Diplomacy

A 69-year-old cancer survivor said he felt “hopeless” after his family said goodbye as they boarded their cruise ship and he stayed behind.

It all came down to a form for a wheelchair.

Mike Ashton was about to go on a cruise out of Southampton, a cruise port city in England, when he was told he would have to leave his much-needed wheelchair behind.

Ashton, along with his wife, daughter and mother-in-law had planned the P&O Cruises sailing on Ventura for weeks.

The family was about to board the vessel when Ashton was apparently told he had not filled out the proper form for wheelchair use on the ship and would not be able to bring it with him.

Ashton had booked his entire trip over the telephone and told the port agent that he had never received the required form.

According to Portsmouth.co.uk, Ashton was told that the email had been sent to him.

“P&O said they had sent me emails twice – but I’ve checked it online 30 times. I said I have done everything right,” Ashton claimed.

Ashton had booked a wheelchair accessible room, and he had done the same on prior cruises without any issues.  But he stated that P&O claimed they didn’t know he would be bringing a wheelchair.

It should be noted that even when booking a wheelchair accessible room, a person on board has to be allocated for that chair, and the cruise line must be made aware.

The family had to make a very difficult decision after spending thousands of dollars on the cruise.

Ultimately, Ashton was left at the port and in tears as he said goodbye to his family before they boarded the ship.

“They made me feel more disabled and I felt discriminated against. I felt hopeless and very lonely,” the cancer survivor stated, adding that he would have been stranded if he couldn’t drive.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said:

“We are so sorry this happened to Mr. Ashton and he was not able to board.  The on board needs questionnaire is on My P&O Cruises (our online portal) to be completed – it is not sent out by email. It is also very clear on the front page of My P&O Cruises that this is to be completed if needed. If Mr Ashton was booked in an accessible cabin, he or his agent will have been sent emails prompting him to login to My P&O Cruises to complete the questionnaire.”

According to the P&O Cruise website, all wheelchairs and mobility scooters must be declared at the time of booking or as soon as the need for one of them is known. 

The closed dimensions of the wheelchair must also be disclosed to the cruise line.

According to Ashton, “P&O said just because we booked an accessible cabin doesn’t mean we have a wheelchair. They have to allocate a person for the chair whether there is an emergency or not. They were willing to let me on board but without the wheelchair.”

P&O states on their website this message for disabled guests:

“Please note: if you do not advise us in advance of your holiday that you will be bringing a mobility scooter, you won’t be able to bring your mobility scooter on board. There are no storage facilities available for devices that are denied boarding, so this could also result in a you being denied boarding.”

After recent announcements about Carnival bringing Carnival Pride back to Baltimore, Royal Caribbean is making plans to sail out of the port as well.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has led to many logistical challenges as cargo ships and cruise ships alike have used nearby ports to conduct business.

In a social media post on X, the Port of Baltimore announced that Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will sail out of the terminal on May 25.

The announcement read,

“Get ready…Port of Baltimore is ready to cruise once again! @RoyalCaribbean‘s Vision of the Seas will depart on May 25 for a 5-night trip from Baltimore to Bermuda! This marks the 1st cruise leaving Baltimore since the bridge incident. Baltimore is back!”

Get ready…Port of Baltimore is ready to cruise once again! @RoyalCaribbean‘s Vision of the Seas will depart on May 25 for a 5-night trip from Baltimore to Bermuda!

This marks the 1st cruise leaving Baltimore since the bridge incident. Baltimore is back! https://t.co/XEguEqqTOR pic.twitter.com/v7dLcDpLmA

— Port of Baltimore (@portofbalt) May 15, 2024

The post included a link to a schedule for ships that included Vision of the Seas, Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride, Norwegian Sun, and Norwegian Sky.

It is not clear that these dates for cruise itineraries will happen as they are listed on the schedule however, as it appears the schedule was made before the tragic events unfolded in Baltimore on March 26.

