Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced that Seven Seas Voyager has returned to service after receiving a multi-million dollar renovation during a 25 day dry dock.
Seven Seas Voyager returned to service on May 21, 2026 and now has reimagined suites, refreshed public spaces, enhanced dining experiences, and the introduction of the Epicurean Enrichment Studio.
The cruise ship’s Signature, Grand, Voyager and Seven Seas suites have received a full redesign, including a new bathtub and separate shower.
Guests will also enjoy revitalized public spaces throughout the ship such as the Pool Grill, which has been fully renovated to include a new pizzeria concept serving handcrafted pizzas made with premium ingredients as a casual, including a new evening option.
Additional enhancements on the ship include refreshments and refurbishments for the Atrium, Prime 7, Chartreuse, and the library, as well as the relocation of Coffee Connection to a new mid-ship location on Deck 5.
Image was provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
One of the biggest enhancements to Seven Seas Voyager is the debut of Epicurean Enrichment Studio. This new venue will launch on the ship on June 28, 2026 and offer destination-inspired culinary programing and hands-on demonstrations. It first debuted on Seven Seas Mariner at the end of 2025.
Wesley D’Silva, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, gave the following statemen about the renovation:
“The transformation of Seven Seas Voyager marks another exciting milestone for Regent, as we further elevate the standard of all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruising across the fleet.”
“From enhanced dining venues and immersive new culinary experiences to beautifully redesigned suites, every element of the refurbishment has been carefully considered to enrich the guest experience while preserving the warmth and elegance our guests know and love about Seven Seas Voyager.”
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Carnival Cruise Line is continuing to expand its refreshed Main Dining Room menus across the fleet, with nearly half of the line’s 29 ships now either serving the updated dining options or preparing to introduce them in the coming weeks.
Main Dining Room on Carnival Dream
The revised menus, which feature a mix of returning favourites and newly introduced dishes, have gradually been making their way across the fleet following initial test phases earlier this year.
Brand ambassador John Heald recently highlighted the ongoing rollout during his FFS cruise aboard Carnival Spirit in Alaska, where he shared examples of the updated dining selections.
The expansion marks one of the cruise line’s most significant recent food updates, with Carnival aiming to modernise its dining experience while maintaining the popular dishes many repeat guests expect to see.
New Menus Continue To Spread Across The Fleet
Carnival first began testing the refreshed menus onboard Carnival Magic in late January, before introducing them on Mardi Gras at the end of February.
Additional ships followed in March, including Carnival Panorama, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Liberty. During April, the updated dining programme reached Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Conquest.
The rollout continued in May with Carnival Vista and Carnival Miracle joining the list.
Carnival Miracle’s current voyage, which departed Seattle on 21st May 2026 for a seven-night Alaskan sailing, marked the ship’s first cruise operating with the revised menu. The vessel is carrying approximately 2,124 guests who became among the latest passengers to sample the updated offerings.
Two further ships are scheduled to receive the changes in June.
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration is expected to introduce the new menu beginning with its 7th June departure, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing visiting Nassau, Celebration Key, Amber Cove and Grand Turk.
Carnival Venezia is due to follow on its 18th June departure from New York for a five-night Canada itinerary calling at Saint John and Halifax.
In July, Carnival Dream is set to begin serving the updated menus from its 5th July departure on a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston to Costa Maya, Belize and Cozumel.
Carnival has not yet confirmed dates for the remaining ships still awaiting the change.
The timing may vary between vessels due to several operational factors, including ingredient availability and supply logistics, as well as training requirements for culinary teams learning new recipes, preparation methods and presentation standards.
Passengers currently sailing aboard Carnival Legend have also reported seeing elements of the new menu already introduced, although the full transition may still be underway. The ship departed Miami on 24th May for a 14-night transatlantic voyage to Dover ahead of its European summer season.
What’s Changing On The New Menus?
The revised menus continue to retain many of Carnival’s long-standing favourites while introducing a broader range of international flavours and new dining concepts.
Classic dishes are marked with Carnival’s whale-tail symbol, making them easy for returning guests to identify. These include familiar staples such as shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, chicken parmigiana, penne mariscos, lasagna bolognese, slow-roasted prime rib, roast beef strip loin and the line’s signature warm chocolate melting cake.
The menus also introduce clearer organisation, with starters divided into hot and cold selections, while each evening’s menu highlights “Our Chef’s Favorite Pick” alongside specially selected dishes inspired by chef Emeril Lagasse.
