Posts in category: Diplomacy

Doesn’t it seem like cruise packing lists are getting a little out of hand? It seems like all these “cruise experts” just keep jamming random items into these lists as an excuse for you to click on their Amazon affiliate links.

But this “third form of ID” isn’t something you can pick up online, and it’s also something that can save someone’s life out at sea.

More savvy cruisers are packing their blood donor cards after hearing about life-saving stories from fellow travelers.

When you pack for a cruise vacation, you know you need either a valid passport, or a combination of a government-issued driver’s license and birth certificate (for a closed-loop cruise from the U.S.).

While a blood donor card won’t be necessary to get on the ship, it might help someone else get off the ship with their life.

Veteran cruisers are starting to realize that keeping a physical or digital copy of this card on hand can make the difference between life and death for a fellow passenger or crew member.

Without your blood donor card (either physical or digital) the ship will not be able to use your blood in an emergency.

Carnival’s Heald Thanks Blood Donors

Just this morning, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald thanked the passengers of an unnamed Carnival ship for stepping up to the plate.

He said dozens showed up outside the ship’s medical center after a call went out for a certain blood type to help a fellow passenger’s medical condition.

In his candid “three-minute video” Heald also reminded land-based blood donors to bring their card with them.

Other Cases Where Blood Donors Were Needed

This wasn’t an isolated incident either. The reality of cruising is that medical emergencies happen just like they do on land.

When you have 2,000 to 7,000 passengers on any given ship, with travelers sailing all over the world, some kind of medical situation is bound to pop up.

For example, a middle-of-the-night emergency broadcast woke sleeping guests on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas last year. The ship asked for donors for a critically ill crew member.

In another case a traveler on Cruise Critic shared how an Enchanted Princess sailing had to turn away dozens of willing volunteers because they lacked physical proof of their blood type.

And yes, cruise ships have to have proof of your blood type. They can’t just take your word for it and risk harming the patient.

In another case detailed by Hematopolitics, a P&O Cruises medical team had to coordinate four direct transfusions right in the ship’s medical center to save a passenger who was actively bleeding out.

In each of these cases, cruise passengers stepped up, showed their blood donor card, and gave up some of their vacation time to save a fellow guest.

Here is a much tighter, fast-paced version of the second half. It trims the fat, focuses on the most interesting details, and keeps your punchy, direct tone.

The “Walking Blood Bank”

Most people assume a humongous cruise ship has a refrigerator packed with blood bags. They don’t.

Blood has a very short shelf life (red cells spoil in 42 days, and platelets last just five). Keeping a fresh supply of every blood type onboard for thousands of travelers is just logistically impossible.

Instead, they rely on a process called a Walking Blood Bank.

If a passenger suffers a life-threatening situation at sea in which they need a blood infusion, they can’t wait for a helicopter rescue. The captain makes a ship-wide announcement, and the passenger cabin doors become the supply line.

Why They’ll Turn You Away

Besides being turned away for not having your blood donor card with you, there are also a few other situations in which you will not be a candidate to donate blood.

Shipboard medical centers are equipped for emergencies, but they aren’t full-scale testing laboratories. They do not have the time to type and screen dozens of volunteers during a crisis.

Your donor card is your pre-screening passport. It proves your blood type is verified and that you have passed rigorous screenings with an organization like the Red Cross.

If you do volunteer, there are a few other factors at play:

• The 24-Hour Dry Spell: You must be completely alcohol-free. Ship doctors require zero alcohol in your system for at least 24 hours before donating. Alcohol thins your blood and causes dehydration, which can make your blood pressure drop during the draw. Doctors also cannot risk transfusing blood containing active alcohol into a critically ill patient. Finding a volunteer who hasn’t had a drink in 24 hours on a ship full of beverage packages is a pretty big challenge, as you can imagine.
• A History of Pregnancy: Medical teams often turn away female volunteers who have ever been pregnant. This prevents something called Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) in the recipient. It’s a severe reaction triggered by antibodies sometimes found in the blood of anyone who has been pregnant.
• Active Medications: Because a ship cannot run complex lab tests, taking certain everyday medications will trigger an immediate rejection. If you are on blood thinners, take specific acne medications, or fail their rapid health questionnaire, you are instantly disqualified.

Don’t worry about being charged for your good deed, either. While some passengers have reported seeing an automated medical fee show up on their onboard account after donating, this is just a computer error.

Passengers are never billed for emergency donations, and Guest Services will quickly reverse the charge.

How Often Are Blood Transfusions Needed?

