Diplomacy

Carnival Cruise Line has announced new cruises on two of their ships that will visit seven ports they’ve never visited before.

The new cruises will take place in 2026 and 2027 on Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure, a ship moving over to Carnival Cruise Line in a few months.

The cruises will visit ports in Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia with seven of them being brand new to Carnival Funships.

The sailings will be Carnival Journeys cruises, longer cruises that Carnival offers that give guests a chance to spend more time visiting ports.

Two of the cruises will take place on Carnival Luminosa and the other two on Carnival Adventure. Here’s a look at these new nine- to 14-day sailings.

Carnival Luminosa will sail a 14-night cruise rom Tokyo to Singapore on October 9, 2026. Inaugural port visits by Carnival on this cruise include:

• Hong Kong
• Osaka (Kyoto) and Fukuoka (Hakata) in Japan
• South Korea’s Seogwipo (Jeju)
• Keelung (Taipei) in Taiwan

The ship will also visit Phy My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam.

A second 14-day cruise will sail from Singapore to Brisbane, Australia on November 30, 2026. The cruise will visit Bali, Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach, Australia.

Carnival Adventure will also sail a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise on January 27, 2027. The cruise will visit Airlie Beach, Darwin, Bali and Lombok.

A shorter nine-day cruise on the ship will set sail on February 27, 2027. This roundtrip cruise from Singapore will visit Koh Samui and Laem Chabang (Bangkok) in Thailand, as well as Sihanoukville in Cambodia. This will mark the first time Carnival Cruise Line has visited those ports.

The cruise will also visit Phy My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam.

Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“These new itineraries represent some of our most exotic and diverse offerings in the Asia-Pacific region. With our expanded deployment in Australia, we’re able to offer our guests itineraries with more variety along with the Carnival experience they know and love – and this includes the rare experience of sailing with our ships as they mark inaugural visits to several ports and countries across the region.”

The cruises on Carnival Luminosa can be booked on Carnival.com. The sailings on Carnival Adventure can booked on P&O Cruises Australia’s website but starting in March, they can also be booked on Carnival.com.

Your preferred travel agent can also book these cruises for you.

Princess Cruises has confirmed that one of their cruise ships will be briefly taken out of service this spring so essential maintenance can fix a technical issue.

Regal Princess will enter dry dock in late April and return to service on May 9, 2025. The April 18, 2025 sailing is being shortened from 10 to six days. Guests booked on the cruise will receive a pro-rated refund, future cruise credit, onboard credit to spend on the ship, and compensation for airline change fees.

In addition, the April 28, 2025 sailing has been canceled. Guests booked on this cruise will receive a full refund, a future cruise credit, and reimbursement for airline change fees.

The cruise ship will enter dry dock in Rotterdam where repairs will be made to the vessel.

Princess Cruises sent a statement to Cruise Fever saying that the technical issue does not affect the ship’s safety, systems, comfort, dining, entertainment, or any other guest-facing features.

Regal Princess remains fully certified for service by authorities and remains fully operational.  The cruise line went on to say that all scheduled cruises through early April will proceed as planned.

Princess Cruises ended the statement by saying the following about the canceled and shortened cruises:

“We understand how disappointing these changes are and we remain committed to making it right for our guests. We look forward to welcoming them back aboard for an unforgettable Princess vacation.

“We sincerely apologize for the disruption to our guests’ vacation plans and appreciate their understanding.”

This past fall, Princess Cruises canceled several sailings on Regal Princess due to issues with the ship’s power generators.

Regal Princess is currently homeporting in Galveston, Texas and sailing six- to 11-night cruises to the Western Caribbean. In early April, the ship will sail a Transatlantic cruise to Southampton before entering dry dock.

Due to the impact of the ongoing fires in and around Los Angeles, California, several cruise lines have decided to eliminate all cancellation fees for local residents.

Most cruise lines have a tiered cancellation fee schedule, with higher fees the closer you get to the sailing date.  With cancellations over 90 days out, guests typically will only lose their deposit and pay a small fee on top of it.

But Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises are cutting the red tape associated with cruise cancellations, as the fires in LA continue to impact the entire region.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Even though Norwegian Cruise Line does not currently operate any ships that sail out of the LA area, the company said it would waive any cancellation fees and offer 100% of future cruise credit for sailings in January and February. 

This is offered to any Norwegian guest that calls Los Angeles home.  So, even if an LA resident had a Norwegian cruise sailing out of Seattle or Miami during this time period, they would be allowed to take advantage of this offer.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with all of those impacted by the wildfires affecting the greater Los Angeles region. While we currently do not have any ships sailing from the region, it is affecting many of our guests that call the area home,” Norwegian said in a statement.

