As the nights draw in and stress levels rise, more Britons are looking to swap grey skies for blue horizons.
New research from UK travel agent Cruise118.com shows searches for “winter sun holiday” have jumped by 195%, signalling a growing appetite for sunshine escapes as winter approaches.
The spike comes as International Stress Awareness Week (3rd to 7th November) helps raise awareness of stress issues, and reflects a wider trend towards wellbeing-focused travel.
Recent research found that 98% of travellers prioritise relaxation on holiday, while 62% choose beach or coastal breaks for their calming effect – a reminder that escaping to the sea is as much about mental reset as physical rest.
Cruises Offer the Ultimate Stress-Free Escape
Cruises are proving especially popular for travellers seeking easy, all-in-one holidays.
According to Lindsay Haslehurst, Head of Product & Commercial at Cruise118, cruising perfectly blends sunshine, simplicity and self-care.
“Cruise holidays bring everything together in one seamless experience,” said Haslehurst. “With accommodation and dining taken care of, guests can switch off, breathe in the fresh sea air and let the ocean do the rest.”
The move towards stress-free travel aligns with recent YouGov figures showing that one in three UK adults (34%) experienced high or extreme stress last year, and 91% felt stressed at least once.
Younger adults are under the most pressure, with 60% of 18–24-year-olds citing “the pressure to succeed” as a key cause, while older adults face longer-term strains linked to finances, health and isolation.
Haslehurst added:
“A cruise offers the perfect balance of adventure and tranquillity. Travellers can explore multiple destinations without the stress of constant packing and planning. Increasingly, cruise lines are developing wellness-at-sea programmes that support both physical and mental wellbeing – from spa therapies to yoga sessions and mindfulness workshops.”
Cruise118’s Tips for a Stress-Free Voyage
To help travellers make the most of their winter escape, Cruise118 has shared its top advice for effortless cruising:
1. Look for last-minute deals
Last-minute sailings can be a smart way to save money, as cruise lines often discount remaining cabins to fill ships close to departure.
If you’re flexible on dates, you could save hundreds of pounds – and enjoy an impromptu dose of winter sunshine.
2. Pack with purpose
Packing efficiently is key to a smooth holiday. Cruise lines may have specific restrictions on what can be brought onboard, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Essentials like swimwear, evening attire and comfortable shoes are musts, but overpacking can make cabin storage tricky.
3. Plan your shore time
Whether you book excursions through the cruise line or explore independently, plan ahead to make the most of your port days.
Always double-check the ship’s departure time before heading ashore – no one wants to be the person left behind on the pier.
Sun, Sea and a Sense of Calm
While winter sun holidays have always been a British favourite, the growing focus on wellness and work-life balance is giving them new meaning.
For many, a week or two at sea offers not just a break from the weather, but a way to reset and recharge.
As Haslehurst puts it:
“A winter sun holiday isn’t just an escape from the cold – it’s a proven way to unwind, reset and leave everyday pressures behind. With Cruise118, switching off becomes effortless. Set sail for sunshine, sea air and total relaxation, and make stress a thing of the past.”
About Cruise118
Founded in 2009, Cruise118 is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists.
Part of the world’s largest cruise retailer, the company partners with every major cruise line and has helped over 65,000 customers plan and book voyages around the world.
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A Caribbean holiday aboard Harmony of the Seas took an unexpected turn this week after two internet personalities were removed from the Royal Caribbean ship following a fight on deck.
The altercation – which was captured on video and widely shared online – took place on 4th November as the vessel sailed from Galveston, Texas, towards Roatán, Honduras, during a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary.
Several Incidents Onboard
According to multiple social media posts, the confrontation involved two livestreamers known online as Chicken Andy (real name David Ryan) and BlackAssDave (Dave Willis), both of whom were participating in a themed “streamer cruise” organised by content creator Ice Poseidon.
Footage from the ship’s outdoor smoking area shows the pair arguing before the dispute escalates into a brief but physical scuffle, while other passengers can be heard urging them to stop.
One Reddit user remarked that “they picked the wrong cruise for that – Royal Caribbean is a family line”.
