MSC Cruises has announced a comprehensive enhancement to its MSC Aurea Spa programme, introducing medical wellness treatments, AI-powered diagnostics and advanced beauty services across its entire fleet throughout 2026.
The cruise line’s enhanced spa offering represents a significant expansion beyond traditional cruise ship wellness facilities, positioning MSC as a leader in onboard medical and aesthetic services. The rollout will bring IV therapies, aesthetic injectables and cutting-edge skincare technology to passengers seeking more than conventional spa treatments at sea.
The enhancement reflects MSC’s response to shifting passenger expectations and the rapid growth of wellness tourism globally. According to the cruise line, today’s travellers increasingly seek vacations that deliver measurable health and beauty benefits rather than simply relaxation.
Georg Schmickler, senior vice president of onboard revenues at MSC Cruises, explained the strategic vision behind the upgrade and how the company aims to position its spa facilities as comprehensive wellness destinations rather than supplementary amenities.
“Today’s travellers are looking for more than a vacation; they want to return home feeling better than when they left,
“Our vision is to create the most complete wellness experience at sea, combining relaxation, beauty, recovery and self-care in one destination,”
Medical Wellness Services Launch Summer 2026 On Select Vessels
The most significant addition to the MSC Aurea Spa portfolio involves medical wellness treatments beginning in summer 2026. These services will initially launch on select ships operating in North America before expanding fleetwide.
Licensed medical professionals will administer IV therapy, aesthetic injectables, dermal fillers and permanent make-up procedures. This marks a departure from traditional cruise spa offerings, bringing medical-grade aesthetic treatments typically found in shore-side clinics to the ship environment.
The introduction of injectable treatments and IV therapies represents MSC’s commitment to meeting demand for results-driven wellness services. Passengers will be able to access cosmetic enhancements and recovery treatments without leaving the ship.
AI Technology Powers Personalised Skincare Recommendations
MSC Aurea Spa will incorporate artificial intelligence technology to deliver customised skincare analysis and treatment plans.
The AI-powered skin diagnostic system will assess individual skin conditions and provide tailored treatment recommendations.
This technology-driven approach allows spa staff to offer product guidance and treatment protocols based on objective data rather than visual assessment alone. Passengers receive personalised skincare roadmaps designed to address their specific concerns and goals.
The AI analysis complements advanced skin treatments featuring hydro-microdermabrasion technology. MSC has partnered with Opatra London to provide premium skincare solutions as part of the enhanced treatment menu.
Japanese-Inspired Rituals And Curated Tea Service Added
The spa enhancement introduces cultural wellness practices from international traditions. A Japanese head spa treatment brings traditional scalp and hair rituals to the MSC Aurea Spa menu, offering passengers an immersive experience rooted in Japanese wellness philosophy.
Claudio Saviano, head of Aurea Spa at MSC Cruises, emphasised the holistic design approach.
“Our focus is to create an immersive and effortlessly accessible wellness experience at sea, where every element and detail has been thoughtfully designed to help guests relax, recharge and leave feeling renewed, refreshed and revitalised,”
A restorative tea service complements treatment experiences, featuring a curated menu of wellness teas from Team Dr Joseph. Passengers can enjoy these specialty teas before or after their spa appointments, extending the relaxation experience beyond the treatment room.
Expanded Beauty Services Include Teeth Whitening And Barbering
Beyond wellness and skincare, MSC has broadened its beauty service portfolio with professional teeth whitening treatments. This addition allows passengers to address cosmetic dental concerns whilst at sea, returning home with noticeably brighter smiles.
The spa will also offer expanded barbering services, catering to male passengers seeking professional grooming beyond basic salon services. Additionally, ear piercing services will be available, providing another cosmetic option for passengers of various ages.
Exclusive welcome gifts featuring curated products and amenities will greet spa visitors, enhancing the premium positioning of the MSC Aurea Spa experience. These touches reinforce the cruise line’s commitment to creating a luxury wellness environment.
Wellness Tourism Growth Drives Cruise Industry Innovation
MSC’s substantial investment in spa enhancements reflects broader industry recognition of wellness tourism as a major growth segment. The global wellness tourism market has expanded rapidly, with travellers increasingly prioritising health-focused experiences over traditional sightseeing.
