This is the moment Cunard’s luxury new ship Queen Anne sailed into her home port of Southampton ahead of her maiden voyage to Lisbon on Friday.
Queen Anne, the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, arrived in the city at approximately 8pm this evening (30 April).
And as she navigated Southampton Water for the very first time, she was accompanied by a number of small crafts from the local boating community as a celebration of her historic arrival.
The luxury cruise line’s newest ship had arrived from Italy following an official handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Maghera shipyard in Venice on 19 April, with thousands of spectators taking up vantage points along Southampton Water to catch a glimpse of the 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest Queen.
An official blessing and plaque exchange ceremony will take place whilst the ship is alongside at Mayflower Terminal on Friday (3 May).
Cunard’s beautiful new ship will set sail for her maiden voyage, a seven-night sailing to Lisbon via La Coruna, on 3 May. She will then depart for a 14-night voyage to the Canary Islands.
Margaritaville at Sea, once known for only offering two night cruises to The Bahamas, has added longer cruises on another cruise ship.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Starting in September, Margaritaville at Sea will begin sailing a series of four night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach that will have two port stops. In addition to the signature stop in Grand Bahama Island, the ship will also visit Key West and have one sea day.
The cruises will take place on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, a ship that usually only sails two and three night cruises with a stop in Freeport, Bahamas.
The ship will offer a total of five, four night sailings that will sail between September and December 2024. These six longer sailings are now open for bookings.
The longer sailings on Paradise are in addition to the cruise line’s four through seven night cruises that will be offered from Tampa on their newest ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
Islander was purchased by the cruise line and is currently receiving a massive makeover to make it everything Margaritaville.
This new ship will enter service in June 2024.
Margaritaville’s Ships and Cruises Offered
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise from the Port of Palm Beach:
Two night cruises, stop in Freeport
Three night cruises, stop in Freeport
Four night cruises, stops in Freeport and Key West
Margaritaville at Sea Islander from Tampa:
Four night cruises, stop in Cozumel or Progreso
Five night cruises, stops in Cozumel and Progreso
Five night cruises, stops in Key West and Cozumel
Five night cruises, stops in Key West and Progresso
Six night cruises, stops in Key West and Cozumel/Progreso
Seven night cruises, stops in Progreso, Costa Maya, and Cozumel
Seven night cruises, stops in Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya
Seven night cruises, stops in Key West, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya
Seven night cruises, stops in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel
Learn the cruise secrets most people don”t know and cruise like a boss. Check out for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)
Carnival Cruise Line revealed a new gift for its loyal passengers: a brand new tote bag.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Available on several ships in the fleet and rolling out across all Carnival ship in the next few weeks, the tote bag is exclusively for VIFP guests.
Standing for Very Important Fun Person, VIFP Club members are simply guests who have signed up for the loyalty program. Even first-time passengers with the cruise line can sign up before their cruise and take advantage of VIFP benefits.
Returning guests automatically reach “Red” status and are able to redeem a free 1.5 liter bottle of water on their cruise.
Now, a stylish tote bag can be added to the perks of joining the program.
The reveal, made by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald on his Facebook page, introduced the practical tote bag.
An image of the tote was shared along with a message from Carnival which stated,
“Hi, VIFP members! We’re checking in this month to let you know about the latest gift: a brand-new, redesigned tote bad. If you look closely, it’s even monogrammed with your initials – after all, you do go by “VIFP,” right? Look for this one on a ship near you in the coming months!”
The response from Carnival fans was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing enthusiasm for the simple but useful gift.
One commenter exclaimed, “”I always look forward to the VIFP gifts, and this one looks like a winner. Can’t wait to see it onboard!”
Several Carnival enthusiasts praised the tote bag as a much-needed addition to their cruise experience, with one remarking, “I appreciate Carnival thinking about everyday usefulness. It’s not just a souvenir, but something I’ll actually use.”
Many Carnival fans praised the utility of the tote bag, mentioning various uses for it both on and off the ship. From carrying groceries to organizing yarn projects, Carnival fans saw the bag as a versatile accessory that would remind them daily about their cruise.
Questions about the availability of the tote bag on specific ships and for different VIFP levels were commonly brought up, but some mentioned already receiving the tote on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, and several other ships.
As Heald stated, it will take a few weeks before the tote bags are available fleet wide.
About the VIFP Club
There is no cost to join this program. It’s a simple way for Carnival guests to keep track of loyalty points and get rewarded for cruising often with the cruise line.
