Diplomacy

Nearly 120,000 yearly cruise passengers who visit Rhode Island are about to see their fees go up. 

Cruise passengers pay port fees for each destination the ship visits.  The fees for calling on Newport, Rhode Island are set to go up after a new bill has passed in the state.

Rhode Island House Bill 8027 was passed last week, in a move that will raise passenger fees from $3 to up to $10 in the coming years.

The official description of the bill as stated on Legiscan is as follow:

“Increases passenger landing and boarding fees for passenger cruise vessels landing at a dock in Newport from three dollars ($3.00) to ten dollars ($10.00).”

This was a quick passage for the bill, which saw 65 representatives voting in favor and 10 abstaining.  The bill is now headed to the senate.

The $7 increase in port fees will not happen all at once, however. 

According to Newport Mayor Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, the port fee would not immediately be raised to $10 but would happen over the course of many years.

A separate RI Bill has capped the cruise passenger fee at $10 per person.

It should be noted that the current $3 fee is charged per passenger upon the ship arriving and departing the port.  This means it’s $3 each way.

Essentially, it’s $6 per person, with a potential at $20 per person in the future.

If the Bill is passed fully, it will mean about $2.5 million for the Newport cruise port.

Mayor Khamsyvoravong brought up the need for infrastructure updates at the cruise port and the surrounding area.

“Well, a lot of it’s just the wear and tear on infrastructure. Eventually you hit that point where things need to be replaced and you wake up and say we’ve got to do something about this. We can’t kick the can anymore,” the mayor said, adding that there was a need for “new revenue streams”.

Khamsyvoravong added that while the city loves having the cruise visitors to their area, it causes a lot of extra wear and tear on the community.

The mayor hopes the extra revenue will help pay for a $98 million project which will replace the harbormaster building, fix the seawall, and other infrastructure needs.

“It’s called Perrotti park. That specific landing point needs a little over 20 million dollars in repairs. There’s an enormous amount of traffic that that little terminal and the accompanying restroom experience.” said Khamsyvoravong.

Newport, Rhode Island’s cruise port will see visits from Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, SilverSea Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises among other companies that send vessels to the New England port in the coming months.

Tomorrow, Holland America’s Zuiderdam will call on Newport.  American Cruise Line also often stops at the iconic and historic town.

Outside of cruise visitors, Newport sees about 4 million visitors every year.

In 2023 Newport welcomed 56 cruise ships, and there are already 65 scheduled for this year.

Following a recent Carnival Celebration cruise specifically designed for visually impaired passengers, Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald revisited the topic of service dogs on board.

This comes after a guest raised concerns about allergies and the presence of 40 service dogs assisting the blind passengers during the 7-day sailing.

A recent social media “Coffee with me live” video, Heald shared a moving story from Marcus, a cruise passenger whose life has been transformed by his service dog, Murphy.

Marcus, who lives in Albany, New York, struggles with epilepsy triggered by a past brain injury he suffered during a car accident.    

“I have seizures most weeks, sometimes three or four times a week,” he wrote, detailing the fear and isolation his condition brought.  “I became a prisoner in my own home,” he confessed, expressing his anxiety about public spaces.

As a result of the seizures, Marcus had to deal with severe burns which required skin grafts.

However, in 2021, everything changed with the arrival of Murphy, a golden Labrador retriever mix. 

“Murphy alerts me exactly 20 minutes before I’m about to have a seizure, and he’s right every time,” Marcus shared, highlighting the life-altering security Murphy provided.

This newfound sense of control allowed him to reclaim his life.

“That now means I’m able to go out more, see friends, and have a full life knowing that I have time to get home or to a safe place,” he explained.

Marcus’ newfound freedom led him to a recent Carnival Sunrise cruise.

While enjoying a meal with his wife and son, Murphy discreetly tucked under the table, a fellow passenger took issue with the service dog’s presence. 

“One day, I was sitting in the restaurant on the ship with my wife and son, and with Murphy under the table,” Marcus recounted.  “A lady came over and complained about a dog being in there with food being served,” he said, describing the incident.  The situation escalated, with the passenger screaming and demanding they leave the restaurant.

Marcus explained, “My hope is that more people will understand that people with dogs on a cruise are not faking it. Yes, this is what I read from some of the replies to your post yesterday about service dogs on a cruise. This really did make me angry.”

“When on a cruise again, I hope passengers will know that service dogs are people watchers. They’re just focused on their owners and the person they are supporting, and they enjoy it and get rewarded for it. They will never bother anyone,” Marcus concluded.

