Posts in category: Diplomacy

There’s nothing like a balcony cabin on a cruise ship with a great view of the water. But a recent video from Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is going viral after showing the kind of water view you never want to see.

A video shared by a passenger on the 5,484-double-capacity ship shows water coming down from the ceiling like a monsoon.

The video captures a stateroom leak in an inside cabin on Deck 12 of the Oasis-class ship. In the footage, water streams continuously through the ceiling light fixtures.

By the time next door passengers started to record from the doorway, the entire floor was covered in an inch or two of standing water, soaking the bed, couch, and just about everything else before spilling out into the corridor.

Dramatic Video of the Flooding

What Happened Onboard?

According to the passenger who shared the footage, the incident occurred during a 7-night Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale.

The guest, whose cabin was located right next door to the affected room, reported that the flow was steady enough to seep into neighboring staterooms and down the hallway.

While an inside stateroom doesn’t have any ocean views or views of any kind outside the ship, it does sit directly underneath utility spaces in many cases.

In this situation, it looks like a leak in the plumbing system led to the almost too-dramatic-to-be-real scene in the video.

Almost 7,000 Comments: Social Media Reaction

Royal Caribbean has not issued an official public statement, but onboard maintenance teams were sure to react quickly to this kind of event. There aren’t usually a lot of empty cabins on a ship as they almost always sail at 100% capacity, so problems like this have to be solved fast.

The person who posted the video said that maintenance crews responded to isolate the leak, get rid of the standing water, and assist impacted cruisers.

They also claimed those affected were offered a 50% future cruise credit.

Allure of the Seas continued its scheduled cruise as planned.

The viral Instagram post has already accumulated almost 7,000 comments, with cruisers offering a mix of sympathy and humor. After all, it always helps to have a little levity in dramatic situations like this.

Although a limited flood like this is no reason to panic, one person commented that they would have already been in a lifeboat at that point.

One commenter said, “Who ever had that cabin deserves to be moved to a suite now! And unlimited laundry service to dry out their clothes.” Hard to argue with that one.

Others pointed out the obvious placement of ocean water, with one person writing, “I am almost certain the water is supposed to be on the outside of the ship.”

Chances are you aren’t going to have this happen on your next cruise. At any given point in time around 800,000 to 1 million people are on cruise ships. So, you’re bound to see a few issues pop up from time to time.

Leaks like this are rare, but they have happened before, more specifically on older ships. While cabin stewards and dining room servers get a lot of the credit for a great cruise, it’s often the behind-the-scenes maintenance workers solving problems like this, that also deserve a lot of credit as well.

Allure of the Seas is scheduled to arrive back in Port Everglades on August 2, 2026.

Carnival Cruise Line’s BlueIguana Cantina already offers some great complimentary options like breakfast burritos in the morning and tacos with roasted pork at lunch time.

But what about that post lunch and pre dinner snack hankering that always hits? Since BlueIguana’s poolside dining venue has one of the best salsa bars at sea, Carnival has decided to up the ante with a snack cruisers have been requesting for a long time.

The cruise line is officially testing a brand-new, complimentary afternoon option: customizable made-to-order Nacho Bowls.

It’s only on six ships in the fleet right now, but it’s looking like the snack option is coming to every other Carnival ship if this proves to be a hit.

What Comes in the Nacho Bowl?

Served directly from the BlueIguana counter, crew members scoop your choice of hot toppings over a bowl of warm, crispy tortilla chips.

Carnival passengers choose one base filling and then add their preferred toppings:

1. Pick One Base:

• Chili Con Carne (Spicy)
• Chicken Tinga (Spicy)
• Refried Beans (Mild)

2. Fill It Up:

• Pico de gallo (Spicy)
• Cheddar and jack cheese
• Crema fresca
• Warm cheese sauce

For cruisers who prefer mild food, Carnival added small jalapeno symbols to the menu board to mark spicy options.

Just like the regular BlueIguana daytime menu, these nacho bowls are 100% free and included in your cruise fare.

Operating Hours for the New Snack Window

The best part about this setup is the timing. I know for me it’s always a dilemma when it comes to eating in the afternoon. I don’t want to ruin my appetite for a dinner at the steak house (Fahrenheit 555) later on, but I also don’t want to be hungry for too long. I mean, it’s a cruise after all, right?

BlueIguana Cantina normally wraps up lunch service around 2:30 p.m., leaving a gap for hot Mexican food on the Lido deck until dinner.

