Diplomacy

Baltimore’s cruise scene faces a potential shake-up, with Royal Caribbean’s future in question.

There are rumblings that Royal Caribbean may no longer be sailing from Baltimore after next year.  The rumors stem from a simple process of elimination.   After seeing what ships are left to sail from the Maryland port after one ship is known to be leaving is raising questions.

A quick look at the deployment schedule for Vision of the Seas shows that the Royal Caribbean vessel is scheduled to reposition from Baltimore to Port Everglades in October 2026. 

The issue is that it takes a specific size ship to be able to sail out of the port.  The vertical clearance of the Bay Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Bridge) limits the mega ships of today from even getting near the dock.

This departure raises questions, especially considering the port’s recent history with Royal Caribbean.

Before Vision of the Seas came to Baltimore in 2023, Enchantment of the Seas had been homeporting there since 2021.

Vision-class vessels with Royal Caribbean include Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas.

Enchantment of the Seas is currently deployed in Tampa and set to remain there through 2027, and Grandeur of the Seas is scheduled to sail from both Port Everglades and Tampa over the next two years.

Rhapsody of the Seas is currently offering 7-day sailings from San Juan and is scheduled to move to Tampa in November 2025.

The popularity of cruising is still very strong in Baltimore, with almost half a million cruisers choosing the port every year

A spokesperson for the Port of Baltimore recently made this statement:

“We’re aware of potential changes in deployment for Royal Caribbean at the Port of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean has been an outstanding cruise partner for many years at the Port of Baltimore. We are continuing to hold discussions with them. Cruise lines make decisions on where to place a ship on an annual basis.”

It should be noted that while other Royal Caribbean ships that could fill the void in Baltimore already have their assignments, it’s still possible that the cruise line could make a change. These changes happen all the time, sometimes even after a ship had been open for bookings at another port.

On Friday, Royal Caribbean released a statement about Baltimore and said:

“We are excited to continue to offer vacations out of Baltimore throughout 2026 for guests to visit idyllic destinations including Bermuda, The Bahamas, Canada and New England. In late 2026, Vision of the Seas will shift to offer Caribbean sailings from Ft. Lauderdale through April 2027. We cannot comment on future deployment, but we look forward to reviewing opportunities to sail from Baltimore in the future.”

While the future remains uncertain, Baltimore’s cruise travelers await Royal Caribbean’s final decision.

Carnival Jubilee will need some touch-up paint along the bow after an incident in Galveston over the weekend. 

The newest ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet was still docked in port when a small sailboat reportedly collided with the 183,521 gross ton ship.

While there is still no word as to how this happened, people near the dock witnessed the entire ordeal in disbelief as the collision unfolded.

An eyewitness to the collision stated, “He went straight into it,” when asked, “How do you hit that?” referring to the size of the massive ship docked in port and it’s bright blue hull.

As the sailboat moved away from the cruise ship’s bow, a crowd cheered in the background, even after an onlooker remarked that the mast of the small boat was scratching the paint on Carnival Jubilee.

Pictures and video of the incident show a pilot boat coming along to help the sailboat move out from under the bow of the cruise ship.

One commenter on the Facebook post revealed a possible reason for the collision:

“I believe that the strong current, the inexperience of the sailboat captain, and, safe bet, alcohol had a great deal to do with this collision,” the comment stated.

While the weather appeared to be relatively calm and there is no evidence of alcohol being involved, the commenter also warned of possible trouble for the pilot boat that helped the sailboat in its predicament.

“It should be noted that the captain of the Texas went far beyond his duty when he put a line on the sailboat. When any vessel takes another in tow, for any reason, the captain of that vessel immediately becomes liable for any damages that occur subsequently. That poor guy will probably end up in court as a thanks for his doing the right thing,” the comment went on to say, also adding they they were glad no one was hurt.

Close-up images from the incident reveal a minor scratch on the ship’s hull, caused by the sailboat’s scraping.  This appeared to be the only damage and should not impact the current sailing.