According to Carnival’s website,
“If you’re a Past Guest, the program recognizes you for your continued loyalty to Carnival with increasing recognition and benefits as you cruise more and more. New to Carnival? The VIFP Club is a warm welcome to the Carnival experience and gives you access to VIFP members-only rates and promotions.”
Carnival’s VIFP program has five tiers:
Blue (First Sail): This is the starting tier for everyone.
Red (2nd Sail – 24 points): You get basic benefits like member offers and a free bottle of water.
Gold (25-74 points): Same perks as Red, plus a commemorative loyalty pin for each cruise.
Platinum (75-199 points): Along with previous benefits, Platinum unlocks priority boarding.
Diamond (200+ points): Top tier with exclusive offers, priority boarding, and potential for premium beverage packages or onboard credit.
Points are earned per night cruised, so everyone advances at the same pace.
A repositioning cruise is a one-way sailing that moves a ship from one cruising region to another when the seasons change, such as from the Caribbean to Europe in spring or from Alaska to Hawaii or Australia in autumn. These voyages often cost less per night than regular cruises and include more sea days, but they need extra planning for one-way flights, time changes, weather and travel documents.
What Is a Repositioning Cruise?
Cruise lines follow the weather and the demand. Alaska, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean are summer destinations, while the Caribbean, Australia and South America peak in the northern winter. Twice a year, ships have to get from one region to the other, and rather than sail empty, the cruise lines sell those relocation voyages as cruises.
That is a repositioning cruise (sometimes called a “repo” or relocation cruise). Because it starts in one city and ends in another, often on a different continent, it works differently from a round-trip cruise. Itineraries are typically longer, commonly around 12 to 20 nights for ocean crossings, with a run of consecutive sea days in the middle and a handful of ports at each end. Shorter coastal repositioning cruises of two to five nights also exist, for example along the US West Coast or between Seattle and Vancouver.
When Repositioning Cruises Are Offered and Where They Go
The two main windows are spring (roughly March to May), when ships head north for summer, and autumn (roughly September to November), when they head south or west for winter. Exact dates vary by cruise line and year, so always check the current schedule.
Route
Typical direction and season
Typical length
What to expect
Transatlantic
Florida or New York to Europe in spring; Europe (Southampton, Barcelona, Rome) to Florida in autumn
About 10 to 16 nights
Several sea days in a row; stops such as Bermuda, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands
Panama Canal
West Coast to Florida in autumn; Florida to the West Coast in spring
About 14 to 20 nights
A full canal transit plus Mexican, Central American and Caribbean ports
Alaska to Hawaii or California
Vancouver or Seattle to Honolulu or Los Angeles in autumn; reverse in spring
About 5 to 16 nights
Shorter coastal runs or longer Pacific sailings with four or more sea days
Transpacific
Asia (often Japan) to Alaska or Vancouver in spring; reverse in autumn
About 14 to 21 nights
Crossing the International Date Line; cool, sometimes rough North Pacific weather
Asia or Hawaii to Australia
Into Australia and New Zealand around September to November; out around March to May
About 14 to 30 nights
South Pacific islands, long sea stretches, crossing the equator
Short coastal repositions
Either season, between nearby home ports
About 2 to 5 nights
A low-cost way to sample a ship
For travelers in the US, the most common options are transatlantic crossings to and from Florida and the Northeast, Panama Canal sailings between the coasts, and Pacific voyages from the West Coast. Many transatlantic repositioning cruises start or end in Southampton, England, which is also the home port for Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, a ship that runs scheduled Southampton to New York crossings of around seven nights.
Long stretches of open ocean are the signature of a repositioning cruise. Photo: Merve Şahin on Pexels
Repositioning Cruise Tips: Money and Logistics
1. Compare the price per night, then add the extras
The headline appeal is value. Because sailings have many sea days and run at less popular times, the fare per night is often lower than on a regular seven-night cruise to the same region. Do the maths on a per-night basis, then add the costs that grow with trip length: daily gratuities or service charges, drinks or Wi-Fi packages priced per day, and specialty dining. On a 15-night voyage, per-day charges alone can add a noticeable sum, so check each line’s current rates before you compare.
2. Price the one-way flight before you commit
A cheap cruise fare can be cancelled out by an expensive one-way flight home. Search the flight at the same time as the cruise, and compare a simple one-way ticket with an open-jaw (multi-city) return, which sometimes costs less. The guide to finding cheap flights with Google Flights explains how to track prices and test multi-city searches. Leave a buffer: fly in at least a day before embarkation, and avoid booking a flight for the morning you disembark until you know the ship’s arrival time and how long immigration usually takes.
