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Set Sail On MSC Cruises 121-Night 2027 World Cruise

MSC Cruises has opened sales for the MSC World Cruise 2027 with an exciting new itinerary aboard MSC Musica.

The new 121-night route will visit 45 stunning destinations in 25 countries, with seven overnight stays in must-see cities and full-day stays in all other calls along this journey of a lifetime, which spans over 37,000 nautical miles across five continents.

121-Night Route Will Cover 37,000 Nautical Miles

This extraordinary sailing will cross the Equator two times,offering guests the unique experience of ‘losing’ and ‘reliving’ a day, while having the chance to discover unique sights, sounds, flavors and traditions from all over the globe.

With embarkation possible from one of four European ports – Civitavecchia for Rome, Genoa (Italy), Marseille (France), and Barcelona (Spain) from January 5-8, 2027, MSC Musica will voyage westward on a remarkable journey through some of the most diverse and spectacular destinations.

Guests will explore South America, including its southernmost point in Ushuaia, Argentina, nicknamed the “end of the world”, relish in the South Pacific’s stunning landscapes and experience Australasia’s vibrant charm. The voyage continues to Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast before returning to Europe via a scenic transit of the Panama Canal, stopping to enjoy the flavors and colors of the Caribbean.

The itinerary includes full day stays at every port and overnight stays in Buenos Aires, Sydney, Papeete and more. This extraordinary itinerary promises unforgettable experiences, blending natural wonders, historic landmarks and cultural hubs to fulfil every traveler’s wanderlust.

Some of the highlights of 2027 MSC World Cruise include:

  • Casablanca for Marrakech, Morocco: Enjoy this bustling city, take a stroll through its vibrant old town and marvel at its blend of contemporary architecture and historic landmarks. Guests can also take a day trip to Marrakech, renowned for its vibrant souks, historic palaces and breathtaking gardens. The city’s famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square offers a sensory overload, while the Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, provides a serene escape. Guests can explore the grand Bahia Palace, or wander through the labyrinthine streets of the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Mindelo, Cape Verde: Located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, this charming city is known for its vibrant culture, offering a unique blend of its African and Portuguese influences, colorful colonial architecture and a lively music scene. Travelers can explore Monte Verde, the highest point on the island for panoramic views, or stroll through the lively streets where local music fills the air.
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Between an azure sea and forest-clad mountains, the city’s streets and buildings have been molded around the foothills of the mountain range that provides its backdrop, while out in Guanabara Bay there are many rocky islands fringed with white sand. It is also the perfect opportunity to explore the Amazon with its pristine rainforest and eclectic wildlife.
  • Ushuaia, Argentina: The most adventurous destinations of all is Ushuaia. Known as the southernmost city in the world, it is surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Guests can explore the stunning glaciers and fjords of the Beagle Channel, spot whales and experience the rugged beauty of Patagonia.
  • Aitutaki, Cook Islands: Often described as one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific, Aitutaki is renowned for its stunning turquoise lagoons, unspoiled beaches and vibrant coral reefs. The island is also famous for its historical significance, as it has been the site for several films and novels, inspiring stories of paradise and adventure. Travelers can enjoy serene boat tours, explore the island’s lush interior or relax on its pristine beaches, all while immersing themselves in the island’s unique Polynesian culture.
  • Milford Sound, New Zealand: This world-renowned natural wonder is celebrated for its dramatic fjords, cascading waterfalls and lush rainforests that create an awe-inspiring scenery, which has been featured in popular films such “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”. Fiordland Park’s Milford Sound is often called the “eighth wonder of the world.” Guests can visit towering cliffs, spot unique wildlife like dolphins and penguins, or hike iconic trails like the Milford Track. Fiordland’s cinematic beauty and untouched wilderness make it a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
  • Sydney, Australia: A hub of lively culture, Sydney boasts an appealing blend of Victorian-era buildings and modern architecture. Guests can discover the city’s center in the South Shore – a busy waterfront area with a variety of attractions to explore including the Sydney Opera House and the expansive Royal Botanic Gardens to the east of Sydney Cove and the historic area of The Rocks to the west. Before departing, guests can enjoy a visit to one of the largest steel-arch bridges in the world, the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Adrenaline junkies can even join an MSC Cruises shore excursion to make the 440-foot climb to its highest point.
  • Honolulu, Hawaii: A top destination on many bucket lists, the capital of Hawaii, which sits on the beautiful island of Oahu is the ideal spot for sunbathing, enjoying traditional Hawaiian cuisine and discovering the history of the island.It is home to Pearl Harbor and an array of picturesque beaches, including Waikiki. Visitors can hike the volcanic crater of Diamond Head, enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau or explore the rich history and culture at the Bishop Museum. Honolulu’s cinematic allure and cultural depth make it a quintessential Pacific paradise.
  • Panama Canal, Panama: The Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is one of the world’s most iconic waterways. Visitors cruising the Panama Canal can witness the intricate lock system in action at the Miraflores Locks and learn about the canal’s rich history at the Panama Canal Museum. Beyond its engineering significance, the canal offers breathtaking views of lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife. The journey provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending natural beauty with a pivotal moment in maritime history.
  • Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is a tropical haven known for its lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and vibrant reggae culture. Visitors can explore the iconic Dunn’s River Falls, a stunning waterfall perfect for climbing and swimming, or take a bamboo raft ride on the Martha Brae River. With its blend of natural wonders and cultural vibrancy, Ocho Rios offers an unforgettable slice of Jamaican paradise.

Booking information

Set Sail on MSC Cruises 121-Night 2027 World Cruise | 7Set Sail on MSC Cruises 121-Night 2027 World Cruise | 7
MSC Musica

As part of their cruise ticket, guests booking will also benefit from:

  • 15 shore excursions included in the booking price
  • Complimentary Dine & Drink beverage package including house wines, draught beer and a selection of other drinks offered during lunch and dinner
  • 30 percent discount on laundry services
  • Classic level MSC Voyager Club members and above will benefit from a 5 percent discount on their booking price – the points gained from the World Cruise will be tripled and added to the accounts before the start of the voyage, instantly granting valuable privileges and extras

Guests looking to sail around the world even sooner can book the remaining cabins on the 2026 MSC World Cruise.

Click here to learn more information about the 2027 MSC World Cruise.

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10 Reasons To Love A-ROSA Family Cruises

A-ROSA river cruises offer a fantastic option for families who love to explore interesting European cities on holiday. Each luxury A-ROSA river ship is like a floating hotel, transporting you from one exciting destination to the next.

Whilst most other river cruise holidays are aimed at adults, A-ROSA cruises are specially designed with families in mind.