The new Nacho Bowl station operates during a dedicated late-afternoon window:

• Sea Days: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Port Days: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Which Ships Are Testing the Nacho Bowls?

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald confirmed the rollout after sharing photos of a crew member preparing the bowls on Carnival Vista.

He confirmed that six ships across the fleet are currently serving them:

• Carnival Vista
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Panorama

Carnival Firenze features Carnival’s “Fun Italian Style” concept and does not have a standard BlueIguana Cantina venue. I’m not 100% sure where these nachos are coming from on this ship, so hopefully passengers on board can fill is in.

Cruisers React to the the Perfect Addition to the Salsa Bar

For years, one of the most requested features from Carnival fans was getting standalone tortilla chips on the Lido deck. Some guests even brought their own sealed bags of chips onboard just to use with the BlueIguana salsa bar.

When Carnval’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald posted the news, the response from guests came in pretty fast.

“We will be on Dream for our next cruise. I told the boyfriend it had the nachos and he did a little dance. Lol,” shared one Carnival fan.

Another commenter summed up what many chip-packing regulars were thinking: “Can’t wait to not have to bring chips on board!”

For lucky cruisers sailing on the initial test ships, the timing works out nicely. “I’ll be on the Firenze in Aug, the Conquest in Oct and the Panorama in Jan. Bonus for me! It’s on all 3 ships,” wrote another regular cruiser.

Heald confirmed that while the test is currently limited to select ships, Carnival plans to expand nacho bowls across more of the fleet soon.

I don’t know about you, but those pico de gallo fillings are calling my name, so hopefully I will be able to try out a Carnival nacho bowl soon.

MSC Cruises will have MSC Poesia sailing to Alaska for the third straight year in 2028, and these newly announced cruises are now open for bookings.

MSC Cruises will kick off its 2028 Alaska cruise season on April 24 when MSC Poesia departs from Seattle on a seven-night cruise. The ship will spend the next five months sailing to the 49th state, giving guests access to breathtaking glaciers and abundant wildlife. The season will run through September 18, 2028.

MSC’s sailings to Alaska in 2028 will visit the following ports:

• Ketchikan
• Icy Strait Point
• Tracy Arm
• Juneau
• Victoria, British Columbia

The cruise ship recently completed a major renovation and now features a brand-new MSC Yacht Club. The Yacht Club is the cruise line’s ship-within-a-ship concept. It has 69 suites and comes with 24-hour butler and concierge service.

The enhancements also include the addition of two new specialty dining venues. Butcher’s Cut is an authentic American-style steakhouse, and Kaito Sushi Bar, inspired by the Far East, is where guests can savor expertly crafted sushi and exquisite authentic Asian dishes.

Lynn Torrent, President, MSC Cruises North America, gave the following statement:

“Alaska continues to captivate travelers from around the world, and we’re excited to open sales for our Summer 2028 season. Since launching our Alaska program, we’ve seen firsthand how much guests value the region’s incredible scenery, wildlife and sense of adventure, along with MSC Cruises’ blend of European style and American comfort.

“MSC Poesia offers an unforgettable way to experience it all, combining spectacular glacier viewing and immersive shore experiences with exceptional dining, entertainment, relaxation, and a brand new MSC Yacht Club on board. It’s a holiday that brings everything guests are looking for together in one remarkable journey.”

Matias Chimicz, the cruise director on MSC Poesia, said that witnessing glaciers up close, spotting wildlife, and slowing down and soaking in the scenery are some of the moments that resonate most with guests who sail to Alaska.

MSC Poesia also offers world-class entertainment at sea with live production shows and live music all around the ship. This includes Dirty Dancing: In Concert, the live-to-film concert experience that brings the beloved movie to life with live singers, dancers and musicians.

MSC Poesia’s 2028 Alaska season is part of MSC Cruises’ North America Deployment. The cruise line will offer cruises from Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, La Romana, and Seattle.

Windstar Cruises will offer one of the most unique cruises in 2026. The cruise line’s Spanish Mystery Cruise will set sail aboard Star Legend, and guests will not be told which ports they will visit in advance.

This third mystery cruise builds on the successful first two, which visited the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The November 4, 2026 sailing will visit ports in Spain that may be entirely new to Windstar Cruises.

On board, guests are given a clue to the identity of each port 36 hours before they arrive.

The cruise line told Cruise Fever that they still have a few cabins available for the 2026 Mystery Cruise that will depart from Barcelona and end in Málaga.

