Are you frustrated that cruise prices suddenly balloon when finalizing your booking? Starting July 1, 2024, consumer protection legislation will require cruise lines to display the total price, not just the fare. California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) goes into effect on July 1 and requires cruise lines to comply. It will affect all cruise companies, including major operators like Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard North America, and Holland America Line. Seabourn Cruise Line has already adopted this pricing model, which will influence its refund and cancellation fee pol ..read more

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a gastrointestinal viral outbreak that sickened several cruise ship guests earlier this week. Silver Nova (Photo courtesy of Doug Parker / Cruise Radio) Twenty-eight guests on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova, along with one crew member, fell ill. This represented over 4% of the passengers aboard (required for CDC reporting).  Fourth cruise ship outbreak of the year The CDC monitored the outbreak as the ship completed a 16-day sailing and docked at Port Everglades earlier this week. The ship departed Peru and made several port ca ..read more

MSC Cruises just announced what their summer cruising season in 2025 will be like. Four ships, including the upcoming MSC World America, will take passengers on 3- to 7-night itineraries that will tour Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. MSC World America (Rendering courtesy of MSC Cruises) President for MSC Cruises USA, Rubén A. Rodríguez, described the incoming season, “We want our guests to experience MSC Cruises’ most modern and innovative ships, whether they’re on a quick weekend getaway or the vacation of a lifetime. The summer 2025 season will be an exciting one for us ..read more

Holland America Line (HAL) is adding “Glacier Day” to its Alaskan sailings as part of its “We Love Alaska” campaign. The cruise line says its activities and other similarly themed initiatives will “help foster a deeper connection to the people, history, and culture of the state.”  Westerdam in Glacier Bay, Alaska (Photo courtesy of Holland America Line) As part of Glacier Day, passengers on Alaskan adventures can get to know the region through educational presentations, sighting times, information viewing stations, scenic commentary, and photo opportunities. It will also offer Alaska-them ..read more

New cruise ship, new menu. If you love Thai food, good wine, and plant-based dishes, you can have your fill of them in 2025 when the Norwegian Aqua makes its debut. Norwegian Aqua Swirl (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line) New Dining Options and Venues SukhoThai will serve traditional Thai staples like Salt and Pepper Prawns, Thai Cashew Chicken, Thai Grilled Steak Salad, and a variety of curries. SukhoThai (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line) Though the Indulge Food Hall is a familiar venue for NCL cruisers, it will feature the Planterie, a new vegetarian-friendly destination for pl ..read more

A crew member from Disney Cruise Line has been detained and faces charges related to possessing materials that exploited children. Tirso Anthony Neri was arrested and charged. (Photo courtesy of BCSO/Disney Cruise Line) Tirso Anthony Neri, 44, is the third Disney Cruise Line employee charged with possession this year. Neri was a crew member on the Disney Dream sailing out of Port Everglades until his arrest. According to an indictment filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida this week, Neri’s two smartphone devices contained numerous “explicit photos and videos of ..read more

The US Coast Guard conducted a medical evacuation to assist a pregnant passenger on a Disney Cruise Line ship on Monday. (Photo USCG) According to reports, the 35-year-old woman had been experiencing pregnancy-related complications and required more comprehensive medical care than Disney Fantasy could provide.  The US Coast Guard described the long-range evac, saying, “A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted a medevac for a Disney Fantasy cruise ship passenger, Monday, in Atlantic Ocean waters 180 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.” The woman was airlifted ..read more

Carnival Cruise Line is reminding guests that while they might be Very Important Fun People, that doesn’t mean they can do whatever they please, no matter what level they’ve reached in the VIFP loyalty program. The line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, reminded his many Facebook followers that even those who’ve earned (or purchased) the perk that allows them to drop off their bags upon boarding, it doesn’t mean they can then begin to settle in. (Photo courtesy of Carnival) Being able to drop off your bags immediately upon boarding is a perk offered to Platinum and Diamond members of the VIFP (V ..read more

Carnival Cruise Line is no stranger to helping people in distress on the open water. Last week, the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) honored one triumphant rescue that saved 16 lives. Carnival Mardi Gras at San Juan (Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line) On June 3, 2022, the Carnival cruise ship Mardi Gras was sailing back to its homeport in Port Canaveral when its crew spotted a vessel that appeared to be in trouble near Cuba. It was stranded and struggling to avoid an approaching hurricane, threatening the lives of the 11 men and five women who were on it.  Mardi Gras’ crew immed ..read more

The US Coast Guard suspended the search for the Holland America Line crew member who deliberately went overboard from the cruise ship on Friday evening while sailing the Florida Straits. Where the crew member reportedly jumped. (Image via CruiseMapper) The Rotterdam had just completed a six-night Western Caribbean cruise, visiting Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, when it was discovered that a crew member was missing once docked in Port Everglades. Holland America reviewed security camera footage and determined that the staffer purposefully went overboard on the last night of the cruise around ..read more