Diplomacy

There is an ongoing battle between the town of Bar Harbor, Main and local businesses over cruise ship traffic.

Just last week a judge denied a request to put a hold on a 1,000 cruise passenger limitation.  But the denial was “without prejudice” which allowed business leaders to proceed with another request in a lower court.

A group of local business owners are now filing a second injunction that would stop the town from enforcing an ordinance that has already impacted future cruise visits over the next year and a half.

In November of 2022, the town council made a decision that would only allow 1,000 cruise passengers a day to visit Bar Harbor.   

Fines on cruise ships would be levied if more than this number tried to visit the port, forcing cruise lines to change their future itineraries. 

94 cruises in 2024 and 80 sailings in 2025 were already impacted by this town ordinance, according the Main Wire.

Cruise ships with more than 1,000 passengers have been allowed to visit the Maine cruise port as long as they made reservations before the November 2022 decision.

With some cruise ships able to carry more than that number of passengers, some are questioning if the ordinance was an attempt to limit larger ships from calling on the port. 

But since this is a daily limit over all, even if two ships had more than 500 cruise passengers visiting, it would put them over the limit.

The U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals denied the first injunction request from Maine business owners and this second request is being made in District Court.

The charge to allow cruise passengers to continue to visit the port is led by the Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods (APPLL), a nonprofit organization.

These local shop owners and businesses have made it clear that they rely on cruise traffic to support their families and earn an income. 

The town has tried to grapple with both sides of the issue.  Legal fees exceeding $300,000 have already been incurred due to a lawsuit filed by a resident. This resident objects to the town’s decision to allow cruise ships with pre-2022 reservations to bring in more than 1,000 passengers.

The Bar Barbor Town Council voted last Tuesday to hold a June 18 public hearing about the restrictive ordinance.  It is hoped this meeting will allow local businesses and the local community to find an arrangement that will be mutually beneficial.

MSC Cruises has announced that they will have more cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports in 2025-2026 than ever before. They are currently the world’s third largest cruise line with 22 ships in service.

MSC Cruises will have seven ships sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York, and Galveston in 2025-2026. All of these cruises are also open for bookings.

Cruises From Miami

MSC Cruises will have three ships sailing from Miami, MSC World America, MSC Seaside and MSC Divina. The cruise line is currently building the largest cruise terminal in North America in Miami for these ships to sail out of.

MSC World America will be the cruise line’s largest ship to sail from the U.S. It will offer seven night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

MSC Seaside will sail short three and four night cruises, as well as week long sailings.  The cruises will visit the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

MSC Divina will offer longer Caribbean cruises with seven, 10, and 11 night sailings.  The longer cruises will visit the Southern Caribbean.

Cruises From Port Canaveral

MSC Grandiosa will be the first Meraviglia Plus class ship to sail from the U.S.  It will sail alternating seven night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

MSC Seashore will also offer cruises from Port Canaveral sailing shorter three and four night cruises to The Bahamas.

Cruises From Galveston

MSC Seascape will sail seven night cruises to the Western Caribbean from Galveston. The port stops will be Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatan.

Cruises From New York City

MSC Meraviglia will continue to homeport in New York sailing seek long cruises to Florida and The Bahamas.

The majority of these cruises from MSC Cruises will visit the cruise line’s popular private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said the following about adding more ships sailing from the U.S.:

“The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, with seven ships sailing from U.S. homeports. We are delighted to provide our guests more choices than ever before when it comes to embarkation ports, ships, itineraries and destinations, making it easy to find the perfect cruise.

We look forward to introducing MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral, launching MSC Seascape from Galveston and offering a new world of cruising aboard MSC World America for our guests embarking in Miami.

Combining world-class entertainment, dining and amenities onboard with the fantastic updates coming to Ocean Cay makes for an incredibly exciting future, which is perfect for everyone from first-time cruisers to our most devoted fans.”

Hurricane season is officially from June 1 through November 30 each year. During those times, hurricanes and tropical storms will sometimes change the itineraries for cruise ships in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.  

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has predicted an above normal hurricane season for 2024. They are predicting an 85% chance of an above normal season, 10% chance of a normal season, and 5% chance of a below normal hurricane season.

They are forecasting between 17 to 25 named storms with eight through 13 of them becoming hurricanes. Of these eight to 13 hurricanes, they predict four to seven will develop into major hurricanes.

So what happens if there is a hurricane or tropical storm during the same dates as your cruise?

First you need to know that cruise lines do everything in their power to make sure the “cruise goes on”.   Only in rare cases will the cruise actually be cancelled by the cruise line.  These ships can travel at speeds over 21 knots so they can usually outrun any hurricanes or tropical depressions and just go around any inclement weather.