One of the most noticeable additions is a new “Carnival Crew Favorites” section, which draws inspiration from the cultural backgrounds and traditions of crew members working across the fleet.
Featured dishes in that category include options such as kung pao chicken, butter chicken, lomo saltado, beef bourguignon, sausage and gravy, and chicken satay.
Carnival Says Changes May Continue
Despite the wider rollout, Carnival has stressed that the dining programme remains under evaluation and adjustments are still possible.
Heald indicated that guest feedback and onboard popularity of particular dishes will continue influencing the final version of the menus.
“Remember please that it is still very much in the test phase as the Food Beards see what you have enjoyed and if they need to make any changes or additions,” he said.
The ongoing approach suggests that while guests can expect a largely consistent dining experience as more ships adopt the new menus, some dishes and selections may continue evolving before the rollout is completed fleetwide.
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Viking is now the proud owner of a new cruise ship in their ocean vessel category after Fincantieri officially made the delivery today in Ancona, Italy.
This new 998-passenger cruise ship, Viking Mira, is now the thirteenth with the cruise line. After operating river cruise ships for years, Viking made huge waves in the ocean cruise category when introducing Viking Star back in 2015.
Photo credit: Fincantieri
Today’s ceremony was attended by Viking’s Executive Vice President, Jeff Dash, and the Senior Vice President Operations of Fincantieri, Giorgio Gomiero.
With the handover of the 54,300 gross ton vessel, Viking now has a fleet-wide capacity of 12,226.
Small Ships Viking’s Passengers Love
While some cruise lines are focused on building as big as humanly possible with ships that hold over 7,000 people on a single vessel, Viking is doing something very different. They are staying intentionally small.
To put that into perspective, you could combine all 13 of Viking’s ocean-going ships, and they would still carry fewer guests than just two of Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class mega-ships.
Photo credit: Fincantieri
Doing the Math on the Viking Fleet
How does that 12,226 number break down? Viking’s growth has followed a very simple plan.
The Original Ocean Class (11 Ships): Viking’s first 11 ocean ships are completely identical sister ships, each carrying exactly 930 passengers.
The Newer Vela Class (2 Ships): Starting with Viking Vela in late 2024 and now continuing with the brand-new Viking Mira, these ships are slightly longer. This extra space allows for newer, more efficient propulsion technology while keeping the guest count at a still-intimate 998 passengers.
By keeping the passenger count under 1,000 per ship, Viking is making sure they can continue to dock in smaller ports around the world that the mega-ships simply can’t touch.
What’s Next?
Viking Mira is scheduled to welcome its very first revenue guests onboard on June 5, 2026, sailing a 7-day Mediterranean itinerary from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Barcelona, before heading up to Northern Europe for the summer season.
And Viking isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The cruise line already has a pipeline of future sister ships lined up at Fincantieri to offer even more sailings on newer ships.
Following Viking Vela, Viking Vesta, and the brand-new Viking Mira, the fleet will soon welcome Viking Libra (expected December 2026), Viking Astrea (expected June 2027), and Viking Lyra (expected May 2028).
Along with Viking’s 13 ocean ships, the company also operates two polar expedition vessels, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which explore Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.
On the river side of the business, Viking currently operates 89 river ships around the world, with plans already to increase that number to 112 by 2028.
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A cruise excursion in Greece was disrupted this week after a tourist bus carrying cruise passengers was involved in a road traffic accident on the island of Corfu, with authorities now examining how the collision happened.
The incident took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, 26th May, in the Nissaki area of Corfu. According to local reports, the bus, which was transporting passengers from a visiting cruise ship, collided with a concrete mixer truck while travelling on the island.
Early information from the scene indicated that nobody on either vehicle was injured, including passengers and drivers. While no medical issues were reported, the collision caused concern among those travelling on the excursion as authorities responded.
Passengers remained at the location while officials managed the aftermath of the incident and carried out the required procedures.
Authorities Investigating Cause Of Collision
Images published by local media following the crash showed noticeable damage along the left side of the tourist bus, highlighting the force of the impact.
Emergency crews temporarily halted traffic in the surrounding area to allow both vehicles to be safely removed and to restore normal road conditions. Traffic was later able to resume without additional disruption.
Investigators are now working to determine what factors contributed to the collision.
Officials have not publicly identified the cruise ship involved in the excursion. However, ship tracking information suggests that only one cruise vessel was scheduled to call at Corfu on that day, Viking Star.