The 5,228 double-capacity Carnival Jubilee is currently sailing toward Honduras and is on schedule to arrive in Roatan on March 4.  The ship will arrive back in Galveston on March 8.

I have cruised all around on the world on close to 20 different cruise lines. I’ve heard a lot about Celestyal Cruises but have never cruised on them.  My dentist loves their smaller ships and port intensive itineraries, and he always tells me about them.

When Celestyal Cruises invited me to cruise on their new popular itinerary Desert Days, I was excited to say yes and finally check them out. 

I am currently on board Celestyal Journey for a seven-night cruise in the Persian Gulf. I am sailing with a group of international journalists, and after spending a few days on board, here are my first impressions of Celestyal Cruises.

Cruise Ship

This is the “newest” ship in the cruise line’s fleet. I actually prefer smaller ships like this on port intensive itineraries. The vessel is 55,000 gross tons in size so it’s easy to move from one place on the ship to another.

Celestyal Journey had previously been in service with Holland America Line and P&O Cruises, so it has some miles under its belt. The public spaces on the ship are modern and in good shape, yet it offers a nostalgic feel from a ship built over 30 years ago.

The ship recently completed a dry dock, so most of the furniture and carpet is all brand new.

One of the things that has impressed me is the number of public spaces and lounges for a ship this size. This creates lots of opportunities for different types of live music at night and there’s no issue trying to find a place to sit and relax.

Even though there are 1,202 passengers on board (96% capacity), the ship does not feel crowded at all. I was shocked when I saw the total number of passengers on board because it feels like the ship is sailing at 50% capacity. And it’s not just me. Other people I am traveling with said the same thing.

If you’ve been following Cruise Fever for any amount of time, you know that I love it when the ship’s main pool has a retractable roof on it. It helps create so much more useable space at night or when the weather isn’t cooperating.

This is not the only pool, there is also one in the aft.

This cruise isn’t about the ship, it’s about the destinations that you will visit.

Itinerary

This is a seven-day roundtrip cruise from Doha, Qatar that visits a port every day of the trip. We will visit Bahrain, Dubai (overnight), Sir Bani Yas, Oman, and Abu Dhabi on this port intensive itinerary.

This is my first time cruising in the Middle East and I’m loving the itinerary. Celestyal Cruises recently extended their season here due to popular demand and I now understand why.

I’ve felt completely safe in every place we’ve visited so far. All of the port stops are in extremely modern cities that are loaded with cultural experiences and history, with an exception for the island, Sir Bani Yas.

Cruise fares start at a little over a $100 per person, per day. This includes drinks during meals. You can choose between a three-, four-, or seven-night option as several of the ports are embarkation/disembarkation cities.

Crew

The crew has been fantastic during the first few days of my cruise. It’s one of the friendliest group of crew members I’ve ever sailed with. I can’t say enough good things about them.

One of the bartenders started doing some card tricks with us one night, I’ve never had that happen on a cruise before. He told us that on one night of the cruise, they do a magic show in the bar for guests.  I can’t wait to check that out!

Other First Thoughts

There is a small casino on board, 24 slot machines and three table games. Even though there are only 24 slots, you can choose anywhere from 10-25 different games on each one.

All of the inside spaces on the ship are no smoking, thank you Celestyal Cruises!

Since Celestyal has yet to roll out their app (It’s in progress I’m told), they still deliver paper daily programs to your cabin.  I forgot how much easier it is to have a paper than endless scrolling in an app.

The busiest part of the ship has been the buffet. With a port intensive itinerary, more guests tend to prefer casual meals.

There are several specialty restaurants on board that I can’t wait to check out.  One morning we had breakfast in the main dining room. It’s all buffet options but I thought it was really good.

I was able to check out a couple of the shows in the main theater. So far, they have been the standard song and dance shows. But that makes sense since there’s guests from so many different countries on here. However, English is the main language spoken board.

