Posts in category: Diplomacy

After sailing for 35 years, a beloved cruise ship has sailed its final voyage. The 422-passenger cruise ship entered service in 1990 offering unforgettable experiences on a wide variety of itineraries.

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES said goodbye to Nippon Maru this past weekend when the ship sailed its final voyage after 35 years in service with the cruise line. Over 600,000 guests had sailed on the ship on more than 2,000 cruises.

The cruise ship visited over 400 ports around the world in its history, and it became the first Japanese ship to sail to the Baltic Sea.

Over the course of 35 years, Nippon Maru sailed nearly 3 million miles, equivalent to approximately 133 cruises around the world.

A commemorative retirement ceremony was held at Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, where approximately 7,300 guests, crew members, partners and longtime supporters gathered throughout the day to celebrate the ship’s remarkable legacy and witness its emotional final homecoming.

Tsunemichi Mukai, president of MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES, gave the following statement:

“Nippon Maru has been much more than a cruise ship — it has been a symbol of connection, discovery and heartfelt hospitality for generations of guests.

“We are deeply grateful to the guests, crew members, port communities and partners who supported Nippon Maru throughout this extraordinary 35-year journey. While we say goodbye to this cherished vessel, her spirit and traditions will continue to live on through the future of MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES.”

On the morning of May 10, Nippon Maru arrived at Osanbashi in Yokohama for the final time at approximately 9 a.m., greeted by cheering supporters and emotional well-wishers waving farewell to the crew gathered on deck.

In a symbolic moment, Nippon Maru was docked alongside MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, representing both the proud history and bright future of the cruise line.

Following the arrival, a retirement ceremony hosted by the Port of Yokohama honored the ship’s enduring contributions to Japanese cruising and tourism.

The Dutch-flagged expedition ship MV Hondius has departed the Canary Islands. After evacuating 125 people amidst the outbreak of Andes hantavirus, the next stop for the ship is back home in the Netherlands

The Polar Class 6 vessel is expected to arrive in Rotterdam on Sunday to begin an intensive medical-grade disinfection process which should last several weeks.

The departure from Tenerife came after a two-day operation that involved Spanish health authorities managing the careful removal of passengers and crew from the 6,000 gross ton ship under strict biosafety protocols.

“Mission Accomplished”

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García Gómez confirmed the evacuation operation on Tuesday evening.

“Mission accomplished,” Health Minister Mónica García Gómez said. “Between yesterday and today, we have evacuated the 125 passengers and crew members from 23 countries… The ship… left the port today at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).”

More than 25 essential crew members and specialized medical staff remain on board to operate the ship as it heads to Rotterdam. They are accompanied by the body of a German passenger who died during the journey.

Current Case Count and Mortality

The World Health Organization (WHO) and national health authorities have been monitoring the situation closely as the number of infections world-wide has now risen to eleven.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking in Madrid on Tuesday, nine of these cases have been laboratory-confirmed as the Andes strain of hantavirus, while two others remain classified as suspected.

Recent reports indicate that 18 Americans who were passengers on the ship are currently being monitored.

To date, three people have died which include a Dutch couple and a German national.

Unlike other hantavirus strains, Andes hantavirus is known to be capable of human-to-human transmission. It typically attacks the respiratory system and carries a high mortality rate.

The Road Ahead: Disinfection in Rotterdam

Once the MV Hondius docks in Rotterdam this Sunday, it will go through a decontamination process unlike it’s ever had before, especially considering the international attention this story has received.

More than likely the ship will be sealed for aerosolized disinfection. This involves “fogging” the interior with hydrogen peroxide vapor to get those hard-to-reach areas on board.  This is especially important when working with the HVAC and ventilation systems where respiratory particles could linger.

Surface Cleaning

Because hantavirus is traditionally associated with rodents, the ship will also undergo a thorough inspection to make sure the vessel is free of any droppings or nesting materials. But as the current belief is that the virus was first introduced to a passenger while on land in Argentina, this may be more of just standard procedure.

Also, porous materials in high-exposure zones, like mattresses and upholstery from affected cabins, may be removed and destroyed as biohazardous waste. In fact, it’s probable that all bedding and upholstery will be destroyed and replaced.

The 42-Day Window

Physical cleaning is only one part of the story. The crew members remaining on board must complete a monitoring period. Since the incubation period for hantavirus can last several weeks, the ship will probably remain without passengers until at least 42 days have passed without a new confirmed case.

This story has received international attention as comparisons to Covid-19 make headlines. But for now, most health organizations see the virus as less transmissible. 

PortMiami traffic has been a problem for a while. Cruise lines have been sending out warning letters to guests on certain cruise days to make sure they leave early enough to not miss their ships.

And with more cruise passengers than ever passing through the “Cruise Capital of the World” (8.5 million in 2025), traffic isn’t going away any time soon.

But do you really need to give yourself 2 hours to get from a Miami hotel to the cruise terminal? 