Cruise lines have responded by elevating spa and wellness facilities from afterthought amenities to central selling points. MSC’s introduction of medical-grade treatments and AI diagnostics positions the company at the forefront of this competitive evolution.
The phased 2026 rollout will allow MSC to refine service delivery and gather passenger feedback before full fleet implementation. With the enhancement spanning the entire MSC fleet, the cruise line is making a significant commitment to wellness as a core component of its passenger experience strategy.
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A transport strike on the Greek island of Santorini forced three cruise ships to alter their itineraries this week, leaving thousands of passengers facing disrupted holiday plans after local bus operators suspended services in protest over controversial new port regulations.
The industrial action, which took place on Monday, 22nd June 2026, brought cruise passenger transportation on the island to a standstill. With no buses operating, cruise lines were unable to run shore excursions or move guests between key arrival points and tourist areas.
The disruption affected approximately 8,500 cruise passengers across three vessels from different cruise lines.
MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Pearl both cancelled their scheduled calls to Santorini entirely and remained at sea instead. Meanwhile, Celebrity Ascent adjusted its itinerary and delayed its arrival by 24 hours, allowing passengers to visit the island on Tuesday, 23rd June, after transport services resumed.
Celebrity Ascent carries around 3,260 guests at double occupancy, meaning thousands of travellers were able to salvage their planned visit. However, passengers aboard MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Pearl were not as fortunate and missed the destination altogether.
With little opportunity to secure alternative ports at short notice, both ships continued their voyages without replacing the lost call.
New Passenger Rules Spark Backlash
At the centre of the dispute is a recently introduced passenger management system implemented by Santorini’s port authority.
The policy, known locally as the “70-30 rule”, requires 70% of cruise passengers coming ashore to disembark at the Old Port of Fira.
The remaining 30% must use Athinios Port, which offers road access suitable for larger vehicles and organised transportation.
Bus operators argue that the arrangement is impractical and creates significant operational challenges.
Passengers arriving at the Old Port face limited options for reaching the clifftop town of Fira. Visitors must either climb 588 steps, ride donkeys or use the island’s cable car system.
The cable cars can transport approximately 1,200 passengers per hour, a figure operators say is insufficient when several cruise ships arrive simultaneously.
According to the local bus association, the new system was introduced without adequate consultation or preparation. Drivers claim key issues such as parking arrangements, traffic management and passenger logistics were not properly addressed before implementation.
They warn that when multiple vessels are in port, as many as 8,000 passengers could converge on the Old Port at the same time, creating lengthy queues and potentially leaving visitors waiting in high temperatures with limited shade or access to water.
Bus operators have insisted they will continue protesting until meaningful discussions take place with local authorities regarding changes to the policy.
Overtourism Measures Continue To Reshape Santorini
The dispute comes amid wider efforts by Greek authorities to manage growing tourism pressures on Santorini, one of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise destinations.
On 1st June, Greece introduced several new measures aimed at controlling visitor numbers on the island. Among them was a €20 levy on every cruise passenger arriving in Santorini, regardless of whether they book shore excursions.
Authorities have also imposed a daily limit of 8,000 cruise visitors, requiring cruise lines, port officials and local businesses to carefully coordinate arrivals.
Supporters of the measures argue they are necessary to protect local infrastructure and improve the visitor experience. However, critics say the combination of passenger caps, new taxes and operational restrictions is creating additional challenges for cruise operators and transport providers.
The latest strike highlights the difficulties of balancing tourism management with the practical realities of moving thousands of cruise passengers around a destination with limited infrastructure and unique geographical constraints.
Local Businesses Feel The Impact
While the dispute is primarily between bus operators and port authorities, local businesses have become unintended casualties of the disruption.
The absence of approximately 8,500 cruise passengers meant restaurants, shops, tour companies and other tourism-dependent businesses missed out on a substantial number of potential customers during the height of the summer season.
Many business owners are understood to sympathise with concerns raised by transport operators but also rely heavily on cruise tourism revenue to sustain their operations.
For cruise lines and passengers, the situation serves as a reminder of how quickly local issues can affect scheduled itineraries. With Santorini dependent on coordinated transport systems due to its tender operations and steep terrain, future cruise calls could remain vulnerable unless a compromise is reached between bus operators and authorities.
