Passengers on a four-day sailing aboard Carnival Glory expected a short getaway from Port Canaveral, with at least two ports of call. The captain attempted to add a third stop in Freeport, but due to weather conditions, this also failed, leaving the voyage a cruise with zero destinations beyond the ship itself.
A “cruise to nowhere” used to be a popular short vacation option, especially for those wanting a taste of cruising without giving up an entire week. But changes in U.S. maritime law and stricter enforcement of crew visa regulations have made it nearly impossible for cruise ships to offer them from U.S. ports today.
Carnival Glory appears to be an exception, as this cruise to nowhere was due to weather conditions.
A user on Reddit wrote about the ordeal in a post with this message:
“I’m currently on a 4 day cruise on the Carnival Glory. We were supposed to stop in Nassau and Princess Cays, but both ports were cancelled due to rough seas. Today was supposed to be a sea day, but the captain has coordinated an attempted stop in Freeport. He did kind of hint at unfavorable sea conditions in his announcement yesterday, so I will be surprised if we actually stop in Freeport.”
Instead of being upset though, the poster said that most were still positive about the experience.
“Cruisers seem to be in good spirits, despite missing both ports, and though the length and itinerary would suggest it’s a “booze cruise”, everyone I’ve seen has been very well behaved,” the post read.
But not everyone seems to be thrilled with this “portless” cruise. Apparently, the guest services line has been getting longer and longer as some passengers are upset with the course of events.
Another comment came from a passenger on board the ship as well that stated:
“Currently on board with you. All three ports being canceled seems to have EVERYONE fuming on our side of the boat. Neighbors and people walking around me angry and heading to guest services to demand refunds. Pretty sure carnival doesn’t care, but personally I would appreciate a future cruise credit or something.”
There were only two ports of call on this itinerary, but the captain attempted to add a third stop in Freeport since the others had to be cancelled. But once again, weather conditions also made this port stop impossible.
“I don’t understand the unfavorable weather in Freeport. I’ve been there before – the port just allows you to walk off the ship. It is bright and sunny outside. My weather app shows no sign of rain or anything. I’m hearing this from others too”, the passenger stated.
“If you have trip insurance check to see if you can get reimbursed for missed ports. All you need is evidence that it was missed by going to the Guest Service desk and ask them for it and then file a claim against your trip insurance,” the comment read.
The 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory is currently heading back to Port Canaveral where it is scheduled to arrive on March 7 for a 3-day sailing that has one stop in Nassau.
While the captain of a cruise ship will do everything they can to ensure a smooth sailing that reaches each destination on time, some matters out of their control. But one benefit of a cruise is that a ship can avoid severe weather by going around it or waiting it out. In either case, travelers are encouraged to be flexible.
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Whether we want it to happen or not, getting sick on vacation is a real possibility. But the close quarters of a cruise ship dictate a different set of rules for handling illness.
A sign in the Long Beach cruise terminal, telling passengers to report feeling unwell, has started an interesting discussion among Carnival Cruise Line fans online.
The original poster, “orangesandonions,” shared a photo of the sign on Reddit while waiting to board Carnival Firenze, prompting questions about what actually happens if someone admits they are sick before boarding a cruise ship.
The sign, prominently displayed near the restrooms, read:
“Stay healthy by washing your hands frequently. If you feel unwell, please notify a member of our staff.”
As it turns out, some passengers can be hesitant to admit being sick or might even conceal symptoms for fear of what may end up happening to them for the rest of the cruise.
“It feels like this could be a trap,” the poster wrote.
This sentiment highlights an interesting dilemma, and I’m sure the poster was not alone in feeling this way. The fear of missing out on a cruise of a lifetime can incentivize people to hide their illness, but this could potentially just spread a sickness to other cruisers.
What Happens If You Report Feeling Unwell?
The reality is, cruise lines like Carnival take health screenings seriously, especially since the shutdown which we won’t even dive into here. While the sign may seem concerning, it’s a standard precaution to prevent the spread of illness.
Context and Insight
Carnival, like other cruise lines, has protocols in place to manage potential illnesses that may happen on board. These can include:
Medical Screening: Passengers reporting symptoms may be subject to further medical evaluation.
Isolation: If a contagious illness is suspected, passengers may be isolated to prevent further spread.
Denial of Boarding: In some cases, if a passenger exhibits symptoms of a highly contagious illness, they may be denied boarding.
Community Insights and Experiences
While the Reddit thread didn’t provide definitive answers from Carnival, experienced cruisers offered valuable insights and shared personal experiences:
“They have to ask, it’s a health concern, but they aren’t trying to trick you.”
“It really depends on what you say. If you have a sniffle, they probably won’t care. If you say you have a fever, they might take a closer look.”
“I had a cough on my last cruise. They made me wear a mask at boarding and gave me a quick checkup. No big deal.”
“My husband got sick on the ship. They quarantined him in our cabin for a day, but he was fine after that.”
“My friend got norovirus on a cruise. They quarantined her and her whole family. It wasn’t fun, but they took good care of them.”
These anecdotes illustrate the range of possible outcomes, from minor precautions to more serious situations like quarantine.
One user shared a more positive experience:
“My wife and I got Covid on a Norwegian cruise and we had travel insurance. They quarantined us in a balcony stateroom and gave us access to full room service menu plus whatever was in the dining room that night. Also unlimited high speed internet and movie rentals. Then when we got back to our home port the travel insurance reimbursed us the cost of the days we were quarantined.”