Passengers writing online said the two men had already been warned by ship security for earlier disturbances during the voyage.
One commenter summarised that the group had “two strikes in two days” and that “some of them even had their alcohol cut off before talking their way back into it”.
Swift Consequences
After the fight, both men were detained by security, with Ryan reportedly spending time in the ship’s small holding area – often referred to by cruisers as the “brig” – before the pair were disembarked in Roatán on Wednesday.
They were left to make their own travel arrangements home.
The disagreement is said to have begun over another streamer, known as JJ, and who deserved credit for helping him gain popularity online. “It was just words at first,” one passenger wrote, “then one slapped the camera out of the other’s hand and that was it.”
A separate video filmed earlier in the voyage shows Willis arguing with other guests in the ship’s Studio B venue after blocking their view while filming – a moment that some passengers say foreshadowed later tensions.
During that video, they comment on how the girlfriend of one of the two is remaining onboard the ship, and that it appear Ryan and Willis had made up and were friends now.
Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented on the incident.
The Harmony of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, carries over 6,000 guests and features amenities including water slides, a zip line and a full theatre.
The company’s code of conduct prohibits violence or disruptive behaviour, with offenders subject to removal at the next port of call.
As one Reddit user put it after the fight: “The cruise line won – both got kicked off with no refund.”
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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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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is reintroducing its signature “Free at Sea” program, replacing the short-lived More at Sea offer that launched in 2024.
The return marks a return to a more familiar system for cruisers – but with some key distinctions depending on where you book.
While the core benefits are broadly the same worldwide, how guests pay for and receive the perks varies significantly between the US and UK markets.
What Free at Sea Includes
The revived Free at Sea package offers the same signature perks NCL guests have come to expect, including:
Unlimited Open Bar with premium spirits and 100+ cocktails
Specialty Dining Package (number of meals depends on sailing length)
150 minutes of Starlink WiFi per guest
$50 shore excursion credit per port for the first guest in each stateroom
Free 3rd and 4th guests on select sailings
The package is widely available, from short Caribbean breaks to longer European and transatlantic voyages. It may be restricted on some voyages, but for now appears to be available across the full range of ships and sailings.
US Guests: “Free” but With Daily Gratuities
For guests booking through Norwegian Cruise Line in the US, Free at Sea is technically included at no upfront cost, but gratuities apply for certain perks:
$28.50 per person, per day for the drinks package
$20 per person, per meal for specialty dining
Guests can choose to remove the drink and dining perks when booking if they prefer not to pay the gratuities – and still receive the Wi-Fi and shore excursion credit at no cost.
For travellers who plan to enjoy cocktails and specialty dining, the gratuities can still offer strong value compared to purchasing those packages separately.
UK Guests: Pay an Upfront Upgrade, No Daily Gratuities
For UK-based guests, Free at Sea works differently. Instead of daily service charges, travellers pay a fixed one-time upgrade fee, which varies by sailing length:
2-day cruises: £99 per person
3 – 4 days: £129
5 – 6 days: £199
7 – 8 days: £249
9 – 10 days: £309
11 – 12 days: £359
13 – 14 days: £409
15 – 16 days: £459
17 – 18 days: £519
19 – 20 days: £569
21+ days: £619
Discounted prices apply to third and fourth guests sharing a stateroom.
Once that upgrade is added, guests receive all Free at Sea perks – including drinks and dining – with no additional gratuities for these perks to pay onboard (but, just as with the US version, the regular daily gratuities will still apply).
However, unlike the US model, UK guests who do not purchase Free at Sea will not receive any of the included Wi-Fi or shore excursion credit.
You can buy WiFi separately, but for many people it won’t be worth the cost when you could pay a small amount extra to also get drinks, shore excursion credit and speciality dining.
Key Differences From “More at Sea”
When NCL replaced Free at Sea with More at Sea in 2024, the goal was to refine how perks were structured and priced – but the changes proved confusing for some guests.
The 2025 relaunch of Free at Sea simplifies things again while keeping some of the improvements introduced under More at Sea.
