Posts in category: Diplomacy

When Gordon Sherritt lost his wedding ring sailing to Alaska on a Holland America Line cruise ship, he didn’t know if he would ever see his 60-year-old ring again as he went home without it.

On the following sailing on Zaandam, a week-long Inside Passage cruise, a nine-year-old boy by the name of Corbin Hindriksen of Fort Collins, Colorado, was enjoying an afternoon in the Lido Pool. 

A shiny object at the bottom of the pool caught Corbin’s eye, so he swam down to see what it was.

To Corbin’s surprise, it was a gold ring. He immediately took the ring to Guest Services to turn it in to Lost & Found. He had no idea it was a ring that carried decades of memories.

Guest Services recognized that the ring was the one that was reported lost during the previous cruise.

Through the cruise line’s lost-and-found system, the team was able to identify the owner and begin arrangements to return the ring.

During the captain’s welcome gathering the following day, Corbin introduced himself to Captain Ane Smit and asked if the ring would find its way back to the owner.

The boy’s honesty and determination left a good impression on the captain. He wasn’t concerned about the value of the ring, but about making sure that it was returned to whoever lost it.

To honor the 9-year-old for doing the right thing, Captain Smit invited Corbin and his family to visit the cruise ship’s bridge. Once on the bridge, he presented the boy with a captain’s coin and a model of the ship.

Holland America Line told Cruise Fever that the ring was shipped to its owner, Gordon Sherritt of British Columbia, Canada. He was glad to have his wedding ring back, which matched the ring of his partner of 60 years, Alice Sherritt.

Sherritt said, “It was wonderful when my wedding ring found its way home“.

For Corbin’s family, the recognition from the cruise ship’s officers became a lasting memory from their vacation to Alaska.

His grandmother shared that Corbin serves as a member of the Rocky Mountain Young Marines program, which emphasizes honor and integrity, values he demonstrated with his actions aboard Zaandam.

Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on the entertainment they offer on its 30 cruise ships. From insane water shows to ice skating shows that have to be seen to be believed, there’s something for everyone on Royal Caribbean.

Now, the world’s largest cruise line has officially debuted America’s Got Talent LIVE on its brand new cruise ship, Legend of the Seas.

America’s Got Talent LIVE on Stage is a reimagined extension of the popular global variety show. The show takes place in the Royal Theater, and the stage show emulates a live finale experience featuring a rotating lineup of performers from the global Got Talent universe.

Guests who take a cruise on Legend of the Seas may see the following acts during America’s Got Talent LIVE:

Aaron Crow (Belgium) – A semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent Season 13, Aaron Crow’s danger act fuses suspense, magic, and winning charm with a vision of empowerment.

Berywam (France) – Appearing on France’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, and AGT: All Stars, Berywam is one of the world’s most influential beatbox groups.

The four extraordinary vocal artists, Beatness, Rythmind, Wawad, and Beasty, have redefined the possibilities of beatboxing through their creativity, technical mastery, and stage presence.

Duo EmYo (France) – Winners of France’s Got Talent 2025, husband-and-wife pair Duo EmYo incorporate aerial and acrobatic arts to explore the duality of the self and the transformative power of connection.

Solange Kardinaly (Portugal) – America’s Got Talent Season 19 finalist Solange is a celebrated magician, singer, and quick-change artist, admired for her elegance, creativity, and ability to captivate audiences.

America’s Got Talent LIVE joins an incredible lineup of entertainment offered on the cruise ship.

This includes Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory;” Shockwave, an all-new, gravity-defying Aqua Show featuring high divers, aerialists, robots and dancers in the signature AquaTheater; and Fusion, a new ice show inspired by the forces of nature in the largest ice arena at sea, Absolute Zero.

Legend of the Seas is currently sailing week-long cruises in the Mediterranean with sailings departing from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome).

In three months, the cruise ship will cross the Atlantic to offer six- and eight-night cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Everglades.

All cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Legend of the Seas will visit the cruise line’s award-winning private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. You can view cruises and prices offered on the ship here.

MSC Cruises is opening a new beach destination in the Caribbean in November 2026 and will serve as a new port of call for its cruise ships.

Catalina Sugar Beach is a newly enhanced beach destination on Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic. The port will be visited by MSC cruise ships as part of its Southern Caribbean itineraries from La Romana.

The port will offer pristine beaches, upgraded amenities, new shore excursions, and elevated beach experiences that show the island’s natural beauty. 

Catalina Sugar Beach will be operated in partnership with CTL Maritime and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. It will receive significant enhancement ahead of its opening in November.

