MSC Cruises has unveiled fresh details of MSC World Asia as the line marks 12 months until the flagship enters service in December 2026.
The World-class vessel, which will debut with week-long Mediterranean sailings, is being designed with subtle influences from Asian culture, art and landscapes.
Alongside features returning from sister ships, the line is introducing several new concepts that MSC says will shape the onboard experience.
Asia-Inspired Features
One of the most striking additions will be a stainless-steel dragon sculpture suspended 10 metres above the World Promenade and illuminated by thousands of LED lights.
Measuring 12 metres long and nine metres wide, it forms part of the ship’s visual focus on Asia-inspired design.
The ship will also incorporate a redesigned version of MSC’s signature dry slide attraction. Named The Spiral @ Tree of Life, the 81-metre slide will span 12 decks and take cues from Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.
New dining options include a pan-Asian street food venue with both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace, showcasing flavours from Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Families will see changes to the top-deck attractions, with The Harbour reimagined as an Asian-inspired outdoor family park featuring rides and a high ropes course.
A new venue called The Clubhouse will combine bumper cars, table games, basketball, roller skating and a LEGO zone, with programming that shifts throughout the day.
Elsewhere, the ship will feature MSC’s first all-American sports bar deployed in Europe, plus more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants in total, including established brands such as Butcher’s Cut, Kaito and Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
Luxury Suite Options
MSC World Asia will offer the widest choice of MSC Yacht Club accommodations to date, including new Royal Duplex Suites for up to six guests. Across the ship, more than 20 cabin types will be available.
The ship will again be organised into seven distinct districts, each designed to provide different atmospheres ranging from family-focused to adults-only relaxation.
Wellbeing facilities will include the Aurea Spa, Zen pools at the aft, 13 whirlpools and a gym overlooking the sea, while entertainment will span multiple venues with live music, stage productions and continuous programming.
MSC World Asia is due to begin sailing seven-night Mediterranean itineraries on 4th December 2026, calling at ports including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina and Valletta over the winter season, with Naples replacing Rome in summer 2027.
Prices currently begin at £693 per person for selected January 2027 departures.
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Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new price rise that will affect most guests onboard, increasing the automatic service charge applied to many onboard purchases.
The fee, long set at 18%, has been lifted to 20% without any major announcement from the line.
The new rate now appears throughout Carnival’s booking system and fine print for onboard spending, meaning many holidaymakers will pay slightly more for popular extras.
What The Increase Applies To
The 20% fee applies to a wide range of purchases, including:
• All drink packages, such as Cheers!, Bottomless Bubbles and Cheers! Zero Proof • Individual bar drinks • Speciality dining venues such as the steakhouse • In-cabin party decorations • Gifts and treats delivered to staterooms
While the change is only a two-percentage-point increase, the cumulative cost can soon add up for families who enjoy premium dining and refreshments.
How Quickly The Increase Adds Up
The increase in gratuity isn’t huge, but it will be noticeable for families.
A typical family of four, with adults on a Cheers! package and both children enjoying Bottomless Bubbles will now pay around $240 in gratuity fees across a week – an increase of around $20.
When you start adding in other onboard spends, such as any speciality dining or treats ordered to a stateroom, a family could be looking at around an extra $30 in charges. It’s not game-changing but it is something that cruisers will need to carefully budget for.
Why Now?
Carnival has not commented publicly on the change.
However, prices for drinks and dining across the wider cruise industry have been edging higher amid rising operating costs.
It is also more than a year since Carnival last increased its automatic gratuity rate, which typically rises every few years.
Speciality dining, bottled water, WiFi and Fast to the Fun priority access are all areas that could potentially see new price rises in the future.
The timing is noteworthy, coming as Carnival prepares to replace its long-standing loyalty scheme with the new Carnival Rewards programme in 2026.
Many regular guests have already criticised the change for favouring onboard spending over loyalty earned through sailing history.
Service charge increases at sea are nothing new, and Carnival is not alone in raising prices.
The key question now is whether guests will scale back bar spending or speciality dining as costs continue to creep up.
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Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess was forced to initiate a brief man-overboard response in Martinique after a man jumped into the water beside the ship on Saturday, 29th November 2025.
The Royal-class vessel was securely docked at the Caribbean island when the individual, who was not a passenger or crew member, reportedly bypassed security checks and entered a restricted area at the port.
He then leapt into the harbour directly alongside the 3,660-passenger ship.