However, another user highlighted the potential downsides that probably spooked some readers:
“You get quarantined in your room, and your cruise is effectively over. No refunds. Which is why people are incentivized not to notify a staff member if they don’t feel well, and just try and bear through it. Not many people are willing to pay thousands of dollars just to be locked up in their cabin for a week. If the cruise lines were serious about this, they’d work to compensate you if you get sick on their ship.”
Planning a cruise for 2026? This list might inspire you to find a great deal.
The Dilemma
So, that’s the issue, right? Honesty is important for public health, but the fear of quarantine and financial loss can create a powerful incentive to stay silent. This highlights the need for clearer communication from cruise lines, but it also shows just how important it is to have travel insurance on each cruise you take.
Even if it’s a 3-day cruise, just get the coverage. You just don’t know what will happen.
Carnival’s Stance
Carnival’s official website outlines its health and safety protocols. Specifically, their FAQ states:
“If you are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, such as COVID-19, influenza, or norovirus, we ask that you please refrain from boarding. If you begin to feel unwell during your cruise, please notify the medical center immediately.”
Bottom Line
So, nobody wants to be the person who puts a damper on vacation, right? But it’s also not cool to tough it out and risk getting everyone else sick. If you’re feeling under the weather, the responsible thing to do is speak up. It’s not a trap, it’s just how cruise lines are keeping everyone safe these days.
But sure, the idea of being stuck in a tiny cabin for days, missing out on all the fun, doesn’t exactly sound like a dream vacation. Maybe cruise lines need to make it easier for people to be honest about their health. Until then, that “please tell us if you’re sick” sign is going to make some people think twice, and that’s not good for anyone.
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Norwegian Cruise Line is adding four new shows across nine cruise ships that will start debuting in September 2025.
The new shows, “Red, White, & British,” “Bring Back the 90s,” “ICONS: The Bands,” and “Ignite the Night” were created in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Creative Studios in Tampa, Florida.
The shows were created with guests in mind giving them more of what they love. This includes captivating stories, recognizable and timeless music and visual spectacles.
They will be original NCL productions and be on the following cruise ships in September 2025:
Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Escape
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian said that the new shows will continue to roll out on other ships across their fleet.
In addition to the new shows, the entertainment team has curated additional programming outside of the main theater to include more cast interactions, an increase in live music throughout more venues. This includes an expansion into youth and family entertainment.
Raising the bar even further, Norwegian Cruise Line is surprising guests with spontaneous “Mini Moments of More,” entertainment pop-ups across its fleet to maximize the guest experience.
This includes flash mob performances poolside, in dining rooms, atriums and more.
These interactive moments will keep guests on their toes, as the cruise line hopes to add an extra element of fun and energy throughout the guests’ cruise journey.
The pop-ups will occur every day and are a creative collaboration between the performers and the corporate entertainment team to provide NCL guests an unforgettable moment during their cruise.
Bryan A. White, vice president of Entertainment Production for Norwegian Cruise Line, gave the following statement about the new shows:
“NCL has long set the standard for the finest entertainment at sea, with world-class productions and top-tier talent. We’re excited to further enhance our guests’ cruising experience by introducing even more exclusive original productions and offering a wider range of entertainment options across our fleet.
“These innovative shows, exclusively available onboard our ships, reflect our commitment to delivering unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences that elevate every aspect of our guests’ journey with NCL.”
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Losing luggage while traveling is a major headache. On cruise ships, you expect a few hiccups—maybe a bag ends up in the wrong cabin or gets sidelined due to a lost tag. But usually, passengers get their stuff back pretty quickly.
However, for Jason and Tammy Marritt from Oklahoma, their lost luggage story went on for weeks. News reports say they didn’t get their bags back until after their Carnival Magic cruise was over. So, the entire voyage was spent buying what they needed and making do with what they had.
And this cruise was a celebration for the couple’s 26th wedding anniversary.
Fortunately, they were able to track their luggage using Apple AirPods, keeping tabs on it for all those weeks, which was probably more of a tease than a reassurance.
I say that because for almost a month the couple kept contacting Carnival Cruise Line to inform them of their luggage status and location.
“We kept showing them, ‘Hey, we’re tracking it. Hey, it’s here.’ You know, ‘Can you go to deck zero?’ No, it’s not going to be there. You know, we’ve searched all the floors, every room’s been checked. There’s nothing,” Merritt stated.
But now there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that the Merritt’s have been reunited with their luggage. The bad news? 39 items are reportedly missing.
“There’s about 39 items missing, and she took the majority of his clothes. She took all of his shoes, belts, and his entire toiletry bag. So electronic toothbrushes, razors, medications, she took it all,” Tammy Merritt said.
Even the key to their Ford Bronco was missing from the bag, in addition to the name tag itself missing from the outside of the bag. This same name tag had the couple’s names, address, and phone number on it.
Here is a recent news video on this story before the couple’s luggage was retrieved:
The really interesting part of the story was revealed when Carnival reportedly told the couple where the bag had been the whole time.
Apparently, the couple was told that their luggage had been in another passenger’s cabin just down the hall during their entire cruise.
“They let her off of that boat without checking any of her belongings. They just let her go,” Merritt said, frustrated that the apparent culprit was not brought to justice.
The couple is in the process of trying to replace the items that were missing from their luggage, and some news outlets have reached out to the cruise line for a response to this while situation.
As for Tammy, she stated that she will be contacting local authorities to seek legal action.
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The Greek government is working overtime to make sure that Santorini, the “Jewel of the Aegean”, is ready for the start of cruise season. But after recent earthquakes have caused evacuations and damage to the port city, it remains to be seen if it will be ready in time.
Over one million cruise passengers visit the iconic Greek cruise port of Santorini every year, but that number could drastically change for 2025.