Between 2009 and 2017, Royal Caribbean reported that their doctors performed transfusions on 58 patients at sea. Medical staff estimated that 40 of those passengers would not have survived the transit to a land-based hospital without those immediate, shipboard donations.

So, another shoutout to all the card-carrying blood donors cruising the world.

The odds of hearing a middle-of-the-night call for your blood type are still pretty low. But if it happens, and you are able, you don’t want to be sidelined.

You don’t even need to pack the physical plastic card. Before you head to the port, log into your Red Cross or local donor app, take a quick screenshot of your digital donor card, and save it to your phone’s favorites.

It takes five seconds, costs nothing, and is the only “packing list” item that could actually save a life.

Margaritaville at Sea fans should mark their calendars for early 2027.  The cruise line just announced a historic event for the company.

For the first time ever, the cruise line’s entire three-ship fleet will come together in The Bahamas for a massive celebration.

On January 28, 2027, all three ships will meet up in Nassau, Bahamas, for the gathering. To make the milestone even bigger, three-time Grammy winner Zac Brown Band will perform an exclusive, private concert for Margaritaville at Sea guests right on the waterfront at the Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre.

You might be looking at the cruise line’s current fleet of two and scratching your head.

Here is the cruise line’s current status.

Margaritaville at Sea currently operates two ships: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise (sailing from Palm Beach) and Margaritaville at Sea Islander (sailing from Tampa).

(By the way, just this spring Cruise Fever wrote about both of these ships acing their health inspections with the CDC.)

But a third ship is on the way.

The brand-new flagship, Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, is scheduled to debut in January 2027 out of PortMiami.

This historic three-ship meetup in Nassau will serve as the ultimate welcome party for Beachcomber as she officially joins the fleet.

“This is more than a celebration of our fleet; it’s a defining moment for Margaritaville at Sea,” said Christopher Ivy, Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea in a press release.

 “No one brings music and travel together quite like we do. It’s where unforgettable entertainment, extraordinary destinations and one-of-a-kind guest experiences combine to create moments that can only happen at sea.”

How to Get Your Ticket to the Concert

To get to the big event in Nassau, you have three different cruise options depending on which ship and homeport you prefer:

• The Quick Getaway (4 Nights): Sail aboard Paradise from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport and Nassau.
• The Mid-Length Cruise (5 Nights): Sail aboard Islander from Port Tampa Bay to Freeport and Nassau.
• The Week-Long Trip (7 Nights): Sail on the brand-new flagship, Beachcomber, departing from PortMiami. This itinerary visits Grand Cayman and Jamaica before heading to Nassau.

No matter which of these three cruises guests book, they get exclusive access to the private Zac Brown Band concert.

The special sailings will also feature a Captain’s Toast, themed sailaway parties, and unique onboard events.

Save on Your Booking with “America’s Summer Sale”

To celebrate the news, Margaritaville at Sea is running a sale right now. If you want to book your spot for the historic January 2027 meetup, you can take advantage of these deals:

• 50% off cruises across all itineraries
• Third and fourth guests sail free (on select sailings)
• Free room upgrades (on select sailings)
• Free room selection (on select sailings)
• $50 deposits (on select sailings)

Bookings are officially open for all three ships.

For more information on these special sailings, check out Margaritaville at Sea’s website here.

Norwegian Cruise Line just ramped up the guest experience on two Jewel-class ships, and the results speak for themselves.  The pictures NCL has just sent out really look like they are from a brand-new ship.

I mean, just look at that thermal suite!

Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade are fresh out of dry dock and back in service for the summer season with some major, highly requested upgrades.

These two mid-sized ships, which have been fan-favorites for about 20 years each, just got a major facelift in a few areas.

Here is a look at what is new on board.

A Big Upgrade for Spa Lovers

If you love spending sea days relaxing in the thermal suite, you are going to love this update. NCL completely redesigned the Mandara Spa & Salon Thermal Suite on both ships.

The biggest and most welcome change? There are now three times as many heated ceramic tile loungers as before.

If you have ever tried to snag one of these coveted chairs on a sea day, you know how huge of an upgrade this is.

After all, from one who knows, it’s no fun having to wait for a tile lounger to open up when you’ve already paid for thermal suite access.

Along with more loungers, the thermal suites received:

• An Ice Room: Cold air therapy to help invigorate your respiratory tract.
• A Charcoal Sauna: Uses radiant heat to boost circulation and relieve muscle stiffness.
• A Salt Room: Designed for deep relaxation and skin health.
• An IV Lounge: A highly popular modern treatment to deliver essential nutrients and hydration quickly.
• Four-Senses Loungers: High-tech loungers designed for the ultimate sensory relaxation.