UK guests will only notice a difference in the number of speciality dining meals and WiFi minutes, which varied depending on your stateroom category under More at Sea as well as by sailing length. Now, only sailing length makes a difference.
For US guests, the gratuity costs for the drinks package would vary by sailing length but now will be a standard daily amount.
“Free at Sea Plus” Returning Soon?
Norwegian has suggested that this change also sets the stage for the return of an enhanced package, previously known as Free at Sea Plus.
When reintroduced (name still TBD), it’s expected to include additional benefits such as the beverage package being extended to Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas.
The drinks package being removed from Great Stirrup Cay is a recent change that has disappointed loyal NCL fans.
Is Free at Sea Worth It?
For many guests, Free at Sea still represents strong value – particularly on longer sailings or for those who enjoy cocktails, specialty dining, and internet access.
But it’s not always the cheapest option.
The takeaway? Free at Sea is best for travellers who plan to use all its perks. For light drinkers or those who prefer main dining, opting out and saving the gratuities (in the US) or upgrade fee (in the UK) might make more sense.
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Celebrity Cruises built its reputation on offering a “luxury, all-inclusive” experience – but that’s not quite the case anymore.
For a while, most fares did include drinks, Wi-Fi and tips, making it easy to think everything was covered. These days, though, the rules have changed. What’s included now depends on the fare you choose.
Here’s a clear look at what’s still included, what’s changed, and what you’ll need to pay extra for on a Celebrity cruise.
What’s Changed Since the “Always Included” Days
Celebrity Cruises are not all-inclusive, although you have the option to upgrade your cruise fare to include drinks and Wi-Fi. Not all drinks will be included if you do choose this package, and you’ll still need to pay for shore excursions, too, along with tips.
This package was, for a time, included on every cruise fare under the marketing tagline “Always Included”.
That pricing model was first introduced in 2020 and ran for two years. But then in 2022, the cruise line moved to reintroduce ‘cruise-only’ fares.
At the same time, Celebrity Cruises has removed the option to book Indulge and Elevate packages, instead allowing guests to upgrade individual elements of their cruise.
You can still choose to pay for the all-inclusive upgrade, but it’s the basic one only – with a Classic Drinks Package and Basic WiFi included. And depending on your stateroom choice, you might get them included regardless.
It did include tips, too, but that changed in October 2023. Your beverage gratuities are included, but your daily gratuities are no longer covered.
Confused? I don’t blame you. Let’s take a closer look at your options…
1. Simply Sail: Celebrity’s Cruise-Only Fare
Available on all sailings going forward, Celebrity’s Simply Sail fare is the cruise-only option. This lets passengers book a cruise without paying for extras that they might not want – it’s just a standard cruise.
If you’re not someone who tends to drink a lot on your cruise, and you aren’t too bothered about connecting to the internet while you’re at sea, a Simply Sail cruise could be your best option. The fare will be lower, meaning you aren’t paying for services that you wouldn’t otherwise use.
Here’s what you get included if you choose a Simply Sail fare:
All live entertainment on the cruise ship
Dining in the Main Dining Room and buffet restaurants
Room service between 6 am and 11 pm
Tea, coffee, lemonade, juice, fruit punch and still water in the buffet restaurant (available 24 hours a day)
Still water provided on your table in the Main Dining Room
And here’s what you have to pay extra for if you book a Simply Sail fare:
Any drinks beyond the free options in the buffet restaurant
Room service between 11 pm and 6 am ($4.95 service charge)
Shore excursions
Any purchases you make in the onboard stores
Any medical treatments required onboard
Travel insurance
Of those, the only things that you have to pay for are gratuities and travel insurance. Everything else is optional.
It’s absolutely doable to enjoy an amazing Celebrity cruise holiday without paying for anything else on top of your Simply Sail fare if you aren’t someone who drinks alcohol, speciality coffees or sodas. And if you can live without wifi while at sea.
