Viking took delivery of their newest cruise ship this week as the cruise line continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Viking Anun is a sister ship to Viking Hathor and one of Viking’s custom built river ships for the Nile River. Photo: Cruise Fever
The delivery took place at the Massara Shipyard in Cairo, Egypt for Viking Anun. Viking Anun joins a fleet of four other identical ships in Egypt that offer cruises on the Nile River.
With 41 cabins that accommodate up to 82 guests, the ships are featured on Viking insanely popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
By 2027, Viking is scheduled to have a total of 12 river ships sailing on the Nile River.
In addition to the five identical ships Viking has on the Nile, slightly smaller Viking Ra and Viking Antares also offer cruises in Egypt. Photo: Cruise Fever
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, gave the following statement about this new ship joining the fleet:
“As we continue to expand our award-winning fleet around the world, we are delighted to welcome the Viking Amun. These identical sister ships are the most elegant vessels on the Nile, and we are now pleased to offer even more opportunities for curious travelers to explore Egypt in Viking comfort.”
What’s next for Viking now that Viking Anun has joined the fleet?
Over the next six years, the cruise line expects to add another 37 new cruise ships by 2031. They are:
10 new ocean ships
27 new river ships
This will give Viking a total of 135 river, ocean and expedition ships in their fleet. They will have 112 river ships, 21 ocean ships and two expedition in their fleet, the most of any cruise line.
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Gerardi said the following about her role as godmother to Star of the Seas:
“I’m honored to celebrate Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas in such a beautiful naming ceremony as godmother – a tradition that is close to my heart and a spirit that spans both sea and space.
“A vacation on Star is the perfect combination of two of my biggest passions in life, a spirit of exploration and quality time with family, and I can’t wait for this journey to begin.”
Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, added:
“Star of the Seas represents the next bold step in our journey to reimagine vacations. It brings together the best of our innovation, signature experiences, and the most sought-after destinations into one unforgettable vacation. With Star, we’re not just launching a ship, we’re advancing our mission to create the world’s best vacations responsibly for guests of all ages.”
Star of the Seas is the second Icon class ship from Royal Caribbean, the largest class of cruise ships in the world. The vessel will homeport at Port Canaveral offering week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
All sailings will visit Royal Caribbean’s highly rated private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
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Margaritaville at Sea has not only brought back their unlimited cruise pass, but the cruise line has added an extra option for even greater flexibility.
Margaritaville at Sea’s Paradise Pass Program allows for unlimited cruising and it starts at just $799 per person.
Cruisers now have two options to choose from, the Silver Pass and Ultimate Gold Pass. The passes are good on cruises that range from two- to seven-nights in length.
The Paradise Pass Program allows for unlimited non-consecutive cruises in either an oceanview or balcony stateroom. It also includes special perks that includes onboard discounts and perks.
What does the Silver Pass and Ultimate Gold Pass offer?
Silver Pass
The Silver Pass starts at $799 and is good on two- and three-night weekend cruises. The price includes an oceanview cabin for two and the following perks:
$25 Casino match/free play each sailing
Discounts: 5% onboard purchases, 5% on enhancements
Extra 10% off retail bookings outside your pass window
10% off friends & family sharing your sailing
Upgrade eligibility at time of sailing
Add a 3rd/4th guest to your pass for just $99/adult, $59/child
Ultimate Gold Pass
The Ultimate Gold Pass starts at $1,499 and is good on cruises up to seven-nights in length. It includes an oceanview cabin for two and the following perks:
Planning a cruise well in advance of the cruise date has a lot of benefits, both in terms of price and planning. Now, one cruise line is giving travelers another reason to be looking ahead for a vacation at sea.
Holland America Line is launching a new “Book Early & Save” promotion for select cruises departing in the summer of 2026. This limited time offer provides a package of amenities valued at over $1,400, which is included when booking with the “Have It All Premium” fare.
The promotion is available for bookings made between now and September 30, 2025, and is valid for a variety of itineraries. Destinations include Alaska cruises and cruisetours, as well as some voyages to Europe and Canada & New England.
Promotion Details and Included Amenities
When booking under Holland America’s “Have It All Premium” fare promotion, guests can receive the following:
Shore Excursion Credits: Up to $300 per person to be used toward a wide range of shore excursions.