Summer Tourism Brings Increased Pressure To Island Roads
The incident has also brought renewed focus to road safety challenges in popular Mediterranean cruise destinations, particularly during the busy summer tourism season.
Cruise ports such as Corfu can experience a sharp rise in vehicle activity during peak months, with excursion coaches, rental vehicles, local traffic and delivery transport frequently operating on roads that can be narrower and more congested than those found in larger cities.
Corfu remains one of Greece’s most popular cruise destinations and regularly welcomes large numbers of visitors throughout the summer season. As passenger numbers rise, local transport networks often face additional pressure as thousands of visitors move between ports, beaches and excursion sites across the island.
Although no injuries were reported in this latest incident, it serves as another reminder of the challenges involved in moving large numbers of visitors safely through some of Europe’s busiest tourist hotspots.
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Travelers looking to experience more of Europe in one incredible vacation now have even more options with Avalon Waterways. The award-winning river cruise line is introducing three new 2027 Cruise & Tour itineraries that pair immersive Globus guided land tours with Avalon’s relaxing river cruises, creating seamless journeys through Europe’s most memorable destinations, cultures, and experiences.
The new offerings reflect a growing traveler desire to maximize international trips (and airfare), experiencing multiple countries and cultures with the ease of knowing every detail has been expertly arranged. Each itinerary pairs the on-the-ground expertise of a Globus Tour Director and Local Guides with the elevated river cruise experience Avalon is known for, from its panoramic Panorama Suites to its signature Avalon Choice Excursions.
Three New Cruise & Tour Itineraries for 2027
These additions bring Avalon’s Cruise & Tour collection to seven (7) itineraries spanning some of Europe’s most beloved destinations from the Swiss Alps and Austrian imperial cities to Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain. Each is designed for travelers who want to maximize their international journey without managing a single detail.
“Traveling across multiple countries is one of the most rewarding things you can do – and one of the most complicated to plan,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “That’s exactly what a Cruise & Tour itinerary does brilliantly. Globus handles every transfer, every hotel and every detail on land while Avalon takes care of everything on the river. What guests are left with is the best part: the freedom to be completely present for every moment of the journey, without a single logistic competing for their attention.”
Three New Ways to Explore Europe in 2027. The three new Cruise & Tour itineraries Avalon has unveiled span Britain and Ireland; Italy and Switzerland and Spain and France.
Essential Britain & Ireland with Romantic Rhine – 17 days, 6 countries. Ancient stones and castle ramparts. Cobblestone streets and the clink of a proper pint. From the green hills of Ireland to the grand sweep of Edinburgh, Britain & Ireland are the perfect start to this 17-day vacation. From there, the journey shifts to the river, where the legendary Rhine reveals vine-covered slopes, medieval towers rising above the water, and the drama of the Rhine Gorge. Two of Europe’s most iconic experiences are seamlessly woven into one extraordinary journey.
The Best of Spain with Paris & Normandy – 16 days, 2 countries. From Madrid’s world-class art to Barcelona’s skyline-defining Sagrada Família, the land portion of this itinerary is so rewarding. Then, board your Avalon Suite Ship and let the Seine carry you through an entirely different kind of wonder; Monet’s gardens in full bloom, the solemn beauty of Normandy’s beaches, Rouen’s medieval spires, and Paris, waiting at the end of it all.
Italian Vista with Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne –17 days, 5 countries. Italy first – the Colosseum at sunset, gondolas on the Grand Canal, the beauty of Lake Como. Every city is a revelation and every meal, a memory. Then, Switzerland slows the pace with two nights in lakeside Lucerne before boarding your Avalon Suite Ship for the Black Forest, Strasbourg’s rose-red cathedral, the Rhine Gorge’s ancient castles, and Amsterdam’s picture-perfect canals. Five countries. Five ways to fall in love with Europe.
The Best of Both Worlds. Some trips show you a place. The best ones invite you to truly experience it. Cruise & Tour combines two of travel’s most beloved formats into one seamlessly connected journey. And with a choice of excursions and freedom to explore on your own available for both styles, guests are invited to follow their curiosities with no logistics to juggle or details to figure out. Instead, they can simply focus on being there and experiencing the world.
“By combining the world’s leader in land travel with top-rated river cruises in one Cruise & Tour itinerary, travelers can experience Europe’s most iconic destinations in a bigger, richer, and more effortless way,” added Hoffee. “This is the ultimate opportunity to turn a bucket-list trip into an incredible and meaningful journey.”