3. Treat the final port as a destination
Ending in Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Southampton, Honolulu or Sydney is an opportunity. Adding two or three nights at the end lets you explore without the cost of a separate long-haul flight, and it gives you a buffer if the ship arrives late. Check where the cruise terminal actually is, too: Rome’s port is Civitavecchia, about an hour or more from the city, and Southampton is roughly two hours from central London by road.
4. Check passports, visas and entry rules for a one-way trip
Round-trip cruises from US ports can sometimes be taken by US citizens with a birth certificate and government photo ID. That does not work for a one-way voyage that starts or ends abroad: you will need a valid passport. Many countries also expect it to be valid for several months beyond your travel dates.
United Kingdom: US citizens and most other visa-free visitors need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling, including when a cruise begins or ends in Southampton.
Europe: The EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU travelers at Schengen borders. The separate ETIAS travel authorization had not yet become mandatory at the time of writing, with reports pointing to 2027 at the earliest. Check the official EU site before you travel.
United States: Non-US travelers arriving by ship generally need an ESTA or a visa.
Rules change, so confirm requirements with the cruise line and official government websites when you book and again before you sail.
5. Look at port taxes and fees
Port taxes and government fees are usually shown separately from the fare and vary by itinerary. A crossing with few port calls can carry modest fees, while a long voyage with many stops can carry more. Compare the full price including taxes, not just the advertised fare.
6. Insure the whole journey
A repositioning cruise involves long-haul flights, overseas embarkation and, often, remote stretches of ocean far from a port. Travel insurance that covers missed departures, medical care at sea and medical evacuation matters more than usual. The cruise insurance buyer’s guide covers what to look for in a policy.
North Atlantic and North Pacific crossings can bring cool, changeable weather. Photo: Ray Bilcliff on Pexels
Repositioning Cruise Tips: Life on Board
7. Know which way the clocks will move
On a long east-west crossing, the ship changes its clocks gradually, usually by an hour on several nights. Sailing west (for example, Europe to the US) generally means gaining hours, giving you a run of 25-hour days, which many passengers find an easy way to adjust without jet lag. Sailing east (the US to Europe, or Asia to North America) means losing an hour on those nights, which can feel tiring. Transpacific and South Pacific voyages also cross the International Date Line, where a calendar day is either skipped or repeated.
8. Choose your cabin side for sun or shade
On an east-west ocean crossing in the northern hemisphere, one side of the ship faces south for much of the day. Heading west, that is the port (left) side; heading east, it is the starboard (right) side. If you want sun on your balcony, pick the south-facing side; if you prefer shade, pick the other. On crossings with cooler weather, a sunny balcony can make a real difference.
9. Expect changeable weather and pack layers
Spring and autumn crossings can bring cool, windy days and rougher seas, especially in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, followed by warm, humid weather as the ship nears the Caribbean, Hawaii or the tropics. Pack layers, a light waterproof jacket and something warm for the deck. If you are prone to seasickness, bring remedies, and consider a cabin on a lower deck and closer to the middle of the ship, where motion is usually felt least.
10. Plan your sea days
Five to eight sea days in a row is the defining feature of an ocean crossing. Some passengers love the quiet; others find it too long. Cruise lines usually add extra lectures, classes, trivia, shows and spa offers on these voyages. Bring books and downloaded entertainment, and look through these fun things to do on a cruise ship for ideas. Spa treatments and popular restaurants book up fast on sea days, so reserve early.
11. Pack for the flight, not just the ship
The ship does not care how much luggage you bring, but your one-way flight will. Long voyages tempt people to overpack, so check your airline’s baggage limits and fees for the flight at the end. Plan on doing laundry partway through: many ships have self-service launderettes or paid laundry bags, which lets you pack lighter.
12. Use a short repositioning cruise to try a ship, and set price alerts
If you are not sure about a long crossing, a two- to five-night coastal repositioning cruise is an inexpensive way to sample a new ship or cruise line. For longer voyages, set fare alerts with the cruise line, a travel agent or a price-tracking site. Repositioning fares can fall closer to departure if cabins remain unsold, though the best cabins and lowest grades can sell out, so weigh waiting against choice.
Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise: What Is Different
A transatlantic repositioning cruise is the most popular type for US and UK travelers. Westbound autumn crossings typically leave from Southampton, Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) or other European ports and end in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, New York or another East Coast port. Southern routes often stop in Madeira, the Canary Islands or the Azores before a long stretch to the Caribbean or Florida; northern routes from Southampton may call in Ireland, Iceland or Bermuda depending on the itinerary.
Expect around six to eight consecutive sea days on a typical crossing. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so autumn crossings can occasionally be rerouted, and ports at the US end may be swapped or skipped. Spring eastbound crossings avoid most of that but lose an hour on several nights.
Is a Repositioning Cruise Right for You?
A repositioning cruise usually suits travelers who:
Enjoy sea days and the ship itself as much as the ports
Have the time for a 12- to 20-night trip, plus travel at each end
Want a lower price per night and are flexible on dates
Like the idea of combining a cruise with a stay in a new city
It may not suit those who want a port every day, have limited vacation time, are very prone to seasickness, or would face a costly one-way flight home.
FAQs
What is a repositioning cruise?
It is a one-way cruise that moves a ship between cruising regions at the end of a season, for example from the Caribbean to Europe in spring or from Alaska to Hawaii in autumn.
Are repositioning cruises cheaper?
They are often cheaper per night than regular cruises, but the total fare for a long voyage can still be high, and one-way flights and per-day charges add to the cost.
When are repositioning cruises offered?
Mainly in spring (about March to May) and autumn (about September to November), when ships move between summer and winter regions.
How long is a transatlantic repositioning cruise?
Most run around 10 to 16 nights, with roughly six to eight sea days in a row during the crossing.
Do I need a passport for a repositioning cruise?
Yes. Because these cruises start and end in different countries, a valid passport is needed, and some destinations, such as the UK, also require an electronic travel authorization.
Princess Cruises has announced a revision to two long cruise itineraries to avoid the Middle East and the Red Sea. The cruise line said that these changes were made after extensive consultation with global security experts and government authorities.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Princess Cruises is changing their two world cruises in 2025 on Island Princess and Crown Princess.
The 116 day world cruise on Island Princess will depart on January 5, 2025 from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The February 16 through April 9 portion of the itinerary has been changed for the safety of the guests and crew on the ship.
Guests who were booked to join the cruise in Dubai on March 14, 2025 will now embark in Cape Town, South Africa on March 9. Guests who were scheduled to disembark in Dubai will now get off in Cape Town.
Guests who will have their cruise cut short by four days will receive a refund equivalent to four days of the cruise fare. Guests who have an extra four days added to their cruise will not have to pay anything extra. All of these guests will also receive $300 in on board credit as a gesture of good will from the cruise line.
The revised portion of the cruise is as follows:
The second world cruise from Princess Cruises that is impacted by these changes is Crown Princess.
This May 31, 2025 cruise from Auckland will bypass the Red Sea and a transit of the Suez Canal. The ship will now travel to Africa instead of the Red Sea and Asia portion of the itinerary.
The new itinerary is still being finalized and Princess Cruises will announce it shortly.
Crown Princess will be the largest ship ever to sail a world cruise in 2025 at 113,000 gross tons in size.
Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises, said the following about these two changes,
“A Princess World Cruise is truly the voyage of a lifetime and after careful consideration with guidance from global security experts and government authorities, we know our guests will understand and appreciate the change to our upcoming 2025 itineraries to avoid certain areas.
These global events beyond our control have necessitated these reroutings but we are pleased to continue to ensure these world cruises retain destination-rich itineraries with incredible stops along the west Africa coast and the Mediterranean.”
Princess Cruises is one of nine cruise lines owned by Carnival Corporation. They currently have 16 ships in their fleet with one more (Star Princess) entering service in late 2025.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don”t know and cruise like a boss. Check out for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)
Most cruisers see disembarkation as the worst part of a cruise. After all, after a great vacation who wants to actually leave the ship.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
But logistic issues of trying to get everyone off the ship and then to fill it back up again with new passengers have always plagued the cruise industry.
Digital Debarkation is supposed to help make this process a lot easier and a lot smoother.
Carnival Cruise Line passengers were recently asked for their honest opinion on the digital debarkation process that has been rolled out for North America cruises.
This relatively new process uses the Carnival Hub app to help streamline disembarkation day. It allows guests to choose a time of departure and how many bags will need to be transported off the ship.
Brand Ambassador John Heald took to Facebook to ask his followers, “For those that have used the digital debarkation process in the last few weeks please can you give the beards and I an update as to your thoughts on how this worked.”