John Heald used this experience as a teaching moment, highlighting the importance of public education regarding service animals. 

“The American Disability Act requires us to provide cruises for people with proper service animals, not emotional support animals,” Heald clarified in the video.

Beyond the legalities, Heald emphasized the life-changing impact service dogs can have. 

“Well, first of all, you have to look at this from the extraordinary and remarkable angle that a dog can sense through smell that Marcus is going to be having a seizure 30 minutes before he does,” Heald said, expressing his awe at Murphy’s abilities. 

“Absolutely jaw-droppingly incredible! It really is,” he continued, further underlining Murphy’s significance.

The post concluded with a heartfelt message to Murphy: “This shout-out is to you, Murphy! I hope you’re watching this, Murphy. Thank you for the wonderful love, care, and life-saving things you do for Marcus. You are an extraordinary dog, and we, as a cruise line, are very proud to have you on board,” Heald said.

Carnival Cruise Line is optimistic that the May 19th cruise on Carnival Pride will be able to return to Baltimore at the end of the voyage.

According to news reports, Carnival plans to be able to send cruise ships back to the Baltimore Cruise Port before the end of May.

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 24th, 2024 was a tragic event.  In the wake of this tragedy, the city is starting to look ahead with plans to restore crucial functions like the marine port operations.

This includes the cruise industry, as it is a vital part of Baltimore’s economy. Cruise ships have not been able to return to the port since the collapse, and Carnival has been bussing passengers to and from Norfolk, Virginia for cruises.

$100 onboard credit per stateroom has helped ease the frustration for passengers inconvenience by long bus rides between ports, but at least one cruise line is announcing plans to come back to Baltimore soon.

In an update to WMAR-2 News in Baltimore, Carnival Cruise Line made the following statement:

“We informed our guests that we have been given a strong indication that cruise traffic can return to Baltimore before the end of May, and based on guidance from port officials, we are planning to embark guests on Carnival Pride’s May 19 cruise in Norfolk, Va. but expect to conclude the sailing in Baltimore.”

This essentially means the cruise on Carnival Pride would be a one-way cruise since it will have a different debarkation port than its original embarkation port. 

The statement went on to say that free transportation would be provided to cruise passengers between Baltimore and Norfolk.  For those driving to the port this would provide a way back to their vehicle.

“We remain in close contact with local, state, and federal officials regarding the return of our operations at the Port of Baltimore,” the statement read.

For official clearance and updates on the situation port officials are waiting for information from the Coast Guard. 

Everything hinges on a critical update from Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) from the Coast Guard.  This will detail the extent of the damage and when it’s safe for large ships to navigate again.

As of now, there are no changes planned for the 7-night Bahamas itinerary that includes Nassau, Princess Cays, and Freeport.

In June, Carnival Pride and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas are on the scheduled to sail out of Baltimore, according to Cruise Mapper.  No word from Royal Caribbean has yet been given on the matter.

Carnival is still waiting for confirmation, but they are hopeful that the 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise departing May 26th will be able to return to Baltimore as originally planned. They’ll provide more information closer to the departure date.

Sorting cruises by price is a dangerous thing.  After all, some cruises are priced low for a reason.

After getting an itch to take a cruise for as cheap as possible, I found myself looking at a screen of cruise sailings that were cheaper than hotel rooms. 

Yes, I booked a 1-day cruise.  Although, to be fair, I spent slightly less than 24 hours on the ship.

But since cruise durations don’t work in fractions, we’ll just stick with the 1-day sailing.

For this cruise I took a flight to Seattle, just so I could enjoy this single-day sailing to Vancouver.  By 1pm the ship was pushing away from the dock, and by 10am the next morning I was parting ways with the vessel.

“But isn’t it pointless to be on a cruise ship for just a day?”, you might be asking.

Or maybe you’re saying, “Isn’t a one-day cruise kind of like speed dating — awkward, rushed, and over before you know what happened?”.

Ok, valid points.  But before I explain the 5 reasons I booked this cruise, let me tell you a little about the cruise itself.

Types of 1-day sailings

You can find several single day sailings online.   There are currently 22 1-day cruises available for booking on icruise.com.

Australia offers some of these short cruises, which are often cruises to nowhere out of Cairns. 

Also, you can find several Mediterranean sailings with MSC Cruises that are basically just a portion of a longer cruise but with advertised prices of around $59 (without taxes, fees, and everything else of course).

Some of these 1-day cruises sail from Genoa, Italy to Marseille, France or from Marseille to Barcelona, for instance.

