Royal Caribbean has announced that it is partnering with Alaskan Goldbelt Incorporated to build a brand-new floating cruise port in Juneau.
The move is designed to help reduce traffic in the downtown Juneau area during cruise visits, whilst still giving guests a fantastic experience.
The new port will be built on Douglas Island and have two floating berths for ships to use. It’ll also offer views of the Chilkat Range from the ships while docked, along with a recreated Tlingit village from the 1800s.
The location will help the cruise line to offer whale-watching tours and other sightseeing opportunities in the area, but crucially will do so without causing problems for Juneau residents.
Guests who use the port will be transported into the city via shuttle boats, meaning that the Alaskan capital’s roads will see traffic cut by as much as a third on busier cruise visit days.
“We look forward to the prospect of bringing this sustainable, culture-rich cruise ship terminal to life in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, providing community solutions to local transportation and economic development issues,“
McHugh Pierre, president and CEO of Goldbelt Incorporated
The new port is set to open in time for the 2027 season.
Compromise found?
The new port announcement comes just days after it was confirmed that Juneau residents had rejected a ban on cruise ship visits on Saturdays and on 4th July.
Residents were voting on the proposal which looked to reduce the impact of cruise ships on the town and its local environment.
However, a sizable majority voted against the proposals, wanting to keep cruise ships visiting on any day of the season, likely thanks to the income generated by tourists when they visit the town.
A new port that helps to reduce the impact on road traffic, while maintaining the visitor numbers, could therefore be the ideal compromise.
And it also follows an announcement that Royal Caribbean is installing Starlink internet access at Juneau’s port, to lighten the digital load on the town.
It’s clear that Royal Caribbean values Juneau as a cruise destination, with so much investment.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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The November elections in Bar Harbor, Maine will give residents the chance to repeal a law that limits the number of guest arrivals from cruise ships.
The law was instigated in 2022 and came into effect for the 2024 season, limiting the number of daily arrivals from cruise ships to 1,000 guests.
However as this now means that many mid-sized ships wouldn’t be able to allow all guests to leave the ship on a port visit, several cruise lines have removed Bar Harbor from itineraries.
Prior to the 2022 vote, the limit was set at 3,500 arrivals, and the new vote in November will look to restore the limit to something close to that with a new cap of 3,200.
The loss of revenue for tour operators and businesses in Bar Harbor is behind the decision, which have taken a hit during 2024 with the cruise lines cancelling visits altogether.
If the new cap is passed into law, there’ll be a daily limit of three ships, and different months will have maximum caps, with April and November only permitting 5,000 guests in the month.
Ships would also be banned from visiting on 4th July during Independence Day celebrations.
Recently, a vote in Juneau, Alaska that would’ve banned cruise ships on Saturdays and on 4th July was rejected by residents who sought to keep the income from cruise guests flowing.
There are measures being taken around the world in certain ports to limit the impact of cruise ships on local life, but it’s clear that banning them or limiting them too much is not in the interests of residents.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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Guests enjoying a luxury cruise on Seabourn Pursuit were lucky enough to make a significant discovery, finding the shipwreck of the Titania from 110 years ago.
On 14th October, the luxury ship had called at Alexander Selkirk Island off the coast of Chile, with some guests booking a tour on a local submarine.
The expedition, led by local fisherman Gino Perez, was seeking the Titania’s wreck – a German supply ship that sunk during the First World War.
Perez had extensive knowledge of the area and history and knew approximately where the shipwreck may be, and with perfect conditions was able to lead guests to a depth of 95 metres, around 4.25 miles off the coast of the island, where they made the discovery.
The island’s harbour master has confirmed that this is the first time any diver or submarine has visited the shipwreck, and while local fisherman had sometimes recovered metal fragments attributed to the ship, this tour marks the official discovery.
“Experiences like these are a testament to the spirit of expedition, and this discovery is nothing short of historic.
“Seabourn’s expeditions and particularly our submarine explorations often take our guests to places where no other human has ever explored. I am so incredibly proud of our expedition team for delivering this once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable ‘Seabourn Moment’ to our guests and the local community on Selkirk Island.“
Robin West, vice president and general manager of expeditions at Seabourn
Irene Blum, a guest who was onboard the submarine, described it as “almost magical”, while the pilot of the submarine Mauricio Fernandez also expressed awe at the discovery.
However it was Perez who perhaps gave the most emotional response:
“I imagined this ship so many times and now I can see where she is, how she looks like and how she is resting at the bottom. Thank you so much, my father manages this sector of the island, this means a lot to us and our family history,“
Gino Perez
About Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn Pursuit is the cruise line’s newest ship, capable of carrying just 264 guests.
She also carries her own submarines – two custom-built options with acrylic sphere pods that help the cruise line offer incredible experiences in some of the world’s most remote locations.
Demand is high as the submarines have a very limited capacity!
The ship sails unique itineraries to offer guests the chance to see parts of the world that cruises don’t often visit.
The cruise that this discovery was made on was a 20-night trip from Melanesia in French Polynesia to San Antonio in Chile.
The best way to book a Seabourn cruise
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I’ve been vegan for many years and have taken over 40 cruises with almost all of the major cruise lines.
On some ships, I’ve enjoyed the most incredible gourmet meals with ever-changing five-course vegan menus. And on others, I’ve had little more than French fries, salad and bread rolls.
How well cruise lines cater for vegans can mean the difference between enjoying a fantastic cruise, and barely surviving the week.
In this guide, I’m rating every cruise line I’ve sailed with from best to worst based on their plant-based offerings. I’ll also let you know about any secret off-menu vegan items I found.
Let’s start with the creme-de-la-(soya)-creme…
1. SeaDream Yacht Club
🏆 Winner 🏆
SeaDream Yacht Club offers boutique yacht-style cruising on small ships with around 100 guests and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1. This small scale enables the cruise line to go above and beyond to accommodate everyone’s dietary needs, with plant-based people being especially well catered for.
The owner of SeaDream Yacht Club, Atle Brynestad, has been vegan since 1991 and also owns an organic vegan farm and two vegan restaurants in Norway.
Aboard SeaDream ships, I enjoyed the most delicious and healthy food I’ve ever had. Each evening, there is a five-course plant-based menu. But if there’s anything you don’t like on there, the chef will be happy to veganise any of the other dishes.
During the cruise, Chef Tomas came to find me regularly to ask how I was enjoying the food. He would discuss his plans for the next day and ask if I had any suggestions. He’s so lovely and it’s clear that he loves his craft.