The new destination will be visited by both MSC Opera and MSC’s sister cruise line, Explora Journeys.

Guests staying at Casa de Campo Resort will also be able to visit the destination. 

New details of the Catalina Sugar Beach guest experience that MSC Cruises announced today include:

Dining Facilities – There will be a signature open-air beach pavilion buffet that serves as the central dining hub of the island, offering international dishes and local specialties. An adjacent shaded dining area will offer comfortable al-fresco table seating with panoramic sea views.

Beverage Facilities – The beach will have two bars, including a tropical open-air palapa bar that will welcome guests with refreshments. This area will also act as a shaded social pavilion with ocean views.

Water Sports Center – This will be the center point for guests wishing to explore the surrounding clear waters, with equipment available to rent.

Cabanas – Guests will have the option of renting comfortable daybeds and cabanas, offering the most comfortable way to enjoy a day at Catalina Sugar Beach.

Upgraded Facilities – Areas of the beach that will get upgraded include a comfortable, stylish changing area, shower, and WC services.

A picturesque pathway – Guests will have the ability to take a pathway through the island’s lush natural landscape to a dramatic viewpoint. Along the pathway, elevated clearings within the vegetation will offer scenic views overlooking the beach and surrounding island landscape. The pathway will also have education signage telling guests about the island’s diverse tree species.

Catalina Beach Club will be visited by MSC Opera and select cruises to the Caribbean on Explora Journeys starting in November 2026.

Port Canaveral, one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, started construction on another cruise ship terminal project; this one is a $95 million renovation that will modernize and update Terminal 10.

When completed in November 2027, Cruise Terminal 10 will be able to accommodate some of the largest cruise ships in the world, carrying up to 6,700 passengers each.

The new Terminal 10 is designed by Miami-based architectural firm Bermello Ajamil. The reimagined terminal will feature spacious, modern interiors with a streamlined look and feel, colorful artwork, and a striking glass façade that will introduce more natural light.

This, combined with other design elements, will create a welcoming and inviting environment for cruise guests.

The guest experience will be enhanced with expanded security screening and luggage areas, new elevators/escalators, updated signage and HVAC systems are also being added.

When construction by PCL Construction Services, Inc. of Orlando is completed, the terminal will encompass more than 145,000 square feet of space, nearly a 30% increase from what the terminal currently offers.

Captain John W. Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, gave the following statement:

“We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about cruise operations to create a terminal that is highly functional and visually beautiful. Our cruise business investments are highly focused on ensuring that guest arrivals and departures are comfortable, efficient, and above all, support the high quality experience we provide for our cruise partners and their guests.”

The upgrades to Cruise Terminal 10 are part of a nearly $1 billion capital improvement project called Port Canaveral Advantage. This includes facilities upgrades, technology enhancements and other features across all aspects of its operations.

Seven cruise lines and 18 ships offer more than 1,000 cruises per year from Port Canaveral.

Several of the newest and largest cruise ships in the world sail from Port Canaveral, including Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas.

In November 2027, MSC World Atlantic will make its debut at Port Canaveral, offering week-long cruises to the Caribbean. The 215,000 gross cruise ship will use the expanded Terminal 10.

It’s not a regular occurrence for cruise ship passengers to be on lockdown in their cabins while the entire vessel is searched, so you can understand why some passengers on board MSC Grandiosa were left on edge when that exact situation played out overnight.

Passengers on the MSC Cruises ship were ordered to return to their staterooms as crew members conducted a full ship wide headcount following a reported man overboard alarm.

The incident took place while the 6,300-capacity cruise ship was sailing through the Mediterranean en route to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

What Happened

According to reports on social media, shortly after 11:00 PM local time, emergency signals sounded across the vessel.

Cruisers on board reported hearing three distinct beeps over the public address system, which was quickly followed by an urgent announcement instructing all passengers to go directly to their staterooms.

“When the emergency alarm went off, three beeps, the galleria descended into silence,” shared a Reddit user who was on board during the event.

To account for everyone on board, room stewards accompanied by security personnel went door-to-door, scanning guest cruise cards and verifying that all cabin occupants were present.

“We just got checked in our cabin, room steward and one other. Our cards were scanned and room steward checked we were all here,” the passenger updated.

Tracking data from VesselFinder showed MSC Grandiosa drastically reducing its speed to around two knots while executing a series of tight search patterns in the water roughly 26 miles off the coast of Menorca.

Below is a screenshot from VesselFinder, showing the 181,541 gross ton ship running a search pattern.

Local search-and-rescue boats and helicopters were also deployed to assist in the search operation, according to passenger accounts.

