Royal Caribbean passengers sailing from PortMiami may find themselves checking in somewhere unexpected: MSC Cruises’ Terminal AA.
New reporting indicates that some Royal Caribbean guests are again being directed to the MSC-operated facility while work affects normal Royal Caribbean terminal operations at the busy Miami cruise port.
For travelers, the change matters less because of the cruise itself and more because of the logistics on embarkation day. PortMiami has multiple large cruise terminals spread across the port, and arriving at the wrong one can mean extra driving, parking confusion and additional walking with luggage.
PortMiami officially lists Terminal AA at 2200 N. Cruise Blvd. The facility opened in 2025 as MSC Cruises’ new Miami terminal and covers roughly 490,000 square feet across four levels. According to the port, it can accommodate up to three ships and process up to 36,000 passengers in a single day.
Royal Caribbean’s familiar Terminal A, known as the “Crown of Miami,” is nearby at 2000 N. Cruise Blvd. It opened in 2018 and remains one of Royal Caribbean’s signature homeport facilities.
Royal Caribbean also advises passengers on its own Miami directions page to follow signage to the terminal assigned to their sailing, as terminal locations can change.
That advice is particularly important during temporary terminal swaps. Guests should rely on the terminal information shown in their current cruise documents, Royal Caribbean app notifications, and any pre-cruise email rather than assuming they will automatically use Terminal A.
Parking can also be different depending on the terminal assignment. PortMiami operates separate garages for Terminal AA and Terminal A, so drivers should confirm the correct garage before entering the port.
The temporary use of MSC’s terminal is not unprecedented. Freedom of the Seas has previously used Terminal AA when berth availability or Royal Caribbean terminal construction required ships to be repositioned within PortMiami.
What is not yet clear is how many upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings will be affected by the latest arrangement or how long the temporary terminal sharing will continue. Cruise Addicts is treating those details as developing until Royal Caribbean or PortMiami provides additional confirmation.
For passengers with an upcoming Miami departure, the simplest advice is to check the terminal listed in your cruise documents shortly before leaving for the port and follow current roadside signage once on Dodge Island.
With PortMiami handling millions of cruise passengers each year and several major terminal projects underway, occasional berth and terminal adjustments are likely to remain part of the embarkation-day picture.
The best part of being a travel writer is traveling—and because my favorite way to travel is by sea, I’ve been lucky enough to do plenty of it. But even after 15 cruises with Royal Caribbean, I’m still learning something new every time.
That’s one of the things I love most about cruising. No matter how many times you sail, every ship, every itinerary and every vacation brings a new experience.
On my latest Royal Caribbean cruise, aboard Oasis of the Seas, sailing from Port Liberty in New Jersey on August 2, 2026, I picked up eight cruise tips and tricks that I wish I’d known sooner.
Here’s what I learned:
1. A Royal Beach Club Cabana Makes Sense for a Large Group
Traveling with a large group? Do the math before automatically buying individual admission to Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
Admission to the private beach club can range from about $99 to $234 per person, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. But for our group of 10, a private cabana cost $1,200—making it surprisingly competitive with individual tickets.
And the cabana came with plenty of perks: a swing, couches, chaises, a refrigerator, hors d’oeuvres, fresh fruit, healthy snacks, beer and soft drinks, plus an upscale menu. And oh, that view!
Best of all, we had our own server who took our orders and delivered everything. No waiting in line in the heat.
The takeaway: If you’re traveling with a group, compare the cost of individual admission with a cabana. The cabana may be a better value—and a lot more fun.
2. Don’t Rush Off the Ship When Everyone Else Does
With two mega-ships in Nassau, our group thought we had a brilliant plan: Get off Oasis of the Seas as early as possible to beat the crowds heading to the Royal Beach Club.
It didn’t work.
It took us about an hour to disembark and board one of the tenders. Then, while we sat waiting for our tender to leave the dock, we watched other passengers simply walk right up and board.
The takeaway: Sometimes the best cruise strategy is to wait. If you head for the gangway at noon instead of joining the initial rush, you may end up on the same shuttle as the people who spent an hour fighting their way into crowded elevators at 11 a.m.
3. Royal Caribbean Knows How to Handle Medical Emergencies
No one wants to think about a medical emergency on vacation, but cruise ships are equipped to respond when something goes wrong.
On our return to New Jersey, we experienced not one but two separate medical emergencies.
The ship increased speed to quickly reach Atlantic City, where a helicopter met us to transport the patients to a hospital.
It was a powerful reminder that cruise itineraries can change quickly when there is a medical emergency—and that cruise lines have procedures in place to get passengers the care they need.
The takeaway: Travel insurance and understanding your cruise line’s medical and emergency procedures are important, even if you never expect to need them.
4. Don’t Like a Firm Cruise Ship Mattress? Just Ask
Yes, Royal Caribbean’s mattresses can be very firm. But if that’s not to your liking, look underneath the bed. You may find a mattress topper already there.
If not, just ask your room steward to bring you one. Or two.
(And, as I already knew, your stateroom attendant also can help with the bed configuration. The beds can be separated into two twin beds or pushed together into a queen-size bed. And if your friends and family are in the next room, he can remove the divider between the balconies so you can all sit outside together.)
The takeaway: Your room steward can often make small changes that make a big difference in your comfort. Just ask.
5. The Splash Zone at Aqua80 Is Exactly What It Sounds Like
New Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips I Learned on My 15th Sailing (Credit: Cheryl Rosen)
Want to experience Aqua80 from a completely different perspective? Sit in the front-row Splash Zone.
You will get wet. Very wet. But it’s also a lot of fun—and a completely different experience from watching the show from farther back or on a balcony.
Bring a towel and protect anything you don’t want soaked. And take my advice: duck during the finale.
6. Royal Caribbean’s Staff Can Work Magic—If You Ask
One thing that always impresses me about cruising is how accommodating the crew can be.
Our group of 10 arrived at Giovanni’s at 7:00 and asked it would be possible to make an 8:30 show. And Josue came to our rescue, served us family style. (In the end, I didn’t really think Cats was worth the rush. (But our 14-year-old granddaughter who wants to be a vet loved it.)
Our group of 10 arrived at Giovanni’s at 7 p.m., and said we were hoping to make an 8:30 show. Josue serving our meal family-style so we could get through dinner more quickly.
In the end, I didn’t think Cats was worth rushing for—but our 14-year-old granddaughter, who wants to be a veterinarian, absolutely loved it.
The takeaway: Don’t assume the answer is no. Just ask.
7. Find a New Excursion If You’ve Been There Before
Having sailed this itinerary many times, I’ve done every excursion I care to do in Port Canaveral. So this time, we decided to keep things inexpensive and easy.
We just took an Uber a mile down the road to the Holiday Inn Vacation Club.
For just $45 for the adults and $25 for under 18, we got access to a huge and uncrowded pool, a lazy river, an ocean beach, and—if Florida’s weather turned on us—an indoor movie theater.
The pool bar serves food and drinks, or you can opt for indoor seating to escape the bees.
The takeaway: If you’ve done the major Port Canaveral excursions already, consider a nearby resort day pass for an easy and affordable alternative.
8. Use the Free Porter Service When You Leave the Ship
Here’s one cruise tip I should have taken advantage of sooner: Use the porter service at the end of your cruise.
For the price of a tip, porters will take your luggage all the way from the terminal to your car in the parking lot and load it into your trunk.
Royal Caribbean passengers looking at drinks packages are usually presented with a fairly simple choice: stick to non-alcoholic drinks, or pay for an unlimited package that includes alcohol.
But there is another Royal Caribbean drinks package sitting between those two options, and plenty of cruisers may still not know it exists.
The Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package combines Royal Caribbean’s standard Refreshment Package with a fixed allowance of 10 alcoholic drinks to use during the cruise.
Rather than providing unlimited alcohol every day, passengers receive the full selection of drinks covered by the Refreshment Package throughout their sailing, plus 10 alcoholic beverages in total.
It potentially makes the package an attractive middle ground for guests who enjoy cocktails, beer or wine but know they will not drink enough to justify paying for Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package.
