.”

What should be done about this type of reckless behavior? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive Boards!

• Norwegian Cruise Line News

Jul 25, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the winners of its fourth annual Giving Joy contest, a program that recognizes and honors teachers across North America. All 20 winning educators will be treated to a free cruise on the new Norwegian Viva to acknowledge their dedication.

Grand Prize Winners to Sail on Norwegian Viva

Twenty teachers from around the US will enjoy a free 7-day cruise for two aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, thanks to the line’s annual Giving Joy contest, which celebrates educators and rewards their hard work with a vacation at sea.

Three exceptionally fortunate Grand Prize winners will sail aboard the 3,100-guest Norwegian Viva, the line’s newest ship due to enter service in August 2023. The three teachers will be invited to attend the ship’s exclusive four-day christening voyage from Miami in November.

The christening event is set for November 28, 2023, where VIP guests will watch performances by five-time Latin Grammy Award-winning artist Luis Fonsi, who also is serving as godfather of Norwegian Viva.

The grand prize winners are Ryan Price, of Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy in Vacaville, California, Carolyn Reardon, from James Otis Elementary School in Chicago; and Angelo Mirante, of Lakewood High School in Arlington, Washington.

The 2023 contest attracted support for some 3,400 teachers who were nominated in the US and Canada. Besides the Grand Prize winners, other teachers who were honored hail from various states, including Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.

“On behalf of all of us at Norwegian Cruise Line, we congratulate this year’s winners and nominees who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their calling as educators, and in doing so have left a lasting positive impact on their students, schools and broader communities,” said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“We look forward to welcoming this year’s winners aboard for a well-deserved cruise vacation,” he added.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s beverage partner, Coca-Cola, is donating roundtrip airfare for each winner and their guest as they arrange for their free cruise. The teachers can select a cruise operating through 2024 and embarking from US and Canadian ports.

In addition, all of the winning educators will be given a free virtual training session by the Guy Harvey Foundation, the ocean conservation group based in South Florida. The foundation conducts educational programs and scientific research aimed at protecting the ocean environment.

Last year’s winning teachers, 100 in total, were awarded a free cruise for two on an exclusive, 5-night sailing of Norwegian Prima from October 27-31, 2022.

Norwegian Viva Will Debut in Europe

Norwegian Viva is the line’s second Prima-class ship, following Norwegian Prima, which debuted in July 2022. The ship is in the process of her final outfitting at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the same yard that constructed Norwegian Prima.

Following Norwegian Viva’s delivery to the cruise line in August, the ship will sail a series of Mediterranean and Greek Islands cruises. On November 16, 2023, the ship is scheduled to begin her first transatlantic crossing, departing from Lisbon, Portugal, for an 11-day voyage to New York City, calling in Madeira, the Azores, and Bermuda.

After her christening ceremony in Miami, Norwegian Viva will spend the winter season sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 7- and 9-day Caribbean itineraries visiting Tortola, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curacao, and other popular Caribbean destinations.

Norwegian Viva will feature unique activities, services, and accommodations such as the Indulge Food Hall, the upscale food market with 11 eateries that debuted on Norwegian Prima, Ocean Boulevard, an outdoor walkway wrapping around the entire ship and over a glass bridge, and The Haven, the exclusive luxury ship-within-a-ship area of suites.

Four additional Prima-class vessels are slated to be built for Norwegian Cruise Line. As yet, unnamed and not yet under construction, the ships are scheduled to enter service through 2027.