During the headcount, multiple announcements were made over the shipwide loudspeakers in several languages calling specific crew members and families to report immediately to Guest Services.

“A new annoucement happening now, multiple numbers being called out for crew members,” a passenger stated. “Four digit numbers, about five numbers, being asked to go immediately to deck four. Announcements over loudspeakers into all cabins and spaces. It sounded urgent.”

All Clear Given

MSC Grandiosa is a large cruise ship, even by today’s standards. At double-capacity the ship accommodates 4,842 passengers.

After an extended lockdown period while the crew checked more than 2,400 staterooms, the ship’s captain made a final announcement over the PA system.

It was confirmed that all passengers and crew members had been accounted for and that the alert was a false alarm.

“Captain now speaking, announcement it was a false alarm. Very pleased to hear this. Even more pleased to see the response,” the cruiser wrote once the situation was resolved.

Once the all-clear was given, guests were permitted to leave their staterooms and MSC Grandiosa resumed its course to Palma de Mallorca.

We’re glad to hear this was just a false alarm. Cruise ships take these incidents very seriously, and the crew in this case acted quickly and thoroughly to make sure every one accounted for.

MSC Grandiosa is currently on a 7-day round trip sailing from Palma De Majorca and is scheduled to arrive at the final port on Friday, August 7

Crystal Cruises announced this morning that it has exercised an option for a third new cruise ship, a sister ship to Crystal Grace.

The third next-generation cruise ship will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and will enter service in 2034. Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard is currently building Crystal Grace, which will go into service in 2028.

A second currently unnamed ship will make its debut in the spring of 2031.

Together, the three ships will represent the next evolution of the cruise line’s renowned approach to exceptional service, spacious design and immersive luxury travel.

The three 62,000 gross ton vessels will each carry 650 guests, based on double occupancy. The ships will feature spacious all-balcony suites, and new categories for solo travelers.

Every stateroom will be designed to maximize space, comfort and connection to the sea. They will be complemented by one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in luxury cruising to deliver Crystal’s signature personalized service.

Guests will enjoy a full wrap-around promenade inspired by the beloved walkways aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, beautiful open-air venues and inviting outdoor spaces for relaxation and socializing.

Outdoor dining terraces will allow guests to enjoy specialty restaurants al fresco while taking in panoramic ocean views, further strengthening Crystal’s connection between exceptional cuisine and life at sea.

Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, executive chairman of A&K Travel Group, gave the following statement:

“Seeing Crystal Grace move from vision to reality has been tremendously rewarding, and today’s announcement demonstrates our unwavering confidence in Crystal’s future. This third ship reflects our long-term commitment to the brand and to our guests, who continue to inspire us to raise the standard for luxury cruising around the world.”

Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, added:

“The response to Crystal Grace has exceeded our expectations, reaffirming the demand for authentic, exceptional travel experiences. With each new ship, we are building on Crystal’s legacy while thoughtfully evolving the experience for a new generation of luxury travelers.”

Current Ships in Service for Disney

Here’s an easier breakdown of Disney’s current and future fleet:

• Disney Magic (1998)

• Disney Wonder (1999)

• Disney Dream (2011)

• Disney Fantasy (2012)

• Disney Wish (2022)

• Disney Treasure (2024)

• Disney Destiny (2025)

• Disney Adventure (2026)

Future Ships

• Disney Believe – Scheduled for launch in late calendar 2027

• OLC Ship (Oriental Land Company) – Scheduled for calendar 2029 (Tokyo-based Wish-class vessel)

• Ship 11 – Scheduled for calendar 2029

• Ship 12 – Scheduled for late calendar 2029

• Ship 13 – Scheduled for late calendar 2030

There are a few different ways to live on a cruise ship. While there are a handful of cruise lines that sell cabins you can buy and live in full time, other cruisers get more creative and ship-hop on different ships and cruise lines.

This past week, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald took a cruise on Carnival Vista. While he was on the ship, he sat down to talk with a husband and wife, Malcom and Robyn, who sold their homes to live on ships full-time.

Malcolm and Robyn had a home in England and one in Florida that they sold. They briefly moved to the Dominican Republic before becoming permanent cruisers in October 2024.

While they mainly sail on Carnival cruise ships, as this was their 75th cruise with them, they do sail on other cruise lines as well.

When one cruise ends, they get off one ship and go board another. Coming up, they will fly to Europe to cruise in the Mediterranean before taking a Transatlantic cruise back to the U.S.

Malcolm said they have a sailing on Carnival Legend booked out of Dover that ends in Rome. They will spend 30 days on the ship sailing back-to-back-to-back cruises. They will then sail on Carnival’s sister cruise line, Princess Cruises, over to Barcelona.