I took my kids on the A-ROSA Sena for a week and we had the best time! I wish that more families, especially British families, knew what a good option this is. Because it really is, and it’s such a shame that more people don’t think of a river cruise when planning a family holiday.

So, read on to find out why you should consider A-ROSA family cruises for your next adventure…

1. The great choice of ships and destinations

A-ROSA Sena in Cologne
A-ROSA Sena in Cologne

A-ROSA has 16 river cruise ships, with two more having joined in 2024. Being a German-owned company, five of these ships have German as the only onboard language.

However, the rest are international ships. These have both English and German spoken on board and an international host on hand to help. A lot of A-ROSA reviews mention how helpful the crew are, too!

A-ROSA’s international ships sail on six European rivers:

  • The Douro: A-ROSA ALVA
  • The Danube: A-ROSA BELLA, A-ROSA DONNA, A-ROSA FLORA, A-ROSA MIA and A-ROSA RIVA
  • The Main: A-ROSA CLEA
  • The Rhine: A-ROSA ALEA, A-ROSA AQUA, A-ROSA BRAVA, A-ROSA CLEA, A-ROSA FLORA, A-ROSA SENA and A-ROSA SILVA
  • The Seine: A-ROSA VIVA
  • The Rhone / Saone: A-ROSA LUNA and A-ROSA STELLA

You can choose from short three- or four-night city break cruises or longer seven- and ten-night cruises for a memorable family holiday.

2. Kids cruise free

My kids

On A-ROSA cruises, you don’t pay anything for children aged 15 years and under! One child can cruise free for every paying adult.

Most other river cruise lines charge the full adult fare for children, which makes A-ROSA a great value option for families.

It’s important to note that the kids cruise free offer applies to the cruise only, you must still pay for flights or trains to get to the ship. Also, it doesn’t apply to Douro river cruises as this ship is much smaller. On this river, a 25% discount is offered for children.

3. Family Cabins are available

Family cabin on A-ROSA SENA
Family cabin on A-ROSA SENA

Depending on the ship, you’ll find a great choice of cabins, such as cabins with an extra bed, family cabins that sleep four or five people or interconnecting cabins.

Plus, as kids cruise for free, a family of four will only pay for one cabin but could be allocated two!

Every cabin is spacious and river-facing. Some cabins also have French balconies, although these aren’t recommended for children under seven years old.

Suggested read: What is a French balcony on a ship?

On our cruise on A-ROSA SENA, we had an actual step-out balcony, which is pretty rare to get on a river ship.

For something special, you could opt for a suite and enjoy butler service plus lots of lovely little extras like welcome champagne, fresh flowers and fruit each day and free laundry.

4. The Kids’ Club

kids club on A-Rosa
Kids Club on A-ROSA SENA

During the school holidays, A-ROSA offers a free kids’ club for children aged four to fifteen.

Sessions run up to three times each day, with a variety of activities which are tailored to the children’s ages, interests and the weather.

Examples of A-ROSA kids’ club activities include:

  • Pirate Day
  • Treasure hunts
  • T-shirt making
  • Arts and crafts
  • Singing and dancing
  • Face painting
  • Board games
  • Mocktail workshop with the bartenders
  • Pizza making with the head chef
  • Question time with the captain
  • Look behind the scenes of the ship
  • Interviewing guests and crew and writing the onboard newspaper
  • Evening games for teenagers

My kids loved the kids club and every day they would ask if it was time to go yet. They liked how flexible it was – they could choose whether to join in with the activities or just play.

5. Family-friendly activities

Swimming pools
Swimming pools

As well as the organised activities of the kids’ club, there’s lots of things for families to enjoy together onboard A-ROSA’s ships.

Family-friendly activities on A-ROSA cruises include:

  • Swimming in the swimming pool or whirlpool
  • Outdoor games like shuffleboard, cornhole, boules, mini-golf or giant chess
  • Visiting the Bridge to meet the captain
  • Seeing the ship going through locks
  • Watching nightly shows in the lounge
  • Excursions are designed with families in mind

6. Family-friendly dining

family-friendly dining on A-Rosa river cruise
Family-friendly dining

A-ROSA offers flexible dining, which means that you can arrive at the onboard restaurants whenever you like and sit wherever you like.

Dinners are themed around the regions that are visited, with fresh local produce used to create local specialities. Special kids’ menus are available and there’s always a great choice of family favourites in the buffet restaurant.

7. Nobody will get lost!

A-ROSA DONNA
A-ROSA DONNA

A-ROSA river cruise ships each have a maximum of 240 guests. That means that kids can enjoy themselves on board without worrying about getting lost as they may do on a large ocean cruise ship.

8. Everything is included

All drinks are included on A-Rosa river cruise
All drinks are included

A-ROSA cruises for UK passengers are all-inclusive so everything is taken care of for you.

Here’s what’s included on an A-ROSA cruise:

  • Accommodation on the ship
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
  • All drinks
  • Wifi
  • Bathrobe and toiletries
  • Onboard entertainment and activities

9. You can explore ashore in the evening

Exploring Dordrecht
Exploring Dordrecht

A-ROSA has cleverly designed its itineraries to include as much time as possible in each port of call. Many itineraries include overnight stays in port, meaning that you can go for an evening stroll after dinner.

Cities with overnight stays include:

  • Vienna
  • Budapest
  • Amsterdam
  • Avignon
  • Rouen
  • Antwerp
  • Belgrade
  • Porto
  • Paris

10. There’s an eco-friendly ship

Me with A-Rosa Sena
Me with the new A-ROSA ship

Sailing on the Northern Rhine, A-ROSA SENA has an ‘e-motion’ concept that allows it to switch to battery power when approaching cities and arrive emission-free.

This new ship is designed specifically for multi-generational families. The first ship on the Rhine to have five decks, A-ROSA SENA is larger than the other ships in the A-ROSA fleet.

The large size of this new river ship means that guests can enjoy spacious cabins that sleep up to five people. Each family cabin has a toy box filled with age-appropriate toys and bunk beds have curtains and round peepholes to make bedtime fun.

A-ROSA SENA has a dedicated kids’ club space and a children’s area in the restaurant where kids can eat with their friends. Plus, there will be two swimming pools – one for adults and one for kids.

Conclusion

A-ROSA family river cruises offer one of the very best options for UK families looking to enjoy a luxury river cruise on the waterways of Europe.

Designed with families in mind, A-ROSA river cruise ships have lots for children to enjoy. Plus, as children cruise for free and parents can enjoy all-inclusive drinks, they offer excellent value for money too.

I’ve cruised on A-ROSA DONNA (the oldest ship in the fleet) and A-ROSA SENA (one of the newest). While all A-ROSA ships are suitable for children, A-ROSA SENA is by far the best to choose.