2. All Included Cruise Fare
With any stateroom on a Celebrity cruise, you can choose to upgrade to an All Included fare. If you do, then you get three perks added to your cruise:
Classic Drinks Package
Basic WiFi
Drinks gratuities
The Classic Drinks Package includes all drinks up to the value of $12 on board. If you want to buy a drink that’s more expensive, you get $12 knocked off the price – you only pay the difference. You also get 15% off the cost of any wine bought by the bottle.
There are a lot of drinks that you can get on a Celebrity cruise for less than $10, so the package is worthwhile. You can enjoy a wide selection of beer, wine by the glass, a selection of spirits, cocktails made using the spirits included in this package, and most soft drinks.
The value of the drinks package when bought alone starts from $89 per person, per day.
Basic WiFi is, as the name suggests, pretty basic. This is the lower WiFi package offered by Celebrity and lets you browse the internet, check your emails, and use messaging apps to stay in touch with people at home.
But you won’t be able to do anything that uses a lot of bandwidth, and that includes uploading photos to your social media. For that, you’d need to upgrade.
The Basic WiFi package used to cost from $20 per person per day, though it’s no longer available as a standalone package. You can only get it with the All-Included fare.
Your tips are no longer included on an All Included fare – you’ll need to pay for these separately.
The normal cost of tips depends on your stateroom class:
$18 per person, per day for Inside, Oceanview and Veranda staterooms
What Isn’t Included With A Celebrity All Included Fare?
Here’s a list of everything that you still need to pay for if you book a Celebrity cruise with an All Included fare:
Tips
Meals in speciality dining restaurants
WiFi if you wish to upgrade to Premium
Room service between 11 pm and 6 am ($4.95 service charge)
Shore excursions
Any purchases you make in the onboard stores
Any medical treatments required on-board
Travel insurance
Again, most of these are optional extras so you could book an All Included fare and not pay a penny more if you didn’t want to, expect for the tips, but it does make it clear that ‘All Included’ is not really all-inclusive.
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How Much All Included Actually Costs
The cost to upgrade your cruise fare to All Included varies depending on your sailing, but roughly you should expect to pay around $90 per person, per night. It still works out better value than paying for your drinks and WiFi separately.
Whether or not it’s good value depends on how much you’ll use the WiFi or whether you want the drinks. If you think that you won’t use the WiFi and you’ll spend less than $65 or so on drinks, then it’s probably better to book a cruise-only fare and pay for your tips separately, then buy your drinks individually.
Bear in mind that you can’t book the Basic Wi-Fi package separately, though, so you’d have to pay for Premium Wi-Fi at around $35 per day.
Guests who book a suite in The Retreat get a Premium version of the All Included package. This used to be referred to as the Indulge Package, although it seems like Celebrity has moved away from that name now.
Here’s what you get if you book a suite in The Retreat:
Premium Drinks Package
Premium WiFi
On-board Credit
The Premium Drinks Package lets you enjoy all drinks up to the value of $19, so you get a much wider choice of beers, wines and spirits along with sparkling wines, premium bottled water and more. And again, you only pay the difference on drinks costing more than $19.
The Premium Drinks Package normally costs from $90 per person, per day.
Premium WiFi allows you to do most things you want to online, including uploading photos, video calling your family, or using streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus (if you have your own subscription).
The speeds are still not incredible – cruise ship WiFi never is – so you might not be able to stream videos in high quality, but it should be fine if you’re just watching something on your phone in bed.
Premium WiFi normally costs $35 per person, per day.
And the extra benefit you get is onboard credit, which you can use however you want to on the ship – for shore excursions, speciality dining, or in the stores.
The amount can vary but is usually around $100-$400 per person for the cruise, depending on the length of the cruise and stateroom category.
Even with the Premium All Included package, you still don’t have a fully all-inclusive cruise as you’ll need to pay for (if you want these):
Tips
Meals in speciality dining restaurants
Room service between 11 pm and 6 am ($4.95 service charge)
Shore excursions
Any purchases you make in the onboard stores
Any medical treatments required onboard
Travel insurance
However, you at least get an onboard credit amount to put towards some of these. You can’t use onboard credit for medical treatments or travel insurance.