Both ships also received unique additions.

Norwegian Jade now features experiential showers with custom water jets and lighting, along with a cold plunge pool.

Norwegian Gem received an updated hot tub and a Thalassotherapy pool to soothe joint pain and detoxify the body.

Adults-Only Vibe Beach Club Comes to the Jewel Class

For those who want to escape the crowds, NCL has officially added the brand-new adults-only Vibe Beach Club to both ships on deck 14.

This is a premium, pass-only outdoor space where adults can enjoy a quieter, more upscale sun deck experience.

It features comfortable loungers, dedicated bar service, and a much more laid-back atmosphere away from the main pool deck.

Back in Service for the Summer

Both of these ships went straight from the shipyards right back into active service for the summer.

Norwegian Jade wrapped up its dry dock in Victoria, British Columbia, and is currently sailing her Alaska summer itineraries out of Vancouver.

And Norwegian Gem completed its refresh in Marseille, France, and is currently cruising her summer int the Mediterranean Sea.

With these upgrades, NCL has made sure that these two classic, 2,300-passenger ships remain favorites for years to come.

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first in the cruise industry to offer Starbucks across the entire fleet.  Norwegian Jade has an all-new licensed store so they can get the same specialty coffees, seasonal blends, and food they get back on land.

Along with a historic heatwave in Europe, the rivers on the continent are also dropping dangerously low.

The Danube River is always active this time of year with around 150 river ships sailing up and down these waters throughout the course of summer.

But due to some of the lowest water levels on record, cruise lines are being forced to cancel or alter itineraries.

How bad is it? According to the National Water Management Authority of Hungary, the Danube’s water level in Budapest has dropped within just 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) of its historic, all-time record low.

As you can imagine, the water level drop has caused a lot of problems for river ship operators in the region.

Laszlo Somodi, Chief Executive of the Hungarian sightseeing operator MAHART-PassNave, said it’s been an ongoing trend and some vessels are simply waiting:

“River cruise vessels are currently still able to enter Hungary, but several ships are stranded or waiting in ports because of the low water levels.”

Somodi added that the drop has forced his company to suspend sightseeing tours north of Budapest. This led to an 18% drop in bookings for the month of July.

Ship Swaps, Busing, and Cancellations

So, what does this mean for mainstream river cruisers?

For some, it means a vacation that looks very different from the brochure.  I’ve sailed the Danube River before and saw firsthand how sometimes low water levels mean that passengers have to swap ships for a vessel on the other side of a lock.

You simply pack up your belongings, hop on a bus to the other vessel, and continue on your journey.

It’s not ideal, but it happens and cruise operators are ready for this.

But for others, it means no cruise at all.

Let’s look at how the major river cruise lines are handling the crisis on their active July 2026 sailings.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways has been forced to make the tough call to cancel a number of upcoming departures on both the Danube and the Rhine.

In a statement shared with Travel Market Report, the cruise line explained:

“The nature of rivers is to ebb and flow, and this season, lower than average water levels on portions of the Rhine and Danube Rivers have impacted select sailings.”

The cruise line confirmed that Avalon Impression has been physically unable to navigate past the Koblenz area. And with weather forecasts showing no signs of relief any time soon, Avalon made “the difficult decision to cancel a small number of upcoming departures” rather than force cruisers to enjoy much of the trip in buses.

For other Danube itineraries that are not being canceled, Avalon is using motorcoaches.

For example, guests on some July departures have had their embarkation points moved (such as boarding in Passau instead of Nuremberg) with guests bused across parts of the river that were impassable due to the low water levels.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways is doing everything it can to keep its scheduled July cruises running, but they are relying on “ship swaps” and buses to bypass the problem areas of the Danube River.

On a recent July 12 sailing, guests on the double-wide AmaMagna found themselves unable to sail directly into Budapest. Instead, the company adjusted plans by putting guests in Budapest hotels and busing them out to meet the ship further upriver.

Cruisers on the AmaSonata’s early July departures also reported a few changes, including embarkation points shifted from Nuremberg to Vilshofen by way of coach. They also had their time in Budapest cut short so the ship could set sail from the area before water levels fell too low to navigate.

Scenic and Viking

Other mainstream river ship cruise lines are closely monitoring the situation.

Scenic issued a travel alert stating that low water is mainly causing problems for the upper Danube, particularly around Budapest and the stretch between Regensburg and Passau.

To minimize the impact, Scenic is preparing “ship-swaps”. This is what I mentioned earlier where passengers pack their bags, get on a motorcoach, drive past a dry bottleneck, and board an identical sister ship waiting on the other side.