According to recent news reports, Santorini is already facing a downtrend in tourism, with about 20% less tourist activity compared to previous years.
The downturn is due to more than 20,000 earthquakes that have rattled the city, with some measuring up to 5.3 in magnitude.
The seismic activity has shut down the famous Santorini cable car leading up to Fira near the cruise port, and it’s expected to be inoperable for another three months while earthquakes are monitored.
This is a big deal because Greek authorities have said that cruise ships should not dock at the main Fira port and instead should dock at Athinios Port due to safety concerns.
Santorini’s cruise season starts in late March with just a handful of cruise ship visits, and activity starts ramping up a lot more in April and onward. The 2025 schedule shows:
Current Cruise Schedule for Santorini
April: 28 cruise visits from 14 lines
May: 69 cruise visits from 23 lines
June: 82 cruise visits from 18 lines
July: 90 cruise visits from 24 cruise lines
August: 85 cruise visits from 26 cruise lines
September: 79 cruise visits from 26 cruise lines
While monitoring seismic activity, the Greek Government is doing everything it can to make sure the cruise season starts on time and that the city is ready and safe for cruise passengers.
Cruise Tax
But earthquakes aren’t the only thing shaking things up. The port city recently decided to add an additional cruise tax of up to 20 euros to incoming visitors as well.
The passenger fee would actually be 20 euros during peak summer months (June-September), 12 euros in the shoulder seasons (April, May, October), and 4 euros during the off-season (November-March).
Over the next few weeks, local officials are expected to make a decision about the new tax and how it will be applied. The earthquakes put a temporary hold on discussions about the cruise tax, but now it could add another layer to the complexity of cruising to this popular port.
For now, local port officials are more concerned with safety. The Foreign Office recently gave advice about earthquakes in the city with this message:
“The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, is currently experiencing frequent earthquakes which may continue for several weeks. The Greek authorities advised people in those areas not to attend large indoor gatherings, to avoid old or abandoned buildings and the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high.”
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Baltimore’s cruise scene faces a potential shake-up, with Royal Caribbean’s future in question.
There are rumblings that Royal Caribbean may no longer be sailing from Baltimore after next year. The rumors stem from a simple process of elimination. After seeing what ships are left to sail from the Maryland port after one ship is known to be leaving is raising questions.
A quick look at the deployment schedule for Vision of the Seas shows that the Royal Caribbean vessel is scheduled to reposition from Baltimore to Port Everglades in October 2026.
The issue is that it takes a specific size ship to be able to sail out of the port. The vertical clearance of the Bay Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Bridge) limits the mega ships of today from even getting near the dock.
This departure raises questions, especially considering the port’s recent history with Royal Caribbean.
Before Vision of the Seas came to Baltimore in 2023, Enchantment of the Seas had been homeporting there since 2021.
Vision-class vessels with Royal Caribbean include Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas.
Enchantment of the Seas is currently deployed in Tampa and set to remain there through 2027, and Grandeur of the Seas is scheduled to sail from both Port Everglades and Tampa over the next two years.
Rhapsody of the Seas is currently offering 7-day sailings from San Juan and is scheduled to move to Tampa in November 2025.
The popularity of cruising is still very strong in Baltimore, with almost half a million cruisers choosing the port every year
A spokesperson for the Port of Baltimore recently made this statement:
“We’re aware of potential changes in deployment for Royal Caribbean at the Port of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean has been an outstanding cruise partner for many years at the Port of Baltimore. We are continuing to hold discussions with them. Cruise lines make decisions on where to place a ship on an annual basis.”
It should be noted that while other Royal Caribbean ships that could fill the void in Baltimore already have their assignments, it’s still possible that the cruise line could make a change. These changes happen all the time, sometimes even after a ship had been open for bookings at another port.
On Friday, Royal Caribbean released a statement about Baltimore and said:
“We are excited to continue to offer vacations out of Baltimore throughout 2026 for guests to visit idyllic destinations including Bermuda, The Bahamas, Canada and New England. In late 2026, Vision of the Seas will shift to offer Caribbean sailings from Ft. Lauderdale through April 2027. We cannot comment on future deployment, but we look forward to reviewing opportunities to sail from Baltimore in the future.”
While the future remains uncertain, Baltimore’s cruise travelers await Royal Caribbean’s final decision.
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Cruises often appeal to the young and young-at-heart with fun activities and entertainment that will keep most under 30s happy while on board.
Despite attracting an average age of 47 years old across the cruise industry, a cruise holiday isn’t limited to those 40 and over. Under 30s can have a lot of fun on a cruise – if you choose the right cruise line, that is.
The last thing you want is to be stuck with a load of pensioners, couples and kids!
Read on to find out more about the best cruise lines to choose if you’re a solo traveller under 30. And what to expect from your fellow guests on board.
Cruises for singles under 30 – you’re not short of options!
There are lots of cruises for singles under 30. These include group cruises where single people aged 18 to 30 can take part in organised activities and excursions together. Or you can book a regular cruise and know that there will probably be lots of other like-minded people on board.
Organised group cruises specifically for singles don’t usually charter whole ships. Instead, between 50 and 500 single travellers will book the same cruise and attend organised meet-ups on board. These are great for anyone looking to make new friends and enjoy the company of other solo travellers.
But you don’t need to book a singles-only cruise – just travelling on certain cruise lines will boost your chances of meeting others who are single. Some of the best young singles cruise options are those where you’re just on a normal itinerary, but one where you know there will be other people under 30.
Every cruise is a great place to relax and mingle with fellow singles. From the moment you step aboard, you’ll enjoy food and drink available at numerous spots around the ship, daily activities and evening entertainment to keep you busy, and a cosy room to rest your head after a long day.