I think it’s great that there’s no separate menu for vegans on SeaDream – it’s just a section highlighted on the main menu. This eliminates any hassle or embarrassment of having to ask for a special menu, and it also encourages every guest to give the plant-based options a try. Which Tomas said that they frequently do.
Raw vegan options are available for every meal too, for those who prefer food that has not been heated above 49°C.
Breakfast and lunch are always served outdoors with a combination of a set menu and a buffet loaded with the freshest fruit, salads, nuts and seeds. For breakfast, I highly recommend the tofu scramble and the hash browns.
On the buffet, nothing is labelled, but that doesn’t matter because there are so many crew members just waiting to help. They’ll greet you by name and even carry your plate from the buffet area to your table for you!
SeaDream yachts carry all the vegan alternatives you could wish for, with all of the different milks, margarine and vegan cheese readily available. I was even given a choice of different cheese for on my burger!
If you like mock meat, you’ll love Chef Tomas’ vegan burger which he handmakes with his own recipe using chickpeas and beetroot. It tastes more realistic than even a Beyond burger and I had to double check it wasn’t meat. He also cooks with ‘prawnz’, which are really nice.
When it comes to snacks, plain Pringles, pretzels and nuts are always available at the bar. But really, you can have whatever you like. Every crew member will go above and beyond to make you happy.
If you want to enjoy the very best in vegan cuisine and avoid putting on weight during your cruise too, the SeaDream Yacht Club is the best cruise line for vegans. I adored the food and would return in a heartbeat.
Disney Cruise Line is my second favourite cruise line when it comes to vegan food. And if you’re cruising with children, it’s a better option than SeaDream, which is orientated towards adults.
Disney has a rotational dining system, which means that you move between three different themed restaurants. As you do, your waiter moves with you, so they really get to know your family as well as everyone’s dietary requirements.
Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer separate vegan menus, but you’ll find vegan options on every adult menu, and the food is delicious.
There are sadly no vegan options on the kids’ menus. But kids are welcome to order from the adults’ menu too or if they want something simple like pasta with tomato sauce, that’s not a problem.
One thing to know when you cruise with Disney as a vegan, is that you can always ask for what you want, even if it’s not on the menu. And I definitely recommend that you do this!
At breakfast in the main dining room, I was able to order vegan sausages and the most incredible vegan omelette made with ‘Just Egg’, although these weren’t on the menu. Even the Mickey waffles can be made vegan on request!
In the buffet, nothing is labelled with ingredients or allergens, which is a little annoying. I love it when buffets have labels!
However, the buffet staff are really friendly and will help you. They sometimes also offer to make you other things too, and they even brought me an avocado that wasn’t on the buffet.
You’ll have no problem getting any kind of alternative milk, butter or cheese on a Disney cruise.
As well as the three main dining rooms and Cabanas buffet, there are lots more places you can eat in the food court on the pool deck too. Most stations have vegan options, so if you fancy a burger, hot dog, tacos or pizza for lunch, this is the place to go.
Disney Cruise Line is great for families, of course, but it’s also great for adults too. The speciality restaurants, Palo and Remy are both adults-only. If you dine here, be sure to let them know that you’re vegan the day before and the chef will make something special for you.
I’ve cruised on all of P&O Cruises family-friendly ships and I’ll start this section of the review by saying that some P&O ships have much more to offer for vegans than others. Arvia is the best, followed by Iona.
Every P&O ship has a vegan option on the menu in the main dining room. Sometimes you may have a choice, but it’s usually just one thing.
The food is pretty good, but I find that they can sometimes be a little low in protein, which is something to consider if you like to be mindful of that. If you’re a bigger eater, you may find the portions to be on a small side.
The main dining room is a great place to go for breakfast as you can get the most delicious avocado on toast with chillies, as well as vegan sausages and bacon to make a fantastic full English breakfast.
The buffet is always very good on P&O ships and the line does a really great job of labelling things as vegan and also labelling allergens like eggs and milk.
There’s also a section where you’ll find vegan butter, any kind of milk you would like and sometimes there’s even vegan cheese.
If you choose to cruise on one of the newer and bigger P&O ships, Arvia or Iona, you can also eat at The Quays. This venue has three different food outlets and you’ll find a changing menu of burgers, wraps, curries, noodles and the like.
Arvia also has two extra restaurants that are free to dine at – 6th Street Diner and The Olive Grove. Both of these have good vegan options on the menu.
Also unique to Arvia is Green & Co, which is the only fully vegan restaurant at sea. There’s an extra charge to eat here, but if you sail on Arvia you absolutely must. The food and service are both incredible.
Wherever you eat, be sure to look out for the vegan meringue. It’s made using aquafaba and even the omnivores say it tastes great!
Every P&O ship also has poolside dining venues where you can grab a veggie burger, just be sure to ask for no cheese. If you’re lucky, you can also get a pizza with vegan cheese. Not every ship will have this, but it’s worth asking because even if they do, it won’t be on the menu. It’s a secret menu item!
Every P&O ship also offers a variety of speciality dining restaurants that are available for an extra charge. Sindhu is a good one for vegans and the curries are lovely.
If you’re on a budget then P&O Cruises is definitely one to consider. The best ship is Arvia as it has the biggest choice of dining venues, but you’ll be well catered for on any of their ships.
Celebrity Cruises is another cruise line that has a fantastic offering for vegans. When I cruised on Celebrity Apex I ate so much food!
In the main dining rooms, you’ll find a separate vegan menu with a choice of delicious options. Make sure you ask your waiter for it.
If you can’t decide what dish to order, I recommend you order both. The waiter won’t bat an eyelid and the food is so delicious that you’ll have no problem finishing it.
Celebrity Cruises ships have the best buffets I’ve ever experienced as a vegan. There’s always a fantastic vegan corner that changes every day. It has some really interesting and exotic options such as steamed yucca.
The rest of the buffet is huge and everything is clearly labelled making it really easy to know what you can have.
I recommend that you walk around and take a look before making your choices. Even then, everything is so good that I always ended up with a plate that looks like this… (haha)
In the buffet, you’ll also find a pizza station. Vegan cheese is available on request, and the pizza is incredible.
Celebrity Cruises’ ships also have a variety of speciality restaurants that you can enjoy for an extra charge.
If you sail on one of the Edge-class ships, I recommend that you try the seven-course plant-based tasting menu. It’s pricey at $110, but the food is incredible so it’s worth the splurge.