Atlas Ocean Voyages is expanding its immersive expedition experiences with the launch of Afar Recommends, a newly curated collection of cultural programming created in partnership with the award-winning travel media brand Afar. Beginning in 2026, select voyages sailing through Northern Europe and the Caribbean will introduce Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops, giving guests the opportunity to explore the night sky through expert-led experiences designed to deepen their connection to the destinations they visit.
“Grounded in our shared belief with Afar in the transformative power of travel, Afar Recommends experiences invite guests to enjoy more meaningful moments and learn from leading experts,” said James Rodriguez, President and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “We are proud to continue this rewarding partnership and look forward to welcoming guests as they explore the night sky and create lasting memories.”
New Stargazing Experiences in 2026
Person observing the blue starry sky with a telescope at night. Silhouette of an astronomer observing the immensity of the universe and the Milky Way
Guests will find Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops on all 2026 Cultural Expeditions sailings. Guided by a resident astronomer, Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops offer captivating insights into the universe through expert-led talks and on-deck stargazing sessions. The collection also features thoughtfully curated shore excursions identified by the Afar Recommends icon that immerse guests in local culture through authentic encounters, hands-on workshops, national pastimes, and regional cuisine.
“Truly life-changing journeys come from connecting more deeply with local culture, feeding your curiosity, and pursuing your passions,” said Afar cofounder Joe Diaz. “Our partnership with Atlas Ocean Voyages, which shares Afar’s belief in the transformative power of travel, allows more travelers to enjoy richer, more meaningful experiences.”
Featured Experts
As Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Resident Astronomer, Jonathan H. Ward delivers a dynamic blend of space history, astrophotography insight, and celestial exploration. He leads engaging enrichment lectures, interactive workshops, and onboard stargazing sessions that illuminate the cosmos throughout the voyage.
Charles Barclay, Astronomer and former Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society, brings a lifetime of astronomy education and outreach to the Cultural Expeditions program. He delivers illuminating presentations on astrophysics and engages guests in lively cosmic discourse.
Ian Ridpath, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, acclaimed author, and renowned astronomy lecturer, is known for making the science of the skies accessible and engaging. His talks cover constellation mythology, the history of space discovery, and celestial navigation.
For information or reservations, contact your preferred travel advisor or call 1-844-44-ATLAS. Discover more at www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.
Carnival Magic has officially become the second ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet to debut the bold new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest, a patriotic design that reflects the cruise line’s strong American identity and its role as America’s Cruise Line. The striking new look now greets guests sailing from Miami while underscoring Carnival’s continued connection to U.S. homeports and the communities it serves across the country.
Following a 35-day dry dock in The Bahamas, Carnival Magic welcomes guests with a host of refreshed venues and upgraded amenities throughout the ship, including:
An updated casino and arcade offering more entertainment options for all ages,
A redesigned Lido restaurant layout for better flow and an elevated dining experience,
Revitalized WaterWorks aqua park and pool decks, adding new energy and onboard relaxation,
A new mini golf course for more family fun,
Renovated Cloud 9 Spa and fitness center with all new equipment supporting wellness and rejuvenation and
Refreshed retail areas across the gift shops and the Effy Jewelry boutique.
Carnival Magic is now resuming sailing from Miami, offering cruises to destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas, including Carnival’s exclusive destination in Grand Bahama, Celebration Key.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit https://www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
Patagonia doesn’t reveal itself all at once. It works on you slowly, almost deliberately.
First, it’s the rainbow stretched across the Strait of Magellan when you arrive. Then it’s king crab paired with Chilean Carménère in Punta Arenas. After that come the penguins, dolphins, glaciers, wild berries, Zodiac landings, and dinners so good they feel almost unfair against a backdrop that already seems impossible.
Somewhere between the silence, the absence of Wi-Fi, and the endless sweep of untouched wilderness, another realization settles in: modern life may have been a terrible misunderstanding all along.
Early Penguin 2026 Offer
Australis Cruises, the expedition cruise company that sails travelers through the remote fjords, channels, islands, and glaciers of southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, has extended its Early Penguin 2026 promotion through May 29, 2026, giving travelers more time to book early and save up to US$1,000 per cabin on departures from September 2026 through April 2027.
The offer is designed for exceptional travelers who have been telling themselves they will visit Patagonia “someday,” a word that has done more damage to great travel plans than weather, airfare, and group texts combined.