Viking has also begun notifying passengers on upcoming mid-to-late July Danube itineraries to expect last-minute route modifications, altered embarkation ports, or motorcoach transfers as they navigate the low water levels.

Timing Water Levels

Unlike ocean cruise ships, river boats don’t have tides to help them float. Instead, they rely on a network of dams, locks, and reservoir releases managed by European water authorities.

When water levels drop, river captains have to coordinate with these authorities down to the hour. So, timing plays a crucial role in all of this.

If a dam upstream holds back water, or if a lock’s chamber doesn’t have enough depth, a river ship can find itself stuck or grounded.

Is Relief on the Way?

The big question now is “When will the river bounce back?”.

There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Weather forecasts suggest a weather pattern next week that could bring much-needed rain to Central Europe.

If those storms follow the forecast, water levels could begin to rise again and allow stranded vessels to resume their normal schedules.

Until then, if you have a Danube cruise scheduled in the next 7 to 10 days, expect the unexpected. Keep in close contact with your travel advisor, download your cruise line’s app for real-time notifications, and pack some extra patience alongside your walking shoes.

When Crystal Cruises’ newest ship, Crystal Grace, debuts in 2028, it will have new family and outdoor spaces that will elevate the guest experience.

The Seahorse Pool will be the largest pool in Crystal’s fleet. The expansive pool area will feature 140 loungers between Deck 10 and 11 and have areas for guests to relax, socialize, and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views.

A large outdoor LED screen will serve as a focal point throughout the day and evening, hosting everything from live sporting events and destination programming to movie nights under the stars.

For the first time, Crystal is adding private cabanas to one of their ships. Crystal Grace will have 60 cabanas on Deck 11 that accommodate two guests each.

The cruise ship will also have a poolside bar that’s located directly behind the main pool area.

Areas for Families

On Deck 11, a dedicated youth area will be a vibrant gathering place where younger guests can enjoy the freedom of open-air play while surrounded by the sea.

Families can enjoy a shallow pool, outdoor recreational games, and a safe and welcoming environment. The area is being designed for active play and social interaction to help create meaningful experiences for younger cruisers.

Waves Teen Center is a dedicated space for teens ages 13 to 17 and will be located on Deck 11. It will have a larger entertainment lounge complete with an oversized screen for gaming, movies and group activities, and card and board game areas.

The center will operate daily with dedicated programming and activities during peak family travel periods.

Fantasia Children’s Playroom will be for children ages three through 12 and feature creative activities and supervised experiences.

Parents will be able to drop their children off with programming for younger cruisers, supervised activities for older children, and the continuation of the cruise line’s in-room babysitting services.

Bernie Leypold, Senior vice President of Hotel Operations for Crystal, said the following:

“Crystal Grace represents the future of exceptional luxury travel while honoring the elements our guests cherish most. As more families and multiple generations choose to travel together, we have thoughtfully expanded our offerings for younger guests while enhancing the outdoor spaces that make life at sea so memorable. These new venues create opportunities for connection, adventure, and relaxation for guests of every age.”

Crystal Grace will sail its maiden voyage on June 11, 2028, an eight-night cruise from Civitavecchia to Venice.

It might be boiling hot in the United States this July, but below the equator cruise travelers are enjoying their winter season. And for Carnival, that presents an opportunity to do something unique on their ships.

From ugly Christmas sweater competitions to snowfall and tree-lighting ceremonies, Carnival Cruise Line has officially kicked off its highly anticipated Grinchmas in July season for sailings out of Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.

And yes, this includes a special appearance from the Grinch himself.

Specific ships in the fleet that are sailing Down Under have transformed into floating winter wonderlands while bringing that exact same holiday magic straight to local kids on land.

@tantrums.travel ✨ Come with me aboard the Carnival Splendor! 🚢🌊 From incredible food and ocean views to endless entertainment and plenty of laughs, here’s a little glimpse of life at sea. If you’ve been wondering what a Carnival cruise is really like… this is your sign! 💙 Would you jump onboard? 👇 #CarnivalSplendor #CruiseLife #carnival #TravelTok #carnivalcruise ♬ original sound – Tantrums & Travel

Spreading Cheer at Queensland Children’s Hospital

While passengers onboard Carnival’s ships are currently enjoying the snowy magic of the winter season, Carnival took a very special detour on land. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the cruise line made a surprise visit to the young patients and families at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

A couple of very famous Dr. Seuss characters (The Grinch and the Cat in the Hat) took a quick break from the Brisbane-based Carnival Encounter to join the ship’s Cruise Director, Franco Spies, and the onboard Fun Squad at the Children’s Hospital Foundation Fun Day.