Crew members immediately deployed a life ring and launched a rescue boat to retrieve the man, who was taken ashore and transferred to local police custody.
Princess Cruises confirmed that the incident did not involve anyone going overboard from the ship itself.
Witnesses reported that the man was handed over to authorities by around 10 am.
No motive has been made public, and officials have not said whether the individual may have been fleeing a separate police matter. Simply entering the secure zone without authorisation is itself an offence.
The rescue operation caused no delays to Enchanted Princess’ schedule. The ship is currently sailing a 12-night Southern Caribbean holiday itinerary that departed Fort Lauderdale on 23rd November. The ship is due to return to Florida on 3rd December.
Similar Incidents Reported
While man-overboard alerts at sea typically signal a genuine emergency involving a guest or crew member, a small number of recent incidents have involved people entering the water from piers or port areas rather than cruise ships.
In June 2025, a person jumped off the pier in Juneau, Alaska in what appeared to be a social-media stunt.
The previous December, police in the Canary Islands intercepted a man attempting to swim from a pier to a docked ship.
Cruise guests have also occasionally slipped accidentally from piers while distracted, including during preview sailings of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas in August 2025.
Authorities consistently warn that such behaviour is dangerous and can lead to injury, arrest, disembarkation and future bans from cruising.
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The theatrical spirit of Meat Loaf will once again take to the ocean waves in 2026, as Steve Steinman’s rock spectacular returns for a second high-octane sailing following its sell-out success last year.
Steinman’s 2024 cruise, built around his hit production Anything for Love – the Meat Loaf Story, became MSC Cruises’ biggest and fastest-selling independent booking in the line’s history.
More than 1,700 cabins were snapped up, prompting huge demand for a return to sea.
Now, an extended itinerary is confirmed. Anything For Love Cruise 2026 will depart Southampton on 5th September 2026 for a seven-night voyage aboard MSC Virtuosa, calling at La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruña and Cherbourg.
Exclusive Performances Only at Sea
Steinman has spent over 30 years performing tributes to Meat Loaf and the late Jim Steinman, touring theatres and arenas with a devoted fanbase who travel far and wide to see him. Onboard, cruisers can expect exclusive performances that will not be available on land.
His ten-piece band will return, along with fan favourites including “Everything They Said Was True”. The single, written by John Parr and Meat Loaf, was gifted to Steinman and became a number one rock hit.
Adding rock pedigree to the line-up is Kasim Sulton, the respected bassist, singer and producer who worked extensively with Meat Loaf and Todd Rundgren.
Sulton played bass on the original Bat Out of Hell album, sang on Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, toured the world with The Neverland Express and later served as Meat Loaf’s musical director.
How the Rock Cruise Concept Was Born
Not Just Travel consultant Vikki Coffey attended Vampires Rock and found herself sitting next to a superfan who had seen the show five times in eight weeks.
Having previously worked on cruise ships, Coffey instantly recognised the potential of taking Steinman’s loyal following to sea.
“It was obvious that Steve’s audience would cross the country without hesitation to see him perform,…
“Creating a unique cruise experience where that devoted community could gather for an exclusive show was the logical next step.”
A single message to Steinman set plans in motion. The first sailing sold out rapidly and fans leapt at the opportunity to book again. The 2026 cruise is already two-thirds full.
“When you’ve spent three decades building relationships with audiences, you understand the power of creating exclusive experiences for them,
“What Vikki and I have built with these cruises is something truly special. It’s not just about the performances, it’s about bringing our community together for an unforgettable week of rock music magic on the high seas.”
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Virgin Voyages is introducing a month-long season pass for Alaska in summer 2026, giving guests the chance to spend 30 days exploring the Last Frontier aboard Brilliant Lady on an adults-only basis.
The Alaska Summer Season Pass is marketed as a residency at sea rather than a traditional holiday, appealing to travellers who want a slower pace with plenty of scenery, wildlife and time to relax.
Prices begin at $26,000 for two guests sharing a Central Sea Terrace cabin.
“Alaska is one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. Experiencing it aboard Brilliant Lady means you get the adventure without sacrificing comfort, style or that Virgin sense of discovery, and without a single child on board,”
Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu.
What the Pass Includes
The package offers daily drink credits, complimentary laundry for the entire 30 days, an upgraded Work From Sea WiFi package for those who need to stay connected, entry to the thermal spa, priority boarding and exclusive welcome events.