Windstar is currently offering a complimentary all-inclusive upgrade that’s worth more than $1,300 for two guests on week-long cruises. Deposits are also marked down to just $300 per person, and additional loyalty savings for Yacht Club Members.

Guests can take advantage of this offer when they book the Spanish Mystery Cruise.

Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, gave the following statement about this unique cruise:

“One thing I’ve learned about our guests is they’re wonderfully comfortable with the unexpected. They don’t just want to revisit the places everyone knows. They love the thrill of discovering somewhere new.

“That’s exactly why these Mystery Cruises have struck such a chord. Our first sailing in the Mediterranean was one of the most enjoyable trips I’ve ever hosted, and the Caribbean edition sold out just as quickly. So it felt only natural to keep the mystery alive. There are still plenty of remarkable places waiting to surprise us, and that’s half the fun.”

In addition to this 2026 Mystery Cruise, the cruise line has also announced two additional ones in 2027. The first will be a seven-night cruise on Star Pride that visits Northern Europe and departs on April 15, 2027. It will leave from London and end in Amsterdam during tulip season.

The second will sail around Japan for 11 night and depart on September 14, 2027. The cruise will take place on Star Seeker and leave from Hokkaido and end in Osaka.

Due to popular demand, some of the ports visited on past Mystery Cruises have been added to future Windstar itineraries.

One of the more interesting nuggets from Royal Caribbean’s Q2 2026 earnings report this morning was the update on who is actually sailing with them these days.

According to CEO Jason Liberty, millennials and younger guests now account for about half of Royal Caribbean’s passengers.  That flies in the face of the traditional thought that “cruising is just for old people”.

And besides showing a desire to book shorter cruises, this group of younger travelers are also helping the cruise line see a record number of passengers using their app.

Just last week I wrote about a recent survey that showed 59% of cruisers wanted 8-night or longer cruise durations. But it seems that group of travelers might be an older demographic as Royal Caribbean reveals the growing popularity of 3- and 4-night sailings.

Strong Financial Results

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL), which makes up Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, and Royal Caribbean, delivered a strong earnings beat for Q2.

The company reporting adjusted earnings per share of $4.21. That beat Wall Street expectations of $3.93 to $3.98 per share. The cruise company also brought in $4.8 billion in quarterly revenue as they welcomed 2.4 million passengers on board ships across the fleet.

On top of the beat, management raised its full-year guidance for adjusted earnings per share to a range of $17.73 to $17.87.

Why Younger Cruisers Are Coming to Royal Caribbean

During the call, Liberty explained why younger travelers are choosing cruises and how their spending habits compare to traditional cruisers:

“Half of our guests are millennials or younger now. Their profile for a vacation today as their kids start to get older, et cetera, or they start going in and getting married and moving towards that direction. In their current state, they like to take shorter vacations. They like to do them more frequently. They tend to spend the same amount of money that they would spend on a short vacation as they would on a long vacation.”

So, you can see why these shorter sailings are so attractive to the cruise line. If you can generate the same revenue from a spending side as a longer 7-day+ sailing… well, it’s no wonder Royal has started using newer ships like Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas for 3- and 4-day cruises.

This lines up with what we’ve been seeing in recent years. Royal Caribbean has been deliberately going after younger travelers with high-energy ships like the Icon Class, private destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the new Royal Beach Clubs.

These new destinations seem to really resonate with families and couples in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. And in this age range, it’s a lot easier to find time off work for a few days than spending 2 weeks at sea.

The trend with these younger travelers is shorter cruises, and cruising more often, rather than one long cruise every once in a while.

Expect 3- and 4-Day Sailings to Be a Major Theme

Royal Caribbean is looking to lean even more into 3- and 4-night sailings. Liberty stated how these shorter itineraries feed into long-term brand loyalty:

“We have developed and curated a series of products, especially in the short Caribbean space, that’s a little bit shorter than the normal seven-night. That’s generating very high demand. Not only are we delivering a product that they’re looking for, but it’s also from the onboard side, it’s a product that, they’re great weekend getaways or just general getaways that we’re getting…We’re putting better assets there, and that’s all reeling in higher frequency, and new to cruise, which is feeding the future.”