Bars, lounges and restaurants also offer many opportunities to strike up conversations with fellow passengers and bond over your shared cruise experiences.
So, here are the best cruise lines for singles under 30 looking to set sail and feel at ease while travelling alone.
The 7 best cruise lines for singles under 30
1. Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is all about fun, fun, fun. While the bright (and possibly even garish) ships do attract a lot of families, they’re also great for single people in their twenties. Look out for weekend cruises when you’re sure to find lots of college students, single-sex groups and solo travellers.
Carnival cruises offer singles mixers as well as LGBT meet-ups, so be sure to attend those to connect with fellow solo travellers. Carnival does a great drink package, and there are some really fun parties that continue well into the night.
There are plenty of organised singles cruises on Carnival ships. Check out my guide to Carnival singles cruises for more information about those.
2. Virgin Voyages
One of the newest cruise lines to make a splash is Virgin Voyages, born of the infamous Virgin brand from entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Continuing the cheeky vibe that the brand is already known for, Virgin Voyages is an adult-only ship for those seeking something different.
On board, guests can expect group fitness classes to meet gym buddies, interactive evening entertainment and experiential foodie venues to bump into new-found friends (including a science lab-themed kitchen).
The best part is that all of this is included in your cruise fare, alongside WiFi to take your best pictures for posting online, basic drinks to keep you hydrated and tips – so you can enjoy the cruise without spending an extra penny!
You can also add in alcoholic drinks package pre-cruise with their pre-paid Bar Tab or pay for your drinks at the end.
You don’t need to worry about dedicated Virgin singles cruises either because the typical age is already quite young, and a lot of people who sail with the cruise line are single and looking to have a lot of fun.
3. Royal Caribbean
While Royal Caribbean might strike up images of family fun, travelling with the cruise line off-peak means there are fewer children on board so guests can let their inner child run wild!
With so many activities to enjoy on a Royal Caribbean ship, particularly on the Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, there are plenty of opportunities for under 30s to make friends while sailing.
Try out surfing on the FlowRider simulator or challenge yourself and your teammates in an Escape Room. Get competitive on the dodgems or hold hands and keep your balance while ice skating.
There are lots of things to get up to on a Royal Caribbean ship and many chances to bond with fellow passengers over cocktails at the robotic Bionic Bar or even sushi making at speciality restaurant, Izumi.
For active singles looking to mingle, the nightlife is best on the Oasis- and Quantum-class ships, with nightclubs and late-night bars as well as a pop-up Miami Beach-style venue hosted in the adults-only Solarium once per cruise.
The Icon-class ships are bigger and do have great nightlife options too, but bear in mind these are even more family-oriented.
4. Norwegian Cruise Line
For a more relaxing option, Norwegian Cruise Line prides itself on being a freestyle cruise line. This means that the relaxed dress code, flexible dining options and carefree vibes allow for a less restrictive experience – it’s much more chilled.
The cruise line is also one of the best for solo cruises, winning awards for its studio staterooms. In fact, NCL was the first cruise line to offer accommodations solely for those travelling alone. Plus, on many cruises there’s no single supplement!
Most of the ships in the NCL fleet attract a fun and young-at-heart crowd, with exciting features such as the Vibe Beach Club for those aged 18+, a three-storey high Sports Complex and the SVEDKA Ice Bar.
There’s also Tony Award-winning evening entertainment including Rock of Ages and dining options to suit all.
Celebrity Cruises is one of the more modern luxury cruise lines with new ships in the Edge Class which are aimed at a younger audience.
Shared spaces such as the Martini Bars, unique Magic Carpet and the immersive Eden offer Instagrammable spots to mingle and make new friends, while attractive suites and staterooms match their trendy décor and sophisticated design.
Life onboard offers cocktail making and masterclasses, a Sun Deck with real grass, and a suite space where you can relax with butler service and exclusive lounge areas. This cruise line is a great choice for those seeking more indulgence while at sea but also looking to mix with a younger demographic.
While not included automatically anymore, you can book cruise fares that include drinks, WiFi and tips, so you can work your way through the cocktail menu and message the guy you met last night, without worrying about how much you’re spending.
6. Hurtigruten
Adventurers and explorers need to look no further than Hurtigruten. Bringing off-the-beaten-path itineraries and exciting excursions, this expedition cruise line is ideal for discovering the world and potentially a new-found friend, or even a travelling partner!
With 14 ships in the fleet to choose from, each one offers places to socialise and discuss that day’s adventures that have taken you along the Norwegian coastline.
Get to know fellow passengers easily with shared stories of searching for wildlife or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Hike together amongst Icelandic volcanoes or ski down a glacier – you could even warm up together after a chilly snorkel in Antarctica!
Hurtigruten is a great option for those who believe their backpacking days are over but are still searching for a new destination and even new friends.
7. MSC Cruises
Partying at sea can happen on any cruise line but one of the best for nightlife is MSC Cruises. With each ship offering numerous places to enjoy an evening tipple into the early hours of the morning, the cruise line is perfect for night owls who love a boogie.
The latest ships in the fleet, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, each offer huge promenades which are packed with clubs and bars. There’s also a party at midnight where you can dance below the enormous LED dome which changes pictures and takes on another life when the sun sets.
Every cruise also features a White Hot Party which is situated on the Pool Deck and runs until the early hours. As for the daytime, enjoy games, group fitness classes and hairy chest contests that are ideal conversation starters for singles looking to meet new people.
MSC Cruises are pretty cheap, so if you’re on a budget, this could be the one for you.