Guests also receive up to $250 per person to spend on shore excursions and a dedicated glacier excursion is included.
Virgin Voyages is also providing an Alaska gear bundle featuring binoculars, a jacket, a backpack, a reusable water bottle and a Canon G7X camera.
Brilliant Lady will operate mostly 7-night itineraries from Seattle to ports such as Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka.
Season pass guests will remain onboard between sailings while other travellers disembark and embark each week.
Travel Periods and Pricing
There are four 30-day options, with prices varying by date:
• 28th May to 23rd June: from $26,000 for two • 23rd June to 23rd July: from $38,000 for two • 30th July to 27th August: from $35,000 for two • 27th August to 26th September: from $36,000 for two
All voyages operate round-trip from Seattle.
A Growing Line-Up of Long-Stay Offers
Virgin Voyages has previously trialled extended stays, including a European month-long season pass and an annual pass that allows unlimited sailings.
The 2026 version of the annual pass, which includes a stay on Richard Branson’s Necker Island, is priced at $199,000 per person.
As more travellers seek immersive, adults-only holidays with remote-working flexibility, Virgin Voyages appears keen to make long cruising stays a signature offering, with Alaska now joining the programme for those in search of a child-free summer adventure.
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This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include sail dates from this week into June 2026. There are 110 different sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Auckland, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, San Diego, and Sydney.
The Disney Dream leads the fleet adding 6 dates to 70 sailings, followed by the Disney Wish which is up 2 to 40 sailings, Disney Magic is down 2 to 25, the Disney Fantasy held at 22, Disney Treasure is up 2 to 17, and the Disney Wonder remains steady with 10 sailings this week.
The Florida Resident rate is up 1 to 50 sail dates, the US Military Personnel offer added 6 dates bringing it to 66 cruises, and the Canadian Resident offer is up 1 to 70 sail dates. The special bonus US Military offer for $250 onboard credit was announced a few weeks ago for select sailings in 2026.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Magic
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
10-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Auckland ending in Sydney Auckland, New Zealand • Tauranga, New Zealand • At Sea • Napier, New Zealand • Wellington, New Zealand • Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand • At Sea • Fiordland National Park, New Zealand • At Sea • At Sea
10-Night Hawaiian Cruise from Honolulu ending in Vancouver Honolulu, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • Hilo, Hawai’i • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
15-Night South Pacific Cruise from Sydney ending in Honolulu Sydney, Australia • At Sea • At Sea • Nouméa, New Caledonia • At Sea • Suva, Fiji • International Date Line (Repeat Day) • Pago Pago, American Samoa • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i
Special military rates are available to retired and active US military personnel (and their spouses), including US Coast Guard, US National Guard and US Military Reserves. Members of the US National Guard or the US Military Reserves (or their spouses) must show active-duty orders dated January 1st of the previous year to qualify. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the US military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following:
Florida Driver’s License
Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card):
Monthly mortgage statement
Renter’s lease agreement
Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill
Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water)
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency
Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
Disney Magic
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego to Vancouver San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to invite you to consider joining us on an upcoming DCL Blog Group Cruise! Next August 2026, we are heading to Fort Lauderdale to sail to the Western Caribbean on the all new Disney Destiny. Click here to learn more out this group opportunity and stick around the next few weeks as we unpack some new details from the Disney Destiny’s maiden voyage. We look forward to seeing you aboard.
A fresh wave of mechanical issues has disrupted voyages for several major cruise lines, with Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises all forced to delay arrivals, amend itineraries, or cancel sailings in the second half of November 2025.
The problems, centred largely around propulsion systems limiting ship speed, have affected thousands of guests on both sides of the Atlantic.
Queen Mary 2’s Repairs Trigger Knock-On Delays and Port Changes
Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 first encountered difficulty during a Northern Lights cruise earlier in November, when a technical defect in a propulsion pod forced the ship to divert to Bremerhaven rather than Hamburg for repairs.
The unexpected change also caused the cancellation of a short Southampton mini-cruise.
The ship did, however, manage to depart Southampton on 19th November for her scheduled transatlantic crossing to New York. Yet the earlier problems continued to ripple into subsequent voyages.
When Queen Mary 2 arrived in Brooklyn on 26th November, she was roughly an hour behind schedule, leading Cunard to instruct embarking guests to arrive two hours later than originally planned to ease congestion.
The Caribbean sailing that followed has also required itinerary changes.