The option first began attracting attention in 2025, but it remains considerably less well known than Royal Caribbean’s three main drinks packages. It also does not appear as a standard package on every sailing.
How The Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package Works
At its core is Royal Caribbean’s Refreshment Package, which provides unlimited non-alcoholic drinks for the duration of the cruise.
Royal Caribbean currently lists fountain soft drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails, Johnny Rockets milkshakes, bottled still and sparkling water, premium coffees and teas and freshly squeezed juices among the drinks included.
The cruise line’s latest package material also includes canned soft drinks, non-alcoholic beer and wine, although some non-alcoholic products are restricted to guests who meet the applicable drinking-age requirement. Licensed Starbucks locations are excluded.
On top of those unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, passengers buying the Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package receive 10 alcoholic beverages.
Importantly, that means 10 drinks for the entire cruise, not 10 alcoholic drinks every day.
Royal Caribbean described the option when it first appeared as “this is the package for ultimate flexibility”.
That distinction becomes especially important on longer cruises. A passenger on a 14-night sailing, for example, could use the included alcoholic drinks whenever they wanted rather than feeling the need to order several every day to get value from an unlimited package.
It could also suit cruisers who mainly drink coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and mocktails during the day, but still want the occasional alcoholic drink with dinner or during an evening in one of the ship’s bars.
Prices are dynamic and can change considerably between ships, departure dates and Cruise Planner sales.
When the package first appeared in 2025, prices of around $36.99 per person, per day were reported. Current 2026 package listings continue to show it, but at varying prices. Examples have included around $38 per day on a 10-night Independence of the Seas sailing and around $41 per day on some other voyages. This example is even higher:
That makes checking the numbers particularly important.
Passengers should compare the difference between the regular Refreshment Package and Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package rather than simply comparing it with the more expensive Deluxe Beverage Package.
If the upgrade costs substantially more over a long itinerary, buying 10 alcoholic drinks individually could potentially work out cheaper. Conversely, a good Cruise Planner discount could make the combined package more appealing.
There has also been one notable change since the package first started appearing.
From 15th March 2026, Royal Caribbean stopped including a Coca-Cola Freestyle Cup with its Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage Packages. Guests wanting to use Coca-Cola Freestyle machines with those packages can instead buy an RFID-enabled cup onboard for $4.99. The Classic Soda Package continues to include the cup.
That means older descriptions of the Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package which say that Coca-Cola Freestyle access is automatically included may now be out of date.
It Isn’t Just Appearing On Extremely Long Cruises
When the Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package first emerged, reports largely came from passengers booked on longer itineraries such as transatlantic cruises, Panama Canal voyages and sailings lasting considerably more than a week.
That led to the assumption that Royal Caribbean had introduced it specifically for longer cruises, where the cost of an unlimited alcohol package can become particularly high.
More recent evidence suggests the picture is no longer quite that simple.
The package has appeared in 2026 listings for seven-night Royal Caribbean cruises as well as longer itineraries. One recent listing for a seven-night Rhapsody of the Seas sailing showed the Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package alongside the regular Refreshment Package, while another seven-night Brilliance of the Seas voyage also listed the option.
It therefore appears that availability is sailing-specific rather than being determined solely by cruise length.
Passengers should not assume they will be able to buy it simply because they are taking a long cruise, or assume it will be unavailable because they are sailing for only seven nights. The simplest way to know is to check the beverage section of Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner for the individual booking.
There is another important consideration for passengers sharing a cabin.
Royal Caribbean says guests purchasing an alcoholic beverage package must purchase one for all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. Non-alcoholic packages can otherwise be purchased individually.
Because the Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package contains alcohol, passengers should check the purchase requirements displayed for their particular reservation before deciding whether the numbers work for everyone travelling in the cabin.
For some cruisers, Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package will still be the obvious choice, particularly those expecting to drink cocktails, wine or beer regularly throughout the holiday.
For others, the normal Refreshment Package and a handful of individually purchased alcoholic drinks could work out cheaper.
But for passengers who sit somewhere between those two groups, the little-known Refreshment + 10 Drinks Package offers an option many Royal Caribbean guests might not even realise they have.
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I have spent nearly three decades litigating against the world’s largest cruise lines. In that time, I have sat across from families who booked what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime and came home carrying something no parent should ever have to carry. So when I read the recent string of arrests tied to cruises sailing out of Florida, I did not see isolated headlines. I saw a pattern that parents deserve to understand before they ever step on the gangway.
This is not written to scare you off cruising. My own view is that most families sail and return with nothing but good memories. But a handful of recent cases show exactly how predators operate at sea, and once you understand the playbook, you can take a few simple steps that meaningfully lower the risk to your children.
The cases that should be on every parent’s radar
The threat aboard a cruise ship is not one thing. It comes in a few distinct forms.
Crew members hiding cameras in cabins and bathrooms. In August 2024, a Royal Caribbean stateroom attendant named Arvin Joseph Mirasol was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Mirasol had been placing hidden cameras inside passenger cabins on the Symphony of the Seas since December 2023. A guest discovered a camera concealed under the bathroom sink and reported it to ship security. Investigators later identified children in the footage, ranging in age from 2 to 17 years old. Prosecutors said Mirasol would enter cabins while guests were showering and hide under their beds to record them.
Sit with that for a moment. A crew member with a key to the room, someone the family never thought twice about, gained access and did the unthinkable.
Passengers hiding cameras in public restrooms. The crew is not the only concern. In 2023, the FBI arrested Jeremy Froias after he allegedly placed a hidden Wi-Fi camera in a public bathroom on the top deck of the Harmony of the Seas, tucked between a surf simulator and a bar. As CBS News reported, another passenger spotted the camera and alerted the crew. In the short window it was running, the device captured more than 150 people, including at least 40 minors, some appearing to be as young as 4 or 5. Froias was charged with video voyeurism and attempted possession of child exploitation material.
The trusted adult sharing your child’s cabin. This next one is the case I wish every parent would read twice. In April 2026, according to FOX10 News, an Ohio man named Kevin Six was arrested after he allegedly set his phone inside a backpack to secretly record a 15-year-old boy in their shared cabin’s bathroom. Six was described in the affidavit as a “friend” of the teen. The boy noticed the phone’s camera pointing toward the shower, checked the device, found the video, and told his grandmother, who told him to report it to security. Six was held until the ship docked at Port Everglades.
CruiseInjury.law
Offenders who sail among families and get caught at port. Finally, there are the passengers who bring their crimes aboard with them. In late July 2026, Local 10 News reported that customs officers pulled a passenger named Steve Lawson aside for a secondary inspection after he disembarked the Norwegian Getaway at PortMiami. Investigators said they found more than a dozen child sexual abuse videos on his phone, and that he admitted buying them with cryptocurrency while the ship was docked in the Bahamas. Days later, Local 10 reported that a second passenger from that same sailing, Michael William Simmons, was also arrested, accused of possessing such material and of having recorded children years earlier. Both men face pending charges.
I include these last two not because a parent could have spotted either man on the ship, but to make a point I make in court all the time. The people who commit these crimes look ordinary. One was a father of seven who photographed weddings for a living. Predictability is a myth while vigilance is not.
What parents should do when they go on a cruise with young children
Here is the part I care about most. None of this is complicated, and none of it takes much time. Every step below comes straight from how the cases above actually happened, and I would follow all of them if I were sailing with my own children tomorrow.
1. Have the safety talk before you board. Before the trip, sit your kids down and keep it calm and age-appropriate. Tell them plainly that no one should photograph or record them, especially in a bathroom or while they are changing, and that no adult should ever ask them to keep a secret from you. Let them know that if anything feels wrong, they should come to you right away and they will never be in trouble for it. The 15-year-old in the Kevin Six case protected himself precisely because he knew to speak up. That instinct is something you build before you ever leave the dock.
2. Debrief with your kids every day. Use a meal, breakfast or dinner, to bring everyone back together and actually talk. Ask what they did during the day’s shipboard activities, who they spent time with, and how it went. Make this a normal, expected part of the trip, not an interrogation. When checking in becomes routine, kids tell you things they might otherwise shrug off, and you catch small concerns before they become big ones.