The young patients and their families were treated to a surprise meet-and-greet with the Dr. Seuss favorites, while craft stations, a puppy play area, and sweet treats helped make for some pretty special memories.

During the event, Carnival presented the Queensland Children’s Hospital Foundation with a $135,000 donation raised entirely by generous Carnival guests to help support vital programs and services for children and their families.

How were these funds raised?

If you’ve ever sailed with Carnival, you might have participated in their famous Conga for Kids event. Passengers buy a t-shirt, hit the lido deck, and conga for a cause. It’s an onboard tradition that has run on Carnival Luminosa since she began homeporting in Queensland in November 2022, and it immediately expanded to Carnival Encounter when she officially joined the Carnival fleet in March 2025.

T-shirt sales are just a part of the way Carnival was able to raise the $135k for the hospital.

Cruising with Linda enjoying her Grinchmas experience:

What’s Happening Onboard the “Grinchmas in July” Cruises

If you were lucky enough to book one of these limited-edition winter sailings in Australia, Carnival is definitely making us Northern Hemisphere dwellers a tad jealous. The cruise line’s official lineup of Grinch-inspired events features:

• Snow at Sea: A huge Christmas tree complete with real falling snow and a formal tree-lighting ceremony.
• Festive Frock Fails: The ultimate Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition
• Green Out on Deck: A Grinchmas Deck Party where the dress code is strictly all-green.
• Merry Mischief: Special appearances by The Grinch, themed family trivia, a high-energy Grinchmas Scavenger Hunt, and live performances of a holiday stage show featuring a surprise guest from the North Pole.

The 2026 Winter Lineup

Carnival is running these special winter-themed itineraries across three major ships sailing out of Sydney and Brisbane this month:

Carnival Splendor (Sailing from Sydney)

• July 3: 3-Night Getaway
• July 6: 10-Night South Pacific
• July 16: 3-Night Getaway
• July 19: 12-Night South Pacific

Carnival Adventure (Sailing from Sydney)

• July 2: 4-Night Moreton Island
• July 6: 9-Night South Pacific
• July 15: 4-Night Moreton Island
• July 19: 10-Night South Pacific

Carnival Encounter (Sailing from Brisbane)

• July 4: 7-Night Great Barrier Reef
• July 11: 3-Night Getaway
• July 14: 4-Night Airlie Beach
• July 18: 8-Night South Pacific

Just this week we learned that Galveston is planning a fifth cruise terminal at Pier 14. This brand-new facility is still in the early planning stages, but things are already moving fast.

Now, according to recent reports from a Galveston news outlet, Royal Caribbean is already calling dibs on that new terminal.

Galveston is serious about cruising. I saw this firsthand during MSC Seascape’s first sailing out of newly opened Terminal 16. Norwegian Viva will be using that same terminal in late October of this year as well.

On top of that you have mega ships like Symphony of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee sailing from the Texas port, and Icon of the Seas is coming in August 2027.

The cruise port has become a major powerhouse, on track to reach a record-breaking 2 million cruise passengers this year.

With those kinds of numbers, it has quickly cemented its place as one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, right up there with the Florida ports.

Royal Caribbean Wants to Expand Its Footprint

The news broke when Port of Galveston Director Rodger Rees confirmed that the “word on the street” is absolutely true. Royal Caribbean is highly interested in operating the proposed fifth terminal.

“It is Royal Caribbean. I mean, obviously; Royal Caribbean owns a building right next to it. They’re interested in expansion,” Rees told The Daily News.

The move makes perfect geographic sense. Royal Caribbean already owns and operates Cruise Terminal 10, which sits directly next door to Pier 14.

Securing this new pier would allow the cruise line to expand its footprint and essentially carve out their own slice of real estate on the island.

While other major lines like Carnival, Disney, MSC, and Norwegian also homeport out of Galveston, Royal Caribbean’s physical proximity to the site makes the most sense.

So, Is Royal Caribbean Sending Another Ship to Galveston?

Keep in mind that this is still fairly speculative at this point. The cruise line has not confirmed these reports just yet.

Royal currently operates two ships from Galveston: Mariner of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

But their push for Pier 14 strongly hints at a much bigger play: bringing a permanent third ship to the Lone Star State.

By locking down a second terminal (that’s right next door), Royal Caribbean would completely eliminate the logistical bottleneck of sharing a single berth for the two ships.

They could easily have two mega-ships at the port simultaneously on peak weekend turnaround days. With Icon of the Seas already locked in for 2027, this new terminal space heavily suggests that Royal Caribbean wants to keep an Oasis-class or a brand-new Discovery-class ship stationed in Texas year-round alongside their flagship giant.