You may face some choppy seas

The seas can be rough for anyone who gets sea sick easily, so make sure you carry some Dramamine with you.  The bigger ships will not rock as much, but when you are really close to a big storm you will feel movement.  This should not last long though, as the captain will try to get as far away from the storm as quickly as possible.

The seas will not always be rough when you are sailing around a hurricane, however, and it’s definitely not as bad as maybe you have seen in the movies.

If the weather gets too rough the shows will be cancelled, though, and the pools will be emptied.  It’s definitely an adventure cruising in choppy seas, but if you can just hold on you might even get an extra couple days out of your trip.

Your itinerary could change

If the hurricane is going to hit one of the ports you were going to be visiting, there may be a change in plans.  It is best just to have a good attitude about the situation since you really can’t do anything about it anyway.  You might visit a different port or even stay at a port for an extra day while the weather clears.

Do I get a refund?

With most cruise lines, you will likely only get a full refund if the entire cruise is cancelled.  This is a very rare thing because cruise lines do everything they can to keep out of harm’s way and sail around storms.

However, if you booked a 7 day cruise and there is a hurricane coming in during that same time you might get your trip shortened by a couple days (cruise lines will usually refund the amount of days that were canceled). 

At the same time, the people that are on the ship when a storm is coming in might get an extra 2 days on the ship (and they usually only have to pay for 2 days worth of tips).

Be prepared with travel insurance

A hurricane might not affect your trip at all or it might make your cruise miserable.  If you do lose a couple days of your vacation or have your flight cancelled because of the weather and therefore can’t make your cruise you will want to have travel insurance to be compensated.

With cruise travel insurance you can be reimbursed in case the weather or any other unforeseen event messes up your high seas getaway.  You can check out Travel Guard to see everything that is covered with your cruise.

Note: This article was updated on June 1, 2024.

Two cruise lines, MSC Cruises and Margaritaville at Sea, are offering expanded activities and features for families and kids this summer. This includes expanded hours at the clubs for kids and more family game shows.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is making a few changes that parents will love.  First, they are opening Doremiland to the entire family for a dedicated time slot each day. During this time, parents can spend time with their kids in the kid’s club and there will also be a big family party on each cruise.

The cruise line is also expanding service for babies and will now offer dedicated baby care service for children as young as six months old.  This is a change from one catering to children who are at least one year old.

Two new family game shows will also take place on MSC cruise ships. “World Quest” a geography-based trivia game and “Caravaggio”, a spy game show dedicated to art, allow children and parents to play together.

MSC is also expanding the hours at teen club  to10am – 1pm and 3pm – midnight on sea days, and from 3pm to midnight on port days.

After a successful trial of Guinness World Record show on board select ships, it will roll out to additional cruise ships.

Steve Leatham, Global Head of Entertainment at MSC Cruises, said the following about how the cruise line caters to families:

“At the heart of our business is family. We love creating unforgettable memories and holidays for everyone, especially for families. That’s why we proudly offer a fleetwide family program of entertainment and activities that resonates with our valued guests. As a father of three boys, I know first-hand the incredible job our youth team does on board, not only in entertaining children and families but also in creating moments that can’t be replicated anywhere else”.

Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville at Sea is also expanding options for families as they add a second, and newer ship to their fleet, Islander.

The cruise line’s new offerings for families will have everything from an all-ages lounge and arcade to a first-ever cornhole-meets-mini-golf challenge course.

The family friendly offerings on the ship will include:

• Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad & Slide – Designed for young children, this playground will feature an elevated play space, waterslide, and splash-and-spray “lily” pad.
• Dis and Dat Activity Zone – This is the first-ever cornhole-meets-mini-golf course at sea. This unique take on two fan-favorite games on the outer deck will put guests’ skills to the test for one-of-a-kind fun.
• Paradise Pickleball at Sea – Join the craze of the world’s fastest growing sport with some friendly competition with the ultimate pickleball match.
• Defying Gravity Experience – A family experience for everyone with circus-themed workshops, interactive game shows, and scavenger hunts.
• Far Side of the World Arcade and Lounge – Teens can sing their favorite karaoke songs and take the arcade by storm in this family-forward lounge area.
• 5 o’Clock Somewhere – The main pool where the music never stops and the vibe is just right to relax or grab a bite to eat.
• Coral Reef Lounge – This aquarium-inspired lounge has mermaids and mocktails, family karaoke, comedy acts, and other surprises.