Don’t Forget the Classic Week-Long Vacation

While short cruises are bringing in younger guests and first-time cruisers, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley reminded everyone that week-long cruises are still a core part of the business:

“On our short product, which we’ve been growing year-over-year and which is proving to be very successful to all of the points that Jason raised, we’ve never walked away from the classic seven-night itinerary, which is unbelievably popular… I think we’ve seen great success with short product, we also continue to see great success with the new ships coming online and going straight into the classic seven-night Caribbean.”

App Usage is Now 90%

According to Liberty, more than 90% of guests now use the Royal Caribbean app, with monthly active users up 5x since 2019.

Over half of onboard revenue is now being booked before passengers even step foot on the ship. That level of digital engagement fits perfectly with a younger audience that expects things to be easy and personalized and phone-based.

And in a world where some cruisers still ask if they can take a cruise without using the ship’s app, cruise lines are relying on app usage more and more.

Credit Card Usage Up Too

The recently launched Royal ONE co-branded credit card is already a hit for the cruise company.

Cardholders are spending more and are twice as likely to sail multiple times compared to non-cardholders. Add in tools like Points Choice and Status Match, which brought in over half a million new loyalty members, and it’s clear Royal Caribbean is building a system designed for repeat business.

A Few Other Notes from the Call

Even with some geopolitical noise affecting Europe sailings this summer, the overall booking trends for Royal Caribbean remain solid at record pricing levels for 2026 and encouraging early signs for 2027.

Liberty also mentioned ongoing communications with Mahahual authorities as the company has not given up on Perfect Day Mexico quite yet. Environmental concerns sidelined the project back in May, but the CEO said the following on the call:

“Our commitment to Mexico and the destinations we visit is stronger than ever. This includes the great community of Mahahual, where we continue to maintain a constructive dialogue with community leaders and public officials as we work to develop a tourism destination that will create long-term opportunities for the region, for Mexico, and for our guests.”

The cruise destination is an important part of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Galveston’s cruise port, and Liberty stated that the company is seeing strong demand for Western Caribbean sailings.

While Royal Caribbean is still seeing strong demand across the board, a younger audience is discovering cruising, and it seems they just can’t get enough.

In late 2024, a company named Cruise Tails sent out a press release about a unique cruise that would allow up to 250 passengers to bring their dog with them on a ship to the Western Caribbean in 2025.

Two weeks later, the company said that over 5,000 people applied for the right to bring their dog on this cruise that was a collaboration with Expedia Cruises of West Orlando.

The cruise was originally going to take place out of Tampa on Margaritaville’s Islander cruise ship in November 2025. Cruise Tails said that the cruise would “put the bark in em-bark”, and that it would be the first-ever dog friendly cruise.

It would have a number of dog related activities including:

• On-board pet-friendly accommodations with a Pet Butler
• Dog groomers
• Puppy (and people) massages
• Dog-friendly splash stations
• Theme parties
• Pre-cruise events
• And more

Dog would be required to be leashed while in public, and they would not be permitted in any dining areas of the ship.

In 2025, Cruise Tails said that the cruise was going to be rescheduled, and that they had to push the departure date back to early 2026.

They said the reason for the change was due to issues with cruise ships and ports, and that they need to “change things up”. They never gave any details on a date or ship for the new cruise.

The new cruise in 2026 also never took place, and Tampa Bay 28 reported this week that the company vanished with money that customers paid to go on the cruise.

The TV station in Tampa Bay interviewed several people that paid between $1,700 and $6,000 to go on the six-night cruise to the Western Caribbean.

Jerry Enget was one of those customers who paid to bring his dog on the cruise. He told Tampa Bay 28 that Cruise Tails sent him a message saying the cruise as not going to happen and there wouldn’t be any refunds.

Yes, Cruise Tails canceled the cruise and was not refunding any money that they received. Enget said that the company does not respond to emails or phone calls.

Although the cruise was going to take place on Margaritaville at Sea, they had nothing to do with the charter. When large groups or charters take over a ship, passengers who are going on the cruise do not directly pay the cruise line.

They pay the charter company for their cabin, and then the company pays the cruise line for all of the cabins they reserved. This is true for both full ship and the majority of partial ship charters. Reservations are not handled by cruise lines.

Margaritaville at Sea sent the following statement to Tampa Bay 28 about the cruise:

“This was an independently operated third-party charter. Margaritaville at Sea did not manage reservations, collect guest payments or oversee customer transactions for the sailing. As with charter cruises across the industry, questions regarding refunds or reservations should be directed to the charter operator (Cruise Tails), which is responsible for those matters.”

Cruise Tail’s website is still up and running, although no specific cruise is mentioned on the site.