But for now, we wait for official word.

Managing the Growth in Galveston

With a fifth terminal on the horizon, the port is focusing on making sure the island can handle the extra people and traffic. Some local residents are already somewhat wary of more ships coming into town, as traffic on certain days can be a nightmare.

A recently completed 107-page traffic study focused on the roads surrounding the cruise area and determined that a new terminal would have minimal impact on local traffic flow,

So, that’s a win. But it would also require some changes at certain intersections.

The port is now taking things a step further by launching a broader downtown mobility study to evaluate pedestrian safety and traffic in the surrounding historic districts.

According to Rees, a fifth terminal would provide a major boost to the Texas regional economy, bringing in an estimated 1,500 jobs and $278 million in direct business revenue.

When Could It Open?

Don’t pack your bags just yet. Because the port is still working through all of the logistics and red tape at Pier 14 , there would not be an opening date until around 2030.

If these reports are confirmed, once this port is built, we might see another Royal Caribbean mega ship for local cruisers to choose from when sailing out of Galveston.

I still don’t really understand the mentality of someone who gets up at 6AM on a cruise just so they can clip a towel to a couple loungers near the pool and go enjoy the rest of the ship all day.

It’s not just a nuisance. It’s a bad experience for all the people who actually want to enjoy the ships refreshing but always-a-little-too-small pool. But now, more cruise lines are doing something about it.

Pool deck lounger saving remains one of the most frustrating parts of cruising for many travelers.

While most cruise lines officially ban reserving chairs with towels and personal items, how these companies enforce the behavior is slightly different.

Here’s a clear comparison of how major cruise lines handle the issue, based on their official policies and real-world practices.

Official Policies at a Glance

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival has one of the most detailed and proactive policies:

“Carnival has a system designed to ensure that all guests are able to enjoy equal access to sun loungers by preventing seat saving in outdoor deck areas. Shipboard team members, the ‘ChairShare Team’ monitor sun lounger usage and if they observe a seat that contains a towel or personal belongings… a sticker is placed on the chair… If the chair remains unoccupied for 40 minutes, the contents are removed and held for the guest’s safekeeping.”

(Source: Carnival Help Center)

Royal Caribbean

“Pool deck chairs are only available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved. … If a pool chair is left unattended for more than 30 minutes with no signs of any guests returning, our crew will remove any belongings and place them in the lost and found.”

(Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ)

Norwegian Cruise Line

“Pool, deck and theatre chairs may not be reserved.”

NCL formally classifies chair hogging as discourteous and disruptive behavior. They rely on crew patrols and stickers, with removal typically after 45–60 minutes on many sailings.

(Source: NCL Guest Conduct Policy)

Virgin Voyages

“If you leave any items unattended on chairs or loungers for more than 40 minutes, we will remove it and safely store it in lost property located at Sailor Services.”

(Source: Virgin Voyages Onboard Policies FAQ)

MSC Cruises

“Pool, deck, buffet and theater chairs may not be reserved. … Guests are kindly requested not to occupy deckchairs and sunbeds by leaving their personal items for more than 30 minutes.”

(Source: MSC Cruises FAQ)

Princess Cruises

Princess does not publish a strict fleet-wide time limit on its website, but daily programs regularly remind guests not to save chairs. Enforcement is handled at the crew’s discretion, often around 30 minutes in practice.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity officially discourages the practice, stating the following on a blog post:

“Celebrity discourages this practice and signs around the Resort Deck say that possessions will be removed if a person does not use their chair within a certain period—usually if a lounge chair is left unattended for one hour or more.”

(Source: Celebrity Cruises Resort Deck Information)

Chart Comparing How Chair Hogging is Enforced

How Cruise Lines Without Strict Website Policies Handle It

For cruise lines like Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Disney Cruise Line, you won’t always find a detailed public policy page, but they still address the issue.

• Princess regularly includes reminders in the daily program, and crew will often step in after 30 minutes or so.
• Holland America passengers report a general 30-minute guideline with crew removing items.
• Disney asks guests not to save chairs with towels and encourages the crew to remove unattended items.

The Standard for Cruisers

Most cruise ships now take chair saving seriously, especially on sea days when demand peaks. The 30–40 minute window has become the industry standard. It’s enough time for a quick meal or swim, but not all-day reservations.

Cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin stand out for transparent rules and visible enforcement. Others rely more on general courtesy and crew judgment.

But you know how it is. If rules continue to be broken, eventually policies change or enforcement ramps up. Cruise lines want happy passengers, so when enough people complain, things change. 