Vision of the Seas will sail to Bermuda on May 25, 2024, on a 5-night cruise that will spend two days in port before returning to Baltimore on May 30.

This announcement comes just days after a salvage crew used explosives to remove a section of the bridge. A channel was reoponed from 8pm to 6pm that had a depth of 48ft and 350 feet of horizontal clearance, according to news reports.

GCaptain.com reported the clearance that was given to Maryland Pilots who navigated the channel saying,

“The Maryland Pilots have set a 3-foot under keel clearance (UKC) requirement for all vessels and have limited transits to winds less than 15 knots. While there are no beam restrictions for RO-ROs, Con-ROs, and cruise ships, other transits will be restricted to vessels with a beam of 106 feet or less, such as container ships, freight ships, tankers, and bulk carriers.”

We will keep readers updated as Royal Caribbean or the Port of Baltimore reveal more information.

Imagine going on a cruise in January and not coming back until July.    And during that time span imagine sailing completely around the world.

This world cruise would be the trip of a lifetime for most.  But the cruise line offering this sailing is responsible for the next two longest itineraries available as well.

A 200-day cruise is currently open for booking with Oceania Cruises on the ship Insignia. 

The January 5, 2025, sailing starts in Miami, heads south, likely crosses the equator, and sails eastward all the way around the world until it comes back to the East Coast of the U.S.

This is currently the longest cruise itinerary available.   

Note that there are two other alternates to this itinerary which will bring passengers back to Miami for 196 days or end in San Diego for a 180-day cruise.

And the next two longest cruises are also with Oceania Cruises on the cruise ship Vista :

• 197-night cruise on December 20, 2025: LA to Miami
• 180-night cruise on January 6, 2026: Miami to Miami

Oceania Cruises has positioned itself in the all-inclusive luxury cruise market.  The company’s ships are mid-sized at 30,000 to 60,000 gross tonnage, and each vessel has a high crew-to-guest ratio.

The world cruises offered by Oceania are designed for seasoned travelers who want a more in-depth cruise experience that focuses on the destinations themselves.  This is why they offer longer stays in port.

Longest 3 Cruises You Can Book

1.  200-Day Voyage on Insignia: Miami to New York

A Grand East-West Odyssey (January 5, 2025 – 200 nights): This epic journey, starting in Miami and concluding in New York City, boasts the title of the longest cruise currently offered. 

The itinerary promises to be a true circumnavigation, billed as a kaleidoscope journey that will visit 5 different continents.  Visits to the Amazon rainforest, grasslands of South Africa, bustling cities of Asia, and the great expanse of Australia will all be part of this 200-day sailing.

Passengers also have the option of disembarking in San Diego after 180 days for a slightly shorter adventure.

This sailing starts at $54,499 per person.   You can find out more details about this 200-day cruise and the exact itinerary on Oceania’s website here.

2.  197-Day Voyage on Vista (World Odyssey): LA to Miami

A Westward Voyage of Discovery (December 20, 2025 – 197 nights):  Setting sail from Los Angeles, Oceania’s Vista will set sail on a westward voyage culminating in Miami.  Across nearly six months, cruisers will encounter a dazzling array of destinations, with Oceania Cruises renowned for their in-depth port stays.

This sailing starts at $62,999 per person.  You can find more details about this sailing and the exact itinerary on Oceania’s website here.

3.  180-Day Voyage on Vista: Miami to Miami

(January 6, 2026 – 180 nights):  This “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage offers a roundtrip experience from Miami, perfect for those who prefer a closed-loop itinerary. 

The journey begins with a six-week exploration of South America, followed by island visits in the South Pacific. Later, the cruise navigates the coastline of the Arabian Peninsula before concluding in Europe, with potential visits to both well-known and lesser-known destinations.

This sailing starts at $57,999 per person.  You can find more details about this sailing and the exact itinerary on Oceania’s website here.