Until an agreement is found, uncertainty may continue to hang over one of the cruise industry’s most sought-after destinations.
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Disney Cruise Line is offering an unprecedented level of special deals this week, with sail dates extending into May 2027. There are 186 different sail dates available from various departure ports, including Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Port Canaveral, San Diego, Southampton, and Vancouver. Additionally, there are special offers available across the domestic fleet for these sailings.
The Disney Treasure continues to lead the fleet with 55 sailings (down 2 from last week), followed by the Disney Magic and Disney Wish, both at 51 sailings (Magic unchanged, Wish down 3). The Disney Wonder eased 1 to 42 sailings, while the Disney Fantasy dipped 2 to 39 sailings. The Disney Dream held steady at 30 sailings, and the Disney Destiny fell 4 to 29 sailings.
The Florida Resident rate dropped 4 sailings tom66, the US Military Personnel offer dropped 6 to 99 sailings while the Canadian Resident offer dropped 2 to 115 sailings. The special offer for Southern California residents held at 17 sail dates. The special bonus US Military offer for $250 onboard credit, announced in November, for select sailings in 2026 remains available.
Moving over to Disney Cruise Line’s other promos, the new IGT, OGT, and VGT offers valid on new bookings for select sailings with savings up to 25% off the prevailing rate remains available 115 voyages with a lot of overlap with the specific offers listed below.
Finally, the extra savings for those with placeholder reservations where the standard 10% is applicable for some concierge levels on select sailings and a bump in the discount up to 25% off on select sailings remain active.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Destiny
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Falmouth, Jamaica • Grand Cayman • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Dream
13-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise from Southampton ending in Fort Lauderdale Southampton • At Sea • Vigo, Spain • Lisbon, Portugal • At Sea • Funchal, Portugal • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
7-Night British Isles Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Liverpool, England • Greenock, Scotland • At Sea • Cobh (Cork), Ireland • Portland, England
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral with 2 Stops at Castaway Cay Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Magic
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • San Juan, Puerto Rico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
5-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from Vancouver to San Diego Vancouver, Canada • Victoria, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
Special military rates are available to retired and active US military personnel (and their spouses), including US Coast Guard, US National Guard and US Military Reserves. Members of the US National Guard or the US Military Reserves (or their spouses) must show active-duty orders dated January 1st of the previous year to qualify. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the US military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Destiny
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Falmouth, Jamaica • Grand Cayman • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Dream
13-Night Westbound Transatlantic Cruise from Southampton ending in Fort Lauderdale Southampton • At Sea • Vigo, Spain • Lisbon, Portugal • At Sea • Funchal, Portugal • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral with 2 Stops at Castaway Cay Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • San Juan, Puerto Rico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following:
Florida Driver’s License
Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card):
Monthly mortgage statement
Renter’s lease agreement
Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill
Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water)
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency
Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Special Offers for Southern California Residents
Special Rates for Southern California Residents are limited to 50 staterooms per sailing. The offer is available to those living in a qualifying zip code—90000 to 93599—at time of check-in. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of Southern California resident rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide proof of residency. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts, but is valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Magic
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
Disney Wonder
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
5-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
6-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Mazatlan, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
To take advantage of this offer, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide valid proof of residency in a qualifying zip code—90000 to 93599—at time of check-in. If valid proof of residency is not provided at check-in, the non-discounted, prevailing rate for the cruise will be charged and must be paid by Guests before sailing; failure to pay the full balance due will result in cancellation of the reservation with applicable fees.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following:
California Driver’s License
California Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following documents—dated within the past 2 months—verifying your California residential address in a qualifying zip code (90000 to 93599) and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card):
Monthly mortgage statement
Renter’s lease agreement
Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill
Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water)
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency
Note: Property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates may also be available to Guests ages 3 to 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Other categories and sail dates with other rates may be available.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Destiny
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Falmouth, Jamaica • Grand Cayman • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
6-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • At Sea • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Magic
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego to Vancouver San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from Vancouver ending in San Diego Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
6-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
7-Night Bahamian Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • San Juan, Puerto Rico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
5-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
5-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
6-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • Mazatlan, Mexico • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • At Sea • Ensenada, Mexico
7-Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to invite you to consider joining us on an upcoming DCL Blog Group Cruise! This summer, we are heading to Fort Lauderdale to sail to the Western Caribbean on the all new Disney Destiny. Click here to learn more out this group opportunity. We look forward to seeing you aboard.