In a recent social media post, one person complained that they had “2 hours to kill because of all the ‘fear mongers” after arriving to the port in just 15 minutes.

And with most cruise lines utilizing different time slots for being able to board the ship, this guest was left waiting in the terminal.

Comments in the Reddit thread pushed back on the idea that 15 minutes is all that was needed to arrive on time, pointing out that depending on the day, traffic can look very different.

After a quick investigation, it appears that this traveler was cruising on a day with only six ships in port.

Not Every Cruise from the Port Means Crazy Traffic

Commenters were quick to note that this particular day was pretty light. With one Oasis-class, one Freedom-class, a Virgin Voyages ship, an NCL Breakaway-class, an MSC Seaside-class, and Carnival Sunshine in port, passenger volume was quite a bit lower than on busy weekends.

In fact, I estimate that with all these ships combined it equals out to about 24,000 to 28,000 passengers.  On a turnaround day like this it means roughly 54,000 people or so moving through PortMiami terminals.

Just last November, I wrote about one of PortMiami’s busiest days in which over 75,000 people traveled through the port in a single day.

Multiple cruisers in the comments explained that Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (when 9 to 11 ships are often turning around) can bring a lot more people into the port and a lot more traffic.

That’s when the real gridlock happens.

One longtime cruiser with 20+ Miami sailings said it doesn’t always take 1-2 hours, but it certainly can, and they’ve experienced both extremes.

Others shared real-world examples: an hour-plus from NW Broward, delays caused by I-95 accidents, tunnel closures, construction, and big events like the Miami Grand Prix.

The general consensus? “I’d rather be early than late.” Missing your ship would turn a vacation into a nightmare.

Checking the Schedule

I’ve experienced both sides of Miami traffic as well.  From a quick and leisurely Uber ride in to a “I hope I make my flight on time” exit from the port, the cruise schedule for the day makes all the difference.

And it’s not just about how many ships are in port, but which ships.

Tools like CruiseMapper, the Port of Miami’s daily dock schedule, or cruise line apps make this easy to check before you travel.

Weekday sailings with fewer or smaller ships are often much smoother, while peak weekend turnarounds with multiple large ships are when the horror stories usually happen.

As we’ve reported here on Cruise Fever before, several cruise lines have issued specific traffic warnings on busy days, advising passengers to plan extra time.

The social media conversation shows why those alerts exist, and it’s not fear mongering. It’s practical advice based on real experiences. Cruisers have missed their ships because they didn’t take traffic seriously.

Construction in the area and unexpected events can always throw a wrench in plans, so building in a buffer remains the smartest move for most travelers.

A Possible Long-Term Solution

In the meantime, there’s some encouraging news on the horizon. As we covered on Cruise Fever earlier this year, Miami-Dade officials are actively studying a proposed non-stop train from Miami International Airport directly to PortMiami.

The goal is to get passengers there in under 30 minutes and reduce road congestion on busy cruise days.

While still in the planning stages and not yet official, it could eventually become a game-changer for cruisers tired of worrying about traffic.

Bottom Line

The cruiser who arrived in 15 minutes and had two hours to kill ultimately had a great outcome.  And there was plenty of time to start relaxing.

But as the many comments from experienced cruisers showed, one smooth trip doesn’t mean the warnings are overblown. PortMiami traffic can truly be a nightmare, but it doesn’t mean you have to freak out. 

I like to book a hotel as close as possible to the port and then also check the schedule, and plan ahead based on the sailing day. And if I’m going to err, I’d rather err on the side of arriving early.  Better to be ‘bored’ in a cruise terminal than stressed out in an Uber.

A number of cruise lines offer certain cruise fares that include free drink packages that can save you a lot of money on your next vacation. Others just include it in all fares and you don’t have to purchase an extra package.

Here is a look at the different cruise lines, both all-inclusive and non-all-inclusive, where you don’t have to pay for drinks.

Non-All Inclusive Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL’s Free at Sea fares include an unlimited open bar so you don’t have to pay for any drinks once you get on the ship.  In addition, WiFi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credits are also included with Free at Sea. You can view the best prices on NCL here.

Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Cruises has an All Included cruise fare that saves you up to $800 per person. In addition to the Classic Drinks package, a basic WiFi package is also included in this cruise fare. You can see the best prices on Celebrity Cruises here.

Oceania Cruises – When you book a cruise on Oceania right now, you have the choice of either a shore excursion credit for a free House Beverage Package. If you want free drinks, simply choose the House Beverage Package and you’re all set on your upcoming cruise. You can view the best prices on Oceania here.

Windstar Cruises – Windstar is currently offering a free All-Inclusive Upgrade that includes drinks, WiFi and Gratuities. You can see the best prices on Windstar here.

Cruise Lines That Offer Combo Packages

Both Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have extra packages that you can purchase that include drink packages.

Holland America Line’s Have it All includes a drink package, shore excursions, specialty dining, and WiFi that starts at $60 per day, per person.