If lounger access matters to you, consider booking a ship with more deck space, arriving early, exploring higher decks, or treating yourself to a cabana on lines that offer them. The battle continues, but the cruise lines are slowly taking back the lido deck.

It’s not looking good for Labadee. More port visits from Royal Caribbean cruise ships are being axed as thousands of emails go out to announce the news to booked guests.

While the cruise line officially removed the port from its schedules through December 2026 earlier this year, the cancellations are now quietly rolling deep into 2027.

Yes, you read that right. If you have a cruise booked for early or mid-2027 that originally featured a stop at Labadee, Haiti, there is a very good chance your beach day at Royal Caribbean’s private destination will be swapped for another port of call as port visits through June 2027 have been scrapped from itineraries.

What Royal Caribbean is Officially Saying

According to Royal Caribbean’s travel updates page, the cruise line has suspended all visits to Labadee.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit is our top priority. We have been monitoring the situation in Haiti and, out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily pausing our visits to Labadee.”

Following up on this, on July 14, 2026, Royal Caribbean officially extended the suspension through June 2027. In a statement obtained by Royal Caribbean Blog, a spokesperson clarified the new extension of the pause:

“As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind.”

Along with this official extension, Royal Caribbean confirmed that any pre-booked shore excursions (including cabanas or the Dragon’s Breath flight line) will be automatically canceled and fully refunded back to the guests’ original form of payment. Guests do not need to take any action, as these refunds are being processed automatically.

The reports of more Labadee itinerary changes are coming through emails and updates directly to booked guests as well.

So far, Royal guests are receiving official cancellation notices for sailings extending all the way through June 2027, while those booked for the summer and fall of 2027 are left waiting to see if their stops will also be cut.

An email sent to passengers booked on a March 14, 2027 sailing on Independence of the Seas (shared in this r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread) shows the following message:

“Dear Guest, We’re looking forward to welcoming you onboard Independence of the Seas! As you prepare for your vacation, we wanted to share an update to your March 14, 2027, itinerary. We’ve reviewed our sailing plans and made an adjustment to the ports of call we will visit. Instead of visiting Labadee, we’ll now enjoy a day in Nassau, Bahamas.”

Guests booked on other Royal Caribbean ships that were supposed to stop in Labadee are receiving similar communications about their itinerary changes as well.

In all, 12 ships will be impacted by the pushback of Labadee’s closure. The following ships will be affected:

• Icon of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Adventure of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas

The Reality of Labadee’s Situation

The reality is that Haiti continues to deal with severe gang violence and political instability, keeping the country under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department.

Royal Caribbean hasn’t sent a ship to its private destination since April 2025. Even though the port has its own security, the whole situation was just too much of a risk.

The topic even came up on a recent earnings call with Royal Caribbean’s parent company.

During the Royal Caribbean Group Q3 2025 earnings call, CEO Jason Liberty noted that the company’s fourth-quarter outlook was slightly impacted by the “unplanned extension of the temporary closure of Labadee“.

Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz said that the combination of bad weather and the extended Labadee closure dragged down earnings per share (EPS) by about $0.05.

Cruisers React to Labadee Replacements

Because some of Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships can’t just dock anywhere at the last minute, the cruise line is playing a big game of musical chairs with port schedules.

With the official extension through June 2027, many cruisers are finding they have to search their ship’s website or check their cruise planner to see where they are being redirected. Depending on the route, guests are being routed to:

• Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico
• Puerto Plata and Samana, Dominican Republic
• Ponce, Puerto Rico
• Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

The community over on the Reddit thread is having a lively debate about the replacements.

For some, getting swapped to classic spots like Mexico is a win. One user shared:

“My Allure cruise just swapped out Labadee and Falmouth with Cozumel and Costa Maya… I’m happier with my itinerary change.”

Another passenger agreed:

“I got Labadee and Falmouth switched out for Costa Maya and Cozumel. Not complaining.”

And still another was very positive about the Labadee replacement:

“Adventure of the Seas on Feb 21st swapped out Labadee for Grand Cayman. Not the worst reschedule!”

But for others, losing a private beach experience for a busy port like Nassau feels like a step backward. A Diamond member commented on someone else who had Labadee changed for Nassau:

“Nassau is a downgrade, IMO. We’ve been lucky that Labadee has been substituted with Grand Turk and Puerto Plata for our 2025 and 2026 cruises.”

Other cruisers were negative on the possibility of getting Nassau on their new itinerary, but it’s important to note that Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is now available in the Bahamian port. That huge new pool and 17 acres of prime real estate might be the perfect replacement for Labadee, even if it does mean some extra cost.