Celebrity Cruises does a fantastic job of catering for vegans. Even the chocolates on your pillow are vegan-friendly!
If you’re considering a cruise with Celebrity, I have lots more guides here for you. Enjoy!
5. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean does a pretty good job of catering for vegans. In the main dining room you can ask for a vegan menu which has a couple of choices each day. There may also be things you can have on the main menu too, so take a look at both.
The food in the main dining room is very tasty, and the crew members are very knowledgeable and happy to help with any questions.
There are some decent options in the speciality restaurants too. Izumi sushi is a good option and the vegan sushi is very nice. I also ate in Wonderland but was a little underwhelmed by some of the food compared to the main menu versions.
I found the buffet to be quite frustrating on Royal Caribbean ships. Nothing is labelled so you have to ask and the servers never seem to know what the ingredients are. They can go away and find out, but that means a lot of waiting around.
The buffet is huge though, so if you don’t want to wait, you can just select the things that are obviously vegan and avoid anything you’re unsure about. There is a vegan corner, but it’s very small.
You do have to order some of the dishes too, and then wait for them to be cooked. By that point, the rest of your family are probably onto their desserts.
I would rate Royal Caribbean as average when it comes to vegan-friendly cruise lines. Adding labels to the buffet items would make things so much better for people with all kinds of dietary requirements.
6. Windstar Cruises
I was really excited to try the food on Windstar. This is a luxury cruise line that’s know for having excellent food.
While this is wonderfully healthy, it’s clearly a challenge to cook within those limitations. The food was very nice, but I found some dishes to be a little lacking in flavour given the lack of salt and sugar.
On a Windstar Cruise, you’ll enjoy breakfast and lunch in the restaurant with a combination of buffet and a la carte choices. I found the options to be a little limited compared to other cruises I’ve been on.
This breakfast would have been lovely with some vegan sausages, avocado, tofu scramble or mushrooms.
I must praise the room service on Windstar which is free of charge and always excellent. This veggie chilli was particularly delicious.
If you love to eat super-healthy food all of the time, then I have no doubt that you’ll love the food on Windstar. But, if like me, you like a pizza with vegan cheese or a veggie sausage on occasion, it comes in at average in the list.
I’ve cruised with Princess Cruises a few times and I was SO excited to hear that they’d launched a dedicated vegan menu. When I sat down in the main dining room on the first night of my cruise on Sun Princess and was handed the menu, I was even more excited!
The menu wasn’t clear which dishes were vegan and which were vegetarian as some had leaf symbols, but then some without symbols mentioned vegan cheese. The waiter assured me that I could have anything and they would make it vegan.
I placed my order. After 90 minutes, no food had arrived. I asked the waiter and he said that there had been some confusion and actually we couldn’t have anything on the menu at all!
He said that everything must be pre-ordered so we could only order for tomorrow. Tonight, we could have only plain salad and pasta. This was pretty disappointing, especially given how long we had waited.
Princess Cruises ships have so many different dining venues. This makes pre-ordering the main dining room very difficult as you may not eat there two nights in a row.
We did eat in the main dining room again, but the food wasn’t great. I hope that you have a better experience than me when ordering from Princess Cruises vegan menu as on paper, it looks great.
I feel that Princess Cruises’ redeeming feature is the buffet, which is so good that I would happily eat there for every meal. The buffet is huge and everything has labels. There’s even a vegan pasta station with a choice of sauces on Sun Princess!
I particularly loved the buffet at breakfast time. You can have avocado, hash browns, and lots of delicious fresh fruit including things like strawberries and raspberries which you don’t often see on a ship.
The buffet has some great options for lunch and dinner too with cuisine from around the world. Outside the buffet and up on the pool deck there are stalls with vegan hot dogs, burgers, tacos, nachos and other dishes. The choice is incredible.
If you purchase the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, you can also dine in some extra venues. I loved Alfredos on Sun Princess. You don’t need to book, just turn up. They have vegan cheese and the pizzas are lovely.
On the whole, Princess Cruises is pretty good for vegans. And I hope that when you eat in the main dining room you have a better experience than me. If It wasn’t for my bad experiences there, Princess would be one of my favourite cruise lines for vegan food. I’ll definitely try it again.
The vegan food on Cunard was surprisingly good. In the main dining room on the first evening, I was told that there was a meal being prepared for me already.
The waiter explained that on the following evenings, if I would like to pre-order, then I could have anything from the vegan menu. This was great communication.
Cunard’s vegan menu is huge, and it was great to have so many choices. However, I’m not a fan of pre-ordering as I don’t like to eat in the main dining room every night and I don’t always know what my plans will be for the next day.
Cunard’s main dining room food is very well-presented and tastes great. My only complaint is that the portion sizes are usually quite small. If I ate at 6 pm I would be hungry again by 9 pm and there’s nowhere that you can get food at that time as the buffet is closed.
I particularly loved the main dining room breakfast – the avocado on toast was lovely. The British cruise lines always do the best English breakfasts.
The buffet on Cunard is good too. It’s pretty big. On Queen Mary 2 I found it to have a very strange layout with hidden sections, so be sure to look around it all before you decide what to have.
There’s a sushi station every day at lunchtime – the vegan sushi is excellent.
You’ll have no problem getting any kind of plant milk. It’s not advertised anywhere, but you can also get vegan sausages and bacon at breakfast in the buffet. Mine were rock hard though so I only had those once.
Ambassador Cruise Line is a British cruise line offering regional departures from ports across the UK. It also has a pretty good offering for vegans.
The food in the main dining room is excellent. You do need to pre-order, though. You’ll have several options that change each day.
When you write your name and room number on the paper, just remember to write VEGAN so they don’t serve you the vegetarian option.
On one night of your cruise, you’ll enjoy a seven-course Gala dinner. There’s a vegan version for every course and the food is incredible.
After dinner is the baked Alaska parade. While you can’t have the baked Alaska if you’re vegan, you can opt for vegan ice cream.
The buffet is fairly small, but then so are Ambassador ships, so that’s to be expected. Everything is clearly labelled though and you can get plant-based butter, milk and most things that you need.
The vegan sausages aren’t very nice, but they’re there, and you don’t have to ask for them to be cooked especially, so that’s not bad at all. I would definitely cruise with Ambassador Cruise Line again and I love their main dining room.