3. Teach them which questions are red flags. Kids do not always know when an adult has crossed a line, so give them a short list of warning signs. If any adult, crew or passenger, asks where their cabin is, who they are traveling with, or where their parents are right now, that is a red flag, and they should walk away and find you immediately. Predators gather that information to figure out whether a child is easy to isolate. A child who knows those specific questions are off-limits is far harder to target.
4. Never separate from your minor child in public areas. A cruise ship feels safe, and that feeling is exactly the problem. Stay with your younger children as you move around the ship, and keep your eyes open even when you are relaxed and enjoying yourself. You can have a wonderful time and still keep your child within sight. Safety comes first, every hour of every day of the trip.
5. Walk your kids to the bathroom. For younger children, do not send them off to a pool deck or public restroom alone. Go with them, matching parent to child, dad with your son and mom with your daughter. Remember that the hidden camera in the Harmony of the Seas case was in a public deck bathroom, and the one in the Symphony of the Seas case was in a cabin bathroom. A restroom is not a safe place to let a child wander off on their own.
6. Set a nightly curfew for teens. Kids in the 14-18 range want independence, and a cruise can give them a healthy amount of it. But set a firm curfew and hold to it. Everyone knows what time they need to be back, and there is no negotiating it after the fact. A clear boundary removes the gray area that older kids and predators both exploit.
7. Make teens travel in groups, never alone. Require your teenagers to move around the ship as a group rather than splitting off one by one. Every kid should have a working phone, and every phone should have your number, the other parents’ numbers, and everyone else’s in the group saved before the ship leaves port. There is real safety in numbers, and a child who is never alone is far harder to approach.
8. Require voice check-ins, not texts. Have your kids check in on a set schedule, every 60 to 90 minutes, and require that the check-in be a phone call, not a text. You want to hear your child’s actual voice and ask them where they are. A text tells you nothing about who is holding the phone or whether your child is genuinely okay. Hearing them say it, and hearing how they say it, tells you everything a text cannot.
9. Use real-time location tracking like Princess Medallion and Disney. This is the tip most parents have never heard, and it is worth choosing a cruise line over. Princess Cruises gives every guest a free wearable device called the Medallion, and through the OceanCompass feature in the Princess app, you can add everyone in your party and see exactly where each person is on the ship in real time, either on your phone or on the touchscreen portals placed throughout the ship. Because the ship’s sensors read the Medallion, the location is precise down to the deck and the venue, so you always know whether your teenager is really at the pool or three decks away at the arcade. Disney Cruise Line offers its own wearable and app technology in the same spirit, so if you are weighing lines, this feature alone may tip you toward Princess or Disney. If you sail a line that does not offer it, ask before you book whether they have a comparable option.
You can also add a layer of your own with a phone app. Apple’s Find My app, built into every iPhone, lets family members share their location with each other, and Life360 does the same across both iPhone and Android. The one catch at sea is connectivity: these apps only update when the phones are online, so you would need to buy the ship’s internet package for each child’s phone, and even then, the positions they show are rougher than the cruise line’s own sensor system. Used as a backup, though, they are a simple way to keep tabs on your kids the same way you already do at home.
10. Keep young kids in your stateroom whenever possible. Whenever you can, have your young children sleep in your own stateroom. If your booking makes that impossible and the kids are in a connecting or separate room, treat that room with extra caution and check on it often. The fewer hours a young child spends in a space you are not in, the better.
11. Never let a child share a cabin overnight with a non-guardian. This is the uncomfortable one, and it is also the most important. Never let your child sleep in a cabin alone with an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian, no matter how much you trust that person. The Six case involved a man the teen considered a friend. If your child is traveling with a coach, a family friend, or a relative’s partner, arrange the sleeping situation so that a child is never alone overnight with a non-guardian. Full stop.
12. Vet the kids’ club staff before you sail. Before you hand your child to the youth program, ask questions and expect real answers. Find out the staff-to-child ratio, how many counselors are on shift at a time, and their names, and take a look at who these people are when you drop your child off. A well-run program will welcome the questions. Hesitation or vague answers tell you something too.
13. Nail down the pickup and one-on-one rules. Get the specifics in writing or straight from the staff. How do they verify who is allowed to pick up your child? Are children ever permitted to leave the club on their own? And most importantly, is your child ever alone one-on-one with a single staff member, including for bathroom trips? Know the answer to that last question before you leave your child in anyone’s care.
14. Learn to spot grooming behavior. Grooming has a pattern, and once you know it, you can see it. Be alert to any adult, whether crew or a fellow passenger, who gives your child unusual amounts of attention, offers gifts, or repeatedly tries to get your child alone or away from you. Trust your gut. If an adult shows interest in your child, you are allowed to shut it down without apology.
15. Sweep every stateroom for hidden cameras. When you first board, take five minutes in every room your kids will use and look for anything that does not belong. Check under and around the sink and vanity, above the door frame, inside smoke detectors and air vents, and in alarm clocks, TV consoles, USB chargers, and decorative items. Turn off the lights and slowly scan the room with your phone flashlight, watching for the glint of a lens or a tiny indicator light in the dark. The cameras in these cases were found by ordinary people who simply noticed something out of place. If you find anything, leave it where it is and call ship security.
If something happens on board
If you believe your child has been recorded, photographed, touched, or approached inappropriately, what you do in the first few hours matters enormously. Act quickly and deliberately.
Report it to ship security immediately and ask for a written report. Do not let the conversation happen only verbally. You want a documented record that you notified the crew, including the date, time, and the names of the officers you spoke with.
Preserve everything. If a device, photo, or video is involved, do not delete anything, and do not let anyone else handle or wipe it more than absolutely necessary. Take your own photos and videos of anything relevant, including the scene, any suspicious device, and its location, before it can be moved or lost.
Get names, and get them fast. Write down the names and contact information of every security officer, every crew member involved, and every witness, not just the staff. If other children were affected, get their names and the names and contact information of their parents when they are not part of your own family. These witnesses can scatter the moment the ship docks, making them difficult to track down later.
Talk to your kids right away, while it is fresh. A child’s memory of what happened fades within a week or two, and details that seem obvious now can blur quickly. Gently ask them to tell you what happened, who was involved, and where, and write down what they say in their own words as close to the event as possible.
Get medical care if there was any physical contact, and insist on proper documentation.
Finally, do not sign anything the cruise line puts in front of you before you speak with a lawyer, and do not confront a suspected offender on your own. Because these crimes usually fall under federal jurisdiction, report to the FBI or Homeland Security Investigations once the ship reaches a U.S. port. HSI operates a tip line at 1-866-347-2423. A maritime attorney can help you preserve evidence, protect your child’s rights, and hold the cruise line accountable for whatever failure allowed this to happen.
Scolaro Law is a Miami-based personal injury and maritime firm that represents passengers and crew members in cruise ship sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape cases. Because these lawsuits are almost always filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, our location in the heart of the cruise industry lets us move quickly to preserve evidence and hold cruise lines accountable. We have spent more than 25 years litigating against every major cruise line, and we handle each case with discretion and compassion.
Carnival gets dismissed surprisingly often for a cruise line that carries literally millions of guests every year. It’s loud, busy, and rarely trying to impress people with white-glove luxury. But that’s also exactly why so many cruisers love it.
Because while other cruise lines chase bigger suites, fancier branding and those upscale experiences, Carnival has stayed focused on something simpler – making sure people have a genuinely good time on holiday.
And honestly? There are quite a few things Carnival does better than the competition. Some are obvious, but others are the kind of details you only really notice once you’ve sailed with them.
Even cruise fans who normally prefer Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or MSC often admit Carnival gets certain things absolutely spot on…
1. They Create A Fun Atmosphere Better Than Anyone
The second you walk onto a Carnival ship, you know exactly what kind of holiday you’re getting. Music’s playing, people are already at the bars, the lido deck is buzzing and the whole atmosphere feels energetic from day one.
Some cruise lines can feel oddly subdued during the daytime, especially outside school holidays. Carnival rarely has that problem. There’s usually a game happening somewhere, live music nearby or a crowd gathering around the pool for something chaotic and entertaining.