To conclude
Many cruise lines are already well placed to welcome singles under 30 with your accommodation, dining, drinks and social venues all readily available to you as soon as you step onboard. Depending on your travelling style and preferences, some cruise lines will be better suited to you than others.
If sleeping all day and partying all night is your thing, then don’t miss this list of The Best Party Cruises.
For keen travellers looking to see the world while meeting someone new, Hurtigruten might be your best option, while those looking for parties, luxurious staterooms and the perfect spot for social media posts would be better suited to Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.
If you’re just keen to experience a cruise and all that comes with it, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line provide plenty of entertainment, activities and socialising opportunities which are excellent to meet new friends and strike up a new bond.
Tips for travelling solo would be to ensure you remain safe and vigilant while cruising and don’t do anything you wouldn’t usually do on land. If you’re unsure on which cruise line to choose, try a short cruise on one of these ships that cater for solo cruisers and go from there.
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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.
Loyalty programs are a good way for a cruise line to reward passengers who decide to keep cruising with the same line. After all, there are so many great cruise lines to choose from that it benefits them to try to keep you loyal.
Carnival’s program is called VIFP, and like many other similar schemes, it has multiple tiers that you progress through as you cruise. You start with Blue for your first sailing and then move to Red, then Gold, then Platinum and ultimately Diamond – the best of the Carnival VIFP levels.
But Platinum is the one to pay particular attention to, because it’s very achievable if you’re a loyal Carnival customer, and it has a lot of benefits. Gold status doesn’t get you a lot, so the step up to Platinum is really noticeable.
Let’s dive into what you get when you reach Platinum VIFP status.
The cruises needed to reach VIFP Platinum
To reach Carnival Platinum level, you need 75 points. You get one point for every night you spend on a Carnival ship, so it doesn’t matter how many cruises you take, you just need to cruise for 75 nights.
Since most Carnival cruises last 3-7 nights, the fastest way to get to Platinum is to take 11 cruises – 10 of them lasting a week and then the last one being at least 5 nights. If you’re lucky enough to cruise twice a year, this means you’ll get to Platinum status in your sixth year of cruising.
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What Platinum members get with Carnival
You get a lot of benefits when you’re at Carnival cruise Platinum level. These include priority check-in, boarding and debarkation, priority spa reservations, special parties exclusively for Platinum and Diamond members, and free laundry services.
Here’s a rundown of everything you get as a Platinum member:
1. Priority check-in and boarding
Being first on the ship is always a fun experience – you don’t have to queue for a long time at port, and you’re able to get straight to the fun. While being a Platinum guest doesn’t guarantee you being the very first person on the ship, it does mean you can book early check-in and be on the ship sooner.
There have been some changes to this perk while Carnival adjusts to new health and safety protocols, which means you can’t necessarily choose an early embarkation time but you do get 48 hours advance notice to book your Arrival Appointment for check-in.
Boarding times are based on the arrival appointments so if you make sure to grab one of the first, then you will still be one of the first people onto the ship.
2. Priority debarkation
While it’s always sad to leave a cruise ship, it still makes sense to be one of the first people off on the last day if you can be. You’ll beat the rush, which means a smoother journey back through the port and potentially first dibs on taxis or getting to your car and out of the car park faster if you’re parked at the port.
It’s worth noting that this perk isn’t always available. It depends on how many Platinum and Diamond guests are on-board – if there are too many then the service can’t be offered.
3. Priority access to Guest Services
If you’ve got any problems or queries that you need Guest Services to resolve, then you don’t want to spend time queuing and wasting precious cruise fun time. So as a Platinum guest, there are two ways you get priority access to the Guest Services team.
Firstly, if you visit them in person there’s a priority line for Platinum and Diamond guests. Any guests in this line will be seen before others in the standard line.
And if you don’t want to visit in person, you get a priority phone number, so you don’t have to wait in a holding queue on the phone with other non-Platinum guests.
4. Priority reservations at speciality dining restaurants
The speciality restaurants on a Carnival ship always prove to be popular. They offer unique dining opportunities and a more varied menu than you would enjoy if you ate purely in the Main Dining Room or the buffet.
It’s not super-common for speciality restaurants to be fully booked on a Carnival cruise, because a lot of people are perfectly happy with the free options. But as a Platinum member, you do still get priority reservations, which means you can choose the best nights and times to enjoy the restaurants that you want to visit.
5. Priority spa reservations
The onboard spa on a Carnival ship offers a wide range of treatments that are perfect for relaxing. Whether it’s a specialist massage, a detox wrap, or even acupuncture, there are some great options to soothe away the stresses of modern life.
And similar to speciality dining, these don’t tend to get fully booked out in most cases, but it is still beneficial to have first dibs on the best days and times for your treatments. A lot of people like to book early-morning treatments or those around two hours before dinner on a special night.
When you’re a Platinum member, you get priority access to secure your treatments at the time that you want them.
6. Priority water shuttle boarding
Heading to shore for an excursion or just a day of exploring independently? You won’t be the only one – hundreds of people will be leaving the ship on a day at port. So on days where you need to use a water shuttle to get to shore, it’s a nice benefit to have priority access so that you can beat the lines and have more time to explore.
You only get priority traveling from ship to shore – on the return to the ship, you’ll need to queue with everyone else. And it’s not always available either – it varies by destination based on local guidance, and it can be withdrawn as a perk at short notice. So don’t be too disappointed if you have to wait in line with everyone else.
7. Platinum and Diamond VIFP Party
On sailings lasting 5 days or more, all Platinum and Diamond guests are invited to a special VIFP party. This is a good chance to mingle with other loyal Carnival guests and swap stories of your favourite ships.