10. MSC Cruises
Like most cruise lines, MSC Cruises has got much better at catering for vegans over the past few years and on my latest MSC cruise in 2024, I was thrilled to see that they have now introduced a vegan menu.
The menu shows a few days at once, and it’s not clear which are starters and which are mains, or how many you’re supposed to order. I just ordered everything and this is what arrived…
What I received didn’t match up to the menu. I’m pretty sure that’s not ‘mango coconut cream’, but the waiter just said ‘that’s the vegan option’. So I ate it.
The service on MSC sometimes leaves a little to be desired. I find that the crew members often lack both the time and the language skills to help with any slightly complex questions, which is shame. That’s not their fault, they still work really hard.
MSC’s buffet is pretty good. There’s a decent selection and meat alternatives are used in some of the dishes, which is great.
Unfortunately, the labelling can be inconsistent, with some items marked as vegetarian that are actually vegan and no allergen labelling.
You can get a pizza with no cheese on request and all the plant milks are available.
Star Clippers offer cruises on the world’s largest square-rigged sailing ships. With only around 200 guests on each ship, the dining options aren’t as varied as they are on larger ships.
Breakfast and lunch is served buffet-style in the dining room. Here’s what that looks like…
There isn’t a whole lot of choice, and nothing is labelled. However, the staff are helpful so you can ask if you’re not sure what something is.
At lunch, the chef came over to ask if I would like anything else. I requested penne arrabbiata and he made it, which was very impressive.
Dinner is a three-course meal where you’ll dine in the company of your fellow guests. There are no vegan menus – special diets are catered for on an individual basis.
In the main dining room, I was never given a menu. Instead, the waiter would deliver me a surprise dish. I had no idea what it was until it was in front of me, and sometimes not even then!
The food was very nice and always fresh and colourful. I was always given at least two whole avocados in every meal, which made me a little concerned over the calories! Although I’m sure that if I had asked for no more avocados that could have been accommodated on future evenings.
Star Clippers is another cruise line that offers the baked Alaska parade, with an alternative dessert for people who don’t eat dairy.
If you like vegan cheese, margarine and meat alternatives, or are anything like a picky eater, then this probably isn’t the cruise for you. But on the whole, I was very happy with the food.
12. Celesytal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises caters mostly to a European market, and it feels as though they haven’t put too much thought into their vegan offering.
I last sailed with them in 2022 and will be sailing again in late 2024, so I’ll update this guide with any new info after my next cruise. Perhaps things have improved?
The menu in the main dining room does have vegan labelling, although it’s not 100% accurate, which made me wonder if the head chef fully understands what vegan means.
There aren’t always options for vegans. But what you can do is request to see the menu for the next day, then discuss how any of the dishes could be modified to suit your needs. For example, I asked for the Gigantes dish without honey.
The food in the main dining room is Mediterranean-themed and is very tasty. Although the starter is a plan salad and the dessert is fruit a little too often than I’d like.
Breakfast is served buffet-style and there’s not a whole lot of choice. There is soya milk and margarine though.
There’s also another buffet on the top deck for lunch. Nothing is labelled here and as you serve yourself, it can be hard to find someone to ask. But, the food is very nice and the chips are some of the best ever!
If you cruise with Celestyal you certainly won’t go hungry. You just need to be prepared to discuss your requirements with the crew members and possibly also explain what vegan means and what you want to avoid.
13. Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines
I’ve cruised with Fred. Olsen twice. The food that they offer for vegans is very nice, but it’s not always easy to know what’s available.
In the main dining room, the menu is labelled, but it doesn’t always have vegan options. If you speak to the waiter they will let you know what they can come up with. They’re very helpful.
You can request to see the menu for the next day. But if there’s nothing vegan on there then it feels like it’s up to you to come up with ideas! And as you’re discussing this with a waiter rather than a chef, they don’t know what’s possible.
For that reason, I ate in the buffet most evenings. The buffet on Fred. Olsen ships isn’t like a normal buffet. You’ll be shown to a table by a crew member and served drinks at your table so it doesn’t feel too casual for an evening meal.
The buffet team are really friendly and are happy to modify dishes where possible.
For example, one night there was Pad Thai with chicken and prawns, and they made me one with tofu which was great. Not what you would usually expect from a buffet at all!
At the Poolside Grill, there’s nothing vegan on the menu aside from French fries. But when I asked, they said: “Yes, we have vegan burgers!” The burger was really good.
I have no idea how many of these burgers they make, but since it’s a secret menu item, it can’t be many as people just won’t know to ask for it. This is a shame as some meat-eaters and flexitarians will order a veggie burger if its there but won’t go out of their way to ask for one.
At breakfast, there are also secret vegan sausages and secret vegan bacon, so be sure to ask for those if you want them!
I thought the food on Fred. Olsen Cruises was great. My only wish is that they would make it easier for people to know what they have by putting it on the actual menus.
Costa Cruises are the cheapest you’ll find with prices often as low as £30 per day, including food! But even though the cruise line obviously has a low budget for ingredients, vegans won’t starve. But, you may become protein deficient though, so pack protein shakes. (I’m not joking).
I love how the main dining room works on Costa Cruises. Solo travellers are seated together, so you can easily make friends. And you always get four courses rather than the usual three. Which is needed, because the plates are quite small.
Each day you’ll be given a vegan menu with some choices for the next day. It’s great that there are choices, but it can be a little annoying if you don’t want to eat in the main dining room every day.
The buffet on Costa Smeralda was pretty big. But nothing is labelled and most of the buffet attendants don’t speak enough English to help. Most guests on Costa Cruises speak Italian, French, Spanish or German, so expecting English as well is a big ask.
There’s not much that looks vegan aside from salad and bread. There’s a fantastic pasta station though, and I had the pasta every day. I added chillies. There was no option to add vegan protein or even vegetables, only meat and cheese.
By the pool on Costa Smeralada, there’s an interesting-looking food outlet called Green. I was disappointed that it remained closed throughout my whole cruise. It costs extra, but I would have gladly paid for a poke bowl.
One speciality restaurant that was open was Sushino, which does some lovely vegan sushi for an extra charge.
The menu says there are take-away boxes, but I was told I must sit in the restaurant. This was a little embarrassing for me as it was formal night and I was wearing jeans, hoping to grab a takeaway to enjoy in the privacy of my cabin.
Costa is the only cruise line I have ever sailed with that doesn’t have refrigerators in the cabins. If you like to bring your own supplies like cheese, milk or butter and keep them in there, this could be an issue.