That won’t appeal to everyone, of course. If you want a peaceful, library-quiet cruise experience, Carnival probably isn’t your perfect match. But if you want a cruise that actually feels lively and social, very few lines do it better.
2. Carnival’s Comedy Clubs Are Genuinely Excellent
Carnival quietly built one of the best comedy offerings at sea and it’s become one of the line’s biggest strengths.
The Punchliner Comedy Club isn’t just a one-off act squeezed into the schedule. On many sailings, comedians perform multiple times throughout the cruise, including adults-only late-night sets that regularly end up packed.
And unlike some cruise entertainment, the comedy often feels current and unscripted rather than overly polished or corporate. That makes a huge difference.
It’s also one of the few entertainment options that gets people returning night after night during the same sailing. Plenty of cruisers now actively check who the comedians are before booking.
3. The Included Food Is Better Than People Expect
Carnival’s food reputation suffers because people assume lower prices must mean lower quality. Then they get onboard and realise the included casual food is actually one of the line’s strongest areas.
Guy’s Burger Joint has become genuinely iconic among cruise fans for a reason. BlueIguana Cantina is consistently solid too, especially for breakfast burritos. On newer ships, Shaq’s Big Chicken has also become a huge hit.
Is Carnival competing with luxury lines for fine dining? No. But when it comes to satisfying, included comfort food that people genuinely look forward to eating, Carnival gets it right surprisingly often.
4. They Understand Short Cruises Better Than Anyone
Some cruise lines treat short cruises like an afterthought. Carnival absolutely doesn’t.
The line has mastered the art of the three- and four-night sailing better than almost anyone else. Everything about the onboard atmosphere works for shorter trips – faster energy, busier nightlife and a stronger sense that people want to maximise every minute onboard.
Half Moon Cay
There’s less pressure to turn the cruise into some perfectly curated luxury experience too. People are there to relax, have fun and enjoy themselves.
That sounds simple, but not every cruise line manages to capture it properly.
5. Carnival Has Some Of The Best Cruise Directors
On many cruise lines, the cruise director barely registers beyond a few announcements. On Carnival, they’re often part of the experience itself.
Carnival cruise directors tend to have huge personalities and visible roles onboard. They host events, interact with passengers constantly and often build loyal followings online. Some cruisers even choose sailings specifically based on who the cruise director will be.
That level of engagement creates a more personal atmosphere onboard. The ships feel less corporate and more human because there’s a recognisable face shaping the energy of the sailing.
It sounds ridiculous to single out pizza in an article about cruise lines, but Carnival cruisers will completely understand this one.
The pizza onboard Carnival ships consistently ranks among the best complimentary pizza at sea. More importantly, it’s available late into the night when people actually want it.
That combination matters more than cruise lines sometimes realise.
There’s something oddly comforting about grabbing fresh pizza after a comedy show or before heading back to your cabin at 1am. Carnival has turned that into part of the experience itself.
7. Carnival Feels Less Formal And More Relaxed
Cruising has changed a lot over the years. Many passengers don’t want strict dress codes, fixed dining rituals and formal nights that feel more stressful than enjoyable anymore.
Carnival recognised that earlier than some competitors.
The line still offers elegant dinners and nicer venues if you want them, but there’s far less pressure overall. The atmosphere is more relaxed, more forgiving and often more approachable for first-time cruisers.
That makes a difference, especially for younger travellers or families who don’t want to spend their holiday worrying about cruise etiquette.
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8. They Nail Value For Money
Carnival probably won’t win many “most luxurious cruise line” awards anytime soon. But value for money? That’s a different story.
The fares are often competitive, especially on shorter itineraries, and the onboard experience includes far more than people sometimes expect.
You’re getting entertainment, decent food options, lively atmosphere and solid private destinations without paying premium prices for every little extra.
That balance is a huge part of why Carnival remains so successful. Plenty of people don’t necessarily want luxury cruising. They just want a fun holiday that feels worth what they paid.
9. The Pool Deck Atmosphere Is Better Than Most Rivals
Some cruise pool decks can feel strangely quiet considering you’re supposed to be on holiday in the Caribbean.
Carnival ships rarely have that issue. The line leans fully into the resort-style atmosphere with DJs, deck games, live music and constant activity around the main pools. It feels energetic in a way that many mainstream cruise lines struggle to replicate consistently.
Again, that won’t suit everyone. But for passengers who actually want the pool deck to feel social and exciting, Carnival understands the assignment.
10. They’re Great For Multi-Generational Groups
Carnival works especially well when you’re travelling with a mix of ages and personalities.
Grandparents can relax with a drink, teenagers can disappear to waterslides and sports courts, younger kids have plenty happening and adults still get nightlife, comedy clubs and adults-only areas.
Not every cruise line balances those things well. Some lean heavily toward families while others feel designed mainly for older adults.
Carnival tends to sit comfortably in the middle, which makes group trips much easier to organise.
11. Carnival Knows How To Make Embarkation Feel Exciting
Embarkation day sets the tone for an entire cruise and Carnival understands that better than most.
On some lines, boarding day can feel oddly flat. Venues are half-open, the atmosphere is quiet and passengers spend hours waiting for the cruise to properly begin.
Carnival goes the opposite direction. The lido deck usually feels alive almost immediately. Music’s playing, bars are busy and people are already settling into holiday mode within minutes of boarding.
It sounds small, but it genuinely changes the feeling of the first day onboard.
12. Their Private Destinations Focus On Fun Rather Than Luxury
Some cruise lines increasingly market their private destinations like exclusive luxury resorts.
Carnival’s approach feels simpler and, honestly, more fun.
Places like Half Moon Cay work because they focus on beaches, easy relaxation, food, swimming and enjoying the Caribbean rather than trying to create ultra-curated luxury experiences.
Celebration Key continues that approach too, with huge pools, family-friendly areas and a strong focus on entertainment rather than exclusivity. The destination hasn’t been open too long really but is already very popular with Carnival fans.
Carnival understands that many passengers just want an easy, sunny beach day without unnecessary complications.
13. They’re One Of The Best Cruise Lines For First-Time Cruisers
First-time cruisers can find the whole industry surprisingly intimidating.
Dining rules, dress codes, loyalty tiers, speciality restaurants, drink packages – there’s a lot to figure out.
Carnival simplifies a lot of that. The atmosphere is more approachable, the ships feel less formal and there’s less pressure to “cruise correctly”. That makes Carnival a very comfortable entry point into cruising for many people.
And once people enjoy their first cruise, they often stick with the line for years afterwards.
14. Carnival Built One Of Cruising’s Most Loyal Fanbases – But That’s Being Tested
For years, Carnival created one of the strongest loyalty cultures in cruising.
Many guests took enormous pride in reaching higher levels of the VIFP Club loyalty programme, especially Diamond status. People booked repeatedly with Carnival not just because they enjoyed the cruises, but because they felt genuinely connected to the brand.
Across cruise forums and social media, plenty of longtime Carnival fans are openly talking about switching to rival cruise lines after feeling the changes reduce the value of years of loyalty. Some are frustrated that the programme appears to prioritise spending more heavily rather than simply rewarding cruise frequency.
At the same time, there’s another argument emerging too.
Maybe Carnival is simply moving first toward changes that much of the cruise industry will eventually make anyway. Airlines and hotels have already shifted heavily toward revenue-based loyalty systems, and cruise lines may end up following the same path over time.
Or maybe this becomes a rare misstep that genuinely pushes loyal guests away.
Either way, Carnival will probably survive it without major long-term damage. The line’s audience is enormous, its ships remain consistently popular and many passengers still choose Carnival primarily because they enjoy the onboard experience itself.
But it’s definitely one of the most interesting moments Carnival has faced in years because it’s testing something the line has traditionally done exceptionally well – keeping people emotionally loyal to the brand.
Carnival isn’t trying to be the quietest cruise line, the fanciest cruise line or the most refined cruise line.
What it does better than almost anyone else is create a holiday that feels fun from the moment you step onboard.