A Transatlantic cruise on Carnival Freedom will bring them back to Florida, where they will do several more cruises on Carnival Vista before sailing from Miami.

In early 2027, the couple will head to L.A. for Carnival Firenze’s South America cruises where they will spend 45 straight days on the ship.

The couple said that they keep a spreadsheet of all of their upcoming cruises.

Malcolm and Robyn do take short breaks here and there from cruising. The couple plans on taking two weeks off coming up to see Robyn’s children; this will be their longest time on land since October 2024.

The couple told Heald that the thing they miss most about not living on land is their children. They do get to FaceTime them while at sea, but they will get to see them next month.

Heald asked them what they enjoy the most about permanently living on cruise ships. She said it’s the ability to travel all over the world. They have cruised to Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, and Alaska.

“It’s the best way to travel, you see everything.”

Malcolm chimed in and said it’s meeting fellow passengers and the crew; they are fantastic. He added that they love seeing the same crew over and over, and a few times they changed ships and a few crew members just happened to move with them.

Heald joked with the couple that they should start a travel blog since they cruise and see so many interesting places around the world.

The interview ended when he asked the couple how long they think they will continue to live on cruise ships.

They were supposed to be done in June, but they kept adding on more cruises. The couple is currently booked through February 26, 2027, but will likely add on a few more sailings.

Malcolm said that they will likely cruise for another year before moving back on land.

This has us wondering, could you, or would you want to live on a cruise ship full time?

You can watch the entire four minute video that John Heald posted below.

On September 4, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line will celebrate the grand opening of Great Tides Waterpark on their private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

The six-acre Great Tides Waterpark will have 19 waterslides, the industry’s first cliff jumps, a lazy river, and a special splash area just for kids. It will cater to both thrill seekers and multigenerational families.

Guests will also be able to use their Free at Sea unlimited beverage package on the island and in the waterpark. A new two-berth pier is open, allowing more than one ship to visit the island each day.

Great Tides Waterpark will have the following features:

• Industry’s first immersive tunnel at The Wandering River
• Races down The Great Slide
• Caribbean’s only four-person body slide
• Splash Cay, the family-friendly splash zone
• Tidal Tower, featuring the Breakwater Blasters
• Industry-first dueling Master Blaster slides in the Caribbean, which propel inner-tubes uphill and through steep drops and twists with high-pressure water jets
• Cliffside Cove, home to the industry’s first and the Caribbean’s tallest cliff jumps

Food Options

Guests will also enjoy new dining options that further transform the island’s offering.

Low Tide Smoke will serve slow-smoked barbecue dishes such as St. Louis BBQ Pork Riblets, BBQ Pork Nachos, Chicken Wings and Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower for those looking for an alternative.

Catch of the Cay will offer premium cold-water seafood featuring sweet, tender and ocean-fresh fare with dishes including Crispy Shrimp Rolls, Golden Fried Shrimp Baskets and Chilled Seafood Rolls, all paired with a side of seasoned waffle fries.

Tidal Treats will serve handcrafted desserts that include a Strawberry Red Velvet Sundae and an Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Sundae, each served in a bubble waffle bowl.

Guests can also enjoy the whimsical Tropical Fish-Shaped Waffle Cone with vanilla soft serve, colorful sprinkles and a choice of swirl flavors from tropical orange to chocolate, caramel, bubble gum and more.

In addition, complimentary buffet style options will also be available within the waterpark. Food truck offerings will be available à la carte.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“With just one month until the grand opening of Great Tides Waterpark, we’re excited to give guests a first look at what will become one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic destination experiences that can only be enjoyed when sailing with us.

“From adrenaline-pumping attractions and family-friendly activities to unique dining experiences and places to relax, Great Tides Waterpark will showcase the innovative design, scale and adventure that await guests visiting the island. Together with our ongoing enhancements across Great Stirrup Cay, we’re creating even more ways for guests to enjoy their day in paradise without compromise.

This beautiful island offers something for kids and adults alike, whether they’re a thrill seeker, in search of relaxation, or simply want a little bit of both.”

Great Tides Waterpark will officially open on September 4, 2026, when Norwegian Luna visits Great Stirrup Cay during its August 29, 2026 sailing.

Day passes to the waterpark are now open for bookings if you have a cruise booked that visits Great Stirrup Cay beginning in September. Passes are available by logging into your NCL account on NCL.com. Guests will also be able to purchase passes to the waterpark once they are on their ship.

Great Tides Waterpark will be open year-round on Great Stirrup Cay.