I’ve found a couple “Easter Eggs” on board from the ship’s time with Holland America Line. I’m glad they left a few things on the ship as a nod to the ship’s storied heritage.

I want to give a special shoutout to Qatar Airways for flying me to Doha in one of their signature Qsuites. I will have more on that and a lot more on this cruise and cruise line when I get home from the trip.

If you’d like, you can follow along on my cruise on Cruise Fever’s social media channels on X, Instagram and Facebook (@CruiseFever for all).

The first day of the cruise is my favorite.  There’s no better feeling than to finally be onboard, exploring the ship, or lounging with that first drink on board.

There’s an entire fun-filled vacation ahead of you and it feels like it’s going to last forever.  But sadly, that feeling gradually fades as the week progresses and the days tick by.

Before you know it, it’s now the last day of the cruise and your vacation is almost over.  It’s as sad and depressing as that first day was exciting.

Whether your cruise’s final day is a relaxing day at sea or a visit to a cruise line private island, there are a few extra things that you’ll need to take care of in preparation for the following morning’s debarkation.

1. Debarking Information

The room steward should leave debarkation instructions in your room the evening before.  If you haven’t already taken a look at it, read the instructions in the morning so that you won’t be surprised at the last minute by any details.

Even if you are frequent cruiser with the line, it’s still a good idea to take a look at the instructions as cruise lines periodically update their procedures to help make the entire process go more smoothly.

2. Luggage Tags

Many cruise lines are increasingly moving towards digital debarkation processes. Apps or digital notifications will inform passengers of their debarkation times and procedures, eliminating the need for physical tags.

Traditionally, room stewards have left luggage tags in staterooms along with debarking information. The luggage tags use a color and/or number identification system. The color/number tags correspond to a time frame when it is anticipated that passengers with those tags will be able to debark the ship.

The debarking paperwork should contain a schedule; letting you know what time your group is scheduled for.

If the time does not work with your travel plans, you will need to visit Guest Services and request different luggage tags.

Do this in the morning if at all possible.  The lines at Guest Services are generally extremely long on the evening of the last day.

Some cruise lines have changed the process for luggage tag distribution.  Instead of tags being left in your stateroom, there will be a central distribution point.  You will be responsible for going to the distribution point and picking up the tags you need.

The debarkation paperwork will let you know where to go to pick them up.

The earliest times go first and go quickly, so if you have an early flight out the next morning, make sure you know where and when you can pick up tags.

3. Future Cruise Booking

If you’re eyeing those onboard future cruise booking promotions, don’t wait until the last minute—these deals are popular, and the future cruise desk often gets swamped, especially on the final day.

Check the cruise line’s mobile app or daily newsletter for desk hours and booking details; many cruise lines now let you start the process digitally, sometimes with app-exclusive bonuses like extra onboard credit. To snag the best perks—think reduced deposits or bonus loyalty points—aim to book early in your cruise.

Most cruise lines today offer the option to put down a deposit on an open booking, so you can lock in savings without committing to a specific ship or sail date right away. This flexibility is perfect for planning ahead, with some lines letting you decide on your cruise as far out as 2027.

You can typically make the deposit onboard and apply it to a specific sailing later—just check if it’s as simple as submitting a form through the app or dropping it off at the desk. If you’re sailing with Carnival, you’ve got even more leeway: their future cruise program lets you book after you’re back home, often with similar perks.

4. Check Onboard Accounts

Keeping an eye on the charges being made to your onboard account is something you really should be doing throughout the cruise.  Mistakes do happen and Guest Services is happy to investigate any issues and make corrections.

More often than not, the charges are legitimate.  After a few days, it’s easy to forget a purchase or it’s simply not displayed in a way you think it would be.

For instance, charges made at a bar you never visited.  It could be that it is the bar location used for drinks ordered in the dining room or from main theater.

If you have any questions about the charges, it’s best not to wait until the last night of the cruise or the morning of debarkation.  Guest Services has huge lines, and standing in lines on the last day of your vacation isn’t any fun.