The ships are lively, the atmosphere is relaxed, the food is far better than critics often admit and there’s a sense that Carnival actually understands why most people take cruises in the first place – to enjoy themselves.
That won’t make Carnival the perfect cruise line for everyone. Some cruisers will always prefer luxury, smaller ships or calmer onboard experiences.
But if your ideal cruise involves laughter, late-night pizza, busy pool decks, comedy shows and never feeling bored, Carnival still gets a lot of things very, very right.
Cruise ships are usually spotless, but some passengers? Not so much.
Crew members spend their days cleaning, polishing, sanitising, vacuuming and generally trying to keep thousands of people in check. But they can’t be everywhere at once. And as soon as you put that many humans together on one floating hotel, someone is going to do something that makes everyone else question civilisation.
From buffet crimes to hot tub horrors, these are some of the most disgusting things people say they’ve seen on cruise ships. You may never look at the self-serve tongs the same way again…
1. Walking Straight From The Toilet To The Buffet
One of the most common complaints from cruisers is also one of the simplest: people using the bathroom, skipping the sink, and heading straight for the buffet.
It’s grim anywhere, but on a cruise ship it feels even worse. You’re sharing serving spoons, handrails, lift buttons, drinks machines and sun loungers with thousands of other passengers.
This is exactly why cruise lines are so enthusiastic about handwashing stations. They’re not being dramatic – they’ve seen things.
2. Touching Buffet Food With Bare Hands
Cruise buffets are wonderful until you witness someone pick up a bread roll, inspect it, decide it’s not worthy, and put it back for the next unsuspecting passenger.
There are tongs. There are spoons. There are sometimes even crew members standing right there.
And yet, some people still treat the buffet like they’re rummaging through their own fridge at midnight.
The worst part is that you only know about the times you actually see it happen. Which is not a comforting thought.
3. Contaminating The Salad Dressing
Some buffet stories are so specific that they somehow become even worse. One cruiser said they watched a passenger wipe his nose, pick up a salad dressing container, cover the open spout with his finger, shake it, then put it back.
No. Absolutely not.
The passenger who saw it said they told staff immediately, which was definitely the right thing to do. Crew can remove contaminated items quickly, but only if someone actually lets them know.
And this is why many cruisers wish more buffet items were served by staff rather than handled by passengers.
4. Licking Fingers Before Touching The Tongs
The whole point of buffet tongs is that people don’t touch the food directly. Unfortunately, that plan falls apart when someone licks their fingers and then grabs the shared utensils.
It’s such a small act, but it instantly ruins the illusion that the buffet is under control.
A good tip? Use hand sanitiser after you’ve collected your food, not just before. You may have clean hands when you arrive, but then you’ve touched the same serving utensils as everyone else.
5. Using The Drinks Machine In Horrifying Ways
Cruise drinks stations usually have signs telling passengers not to press personal bottles directly against the dispenser. These signs exist because people do it anyway.
And then… there was the person who allegedly used the beverage dispenser to wash their hands.
That one deserves a moment of silence.
The drinks station is not a bathroom sink. It is not a bottle-cleaning station. It is not a tiny public shower for your fingers.
6. Putting Bare Feet On Tables
A buffet table is for plates, cups, cutlery and food. It is not for feet.
Cruise ships are relaxed places, and yes, you’ll see plenty of flip-flops, sandals and bare feet by the pool. But once you’re in a dining area, surely we can all agree that feet should stay on the floor.
There’s casual holiday behaviour, and then there’s making everyone nearby lose their appetite.
Speaking of feet…
7. Using A Fork For Foot Care
Most people use the dinner fork for exactly what you’d expect: dinner.
One passenger aboard a Carnival cruise had other ideas, after being filmed using a fork from the dining room to repeatedly scratch their foot. The video racked up tens of millions of views online, with many viewers immediately wondering one thing: please tell me that fork never went back into circulation.
Carnival later said the utensil had been removed from service, although the exact sequence of events became the subject of some online debate after the passenger who filmed it shared follow-up videos.
Either way, it’s probably the strongest argument yet for not thinking too hard about where your cutlery has been before it reaches your table.
This one isn’t from a cruise ship, but a cruise private island. And honestly, it’s made my stomach turn.
I can’t fathom it. Just get fresh pizza, surely? That’s horrendous.
9. Coughing All Over The Buffet
A cruise ship cold can spread fast, especially when people are coughing around shared food, plates and serving utensils.
Nobody expects passengers to hide in their cabin for every tiny sniffle. But if someone is clearly unwell, coughing over food or sitting on a packed excursion bus without covering their mouth is deeply inconsiderate.
Cruises are social holidays. That’s part of the fun. But it also means your germs get to go on holiday too.
10. Bringing A “Poop Sponge” Onboard
Cruise lines have fairly sensible rules about what you can and can’t bring onboard. One item that allegedly didn’t make it through security was an ancient Roman-style hygiene device known as a xylospongium.
If that name means nothing to you, don’t worry. Most people know it by its far less appealing nickname: a “poop sponge.”
A passenger claimed Carnival confiscated the item before boarding after explaining that their family used it as an environmentally friendly alternative to toilet paper. Whether the story was entirely genuine became a matter of debate online, but one thing everyone seemed to agree on was this: some historical inventions are probably best left in history.
Cruise ship hot tubs can look lovely when they’re empty. But once they’re packed shoulder to shoulder with strangers, drinks in hand, things feel a little less spa-like.
One passenger even claimed they saw someone sneeze and then clear their nose into the hot tub water.
And that’s how a relaxing soak becomes a life choice you regret immediately.
Cruise hot tubs are heavily treated and monitored, but mentally? Some things are hard to recover from.
12. Dripping From The Pool Into The Buffet
One cruiser said they saw a passenger go straight from the waterslide into the buffet, dripping wet, shirtless and towel-free.
It’s not the most horrifying thing on this list, but it’s still grim.
Dining areas have dress codes for a reason. Nobody wants puddles of pool water next to the pasta station, and nobody wants to dodge someone shaking themselves off like a Labrador beside the bread rolls.
13. Vomiting And Carrying On
Cruises involve unlimited food, lots of cocktails and, occasionally, a ship that moves more than expected. So yes, vomiting happens.
But one story involved a woman throwing up on deck, then simply continuing to drink and smoke as if nothing had happened.
That’s commitment, but not the admirable kind.
Crew members are trained to deal with messes quickly and safely, but they shouldn’t have to clean up after passengers who act like the ship is their personal student union bar.
14. Changing A Baby’s Nappy On A Buffet Table
There are baby changing facilities on cruise ships. There are toilets. There are cabins. There are many, many places that are not a buffet table.
This one is especially awful because it’s not just unpleasant – it’s wildly unhygienic.
Look, I’m a mum. I get that it’s not easy. Parents have a lot to juggle on holiday, and cruising with babies can be hard work.
But changing a nappy where people eat? That’s a hard no from everyone.
15. Getting Far Too Romantic In Public
Cruises can be romantic. There are sunsets, cocktails, balconies, warm weather and the lovely feeling of being away from real life.
Some passengers, however, seem to forget the “public” part of public spaces.
There were stories of couples getting carried away on balconies, sofas, pool decks and bars. Which is… a lot.
Nobody is saying don’t enjoy your cruise. Just maybe remember that other passengers didn’t book a ticket to your live performance.
16. Refusing To Leave The Casino For A Toilet Break
This one came up more than once, and I wish it hadn’t.
Some people claimed they’d seen casino passengers have accidents rather than leave their slot machine or table game.
Cruise ship casinos are designed to be exciting, but if you’re choosing a machine over basic bodily functions, it may be time to step away.
Also, spare a thought for the crew who have to deal with the aftermath. They deserve medals. And possibly danger pay.
17. Mystery Poop Incidents Around The Ship
And finally, we reach the bottom. Quite literally.
There were multiple stories about passengers finding human waste in places where human waste should absolutely never be – near lifts, in stairwells, and even inside elevators.
This is the kind of cruise story that sounds made up until you’ve read enough of them and realise, with horror, that apparently it happens more than anyone wants to admit.