On Friday, June 19, 2026, Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas docked in Seward, Alaska, with a sad discovery on its bow. A 61-foot adult fin whale was found dead, as the ship’s bulbous boy carried the body of the whale right into port.
Social media posts on Reddit showed pictures of the body of the whale lodged on the bow of the ship. And these photos are getting quite a flurry of comments from the community, with one post racking up almost 300 opinions.
Wildlife officials later suspected that the whale, which belongs to an endangered species, was pregnant.
The Big Question: How Did It Die?
Whether the whale was already dead when the ship picked it up or the ship struck the whale is the key question the investigation is looking to answer.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the Alaska SeaLife Center are currently investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of death.
There are two main possibilities under review:
A live ship strike: The cruise ship collided with the whale while traveling.
An accidental pickup: The whale was already dead from other causes (like sickness or a previous injury) and its body was floating in the water when the ship ran into it.
To find out, scientists are performing an animal autopsy, called a necropsy.
They are examining the whale’s body for internal bruising or broken bones, which would prove whether the whale was alive during the impact.
The event has sparked different reactions from the cruise line, marine experts, and environmental advocates.
Social media is already blowing up with strong views on both sides of the conversation. Some are pointing out this is just the second time the 4,180-passenger ship has sailed into the Alaskan cruise port, and others are wondering if the ship’s radar could have warned the ship ahead of time.
A self-proclaimed merchant mariner on Reddit claimed that it would be virtually impossible for the ship to see the whale at night and most radar systems would not be of much help, especially since the whale was at water level.
The Cruise Line’s Response
Royal Caribbean Group stated that they are cooperating fully with NOAA and are waiting for the final necropsy results. In a statement, the company said:
“We are saddened to hear that one of our ships struck a whale while on its way to Seward. We take any impact to marine ecosystems very seriously. The ship immediately reported the incident to the proper authorities.”
Guidelines for the Public
The NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement is handling the ongoing investigation. They have released a few important guidelines for locals and visitors in the area:
Stay off the beach: The public is asked to stay away from the necropsy site to ensure everyone’s safety and to give the scientific team the space they need to collect samples.
It is illegal to take parts: Federal law under the Endangered Species Act strictly prohibits anyone from collecting tissue, baleen, or any other parts of the whale. The only exception is for Alaska Natives collecting materials for subsistence or traditional handicrafts.
Hotline for tips: Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call the 24-hour enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964.
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Royal Caribbean has announced the latest chapter of its Artist Discovery Program, welcoming a new class of emerging artists whose work will be showcased aboard Legend of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest Icon Class ship, debuting in Europe in July 2026. This summer, six artists from across the Caribbean and Central America will unveil original, destination-inspired creations throughout the ship, infusing its spaces with the vibrant colors, rich traditions, and cultural influences that define the region.
Artist Discovery Program
The Artist Discovery Program connects budding, local talent and their artwork with audiences around the world who experience Royal Caribbean ships and destinations. The latest cohort for Legend marks the continued expansion of the program, now reaching beyond the Caribbean to include artists from Mexico and Central America. The initiative also extends beyond the ship to highlight local talent across Royal Caribbean’s destination experiences, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas, featuring 11 local Bahamian artists across 25 locations at the all-inclusive beach club.
“Since its introduction on Icon of the Seas, the Artist Discovery Program has continued to evolve how we connect guests with the places we visit by championing up-and-coming artists and giving them a global stage to showcase their work,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean. “With Legend of the Seas we’ve expanded our call for talent beyond the Caribbean to include Mexico and Central America, bringing together an even broader range of voices and perspectives. Featuring artists onboard our ships and across our destinations like Royal Beach Club Paradise Island creates a seamless ship-to-shore experience, where the art brings each destination to life.”