Australis’ voyages are not the sort of cruises where one loses track of time somewhere between the buffet and the pickleball court. These are premium expedition cruises through a place that still feels thrillingly uninterested in being convenient. The journey begins in the historic ports of Punta Arenas, Chile, or Ushuaia, Argentina, and moves through the waterways at the southern edge of the map, where mountains rise out of the sea, glaciers glow blue in the distance, and penguins conduct their daily affairs with the solemn busy-ness of tiny diplomats.
The experience is both immense and intimate. One moment, you are standing before a sudden snap, crackle, and pop of an otherwise steely and silent glacier. Next, you are tasting wild calafate berries on a trail decorated with wildflowers, watching dolphins escort the Zodiac, or sharing stories over dinner with fellow travelers whose souls have been happily rearranged by the landscape.
That is the strange genius of Patagonia. Its grandeur is obvious. Its intimacy sneaks up on you.
On Australis voyages, guests board expedition vessels designed for comfort and discovery, then settle into a rhythm that feels increasingly rare: morning coffee, expert briefings, Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, wildlife encounters, shared meals, Chilean wines, and evenings filled with the kind of conversation that happens when phones fall silent and the world outside the window becomes far more interesting than the one in your pocket.
Along the route, travelers may encounter the charm of penguins the magnificence of Pía Glacier, the legendary waters around Cape Horn, and the deep quiet of Wulaia Bay, a place layered with Indigenous history, Darwinian memory, Magellanic forest, birdlife, and the bittersweet knowledge that Ushuaia lies ahead.
There are moments of true scale, of course. Pía Glacier does not do subtle. Cape Horn arrives with enough myth attached to it to make even confident travelers go quiet. But it is the smaller moments that stay: the sudden silence, the flush of crystalline air, the absurd nobility of every animal encountered, and the warm glow of conversation in the bar each night.
“Patagonia rewards travelers who give themselves over to the journey,” said Felipe Castro, Director of North America for Australis Cruises. “The Early Penguin 2026 offer gives guests the chance to secure their preferred sailing early, enjoy meaningful savings, and look forward to one of the world’s most memorable expedition cruise experiences.”
For travelers seeking a journey that is scenic, soulful, wild, comfortable, occasionally hilarious, and almost indecently photogenic, Australis Cruises offers something increasingly rare: not just a trip through Patagonia, but the feeling of being briefly, wonderfully absorbed by it.
In Patagonia, every moment may be the perfect moment. But for those hoping to sail among its fjords, glaciers, forests, penguins, and legendary waterways, the perfect moment to book is now. This voyage reveals itself “not in one grand gesture but through a series of intimate moments.”
Early Penguin 2026: The Deal Details
Book early and save up to US$1,000 per cabin Travelers can save up to US$1,000 per cabin on Australis expedition cruises during the 2026–2027 season.
Offer extended through May 29, 2026 The Early Penguin 2026 promotion is valid for new bookings made between March 18, 2026, and May 29, 2026, or until availability runs out.
Valid for 2026–2027 departures The promotion applies to departures from September 2026 through April 2027.
Limited availability The offer is available for up to 10 cabins per departure.
Eligible cabin categories The promotion applies to cabins in categories A, AA, AAA, and higher. Category B cabins are excluded.
Deposit requirement A deposit of US$300 per person is required and must be fully paid within 10 days after booking.
Final payment deadline Final payment must be made no later than June 12, 2026.
[CR1] Taxes and fees Port taxes, government fees, park fees, and related charges are not included in the ticket price and must be paid separately.
Other conditions The promotion is valid for new bookings only, is not combinable with other promotions or benefits, and is subject to availability and full terms and conditions.
Get To Know Australis Cruises
Australis Cruises offers premium expedition cruises through the remote waterways of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, exploring the fjords, glaciers, forests, islands, wildlife, and legendary routes at the southern edge of South America. With expert guides, comfortable expedition vessels, immersive shore excursions, and access to some of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth, Australis connects travelers to a region where nature, history, and adventure still feel vividly alive.
For details, reservations, and full terms and conditions, visit www.australis.com.
The Alaska operations of Holland America Line andPrincess announced a leadership transition within their Alaska government affairs teams, marking the retirement of a long-tenured executive and the promotion of a rising leader. In Alaska and Yukon, Holland America Line and Princess jointly manage Carnival Corporation’s combined land operations business, supporting Holland America and Princess Cruises.