It has the kids club, the shallow pool and the best choice when it comes to food as well.

How to book

You can book A-ROSA river cruises online at arosa-cruises.com. However, you may find it easier to get a quote from your local travel agent. They can also package your cruise with flights, so that you’ll benefit from ATOL protection.

The best way to book a river cruise

Want expert help to plan your perfect cruise?

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Cruise Mummy

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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World’s Only Eataly At Sea Coming To MSC Cruises’ Newest Flagship

MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, MSC World America, will feature the only Eataly restaurant at sea when she enters service next year.

MSC Cruises is partnering with Eataly, the global ambassador of high-quality Italian food and wine, to offer guests an exclusive experience on the line’s new flagship. The world-renowned brand will debut alongside the ship’s other new restaurant and on-the-go food options, offering more choice and more convenience, while blending the cruise line’s signature European elegance with experiences tailored to the American market.

“As an international cruise line with a strong European heritage, we are committed to taking our guests on a gastronomic journey of discovery with the onboard dining experience as we believe that the best memories are made when sharing good food together. MSC World America stays true to this philosophy, which is why we have partnered with Eataly – an emblem of Made in Italy and Italian culinary artistry. We share a passion for high-quality, authentic food made with fresh ingredients and together we are creating a unique experience that can only be enjoyed on board MSC World America.” said Bernhard Stacher, Vice President of Global Hotel Operations, MSC Cruises.

Maximizing choice while offering a mix of traditional favorites and new flavors has always been at the core of MSC Cruises’ dining ethos. MSC World America will offer 19 dining venues, including four elegant main restaurants, two relaxed buffets, two exclusive venues for guests in the MSC Yacht Club, and unique experiences including:

NEW! Eataly At Sea

World's Only Eataly at Sea Coming to MSC Cruises' Newest Flagship - MSC World America | 7World's Only Eataly at Sea Coming to MSC Cruises' Newest Flagship - MSC World America | 7
Eataly (Photo by MSC Cruises)

MSC World America’s new Eataly restaurant will offer a menu that spans the pillars of Italian gastronomy, ranging from some of the brand’s most beloved dishes to items exclusively available on board. Guests can expect an unparalleled ingredient selection carefully sourced from Italian suppliers—with freshly made pasta crafted on-site—for an unforgettable culinary journey celebrating Italy’s finest flavors.

Eataly on MSC World America is a celebration of Italian culture and tradition, with a passion that extends beyond the menu. The restaurant’s design will incorporate warm materials, natural tones and soft lighting, fostering an informal yet elegant atmosphere. Plus, the open kitchen will maintain Eataly’s commitment to showcasing the cooking process live in front of guests’ eyes.

Specialty Dining For Everyones Unique Tastes

Alongside Eataly, MSC World America will feature five other specialty restaurants, including fan favorites Kaito Sushi Bar, Kaito Teppanyaki, Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, and Hola! Tacos & Cantina—all located in The Terraces district. Plus:

  • NEW! Paxos Greek Restaurant: In the Promenade district, Paxos will transport guests to the Mediterranean with its fresh, seafood-forward menu, complete with a fresh fish counter display for guests to choose from and four unique areas designed to immerse guests in the culture of Greece. Paxos will serve as a multi-service venue, offering lunch with the option of outdoor dining as well as small plates and cocktails on the restaurant’s terrace in the afternoon. From the afternoon to evening, guests can opt for the rooftop lounge with comfortable seating to relax in the shade. Music will accompany dinner, while guests enjoy a menu featuring hot pita bread and dips, hot and cold mezes to mix and share, delicacies like moussaka and lamb kleftiko, and a range of delicious fish and meat dishes.

Dining On The Go

World's Only Eataly at Sea Coming to MSC Cruises' Newest Flagship - MSC World America | 7World's Only Eataly at Sea Coming to MSC Cruises' Newest Flagship - MSC World America | 7
NEW! Paxos on the Go will offer Greek delacasies for a small charge aboard MSC World America (Photo by MSC Cruises)

MSC World America will offer five fast casual concepts, making it easy to grab a bite on the go while exploring all the ship has to offer:

  • NEW! Paxos on the Go: Conveniently located in the Promenade district with comfortable seating on the Paxos Terrace, offering flavorful bites for a small charge including authentic Greek favorites like souvlaki and fritto misto
  • NEW! Promenade Bites: Offering hotdogs, chili dogs, street corn, corn on the cob and cotton candy in the Promenade district
  • NEW! The Harbour Bar & Bites: Featuring savory snacks like empanadas, burritos, corn dogs, and wraps, along with cookies and brownies, plus cold beverages in the Family Aventura district
  • La Boca Grill: The perfect spot for an easy lunch, serving pizza in the Aqua Deck district
  • Luna Park Pizza & Burger: Serving up American classics with convenient options throughout the day and well into the night in the Galleria district

MSC World America Coming to PortMiami

MSC World America will launch in April 2025 and spend her inaugural season sailing from PortMiami in the Caribbean, with all itineraries including a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.

For more information about MSC World America, please click here.

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Ideas, Rules, How to Make & Where to Buy

Decorating your cruise cabin door can be a fun way to make your room stand out from the rest amongst a long corridor of identical stateroom doors.

Whether you want to show that you’re celebrating a special occasion, need help with recognising your cabin number, or just want a bit of fun, cruise cabin door decorations are becoming increasingly popular.

Cruise lines have some rules you’ll need to follow when decorating your cabin door. There are also some things you should make sure you know – like what pineapple door decorations mean on a cruise ship.

cruise door decor ideas

In this article, you’ll find lots of cruise door decoration ideas, including kits to buy on Amazon, in stores and cruise decorations you can make yourself at home.

Cabin door decorating is definitely a thing – but it varies

The prevalence of cabin door decorations varies quite a lot depending on the cruise line. Here’s what to expect on each ship, from the most popular for decorations to the least…

1. Disney Cruise Line

Disney cruisers love to decorate their cabin doors more than anyone else. Door decorations are really popular on Disney cruises and if you don’t do it, you might feel a little left out of the fun.

Each door has a round port-hole shape with the cabin number on which can easily be transformed into a Mickey Mouse head with the addition of ears.

2. Carnival

Carnival refers to its ships as ‘fun ships’ and Carnival cruisers of all ages love to decorate their doors with funny signs and pictures. If you’re going on a Carnival cruise, decorating your door is a great idea!

3. Royal Caribbean

Most doors aren’t decorated on Royal Caribbean ships, but you will see the occasional one, mostly belonging to frequent cruisers who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.

Other cruise lines

Door decorating is not as common on cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard. You may see the occasional cabin door with decorations on it, probably more so at Christmas than at other times of the year.