Cruise lines are investing more and more into their own private islands.  After the success of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival is getting ready to unveil Celebration Key.

And don’t forget about MSC’s Ocean Cay, Disney’s Castaway Cay, and Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay (the original).

For many cruisers, a cruise line’s private island is the best part of the vacation.  It’s very different from other ports of call.  This article will help you make the most of your day in paradise.

From my experience, a stop at a private island is probably the most relaxing stop on the ship’s itinerary.

On a private island, you don’t have to worry about transportation, having to spend extra money for food, or having to rush to get back to the ship on time.

Well, on that last point, you can technically still be late. But come on, you’re literally steps away from your ship at all times.

In this article I wanted to highlight some tips for making your private island visit as amazing as possible.

1. Make it a beach day

If you’re taking a cruise to the Caribbean, you’re probably going to come across some great beaches at different ports of call.

But don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of a private island for your beach day. 

The best part about soaking up some sun on the sand on a private island is that you don’t have to feel like a tourist.  Everyone there is a cruise passenger.

You won’t have people trying to sell you things, you don’t have to haggle with a taxi driver, and you will still enjoy some of the cleanest, most pristine beaches you can find anywhere.

Since everyone there might be thinking the same thing (“Beach Day!”), you might have to walk a little further to get some elbow room on the beach, but that leads us to the next point.

2. Get off the ship early (or really late)

I like to get off the ship early on private island days.  This allows me to find the best spots on the beach or get access to my cabana rental to get the most bang for my buck.

Most people sleep late on private island days, so you can have the entire beach to yourself in a lot of cases.

The only issue is that if you want to swim in the ocean the water might still be a tad chilly that early in the morning.

But if you don’t get off the ship early, you can just wait until people are coming back to the ship for lunch or a nap and enjoy the island in that way. 

I’ve found that even a couple hours before the ship has to depart, the crowds are half the size as they were mid-day. 

The point here is to avoid the busiest times on the island if crowds are a point of concern for you. 

My strategy is usually to get off the ship as soon as I can; enjoy the island for a while. Come back to the ship for a break from the sun and for a light snack, and then get back off the ship before sailaway to enjoy some quiet beaches and do some snorkeling (Yes, I still pack snorkel gear with me on most cruises).

3. Book any excursions well in advance

On some private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay, certain amenities will fill up quickly.  If you absolutely must have that overwater cabana you should book it as early as possible.

If you wait until the last minute, you will find that all the “good stuff” might already be sold out. 

Some activities like snorkeling tours and equipment rentals might fill up fast as well.   Don’t wait and assume there will still be availability when you get around to it.

4. Do your research: know everything the island provides

Not every private island is the same.  And even if you’ve been to a certain island before, that doesn’t mean new things have not been added since your last visit.

While you might want a simple beach day on the island, you should know everything so you can be prepared for that whimsical decision.

This also helps with packing.  I mentioned bringing my own snorkel gear earlier.  But since most private islands offer this for a small rental fee you can save yourself the hassle if you’d like.

What kinds of things will some private islands offer?

• Jet skiing
• Parasailing
• Zip-Lining
• Waterpark slides, pools, and lazy rivers
• Kayaking
• Beach volleyball
• Beach-side massages
• Cabana rentals

It also helps to know the relative size of the island and how much walking will be required. 

This won’t matter as much if you’re going to Half Moon Cay and just want to lay on the beach all day, but for other islands like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day, you should plan for the right footwear.

5. Know what’s free and what’s extra

On a budget?  It helps if you know what is included ahead of time.  You can always find food on the island that is included in your cruise fare, so don’t feel you have to rush back to your ship for a bite to eat.  But that doesn’t mean everything is included.

I had some ice cream at a little shop while on MSC’s Ocean Cay.  It was a hot day, so it was nice to cool off a bit with this little treat, but I did have to pay extra for this convenience. 