Final Word
While Celebrity Cruises aren’t all-inclusive by default, you can make your holiday feel that way by choosing an All-Included fare. Just keep in mind – even with this upgrade, it’s not completely all-inclusive anymore.
Since the removal of included gratuities in late 2023, you’ll still need to budget for daily tips and any extras like speciality dining, excursions, and onboard shopping.
The good news? You now have more flexibility. Celebrity has adjusted its pricing to give guests the choice – pay less with a cruise-only fare if you don’t drink much or need Wi-Fi, or upgrade to All Included if you want those perks bundled in.
If you love a cocktail (or three), fancy a few cappuccinos, and plan to stay connected while you’re at sea, the All-Included fare will almost always work out better value than paying for drinks and Wi-Fi separately.
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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.
The family of Dulcie White, a 66-year-old Australian woman who fell overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in October 2024, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the cruise line in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The family is alleging negligence and failure to conduct an adequate search.
Filed on behalf of White’s husband and daughter, the suit claims that the cruise line overserved alcohol to White despite clear signs of intoxication and later failed to properly locate or recover her after she went overboard.
White had been sailing with her daughter, Megan Klewin, on a 4-night Taylor Swift–themed Caribbean cruise that departed PortMiami on 21st October, 2024. The overboard incident occurred the following evening as the ship sailed near Nassau, Bahamas.
Allegations of Overservice
According to the complaint, White had purchased Royal Caribbean’s unlimited alcoholic beverage package and was served at least seven alcoholic drinks at three different venues – Sorrento’s Pizzeria, the Sand Bar, and Studio B – between 1 pm and 7 pm.
Klewin told local media that her mother was “completely intoxicated” and that another passenger had helped her back to their balcony stateroom. Klewin said she last saw her mother sitting on the balcony railing before realizing she had fallen overboard.
“This isn’t an accident; it’s an industry pattern. We’re putting the cruise lines on notice: the days of profiting from over-service while passengers die at sea are over,” said Spencer Aronfeld of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, which is representing the family.
Dispute Over Search and Rescue Efforts
The lawsuit also claims that Royal Caribbean failed to conduct an adequate search once White was reported missing.
However, records and contemporaneous reporting from the incident indicate that the ship immediately activated its man-overboard protocol.
At approximately 9:40 pm on 22nd October, an “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” alert – the emergency code for a person overboard – was broadcast ship-wide. Searchlights were deployed, and rescue boats were launched to search the surrounding waters.
Royal Caribbean also alerted the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the U.S. Coast Guard, both of which dispatched aircraft and vessels to assist. The nearby Utopia of the Seas altered course to join the search effort.
Despite a 15-hour search, White was never found, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force eventually suspended operations.
Lawsuit Seeks Jury Trial and Damages
The wrongful death complaint seeks a jury trial and monetary damages as permitted under maritime and state law.
The filing alleges that Royal Caribbean failed in its duty of care by continuing to serve alcohol to an already intoxicated passenger and by not ensuring a more effective recovery operation.
Royal Caribbean has not yet commented publicly on the lawsuit.
Overboard Incidents Remain Rare
Passenger and crew overboards are statistically uncommon but continue to draw scrutiny across the cruise industry.
According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), roughly 20 to 25 such incidents occur worldwide each year across all cruise lines combined.
The Allure of the Seas incident was one of several high-profile overboards in recent years.
More recently, a passenger was reported missing from Norwegian Jewel on 21st October 2025, while crossing the Atlantic near the Azores, and on 27th October 2025, a crew member went overboard from Viking Star in the Aegean Sea.
Allure of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, sails under the Royal Caribbean International brand and carries more than 6,700 passengers at full capacity.
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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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Just days after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, government officials have set an ambitious goal to welcome tourists – including cruise visitors – back by December 15, 2025.
The announcement, made by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, comes as the country begins to assess the widespread devastation caused by the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island.
With tourism contributing billions annually to the economy – including more than $197 million from the cruise sector alone – the pressure to rebuild is immense.
“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,”
Minister Bartlett.
A recovery task force has been established to coordinate efforts between government agencies, the private sector, and international partners. Work is already underway to restore key areas, including airports, ports, and hotel corridors across Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth.