Here’s a door decoration that we saw on P&O Cruises’ Arvia on our Christmas cruise. There really weren’t many doors decorated at all though. On a Disney or Carnival cruise you would see many more!

Norwegian Cruise Line – banned!

Norwegian Cruise Line has banned all door decorations. You must not decorate your doors on NCL ships or the decorations will be taken down.

Cruise door decoration ideas

If you’re thinking of decorating your cabin door on your next cruise, take a look at these photos to come up with some ideas as to what you could do.

Funny Cruise Door Decorations

There are so many funny cruise puns that you could use on your cabin door banners. Like this one, which is straight to the point and perfect for a stag do, hen do, bachelor party or bachelorette party!

Let's get ship faced funny cruise door sign
Photo credit: Karen Reynolds

Personalised cruise door decorations

Adding your names to your door is a great way to make your stateroom feel like home. And you’ll always be sure you have the right door!

personalised cruise door decorations

Birthday cruise door decorations

Celebrating a birthday is always a good time to break out the funny door signs…

funny birthday cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Debbir Cherchio

Swinger cruise door decorations

If you see an upside-down pineapple on a cruise ship door it will mean one of two things. Either the couple staying there are swingers and this is an invitation to knock… or someone is playing a cruel trick on them by sticking this on their door!

upside down pineapple

Some cruise lines may remove decorations that are an obvious sign of being a swinger, since symbols like the upside down pineapple are becoming more well-known.

It varies, but if you were planning on advertising yourselves as swingers, be aware that decorations could be removed.

Halloween cruise door decorations

If you love to decorate your home for Halloween, why should your cruise be any different? Halloween door decorations are easy to make.

Halloween cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Darleen Davis Cherry

Christmas cruise door decorations

A full Christmas door wreath like this one looks amazing, although it might take up quite a lot of room in your luggage! Christmas cruise door magnets are always an option if you’re short on space.

Christmas cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Mary Carlson

To celebrate a Christmas cruise, how about attaching Christmas stockings to your door? Who knows what Santa might leave inside?

Christmas cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Kristina KoKoruz Parsons

St Patrick’s Day cruise decorations

Whatever the holiday, you can buy or make cruise door decorations to match, like these fun St Patrick’s Day signs.

St Patrick's Day cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Tracey Collins

Easter cruise door decorations

This Easter wreath is so cute. Again, you may wish to opt for card and magnets rather than something so bulky for your cruise.

Easter cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Mary Carlson

Disney cruise door decorations

Disney cruisers are often the kings of cabin door decorations. Turning that round door number into a Mickey is a common theme, and people often like to add more magnets with their own interests.

Disney cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Sarah Pepper

As well as Disney cruise door magnets in Mickey Mouse shapes, Disney cruisers often decorate their cabin door with whatever they fancy to make them unique.

Disney cruise door magnets
Photo credit: Heather Sloan

Some Disney cruisers also add fish extenders to their cabin doors. These are gift bags you use to receive small gifts from other cruisers as party of a fish extender gift exchange. Sounds cool? You can read more about Disney fish extenders here.

Message boards for cruise cabin doors

Whiteboards, chalkboards, dry erase boards and magnetic letters can all be used to create messages on your door which you can change as often as you like.

Dry erase board on cruise cabin door
Photo credit: Tina Yaz Mav

You could even attach pens and paper to create a guest board for fellow passengers to sign.

cruise cabin door message board
Photo credit: Jodi McElroy Mortimer

Reasons for decorating a cruise cabin door

Some of the reasons people choose to put up cruise stateroom door decorations include:

1. It helps you to recognise your room

Stateroom doors all look the same except for the number and corridors can be incredibly long. It can be quite tricky to spot which door is yours and it’s easy to walk straight past your cabin if you’re distracted and chatting.

For people with poor eyesight or learning disabilities like NVLD, cruise door decorations can be incredibly valuable. Many cabin numbers are five digits long and so having something unique, bright and colourful on your cabin door can make it much easier to recognise.

2. To celebrate a special occasion

Taking a cruise is a great way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary. Whether you want to let everyone know that you’re celebrating twenty years of marriage or embarrass your husband on his 40th birthday, cruise door decorations are a great way to celebrate.

This also lets your stateroom stewards know that you’re celebrating too, which is a good idea as they might even leave a little surprise for you in your cabin.

3. You can leave messages on your door

Adding a magnetic whiteboard to your cabin door can be a handy way to leave messages for others. If your group is spread across two or more nearby cabins, you could leave a note to let people know where you’ll be. Using your mobile phone at sea can be incredibly expensive, so having a way to pass messages can be very handy.

You could also encourage strangers to leave notes for you on your whiteboard, which can be fun. Just remember that if you’re on a family ship, not to leave any notes or pictures that you wouldn’t want little eyes to see.

4. Meet like-minded people

If you’ve read my post about pineapple on a cruise ship door, you’ll know that this tropical fruit is a secret symbol that swingers use to let others know what they’re into.

If wife-swapping isn’t for you, then you’ll want to make sure that you don’t decorate your door with pineapples to avoid any unwanted attention. On the other hand, if you’re not shy and are looking for some adult fun on your cruise, a pineapple magnet on your cruise cabin door could be the way to attract it!

Read more: The Best Cruises For Swingers

Cruise line rules about decorating cabin doors

The rules about door decorations are different for each cruise line. Be sure to read these carefully before you make the decision to decorate.

General rules (for all cruise lines)

  • Any decorations must not be offensive, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate
  • Decorations must not leave a mark or damage the door. If they do, you’ll receive a fine
  • Decorations mustn’t extend beyond the door. Cruise ship corridors are narrow and so any decorations shouldn’t block service carts from passing

Carnival cruise door decoration rules

  • Decorations may consist only of fire-retardant materials. Items sprayed with fire retardant spray are not acceptable
  • Decorations may only be placed on the stateroom door and not the surrounding frame, walls or railings
  • You may use magnets or Command Strips but no adhesives such as tape or glue
  • Over-the-door hanging organizers must hang inside the stateroom, must also be of fire retardant material and cannot damage the door
  • No decorations of any kind are allowed on balconies
  • No decorations or items may be placed over light fittings or fixtures
  • No string lights of any kind are allowed

Flame retardant decorations

If you’re cruising with Carnival there’s a requirement that your cruise door decorations are fire retardant. Paper and card decorations are likely to go against this rule and be taken down so you may be better off using decorations made of flame-retardant plastic or laminated in glossy plastic.

Disney Cruise Line door decoration rules

  • You may not affix items to your stateroom doors using tape or any adhesive, including removable gel adhesives
  • Using over-the-door hanging organizers is prohibited
  • Light bulb strings are not permitted
Disney cruise door decoration
Photo credit: Amber Diamante

NCL rules

In 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line updated their policy on cruise door decorations to no longer allow any decorating of doors whatsoever.