There will be club for kids ages three to 17.  They are:

• Jolly Mon (ages 3-5) 
• Parakeets Kid’s Club (ages 6-9)
• The Hang Out (ages 10-12)
• The Far Out (ages 13-17)

Karen Maybury, Vice President of Entertainment at Margaritaville at Sea, said:

“The new Islander is packed with an exciting variety of active and interactive ways for cruisers of all ages to enjoy their fun in the sun. The new lineup of programming and activities designed specifically for children, teens, and families will greatly enhance the cruise experience, creating unforgettable memories for all of our guests.”

There’s no rule that says you have to get off the ship when you arrive at a port of call on a cruise.  The port city makes money from port fees even if you decide to hang out on the lido deck all day.

People who don’t cruise have a hard time understanding why you would book a cruise to a certain destination only to treat the ship itself as a destination.

But sometimes you’re better off just staying on the ship that’s already been paid for. 

On the other hand, you could miss out on some amazing cultural experiences and shore excursions if you do opt to stay poolside. 

How do you know when you should have a port day and when you should just hang around the ship?

In this article I’ll walk you through some things to consider when trying to make this all-important vacation decision.

1. You Have Spa and Thermal Suite Access

Some cruise lines are notorious for selling too many slots for the thermal suite.   This can make the spa especially crowded on sea days.

But when the ship is in port you will have a lot more elbow room.

If you already paid for this luxurious amenity, you might as well make the most of it.  Spending time on a heated tile lounger, in a scented sauna, or in a therapy pool is much more relaxing when most everyone else is off the ship.

This point also applies if you have rented a cabana on the ship or have paid for special access to an exclusive area of the vessel.

2. You Want Ship Amenities Without the Crowds

Whether your ship has an amazing water park or vast assortment of swimming pools, you can have more of these ship amenities to yourself when the ship is at a port of call.

In fact you won’t have much of a line at all for the ship’s zipline, Flowrider, roller coaster, bumper cars, or any other adventure you want to have on board.

Of course, it will depend how popular the port is too.  I’ve noticed more people staying on the ship in ports like Nassau and Jamaica.

We recently asked our readers for their favorite and least favorite ports in the Caribbean and the results were telling as to which ports they would rather skip.

3. You’re Already Wiped Out

On my first cruise I was on a mission to do it all.  I entered every contest, tried to see every show, and did as much as I could in every port. 

Now that I’ve been on 50+ cruises, I know better.  Cruises, especially 2-week cruises, can be exhausting if you don’t pace yourself.

If you’re already tired from a previous port of call or just need a day to catch up on rest, don’t feel bad about just staying on the ship all day.

On most port days you will end up doing a lot of walking.  It’s a great time to reach your step goal for the day. 

But you probably won’t enjoy the port as much as you should if you’re getting off the ship with that glazed-over look on your face.

4. You’re on a Limited Budget

Even mainstream cruise lines offer quite a bit of freebies on board.  Once you get off the ship there are no more free meals and transportation. 

If you are on a strict budget and don’t want to spend an extra penny on your cruise, enjoy all the free stuff your cruise ship has to offer and stay on the vessel.  At least get a few pictures of the port from the ship though.

That being said, you can still get off the ship and walk around for free.  It’s not like you’re charged admission.

But once you get in cruise mode it’s easy to forget how the little things add up quickly after you’re off the ship.  A couple of taxi rides, a few local meals, a souvenir or two, and a can’t-miss tour of a historical building and your budget is blown to bits.

5. You’re Bored with the Port

In my opinion, you should always check out a port for yourself if it’s your first time to that region of the world. 

It doesn’t matter what other people have said about it.  See it for yourself. 

But what if you’ve been to that same cruise port over and over?  If you can’t get excited about getting off the ship and exploring a port city, you’re already not in the frame of mind to have a great port day.

Especially if any of the other points in this article apply, if this last point applies to you it sounds like you’re about to have an epic ship day!

Another tip

Just because you’ve been to a cruise port before don’t assume you’ve seen it all or everything is exactly the same as it was before (sounds like I’m contradicting myself I know).

Also, don’t assume because you read 1,000 reviews about a port that there isn’t something there you would absolutely love to see or do.

I met a couple on this one cruise who opted to stay on the ship in Cozumel. However, when they learned about an incredible shore excursion another couple raved about, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret – the classic vacation FOMO hit them hard.

Final Thoughts

For me, I always like to get off the ship, even if it’s just for half an hour or so.  There’s always something I hadn’t noticed before.  I also like to get pictures of the ship in port, so there’s the “working as a cruise journalist for Cruise Fever” aspect as well.

The important thing is not to lose your sense of adventure in your cruise travels.  I know some ports of call have become very “touristy” and that can ruin the authentic vibe we all want in an exotic location.

But local vendors also rely on cruise passengers.   And when more locations want cruise traffic, the more options we have for cruise destinations.