You can get soya milk in the buffet. You might have to ask around a few people who send you from one person to the next until you find someone who knows and they open the secret fridge for it.
The food on Costa is mixed – ranging from fantastic to inedible. But one thing’s for sure, vegan protein is pretty non-existent. You get what you pay for and if you get a good deal, Costa Cruises aren’t awful. But you’ll definitely want to pack some trail mix for emergencies!
There are a few cruise lines missing from this list. Carnival, Marella, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages and Azamara are some of the cruise lines which I would love to review the vegan options onboard.
I haven’t included these either because I was vegetarian when I cruised with them rather than vegan (I’ve only been vegan since 2019), or because I have only visited for a day rather than taking a full cruise, and so I haven’t had a chance to fully experience all of the dining options.
It’s certainly not the case that any cruise lines missing from this list are bad. I’m sure many of them are very good. I have a Marella cruise booked for 2025 and will be updating this article once I’ve sampled their cuisine.
If you’d like to see real examples of vegan food on cruise ships then I recommend that you follow VeganCruiser on Instagram. In her stories, Sanna shares photos of all of her meals along with her opinions, and she doesn’t hold back!
If you have any experiences that you’d like to share, please add them in the comments below.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Disney Cruise Line has revealed a ton of new information about upcoming new ship Disney Adventure, the first in the fleet designed specifically for guests in Asia.
Set to launch on 15th December 2025, the ship will sail from Singapore and offer some brand-new features for guests to enjoy.
This includes three new attractions for the adventure zone on the upper decks, all themed around the Marvel Universe. One of these is the Ironcycle Test Run, the longest rollercoaster at sea. Guests can also enjoy Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin.
There’ll also be a Toy Story-themed water park area and an outdoor pool area themed around Moana, including performances of a Moana live show around the space.
In Disney Imagination Garden, around a charming courtyard, guests will be able to enjoy the Let’s Set Sail dance party, along with stage performances such as “Avengers Assemble!”.
Disney Discovery Reef is an open-air space at the aft of the ship which will draw inspiration from The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Lilo & Stitch, and Luca. There’ll be a sports bar, a Bewitching Boba and Brews bubble tea venue, and Cosmic Kebabs.
San Fransokyo Street (named for the Disney film Big Hero 6) will offer secret entrances to the tweet and teen clubs, a Big Hero arcade, and Baymax cinemas along with shops and more.
And Town Square will feature themed dining venues, the Walt Disney Theatre offering Broadway-style entertainment, and Spellbound – a lounge inspired by the Evil Queen from Snow White.
As well as revealing all of these exciting new details, Disney also announced that the 3-night and 4-night cruises will go on sale on 10th December 2024, with pricing details due to be revealed on 14th November 2024.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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One of the cruising traditions that typically hasn’t survived to the modern day is the classic Captain’s Dinner. It’s still available sometimes, but now the event tends to be different – to the disappointment of some passengers who’ve been cruising for a long time.
But on some cruises, you may still get the chance to enjoy this special occasion. I was lucky enough to share a table with Captain Michael Macleod on a recent cruise with SeaDream Yacht Club and I thoroughly enjoyed his company!
In this guide, I’ll explain what a Captain’s Dinner is on modern ships, what it used to mean, and what to do if you are lucky enough to get an invitation to such an event on your own cruise.
What is the Captain’s Dinner on a cruise?
The Captain’s Dinner can refer to several different events on a cruise ship. On most modern ships, it is one of the formal dining nights on the ship, but potentially with a party beforehand where guests may meet the ship’s captain. Traditionally, it would refer to dining at the captain’s table and on some cruises it remains that way.
The idea of a Captain’s Dinner – sometimes referred to as the Captain’s Table – has existed for a long time on cruises. And it would always mean one thing – the opportunity for guests to join the ship’s captain at the best table in the restaurant for dinner.
It’s an exciting and exclusive opportunity – but one which has faded over the last 10-20 years. Now, the Captain’s Dinner will often refer to just the first elegant night at sea, and will be something open to either a larger group or to everyone onboard.
Indeed, when I received my invitation to dine with the Captain, I wasn’t sure whether it actually meant dining at his table, or just that he would be in the same restaurant and do a speech!
As it happens, it was both! The Captian made his pre-dinner speech and then I was invited to his table. I sat next to him and he told me lots of fascinating stories about his time at sea and how he spends his time off, living on a remote Scottish island.
What exactly the captain’s dinner entails can vary. It may be as simple as the ship’s captain giving a speech at the start of dinner, and then the rest of the night playing out as normal. On some other cruises, there may be a cocktail party held before dinner where the captain is present, and guests can meet them and maybe get a photo with them.
Many Cruises Have Stopped Doing A Captain’s Dinner
Some cruise lines still host a Captain’s Dinner in the traditional style, but not as often as they used to. Captain’s Dinners used to be a mainstay of cruising but many modern ships have moved away from traditional dining altogether and so the event doesn’t fit.
That being said, there are modern versions of the dinner where the first formal night includes the chance to meet the captain at a pre-dinner event.
For example, on our recent cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, there was a Captain’s reception on the first night. We enjoyed canapes as the captain told us all about himself, his crew and the ship.
There are some cruise lines that do still host a Captain’s Dinner or Captain’s Table – although, it may not always be with the captain. Sometimes it’s with another senior officer on the ship.
But many modern ships have moved on from traditional dining times and are actively encouraging guests to try speciality restaurants, rather than the main dining room. Whereas cruising used to be all about sharing large tables with other parties, now it’s much more common to have your own table for your family or group
These Cruise Lines Have A Captain’s Dinner…
Most of the modern American cruise lines have done away with the idea of a Captain’s Dinner where there’s a sit-down meal with the captain.
Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t offer a captain’s dinner. But the cruise line does sometimes offer a Captain’s Gala night or Captain’s Welcome Evening, which is a cocktail party before dinner. Officers may attend but even this is becoming more rare these days.
Disney Cruise Line and P&O Cruises both offer something similar – a formal night where the captain and other officers may be mingling with guests beforehand.
I had a chat with the Staff Captain on Azura over a glass of sparkling wine at such an event it was very interesting.
NCL has hosted Captain’s Dinners in the past but it’s not something that is common these days, and it isn’t really a thing on Royal Caribbean anymore either, although it used to be.
Some more traditional cruise lines may offer the experience but it’s not guaranteed. Marella Cruises sometimes do, as does Cunard. They’re the only cruise line to make a real mention of a Captain’s Table on their own website.