As per safety requirements, all stateroom door decorations are strictly prohibited on Norwegian Cruise Line. Stateroom stewards have been instructed to remove all decorations and place them inside the room.

Pirate door decorations
Photo credit: Kimberley Monk

Attaching cruise door decorations

Glue, tape and gel adhesives are banned on cruise ships. Almost all cruise ship cabin doors (and walls) are made of metal. Therefore, the best way to attach decorations to your door is with magnets.

Sometimes metal cabin doors are painted but sometimes the metal door is covered with another surface. This can mean that sometimes, magnets don’t stick too well. It’s wise to go for the strongest magnets to be sure that they stick. These strong sticky magnets are a great choice.

Occasionally, cruise ship doors have a wooden veneer, for example, the Concierge staterooms on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. If you’re staying in one of these, you’ll need to use extra-strong neodymium magnets to get anything to stick.

Read more: Are All Cruise Ship Stateroom Doors & Walls Magnetic?

Where to buy cruise door decorations

The easiest way to decorate your stateroom door is with ready-made decorations that you can just buy and stick up. Here are some of the most popular places to buy them…

1. Amazon

The online store that sells everything also stocks some interesting cruise door decorations, including a good selection of full-length cabin door covers.

2. Etsy

The online marketplace for unique homemade crafts, Etsy, has thousands of cruise door decorations to choose from. Many decorations can be custom-made with your names, ship name and sail date if you wish.

3. Craft stores

If you live in the United States, have a look in shops like Hobby Lobby and Oriental Trading as they often have ready-made nautical decorations.

Unfortunately, British equivalents such as Hobbycraft and The Range don’t seem to have the same stock of cruise decorations.

4. Dollar stores and pound shops

If you’re on a budget, head to Dollar Tree (in the US) or Poundland (in the UK) and see what they have in store. What you’ll find can be hit and miss and depends very much on the time of year, but this is certainly worth a look.

5. Buy them from the cruise line

Carnival Cruise Line offers a stateroom decorating service with two horizontal banners, one centrepiece magnet, one door magnet/photo frame with dry-erase marker, two luggage tags and two standard queen pillowcases. These aren’t cheap at $70.95.

The cruise line also offers various themed door magnets for $19.95. You can buy these on the Carnival website.

Or go DIY – making your own door decorations!

1. Print a design on your computer

The easiest way to make your own cruise door magnets is to print a design off onto paper using your computer and home printer. You can then laminate it using a self-stick laminating sheet and attach stick-on magnets or magnetic tape. This is such an easy thing to do and you can personalise your design however you like.

See an example below…

make your own cruise door decorations
Photo credit: Angela Carameli Carpenter

As an alternative to stick-on magnets, you can also buy magnetic paper. This incredible stuff goes into your printer just like normal paper. You can print whatever you link onto it and it will stick straight to your metal cabin door with nothing else required!

2. Draw your own design

Handmade cruise decorations are so cute and this is a project that the whole family can get involved in. Getting your kids to design their own cabin door decorations will not only keep them busy for an hour, it should also get them really excited about your cruise.

3. Think outside the box

Virtually anything can be used to make door decorations and the more unique they are, the better!

Take a look at this cruise door wreath which one clever cruiser made using cheap flip-flops, strong glue and stickers.

flip flop door wreath
Photo credit: Kim Kincaid Adams

The bottom line

There are lots of ways that you might decorate your cruise ship door. If you’re feeling crafty, making your own cruise door decorations is a great way to get excited about your cruise with your kids.

If you’re short on time, you’ll also find lots of ready-made cruise door decorations that you can buy for your cruise.

Whether you’re decorating for Halloween, Christmas, a birthday, or just to celebrate being at sea, you can have a lot of fun by personalising your door.

Just be sure to follow any rules that are set out by your cruise line and avoid anything like tape or glue which may leave a mark.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

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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Explora Journeys Presents The Uniques Ocean Offer

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, invites travelers to uncover the secrets of the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and the vibrant North American East Coast with The Unique Oceans Offer. From the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean to the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, this exclusive offer provides generous value savings and the opportunity to reserve with just a 10% deposit. 

Guests will feel as though they are sailing aboard their own private yacht, enjoying ultra-elegant journeys in spacious oceanfront suites, penthouses, and residences. From unforgettable culinary experiences to rejuvenating ocean-inspired wellness programs, every moment on board is thoughtfully curated to inspire a journey to the Ocean State of Mind. 

Travelers who reserve with Explora Journeys by February 28, 2025 will enjoy exceptional savings on select journeys, a reduced 10% deposit, and up to EUR 1,000 in prepaid Destination Experiences Credits per suite, per reservation. 

Combinability with Other Offers

This offer is combinable with the Explora Early Booking Benefit, Journey Together, Journey Together Gatherings, Extended Journeys, Back-to-Back, Journeys for Solo Travelers, Additional Guests and Younger Travelers (3rd and 4th guest fares), Explora Referral Program, Welcome Back Benefit, Consortia Amenities, Event Offer and on board Future Journeys savings.*  

* This offer is not applicable to select journeys including but not limited to FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO itineraries and packages.

Get To Know Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is the privately-owned luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created at the heart of Swiss luxury hospitality. The brand stems from the long-held vision to redefine the ocean experience for a new generation of discerning luxury travelers, drawing on the Aponte family`s 300 years of maritime heritage. The brand’s aspiration is to create a unique ‘Ocean State of Mind’ by connecting guests with the sea, with themselves, and like-minded others, while remarkable itineraries blend renowned destinations with lesser-traveled ports, for a journey that inspires discovery in all its forms.  

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P&O Cruises With No Single Supplement

Cruising alone is very popular, but many solo travellers are frustrated by the high prices that they have to pay compared to couples and families.

Single supplements can inflate the price of your cruise. But, there are ways to get around them. This guide will give you lots of information to help you to plan the best cruise as a solo traveller with P&O Cruises.

P&O Cruises single cabin

P&O’s solo accommodation options

Single travellers have three options when booking a cruise:

  1. Book a double cabin for single occupancy
  2. Find a cruise buddy to share a twin cabin with
  3. Book a single cabin

Which of these is the best is a personal choice that only you can make. Read on for the pros and cons of each…

P&O Cruises solo traveller

Double cabins for single occupancy

Pros: Most availability, most space

Cons: Often the most expensive option

Many solo travellers opt to book a double cabin just for themselves. Doing this has its advantages, as you’ll have the widest choice of cruises and lots of space to spread out with a double bed all to yourself.