Ralph Samuels, vice president of government affairs, will retire effective June 2, 2026. (Credit: Holland America Line/Princess Cruises)
After nearly 18 years of distinguished service, Ralph Samuels, vice president of government affairs, will retire effective June 2, 2026. A trusted advisor to the organization, Samuels has built strong relationships across federal, state, and local stakeholders in support of Carnival Corporation’s commitment to Alaska.
“Ralph’s steady leadership, integrity, and deep understanding of our industry have left a lasting mark on our business,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of Alaska operations. “We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him the very best in a well-earned retirement.”
Following Samuels’ retirement, Micaela Fowler has been promoted to vice president of government affairs. Fowler joined the organization a year ago as the director of Southeast Alaska government and community relations, after serving as Alaska’s Deputy Commissioner of Commerce, where she oversaw various government functions and initiatives. Since joining the Alaska operations of Holland America Line and Princess, she has played an integral role on the government affairs team, guiding the business through strong policy expertise, collaborative leadership, and the creation of valuable community relationships.
“Micaela has quickly become a trusted voice for Alaska and Yukon operations for Holland America and Princess,” said Morgenstern. “She is well-positioned to build on the strong foundation Ralph established and to continue our strong partnership in the state of Alaska.”
Get To Know Holland America Line & Princess Cruises
Holland America Line maintains a deep and longstanding presence in Alaska as it approaches 80 years exploring The Great Land. In addition to cruise operations across the region, the company supports land-based experiences, including Holland America Denali Lodge at the doorstep of Denali National Park, Holland America Skagway Inn and the Holland America Dawson City Inn in the Yukon, with a major Denali Lodge expansion to be completed in 2027. Operating both at sea and on land, Holland America Line works closely with local communities, partners and government stakeholders to strengthen its long-term commitment to the region.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Princess Cruises owns and operates a portfolio of five lodges in Alaska, including Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Copper Rover Princess Wilderness Lodge, along with rail services that connect guests from ship to shore. Princess partners with local communities and partners to support sustainable tourism.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting princess.com.
A Carnival cruise ship scored the lowest possible passing score during a recent surprise health inspection done by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.
The unannounced inspection of Carnival Breeze took place in Galveston, Texas on May 14, 2026. The cruise ship barely passed the inspection by scoring an 86. Scores of 85 and below are considered to have failed.
Carnival Breeze has scored a perfect 100 five times in its history (including its inspection earlier this year on January 17, 2026), and has only failed an inspection once back in 2017.
Carnival Breeze Inspection
A total of 36 deficiencies were found on Carnival Breeze during the recent inspection that included numerous food safety violations and several minor issues.
The eight food safety violations were:
Crew incorrectly held and labeled time/temperature control for safety (TCS) / potentially hazardous food (PHF) in the crew galley.
Crew insisted that 4-hour discard labels were not needed for TCS/PHF out for service on the lido buffet, despite service lasting six hours (1000-1600), and despite the statement in the time control plan that all TCS/PHF food would bear a discard label.
Crew incorrectly held milk on time control at the crew buffet beverage station. Milk was still available for self-service at 0910. The time control plan stated it should have been discarded at 0900.
Crew stored their personal water bottle inside a waiter station.
Two potable water containers for the mobile handwashing station were stored upright and wet inside.
A hazardous chemical, butane, was stored above clean knives in the main galley knife locker.
Improper food storage order occurred inside a main galley walk-in cooler: raw chicken above raw steak above ready-to-eat pepperoni above raw shrimp. Inspector had to guide the re-arrangement of storage.
A fly landed on food out for passenger service but the food was not removed until the inspector intervened.
Another major violation were two crew members who experienced symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis, but continued to work until their shift was over. Both incidents were recorded on the ship’s public diarrhea incident (PDI) log, and they did report to medical after their shift was over.
Some of the minor infractions included a sanitized martini glass soiled with food residue and a stored wine class was chipped and cracked along its rim, making it difficult to clean.
About Inspections
All cruise ships that sail from or to a U.S. port are subject to two surprise health inspections each year. The inspections are carried out by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.
The following eight areas of the ship are inspected:
Medical Center
Drinking water
Galleys and dining rooms
Swimming pools and hot tubs
Housekeeping
Pest and insect management
Child activity centers
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
Cruise lines pay for the inspections, based on the size of the ship. One to five inspectors carry out the inspections, also based on the size of the vessel.
Carnival Breeze is currently offering four- and five-night cruises to the Western Caribbean from Galveston, Texas.
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