Archives

15 Things I’d Tell Anyone Cruising on Celestyal Journey

The majestic Celestyal Journey, a large white cruise ship with a striking blue hull, is docked at the port for Embarkation Day. Lifeboats line its side as people gather near security barricades on the pavement. The sky over Doha remains clear and bright.

If you’re new to Celestyal Cruises, you’re in for a different kind of cruise experience. For one, it prioritizes time in port over time at sea, cultural immersion over big-name stage shows, and personal touches over mass-market scale. Celestyal Journey, the fleet’s freshly refurbished mid-sized ship, relaunched in 2023 and carries fewer than 1,300 guests. […]

Carnival Cruise Line Tightens Guest Conduct Rules Following Past Incidents

Side view of the large cruise ship "Mardi Gras" with its bright blue hull and multiple decks with balconies. On this busiest day at Port Canaveral, the sky is partly cloudy, and greenery is visible in the distance as 25 vessels fill the open waters where it is docked.

Carnival Cruise Line is once again reminding guests to follow its “Have Fun. Be Safe.” guidelines, reinforcing a list of rules meant to ensure a smooth onboard experience for everyone. The notice, placed in staterooms across the fleet, covers curfews, noise restrictions, prohibited items, and penalties for misconduct. Letter in Staterooms The letter says that […]

Bahamas Cracks Down on Cruise Line Taxes at Private Islands

coco beach club perfect day cococay

The Bahamas plans a tax compliance crackdown on cruise lines’ private island operations. Prime Minister Philip Davis, unveiling the 2025-2026 Budget, said the cruise industry’s tax revenue contribution “has not kept pace” with the Bahamas’ cruise passenger growth. Last year, cruise passenger volumes were up 20% to 9.4 million and cruise tourism accounts for a […]

Passenger Falls from Gangway After Ship Breaks Moorings During Strong Winds

A large white cruise ship labeled "EPIC" sails on calm blue ocean water under a clear sky. The Norwegian Epic features multiple decks, outdoor pools, colorful designs near the bow, new suites, and exclusive adults-only spaces.

A cruise ship broke free of its moorings and injured two passengers, causing an hours-long delay in its departure. The Norwegian Epic broke free in Catania, Sicily, during strong winds. Woman Falls Into The Water The momentum caused concrete mooring posts to break free from the dock and the gangway connecting the ship to the […]

Disney Cruise Line to Sail Year-Round from Galveston

A large Disney cruise ship sails in a sunny coastal city port. Passengers on another vessel watch and take pictures. Buildings and palm trees are visible in the background.

Disney Cruise Line is reinforcing its commitment to the Texas market. The line will operate year-round from Galveston starting in 2027. Port Director and CEO of Galveston Wharves, Rodger Rees revealed the line’s plans at a recent joint meeting of Galveston City Council and the Wharves Board. Larger Ship Expected for Year-Round Deployment Disney Cruise […]

Cruise Industry Sues Skagway Over Shore Excursion Tax

A cruise ship is docked at a port surrounded by mountains in Skagway, Alaska. The scene shows an overcast sky with snow-capped peaks in the background. The deck of another ship is visible in the foreground, with empty lounge chairs and a flag flapping gently.

Cruise lines are taking legal action against Alaska cruise destination Skagway over a change in the way it will tax revenues on local shore excursions. It applies a local sales tax on tours that start and finish in Skagway. New Ordinance Taxes Cruise Lines’ Commissions It recently made a change to how it calculates the […]

How MSC’s World America Stacks Up Against Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class

A large white cruise ship, MSC World America, is docked near a sandy beach with palm trees, colorful umbrellas, and lounge chairs—offering a vibrant scene reminiscent of the Royal Caribbean Oasis Class experience.

MSC World America has arrived in Florida to attract North American cruisers to its brand. This ship significantly differs from other MSC cruise ships that have previously operated in North America. Sailing into the ring as a strong competitor, MSC wants to make waves. Taking on the brands well-known to most North American cruisers is no easy […]

Cruise Ship Rescues Stranded Catamaran with 4 People and 3 Dogs Aboard

A split image shows a stranded catamaran with solar panels and yellow containers on the ocean, while on the right, people and dogs rescued from the vessel stand inside a cruise ship.

Carnival Splendor diverted course to rescue four sailors and three dogs from a disabled catamaran in the South Pacific on May 22. The ship, which departed Sydney earlier that week on an eight-night voyage to Vanuatu and New Caledonia, was sailing south of New Caledonia when it received a distress call via the Maritime Rescue […]

Turks and Caicos Denies Docking of Princess Ship with Illness Outbreak

A Love Boat themed cruise ship sailing in the ocean.

The Turks and Caicos Government have blocked a cruise ship from docking at Grand Turk due to multiple cases of illness onboard. The Enchanted Princess was denied just 30 minutes before its scheduled arrival, Princess Cruises said. Dozens Reported Ill Onboard Ship The Turks and Caicos said it denied the ship after a review of […]