There’s no guaranteed way of getting an invite to the Captain’s dinner, but the best advice is to cruise with a line regularly, make sure you’re well dressed (but not overdressed) for the cruise, and try networking with the ship’s host, without being too obvious.
It’s impossible to give a definitive list of ways for you to get invited to a Captain’s Dinner event because every cruise line that still hosts them is different.
As a guide, the captain wants to dine with people who will make for good conversation. It’s not really an event to suit the shy and timid. So a good first step to securing yourself an invite is to make sure you’re being social, without being so obvious that you’re trying to make a good impression.
This means chatting with the restaurant’s host, building up a rapport, and potentially dropping some hints as to why you’d be interesting company – but try not to come across as a try-hard.
You should also make sure you’re appropriately dressed. Cruise lines have a dress code even on non-formal nights and while it isn’t strict, the people who are dressed more smartly will be more likely to be invited. Don’t turn up in a tuxedo or cocktail dress to a casual night, but avoid t-shirts and shorts too.
Otherwise, most cruise lines reward loyalty, so if you’re cruising on the same cruise line more frequently and you know they host a Captain’s Dinner, then you probably increase your odds of being invited.
That being said, there are thousands if not millions of people who remain loyal to a cruise line and never get an invite – so regular cruises are not a guaranteed way of being invited.
In some cases, first-time cruisers may be invited to a Captain’s Dinner – it all depends on the policy of the captain or the organising officer at the time.
The Captain’s Dinner Is Usually A Formal Night
The Captain’s Table events that are still held on modern cruise ships will normally be on the first formal night of the cruise, which is often either the second night of the itinerary or the first full sea day, depending on the cruise line.
In older times, when dining at the captain’s own table was more common, invites could be extended for multiple nights on a cruise. Now it just tends to be for one night, and usually towards the start of an itinerary.
Make Sure You Dress To Impress
When dining at the captain’s table, guests should dress formally – suits or tuxedos for men, and either a suit or an evening gown for women. Captain’s Dinner events tend to happen on a cruise’s formal night anyway, so guests should expect to dress as such.
Gala events or cocktail parties will also normally be held on a cruise itinerary’s formal night, but depending on the cruise line the dress code may be slightly more relaxed. Men may be fine with a shirt without a tie, but not jeans. Women could wear a blouse and trousers, or a cocktail dress.
Basically, for any kind of event held with the ship’s officers, it’s best to stick to the dress code for a formal night on the ship.
The captain can eat wherever he or she wants to on the ship. You may see them dining in the buffet or one of the speciality restaurants, or they may eat in the crew mess or order room service to their quarters.
The captain might choose to eat with their senior officers or with their family if their family happens to be on board.
On our recent Fred. Olsen cruise, we often saw the captain and senior officers eating together in the buffet. The children made autograph books in the kids’ club, so once they had finished their meal, my daughter went over to ask for an autograph, and they happily obliged.
Final word
The tradition of dining at the cruise ship captain’s own table hasn’t been completely lost, but it’s a lot less common now. And even when it was done more regularly, getting an invite was still very exclusive. So if you’re invited to the captain’s table on a modern cruise, snap up that opportunity!
And if not, look out for any Captain’s Gala or cocktail parties on your ship. While you won’t get the attention of your captain for a full dinner service, you can still say hello and get to know them briefly.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I recently spent seven nights onboard SeaDream II on a cruise around the Greek Islands.
Celebrating a special anniversary, this was the first time that my husband and I had ever been away without our children. It was also the first couples cruise we had done since our honeymoon!
We were invited as guests of SeaDream Yacht Club, but all the opinions in this review are ours and I’ll be sure to show you what we liked as well as what we weren’t so keen on.
Embarkation
SeaDream yachts accommodate a maximum of 112 guests, so as you can imagine, check-in was pretty speedy!
We were met at the port in Piraeus and personally escorted on to the ship. At the top of the gangway, we met the captain, hotel director and club director.
We were handed cold towels, a glass of Champagne and invited to take a seat on the deck. A crew member, Sanny, came over to clean our sunglasses, which was a lovely touch.
We only intended to sit for a moment, but the champagne kept flowing and it was just so nice to be relaxing on board.
Accommodation
SeaDream cabins all have windows – there are no inside cabins and no balconies. There are some suites, but those have windows too. We had a standard outside cabin with a picture window and it was lovely.
Although SeaDream’s two ships, SeaDream I and SeaDream II are as old as me (!) you definitely wouldn’t know from the decor.
All cabins have been recently upgraded and ours was spotlessly modern with a comfortable bed, sofa, huge TV and far more storage space than we could ever need.
There was a fully stocked mini-bar (all included) and large bottles of water were refilled daily. We asked if we could have Coke Zero in our mini bar and each day it was topped up with more cans!
Dining
The food was certainly one of the highlights of our cruise. Being vegan, I was especially keen to try the ‘biggest plant-based menu at sea.’
SeaDream yachts have enough space for every guest to dine at the same time, either in the Dining Salon or outside on deck. We enjoyed almost every meal out on the deck, which was an incredible experience.
Breakfast and lunch offered a combination of a buffet as well as a la carte options, while dinner was a five-course meal every night!
All of our meals were fresh, colourful, healthy and delicious. The plant-based options were incredible and included things I had never tried before, such as vegan shrimp!
There are plenty of snacks available too – I particularly loved the Pringles, nuts, pretzels and popcorn. Plus, there’s always a pre-dinner canape buffet.
24-hour room service is available free of charge, with some fantastic options on the menu, including an incredible vegan burger.
Drinks
Drinks are included in a SeaDream cruise and they were always flowing – from the welcome bottle of Champagne on ice in our room, to the endless offers of more drinks as we sat by the pool or in the restaurant. Our glasses were never empty.
One thing I found a little peculiar about SeaDream is that there are no drinks menus anywhere on the ship. Instead, you just ask for whatever you want and you can have it!
While some people undoubtedly love this, I did miss being able to browse a cocktail menu for inspiration rather than relying on the classics.
Onboard Activities
If you enjoy watersports, you’ll love SeaDream Yacht Club. Each ship has a marine platform giving you direct access to the sea so you can enjoy jet skis, kayaks, standup paddleboards, sailing boats, banana boat, snorkels, pool noodles or the floating trampoline – all free of charge.
Of course, there’s also the infamous slide into the sea! The 23.5-foot-long inflatable slide takes you from the pool deck and drops you into the crystal-clear ocean – it’s a must try!