For Legend, Royal Caribbean received 250 artist applications comprised of a personal statement, resume and unpublished conceptual artwork from across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Six artists were chosen and received grants to create art pieces, each inspired by the artists’ home countries. The artwork will be showcased in six highly visible locations around the ship including the embarkation and welcome area when guests first arrive; the Royal Promenade neighborhood; the exclusive Suite Sundeck andSuite Sundeck Lobby; and two new locations at the Royal Promenade entrance on deck six and the guest boarding area on deck two. In addition to large-scale murals, the art pieces on Legend will take shape in different art forms such as a ceramic mosaic art piece and a stainless-steel structure.
The featured artists include:
Giovanni Abath from Curacao: As vacationers enter the Royal Promenade on deck six, they’ll encounter a large-scale mural and stainless-steel sculpture created by Abath, setting the tone for the lively neighborhood lined with restaurants, bars and entertainment. A multi-disciplinary artist, Abath uses diverse materials and techniques, like metal and Styrofoam, to create sculptures and installations that bridge industrial materiality with cultural symbolism and personal narrative. His work focuses on bringing landscapes, community and cultural traditions of the Caribbean to life.
Vanessa Dalla Costa from Trinidad and Tobago: Costa is a ceramic artist who will craft a mosaic sculpture to be featured in the Suite Sundeck, an elevated outdoor space for suite guests. Her artistic style explores the intersection of light, texture, and the transformation of raw earth, such as clay, to create stained-glass-like art. Each piece of clay is hand-cut and hand-painted, embodying the vibe of the space it inhabits.
Porschia Denning from U.S. Virgin Islands: Denning is a multidisciplinary artist creating vibrant paintings and sculptures using acrylic oil, stone, copper and more. Her art is inspired by the energy of nature and rhythm of island life. She aspires to invite spectators to slow down, unplug and reconnect, evoking the vibe guests will experience when they see her custom mural in the luxurious Suite Sundeck Lobby.
Rafeal Vega Feliciano from Puerto Rico: Feliciano is a contemporary visual artist who will draw on his experience in expressionist portraiture and ancestral symbolism to create an expressive, thought-evoking mural in the boarding area on deck two, where guests disembark and return to the ship for port visits and excursions. His artwork reflects the often-overlooked history of pre-colonial Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, bringing the vibrance of the communities Legend visits onboard.
Rodrigo Macias Maldonado from Mexico: Maldonado is a visual artist who will design a large-scale mural at the heart of Legend, the Royal Promenade. His artwork explores the relationship between geometry, human resilience, and the built environment, inspiring him to curate an immersive experience as guests explore the space.
Alexander Lopez Ryliouk from Costa Rica: Ryliouk’s large-scale mural will light up Legend’s embarkation area for a show-stopping first impression at the start of their vacation. Through the use of vibrant paint, the art will set the tone for what vacationers will experience throughout their time onboard.
Legend of the Seas will bring together an incredible mix of dining, entertainment, thrills, and family-friendly experiences across eight distinct neighborhoods designed for vacationers of all ages. Beginning in July 2026, guests can set sail on 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, exploring some of Europe’s most iconic destinations.
The adventure continues in November 2026 when Legend of the Seas arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. These sailings feature visits to sought-after ports, including Roatan, Honduras, and Willemstad, Curaçao, along with stops at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Step aboard Wonder of the Seas with Cruise Addicts as we explore every corner of Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Oasis Class ship. In this comprehensive ship tour and cruise review, we’ll showcase the dining, entertainment, accommodations, attractions, and unique experiences that make Wonder of the Seas a favorite among cruisers of all ages.
Wonder of the Seas Ship Tour
A view of the waterparks on Wonder of the Seas
To put Wonder of the Seas into perspective, the ship can accommodate up to 6,988 guests and is staffed by approximately 2,300 crew members. She measures an impressive 236,857 gross tons, stretches 1,188 feet in length, and spans 210 feet at her widest point.
Her massive size allows for eight distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own atmosphere, attractions, restaurants, and bars. Among the most popular is the Bionic Bar, where robotic bartenders mix and serve cocktails with a futuristic flair. Another standout area is Central Park, an open-air oasis featuring more than 20,000 living plants, creating one of the most unique and tranquil spaces you’ll find at sea.