The call to St Kitts on 4th December has been cancelled entirely, with the ship instead extending its visit to Barbados into an overnight stay from 2nd–3rd December.
The stop in St Lucia has been shifted to 4th December to accommodate the adjusted schedule.
Cunard has not explicitly confirmed that propulsion problems prompted the reshuffle, but the operational constraints align closely with the earlier defect.
Carnival Conquest Delayed by Overnight Mechanical Trouble
Carnival Cruise Line has faced its own round of propulsion issues. Shortly after Carnival Horizon suffered significant speed limitations in mid-November, guests aboard Carnival Conquest were informed on 20th November that the ship had developed a mechanical issue restricting its speed overnight.
As a result, Conquest arrived several hours late at Celebration Key on 20th November during a 4-night Bahamas cruise from Miami. Carnival shortened the port stay and issued $50 onboard credit per stateroom.
Although Conquest appears to have resumed normal operation on subsequent sailings, Carnival has not confirmed the root cause of the incident.
These disruptions follow earlier propulsion problems on the same vessel in January, when engine difficulties delayed its return to port.
MSC Meraviglia Adjusts Bahamas Itinerary Due to Speed Restrictions
MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia has likewise been affected, with planned maintenance reducing the ship’s speed ahead of its 30th November Bahamas cruise from New York.
Guests received notification on 24th November that key ports would be impacted:
Port Canaveral arrival on 2nd December moved from 1 pm to 5:30 pm, with all excursions cancelled due to limited time ashore
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve arrival on 3rd December shifted from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., though the stay was extended to 8:30 p.m.
Calls to Nassau and the scheduled return to New York on 7th December remain unchanged
Meraviglia has experienced similar propulsion-related issues previously, including an itinerary cancellation in May 2025 when divers carried out underwater repairs in Portland, Maine.
MSC is compensating guests with automatic refunds for cancelled excursions and $100 onboard credit per person (up to $200 per cabin).
A Common Thread: Ageing Propulsion Systems Across the Industry
While each situation differs, the clusters of issues highlight how ageing tonnage, high year-round utilisation, and complex propulsion technologies can converge to create operational challenges.
Queen Mary 2’s pod design has a long history of complications, Carnival’s Vista-class ships have had recurring propulsion limitations, and MSC Meraviglia required propeller blade replacement earlier in the year.
For guests, the recent wave of disruptions serves as a reminder that mechanical problems – though frustrating – are an unavoidable reality in the world of modern cruising.
Cruise lines continue to stress that safety remains the top priority, and flexibility is essential when unexpected repairs alter the best-laid travel plans.
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Authorities in St Maarten have launched a public appeal to help locate Ann Evans, a 55-year-old cruise passenger who did not return to her ship after going on a shore excursion earlier this week.
Evans was travelling aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam when she was reported missing during a port visit to the Caribbean island.
Passenger Failed to Return From Shore Excursion
The ship, sailing a 12-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, arrived in St Maarten on Thursday, 20th November 2025.
According to police, Evans disembarked the ship at around 10 am as part of an organised tour.
She left the tour bus at a scheduled stop in Marigot, on the French side of the island, but did not return to the bus or make her way back to the ship later that day.
“Efforts to locate Ms Evans are ongoing, and law enforcement authorities on both the Dutch and French sides of the island have been alerted.”
St Maarten Police
Authorities Issue Public Appeal
Police have asked anyone who may have seen Evans or has information about her whereabouts to contact local authorities immediately.
They also issued a direct message to the missing passenger.
“If Ms Evans herself sees this message, she is kindly requested to contact her family, the Police Force of Sint Maarten, or the French Gendarmerie as soon as possible to confirm her safety,” the statement said.
Images of Evans have been shared across social media as part of the search effort.
In a later update, the St Maarten police said that they had reason to believe a woman matching Evans’ description, and carrying her passport, had checked into a hotel on the island.
However, they have not verified whether this is Evans, and have still put out a message asking her to reach out to both police and her family to confirm her safety.
Ship Continued Voyage as Scheduled
Despite the ongoing search, Rotterdam continued its cruise as planned and is due to return to Port Everglades on Friday, 28th November 2025.
The ship carries up to 2,668 guests at double occupancy, rising to over 4,000 passengers when fully booked.
It remains unclear whether Evans has any personal links to St Maarten or the wider region.
Comparisons With Previous Cruise Disappearances
The circumstances have drawn comparisons with other recent cruise-related disappearances where passengers failed to return from shore leave.