Oh, and the drinks are complimentary too. So even if you just want to go hang out with your own traveling party, it’s still worth paying the party a visit just to get a few drinks free.
8. Complimentary drink
Platinum guests are permitted to enjoy a free cocktail of their choosing during their cruise.
It used to be that this was only offered during the SeaDay brunch, but this changed in July 2024 and the drink can now be enjoyed at any time during a cruise (minimum five nights).
9. Complimentary water
Bottled water can be expensive on a cruise ship but it’s always good to have one in your stateroom. And if you’re a Platinum guest, then you get a 1.5-litre bottle for free, which is a nice touch.
You just need to redeem it to pick up your bottle, which you can do at any bar or restaurant on the ship. You can also use room service to claim your free bottle as well.
10. Chocolate Delight delivery
A smaller touch, but one that’s definitely appreciated by any chocolate lover – Platinum guests are able to request the Chocolate Delight treat to be delivered to their room once for free during the cruise (normal value $12.50).
Chocolate Delight consists of four chocolate-dipped strawberries that have been rolled in red velvet cake crumbs. There are also two red velvet and chocolate ganache macaroons, and two chocolate truffles. It’s a sumptuous treat, and it’s just a phone call to room services away.
11. Free arcade credit for under 18s
Platinum guests used to get a few extra benefits in the casino, ideal if you were into gaming. This included buy-one-get-one-free entries in tournaments, and $25 of casino credit. But those perks have since been removed, unfortunately.
Guests under 18 still have their gaming perk though – those who are lucky enough to have reached Platinum status before adulthood get $5 free to spend in the onboard arcade.
12. Carnival logo gift and collectible pin
It’s always fun to bring home a special souvenir from your cruise, and as a Platinum guest, you get two!
The first is a Carnival logo gift. These can vary, but are usually small items that bear the Carnival logo. Past examples have included a travel planner with a pen, or even a night light. They tend to change the gift every few months, so unless you’re sailing super-regularly, then you should always get something new.
The second gift is a collectible pin. These are unique to each sailing and are perfect whether you already have a pin collection or if you just want something to remember each cruise you take.
Both of these gifts can be claimed at the Photo Gallery on the cruise ship – just make sure you visit before the last two days of your cruise, as they stop offering them then.
13. Complimentary Wash & Fold laundry
Once you reach Platinum, you’re allowed to make use of the laundry services for free. You get two bags of laundry on 3-6 day cruises, 3 bags on cruises up to 12 days, and 5 bags of laundry for cruises lasting longer than 12 days.
That’s plenty of free laundry already, although if you do make it to Diamond status, then you get unlimited free laundry too.
To conclude
The perks you get with any cruise line’s loyalty program are designed to be nice little extras just to make your cruise that touch more special. And Carnival’s Platinum VIFP level is one of the better ones when you weigh up what you get versus how many nights you have to cruise to earn it.
There’s a lot here that won’t make or break your cruise but will just make you feel like a Very Important Fun Person during your cruise. And if you combine the Platinum rewards with Carnival’s suite perks that you get when you book a suite for your accommodation, then you get a whole lot extra for your holiday.
If you have any questions about Carnival’s loyalty perks or would like to make any suggestions, then I recommend that you contact Carnival’s brand ambassador John Heald. He’s incredibly helpful and I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.
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Another useful thing to know is that once you reach Platinum on Carnival, if you ever cruise with MSC Cruises, you can claim Gold status with the MSC Status Match Program.
You don’t have to wait until then to take advantage of the status matching, check out this MSC Cruises Status Match Chart for more information.
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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.
Wondering if you can bring your own alcohol or soft drinks on a cruise? It’s a common question and the answer is very much, ‘it depends’.
While bar prices on board many ships are similar to your local pub back home, some cruise ships do charge quite a lot more – particularly if exchange rates aren’t in your favour and you’re charged a service charge on top!
So, bringing a bottle of wine or liquor to drink in your stateroom could be an easy way to save some of your hard-earned cruise spending money.
But, before you go ahead and stash the Stella in your suitcase, you’ll need to be aware of the drinks policy of the cruise line you are sailing with.
Taking your own drinks on a cruise – rules vary!
The policies for bringing your own drinks on a cruise vary depending on the cruise line. Some cruise lines let you bring your own alcohol, soft drinks and water on board, but others strictly forbid it. Out of the cruise lines that allow you to bring alcohol, most limit this to one bottle.
Read on for the lowdown on which drinks you’re allowed to bring with each cruise line…
Bringing alcohol on a cruise
Most cruise ships allow you to bring one 750ml bottle of wine per person on board the ship. You are allowed to drink the wine in your stateroom. If you prefer to drink it in one of the bars or restaurants, a corkage fee will be charged.
There are exceptions to this rule. Costa and MSC Cruises does not allow guests to bring any alcohol on board whatsoever. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t limit how much wine you can bring, but guests will be charged a $15 fee per bottle, no matter whether they drink it in their stateroom or in a public area.
Princess Cruises allow you to bring one bottle free of charge and their alcohol policy states that guests will be charged a corkage fee of $15 for each additional bottle. However, the fee may not always be enforced.
Sanna Burns from VeganCruiser.co.uk states that she always brings her own vegan wine when she sails with Princess Cruises and has never yet been charged the corkage fee.
Disney Cruise line is a little more generous, allowing two bottles of wine per person, as well as allowing you to swap this allowance to six beers should you prefer. P&O Cruises also allows more than average, with up to one litre of wine or Champagne – but since May 2024 you can no longer bring spirits onboard.
Read on for the alcohol allowance for each cruise line…
How much are you allowed?