Dining And Entertainment
Aboard Wonder of the Seas, guests can choose from more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges while enjoying an impressive lineup of onboard attractions. Highlights include The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, and The Perfect Storm trio of racing waterslides. Families will also find newly redesigned spaces created specifically for kids and teens, along with spectacular entertainment presented across four unique venues—air, ice, theater, and water—delivering unforgettable experiences from morning to night.
Holland America Line is introducing a new “Farewell Dinner” in the Dining Room, giving guests a memorable way to close out their cruise. Designed as a celebratory finale, the experience brings guests and crew together to reflect on the journey, raise a toast, and celebrate the stories, friendships, and special moments made along the way.
New Farewell Dinner Experience
Held on the final evening of the voyage, the “Farewell Dinner” features classic cruise dining with a specially curated menu that is inspired by Holland America Line’s culinary heritage. It’s more than just a meal: the Dining Room comes alive throughout the evening with the energy and camaraderie that define the last night, putting a spotlight on heartfelt moments shared between guests and crew.
“As a brand built on more than 150 years of history and hospitality, we know some of the most meaningful moments of a cruise happen around the dinner table,” said Michael Stendebach, senior vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “The ‘Farewell Dinner’ is designed to celebrate the journey guests have shared together while creating a memorable farewell before they return home. Featuring dishes that have long been connected to cruising and to Holland America makes the last night with us even more special.”
A highlight of the evening is the traditional “Gelang Sipaku Gelang” song, a beloved Holland America Line tradition that brings guests and crew together in a joyful farewell. The moment serves as a fitting sendoff, celebrating not only the voyage that has come to an end, but also the connections that will travel home with guests long after they leave the ship.
As guests gather in the Dining Room, “Home to Rotterdam” plays in the background and the ship’s cruise director reflects on memorable moments from the cruise—from destinations explored and shipboard highlights to friendships formed along the way.
The evening also honors the culinary team whose care, creativity, and service helped create memorable dining experiences on board. During the celebration, team members move around the Dining Room, giving guests a chance to meet the people behind the meals they enjoyed throughout the voyage.
Menu Highlights
Optional Broiled Lobster Tails (Credit: Holland America Line)
The special menu for the “Farewell Dinner” was designed to celebrate Holland America’s culinary traditions. Inspired by the classic elegance of ocean travel, the menu features timeless dishes and tableside favorites that have been part of the onboard dining experience for more than a century.
Set Sail Starters: Chilled Sweet Potato and Stracciatella Salad; Classic Ceasar Salad; Captain’s Antipasto Plate with bresaola beef, dry-cured pork and prosciutto; Coconut Crusted Shrimp; Iceberg Wedge Salad; Crab Bisque; and French Onion Soup.
Sea Day Entrées: Truffled Mushroom Risotto; Port Braised Lamb Shank; Fillet of Beef Wellington; Pork Tenderloin with Cider Apple Puree; Chicken Supreme with Mushroom in White Cream Sauce; Buttered Shrimp; Salmon with Capers and Dill; Oven-Baked Eggplant Parmigiana.
Additional entrée items are available for a surcharge, including a 15-ounce Pinnacle Grill Boneless Ribeye, Steamed Fresh Halibut and Broiled Lobster Tail.
Set Sail Desserts: Apple Crisp with French Vanilla Ice Cream; Baked Alaska with Brandy Bing Cherry Sauce; Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake; Banana Pudding; Black Forest Sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sponge cake and cherry compote.
A Pre-Boarding Drinks menu complements the cuisine, with cocktails such as the Paper Plane, Como Spirit, Penicillin and Dutch 75.
The “Farewell Dinner” reflects Holland America Line’s continued focus on creating experiences that feel personal, meaningful, and rooted in tradition while bringing guests together to close their voyage.
For more information about Holland America Line or to book a cruise, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
If you’ve ever cruised to Santorini, Greece you know how important bus transportation is for the port. In fact, it’s so vital for the cruise industry that one bus strike is causing all kinds of problems for cruise ships that want to stop there.
Ships have to anchor off the coast when calling on Santorini, but even after passengers make it to land, another trip is necessary to see the iconic views the Greek port is known for.
Thanks to a bus strike in the area, three cruise ships from three different cruise lines have had to cancel or postpone their visits that were originally scheduled for Monday June 22, 2026.