Accidents can happen, especially with illness or mobility issues, and those situations deserve compassion. But deliberately leaving a mess and walking away? That’s not an accident. That’s a crime against everyone onboard.
Final Word
The good news is that most cruise passengers are perfectly normal, considerate people who wash their hands, use the tongs and don’t turn the lift into a crime scene.
The bad news is that it only takes one person to ruin a buffet, a hot tub, or your faith in humanity.
Cruise ships themselves are usually very clean, and crew work incredibly hard to keep them that way. So maybe the real lesson here is simple: wash your hands, cover your mouth, use the serving utensils, and for the love of all things nautical, don’t change a nappy near the croissants.
The best short party cruises from the UK for 2026-27 are P&O Cruises’ big-ship short breaks (Iona, Arvia, Britannia and Ventura), Royal Caribbean’s summer weekenders from Southampton, MSC’s lively Southampton-based ships, Ambassador’s themed decade nights, and DFDS’s no-frills Newcastle to Amsterdam mini cruise. Most short cruises from Southampton last two to five nights, call at one to three European cities and start at roughly £170 to £500 per person, before drinks.
Schedules have shifted for 2027, though, so the ship you sailed on last year may not be the one in port next year. Below we cover who is sailing where, what each option actually feels like, what it costs once the bar bill is added, and how to pick the right one for a birthday, a hen or stag do, or just a lively long weekend.
The 5 best short party cruises from Southampton and other UK ports
1. P&O Cruises: the most reliable choice for short breaks
P&O runs three- to five-night short breaks from Southampton all year round, typically calling at Amsterdam, Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and Hamburg, sometimes with an overnight in port. The schedule for 2027 leans heavily on Ventura, with four-night Amsterdam runs in February and several December sailings that suit Christmas parties, while Iona has a five-night break in February 2027 and Britannia one in November 2027. Published lead fares for these 2027 breaks start at around £359 to £490 per person for an inside cabin.
For a party atmosphere, Iona and Arvia are the pick when they appear on short itineraries: they are P&O’s largest ships, with a three-deck atrium, gin distillery bar, multiple pubs and a late-night club. Jason Manford’s Comedy Club also ran on selected Iona and Arvia sailings in 2026, which hints at the line’s push for adult evening entertainment. Bear in mind that Aurora and Arcadia also offer short breaks in 2027, but both are adults-only ships with a calmer, more traditional feel, so they suit a grown-up group more than a big night out.
The bar bill matters on P&O, so read our guide on whether P&O drinks packages are worth it before you sail. On a three-night break, a package only pays off if your group drinks steadily from lunchtime.
2. Royal Caribbean: big-ship fun in summer only
Royal Caribbean’s UK programme is summer-only. Liberty of the Seas was based in Southampton in 2026 and offered two-night weekend getaways as well as three- and four-night breaks alongside its week-long cruises. For summer 2027, the line swapped its original plan of sending Mariner of the Seas and will instead base the larger Freedom of the Seas in Southampton from around May to September.
Freedom-class ships suit party groups well: a long indoor Royal Promenade with bars and parades, an ice rink, a FlowRider surf simulator and late-night lounges. When the swap was announced, Royal Caribbean had not yet confirmed exactly which short sailings Freedom would run, so check the current itineraries on Royal Caribbean UK before you plan around a specific weekend. Two-night “weekend getaway” sailings with no port call, or a quick hop to Zeebrugge or Le Havre, are the classic format when they are offered.
3. MSC Cruises: lively ships, but fewer short sailings
MSC has been a go-to for cheap taster cruises from Southampton, but its programme is changing. MSC Virtuosa finished its final UK summer in 2026 and moves to Barcelona for 2027. MSC Preziosa took over the winter 2026-27 season from Southampton, running until mid-April 2027, and MSC Meraviglia arrives for summer 2027 with 19 sailings of six to 14 nights between May and October.
Trade press reported that MSC was dropping its so-called taster cruises from the summer 2027 UK programme, so if you want a two- or three-night MSC party break, look at winter and shoulder-season dates and check availability early. Onboard, MSC’s ships feel international, with late dining, themed white parties and busy discos. For a direct comparison of the atmosphere, see our P&O Cruises vs MSC Cruises guide.
4. Ambassador Cruise Line: themed nights from regional ports
Ambassador is the option for anyone who does not live near Southampton. Its two ships, Ambition and Ambience, sail from Tilbury, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool, Dundee and Belfast, and its short sailings run from one to four nights. The ships are much smaller and more traditional than the mega-ships above, so expect a dance floor and a show lounge rather than a nightclub with a DJ booth.
The appeal for party groups is the themed sailings. Upcoming short options listed by the line include a two-night Back to the 80s sailing from Bristol (November 2026), a two-night Tribute to the 90s from Tilbury (April 2027), a two-night taster from Portsmouth (May 2027) and a three-night Battle of the Bands from Newcastle (October 2027), with fares from about £169 to £249 per person. The crowd on these tends to be older than on Royal Caribbean or MSC. Our P&O vs Ambassador comparison covers the differences in more detail.
5. DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam: the budget mini cruise from the UK
It is a ferry rather than a cruise ship, but DFDS’s two-night Newcastle to Amsterdam mini cruise remains one of the most popular mini cruises from the UK for groups. You sail overnight, get a day in Amsterdam (with a coach transfer from IJmuiden), and sail back the following night. There are bars, a nightclub-style lounge and a buffet, but no pools or big production shows. Promotional fares regularly drop well below £100 per person for the return trip, which makes it the cheapest way to try a party night at sea from the north of England or Scotland.
A late night on the dance floor is the main event on most short party cruises. Photo: Tim Diercks on Pexels
Themed and music cruises worth looking at
Themed sailings are often the liveliest short cruises from Southampton and other UK ports because everyone on board has booked for the same reason. Look out for:
Decade nights: Ambassador’s 80s and 90s sailings, with tribute acts and fancy dress.
Comedy: P&O’s comedy club programme on Iona and Arvia in 2026 (mostly on longer sailings, but worth checking for short breaks).
Christmas party cruises: P&O’s December short breaks on Ventura and Ambassador’s festive sailings from Tilbury are popular with work groups.
New Year’s Eve: Short New Year sailings sell out early and cost noticeably more than other winter dates.
Themes are announced in batches and are sometimes added late, so check the cruise line’s themed cruise page a few months before your preferred date rather than relying on a list from last year.
How much does a short party cruise from the UK cost?
The headline fare is only part of the cost. For a typical three- or four-night break, budget for:
Cost
Typical range
Cruise fare (inside cabin, per person)
£170-£500 depending on line and date
Drinks package
Often £45-£75 per person per day, and usually required for everyone in the cabin
Gratuities/service charge
Roughly £8-£18 per person per day, unless included
Port parking or transport
£50-£120 for a short stay at Southampton
Shore spending and excursions
Varies widely
Prices change constantly, so treat these as rough guides. If you are driving, our Southampton cruise parking guide covers on-port and off-site options that can save a group a fair amount.
When to book short cruises from Southampton
Cheapest: January to March and November, outside school holidays. Winter North Sea crossings can be rough, though.
Best weather: May to September, which is also when Royal Caribbean and MSC’s summer ships are in Southampton.
Book early for: bank holiday weekends, December party dates and New Year’s Eve, which can sell out months ahead.
Book late for: flexible groups happy to go at short notice, as unsold short breaks are often discounted in the final weeks. Look out for deals in the 2027 cruise deals round-up.
Sail-away drinks on deck often kick off the first night of a short cruise. Photo: Punit Singh on Pexels
What to expect on a short party cruise
On a two- to four-night break, the first and last nights are always at sea, so the ship itself is the main event. A few things catch first-timers out:
Age rules: most lines require at least one person in each cabin to be 18 or over (some set it higher), and the minimum drinking age on UK sailings is usually 18.
Group behaviour policies: lines can refuse boarding or disembark guests for disruptive behaviour, and some limit how many cabins can be booked as one stag or hen group. Fancy dress is usually fine; excessive drinking at the terminal is not.