For travelers wanting to cross the English Channel on the cheap, MSC Virtuosa offers a Southampton to Paris 1-day sailing in November and the reverse of that in April of the next spring.

My favorite type of 1-day cruise

But at least twice a year, Holland America offers 1-day sailings as a sort of repositioning cruise at both the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season. 

These micro-cruises are one-way sailings from Seattle to Vancouver or from Vancouver to Seattle. April and October are the months to look for here.

These cruises often are part of a longer cruise, so not everyone on board is there for a sub-24-hour getaway.

In fact, on my 1-day sailing on Holland America, half the passengers were sailing to Hawaii after I got off the ship in Vancouver. 

Despite my jealousy and missing out on wearing a colorful lei, I actually enjoyed this short cruise and would absolutely do it again.

Reasons I booked this 1-day cruise

It might seem crazy to only spend one night on a cruise ship.   It’s really not even time to unpack.  And isn’t that one of the biggest draws of cruising?  You only unpack once and see several amazing places in the world?

Although the trip went way faster than I had anticipated, here are a few reasons I booked a 1-day sailing and why you might want to consider the same.

1. A chance to check out a new ship

By “new ship” I mean a ship I’ve never been on before.  So, for me, the ship itself was the destination. 

While it was a short-lived experience, it gave me the opportunity to try out a new cruise line and a new ship, since this was the first time I had sailed with Holland America.

Think of it like an appetizer.  I had a taste of what the ship was like so I could plan a longer voyage on the vessel at another time.  And all for the price of a nice hotel.

I went to a show, listened to some karaoke, enjoyed a classical string trio, played some shuffleboard and learned my way around the ship in short order.  This was on Holland America’s Eurodam, by the way.

2. Getting amazing food all included

Let’s be honest, most cruise passengers have “food” at the top of their priority list when planning a vacation at sea.  And it’s hard to argue against that reasoning. 

Some of the best steak, French cuisine, and Italian dishes I’ve ever had were on a cruise ship. 

So, the opportunity to eat like a king, even for a day, was hard to pass up.  Forget just three meals a day, though.  I was determined to get my money’s worth.  It was like one meal, actually – a progressive dinner that lasted from the time I walked onto the ship until the wee hours of the night.

3. Being able to afford an upgraded cabin

One of the most overlooked reasons for booking a shorter cruise is the ability to afford a suite or more luxurious cabin category.

On a recent cruise on Celebrity Silhouette, I booked a fantastic suite on the lido deck for a 2-day cruise.  This same suite would have been well out of reach financially if I had booked a full week cruise. 

So, if you’re wondering what it’s like to have a suite or more posh balcony cabin, take an appetizer cruise before you see if it’s worth it.

On my 1-day cruise, however, I didn’t book anything too crazy.  I did get a nicer balcony in a good location just because the cost difference was negligible.  With taxes and fees, the total ended up being around $150.

4. Chance to explore a great cruise port

Another reason I booked this cruise was based on the destination.  Vancouver is such a fantastic destination to explore.  Sure, if I was a local resident of Seattle this cruise would have made more sense.  After all, just for the cost of transportation this cruise was a great deal. 

But as I mentioned in my article on repositioning cruises, these are best booked when you really want to focus on the final destination.  I had been wanting to check out Vancouver for a while, so this presented the perfect opportunity.

5. Not much off-time needed

We would all take 2-week cruises and month-long cruises if we could, right?  Even if we had the money, that allotment of time is too much for someone working full time or with other obligations back home. 

This 1-day cruise was over the weekend.   I was able to be back home by Monday and get right back to work.  Even though much of my work involves writing about cruising and traveling, some people book these shorter cruises just so they can give in to the Cruise Fever a little and then get back to reality without getting too back up with responsibilities.

It isn’t for everyone

Not everyone should even consider a one-day cruise.  One of the biggest things to consider is the transportation to and from the cruise ports. 

Since these cruises are typically one-way trips you will have to find your way back home and the cost of that will probably offset any savings on a low-cost sailing.

It’s also not a good idea if you feel you would be rushed the whole time.  I didn’t mind this because I love cruising and I love ships.  I spent most of the time –when I wasn’t eating – exploring all around the ship, checking out the entertainment, seeing the lounges, and taking a dip in thermal suite pool.

I wouldn’t recommend this to a first-time cruiser.  You could consider it a sampling, but it’s not a good sampling of cruising per se.  It’s more a sampling of what the ship is like.