5. Shopping

The final day of the cruise is a little like Christmas Eve.  It’s their last chance to entice you to spend in the gift shops so it’s possible to find deals that weren’t happening earlier on in the week.

You’ll also want to take advantage of any duty-free prices on popular items you may regularly buy at home like alcohol and cigarettes.

6. Photo Purchases

If you haven’t looked at or made your photo purchases, try and get to it early in the day.  By evening, the photo area is swarmed with passengers trying to find their photos and make those last minute purchases.

Today’s ships use facial recognition technology to help you find your photos a lot faster than the “old days”.

If your ship has moved to digital photos or is placing them in “books”, it makes finding and purchasing much easier.  However, if the ship is still displaying photos on shelves, it’s a good idea to gather all of your photos and group them together each day.

The photography staff will still move them around as they make room to display new photos, but you’ll have a better chance of finding all of your photos on the final day so that you can pick and choose which ones to purchase.

You may able to make photo purchases the final morning of the cruise, but you could be searching through several huge bins of photos to find yours.

Related article: Should you buy those cruise photos?

7. Casino

Onboard casinos generally don’t have a specific time when they close in the evening; instead, the newsletters often just state that they will be open “until late”.  Regardless, they won’t be open the morning of debarkation, since they are closed when docked in U.S. ports.

Those who have been enjoying gambling in the casino will need to cash in their chips before going to bed.

Anyone playing electronic games, like slot machines, and has casino money tied to their cruise card, will also need to visit the casino cashier to cash out at some point during the last day of the cruise.

8. Packing

At some point on the last day, you’ll need to pack. Packing is my least favorite part of the cruise.   Everything except the things you’ll need on the last night and next morning needs to be packed up and placed outside your cabin door by the time noted in your debarkation paperwork.

Many passengers pack right before or after dinner.  That feels hectic and ruins the last evening of the cruise for me.    I much prefer to get this unpleasant chore over with earlier in the day.  I may still have to throw a few things in that I used or wore during the last day, but then my evening is free to enjoy.

Nothing ever fits as well or as neatly as it did on my way to the cruise.  I’ve tried a variety of ways to make it a little quicker and easier.  Packing cubes can be helpful.  If I know I’m not going to use or wear something again during the cruise, it goes into a packing cube that stays in the closet or on a shelf.  It’s much easier to throw filled packing cubes into a suitcase than gather and fold each item of clothing.

Just as your luggage arrived to your stateroom, it will be taken the evening before debarkation and you won’t see it again until you are off the ship.  You’ll want to hang on to things like medications and leave room in a small bag or two for things you’ll need that last evening and morning.  Those bags you’ll carry off the ship yourself.

Most ships also offer the option of self-debarkation.  If you opt to take part in this, you won’t place any bags outside your door the night before.  Instead, you’ll be responsible for carrying all of your luggage off the ship yourself.  The advantage is that you are generally some of the first passengers off the ship.  It is particularly useful for those with early morning flights home.

Read some cruise packing hacks here

9. Recognizing Crew Members

Most cruise lines have moved to automatic or pre-paid gratuities, doing away with the handing out of gratuities on the final evening of the cruise.  However, it is still a good time to reward the crew members with a little something extra.

Working 7 days a week is difficult and draining, yet many crew members manage to exceed expectations and do it with a smile.  It’s nice to say thank you and hand a little extra cash to anyone who has helped make your cruise more enjoyable or memorable.

Certain positions do not share in automatic gratuities, for instance, the staff in the kids’ clubs.  If your child has been participating in and enjoying the youth programs, cash gratuities are appropriate and appreciated.

The only exception is with Disney Cruise Line.  The youth program staff on Disney is not allowed to accept tips.

If you choose not to hand out any additional gratuities, you can still recognize them in end-of cruise surveys.  If you mention crew members by name and position in your comments on cruise surveys, it helps them earn bonuses and promotions.