Princess Cruises has two different packages that can be added on to cruises. Their Princess Plus and Princess Premier both include a drink package with the Premier being unlimited and the Plus is capped at 15 drinks per day.

Azamara Cruises offers a combo package that will save you over 30%, and includes the Ultimate Beverage Package, shore excursion credit, WiFi, spa credit, laundry and more.

All-Inclusive Cruise Lines

There are a number of all-inclusive cruise lines where basically everything is covered when you book your cruise, including drinks. They are:

• Explora Journeys
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea
• Seabourn
• Crystal Cruises

Did the CDC really stop doing cruise ship inspections? Did everyone just get fired while cruise ships were left to fend for themselves in terms of health and sanitation?

After seeing recent headlines (like the tragic Hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius and today’s news of over 115 people getting sick on Caribbean Princess) about outbreaks on cruise ships happening “due to little to no oversight”, I thought I would help bring some balance to this discussion.

Because contrary to some news reports, cruise ships are still being inspected, and at a faster rate than previously recorded.

I get it. We live in a headline-driven society. But while those headlines might get clicks, they aren’t always as transparent as you might think.

And yes, I am biased. After all, I love cruising and would live on a ship if I could get away with it. But after digging into the data on the CDC’s website and comparing notes, I see that not only are the headlines misleading, but the numbers are also actually going in the opposite direction.

So, it’s not just me talking here.

Maybe you’ve seen the viral claim: “The administration has gutted the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, firing every full-time inspector responsible for investigating cruise ship outbreaks.”

Let’s dig into this a bit more.

The “Full-Time Inspector” Myth

The claim that the CDC “fired every full-time inspector” is a classic case of administrative changes being framed as a total shutdown.

In April 2025, the CDC did lay off its civilian staff within the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). However, the core of the program has always been run by U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) commissioned officers.

About a dozen of these highly trained officers remain on staff, and they are the boots-on-the-ground inspectors, keeping these vessels in check.

And apparently, they are still getting the work done just as before.

The Numbers: A Surprising Surge

If the program were truly “gutted,” you would expect to see inspection numbers drop.  I saw a lot of headlines last year making this exact claim.

Instead, we are seeing a record-breaking surge in activity:

• 2024: 197 ships inspected.
• 2025: 273 ships inspected (a 38% increase).
• 2026 (So far): 53 ships inspected in just the first two months alone. Inspection reports can take several weeks to be posted on the CDC’s website.

The CDC isn’t just “coasting,” either. In March 2026, the agency actually tightened its standards, adding new mandatory monitoring for pathogens like Legionella.

They aren’t doing less. They are demanding more documentation and more accountability from cruise lines than before the layoffs.

Misreading the Outbreaks: Hondius vs. Caribbean Princess

It’s important to distinguish between what the CDC can and cannot control.

1. MV Hondius: This ship is making headlines for a rare Andes strain of Hantavirus that has resulted in three deaths. However, Hondius is a Dutch-owned vessel that departed from Argentina and traveled through remote islands. It never touched a U.S. port, meaning it isn’t under the CDC’s jurisdiction.
2. Caribbean Princess: This current Norovirus outbreak was reported by the CDC on May 7, 2026.  The reason we know about it so quickly is that the CDC’s VSP requires ships to report immediately once illness hits a 3% threshold.

The Program Pays for Itself

Another key point the headlines ignore: This program isn’t funded by your tax dollars.

The VSP is a user-fee-based system where cruise lines pay for their own oversight based on cruise ship size.

Current Inspection Fees:

• Tier 1 (<30,000 GT): $8,073
• Tier 2 (30,001–110,000 GT): $16,146
• Tier 3 (110,001–180,000 GT): $32,292
• Tier 4 (>180,001 GT): $64,584

Because the cruise lines cover the costs of these unannounced checks, the program remains financially stable regardless of federal changes and budget cuts.

A Fair Look at the Risks

Now, to be totally transparent: it hasn’t been a perfect year. While inspections are up, norovirus cases rose 28% in 2025.

But there is a huge difference between “the program has challenges” and “the program is gone and it’s the wild west out on the high seas”.

Surprise inspections on kitchens, water systems, and pools are happening at a record pace.

The CDC is still catching violations, still issuing failing scores (Norwegian Dawn with an 84), and still protecting the public. 

2026 has already seen 10 ships score a perfect 100, and the average inspection score for cruise ships in 2026 is over 96%.

Bottom Line

Health risks are always a possibility on a cruise ship, just as they are on land where more than 90% of norovirus cases take place. But at least these vessels have a system in place that requires strict reporting and cleaning protocols.

Check the CDC’s VSP website yourself. The “Green Sheet” scores are public, the inspectors are still making cruise ship crews nervous, and the data shows the program is doing its job.

If you think these standards sound intense, you should see how they compare to your favorite land-based vacation spots. I recently did a comparison review between cruise ships and hotel resorts, and the results might surprise you. Read the full comparison here.