Read more: 5 favorite and least favorite ports of call in the Caribbean and Bahamas

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the finest ultra-luxury cruise lines in the world, is adding a second all-inclusive fare option that will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

Beginning on July 1, 2024, guests who book a cruise on a Regent cruise ship will have the choice between the following two all-inclusive options:

• All-Inclusive Cruise Fare
• Ultimate All-Inclusive Cruise Fare

The All-Inclusive Cruise Fare includes unlimited shore excursions, specialty dining, WiFi, premium beverages, gratuities, valet laundry service and more.

The second and new, Ultimate All-Inclusive Cruise Fare, includes everything in the All-Inclusive Cruise Fare in addition to roundtrip airfare and access to private executive chauffeur services with Blacklane.

The roundtrip flights will allow guests to choose their preferred air class that includes first, business, premium economy and economy.

The chauffer service through Blacklane is a $500 credit per suite ($250 per guest) that can be used for additional transfers between home and the airport.

These two cruise fares are for all new reservations made on or after July 1, 2024.

Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, gave the following statement about this new option:

“We are thrilled to announce our new All-Inclusive Fare options which cement Regent’s industry-leading value proposition as The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience, while giving guests more freedom and flexibility to personalize their journey to their unique tastes and preferences.”

“After gathering extensive feedback from our loyal guests and valued Travel Partners the message was loud and clear that ‘Flexibility is the Ultimate Luxury’ with luxury travelers desiring more choice to customize their travel before and after their cruise experience.”

“Guests who still want to include business class air in their package can easily do so by choosing the Ultimate All-Inclusive Fare and their desired air class, ensuring an even more hassle free and seamless journey from start to finish.”

“With our new Ultimate All-Inclusive Fare, guests will enjoy even more luxuries included with the addition of a brand new up to $500 per suite private executive chauffeur service inclusion in partnership with Blacklane which can be used to upgrade any part of their travel journey.”

Guests who booked a cruise on Regent Seven Seas Cruises prior to July 1, 2024 will see their amenities unchanged from what they originally selected.

The following is included in all cruises on Regent cruise ships:

• Unlimited shore excursions
• Unlimited beverages, fine wines, craft cocktails, specialty coffees & more
• Exquisite dining including all specialty restaurants at no added cost
• Customizable in-suite mini bar replenished daily, tailored to guest preferences
• Open bars and lounges and dynamic entertainment and enrichment experiences
• Unlimited access to spa facilities
• Unlimited WiFi
• Pre-paid gratuities
• Valet laundry service
• 24-hour in-suite dining
• 1-night pre-cruise Hotel in Concierge Suites & higher
• Experienced concierge staff to cater to your “off-menu” personal requests

Regent Seven Seas Cruises operates a fleet of six luxury cruise ships that carry a maximum of 746 guests.

Oceania Cruises, one of the world’s leading destination and culinary focused cruise lines, saw one of their cruise ships return to service after receiving a multi-million dollar refurbishment.

Marina returned to service with three new dining options that include Aquamar Kitchen. Marina is the first cruise ship designed by foodies and built for foodies.

With the recent refurbishment of Marina, Oceania Cruises now has seven new, or better-than-new cruise ships. The cruise line will see its eight ship, Allura, debut next summer.

In addition to the new dining options, the 124 Penthouse Suites were completely re-inspired with new furniture, closets, carpets, and modern lightning. They also now have more storage space than ever before.

The biggest addition to the ship was the cruise line’s newest signature restaurant, Aquamar Kitchen. This complimentary restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and does not require reservations.

An all-day ice cream parlor is now on the pool deck that has everything from milkshakes to smoothies.

The cruise ship’s public spaces were also redone with new carpet and upholstery.

Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, gave the following statement about the cruise ship returning to service:

“Marina is the first – the original – ship designed by foodies, built by foodies, for foodies. We are renowned for serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea, and this is not just a tagline, it is a mantra which we have built the business around. Food is the foundation of what we do on board each of our ships, and globally, in the destinations we visit.

“The addition of these three relaxed, yet refined, eateries to Marina is the perfect way to spotlight that The Finest Cuisine at Sea does not always mean a white linen tablecloth and starched napkins at one of our award-winning specialty restaurants. It’s also a perfectly prepared pizza, accompanied by a chilled glass of white wine enjoyed on deck, as you set sail with a warm breeze around your shoulders; or a decadent poolside ice cream or flavorful smoothie as you relax on your sun lounger.

Marina is a 1,250 passenger cruise ship and was the first ship ever to have an onboard cooking school.

The cruise ship has one chef for every 10 guests and half of the crew members on board are dedicated to cooking for serving food.