RELATED: How the crew makes all the difference on a cruise

10. Airline Check-In

If you have a Wi-Fi package or are in port will cellular service, you should check in for any flights the next day.  This is especially true if flying Southwest where boarding position is determined by when you check in.

It is also advised for any early morning flights when timing for getting off the ship and to the airport might be tight.

If neither of those options is available, go the ship’s Internet center and find out if you can pay for a short block of Internet access.  You may even be able to print off boarding passes.

11. Set an Alarm

It may have been a fantastic week of sleeping in, but you won’t be able to enjoy it the morning of debarkation.  Room stewards need a lot of time to properly clean staterooms and get them turned over for the next group of passengers.

It’s not uncommon for passengers to oversleep the last morning.  Set an alarm or schedule a wake-up call to avoid accidentally oversleeping. The time you’ll need to vacate the room will be mentioned in the debarkation information.

12. Start a Final Night Tradition

My family is always a little sad on the last night. We’ve said goodbye to our favorite staff members and the kids have made friends that they’ll likely never see again.  It’s kind of bummer picking them up from the kids club and seeing them sad after a great cruise.  Starting a tradition gave us something to look forward to.

Instead of heading back to our stateroom and going to bed, we started doing “last night” fun activities.  Fortunately, kids are easy to please and doing anything out of ordinary puts smiles on their faces.  We frequently end up getting some late night pizza and ice cream followed by a little hot tubbing under the stars.  Our swimsuits tend to still be a little damp when packing the last of our things up the next morning, but it’s been fun and memorable.

13. Debarkation Morning Tip

If you aren’t trying to be one of the first ones off the ship the morning of debarkation, the best place to kill some time may be the dining room.

Breakfast up in the buffet can be chaotic as passengers are trying to get breakfast and store the bags they are carrying off.  Meanwhile, the dining room is delightfully dead. There is plenty of room for bags and you can sit in a relaxed atmosphere.

The options are more limited than what the buffet has to offer, but it’s nice to order from a menu for your final onboard dining experience.

14. Have fun!

The last day of a cruise is still a day on a cruise!  Although there are things you’ll need to take care of that can be a bit of a chore, you should make the most of it.

Cruise ships along the Southeastern Queensland coast of Australia are being forced to alter their itineraries as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 system, intensifies and approaches the Port of Brisbane, traveling at 9 miles per hour (14 kilometers per hour).

Cunard’s Queen Anne and the Norwegian Sun have both skipped their scheduled visits to Brisbane, as the Norwegian Cruise Line ship headed straight to Cairns instead, while Queen Anne sailed toward Airlie Beach in North Queensland, where she will arrive on Tuesday.

Queen Anne will then call on Yorkeys Knob on March 6, and the adjusted schedule will allow the Cunard ship to arrive in Darwin a day early on March 10.  This will help make sure the ship is back on schedule to continue her 112-day world cruise that is set to arrive in Germany on April 29, 2025.

As Alfred intensified into a Category 2 cyclone, the Port of Brisbane was closed, and commercial shipping was directed to evacuate. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of high tides and potentially hazardous swells in the area.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli reassured the public that assistance was being provided to the impacted cruise ships and stated the following:

“I’ve just received some information only in the last couple of minutes: two of those are looking for alternative ports and we will assist them in that. One will be endeavouring to come into the Port of Brisbane and offloading those passengers.  We will do everything we can to assist them in that regard as well as those other two.”

Steve Hardaker, Maritime Safety Queensland’s Manager of Vessel Traffic Services in Brisbane, warned that the cyclone’s impact would continue to disrupt the itineraries of cruise ships for days to come.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Thursday or Friday and is likely to bring strong winds and major rainfall.   A flood watch has been issued for northern and south-east Queensland

The storm’s seven-meter swells would not only make for a very uncomfortable ride for cruise passengers but would be a safety concern as well.

Typically, the Port of Brisbane sees a steady flow of cruise traffic, with 21 port stops scheduled for the month of March alone.