Specialty Dining: Up to three nights of dining at select specialty restaurants.
Prepaid Tips: Gratuities for the crew are included in the fare.
Beverage Package Upgrade: An upgrade to the Elite Beverage Package is provided.
Wi-Fi Upgrade: Guests receive a free upgrade to the Premium Wi-Fi package.
Eligible Sailings
A search on Holland America’s website reveals that this promotion applies to over 200 sailings currently listed. The offer covers cruises in 2026, with availability extending from March through December.
Longer sailings are available with this promotion as well, the longest being a 45-day Mediterranean sailing from New York, in addition to several Solar Eclipse sailings that range from 35-days to 42.
Sailings to Greenland and Scotland around the time of the Solar Eclipse in August depart out of Rotterdam, and there are also some Transatlantic sailings that can claim this promotion as well.
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A cruise ship crew member on the Sun Princess is missing after reportedly going overboard on Wednesday, Princess Cruises confirmed in a letter to passengers. The incident occurred while the ship was sailing toward Istanbul, Turkey.
The incident occurred as the ship was sailing through the Dardanelles Strait after a port call in Chania, Greece.
The letter, dated August 21, 2025, from Captain Craig Street of the Sun Princess, confirmed the “deeply saddening” news. The crew member’s fall was verified after a review of the ship’s CCTV footage.
Following the overboard incident, the ship’s crew immediately initiated emergency procedures and began a coordinated search with multiple maritime search and rescue authorities.
After several hours of searching, the crew member has not yet been located. Princess Cruises has not released the identity or position of the individual at this time.
The cruise line’s assistance team is reportedly working to support the crew member’s family during this difficult situation.
The ship, which entered service in 2024, is Princess Cruises’ newest and largest ship, measuring 177,882 gross registered tons with a capacity for approximately 4,300 guests. This incident marks the first time a person has gone overboard from the vessel.
As a result of the ongoing search and coordination with local authorities, Sun Princess was directed to a position off Tekirdağ, Turkey, resulting in a change to its itinerary.
The scheduled visit to Mykonos, Greece, has been canceled, and the ship’s arrival in Istanbul will be delayed.
Passengers were informed that the ship is now expected to arrive in Istanbul at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 22, and that they should be back on board by 11:30 PM. The ship’s arrival in Athens on Saturday, August 23, is currently scheduled to remain unchanged.
In response to the canceled port call, Princess Cruises is automatically refunding all pre-booked shore excursions for Mykonos to guests’ shipboard accounts. Guests who had booked half-day tours for the canceled port of call were informed that updated meeting times for those tours would be sent to their staterooms.
The letter also noted that the ship’s Tour Office and Shore Excursions Desk would have limited hours.
The cruise line is also providing support for passengers affected by the event. The letter offers access to “specially trained counselors” and provides a phone number for guests who wish to speak with one.
The news of the incident has been widely shared on social media, with many users expressing their condolences and support for the missing crew member and their family.
The letter from Captain Street concluded with a message of reassurance to passengers, stating that the “safety and well-being of our guests and crew members remains our highest priority.” The crew asked for passengers’ “support and patience” during this challenging time. The cruise line has confirmed that it will continue to work with local authorities as the investigation into the incident proceeds.
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A tragic incident has taken place onboard Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ newest and largest vessel, after a crew member went overboard while the ship was sailing through the Dardanelles Strait on Wednesday night, 20th August 2025.
The man overboard alert was issued at approximately 11 pm local time as the Sphere-class ship was en route to Istanbul during a 14-night voyage from Barcelona to Athens.
The vessel immediately turned back to the presumed location and launched rescue boats, while at least five Turkish Coast Guard vessels joined the search effort through the early hours of Thursday, 21st August.
Princess Cruises confirmed the overboard in a statement, saying:
“Our ship’s emergency response team immediately initiated search and rescue procedures, which are actively underway at this time. We are working in coordination with local maritime authorities to support the operation.”
Crew Member Confirmed
The cruise line later confirmed that the individual was a member of the ship’s crew, though their name and role have not been released to protect their family’s privacy.
Despite extensive searches, the crew member has not been located. Princess Cruises said:
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of our team member during this difficult time.”