If you prefer relaxation to action, there’s plenty of that on offer too with a swimming pool, three hot tubs, a hammock and plenty of sun loungers and day beds.
Evening entertainment
Given the small numbers of guests on board, the evening entertainment is minimal. You can listen to piano music and there is a casino table, but it seems that most guests go to bed after dinner.
This can feel a bit strange if you’re used to dinner and a show while on a cruise. You won’t find karaoke, comedians, acrobats or anything like that.
However, we soon adjusted to watching a movie in bed, or under the stars on the big screen, before retiring to bed ready for a busy day ashore.
One activity that you simply must try on a SeaDream cruise is sleeping under the stars. As night falls, the daybeds are made up with duvets and pillows so that you can experience camping at sea! It really is a magical experience.
Ports & Excursions
Thanks to their small size, SeaDream yachts are able to visit ports that big ships simply can’t.
We explored tiny Greek Islands like Milos, Ios, Patmos, Lindos and Symi. The contrast between these and the larger ports like Heraklion and Santorini was stark!
Visiting small towns and villages enables you to have more authentic experiences, sample local cuisine and see what a place is really like – away from the tourists.
Service
Every single crew member went above and beyond to make our voyage magical. With an approximate 1:1 ratio of guests to crew, they have time to chat and get to know the guests and you can tell that they love their jobs.
All of the waiters and bartenders would greet each guest by name, which is a skill I was certainly in awe of.
And nothing is too much trouble. Whatever we desired, the answer was never ‘no’. It was always – ‘Let me see if I can make that possible for you’.
We were even invited for dinner with the captain on one evening. He likes to dine with as many guests as possible during each cruise.
Atmosphere
On a SeaDream yacht, guests feel as though they are at home. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming.
The dress code is casual – the only request is that men wear long trousers and closed-toed footwear when dining in the indoor restaurant.
Around half of the guests on our cruise were from the United States, with the rest being from a variety of countries including the UK, Australia, Canada, Norway and Germany. Most people were couples aged between 40 and 70.
To see more of what we did on our SeaDream cruise, you might want to watch our vlog…
My Recommendation
Our SeaDream cruise was truly magical and we will treasure the memories forever.
It’s one of the best cruises that we’ve ever done and we would be thrilled to cruise with SeaDream again one day.
The crew members suggested that we bring the kids, and while children are allowed, I wouldn’t recommend this cruise line for families. However, if you have teenagers who enjoy gourmet dining, relaxation and watersports – that could work well.
To learn more about SeaDream Yacht Club you can visit SeaDream.com. For expert help with planning your holiday, I recommend that you speak to the experts at Panache Cruises, who will be happy to assist.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I’m about to embark on my first-ever transatlantic cruise, from Southampton to Miami. And preparing for this cruise got me thinking… There is definitely some extra planning involved for a one-way cruise with seven sea days in a row!
Transatlantic cruises are a type of repositioning cruise, which happens when ships move from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean in the spring then back again in the autumn.
They offer a fantastic opportunity to experience extended time at sea, visit ports off the beaten path, and enjoy significant savings compared to traditional cruises.
However, to make the most of your repositioning cruise adventure, there are several crucial mistakes to avoid.
Here are the nine key things you should not do on your transatlantic cruise.
1. Don’t Book Your Cruise Too Early
When it comes to transatlantic cruises, the early bird doesn’t always catch the worm.
Unlike traditional cruises, where early booking often secures the best deals, repositioning cruises can offer incredible last-minute bargains. These voyages typically have more cabins to fill, due to their unique itineraries and longer durations.
Cruise lines are keen to offset their relocation costs, which means they often slash prices as the departure date approaches.
Patient travellers can snag deals for as little as £30 per night for an inside cabin. That’s a steal when you consider all the amenities and experiences included!
However, this doesn’t mean you should wait until the eleventh hour to book. The key is to start monitoring prices about three to four months before your desired sailing date. Keep an eye out for significant price drops, and be ready to pounce when you spot a deal that fits your budget.
While you might score an amazing deal on your repositioning cruise, don’t forget about the other crucial component of your journey – flights. Remember, these cruises are one-way trips, which means you’ll need to arrange transportation to your departure port and from your final destination.
One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is booking their cruise without checking flight availability and costs. You might save a bundle on your cruise fare, only to find that flights to or from your ports are exorbitantly priced.
Sometimes, the one-way flight can cost more than the cruise, so it’s vital to look at airfare prices before you book your cruise ticket.
If possible, be flexible with your travel dates to find the best combination of cruise and flight prices. You should also check out alternative airports. For example: my cruise arrives at Miami, but it’s much cheaper to hire a car, drive to Orlando, and fly home from there.
3. Don’t Leave Your Cabin Choice to Chance
On a repositioning cruise, where you might spend up to two weeks or more at sea, your cabin choice becomes even more crucial than on a shorter voyage.
While it might be tempting to opt for a guaranteed cabin assignment to save money, this strategy can backfire on longer journeys.
Consider your personal preferences and needs carefully:
Prone to seasickness? An inside cabin might exacerbate this issue.
Love watching the ocean? A balcony cabin could be worth the splurge for those long sea days.
Sensitive to noise? Avoid cabins near lifts and stairwells, or underneath the pool deck.
Remember, your cabin is a home away from home. Balancing comfort with cost is key.
4. Don’t Forget to Pack Essential Items
Packing for a transatlantic cruise requires more thought than for a typical holiday. With extended time at sea and visits to various climates, you’ll need a diverse wardrobe and plenty of essentials.
One of the biggest mistakes cruisers make is forgetting crucial items and relying on onboard shops to fill the gaps. These shops often charge premium prices for basic necessities.
Make a comprehensive packing list well in advance, including items like:
5. Don’t Underestimate the Value of Good Entertainment
Repositioning cruises often involve multiple consecutive sea days, which means you’ll have ample time to relax and enjoy onboard activities. However, even the most extensive cruise ship entertainment programmes can feel repetitive after a week or two.
One of the biggest mistakes cruisers make is not bringing enough personal entertainment options. While ships usually have libraries, their selections can be limited.
Bring along several books or load up your e-reader with a variety of titles. Consider downloading movies, TV shows, or podcasts to your tablet or laptop for those quiet afternoons in your cabin.
If you have a hobby, like knitting or sketching, pack the necessary supplies. And bringing a card game like Uno is always a good idea.