“During this time, we will be waiving any cancelation fees for guests who have been impacted by this devastation and are currently booked to sail with us during the months of January and February. They will receive a 100% future cruise credit of the fare paid, so they can reschedule their voyage to a later date when they are ready.”

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is also offering to help LA residents with 100% future cruise credit to any guests who live in evacuated areas or whose homes have been damaged by the fires.

This is offered to cruise guests who have a scheduled cruise with Princess through January 30, 2025.

In addition to future cruise credit, the company is also refunding shore excursions booked through the cruise line.

Princess Cruises is still able to operate at full capacity in the region and made a statement regarding the situation in California:

“While the Los Angeles World Cruise Center and Los Angeles International Airport remain fully operational and unaffected by the fires, we are keenly aware of the hardships faced by many in our community,” the cruise line said in an email.

As of this morning, the Palisades Fire in LA is 14% contained, the Eaton Fire is at 33%, and the Hurst Fire has reached 97% containment. A new fire, the Auto Fire in Ventura County, is at 0% containment, with firefighters having stopped its forward progress so far.

Los Angeles is facing heightened fire risks due to strong Santa Ana winds expected through Wednesday, with gusts up to 70 mph, potentially worsening current fires.

Carnival Cruise Line calls their ships the Funships because they are jammed packed with entertainment and parties.

Here is the special events and deck parties that currently take place on each Carnival cruise ship. If you have an upcoming cruise on Carnival, this will let you know which deck parties you can expect to take place on your voyage.

The cruise ships are listed in aphetically order and this list is current as of January 14, 2025.

Carnival Breeze: 80’s Rock N Glow 70’s & Motown and Tailgate Deck Party (5-Day Only).

Carnival Celebration: 80’s Rock N Glow, 70’s & Motown, White Party and Evolution.

Carnival Conquest: 80’s Rock N Glow and 70’s & Motown.

Carnival Dream: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party and Farewell.

Carnival Elation: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown and Farewell.

Carnival Firenze: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, White Party (white party is Festa White Night Party), also DFH After Party.

Carnival Freedom: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, Farewell and Decades.

Carnival Glory: 80’s Rock N Glow, 70’s & Motown and Farewell.

Carnival Horizon: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party(only on 8 days), Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, and White Party.

Carnival Jubilee: 80’s Rock N Glow, White Party, DFH After Party and Lonestar Tailgate.

Carnival Legend: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party and DFH After Party (when offered).

Mardi Gras: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party and White Party.

Carnival Liberty: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, 70’s & Motown, White Party, Country Music Trivia Party and Farewell.

Carnival Luminosa: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, Island Night, Superhero and ABBA.

Carnival Magic: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party(White Night), 70’s & Motown, Farewell

Carnival Miracle: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party(White Night), 70’s & Motown and Country Music Trivia Party.

Carnival Paradise: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown and Farewell.

Carnival Panorama: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown and White Party.

Carnival Pride: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party and 70’s & Motown.

Carnival Radiance: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party(6+ days only), 70’s & Motown, White Party and Farewell (on Journeys).

Carnival Spirit: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, White Party and Country Music Trivia Party.

Carnival Splendor: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party/Island Party, Silent Party, Backyard Bash, 90’s Farewell Party, ABBA and Superhero.

Carnival Sunrise: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown and 90’s Party.

Carnival Sunshine: 80’s Rock N Glow, Silent Party, 90’s Party, Superhero, Backyard Bash and Tropical Nights.

Carnival Valor: 80’s Rock N Glow and 70’s & Motown.

Carnival Venezia: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party(Journeys Only), Silent Party, 70’s & Motown and Festa Italiana.

Carnival Vista: 80’s Rock N Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, White Party, and 80’s Theme Night.

Carnival Cruise Line currently has 27 cruise ships in service, the second most out of all the cruise lines in the world.

Over the next nine years, Carnival Cruise Line will have at least seven more ships added to their fleet. This not only includes newbuilds and a new class of ships, but also some moving over from a sister cruise line.

These seven new ships include:

• Two moving over from P&O Cruises Australia
• Two more Excel class ships
• Three new 230,000 gross ton mega ships 

Here is a look at the seven ships being added to Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet.

Two Ships From P&O Cruises Australia

In March, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will go into dry dock and be converted over to Carnival Funships. This is part of Carnival Corporation’s plan to dissolve their P&O Cruises Australia brand.