Carnival Luminosa and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas are currently scheduled to visit Brisbane on March 6 and 7 respectively.  There currently has not been any word on alterations to the itineraries on those ships, but passengers are encouraged to check with their cruise line for any recent updates.

MSC Cruises is going big on Caribbean sailings this summer.  And if you’re looking for an affordable cruise getaway, you have at least five ships to choose from with the cruise line.

Whether you like the new ship smell, want a family-friendly getaway, or a classic Caribbean cruise, MSC has released some details about summer offerings in 2025. Here’s a closer look at the five ships sailing to the tropical paradise so many cruisers love:

1. MSC World America: (PortMiami)  

MSC World America has been getting a lot of attention lately, as it’s the newest addition to the fleet, making its inaugural Caribbean season from PortMiami. The new flagship promises a “new world” of cruising with innovative venues and experiences like an over-water swing called “Cliffhanger”.

Cruisers can expect a modern, high-energy atmosphere and a sleek design MSC is known for.  There’s also a lot of excitement about the exclusive Eataly restaurant at sea. This 6,762-passenger ship will be offering 7-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. 

Passengers on MSC World America will have the chance to experience a wide variety of ports of call in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Honduras and MSC Cruises’ private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

MSC World America is the second World-class ship with the cruise line, after MSC World Europa was built in 2022.

2. MSC Seascape: (PortMiami)

MSC Seascape will be sailing from PortMiami for the summer of 2025, before it moves to Galveston for the winter months. You can choose from 3- to 4-night getaways to the Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, perfect for a quick escape, or opt for a 7-night itinerary that includes Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

MSC Seascape, a 2021 Seaside-class ship, features a signature aft infinity pool and multiple outdoor dining venues, designed to maximize ocean views and appeal to a wide range of travelers.

Basically, MSC went all-in on the outdoor space. You get tons of promenades and decks, so you can really soak up the sun and sea air.  After all, the whole point of a cruise is to enjoy the ocean –well, one point of it.

3. MSC Seashore: (Port Canaveral)

Sailing from Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore will provide a range of 3- to 7-night itineraries that explore the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. Expect stops at popular destinations like Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Nassau, Isla de Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

The 3^rd Seaside-class ship to be built by MSC Cruises, MSC Seashore is already homeporting in Port Canaveral and is offering everything from short 3-day cruises to The Bahamas and longer 10-day and 11-day sailings to the Western Caribbean

4. MSC Meraviglia: (New York, NY)

New Yorkers and New Englanders can enjoy a getaway to the Caribbean with easy access to the New York cruise port, but there will be an extra sea day before those warmer climates can be reached.

MSC Meraviglia will be offering 7-night itineraries from New York City to the Caribbean. This ship provides a unique opportunity to combine a city break with a tropical getaway. Expect stops at Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and Nassau. This is a great choice for those who want to experience the best of both worlds and for those who live in the northern part of the U.S. and don’t want to have to fly to Florida to enjoy a cruise.

 Beyond the Caribbean: European Sailings

In addition to their Caribbean sailings, MSC Cruises announced they are also deploying a significant portion of their fleet in Europe for summer 2025. Passengers can choose from a wide range of Mediterranean itineraries, departing from multiple ports and exploring various destinations across Italy, Greece, Spain, and France.

For those seeking cooler climates, Northern Europe voyages will feature the Norwegian fjords, Icelandic landscapes, and Baltic capitals, with sailings from ports in Germany and the UK.

The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an airlift rescue of a 9-year-old girl from a cruise ship 170 miles off the coast of Galveston, Texas, on Monday.

According to a U.S. Coast Guard X account for the 8th Coast Guard District, known as Heartland, the child was taken by helicopter to a nearby medical facility at UTMB Health (University of Texas Hospital in Galveston).

Recent reports reveal that the girl was in stable condition while being transported to the medical facility, and no other updates have been provided.

USGC Heartland posted the following on X:

“Air Station Houston medevaced a 9-year-old girl from a cruise ship 170 miles offshore Galveston, Monday. The helicopter crew arrived on scene and transported her to the UTMB. The patient was last reported to be in stable condition.”