Why the Ships Canceled Their Calls
The cancellations happened after Santorini’s tourist bus association called a one-day strike. They completely refused to transport cruise passengers for the day.
Cruise lines rely entirely on these local buses to run their shore excursions. They need them to safely move thousands of people away from the water.
Because of the strike, cruise lines had no choice but to adjust on the fly. Here are the three cruise ships impacted so far:
MSC Sinfonia: Canceled its Monday stop completely.
Norwegian Pearl: Canceled its Monday stop completely.
Celebrity Ascent: Postponed its arrival by 24 hours. It shifted its port visit to Tuesday, June 23.
Cruisers on the NCL and MSC ships faced a tough break. There were no nearby alternate ports available on such short notice.
Instead of visiting Santorini, these ships will enjoy a day at sea.
The “70-30 Rule” at the Center of it All
The issue at the heart of the canceled visits is a controversial new passenger plan. It was introduced by Santorini’s port authority and is known as the “70-30” rule.
This new policy explains exactly why the bus operators walked out.
Under the new rule, 70 percent of passengers must get off at the Old Port of Fira. This port drops you at the very bottom of a sheer cliff.
To get up to town, you have to climb 588 steep steps, ride a donkey, or wait for the single cable car.
That cable car can only handle about 1,200 people an hour.
The remaining 30 percent of passengers are sent to Athinios Port, also known as the New Port. This is the only port with an actual road. It is the only place where full-sized tour buses can safely park, load up, and drive guests up the mountain.
The bus association called the new setup “dysfunctional”. They argued that local officials forced the plan through without parking facilities or organized meeting points.
Drivers also warned that forcing most cruise visitors to the Old Port creates a massive bottleneck.
Multiple ships can drop 8,000 people at the cliff base at the same time. Travelers then face hours waiting for the cable car in the scorching summer heat with zero shade or water.
Greece Still Battling Overtourism
This local bus strike is the latest in a pretty big summer crackdown on overtourism. The issue is hitting the Greek Isles hard this month.
On June 1st, Greece launched a strict €20 peak-season tax. The tax applies to every single cruise passenger stepping onto Santorini. The island also has a rigid new 8,000-passenger daily limit.
Because of these changes, the relationship between international cruise lines and local authorities is not exactly rainbows and unicorns. But cruisers are hoping the two sides can find a peaceful resolution to avoid cancellations like this again in the future.
Local shop owners and restaurants are in a tough spot. They are losing the income of thousands of tourists in a single day. Still, the bus operators insist they won’t drive until local authorities sit down for real solutions.
Between the three ships that are no longer visiting Santorini on Monday, it totals about 8,500 passengers, with Celebrity Ascent being the largest ship which accommodates around 3,260 at double capacity.
That’s a lot of missed revenue for local operators.
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A man who used a fake ID to board the 4,600-passenger Discovery Princess last year has been sentenced to prison.
The Philippine national, 38-year-old Enrico Ronquillo, used one stolen ID to board the cruise ship and another to get a cash advance of $20,000 from the ship’s casino.
But before he could skip the rest of the cruise and take a flight from Alaska’s capital with the cash, border patrol agents spotted the red flags and spoiled his plans.
A “Catch Me If You Can” High Seas Scheme
This crazy story sounds more like the plot of a movie more than anything else. In a modern day “Catch Me if You Can” type scheme, Ronquillo admitted that he had committed this type of fraud on cruise ships before.
So, this wasn’t his first rodeo. We don’t have details as to how much he got away with during his previous cruises or what ship’s he booked.
But since he had used at least two stolen identities for this sailing alone, it’s safe to assume he used a stolen credit card to even pay for this vacation/job which began in Seattle.
Getting on the ship was the first part of the job. Grabbing a $20,000 cash advance from the Princess Cruises casino was the main goal.
And it appears this happened not in one lump sum, but cash withdrawals were made on at least four occasions at the cruise ship’s casino.
According to federal agency records detailing the initial indictment, Ronquillo even went as far as forging an IRS Form W-9 using a victim’s stolen name, signature, and Social Security number to keep the casino from flagging his cash-out streak.