Short port time: days ashore can be six to nine hours, often with a long transfer (Le Havre to Paris, IJmuiden to Amsterdam), so pick one thing to do rather than trying to see a whole city.
Busy ships: short breaks sell well, so expect full bars and the need to book speciality dining and shows early.
How to choose the right party cruise
Start with your port. If Southampton is a long trip, Ambassador’s regional ports or DFDS from Newcastle may save a hotel night.
Decide on the crowd. Royal Caribbean and MSC draw a younger, mixed crowd; P&O is very British and broad in age; Ambassador’s themed nights skew older. If you want a lively night without children around, our guide to adults-only cruises from the UK is worth reading.
Check the actual ship, not just the line. A short break on Iona feels very different from one on Aurora.
Price the drinks. Add a realistic bar bill or package before comparing fares.
Look at the dates. In summer 2027 MSC’s short options shrink and Royal Caribbean’s are seasonal, so P&O and Ambassador are the most dependable for winter party breaks.
If you want the liveliest ships at sea, our ranking of the best party cruises for nightlife compares Virgin Voyages, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and music charters.
FAQs
Which cruise line is best for a party cruise from the UK?
For a big-ship night out, Royal Caribbean in summer and P&O’s Iona or Arvia are the liveliest. For themed decade parties from regional ports, Ambassador is the main option.
What is the shortest cruise from Southampton?
Two-night sailings are the shortest, usually offered by Royal Caribbean in summer and occasionally by Cunard on Queen Mary 2 or Queen Anne. P&O’s short breaks are generally three to five nights.
Does Virgin Voyages sail from the UK in 2027?
No. Virgin Voyages sailed a handful of voyages from Portsmouth in 2026, but it has no UK departures scheduled for 2027, and its UK sailings were not short breaks.
Does Marella sail from the UK?
Marella’s cruises are fly-cruises from regional UK airports, and we could find no Marella short breaks from UK ports for 2026-27. Its last UK-based sailings were a one-off coastal programme in 2021.
Can you go on a cruise for a hen or stag party?
Yes, but check the line’s group booking and conduct rules first. Some cap the number of cabins per group, and all can remove guests for disruptive behaviour.
Norwegian Dawn has recorded the lowest CDC sanitation score among cruise ships inspected so far in 2026, falling below the agency’s passing standard during an unannounced inspection in March.
The Norwegian Cruise Line ship received a score of 84 during its inspection on 29th March 2026. Under the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program, a score of 86 or above is considered satisfactory, while 85 or below is classed as unsatisfactory.
Norwegian Dawn was the only ship among the seven lowest-scoring vessels highlighted in the latest review to fall below the passing threshold.
Carnival Breeze, Kydon and National Geographic Sea Lion each scored 86, meaning they passed by the narrowest possible margin. Sun Princess, MSC Meraviglia and Amadea each received scores of 89.
According to current CDC records, Carnival Breeze’s 86 was recorded on 14th May, Kydon’s on 30th March and National Geographic Sea Lion’s on 21st June. Sun Princess was inspected on 15th February, MSC Meraviglia on 10th March and Amadea on 10th February.
The inspection scores reflect conditions found on board at a particular point in time and can vary significantly between inspections.
Carnival Breeze is a notable example. The Carnival Cruise Line ship earned a perfect score of 100 during an earlier inspection before receiving its subsequent score of 86.
What CDC Inspectors Look For On Cruise Ships
The CDC conducts inspections through its Vessel Sanitation Program, which is designed to help prevent and control public health problems aboard cruise ships operating within the programme’s jurisdiction.
Inspections assess whether ships are complying with public health standards across numerous areas of their operation. These include medical facilities, drinking water systems, swimming pools and whirlpools, food preparation areas, dining rooms, children’s facilities, accommodation, ventilation and public spaces.
A lower inspection result does not automatically mean passengers on a ship are unsafe or that an illness outbreak is occurring. Instead, the score represents inspectors’ assessment of the ship against the CDC’s sanitation standards at the time they boarded.
Norwegian Cruise Line subsequently submitted a corrective action report to the CDC detailing measures taken following Norwegian Dawn’s failed inspection.
Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, an infection prevention expert and epidemiologist affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine, has previously stressed the importance of the Vessel Sanitation Program.
“The federal government’s Vessel Sanitation Program, established in 1975 to work with the cruise industry to protect travelers’ health, is critical for the health and safety of passengers, staff and the locations that cruise ships visit,” Macgregor-Skinner said.
He added:
“Ships participating in the VSP can expect two unannounced inspections every year, with a focus on medical facilities, potable water systems, swimming pools and whirlpool baths, galleys and dining rooms, child activity centers, cabins, ventilation systems and common areas,”
The Vessel Sanitation Program dates back to 1975 and was established after gastrointestinal illness outbreaks aboard cruise ships became a significant public health concern. Today, the programme combines inspections with illness surveillance and responses to outbreaks on ships entering the United States from foreign ports.
The nature of cruise ships means preventing the spread of illness remains a significant operational priority. Thousands of passengers and crew can share dining areas, entertainment venues, lifts, handrails and other communal facilities during a voyage.
Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications at the American Cleaning Institute, previously said:
“Without strong cleaning and hygiene practices, germs can spread quickly, increasing the risk of illness among passengers and crew,” he added.
Macgregor-Skinner has also cautioned against assuming that the greater availability of cruise ship health information means illnesses are inherently more common at sea.
“It is very important not to confuse the wider availability of cruise health data with a higher incidence rate on cruise ships compared to settings like restaurants, hotels and planes,” he said.
Cruise ships operating within the CDC programme are subject to specific reporting requirements for gastrointestinal illnesses, giving federal authorities considerably more visibility of cases occurring at sea.
Several Cruise Ship Illness Outbreaks Reported In 2026
Sanitation inspection results and illness outbreaks are separate measures, and a ship receiving a low inspection score does not necessarily go on to experience an outbreak.
The CDC separately publishes gastrointestinal illness outbreaks when ships within its jurisdiction meet its reporting criteria. Generally, an outbreak is published when at least 3% of passengers or crew report gastrointestinal illness symptoms to the ship’s medical team during a voyage, although the agency can also publish other incidents considered significant to public health.
As of the CDC’s latest published 2026 outbreak data, affected vessels have included Ruby Princess, Caribbean Princess, Star Princess, Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner and Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Sea Bird.
Norovirus was identified in several of those outbreaks, including cases aboard Ruby Princess, Caribbean Princess, Star Princess and National Geographic Sea Bird. Other incidents involved E. coli, while the cause of some National Geographic Sea Bird outbreaks had not been identified in the CDC’s published data.
The vessels appearing on the outbreak list are not the same as the ships with the lowest sanitation scores, reinforcing the distinction between an environmental health inspection and an outbreak investigation.
At the opposite end of the inspection rankings, dozens of ships have achieved perfect results during 2026.
Ships receiving scores of 100 have included Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, Carnival Celebration, Celebrity Apex, Disney Dream, Norwegian Viva and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.
The CDC’s current Green Sheet, which shows the most recent inspection result for vessels within its jurisdiction, confirms perfect scores for those ships, alongside numerous other vessels that have achieved the maximum result.
With scores capable of changing considerably from one inspection to the next, the results provide a snapshot of sanitation conditions aboard a ship rather than a permanent rating of the vessel or cruise line.
Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced a dedicated transfer service to Ravenna’s train station after guests reported waiting up to two hours for taxis at the Italian cruise port.
The new option comes as the cruise line addresses ongoing transportation challenges at Porto Corsini. Limited taxi availability has created significant delays for passengers attempting to reach onward connections.
The transfer service, priced at $23 per person, aims to provide a reliable alternative for guests departing Norwegian Pearl and other NCL vessels calling at the port.
Norwegian Cruise Line issued a notice to Norwegian Pearl passengers on 18th August 2026, acknowledging the persistent transportation difficulties at Ravenna.
The communication highlighted that guests on previous sailings had experienced waits of up to two hours for taxis due to insufficient vehicle availability at the port.
The situation has proved particularly challenging for passengers heading to Ravenna’s train station. This station serves as a crucial connection point for travellers continuing to Venice and other destinations throughout Italy and beyond.