6. Check the daily planner

If you’re into group events and activities, you will want to make sure to check that daily planner.  Things like volleyball tournaments, competitions, and other types of events will take place at various times and places. 

Sometime, live music events are listed in the planner as well.

Cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean tend to offer more of these events, so if you’re into it, don’t miss out. 

The daily planner will also tell you what time lunch is served, where you can get it, and other useful information.

Don’t forget, these days the daily planner is available on the cruise line’s app.  And almost every private island has Wi-Fi that allows you to both use the app and use your Wi-Fi package.

This also means your phone’s battery could die pretty quickly, so keep that in mind if you want to use your phone’s camera all day.

7. Know what to take with you off the ship

Since you will probably be in the sun all day, it’s important to pack some water and sun block in your go-bag. 

That Caribbean sun can be brutal and really ruin the rest of your vacation if you don’t take it seriously.

I also recommend bringing some mosquito and bug repellent.  Depending on the season the bugs can really be a problem.  On a recent cruise to Mexico, the mosquitos were so bad that other cruiser passengers were begging to use the spray we had on us.  We gladly let them use it, but one girl was bitten so badly that her entire back was covered in red spots.

Besides my cruise card, obviously, I also like to take some cash with me too,  so I can tip the crew who will be all over the island working hard.

Read more: 10 best cruise line private islands

Fast internet speeds on a cruise ship used to be a pipe dream.  A reliable internet connection of any kind was a difficult problem to solve on a moving vessel, hundreds of miles from land.

But in a recent press release, Carnival Corporation & plc has announced that 100% of their ships are now equipped with Starlink internet.

This includes over 90 cruise vessels under the cruise brand which include:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Costa Cruises
• AIDA Cruises
• P&O Cruises (Australia and UK)
• Cunard Line
• Seabourn Cruise Line

The installation of Starlink internet on all its ships benefits both passengers and crew. 

Passengers will be able to have access to reliable speeds, fast enough to upload videos and engage in video meetings, while ship operations and communication between crew members will be helped by the new technology on board.

According to the press release, Carnival has boosted its onboard bandwidth by 400% since 2019.

CEO of Carnival, Josh Weinsten, stated that the new technology has led to a better experience for passengers.

“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard,” Weinstein stated. “We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”

Starlink was first introduced to Carnival Cruise Line in late 2022, and has been rolled out to the rest of the fleet after the initial success and satisfaction of Starlink’s capabilities. 

Just how fast is Starlink internet on a cruise ship?

While speeds may vary for a variety of reasons, Starlink’s website states that download speeds can range from 40 Mbps to 200+ Mbps.  Upload speeds can range from 8 Mbps to 25 Mbps.

Even with Starlink’s high-speed internet, several factors can affect your Wi-Fi experience on a cruise ship:

• Number of other passengers online: The more people using the network, the slower it can get.
• Your stateroom location: Further from the Starlink terminals might mean a weaker signal.  
• Area of the ship: Thick steel walls and strong materials on a ship can limit a device from getting a strong connection.
• Rough weather: Heavy rain or storms can temporarily slow down internet speeds.
• Remote locations: Starlink coverage might be weaker in certain areas.
• Older devices or background apps: Your device’s capabilities and how you use it can impact your speed.

Read more: Wi-Fi cost on each cruise line

Cruise ships are facing a make-or-break moment in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina tonight. 

The town of 95,000 is expected to pass a resolution that will essentially block cruise ships from using a particular area as a building site for a terminal. 

Passage of the resolution is set to happen Tuesday evening.

However, not all council members are on board with the plan to bar Carnival cruise ships from sailing out of the area.

At the end of the year, the contract between Carnival Cruise Line and the Ports Authority will expire.

Carnival Sunshine, the ship that currently calls the port home, will have to move somewhere else.

With Charleston no longer offering a terminal for Carnival to use, the idea of building a terminal right across the harbor was introduced.

The area in question is a piece of property on Patriot’s Point, where a naval and maritime museum currently resides.