Feds Board the Cruise Ship in Juneau
According to an affidavit, a Customs and Border Protection officer was looking for people on the ship that may have committed credit card fraud. Agents realized that Ronquillo did not match the photo ID he had used, and on May 14, 2025, CBP officers boarded the cruise ship when it docked in Juneau, Alaska, and searched the man.
That’s when they found all the evidence they needed: two birth certificates, a California driver’s license that appeared to be fake, and the biggest smoking gun… a huge amount of cash in his backpack.
Ronquillo was indicted by a federal grand jury back in June of 2025 after pleading guilty to one count of false impersonation and one count of aggravated identity theft.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Ronquillo was handed a 53-month prison sentence in addition to one-year supervised release after completion of his sentence.
And more importantly, he must pay over $25,000 in restitution.
Because he is a lawful permanent resident and not a U.S. citizen, the court judgment also subjects him to mandatory deportation proceedings the moment he finishes his time behind bars.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska said that “Mr. Ronquillo knowingly used stolen identities and personal information of innocent U.S. citizens to gain passage on a cruise ship and enrich himself at its casino.”
“This fraudster stole the identity of a U.S. citizen and impersonated the victim while on board a cruise ship, where he then continued to commit financial fraud crimes on the high seas,” stated Assistant Special Agent in Charge Zachary Pomerantz of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
Ronquillo said that has was working with someone else in Seattle, and the plan was to split the cash with them.
If Customs and Border Protection agents did not board the ship when they did, the Philippine national who was living legally in the U.S. might have gotten away with it. He already had a plane ticket to fly out of Juneau the day he was arrested.
A Wild Airport Escape Attempt
But the dramatic story didn’t end there.
After his initial arrest in Juneau, he was released on bail a few days later. As detailed in official court documents tracking his escape attempt, he cut off his ankle monitor and headed straight to the Juneau airport to escape.
He even made it through the TSA security checkpoint and was waiting to board his escape flight when the Juneau Police Department caught up with him and once again arrested him.
Ronquillo is currently being held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Facility. While his primary 53-month sentence has officially been locked in for the cruise ship heist, he is scheduled for a follow-up court readiness hearing on July 16, 2026, to clear up the remaining legal fallout from his wild airport escape attempt.
In the end, his biggest gamble wasn’t hitting the ship’s casino and betting everything on black, it was betting that federal border agents wouldn’t notice he looked nothing like his ID.
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P&O Cruises has quietly updated its alcohol policy, introducing a significant change that will affect guests who attempt to bring more alcohol onboard than permitted at embarkation.
Under the revised policy, any wine or Champagne exceeding the cruise line’s allowance will now be confiscated and discarded, with no compensation offered to guests. Previously, excess alcohol was held by the cruise line and returned before the end of the sailing.
The change applies to guests aged 18 and over, or 21 and over when embarking from ports in the United States.
Passengers are still permitted to bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne onboard when joining the ship for the first time. However, any amount above that limit will no longer be stored for collection later in the cruise.
The updated policy states: “Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.”
Previously, the policy advised guests that excess wine or Champagne would be stored and returned before disembarkation.
The remainder of the alcohol policy remains unchanged. Guests who choose to consume their own wine or Champagne in dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas will continue to be charged a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion, which is applied to their onboard account.
P&O Cruises also continues to prohibit guests from bringing spirits onboard at embarkation, classifying them as restricted items.
Another Change In P&O Cruises’ Evolving Alcohol Rules
The latest update is not the first significant change P&O Cruises has made to its alcohol policy in recent years.
Until May 2024, guests were allowed to bring either one litre of wine or Champagne, or a one-litre bottle of spirits, when embarking on a cruise. The spirits allowance proved particularly popular among many passengers, especially those looking to enjoy drinks in their cabins without purchasing onboard beverage packages.
That policy was revised in 2024, removing the option to bring spirits and limiting guests to a single litre of wine or Champagne only.
The newest amendment further tightens the rules by removing the previous option for excess alcohol to be held safely until the end of the voyage. Guests who exceed the allowance now risk losing those bottles entirely.
The change brings a stronger deterrent for passengers considering bringing more alcohol onboard than permitted and reinforces the cruise line’s current restrictions on guest-supplied beverages.
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