Booking a double cabin for one person is often the most expensive option, as you’ll have to pay a single supplement. This essentially means that you’ll pay almost as much for one person as you would for two. This is something that many cruisers find to be unacceptable.

The best way to avoid the single supplement isn’t for everyone…

Sharing with a stranger

Pros: No single supplement, cheapest option, make a new friend

Cons: Less time to spend alone, reduced privacy

If you’re on a tight budget and are looking for a P&O Cruises no single supplement option, the cheapest way would be to find someone to share a cabin with. If you do this, you’ll obviously have no single supplement to pay.

Sharing a cabin with a stranger certainly isn’t for everyone. But, if you’re a sociable person, then there are groups on Facebook where like-minded cruisers make friends online and save money by sharing a cabin on their cruise. To find them, type ‘solo cruise’ into the Facebook search bar, click ‘groups’ and you’ll see a list.

Just because you share a cabin doesn’t mean that you need to spend your whole holiday with your roommate. It would be a good idea to set some expectations about how much time you’ll actually spend together before you book the cruise so that there are no concerns over appearing too distant or too full-on.

Single Cabins

Pros: No single supplement, often located near the other single cabins

Cons: Smallest cabins, sometimes cost more than a double cabin

For many solo travellers, the best option is to book a single cabin. P&O Cruises single cabins don’t have any single supplement. However, the price that you’ll pay for a single cabin varies depending on the cruise.

Sometimes, you’ll pay only a little more for a single cabin than you would for half of a double room. Other times, it actually works out cheaper to book a double cabin for solo occupancy than it does to book a single cabin!

In the example below, you can see how you would be better off booking a standard double cabin for yourself than to opt for a single cabin.

Single cabins for P&O solo cruises are limited in number and tend to sell out quite quickly. If there are no single cabins left for the cruise that you want then don’t worry, it may be the case that a double cabin would work out cheaper anyway.

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P&O Cruises Single Cabins by ship

Here are details of all of the single cabins that are available on each P&O Cruises ship. Please note that cabin sizes are approximate.

Arvia Single Cabins

  • Single inside – 10 cabins across Decks 5, 8, 9, 12 and 14(101 sq ft)
  • Single balcony – 12 cabins across Decks 9, 11 and 14 (107 sq ft)

P&O Cruises’ newest ship Arvia has 22 single cabins, with a choice of inside and balcony cabins.

Arvia’s single cabins are some of the smallest you’ll find at sea, so if you don’t want to feel like you’re sleeping in a broom cupboard, an upgrade to a double cabin for single occupancy could be a wise idea.

The single cabins on Arvia are dotted around the ship in pairs. The inside cabins all have handy midship locations, whereas the balcony cabins are all towards the aft (back) of the ship.

Suggested read: P&O Arvia Cabins: Best & Worst


Iona Single Cabins

  • Single inside – 10 cabins across Decks 5, 9 and 12 (101 sq ft)
  • Single balcony – 12 cabins across Decks 9, 12 and 14 (107 sq ft)

Arvia’s twin sister Iona has the same number of single cabins, but they’re less spread out around the ship, with fewer deck choices.

Otherwise, they’re pretty much the same, including being some of the smallest in the fleet. I think it’d be better to pay for a double room, if you can.

Suggested read: P&O Iona cabins: How to choose the best one


Britannia Single Cabins

  • Single inside – 12 cabins on the Lido Deck (134 sq ft)
  • Single balcony – 15 cabins on the Lido Deck (164 sq ft)
Britannia single cabin

Britannia is arguably the best P&O Cruises ship for single travellers as she has the most single cabins. What’s more, these are all located on a single corridor on the Lido Deck. This makes it really easy for solos to meet up, as your new friends will also be your neighbours.

The Lido Deck is one of the highest decks on the ship and Britannia’s single cabins are located right at the front of the ship. This means that if the sea is choppy, you’ll feel the motion much more than you would do in a lower deck, midship location.

The single cabins are located right by the Lido Grill and Pizzeria though, which will be handy if you fancy a snack to ease any seasickness.

Single balcony cabins on Britannia aren’t great for sunbathing on, as they’re in the shade of the deck above. Luckily, the sun loungers of the Lido Deck are just steps away.

Suggested read: P&O Britannia cabins to avoid


Azura Single Cabins

  • Single inside: 6 cabins on F Deck (130 sq ft)
  • Single outside: 12 outside cabins on F Deck (130 sq ft)
Azura single inside cabin

If you won’t cruise without a balcony, then a single cabin on Azura isn’t for you. The only single cabins available on this ship are inside cabins and outside cabins, which have a window but no balcony.

The single cabins on Azura are in a fantastic location – they’re all together on a single corridor which is right by the atrium. This is handy for meeting other single passengers and also for getting around the ship. It’s also a great location to be in for anyone who’s worried about seasickness.


Ventura Single Cabins

  • Single inside: 6 cabins on F Deck (130 sq ft)
  • Single outside: 12 outside cabins on F Deck (130 sq ft)
Ventura single outside cabin

Ventura is a sister ship to Azura and the ships are virtually identical. Just like on Azura, the single cabins are all together on a single corridor, but there’s no option for a balcony.

Suggested read: P&O Ventura cabins to avoid


Arcadia Single Cabins

  • Single inside: 4 cabins on the Sun Deck (189 sq ft)
  • Single balcony: 2 cabins on the Sun Deck (206 sq ft)
Arcadia single inside cabin

Arcadia is one of P&O Cruises adult-only cruise ships. She has only six inside cabins, so if you want one, you really must book early.

Arcadia offers some longer duration cruises so if you’re wanting one of the only two single balcony cabins for one of these, you’re probably going to need to book it as soon as it goes on sale.

All of the single cabins on Arcadia are a really good size. The single inside cabins on Arcadia are 72% larger than they are on new ship Iona, whilst the single balcony cabins on Arcadia are almost twice as big as the ones on Iona!


Aurora Single Cabins

  • Single outside: 4 cabins on Decks 9 and 11 (150 sq ft)
  • Single balcony: 6 cabins on Deck 8 (179 sq ft)
Aurora single outside cabin

Aurora is P&O Cruises oldest and smallest ship and she is exclusively for adults. The ship has ten single cabins with a choice of a window or a balcony. There are no single inside cabins on this ship.

The single outside cabins on Aurora are forward-facing and are located just below the bridge. They don’t have the best sea views, because you’re looking down over the nose of the ship from this location. The view from Deck 11 will be a little better than from Deck 9 though.

The single balcony cabins on Aurora are all together at the back of the ship, by the terrace pool. Whilst this location is great in many ways, these cabins are above the show bar, so if you like to go to bed early, you may hear the music from below.