Building a cruise terminal in the area would allow hundreds of local workers to keep their jobs.

According to WCBD-TV in Charleston, Gary Santos is at least one councilmember who supports the idea of keeping cruise ships in the region.

“It’s just good for the businesses here in Mount Pleasant, whether it’s the restaurants or the stores.  It could have a big benefit for the town,” Santos said.

But opponents to cruise ships in Mount Pleasant are pointing to a 1970s law that bans the use of Patriot’s Point from being used for cargo or passenger vessels. 

Council member Jake Rambo spoke with WCBD-TV to state his plan to vote in favor of the resolution which would stop a cruise terminal from coming to Patriot’s Point.

“I am unequivocally against cruise ships in Mount Pleasant. I don’t think it’s right for Mount Pleasant for a number of reasons. Traffic, congestion, ecologically. It would take massive dredging where you could even have a place where you could do that.”

Council member Santos argues a Mount Pleasant terminal would benefit local businesses.

“I don’t know why everyone is so much against it, this is revenue,” Santos said.

Without a cruise port in South Carolina, local residents will have to drive at least 200 miles to Jacksonville, Florida or another 270 miles to Port Canaveral to take a cruise.

Local shop owners in Bar Harbor, Maine are tired of cruise passengers being told they aren’t welcome in their town.  They are fighting back against a local ordinance.

The ordinance which was recently implemented, aims to reduce how many cruise passengers can visit their establishments.

It states that no more than 1,000 cruise passengers can visit the port per day, hampering the ability for these shops and storefronts to cash in from the summer cruise traffic.

According to news reports, business owners in Bar Harbor are now suing the town.  They are saying that the restrictive ordinance hurts the entire local economy.

The Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods (APPLL) is a non-profit that filed an injunction against the limiting ordinance.

Ocean Properties Director of Operations, Eben Salvatore, helped organize the group of local citizens to take the town to court.

“More than 90% of our visitors annually come on ships larger than that. And as you can imagine, if you’re a cruise ship, to have to pick and choose who you would like to come ashore and who would have to stay on board, it’s not something that you will do, so they’re just not coming. It’s harmful to the taxpayers, it’s harmful to the businesses and the owners and their employees and families, etc.,” Salvatore stated.

These small businesses rely on tourism and cruise traffic for revenue.  On top of this the port fees help stimulate economic growth.

The injunction that was filed would prevent the ordinance from being enforced until a court can decide on the matter.

Cruise season has begun in Bar Harbor

Cruise ships just started calling at Bar Harbor as the warmer months have opened cruise sailings in the region.

This month Norwegian Gem and Holland America cruise ship ms Volendam have made visits to the Maine port.

These vessels have a passenger capacity of 2,394 and 1,432 respectively.  This means that neither of the cruise ships would be able to let every cruise passenger off the ship if the ordinance were enforced.

However, there was a condition in the ordinance when it was passed two years ago.   Ships that made reservations for the cruise port before the vote were allowed to stop in Bar Harbor without any restrictions.

Any ships that made reservations after the vote would be limited in how many travelers could get off the ship.

The ordinance faced resistance from the onset, but a federal district court ruled in February that the town was allowed to impose the restrictions.

The recent lawsuit now puts everything back in question.

Local residents speaking out

Speaking with WABI, Susan Stanley of Seagrass Gallery stated that Bar Harbor has always been a tourism town.

“It’s not just the cruise ships. It’s the fact that they bring people back,” Stanley said.

“We do receive well over a million dollars in cruise ship fees, and that money is able to go to our town parks, our bathrooms, our sidewalks, our streetlamps.”

The shop owner then gave a warning about the lack of cruise ship revenue being compensated in other ways.

“The only way to make up for the missing revenue is going to be raising our property taxes again. It’s got to be figured out somehow, and I think APPLL is more than willing to work with, you know, the other side about this, and I just hope that happens before it’s too late,” Staney concluded.