Cruise Line
Alcohol allowance per passenger
Non-alcoholic drinks allowance per passenger
Carnival
One bottle of wine
12 x 330ml cans or cartons
Celebrity
Two bottles of wine
No limit
Costa
Not allowed
Water only permitted for medical needs
Cunard
One bottle of wine
No limit
Disney
Two bottles of wine or six beers
No limit
MSC Cruises
Not allowed
Water only permitted for medical needs
NCL
Unlimited wine – $15 fee per bottle
Water only permitted for medical needs
P&O Cruises
One litre of wine or Champagne
No limit
Princess Cruises
One bottle of wine for free. $15 per additional bottle
No limit
Royal Caribbean
One bottle of wine
12 x 500ml bottles, cans or cartons (per stateroom)
The table above shows how many drinks each passenger can bring on their cruise.
If you plan to drink more than this, then it might be a good idea to get a drinks package. Pop your details in the form below, and I’ll send you my handy drinks package calculator so you know whether to get one or not.
Whilst many cruise lines don’t have set limits on the amount of soft drinks or water each passenger can bring with them, many do require that they are carried on as hand luggage and not checked in with your suitcases.
Most cruise lines will let you take a bottle of wine onboard
How to stop wine bottles from breaking in your luggage
Imagine opening your suitcase to find a bottle of red wine has smashed all over your clothes. You’d have to go for the tie-dye look all holiday! This has happened to me once before with shower gel, which was bad enough, but I imagine that alcohol and broken glass would be 100 times worse!
Don’t take the risk; instead, buy a wine bottle protector to make sure your glass bottles can’t smash in transit.
Cruise line policies on bringing your own drinks onboard a ship:
Should you wish to check the exact policy on bringing your own alcohol, you’ll find links to each of the cruise line’s alcohol policies below:
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Taking soft drinks on a cruise
Most cruise lines do not restrict guests from bringing their own soft drinks or water on board to drink in their stateroom. However, the policy on this varies depending on the cruise line with some cruise lines restricting all drinks, only allowing water when it is needed for medical reasons.
Bringing soda on Carnival cruises
Carnival Cruise Line allows guests to bring soft drinks in cans or cartons but not bottles. This is because people have been known to sneak alcohol using plastic bottles. The limit is twelve 330ml (12-oz) sealed cans or cartons per passenger.
Bringing soda on Celebrity cruises
Celebrity Cruises allow guests to bring on unlimited water or soda when they embark or in port. If you wish to bring a case of soft drinks you could attach a luggage tag, check it in with your luggage and it will be delivered to your stateroom.
Bringing soda on Costa cruises
Costa Cruises do not allow guests to bring any soft drinks whatsoever on to their cruise ships. Water is only permitted if it is for medical needs and guests should let the cruise line know if they need to bring on water or distilled water for this reason.
Bringing soda on Cunard cruises
Cunard allows guests to bring unlimited soft drinks and water on board at the start of the cruise and in ports of call.
Bringing soda on Disney Cruise Line cruises
Disney Cruise Line allows guests to bring unlimited soft drinks on board in their carry-on luggage when they embark but not in checked suitcases. Disney Cruise Line offers soft drinks for free with meals, but there is a charge at other times and bottled water is always chargeable on board.
Bringing soda on MSC cruises
MSC Cruises do not allow guests to bring any soft drinks or water onto their cruise ships. If you need to bring water for medical reasons, you should let MSC Cruises know before you cruise as they may require you to fill in a form.
Bringing soda on NCL cruises
Since 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line has prohibited guests from bringing any soda, juices or water on board. The exception is purified or distilled water for medical needs which must be in factory-sealed containers.
Bringing soda on P&O cruises
P&O Cruises allows guests to bring unlimited soft drinks and water on board their cruiser ships. You can also bring more soft drinks on board at each port of call too if you wish.
Bringing soda on Princess cruises
Princess Cruises allow guests to bring unlimited soft drinks on board its ships including soda, juices and water. These can be in cans, bottles or cartons. You can also bring small coolers full of non-alcoholic beverages if you wish.
Bringing soda on Royal Caribbean cruises
Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring non-alcoholic drinks as carry-on items on embarkation day. The limit is twelve 500ml (17-oz) cans, cartons or bottles per person.
Why some cruise lines won’t let you bring soda onboard
The reason why some cruise lines have started to limit the drinks brought on board is to speed up the security process. All luggage is checked for prohibited items, including alcohol.
In the past, guests have attempted to sneak alcohol on board in a variety of ways, a common one being in soft drink bottles. Prohibiting soft drinks, or limiting them to cans or cartons instead of bottles makes it much harder for people to sneak alcohol onboard.
If you’re thinking of sneaking extra alcohol onboard a cruise ship you should remember that as more passengers are caught doing this, it will increase the likelihood of more cruise lines following suit in limiting or banning bringing your own drinks on board.
Cruisers often ask “Can you take soda on a cruise ship?” Or, “Can you take energy drinks on a cruise?”
As far as I’m aware, cruise lines don’t tend to distinguish between different kinds of soft drinks and so this should be fine. If you have experienced otherwise, please let us know in the comments below.
Saving money by bringing your own drinks on a cruise
If your cruise line allows it, then bringing your own alcohol on board can be an easy way to save money on your cruise holiday. Just be sure to buy a wine bottle protector to make sure your bottles don’t smash in your suitcase!
On our recent cruise onboard P&O Britannia, I brought a litre of gin and my husband brought a litre of rum on board. We also brought several large bottles of lemonade. Doing this saved us over £400, compared to how much it would have cost us to buy the same drinks in the bars.
Plus, we found it much more convenient to have these in the fridge in our room and enjoy a drink whilst getting ready to go out in the evening.