To truly know what it’s like to take a cruise, you need to experience sea days, spending all day in port and getting back to the ship for dinner, having a couple lazy days where you do nothing but soak in the sun or read a book on your balcony etc.

The weirdest part

Walking into my cruise cabin for the first time is always pure excitement – unpacking, admiring the view… then WHAM! Disembarkation instructions. Talk about a mood shift!

I saw those notices on my bed right after I walked into the cabin.

I didn’t want to even think about disembarkation.  I mean, I just walked onto this ship a few minutes ago.  But that’s the reality of a 1-day sailing. 

It was kind of like saying hello and goodbye at the same time.

If you try a one day cruise…

To make the most of your cruise, I recommend two things: first, make sure you don’t have to travel too far to get to the cruise port of embarkation, and second, spending an extra day or two at your final destination.

Also, this is probably a better idea for a solo traveler or a couple who don’t mind something more whimsical.  I wouldn’t recommend a family try this.  Yikes, that actually feels like a nightmare the more I think about it.

Bottom Line

Let’s face it, one-day cruises are the cruise world’s answer to tapas: bite-sized portions of luxury that leave you wanting more. You get a taste of the good life – fancy meals, dazzling entertainment, maybe even a swanky balcony cabin (for way less than usual).

But these mini-vacays aren’t for everyone. If you need a vacation from your vacation, this might not be it. And forget about spending all day lounging by the pool – it’s more of a whirlwind adventure than a chill escape.

The final verdict? If you’re a solo adventurer, a couple craving a quick escape, or someone who already knows the ropes, a one-day cruise is a way to test the waters. Just don’t be surprised if you’re left wanting a full seven-course cruise meal after this delicious appetizer.

A Carnival Cruise Line ship was 350 miles off the coast of North Carolina when the Air Force was called into action to help a 12-year-old boy.

The boy was on Carnival Venezia with his family as the ship was heading back to New York City from a Caribbean cruise.

The Massachusetts mother of the boy spoke with ABC News in an exclusive interview, recounting the incredible Air Force rescue and the intensity of the situation.

After a visit to the ship’s medical facilities, it was determined that 12-year-old Aiden had a perforated bowel and needed immediate care the ship could not provide.

“The next thing that we need to do immediately is get him off the ship,” Bridges said the medical team on the ship explained to her.

In what is being described as a complicated operation, a rescue that required three air-to-air refuelings was carried out by the 920th Rescue Wing of the Air Force.

A pair of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, and an additional pair teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen flew hundreds of miles to carry out the operation.

Recalling the sound of the helicopter as the rescue was taking place Bridges said,

“We were standing there watching the whole time, and I, just, you know, screaming and crying over the helicopter blades.  It was very scary.”

Other cruise passengers on board cheered as the boy was lifted into the helicopter.

“After that the whole ship like cheered and was screaming and yelling ‘yay’,” passenger Katie Reed told interviewers. “It was really cool to witness and see like you know that this kid got a better chance at life because of like that team was phenomenal.”

The 12-year-old boy is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in North Carolina.

A statement to ABC News from Carnival Cruise Line praised the efforts of the U.S. Air Force.

“Carnival Venezia’s team worked with United States Coast Guard and Air Force officials to adjust its course Saturday so a medical helicopter could rendezvous with the ship when a guest on board needed treatment ashore. The ship then resumed its route to New York, arriving as scheduled Monday morning,” the statement read.

The Airforce aircraft flew over 1,200 miles round trip, in a rescue that took 8 hours to carry out.

“This is what ready now looks like. These real-world missions are what our countless hours of training have prepared us for. Rescue was able to plan and execute this mission without hesitation. This combined arms team is highly trained in their field while understanding what role they play in the bigger picture and led to the successful completion of the mission,” said Lt. Col. John Lowe, 920th Operations Group commander.

Aiden’s mother conveyed her gratitude for everyone involved in the operation to rescue her son.

“I feel so much gratitude, gratefulness toward all the people who have been integral to my son’s recovery.  It’s not just the Coast Guard or the Air Force, or the doctors or the nurses. It’s all of those people,” Bridges said.

A cruise line is adding a new lost luggage service called “Lost Luggage Concierge” that will get you your luggage within 48 hours if it is lost.

Costa Cruises, one of nine cruise lines from Carnival Corporation, has partnered with SosTravel, one of the world’s leading baggage tracing companies.

If you are taking a Costa cruise and flying to the embarkation port, this new partnership will help you get your bags faster if they are lost.  If your luggage is lost when flying to the port, SosTravel will take all necessary operations to get you your bags within 48 hours.