Is Labadee Gone for Good?

Some certainly think so, with one person on Reddit even saying, “pretty sure it’s indefinite at this point”.

While the cruise line has rights to the leased private resort through 2050, some loyal guests are starting to wonder if the company is moving on.

But the company has not made any official statement about the finality of these port cancellations, and there is still a glimmer of hope that things will calm down in the region eventually.

The thing is, if Royal Caribbean’s strategy was to simply pivot their investments to other private destinations, some of those plans just got a bit more complicated.

The cruise line’s $600+ million “Perfect Day Mexico” project, that was scheduled to open next to the Costa Maya cruise port in Mahahual, was officially rejected and blocked by Mexican environmental authorities in May 2026 as reported by Cruise Fever. This block may be temporary though and the cruise line still hopes to work out a plan to continue the project in Mexico.

So, with their Mexican expansion at least in limbo right now and Labadee sitting empty for the foreseeable future, Royal Caribbean is finding ways to be creative with their private destination options.

What to Do If You’re Booked

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked through June 2027 that was scheduled to visit Labadee, you don’t need to do anything.

Royal Caribbean is automatically updating itineraries and will notify you of any changes to your port stops or sea days. You can also keep an eye on your Cruise Planner on the Royal Caribbean website or app, where itinerary updates and any excursion refunds will be reflected.

Not everyone has been told what their Labadee replacements will be just yet, so the cruise line is still juggling some of these changes. There are a lot of logistics involved, but know that you can always find amazing things to do and see and just about any replacement the cruise line works out for you. As always, a cruise is what you make of it!

You don’t usually find a visit to dry dock on a cruise itinerary. But for one particular AIDA cruise out of Germany, that was actually the highlight of the sailing as the 2,192-passenger vessel pulled into Rotterdam.

The ship docked in the shipyard for her annual hull inspection and had the water drained from the dock completely, all with paying passengers still on board.

This is my kind of “port of call” visit and an experience that already has me jealous.

The Logistics of a Full Ship

AIDA Cruises pulled off something pretty unique with the 14-year-old AIDAmar earlier this month. The 830-foot ship sailed into Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam’s Botlek yard for her annual bottom survey.

The experience was part of a five-night cruise that departed Warnemünde on July 3. The Rotterdam stop gave guests a rare, up-close look at the dry-docking process while they remained on the ship.

Once AIDAmar was in position, the drydock was emptied, allowing yard personnel to carry out the inspection.

According to a news release, Damen Shiprepair Project Manager Edwin Steijaert explained it like this:

“The technical scope of the project was very straightforward. It’s something we do on a regular basis, and frequently with crew on board. What made this an exceptional occurrence – and also a considerable logistical challenge – was the presence of passengers.”

Turning Maintenance Into an Excursion

The shipyard worked hard to accommodate this rare event and added a few extra perks to make it special. They even created a temporary viewing platform so passengers could watch and photograph the ship in dock.

They set up a covered area for easy access to sightseeing buses, made everything wheelchair accessible, and even put together souvenir bags with Dutch gifts like clog-shaped keyrings and Damen-branded stroopwafels (a thin, crispy, cinnamon waffle filled with gooey goodness).

Rogier van der Laan, Product Manager Cruise at Damen Shiprepair, added, “This was not the type of project we typically perform, but we were happy to accommodate AIDA Cruises’ request – we always like to go the extra mile for our clients.”

For AIDA fans and anyone who loves getting a behind-the-scenes look at cruise ship operations, this was a dream experience.

What made this possible was also the fact that this was a routine bottom survey and hull inspection, which cruise ships are required to undergo regularly by maritime authorities.

Unlike major dry docks where a ship gets stripped down for multi-million dollar renovations or engine overhauls, this was a quick “in-and-out” technical pit stop to check the ship’s underbelly, ensure structural integrity, and clear it for safe sailing.

But turning a routine technical stop into a memorable fan event shows real creativity from both AIDA and Damen. On top of that, it means the cruise line didn’t have to pause operations or kick off paying passengers in order to get the required dry dock

It is not something you will see on every sailing, but I do wonder if other cruise lines will look into ideas like this for those short, routine dry docks that don’t require major repairs or time.

For readers who don’t know the brand, AIDA Cruises is a German cruise line owned by Carnival Corp. They skip the formal nights and stuffy dining rooms for a laid-back, active, resort-style vibe.

You’ve probably seen their ships before. They’re the ones famous for having giant lips (ships with lips) and eyes painted right on the front. While the crowd and language on board are primarily German, they sail itineraries all over the world.