The balconies of the single cabins on Aurora are steel-fronted, which means that you can’t see the sea when you’re sitting down. They’re also shaded from the deck above. Luckily, the outdoor terrace and pool are just steps away.

Tips for solo travellers with P&O Cruises

Here are some tips for travelling solo with P&O Cruises…

1. Book early

Booking your cruise one to two years in advance means that you’ll have the largest choice of cabins and the best prices. The best time to book our cruise is as soon as the itineraries are released.

2. Consider your dining options

P&O Cruises offer the option of traditional dining at the same table at the same time each night or My Time dining where you can arrive as you please.

If you choose traditional dining, all the solo passengers will be seated together. You’ll be able to get to know your fellow solos better as you dine with them each night.

If you have a choice of table size, always go for the largest. Sometimes people will opt to eat in the buffet or a speciality restaurant, so if you’re at a larger table it’s less likely that you’ll be left alone.

If you choose My Time Dining, you can opt to dine alone or with new people each evening. This can be fun, but you’ll likely be seated with couples and won’t get to know people as well if you never see them again.

3. Check your daily schedule

Each cruise will have solo traveller events which you’ll find listed in your daily cruise schedule.

Solo events are a great way to make new friends. Even if you’re sure that you want to keep yourself to yourself on holiday, it can be nice to attend one of these events and see who else is travelling alone.

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Final word

While there are many benefits of cruising alone, the cheapest way to cruise solo with P&O Cruises with no single supplement is to find a cruise buddy to share a twin cabin with.

If that’s not an option for you, then there are single cabins that have no single supplement. However, it sometimes works out cheaper to book a double cabin for single occupancy and pay the supplement.

You’ll need to study the prices carefully to work out which is the best option for you.

If you’d like more info about the various cabins on P&O Cruises’ ships, take a look at my detailed cabin guides…

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

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.

Read more about me


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MSC Cruises Announces Three Title Sponsorships Of 2025 Grand Prix Races

MSC Cruises is gearing up to be the title sponsor of three Formula 1® World Championship Grands Prix in 2025, further building on the cruise line’s partnership with the prestigious motorsport.

The three races will be the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 in June, the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025in October, and the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025 in November.

It is the first time that the cruise line’s brand will be included in the name of these three iconic Formula 1® Grand Prix races and is in addition to the distinct track branding as part of MSC Cruises’ Global Partner status, which has been in place since 2022.  

The collaboration between the two world-class brands reflects Formula 1’s continuing global growth and the continued popularity of cruising as a holiday choice.

MSC Group’s luxury travel brand, Explora Journeys, will also be making an appearance at FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025 in May when the newest ship in the fleet, EXPLORA II, will be docked in the heart of Monaco’s famous Port Hercule, offering a prime position for avid race fans throughout race week. She will also play host to a series of spectacular events, providing a fitting venue for one of the most anticipated races and its star-studded crowd, as well as being a luxurious home-away-from-home for guests throughout the weekend.

FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025

The 11th race of the season, the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025 will take place at the coveted Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria from June 27-29. It is set to be one of the most exciting races of the season with 71 thrilling laps for spectators to enjoy.

FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025

Since staging its first United States Grand Prix in 2012, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track in Austin, Texas, USA, has become a favorite spot for the sport’s fans. The For FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025 will be held from October 17-19 and is sure to be an action-packed spectacle.

FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025

race cars on a trackrace cars on a track
Nº1 Max Verstappen NLD Oracle Red Bull (Photo by MSC Cruises)

The São Paulo Grand Prix is one of the most beloved events on the Formula 1® calendar, which always provides a thrilling race towards the end of the season. The race will take place from November 7-9 2025 at the coveted Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, also known as Interlagos, in Brazil.

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Princess Cruises Adding a Full Menu of Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Cocktails

Princess Cruises will become to the first major cruise line to have a standalone non-alcoholic bar menu when they debut their Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection this spring.

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Sun Princess first impressions

The Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection will consist of 10-20 craft cocktails. It is being developed by a collaboration team behind the world’s #1 bar (Sips, Barcelona), Princess mixologists, and cocktail artist Rob Floyd.

In addition to the cocktails, non-alcoholic beer and wine (white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines) will also be available.

The new menu will launch this spring on all Princess cruise ships and the drinks will be included in the cruise line’s Princess Plus and Princess Premier Packages.

Four signature offerings in the Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection can be seen below.

Betty Buzz Creations

Known for its premium, all-natural mixers, Betty Buzz adds a bright, effervescent touch to the collection. Highlights include the Blake’s Breeze, a crisp and refreshing blend of Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit, a splash of soda, and a twist of citrus.

Kylie Minogue’s Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé

Known for her elegance and style, Kylie Minogue’s award-winning nonalcoholic sparkling rosé offers a light, crisp, and celebratory option, perfect for toasting unforgettable moments at sea.

Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Guests can savor complex mocktails featuring Lyre’s award-winning spirits alternatives, such as the No-Jito Royale, a modern take on the classic mojito made with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, fresh mint, and lime.

24K Margarita

This dazzling creation combines the artistry of nonalcoholic spirits with the glamour of a signature margarita, featuring Almave tequila by Lewis Hamilton in a nonalcoholic version crafted exclusively for Princess.

Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises, gave the following statement:

“At Princess, we’re committed to creating inclusive experiences for all of our guests. The Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection reimagines what non-alcoholic drinks can be—delicious, sophisticated, and celebratory.

“By collaborating with exceptional brands like Betty Buzz and Lyre’s, and industry-leading mixologists, we’re proud to offer premium zero-proof options that complement the elevated Princess experience.”

Every Princess cruise ship will have this new non-alcoholic menu by the end of March 2025.

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Cruise Ship Wake Capsizes Boat Leaving Two People & A Dog To Be Rescued

Two people needed rescuing from the waters near Tampa Bay, along with their dog, after their small boat sank after colliding with the wake of an unnamed cruise ship.

Small boat rescue
Photo credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

The two adults were left stranded after their boat hit the wake of the cruise ship and capsized. Along with their dog, they were able to swim to a buoy where they awaited rescue.

The exact cruise ship responsible for the wake remains unclear, but both Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas were docked at Florida’s Port Tampa Bay that day.

It’s also not clear who was at fault for the incident, with the focus being on the passenger rescue.

The victims, left clinging to a buoy after their vessel sank, were spotted by passengers onboard one of the ships, who alerted the crew.

Tampa Bay Harbor pilots Michael Stutevoss and Dan Hammer, guiding one of the cruise ships out of the port at sunset, quickly acted upon the sighting.

You can see a video of the rescue here:

The cruise line deployed its “man overboard” team, and the pilots contacted the US Coast Guard St. Petersburg Sector and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to expedite the rescue.