Virgin Voyages, an adults-only cruise line, not only announced the return of their Season Pass for 2028 but also their first-ever cruises to Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Virgin Voyages will travel to 71° North, above the Arctic Circle, for the first time in 2028. These cruises will leave from Amsterdam and offer an Arctic Circle crossing with a midnight sun deck party under 24-hour daylight.

The cruise line will offer a total of four cruises to the Arctic Circle in 2028, with sailings opening for bookings on August 14, 2026. There will also be two unique, one-way cruises between Barcelona and Amsterdam. Virgin will visit a total of 15 new ports during these cruises.

Season Pass

Virgin is also bringing back their Season Pass for 2028. Their Season Pass has sold out every year they have offered it, with 2027 filling up fast.

The four cruises to the Arctic Circle are included in the 2028 Season Pass as well as the following perks:

• Central Sea Terrace cabin for two Sailors
• $15 per Sailor, per night in onboard drink credit
• 60-day dining reservation window
• One complimentary Shore Thing excursion per voyage (up to $250 per Sailor)
• One complimentary Arctic Circle Discovery Excursion
• Upgraded Work From Sea WiFi
• Wash & Fold laundry service
• One sea day Thermal Suite spa pass per voyage, per Sailor
• Priority boarding and a seamless back-to-back handling between voyages
• Private Champagne breakfast and reserved viewing area for the Arctic Circle crossing ceremony

Every Season Pass Sail comes with a curated welcome package that includes a Nordic-themed food and drink kit with aquavit, Scandinavian chocolate and a sea salt tin, an exclusive Season Pass jacket in a Nordic colorway, a curated city guide or hand-drawn map set for major ports, and travel essentials including a water bottle, portable power bank and backpack.

Double occupancy is required across all four cruises along with full payment at time of booking, with a $100 refundable deposit to hold the package.

Pricing for the Season Pass will be announced on August 14, the same day bookings open.

Key dates for the 2028 season are as follows:

• August 14, 2026: Bookings open. Season Pass pricing announced. $100 deposit holds your package
• July 9, 2028: Season opens in Barcelona
• August 14, 2028: Valiant Lady crosses the Arctic Circle
• September 4, 2028: Season closes in Barcelona

Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages, gave the following statement:

“One of the things that’s most exciting about seeing more Sailors come back to us year after year is that it gives us the confidence to keep expanding into new parts of the world. We’ve become the go-to brand for anyone traveling without kids. And now, Northern Europe felt like the right next step. We’ve built these voyages around the kinds of experiences that make people fall in love with a destination, from the fjords and Baltic capitals to sailing beneath the midnight sun.”

Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Brand Experience, Marketing and Momentum Officer of Virgin Voyages, added:

“We have so much love for our Mediterranean & Alaskan experiences we can’t wait to show off how Virgin Voyages will celebrate this new part of the map we have unlocked. The fjords called for something calmer. The Baltic cities called for something later. The Arctic Circle called for something we’d never staged before and it will be epic. Crafted for our sailors but inspired by the new places we are headed.”

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, is currently on an 8-day sailing from Rome to Barcelona.  The ship was supposed to dock in Naples, Italy early Tuesday morning.

But at the last minute, a port of call in Italy was canceled and the ship turned around when it was about 30 nautical miles away from the port (based on tracking data from Vessel Finder).

Every cruise passenger should know that while cruise ships make every effort to sail the exact itinerary you book, itineraries are not guaranteed.

And there are several reasons your itinerary may be altered.

According to passenger reports on Reddit and Facebook, Naples, Italy was scratched off the itinerary while it was on route. The cancellation came late Monday night around 11:45 PM while most passengers were already in bed.

One Reddit user posted the following:

“I am on legend of the seas and it is 11:45 pm and they canceled out port stop at Naples tomorrow with no warning. We had booked a very expensive day and it is all lost.”

Royal Caribbean Clarifies Port Cancellation Confusion

As you can imagine, when a port is canceled on a cruise the first question is, “Why?”.

Social media reports were all over the place as to the season. Some cited a “ship ban” and others blamed the weather and choppy seas.

Royal Caribbean formally clarified the situation in a letter delivered to guest staterooms on Tuesday morning.

While still not giving exact specifics, the decision to cancel was handed down by the port itself:

“As previously announced by our Captain, following a recent dock assessment by the Italian Port Authority, current conditions on the pier in Naples, Italy prevent us from visiting there as planned. As a result, we have canceled our call to Naples and will instead enjoy a Sea Day followed by a visit to Marseille (Provence), France,” the letter said.