The cruise line recognised that these extended waits, often without adequate seating or shelter, were creating an unacceptable experience for guests at the conclusion of their cruises.
New Transfer Service Offers Guaranteed Transportation
In response to passenger feedback and the documented challenges, Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for a new dedicated transfer service from the cruise terminal to Ravenna’s train station.
The service is priced at $23 per person and provides a scheduled, guaranteed option for reaching the station without the uncertainty of taxi availability.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line’s announcement, the average taxi fare from Porto Corsini to the Ravenna train station costs approximately €50, or roughly $58. For solo travellers and couples, the new transfer represents a significant cost saving compared to hiring a private taxi.
However, the pricing structure differs fundamentally from traditional taxi services.
Whilst a taxi fare covers the entire vehicle regardless of passenger count, Norwegian’s transfer charges per person. This means larger families or groups might find a taxi more economical if they can secure one without a lengthy wait.
Norwegian Pearl’s Current Mediterranean Deployment
Norwegian Pearl, measuring 93,530 gross tonnes, is currently operating a series of seven-night, one-way cruises between Piraeus, Greece, and Ravenna, Italy.
The particular sailing referenced in the notice departed from Piraeus on 16th August and features an impressive Mediterranean itinerary.
The voyage calls at some of the region’s most sought-after destinations, including Santorini and Katakolon in Greece, Corfu, Montenegro’s stunning Kotor, Croatia’s historic Dubrovnik, and Slovenia’s Koper before concluding in Ravenna on 23rd August.
Guests aboard the ship can book the new transfer service up until noon on 21st August, when Norwegian Pearl will be docked in Dubrovnik.
This series of cruises will continue through 1st November 2026, after which Norwegian Pearl will reposition across the Atlantic to Philadelphia. From her new homeport, the vessel will operate cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic throughout the winter season.
Geographical Challenges Of Porto Corsini
The fundamental challenge facing cruise passengers at Ravenna stems from the port’s geographical location and its relationship to Venice, the city most travellers associate with the region.
Despite being marketed in connection with Venice, Ravenna sits approximately 90 miles from the famous lagoon city, creating significant logistical complications for passengers.
Cruise ships actually dock at Porto Corsini, the industrial port serving Ravenna, which is located roughly eight miles from Ravenna’s train station and approximately 12 miles from Ravenna’s airport.
For passengers hoping to reach Venice directly by road, the journey can take up to three hours depending on traffic conditions.
The train station therefore becomes the preferred option for many travellers, as rail connections offer a more efficient route to Venice and other major Italian cities.
This concentration of demand on train services explains why the taxi shortage at the port has proved so problematic for cruise passengers.
History Of Marketing Confusion Around Ravenna
The geographical distance between Ravenna and Venice has previously generated controversy within the cruise industry.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean faced sanctions from the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority for its interchangeable use of the two city names in marketing materials.
The UK regulatory agency ruled that Royal Caribbean’s practice of referring to Ravenna as Venice, or suggesting the ports were functionally equivalent, constituted misleading advertising.
The decision highlighted how cruise passengers might book sailings based on a desire to visit Venice, only to discover they would dock 90 miles away with limited transportation options.
This ruling underscored the importance of clear communication about port locations and the realistic transportation times required to reach advertised destinations.
The ongoing challenges with taxi availability at Porto Corsini have only amplified these concerns about accessibility.
Recent Infrastructure Delays Impact Port Operations
Beyond the transportation challenges facing departing passengers, Ravenna’s cruise port has also contended with infrastructure limitations that have affected vessel scheduling.
Recent construction delays at Porto Corsini have reduced the number of ships able to dock simultaneously at the facility.
These delays forced Royal Caribbean to make last-minute changes to Brilliance of the Seas’ deployment earlier this summer.
The vessel’s seven-night sailing originally scheduled to depart from Ravenna on 10th August 2026 had to be relocated to Trieste due to the construction-related docking limitations.
Such disruptions create additional complications for cruise lines attempting to maintain consistent itineraries in the region and for passengers who have made travel arrangements based on specific embarkation and debarkation ports.
The infrastructure challenges also place additional pressure on available ground transportation when ships do successfully dock.
Passenger Response To New Transfer Option
Cruise passengers have begun responding to Norwegian Cruise Line’s new transfer service, with many expressing relief at having a guaranteed transportation option.
One Facebook user commented enthusiastically about the addition, noting that “Ravenna cruise port is not for the leary traveller, it takes some work to get too, especially if you want to actually visit Venice before or after.”
The comment reflects a broader sentiment among experienced cruisers that Porto Corsini requires more planning and presents more challenges than many Mediterranean ports.
For less experienced travellers or those unfamiliar with the region’s geography, the lack of readily available transportation can create stress at what should be a smooth conclusion to their holiday.
The new transfer service allows passengers to confirm their onward transportation whilst still aboard the ship. This provides peace of mind and eliminates the uncertainty of whether taxis will be available upon disembarkation.
This predictability is particularly valuable for passengers with fixed train reservations or flight connections that cannot be easily changed.
Norwegian’s Broader Ravenna Commitment
Norwegian Pearl represents just one element of Norwegian Cruise Line’s substantial commitment to Ravenna as a port of call and turnaround location.
The cruise line has deployed multiple vessels to the Italian port throughout the 2026 summer season, making the transportation solution relevant to thousands of passengers.
Norwegian Gem has also operated sailings between Civitavecchia and Ravenna, though recent reports indicate some itinerary modifications affecting these voyages.
Additionally, the 142,500-gross-tonne Norwegian Viva regularly includes Ravenna in her Mediterranean programme.
Norwegian Viva continues sailing nine- to ten-night itineraries that call at Ravenna through 14th October, representing a significant volume of passengers who will potentially benefit from the new transfer service.
The vessel’s modern amenities and larger capacity mean even more guests requiring ground transportation solutions at Porto Corsini.
With multiple Norwegian Cruise Line ships scheduled to continue calling at Ravenna throughout the autumn, the new transfer service could substantially improve the guest experience for thousands of passengers.
The initiative demonstrates how cruise lines must sometimes intervene directly in destination logistics when local infrastructure proves insufficient to handle cruise passenger volumes efficiently.
Existing airport transfer options to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport remain available for passengers requiring air connections, providing a comprehensive range of guaranteed transportation choices for guests concluding their Mediterranean cruise holidays at this sometimes challenging Italian port.
A routine departure from New Orleans turned into a startling moment for guests aboard Carnival Valor after the cruise ship made a sudden hard turn on the Mississippi River, causing the vessel to noticeably list and sending water surging from at least one onboard pool.
The incident occurred after Carnival Valor departed New Orleans on August 17 for a five-night Western Caribbean cruise. The ship’s published itinerary calls for a day at sea on August 18, followed by visits to Cozumel and Progreso before returning to New Orleans on August 22.
Passenger accounts circulating after the incident say the maneuver was made because a nearby cargo ship had lost power and was sitting dark in the river. Cruise Hive, which first surfaced the incident, reports that Carnival Cruise Line is reviewing the circumstances.
Videos and passenger posts show water rushing across the pool deck as the ship leaned during the turn. While the scene looked dramatic, there have been no verified reports of serious injuries or damage to Carnival Valor at this time.
A sudden list does not necessarily mean a ship is in danger. Large vessels can heel noticeably during a sharp maneuver, particularly when making an abrupt course change. On a cruise ship, that movement can be especially visible around pools, where large volumes of water can quickly shift to one side.
The more important question is why the maneuver was required and how close Carnival Valor came to the other vessel. Passenger reports attribute the turn to a cargo ship losing power, but Cruise Addicts has not yet independently confirmed the identity of that vessel or obtained a direct statement from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Carnival Valor is a 110,000-gross-ton Conquest-class ship carrying 2,980 guests at double occupancy. Carnival’s official itinerary confirms the ship departed New Orleans on August 17 for a five-night cruise to Cozumel and Progreso.
For passengers currently aboard, the voyage appears to be continuing as scheduled. No itinerary disruption has been publicly confirmed as a result of the incident.