Specially trained counsellors are onboard Sun Princess to support both crew and guests, while Princess’ Family Assistance programme is working directly with the crew member’s relatives.
Impact on Itinerary
Due to the incident, Sun Princess was directed to an anchorage near Tekirdag, Turkey, to continue coordination with local authorities.
The ship reached Istanbul at 2 pm on Thursday, later than its originally scheduled 7 am arrival.
Guests have been given until 11:30 pm to return to the ship, with some shortened half-day tours still running.
The ship’s scheduled call to Mykonos on Friday, 22nd August, has been cancelled. All tours booked for the Greek island are being automatically refunded to passengers’ onboard accounts.
Despite the changes, the voyage is still expected to conclude in Athens on Saturday, 23rd August, as originally planned.
About Sun Princess
At 177,000 gross tons, Sun Princess is the first of the Sphere-class and the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, with capacity for 4,300 guests and 1,600 crew.
The vessel entered service in early 2024 and has been sailing a mix of Mediterranean itineraries.
After her summer season in Europe, she will reposition to Fort Lauderdale in November for Caribbean voyages before returning to the Mediterranean in spring 2026.
This is the first reported overboard incident involving the new ship, and investigations remain ongoing.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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A late-night snack run turned violent aboard a Carnival cruise when a group of passengers began fighting in the ship’s buffet, reportedly over chicken tenders.
The incident happened around 2 am in the Lido Marketplace, where Carnival typically offers round-the-clock bites.
Video captured by fellow passenger Mike Terra and widely shared on social media shows shouting, punching, and tackling, with the occasional shoe and mobile phone hurled across the room.
At one point, a bystander can be heard yelling, “Where the f— is security?” as one crew member attempts to intervene.
Terra, who filmed the altercation, later remarked, “Over chicken tenders is crazy.” He later clarified to the Daily Mail UK that there was “more to the fight than just fried chicken, but that is really the basics.”
The video contains strong language and violent scenes, should you wish to watch it.
Carnival Cruise Line has not yet issued a public statement, and it remains unclear which ship the incident took place on.
Carnival’s Zero-Tolerance Policy
Carnival enforces strict rules against violence and disruptive behaviour.
Guests involved in fights typically face severe consequences, which may include confinement to their staterooms, disembarkation without refund, a $500 fine, and in many cases, a lifetime ban from the cruise line.
“All guests must acknowledge and commit to our code of conduct during the check-in process, and any violation may result in a fine of $500, possible stateroom confinement and removal from the ship,” the cruise line’s policy states.
A Pattern of Misconduct
This is not the first outbreak of violence aboard a Carnival ship this summer.
Earlier in August, a brawl involving more than a dozen guests erupted outside the cruise terminal in Long Beach, California.
In June, passengers aboard Carnival Sunrise were banned after throwing both punches and chairs during a lido deck altercation near the ship’s pizzeria.
Carnival has recently reinforced its “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines, which include curfews for under-17 guests, bans on smoking in non-designated areas, and strict enforcement against drugs and disruptive conduct.
Despite those efforts, isolated incidents of passenger misbehaviour continue to draw headlines.
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An 83-year-old British man has died aboard the Marella Voyager after being found unresponsive in the ship’s swimming pool while it was docked in Naples, Italy.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19th August 2025.
Fellow passengers and crew members attempted to revive the man, but despite their efforts, he could not be saved.
Investigation in Naples
Local authorities boarded the TUI-operated vessel and temporarily detained it while an investigation was carried out.
The ship’s scheduled 5 pm departure was delayed by several hours.
After interviews and examination, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
It is believed the passenger suffered a medical episode while seated near the pool, causing him to fall into the water.
Officials ruled the death as natural causes, and the ship was released to continue its itinerary.
Cruise Line and Government Response
A spokesperson for Marella Cruises said:
“We can confirm that sadly a passenger passed away of natural causes onboard Marella Voyager. Our thoughts are with the passenger’s family during this difficult time, and our care team is providing assistance.”
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also confirmed it is supporting the man’s family.
Marella Voyager had departed Palma de Mallorca on 16th August and called at Olbia, Sardinia, before arriving in Naples.
The ship is now sailing onward to Rome, Ajaccio (Corsica), Palamós (Spain), and will return to Mallorca at the end of the voyage.