In some past cases, passengers later confirmed they were safe and had chosen not to re-join their cruise. However, at this time, authorities stress that nothing has been confirmed regarding Evans’ situation.
Police say the priority remains locating her and confirming her wellbeing.
How to Share Information
Anyone with information on Ann Evans’ whereabouts is urged to contact:
The Police Force of Sint Maarten
The French Gendarmerie
Or local emergency services on the island
The search is ongoing, and authorities continue to ask for public assistance in locating the missing passenger.
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Spanish maritime authorities have launched a major air and sea search after a 76-year-old British cruise passenger reportedly went overboard from Marella Explorer 2 in waters north of the Canary Islands.
The incident occurred while the ship was sailing from Madeira towards the Canary Islands, with the alarm raised after the passenger was seen entering the water.
Emergency Response Activated at Sea
Spain’s maritime rescue service confirmed the search began immediately and resumed at first light the following morning.
“It has been confirmed he went overboard and is aged 76. The search for him started yesterday and is continuing today,” a spokesperson said.
Once alerted, the ship’s captain slowed the vessel and activated emergency procedures, which included:
Reviewing onboard CCTV footage
Deploying marker buoys
Carrying out circular search patterns
Search Focused Off Tenerife Coast
According to local reports, the incident took place around 16 nautical miles off Punta de Teno, on the north-west coast of Tenerife.
Rescue teams deployed:
Two specialist search vessels
An emergency helicopter
The operation is being made more difficult by deep waters and strong currents, which authorities say can reach around two knots in the area.
So far, officials have confirmed that no trace of the missing passenger has been found.
TUI Confirms Overboard Incident
TUI, which operates Marella Cruises, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was on passage to La Gomera. Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time,”
TUI statement
TUI added that a care team is supporting the passenger’s family and that the cruise line is fully cooperating with local authorities as the search continues.
Investigation Ongoing
Search operations remain active, with Spanish authorities continuing coordinated efforts by air and sea. No further details about the circumstances of the incident have been released.
The ship was en route through a remote stretch of ocean when the incident occurred, where rescue efforts are often complicated by currents, depth and weather conditions.
Authorities have not confirmed how long the search will continue.
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Royal Caribbean has been forced to cancel some early preview experiences at its highly anticipated Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, after ongoing construction meant the private resort was not ready in time for invited guests.
The beach club, located in the Bahamas, is still scheduled to officially open on 23rd December 2025, but the cancelled previews suggest the project is running close to deadline.
Preview Experiences Cancelled for Selected Sailings
A small number of guests sailing aboard Symphony of the Seas had been invited to take part in exclusive, invitation-only previews of the new beach club before it officially opened.
The ship was due to call at Nassau on 15th December 2025, just eight days before the planned grand opening. However, Royal Caribbean has now withdrawn at least one of those preview opportunities.
In an email sent to affected guests, the cruise line said:
“A few weeks ago, we invited you to be among the first to enjoy a special sneak peek of this brand-new destination.
“Construction is still in progress, and while the island is shaping up beautifully, it’s not quite ready for guests just yet.
“Our original plan was to have you help us experience everything Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will offer, but we want to make sure it meets the exceptional standards we’ve envisioned before opening it to you.”
Although the preview visit was complimentary, Royal Caribbean confirmed that impacted guests will receive exclusive Paradise Island-themed gifts in their cabins as a goodwill gesture.
Official Opening Date Still Stands
Despite the cancellation of some early visits, Royal Caribbean has not delayed the official opening date of the resort.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is still expected to welcome paying guests from 23rd December 2025, a date that was previously brought forward from 27th December.
Recent images from the site show continued progress, with pools already filled and colourful ferry boats in place, though construction remains ongoing across parts of the complex.
Other Sailings May Also Be Affected
Further preview visits scheduled in the days before the official launch could also be changed or cancelled at short notice.
Ships currently due to call at Nassau in the lead-up to opening include:
Wonder of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Adventure of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are expected to be among the first ships to visit the beach club once it fully opens.
First of Royal Caribbean’s Dedicated Beach Clubs
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island marks Royal Caribbean’s first fully developed beach club concept, separate from its private islands.
Once operational, day passes are expected to start from $109.99 for children aged 4–12 and $129.99 for adults, with access to pools, beaches, dining venues and live entertainment.
For now, the cruise line says its focus is on completing construction to ensure the venue meets guest expectations when it officially opens later this year.
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