Air Station Houston medevaced a 9-year-old girl from a cruise ship 170 miles offshore Galveston, Monday. The helicopter crew arrived on scene and transported her to the UTMB. The patient was last reported to be in stable condition. #uscg #heartland #houston #texas @USCG pic.twitter.com/9DqUwIV2zc

— USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) March 4, 2025

While the Coast Guard did not officially identify the vessel, a photograph shared by the 8th District Heartland on X clearly depicted a Disney Cruise Line ship. This visual confirmation, combined with maritime tracking data, confirmed the ship to be Disney Magic, which had departed Galveston on March 2nd for a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise.

Rescuing someone at sea is a complex task, especially on a moving vessel. The long distance and bad weather can make it even more difficult. The Coast Guard acted quickly, sending a helicopter, which was vital to get the child medical help as fast as possible.

While the specific details of the child’s medical situation are being kept private, the successful rescue highlights the vital role of the Coast Guard.

Out of respect for the family’s privacy, further details will not be released. Many are sending their well wishes to the young girl and her family during this time.

Disney Magic is scheduled to arrive back in Galveston, Texas on March 6, before embarking on a 6-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.

This story, while heartbreaking to say the least, is also a reminder to make sure you have cruise travel insurance before you sail.  A helicopter medevac can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 and more in some cases.  On top a difficult medical condition that can create the need for an airlift, having the extra financial burden just makes things harder. 

We hope you don’t ever need to use your travel insurance, but please make sure you have at least some coverage.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is wreaking havoc along the eastern coast of Australia, and it’s starting to impact cruise traffic.  The Category 2 storm, has forced the cancellation of sailings for two cruise ships, disrupting travel plans for at least 7,000 passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have both confirmed cancellations due to the severe weather and port closures in Brisbane, Australia.  And because the port will remain closed for the near future, these ships will have to remain at sea for a while longer.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Cruise Line announced the cancellation of Carnival Luminosa’s 3-day cruise, which was scheduled to depart from Brisbane on March 6th. The cruise line cited the storm’s projected impact and the closure of the Port of Brisbane as the primary reasons for the decision.

Carnival emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew was their main priority. Affected passengers will receive full refunds for their cruise fares and any pre-purchased add-ons. The ship’s current voyage was also impacted, resulting in a delayed return to Brisbane.

Carnival made this statement regarding the cancellation:

“Our Fleet Operations Center continues to keep a close eye on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days and the port is now closed as it prepares. Once the storm passes, officials must conduct a post-storm assessment before we can be cleared to safely return to port. We are anticipating that this process will take some time to complete, the earliest being Saturday, 8 March. Regrettably, we have no alternative but to cancel your voyage.”

While plans are still up in the air, the Carnival vessel is currently scheduled to depart from Brisbane on a 4-day sailing on March 9, if no other alterations are made.

On April 3, 2025, Carnival Luminosa will set off on a 28-day sailing from Brisbane to Seattle, from which port the ship will offer 7-day Alaskan cruises for the season before coming back to Australia.

Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean also canceled a Quantum of the Seas’ scheduled 3-night sailing, which was set to depart on March 7th, 2025. The company explained that the storm’s forecast and port closure prevented the ship from returning to Brisbane as scheduled.

Royal Caribbean is providing affected passengers with full refunds for their cruise fares, deposits, and pre-paid extras, as well as future cruise credits.

The next scheduled sailing after the cancelled cruise is currently set for March 14, and it’s a 14-day sailing around New Zealand.  In early May the ship will reposition to Seattle for the Alaskan cruise season.

Both cruise lines mentioned the unpredictable nature of severe weather and the necessity of ensuring safety for their passengers, even when it means canceling sailings.

Other cruise ships have been impacted as well, as we reported yesterday with Norwegian Sun and Cunard’s Queen Anne being rerouted to avoid impacts from the storm.