The cruise ships will continue to offer the same itineraries as they do now, but with entertainment and favorites that Carnival cruise passengers as used to.

However, some of the dining and shows from the P&O Cruises Australia brand will remain since the ships will continue to sail from Australia.

When they enter Carnival’s fleet, the ships will be renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

Both cruise ships originally started sailing under sister cruise line Princess Cruises before moving over to P&O Cruises Australia in 2020. Pacific Adventure was Golden Princess and Pacific Encounter sailed as Star Princess.

Both ships are just under 109,000 gross tons in size and are Grand class vessels.

Two Excel Class Ships

Excel class cruise ships were the first to have a roller coaster on the top deck. Carnival Cruise Line currently has three in their fleet (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee) with an order for two more.

The class is currently the largest in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet and all three ships sail to the Caribbean.

Carnival has an order for two more Excel class ships, with one debuting in 2027 and the second a year later in 2028.

The cruise line has yet to release the names and homeports for these two new ships. Both vessels will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

4th Excel Class Ship

• Scheduled to be completed in 2027
• 5,400 passengers
• 183,900 gross tons

5th Excel Class Ship

• Scheduled to be completed in 2028
• 5,400 passengers
• 183,900 gross tons

Three New Mega Ships

Over 20 years ago, Carnival was working on a new ship prototype that would be the largest in the world and the first over 200,000 gross tons in size. The cruise line decided not to build the ship and concentrate on ships in the 110,000 to 130,000 GT range.

Fast forward a couple decades and Carnival Cruise Line will finally build cruise ships over 200,000 gross tons. Last July, Carnival Corporation announced an order for three new mega cruise ships that will be nearly 230,000 gross tons.

The first will debut in the summer of 2029 with a new one coming out every two years after through 2033.

Carnival Cruise Line has yet to give any many details about these ships, but they will be built by Fincantieri in Italy and be powered by LNG.

Carnival said that a focus for these new ships will be innovative guest experiences that will take the cruise line into the future. They will also have “FUN features” that will be announced at a later date.

1st Mega Ship

• Scheduled to be completed in 2029
• 6,200 passengers
• 230,000 gross tons

2nd Mega Ship

• Scheduled to be completed in 2031
• 6,200 passengers
• 230,000 gross tons

3rd Mega Ship

• Scheduled to be completed in 2033
• 6,200 passengers
• 230,000 gross tons

Cruise Fever will have all details on these new cruise ships from Carnival when they are announced.

Carnival has recently put out word that a certain “buy me a drink” practice is not allowed on their ships and is “strictly forbidden”.

Cruise lines are always adapting their rules and policies as new technologies and practices become popular.

And even if these practices are not common on every cruise, they try to “nip it in the bud” before it does become common place.

Sometimes, items that were once allowed on ships get added to the “banned list” after being misused as well. 

Bluetooth speakers used to be allowed on cruise ships until they caused a commotion in public spaces like pool decks and lobbies.  Now, Carnival does not allow them.

Carnival Asked About “Buy Me a Drink” Practice

Another practice that started more as a joke is now in the spotlight.  

Some passengers have been putting signs on their cabin doors or on their t-shirts that say “Buy me a drink” with a QR code for Venmo or other payment processor.

Although it started as a lighthearted meme, one Carnival fan decided to ask the cruise line’s brand ambassador about the practice.

The person asked,

“John Heald, what are your thoughts about cruisers who post a sign on their cabin door or hand out flyers with a Venmo asking for people to send money for drinks? Does Carnival have a rule about that?”

Venmo is a mobile payment app that allows people to quickly transfer money to someone else.  Users can send or receive money with a phone number or email address, and the app has become fairly common in the public sphere.

Heald Says It’s “Strictly Forbidden”

But Heald was straight to the point in saying that this practice was simple not permitted on Carnival cruise ships.

“Absolutely, we do. It is strictly forbidden,” he wrote. “If you have details of anybody doing this, would you please let me know those details now, and I will take care of it immediately. The solicitation of guests by guests is strictly forbidden. Thank you so much and I will be here to help so please send me the details,” Heald responded.

While it might seem overly strict to those who post these signs as a joke, Carnival has the policy in place to protect passengers from potential scams.

The cruise line also doesn’t want to provide an environment where soliciting money can make others uncomfortable. 

Time will tell how this policy is enforced.  Lines tend to get blurred when things are done as a joke.

Ultimately, the cruise line has stated in the past that their goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all passengers, and the direct way in which this question seems to reflect that.