Despite the optimism, the road ahead remains challenging. Hurricane Melissa brought sustained winds of 185 miles per hour, destroying homes, cutting power across the island, and leaving at least 19 people dead. More than 25,000 Jamaicans are still displaced.
Major Cruise Lines Step In With Millions in Aid
The global cruise industry – which relies heavily on Jamaica as a marquee Caribbean destination – has mobilized to provide immediate relief.
Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, and Disney Cruise Line have each pledged $1 million in financial aid, while Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has committed up to $100,000 through the American Red Cross, including matched contributions from employees and passengers.
Carnival’s On-the-Ground Support
Carnival Cruise Line was one of the first to act.
The Carnival Horizon made a humanitarian stop in Ocho Rios on 4th November, offloading pallets of bottled water and essential supplies.
Guests onboard were invited to contribute additional donations, which the cruise line matched through its “Groove for St. Jude” fundraising event.
“The local infrastructure isn’t quite ready for visitors, but the ship will make a short visit to offload the goods,” said John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador.
Carnival Corporation has also partnered with the Miami Heat and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation to bolster long-term recovery assistance.
Royal Caribbean Delivers Relief to Falmouth
Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas also diverted to Jamaica on 4th November – not to disembark guests, but to deliver over 120 pallets of bottled water, medical supplies, and non-perishable food.
The shipment was coordinated with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), which is based in Kingston.
“The pallets will be offloaded and then items packaged as relief packages for immediate distribution,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
The gesture drew praise from both guests and crew.
“Giving back to an island that has delivered to us for many years – RESPECT!” wrote one guest, while another recalled similar efforts after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Disney’s $1 Million Pledge
The Walt Disney Company has likewise pledged $1 million to aid relief efforts through non-profits such as UNICEF, World Central Kitchen, and Good360, as well as to support Jamaican Disney cast and crew members.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica who have experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Melissa,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “We hope this contribution and the ongoing support from our team will serve as a source of relief and comfort for those in need.”
Disney Cruise Line, which has visited Jamaica since 2013, has cancelled Disney Treasure’s 5th November call to Falmouth to avoid adding strain on the island’s recovery.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Joins In
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross and pledged to match a further $50,000 in public and employee donations.
“The Caribbean region holds a special place in our hearts, and it’s important that we stand with our communities in times of need,” said Harry Sommer, NCLH president and CEO.
Jamaica’s Cruise Future and Tourism Outlook
Before the storm, Jamaica’s three primary cruise ports – Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth – were expecting more than 60 ship calls through November and early December from major brands including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, Princess, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises.
Most of those visits have now been cancelled or rerouted. Cruise lines say they will not resume operations until Jamaica confirms it is safe to do so and essential infrastructure can support passengers and crew.
The U.S. State Department has also raised its travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing the hurricane’s aftermath and disruptions to healthcare and utilities.
Still, Minister Bartlett remains optimistic that the island’s famous resilience – combined with global support – will see Jamaica’s tourism sector bounce back stronger.
“Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence,” he said.
With international aid arriving and major cruise lines stepping up, Jamaica’s recovery is underway – and if efforts continue at the current pace, the island may once again be ready to welcome the world by Christmas.
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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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Two Carnival Cruise Line passengers are suing the company, alleging that a bedbug infestation aboard Carnival Horizon left them with painful bites, emotional distress, and financial loss.
The lawsuit, filed on 28th October 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, comes from Catherine Shockley and William Maycock, who sailed aboard Carnival Horizon on its 15th February 2025 departure – an eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise from Miami.
Guests Claim Infestation and Negligence
According to the complaint, just two days into the voyage, both passengers began experiencing intense itching and clusters of insect bites on their arms and legs.
By the next morning, the bites had spread to their shoulders, hands, and faces.
Fearing bedbugs, Shockley reportedly inspected the cabin and discovered live insects, faecal stains, and eggs on the bedding – signs the plaintiffs claim showed an existing and untreated infestation.
Carnival Horizon Ship Aerials with Blue Hull
The pair allege they notified crew members but were not relocated or given adequate assistance.