Here’s a breakdown of some of the main takeaways from passenger comments:
Efficiency and Ease of Use
Many passengers praised the new digital disembarkation process for its simplicity and efficiency.
One passenger described it as “a breeze” and commended the ease and speed of the process. Another traveler shared a positive experience, stating, “Loved it! Got off the ship and in our car before 8 AM this morning.”
Another passenger praised the speed of the system as well saying, “Smoothest debark this morning ever! It is really helping. Was in line and off the ship in about 15 minutes including face scanner in passport line.”
For many cruisers the goal is to get to their vehicle or flight as soon as possible, especially for those who have an early flight that morning.
Technical Challenges
Despite the positive feedback, some passengers encountered technical challenges and confusion while using the digital disembarkation system.
One traveler complained, “Horrible process…didn’t update with any information, causing us to just sit and wait around for over 2 hours.” Another passenger expressed frustration, stating, “Couldn’t figure out what to do…App kept telling me to do the process.”
Some of the issues were based on the app’s performance, something that also can be an issue when a solid internet connection is not available.
Communication and Notification Issues
Several passengers raised concerns about communication and notification issues related to disembarkation times.
One traveler highlighted the lack of alerts, stating, “It never alerted that it was time to disembark.” Another passenger echoed similar sentiments, noting, “Our time was delayed but did not get an alert…only saw it because we opened the app.”
Accessibility and Accommodations
Accessibility and accommodations for passengers with specific needs were also a point of discussion in the comments.
While some passengers expressed confidence in the system regardless of their status, others highlighted the need for improvement. One traveler noted, “We are Diamond and need wheelchair assistance…not concerned about it.”
Another passenger expressed frustration, stating, “With the elevators all jammed pack it’s not easy for wheelchair or scooters.”
Bottom Line
Overall, the introduction of the new digital disembarkation process by Carnival Cruise Line has been met with positive feedback. The concerns brought up should be simple to fix. I always love to see a cruise line asking for feedback and then taking action on the concerns brought up.
We should continue to see changes and enhancements to the debarkation process. And with cruise ships being larger and having greater capacity than ever before it’s a greater matter of importance.
Royal Caribbean has released a video showing features that will be on their next new cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Utopia of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis class cruise ship. It is scheduled to debut in July 2024 and will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida.
The ship will be a gamechanger in that it will offer three and four night cruises to The Bahamas, something unheard of for a brand new cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean has released a new three minute video showing some of the features that will be on Utopia of the Seas. You can watch the video below.
Utopia of the Seas will have more than 20 drink/bar options, a little something for everyone.
The Pesky Parrot will be a brand new experience that is very different from anything that Royal Caribbean has done in the past. It is promising to be a laidback paradise with fruit-based cocktails, frozen drinks and surprises.
Royal Caribbean familiar favorites will also be on Utopia of the Seas including Lime & Coconut, Vue Bar and The Mason Jar.
The ship will have two casinos with 30 tables games and more than 370 slot machines.
The Attic will be a comedy club with perfect sightlines.
Boleros is getting an update and will have new drinks that have been popular on other Royal Caribbean ships.
Schooner, an old time favorite that offers singalongs and classic drinks.
Bell & Barley will be a lively English pub with a live guitarist.
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade will offer a relaxed atmosphere to play a game or watch your favorite sports team.
Utopia of the Seas will also offer a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails for those who do not drink.
All cruises on Utopia of the Seas will visit Royal Caribbean’s award winning private island in The Bahamas, CocoCay.
Cruises on the ship will also visit Nassau. The four night cruises that depart every Monday will also have one sea day.
Utopia of the Seas will debut on July 19, 2024, a three night cruise to The Bahamas.
Utopia of the Seas will be the 28th cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
Learn the cruise secrets most people don”t know and cruise like a boss. Check out for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)
Carnival Cruise Line has purchased 5,000 Bahamian grown palm trees for their new port that is opening in The Bahamas, Celebration Key.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
The palm trees are part of Phase One of Carnival’s “Plant a Tree” initiative that will beautify the cruise line’s flagship cruise port, Celebration Key.
All 5,000 palm trees were grown from seed on Grand Bahama Island with 40% of them being purchased from small-scale growers.
“The Grand Bahama community’s enthusiastic participation has been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” said Raquel Mota, Senior Port Services Manager, Carnival Corporation. “The initiative was launched in October 2023 and we have already met our target for the first phase.
“We want to congratulate and say thank you to every local grower who took part. We encourage them to keep up the good work as Carnival Corporation intends to continuing partnering with as many Grand Bahamians as possible as we move toward the opening of Celebration Key.”