These activities can be perfect for sea days, and can even help you connect with other passengers who share your interests.
6. Avoid Isolating Yourself from Fellow Passengers
Speaking of connecting with others, one of the unique aspects of repositioning cruises is the opportunity to form lasting friendships with fellow travellers. With extended time at sea and a more relaxed pace, these cruises foster a sense of community that’s harder to achieve on shorter voyages.
Don’t make the mistake of keeping to yourself throughout the journey. Engage in onboard activities like trivia games, dance classes or wine tastings. These events are great ice-breakers, and can lead to enjoyable social interactions.
Consider opting for open seating at meals, or joining a large table in the main dining room. This can be an excellent way to meet new people and share experiences.
Remember, many of your fellow passengers are likely to be experienced cruisers with fascinating stories to share.
7. Don’t Dismiss Onboard Activities and Classes
Repositioning cruises often feature unique enrichment programmes and activities that you might not find on standard itineraries.
These can include language lessons, cooking demonstrations, art classes, or lectures on the history and culture of your upcoming ports of call.
A common mistake is to overlook these offerings, assuming they’re not worth your time. However, these activities can add tremendous value to your cruise experience.
They’re excellent opportunities to learn new skills, explore different interests and prepare for your port visits.
Many cruise lines bring aboard guest lecturers or experts in various fields for these longer voyages. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights from professionals in areas like astronomy, marine biology or world history.
While repositioning cruises are known for their extended sea days, they often include visits to less-frequented ports. It’s a mistake to arrive at these destinations without any plan or knowledge of what to see and do.
Research your port stops well in advance. These might include less touristy locations that require more planning to make the most of your visit. Look into the local attractions, cultural sites, and experiences that align with your interests.
Consider whether you want to book organised shore excursions through the cruise line or explore independently. If you choose the latter, ensure you’re aware of the ship’s all-aboard time and plan to return promptly.
Remember, some repositioning cruises include overnight stays in certain ports. These extended stops offer a chance to experience the nightlife or dine at local restaurants, so plan accordingly.
9. Don’t Fly Straight Home
After spending an extended period at sea and visiting fascinating ports, it can be a mistake to rush straight back home. Consider adding a few days at the beginning or end of your cruise, to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city more thoroughly.
This extension allows you to adjust to any time zone changes, reducing the impact of jet lag. It also provides a buffer in case of any travel delays before your cruise, ensuring you don’t miss the ship’s departure.
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The Bottom Line
By avoiding these nine crucial mistakes, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your repositioning cruise adventure. These unique voyages offer an unparalleled opportunity to combine relaxation, exploration and value for money.
With careful planning and the right mindset, your repositioning cruise could become one of your most memorable travel experiences.
Remember, the key to enjoying any cruise is to embrace the journey. Relish the extended time at sea, immerse yourself in onboard activities, forge new friendships and savour the unique ports of call. Happy cruising!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A recent cruise aboard MSC Seascape featured a confrontation between passengers that led to one being kicked off at the first port of call, and a second being arrested at the end of the cruise.
Kelli Lyn Ryan photo credit: Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation
The incident occurred on October 6, 2024, just a day after the ship departed from PortMiami.
Kelli Lyn Ryan, 49, and her son, Dylan Ryan, allegedly became involved in an altercation with an elderly passenger inside the Chora Theater, the ship’s main entertainment venue.
According to reports, security footage shows Kelli Lyn slapping the elderly individual, followed by her son repeatedly hitting the same victim.
The exact cause of the altercation remains undisclosed, but there are no reports of the elderly passenger getting into any trouble with the cruise line or police ashore.
Following the incident, Dylan Ryan was kicked off the ship at its first port of call, Falmouth, Jamaica, on October 7.
However, Kelli Lyn wasn’t – she was allowed to stay onboard and enjoy the rest of the cruise, which made stops at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay, before returning to PortMiami.
Upon the ship’s return on October 12, Kelli Lyn was arrested and charged with battery on a person aged 65 or older.
Violence and fights on cruise ships
Most people who book a cruise holiday will enjoy it without any bad experiences, but that doesn’t mean there is never any violence onboard the ships.
Indeed, on an MSC cruise in August, a guest assaulted a comedian on stage by throwing their drink at him, after loudly arguing with them during a performance.
Carnival is another cruise line which has seen some passenger fights in recent months, including a large brawl at the buffet on Carnival Paradise in July which led to several guests getting banned.
And at a similar time, two men were filmed fighting onboard a Royal Caribbean ship sailing out of Galveston.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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Several cruise passengers have reported being visited by security on a Royal Caribbean cruise, following complaints about social media posts.
The story originates from posts on a Facebook group for the transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas, where a guest made several posts.
These included asking for information on how to speak to the Captain or one of the “Genies” (referring to the Royal Genies, the name that Royal Caribbean gives butlers), and a post where they expressed disappointment that a crew member blocked their photo of a sunset.
These posts were then mocked on a separate Facebook group named Entitlement of the Seas, where cruise passengers like to poke gentle fun at those who act entitled on cruises or make complaints of an entitled nature.
Following these posts, three passengers noted that they were visited onboard by security, who had received complaints from the original passenger, saying that she felt “threatened”.
One of those visited by security noted that she wasn’t given any severe warning but the security team did ask for the guest to take their Facebook post down so that the passenger could enjoy the rest of their trip.
One passenger who was visited by security felt strongly about it, arguing that they weren’t bullying or being threatening, and that the cruise line should’ve then returned to the complaining passenger to warn them about making false claims.
Interestingly, Entitlement of the Seas is a private Facebook group, and the complaining passenger wasn’t a member, according to those reacting in the comments.
Which means that someone in the group found the screenshots and decided to send them to the complaining passenger – the plot thickens!
What do you think? Is complaining to cruise ship security about Facebook activity taking things way too far, or does that guest have a right to feel victimised?
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Carnival Vista has suffered yet more engine problems following a summer of recurring issues, delaying its return to Port Canaveral by several hours. The ship’s engine problem meant that she…
A young woman, reportedly in her 20s, tragically fell overboard from MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa near the Channel Islands in the English Channel on 12th October 2024. The incident occurred…
Villa Vie Residences has revealed significant changes to the itinerary of its three-year world cruise aboard the Odyssey, which recently began service. Originally planned to explore North America and the…
A Carnival cruise passenger has complained that she felt discriminated against during a comedy performance, after being unable to see the comedian from her seat. John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador,…