They further claim they saw nearby cabins being fumigated, suggesting the ship’s staff may have been aware of a wider problem.
“Plaintiffs suffered numerous intensely itchy bites resulting in large, painful welts that required medical treatment and medication, multiple dark splotches, loss of sleep, mental distress, loss of personal property and economic loss,” the suit states.
They are seeking damages for medical expenses, scarring, emotional trauma, and other ongoing impacts.
Carnival’s Bedbug Protocol
Carnival Cruise Line has not yet commented on the lawsuit, but the company maintains a detailed pest-control protocol.
The process includes routine inspections of mattresses, bedding, drapes, and carpeting, with chemical treatments and re-inspections if evidence of infestation is found.
“If signs of infestation are present, the room is chemically treated along with all other cabins within that section,” the policy states. “Frequent re-inspection continues for the next several months.”
Carnival Horizon last underwent dry dock maintenance in 2021 and is scheduled for its next refurbishment in spring 2026, which will include “extensive pest control treatment.”
Bedbugs at Sea – Rare but Not Impossible
While unsettling, reports of bedbugs are not unheard of aboard cruise ships – or in hotels on land.
The insects, typically no more than a quarter-inch long, thrive in dark crevices, such as mattress seams or behind headboards, and can easily be transported in luggage.
Bedbugs are not linked to poor hygiene and do not transmit disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, reactions to their bites can vary widely, from mild irritation to severe allergic responses.
Carnival Horizon can carry up to 4,000 guests and 1,400 crew members and operates Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami year-round. The case could take months to move through the courts.
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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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Passengers booked on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady received quite a scare this week after an email incorrectly informed them that their departure port had changed from Miami, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico – less than a week before embarkation.
The mistake affected up to 2,770 guests booked on the ship’s 12-night Caribbean sailing departing 8th November 2025, sparking widespread confusion on social media and among customer service representatives before the line issued a correction.
False Alarm Sends Guests Scrambling
“We wanted to let you know that the departure port for your upcoming voyage has been moved to a different location,
“Please update your travel plans accordingly to ensure a smooth embarkation experience,”
Email sent to guests
Cruisers immediately flooded social media seeking answers. Some reported that Virgin Voyages’ Sailor Services initially confirmed the change before retracting that statement minutes later.
“I just got off the phone with them. It’s accurate,” one Reddit user said.
Another shared: “The CS rep initially told me the email was valid and they were waiting on more information. But then came back and said that the email wasn’t valid and our itinerary is still set to leave from Miami.”
The inconsistency led many to suspect the company’s internal teams were also caught off guard by the false notification.
Virgin Voyages Issues Swift Apology
Within hours, Virgin Voyages sent out a follow-up email confirming that the original message had been sent in error.
“If your inbox got hit with something that looked a little… off? That was us. A good ol’ fashioned human moment,” the cruise line wrote in its correction.
“We apologize for the confusion, and appreciate your patience while we get things shipshape prior to your voyage!”
The company confirmed that Miami remains the departure port for Brilliant Lady and that there are no changes to the planned itinerary.
The ship will call at Aruba, Curaçao, Cartagena (Colombia), George Town (Grand Cayman), and Ocho Rios (Jamaica).
The Ocho Rios call may still be under review, however, as Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island in late October. Jamaican officials have stated that they’re aiming to welcome cruise guests back from mid-December.
Brilliant Lady skipped what would have been her inaugural call there on 3rd November.
When Technology Goes Rogue
While the mix-up caused a brief panic, such email errors are not unheard of. Virgin Voyages has faced similar glitches before – including a case earlier this year where guests who weren’t even booked on Brilliant Lady’s New Year’s Ahoy voyage received itinerary change notices in error.
Other cruise lines have experienced the same issue. Celebrity Cruises, for example, mistakenly sent out false itinerary updates for Celebrity Beyond earlier this year, creating temporary confusion among passengers.
Ultimately, Virgin Voyages acted quickly to clarify the error – and Brilliant Lady’s next sailing will depart from PortMiami as originally planned, giving guests a much-needed reason to relax.