Carnival is looking to purchase a total of 200,000 locally grown plants for Celebration Key.
Celebration Key is currently under construction and scheduled to open in the summer of 2025. When the port first opens, it will be able to accommodate two of Carnival’s largest ships in one day.
An extension to the pier has also been announced that will double the capacity to four ships a day.
Celebration Key will be a private destination that is only visited by Carnival cruise ships.
The port will have five portals with everything from the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean/Bahamas to an adults only area.
Carnival Vista will be the first Carnival ship to visit the port on July 19, 2025. In total, 18 different Carnival ships will visit the port on more than 500 itineraries.
Royal Caribbean announced the cancellation of a cruise to Alaska on Radiance of the Seas today as the ship will require repairs that took longer than expected.
A letter was sent to guests who were already on the ship. These guests were expecting to start the voyage to Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point today from Vancouver.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
The first scheduled stop to Juneau had already been canceled to allow for extra time to make the needed repairs.
But apparently more time will be needed to make sure the vessel is in working order.
“As you are aware, our teams have been vigorously working to have the Radiance of the Seas prepared to set sail on our shortened April 26, 2024 sailing,” the cruise line said in a notice sent to passengers onboard.
“Despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control have delayed our sailing further. As a result, we’ll regrettably have to cancel our cruise,” Royal Caribbean added.
This announcement was made after passengers had already been on the ship for two days, waiting for the vessel to be repaired while in port in Vancouver.
The ship was brought back from its previous cruise early due to propulsion issues. It was expected that the technical issues would be repaired before the ship set sail on a 5-day cruise to Alaska, which was originally 7 days in duration before the need for repair cut the trip short.
“We understand the disappointment due to this unfortunate turn of events. We truly extend our sincerest apologies for the continued unforeseen disruption to your vacation,” Royal Caribbean stated in the letter.
Every passenger on Radiance of the Seas was required to disembark the ship today as the vessel remained in port.
Royal Caribbean has promised to compensate guests for the cruise cancellation.
Passengers will receive a refund in full, which will include taxes, fees, and pre-paid onboard packages.
Also, a Future Cruise Credit valued at 100% of the original cruise fare will be issued on May 10th, 2024.
For guests who had booked flights directly through Royal Caribbean, the company will automatically reschedule flights to accommodate the cancellation.
Travelers who booked their own flights will be reimbursed for change fees up to a specified limit – $250 for domestic flights and $400 for international flights.
Royal Caribbean also noted that hotel costs up to $250 per night for two nights would be covered by the cruise line.
This would help provide ample time for passengers to make arrangements to get back home.
While delays and itinerary adjustments can happen at the last minute, this also underscores the importance of cruise travel insurance.
Flights and hotel costs are being covered by the cruise line, but some situations may require other extra costs to be paid that are a direct result of this cruise cancellation.
Celestyal Cruises has announced new shore excursions that will be lead by National Geographic trained guides.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
These seven new “National Geographic Day Tours” will take place in Athens, Rhodes, and Dubrovnik. They are now open to book and offer an opportunity to explore the world through authentic National Geographic experiences.
The following tours are offered across all itineraries that visit Greece and Croatia.
Athens
The History of the Olympic Games: An in-depth tour of Olympic sites where you can meet a former Olympic athlete and view the Olympic Sports Complex.
Dubrovnik
Silk Production and the Tradition Behind Konvale Embroidery: A tour of Croatia’s Konvale region, where the local art form of making traditional embroider
The Benefits and the Flavors of Oyster Farming: Sail to an oyster farm in Mali Ston Bay and earn about the ecological benefits of oyster agriculture.
Dubrovnik’s Highlights Through Your Lens: A National Geographic photography guide will take you to Dubrovnik’s landmarks and hidden gems.
Rhodes
Uncharted Discovery: A 4×4 ride that takes you off the beaten path on this Greek island.
The Fascinating World of Bees: A visit to the Bee Museum of Rhodes where you can sample local honey and explore an active bee colony.
Blutopia – A Marine Biology Experience: Blutopia is a small family business that keeps young scientists on their home island to protect the marine environment.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, gave the following statement about these new tours:
“These unmissable new shore excursions, offered through National Geographic Tours, are the perfect addition to Celestyal’s on-shore experiences. Led by expert guides, they showcase the rich cultural and natural heritage of each destination, while also contributing to sustainable tourism practices worldwide.”