Do you like to bring your own alcohol or soft drinks on a cruise? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
Cruise ships are some of the largest vessels in the world. So if you’ve ever wondered how cruise ships float and don’t tip over, you’re certainly not alone.
With as many as 20 decks, heavy swimming pools on the top, and not much ship below the water… How does a cruise ship float and not topple over?
To find out, I spoke to a helpful cruise ship pilot by the name of John, who explained the physics in a way that we can all understand…
The science of floating
Cruise ships stay afloat because they have a U-shaped hull that displaces water outwards and downwards. As the water tries to fill this space, the energy pushes the ship upwards. This law of physics is known as Archimedes’ principle.
Archimedes’ principle states that a body immersed in a fluid is subjected to an upwards force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. This is known as ‘the first condition of equilibrium’.
The upward buoyant force that is exerted on a cruise ship in the water is equal to the weight of the water that it displaces.
For example, Anthem of Seas displaces 78,130 metric tonnes. This is equivalent to 76,224,390.2 litres of sea water.
Depth (draft) explained
The depth at which a ship sits in the water is known as the draft. Most cruise ships typically have a draft of between 5 metres (16ft 5in ) and 10 metres (32ft 10in). The actual draft depends on the size of the vessel and how much fuel and ballast water is on board. A typical cruise ship draft is 8.5m (25ft 6in).
Draft is measured forward, aft and midship. The draft will determine which ports a cruise ship can enter. Smaller cruise ships typically have a draft of less than 7m (22ft 9in) and so they can enter smaller ports. This is why, when you cruise on a smaller ship, with a cruise line like Azamara or Silversea, you’ll get to visit the smaller, less-touristy ports of call.
I have a table with the drafts of many cruise ships in this article, so you can compare them.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
Draft marks
You can see how deep a cruise ship is sitting in the water by checking the draft marks. You’ll find these at the bow and the stern. This photo shows what they look like…
Load line
The marking on the centre of the vessel’s side is what is commonly known as the Plimsoll mark or load line. It is named after Samuel Plimsoll who campaigned for a safe maximum draft mark, which was enacted in 1875.
The line through the circle is the maximum point the vessel can be loaded to, the ladder arrangement immediately forward shows different maximum drafts under certain conditions.
The T stands for Tropical, the S stands for Summer and the W stands for Winter. But for practical reasons (this can vary as to the regions of the world and time of year) and on most cruise ships, the S load line is used. It is illegal for vessels to sail with this mark submerged. If they do, they are overloaded.
The N and V relate to the ship’s classification society. These bodies ensure that the vessel is constructed and maintained to the relevant international standards (E.g. NV is Bureau Veritas, LR is Lloyds Registrar etc.)
But how much of a ship is actually underwater?
Around 10% of a cruise ship is below the water. Some of the largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, have a height above the waterline of around 72 metres (236ft 11in), and a draft below the water of around 9.3 meters (30ft 6in).
Smaller cruise ships may have only half as many decks, but as they aren’t as heavy, they don’t sit as deep in the water. So the percentage of the ship that’s below the waterline would still be roughly 10%.
So, why don’t ships just tip over?
Cruise ships are designed not to be unstable or to tip over (capsize). The combination of a wide hull, (known as “the water plane area”) low centre of gravity, fuel, and ballast tanks filled with water keeps a cruise ship from tipping over in rough seas.
A cruise ship’s centre of gravity can be moved up or down by adjusting weights within the vessel – the most obvious is ballast water and fuel. In extreme cases, cruise ship swimming pools could be drained to provide additional stability, as the weight of so much water on the upper decks will make the centre of gravity higher.
Most cruise ships have a mechanical stabilising system (referred to as stabilisers) that can be deployed when at sea. These take the form of extending fins that rotate and are able to impart a righting force when the vessel is moving ahead. They cannot remove rolling, but can reduce it considerably.
Most cruise ships also have bilge keels which also assist to limit the amount of roll. These are long, metal fins that are welded along each side of the ship.
Flat-bottomed girls
Most ocean cruise ships have flat bottoms. A square shape maximises space on board as well as making the ship more stable. A flat bottom also simplifies construction and dry docking.
The bottoms of cruise ships are not flat near the bow nor at the raised area at the stern where the propellors are.
So, cruise ships can’t tip over? Well…
It is technically possible for a cruise ship to roll over, but it is highly unlikely that this would ever happen. The stability of cruise ships is continuously monitored by the Master and the ship’s navigational officers, and the weight distribution is adjusted as required to maintain safety.
Any ship can capsize if the weight distribution and buoyancy are compromised to provide negative stability. But in the case of large vessels like cruise ships, tipping over would be almost impossible, even in the roughest seas.
The last time a ship tipped over
The last time a cruise ship of note tipped over was in 2012. The Costa Concordia struck rocks and suffered an uncontrolled ingress of water. The vessel became progressively more unstable and as she drifted ashore on the island of Giglio, the ship touched the ocean floor which imparted an upwards force to the vessel bottom, resulting in the ship tipping over.
The design of cruise ships is very clever indeed. The U-shaped hull, flat bottom and added features like stabilisers and bilge keels all help to prevent rolling and keep a ship upright.
Added to that, the Master and deck officers are constantly monitoring the stability and adjusting the ballast etc as needed to keep the ship upright and to maintain the amount of stability within acceptable parameters for the comfort of the guests
So, if you’ve ever been worried that your cruise ship might tip over in bad weather, you really don’t need to. The chance of a cruise ship ever capsizing is incredibly small.
And now you know how cruise ships float, you have the knowledge to impress your friends with the science.
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.