The letter added a sincere apology from the bridge, saying, “We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change — your safety is our top priority. Feel free to use this letter for insurance purposes.”

Legend of the Seas just started sailing in early July, and passengers on a previous sailing had an itinerary adjustment as well.

As one passenger pointed out in a Facebook group:

“Alicante was swapped off the itinerary a few weeks ago.”

We don’t know the specifics behind the Naples call, whether it was pier issues or infrastructure limitations, but the Italian port authorities ultimately made the call just before the ship was set to arrive.

Late-Night Announcement

The announcement from the captain came just before midnight. While some were already in bed, the ship decided it was better for passengers to know this new information before they woke up in the morning with full plans of exploring Naples.

 One Facebook user on board the ship asked:

“Is anyone on board right now? Have the crew told you why you can’t dock at Naples & why it’s been diverted to Provence instead? Just curious if it’s a ship issue, port issue or bad/rough seas?”

Another passenger posted:

“Just now: 8 hours earlier we received a notification that we would not be stopping in Naples. We had booked and paid for the tours. “

A Second Sea Day Added Before Heading to France

The cancellation changed the schedule for everyone on board.

Because Monday was already a scheduled day at sea following Sunday’s stop in La Spezia, converting Tuesday’s Naples visit into an unscheduled sea day gives passengers two back-to-back days at sea before sailing to Marseille on Wednesday, July 29.

Royal Caribbean updated the ship’s revised itinerary as follows:

• Sat, Jul 25: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Depart 8:00 PM)
• Sun, Jul 26: La Spezia (Florence/Pisa), Italy (6:30 AM – 8:00 PM)
• Mon, Jul 27: Cruising
• Tue, Jul 28: Cruising (Originally Naples)
• Wed, Jul 29: Marseille (Provence), France (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
• Thu, Jul 30: Palma de Mallorca, Spain (8:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
• Fri, Jul 31: Malaga, Spain (12:30 PM – 9:00 PM)
• Sat, Aug 1: Cruising
• Sun, Aug 2: Barcelona, Spain (Arrive 5:00 AM)

Shore Excursion Refunds

When a cruise line cancels a port, any shore excursion booked directly through the line’s Cruise Planner is automatically refunded back to the passenger’s onboard account or original form of payment. Royal Caribbean confirmed this in their letter:

“Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Naples will automatically be refunded as an Onboard Credit. These credits can be used anywhere onboard, and any remaining, refundable amounts at the end of our sailing will be reimbursed to your card on file in up to 14 business days from final disembarkation.”

The real issue with a late-night cancellation is for passengers who booked independent tours, private drivers or ferry transfers.

With private transfers to Sorrento, Amalfi Coast tours, and ferries booked months in advance, a notice delivered past the typical 24-to-48-hour cancellation windows may make it difficult for those travelers to get full compensation.

And this is another example of what makes cruise travel insurance so important. It’s planning for the unexpected.

One passenger on Facebook had purchased a ferry transfer for four people and said the £300 was lost.

Veteran Cruisers Clear the Air

It’s easy to sympathize with cruise travelers who are upset about this last-minute change. But if you’ve been cruising for a while, you know the importance of flexibility and that not everything is withing a cruise line’s control.

One experienced cruiser mentioned that port cancellations are a known risk of independent tour bookings:

“This isn’t necessarily royals fault. Ports can deny ships for any reason with no warning. And if you have an excursion with someone outside of Royal this is part of the risk you take to save a few dollars. Travel insurance might cover it but you don’t strike me as the kind of person who uses it.”

Another commenter added:

“I learned very early on (literally before i even got on a cruise for the first time) that cruising comes with unexpected things, and that quickly adapting to change and being flexible are invaluable traits. You can either pout and complain that “your vacation is ruined,” or you can spend that same time and energy looking for things to do in your new port.”

I found that to be a very refreshing comment in the midst of a fairly frustrated online interaction.

At the end of the day, every major cruise line operates under a passage contract that explicitly states port calls, arrival times, and destinations are never guaranteed. Captains hold total discretion over safety and navigation. This means a port can be skipped at any moment.

With Legend of the Seas now heading toward France, guests are making the best of an unexpected second day at sea before calling on Marseille tomorrow morning.

Read more: Legend of the Seas sailed to Barcelona, a port trying to curb cruise traffic.