At approximately 6 pm, first responders successfully located the two passengers and their dog clinging to the buoy, about 200 yards from the debris of their boat.

Both individuals suffered unspecified injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A challenging operation

The rescue was fraught with complications, from poor visibility during twilight hours to the risk of hypothermia in Tampa Bay’s 64°F waters. Harbor pilot Michael Stutevoss highlighted the dangers:

“Hypothermia can set in very quickly. Even though we are in Florida, hypothermia can set in.”

Michael Stutevoss, Tampa Bay Harbor Pilot

Matthew Riley, piloting a nearby cargo ship and aiding the search, emphasized the difficulty of spotting the stranded trio. He said it was like looking for “shadows in the water” and said he was worried about potentially running over the victims while trying to find them.

This incident underscores the risks that large cruise ships pose to smaller vessels.

Cruise ship wakes, powerful and often deceptively far-reaching, can violently destabilize nearby boats, leading to capsizing and injuries.

In this case, the timely actions of harbour pilots, first responders, and alert passengers turned what could have been a tragic situation into a successful rescue, emphasising the importance of vigilance and coordination in protecting lives on the water.

Hopefully the victims recover from their injuries quickly!

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Cruise Mummy

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.

Read more about me

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The Best Cruise Ships With Water Slides

If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to keep children entertained on a cruise, it’s a good water slide!

Cruise ship water slides in 2025 are bigger, faster and wetter than ever before. In fact, the water slides you’ll find on ships from cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line aren’t just for kids – you’ll find plenty of adults lining up to take their turn too.

Disney Cruise Line Aqua Duck

If you’re a water slide lover, the slides can be an important factor in choosing a ship for your next cruise. If you’re looking to sail on a cruise ship with the best water slides, read on…

1. Navigator of the Seas

Cruise ship with the longest water slide

The longest water slide on a cruise ship is The Blaster, which you’ll find on board Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. This whopping 800-foot-long slide was added to the ship as part of an £88 million refurbishment in February 2019.

The Blaster - Navigator of the Seas
The Blaster

To ride The Blaster, you’ll use an inflatable raft, either alone or with a friend.  This is a really fun slide with twists and turns through different coloured sections. Some parts of the slide are enclosed and others are open, there’s even an uphill section and a clear part that extends over the side of the ship!

As if that wasn’t enough, Navigator of the Seas also has another amazing slide. Right next to The Blaster, you’ll find The Riptide. This multi-coloured tube slide is a head-first mat racer waterslide – the first of its kind at sea. This slide is lots of fun – as long as you don’t mind getting your face wet!

Restrictions for Royal Caribean’s Blaster slide:

  • Minimum height – 45 inches
  • Minimum weight – 110lbs for one rider
  • Maximum weight – 400lbs for two riders

Restrictions for Royal Caribean’s Riptide slide:

  • Minimum height – 42 inches
  • Maximum weight – 300lbs

2. Norwegian Breakaway

Cruise ship with the fastest water slide

The fastest water slide on a cruise ship is the Free Fall
slide which can be found on three of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships – Norwegian Breakaway,
Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape.

Free Fall - Norwegian Breakaway
Free Fall

This slide looks cool as it’s shaped like a big loop – you drop down it and whizz upwards again. Once you ride the Free Fall, you’ll know why it’s shaped like that – the uphill part of the loop is to slow you down!

The ride starts when you step into a chamber and stand with your arms crossed as a voice counts down from three. Then, suddenly, the floor drops away and you free fall down the slide, experiencing a g-force of 4 gs. (To help you understand g-force, zero gravity is no g-force, normal gravity is 1g and 5 gs will cause some people to pass out.)

The Free Fall is made up of two identical side by side slides, just in case you need moral support but can’t agree who will go down first!

Restrictions for NCL’s Free Fall slide:

  • Minimum height – 48 inches
  • Minimum weight – 99lbs
  • Maximum weight – 300lbs

3. Disney Wish & Disney Treasure

The best cruise ship water slide for younger kids

Not everyone likes to get splashed in the face or to feel like they might die when they ride a water slide. If you’d prefer a gentler ride, or your children aren’t tall enough for some of the bigger and faster slides at sea, then Disney Cruise Line’s AquaMouse is just perfect.

Disney Wish AquaMouse water slide

The AquaMouse is considered the first proper Disney Attraction at Sea – meaning it has all the immersive entertainment you’d expect from one of the rides at the Disney theme parks.

The AquaMouse can be found on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, with the ships having different theming/a different story.

This slide is not much shy of being the longest waterslide on a cruise ship, with a length of 760 feet. Riding solo or in a pair, riders use an inflatable raft to coast along, down dips and over uphill blasts whilst enjoying lights, sounds and a story.

Restrictions for the Disney’s AquaMouse slide:

  • Minimum height – 42 inches
  • Minimum height to ride alone – 54 inches

You can read more about how the waterslides compare on each Disney cruise ship here: Disney Cruise Water Slides.

4. Norwegian Epic

The most fun water slide on a cruise ship

One more water slide that I couldn’t possibly leave out of this article about the best water slides on cruise ships is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic Plunge.

Epic Plunge - Norwegian Epic
Epic Plunge

Epic Plunge, which can be found only on NCL’s Norwegian Epic cruise ship, is unique in that it has a large bowl where you whizz round and round before plopping out the bottom.

This is my favourite kind of water slide – it’s just so much fun. To make this slide even more interesting, guests can choose whether they want to ride with or without an inflatable ring. MSC Virtuosa also has a similar slide but without the option of the ring.

This slide is 200 feet long but feels much longer as you’re never quite sure how many times you’ll spin around the bowl before slowing down and falling through the middle.

Restrictions for NCL’s Epic Plunge slide:

  • Minimum height is 42 inches

5. Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, and she’s one of the top options for a cruise ship with water slides.

That’s because her waterpark includes the following:

  • Frightening Bolt – the tallest drop slide at sea
  • Storm Chasers – the first duo mat-racing slides at sea
  • Hurricane Hunter – the first family raft slide at sea
  • Storm Surge – the first suspended family raft ride at sea
  • Pressure Drop – the first open freefall slide at sea

Sound exciting? Read more with my guide to Icon of the Seas waterslides.

Which slide would you like to try?

So now you’ve heard about the biggest water slides on a cruise ship, the fastest water slides, and a few which are just really fun. Have you been lucky enough to try any of these? Please share your experience in the comments below. I’d love to know if you found the Free Fall as terrifying as I did!

And if you’re looking for a cruise with water slides, now you know some of the best ships to look for. There are lots of options for a cruise ship with water park facilities, though not all cruise lines have slides – so be careful to check when you book.

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Cruise Mummy

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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