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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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This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include sail dates from this week into JUNE 2026. WOW, there are 118 different sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Auckland, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Melbourne, Port Canaveral, San Diego, and San Juan.
The Disney Dream leads the fleet with 66 sailings, followed by the Disney Wish that skyrocketed to 36 sailings, Disney Magic with 28, Disney Treasure with 17, the Disney Fantasy with 21, and the Disney Wonder with 10 sailings this week.
Last week’s drastic increases in the number of available sail dates mostly held this week with some modest changes. The Florida Resident rate is up 3 to 46 sail dates, the US Military Personnel offer rose 7 to 59 cruises, and the Canadian Resident offer jumped 18 to 73 sail dates.
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 • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout 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
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
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
6-Night Bahamian Cruise from San Juan ending in Galveston San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Oranjestad, Aruba • Willemstad, Curaçao • At Sea • St. John’s, Antigua • Basseterre, St. Kitts
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • 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 • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout 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
5-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Auckland Auckland, New Zealand • At Sea • Wellington, New Zealand • Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand • At Sea
5-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Melbourne ending in Auckland Melbourne, Australia • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel (or spouse), including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member (or spouse), per sailing. A U.S. Military service member (or spouse) is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).
Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. 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. 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 • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout 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
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
Disney Magic
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Oranjestad, Aruba • Willemstad, Curaçao • At Sea • St. John’s, Antigua • Basseterre, St. Kitts
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 • 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 • Lookout Cay • At Sea
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 • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
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 check out our daily trip reports from our most recent group sailing to Alaskan on the Disney Wonder. We look forward to seeing you aboard.
Guests booked on Norwegian Star’s 27th September 2026 sailing from Southampton have been told they are getting an unexpected bonus: three extra days at sea, free of charge.
The extension follows a revision to the ship’s dry-dock schedule, with the vessel now spending longer at sea before heading to the yard for planned technical upgrades.
“Following a change in Norwegian Star’s scheduled dry dock for technical enhancements, your sailing has been extended from seven days to ten days,
“As part of this change, the itinerary has been adjusted.”
NCL communication to guests
Updated Ten-Day Itinerary
The original week-long voyage was due to visit Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, La Coruña and Oporto before finishing in Lisbon on 4th October.
Instead, the new ten-day route will add extra French and Spanish ports and finish three days later, on 7th October 2026:
27 Sep (Sun): Depart Southampton
28 Sep (Mon): Amsterdam (1 pm–9 pm)
29 Sep (Tue): Zeebrugge (8 am–6 pm)
30 Sep (Wed): Le Havre (8 am–9 pm)
1 Oct (Thu): Day at sea
2 Oct (Fri): La Rochelle (8 am–5 pm)
3 Oct (Sat): Le Verdon (7 am–6 pm)
4 Oct (Sun): Bilbao (8 am–5 pm)
5 Oct (Mon): La Coruña (9 am–6 pm)
6 Oct (Tue): Vigo (7 am–3 pm)
7 Oct (Wed): Arrive Lisbon
No Extra Cost for Passengers
Norwegian Cruise Line said that all existing fares, promotions and packages will remain fully protected, meaning guests will not pay more for the longer holiday.
Pre-paid service charges, beverage or dining packages will also stay at their original prices, while the number of specialty-dining meals and WiFi minutes will increase to match the extra sailing days.
Adjusting Travel Plans
Those who have already booked return flights or onward arrangements after the original 4th October arrival will need to adjust their plans.
With nearly a year’s notice, however, there is ample time for passengers to rearrange travel if needed.
Why the Schedule Changed
Norwegian Cruise Line has not disclosed the precise reason for the shipyard adjustment, though such changes are common.
Yard timetables can shift because of other vessels’ refits, labour or supply-chain constraints, or changes in dry-dock capacity.
The Norwegian Star, a 91,740-gross-ton ship carrying around 2,300 guests, will enter dry dock after completing this voyage before resuming service with a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Miami on 20th November 2026.
Passengers on that subsequent sailing are advised to stay alert for any further schedule tweaks.
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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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