If you do not receive your bags within 48 hours, they will start paying you for each additional day of delayed delivery up to a maximum of 4,000€.

This new service will be free of charge for all “Fly & Cruise” guests that depart from Europe between May and November 2024.

For guests who purchase flights on their own, they will also be able to add on this new option by purchasing it directly on the SosTravel website via the MyCosta app.

Daniel Caprile, Vice President Pricing & Revenue Management, Itinerary & Transportation at Costa Cruises, commented:

“Our goal is to offer our guests the best travel experiences, from every angle. The Lost Luggage Concierge service by Sostravel.com is a further step in this direction, as it will help us to ensure that our guests can start enjoying their cruise, worry-free, even before embarking, right from their departure at the airport. In addition, this exclusive service will help to further differentiate our holidays in the travel industry, increasing the quality of our offer. For this, I would like to thank SosTravel.com and our Travel Service team, led by Massimo Callegari, who have worked to finalise this important collaboration”.

Massimo Crippa, General Manager Sostravel.com gave the following statement about this new partnership:

“The undisputed value of the agreement, and the trust of one of the largest global players in the cruise industry, represent a major growth opportunity for Sostravel.com. Digital passenger services are expanding beyond the airport sales channel, and this agreement together with the previous B2B agreements recently signed are the best of demonstrations”.

How much someone gets paid for any given job is always a rather personal question.  But many cruisers have been curious about certain cruise ship jobs, namely the job of being a photographer on a giant vessel.

After all, it appears to be a demanding position.  On mainstream cruise lines the ship is teeming with photographers in the evenings, especially on formal nights – that is, on ships where formal nights are still “a thing”.

A recent social media post revealed an answer to this question after another user on Reddit showed interest in the job.

A self-professed former photographer with Norwegian Cruise Line, who used the online alias pdx-Psych, detailed their own pay structure after 3 contracts with the company.

Gallery photographers, the entry-level position, can expect to make around “$1100-$1300 a month,” the user explained. With long hours factored in, often exceeding 60 per week, that pay can fall below minimum wage.

A path to higher wages

However, there is a path to higher earnings. Cruise lines offer photo lab and management positions with better salaries. 

“These pay on commission and if you are doing well getting appointments and selling your work, it’s more common to earn around 2.5-4K a month, the higher end being a very good month, and you are able to work a flexible schedule.” pdx-Psych noted, with top performers reaching even higher.

Experience vs. money: a trade-off

The social media post highlighted the trade-off that many cruise ship photographers make.

“It’s not just about the money (which you will save very quickly by not paying for room and board), it’s about the experience. I will tell you there is no monetary value you could put on the experience” they wrote, adding “it is one of a kind. I met my wife while working ships.”

There is a definite uniqueness about the lifestyle of a cruise ship photographer.  Seeing the world by not paying a dime in room and board is especially attractive to a younger demographic.

But for those focused on salary, there has to be a mindset ready for long, demanding hours. 

I always admire the creativity and energy of these hard-working members of the crew, and even though I’ve been cruising for over 15 years, I still try to buy at least a few photos on each cruise if I’m able.

A starting point for some photographers

Lightstalking.com, a website dedicated to photography, acknowledges the reality some photographers face while at sea.

While the field is looked down on by “more ‘snobbish’ elements of the photographic industry”, the author, Jason Row, argues it can be a valuable steppingstone for aspiring photographers.

According Row, the experience of working on a ship for 10 years taught him not only how to be a better photographer but how to manage a business as well.

“Most photographers working at sea are technically freelance. You are contracted by a photography agency to take images for a set period of time,” Row stated, adding that “pay is usually done on a commissions basis by rank.”

For many crew members, cruise ship photography offers the chance to gain valuable experience in areas like working under pressure and interacting with people.

However, Lightstalking.com also paints a realistic picture of the job’s demands. Long hours, seven days a week, with limited free time to explore ports, are the norm.

Bottom Line

Cruise ship photography offers an adventurous experience with the potential for decent pay, but it comes at a cost. Long hours, demanding schedules, and the pressure to meet sales quotas may be a turn-off for some.

According to pdx-Pysch, the photo shoots that took place in various cruise ports offered more freedom of expression and creativity.

“Imagine, we get paid to take people on little tours through the gardens of Capri or the beaches of the Bahamas and have a fun time doing a photoshoot all the while. For me, I’m still amazed I got paid to do that,” the Reddit user stated.