Not The Only Tragedy This Week
The sad news comes just days after two American cruise passengers drowned at Carnival Cruise Line’s newly opened Celebration Key private resort in the Bahamas on Friday, 15th August.
In separate and unrelated incidents, a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman lost their lives despite lifeguards and medical staff responding immediately.
Investigations are still ongoing but there is speculation that both guests also suffered unrelated medical issues whilst in the water, causing them to drown.
One guest was snorkelling while the other was swimming in one of the resort’s lagoons.
Carnival confirmed that the victims were travelling on different ships – Mardi Gras and Carnival Elation.
Both vessels continued their scheduled itineraries after the incidents, with Carnival’s Care Team providing support to the families.
While rare, such tragedies can occur even in supervised or controlled environments.
Cruise lines urge guests to remain mindful of their own health conditions and swimming abilities, to avoid entering the water alone, and to take care in unfamiliar settings.
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Cruise passengers on Carnival Panorama experienced a dramatic night as a tropical storm swept through the Gulf of California. Social media posts and videos have revealed just how much movement the 133,500 gross ton vessel was facing as the ship was on the third night of its 7-day Mexican Riviera itinerary.
While most of the cruise industry is focused on the impact of Hurricane Erin on the East Coast of the U.S., it was a storm on the opposite side of the continent that disrupted at least one Carnival cruise.
A TikTok video posted by user queens_roost showed the aftermath in a dining area, with broken plates scattered across the floor.
The caption stated, “We just finished our appetizer… we got stuck in the eye of tonight’s #gulfofcalifornia huge tropical storm. It was wild and absolutley gorgous!”
The post also indicated that Carnival Panorama was located between Mazatlan and La Paz and that medics had been called, expressing hope that everyone was safe.
Another TikTok video showed a spa jacuzzi with water spilling out and the text overlay: “POV you’re relaxing after dinner on a thermal lounger and a storm hits so bad the ship lists and the jacuzzi spills out.” The video’s caption also mentioned that “all the pools are empty,” and that “water [is] dripping from ceilings and elevators.”
The user described the experience as “honestly it’s pretty scary,” and noted they were staying in their room, hoping the storm would end soon.
The ship’s route, as shown by a tracking map, confirms its position in the Gulf of California, aligning with the passenger reports.
According to the cruise schedule, Carnival Panorama departed Los Angeles on August 16th, with a stop in Mazatlan on August 20th. The tilting of the ship appears to have occurred as the ship was sailing towards its next scheduled port of call, La Paz.
More details emerged on a Carnival Panoramacruise group on Facebook. A post expressed concern, stating the user was “told the ship was tilting to one side after hitting a major thunderstorm off the coast of Mazatlán, Mexico!”
The post mentioned hearing reports of people being stuck in elevators and the ship’s Celestial Show being abruptly halted.
One comment on the post from a person reportedly in the Havana section of the ship, noted water reaching several inches above balcony sliding doors and shattered glass at an outside bar, but assured that “all is ok.”
Several comments expressed relief that they were not on the current sailing, while others shared their own experiences with rough seas on previous cruises.
Bebe Grant, who appears to be a current passenger, commented, “Thank you we’re ok and it was very scary.” Shan Lee later added a reassuring note, stating, “Everything is fine- the ships stabilized and things are cleaned up quickly!”
While the experience was no doubt pretty scary for those onboard, the latest reports from passengers suggest the situation has stabilized and cleanup efforts are underway as the ship continues its journey to La Paz.
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Join us LIVE with Attorney Tom Scolaro, the founding partner of Scolaro Law, which is based in Miami. They specialize in personal injury, cruise, and maritime law. We will be covering how the reporting of sexual assaults is handled during a cruise vacation. Unfortunately, these types of cases can and do occur frequently enough that they are among the most common types of cases handled by the firm.
We want to inform cruise travelers about the complexities of these types of cases. We’ll be covering these key points:
Maritime law and cruise responsibilities
Case handling differences: passenger & crew
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act
Security protocols, evidence failures, and underreporting
We will also answer your questions during our live Q&A and Member Check-In. Be sure to join us for this special live event on Wednesday, August 20th at 3:30 pm ET. If you can’t join us LIVE, the recorded version is preserved for replay at your convenience.
Please join us today at 3:30 pm ET.. – Watch Event
