Posts in category: Diplomacy

Engine issues on the 3,560-passenger cruise ship Royal Princess are keeping the ship from reaching typical cruising speeds.

Because of the propulsion problems, Princess Cruises has been forced to cancel two ports of call on the Alaskan voyage but is offering what I think is a very generous 50% refund.

Not every cruise goes according to plan. In this case, some savvy cruise ship tracking sleuths discovered that the thirteen-year-old Royal Princess was moving at a fairly sluggish pace at the time.

As it turns out, there is a reason for that.

A letter was sent to guests on the Royal-class vessel yesterday, explaining why the ship was moving at slower speeds as it made its way northward from Seattle.

“We are currently experiencing a technical issue with our engines that does not affect the safety of our guests or crew but does restrict our ability to proceed at the required speed to maintain our itinerary as planned. Our technical teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible”, the letter stated.

Slower speeds mean that the ship will not be able to stick to the originally planned schedule. Two ports of call will have to be skipped: Juneau and Ketchikan.

Instead of heading straight to Alaska’s capital, the ship will enjoy an extra sea day as it heads to Skagway for its first port of call on Tuesday, September 15.

Ketchikan was supposed to be the destination for Thursday, September 17, but instead the ship will head to Victoria, Canada.

Princess Cruises Compensation

While these cancelled ports of call are a disappointment to guests who book a cruise like this for the destinations, Princess Cruises is offering a pretty generous reimbursement offer.

The letter explained:

“As a gesture of goodwill due to this itinerary change, and as a gesture of goodwill for your understanding, you will receive a refund of 50% of your cruise fare. You will receive a refund of monies paid to Princess to the original form of payment in 10 to 15 business days.”

50% of that cruise fare will be coming right back to cruisers on the ship, and they still get to enjoy the beautiful vessel for the full duration of the sailing. And obviously, they will be spending more time on the ship than previously thought.

Any passengers who had booked shore excursions for Juneau or Ketchikan will also be getting that money credited back to their onboard account. And with a couple extra sea days thrown into this voyage, that money will certainly come in handy.

Cruiser Reaction

Cruisers currently on the ship and recent passengers have been sharing their thoughts online about the status of the ship.

Here is what people on and off the ship have been saying on Facebook:

“We are on it now. Trying to make the best of it but obviously very sad and disappointed!!!”

“While disappointing, we will still be going to Skagway, which is what we are really looking forward to. Hoping the engine crew can get things remedied while in port. We will be refunded our excursion fee. I wonder if we will be compensated for the port fees we’ve paid and provided with a future cruise credit… At the end of the day, this is a beautiful ship, and each day is an adventure. We are blessed to have a captain who is looking out for the safety of his passengers and crew.”

One passenger who just got off the ship before this current sailing noticed some physical signs that something might have been off in the engine room:

“We disembarked yesterday. During our cruise there was a bit of shaking felt in common areas of the ship. We were relieved it wasn’t noticeable in our cabin E214. Not sure if other cabins (maybe more aft) felt the vibrations.”

Of course, leave it to veteran cruisers to help keep things in perspective when life hands you extra sea days:

“The fact is its still an amazing vacation. Your not at work, your being waited on hand a foot, there is still so much beauty everywhere. When life throws you lemons make lemonade.”

All in all, while missing Juneau and Ketchikan definitely isn’t ideal, most passengers seem to be making the best of their time in Alaska, especially with that 50% refund sitting in their pockets.

Ship Still Sailing at 16 Knots

Tracking data from sites like VesselFinder confirm that the ship is still moving north at about 16 knots. So, it’s not like the ship is floating around aimlessly in the water.

And while this speed might sound like a decent pace, an average ship’s cruising speed is anywhere from 20 to 22 knots, with Royal Princess’s registered speed being about 22 knots. When scheduling offers only tight windows of time, even a small change in a ship’s speed can force itinerary changes like this. 

The ship is currently just off the coast of Prince of Wales Island, one of the islands along the Alaskan panhandle.

Upcoming Dry Dock

It won’t be long before Princess Cruises can take a deeper look into some of the issues impacting Royal Princess. The ship is already scheduled for a dry dock in Singapore from October 16 through November 1, 2026.

A 27-night sailing from Seattle to Singapore begins on September 19.

After this two-week plus dry dock the ship is scheduled to offer sailings out of Australia through April, 2027.

A dramatic video released by search and rescue teams last week shows a helicopter hovering over the bow of a Disney cruise ship before airlifting a patient onto the CH-149 Cormorant.

While the name of the ship was not released along with the video, tracking data combined with visual confirmation of the ship in the footage makes clear what ship was involved in this rescue attempt.

On Tuesday, September 8, Royal Canadian Air Force crews from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing Comox responded to a reported injured crew member aboard Disney Wonder.

The ship, which was sailing on a 7-night cruise out of Vancouver, was about 113 miles northwest of Port Hardy, British Columbia, when the Transport and Rescue Squadron was called into action.

Once the helicopter was in position, two SAR technicians worked to hoist the patient onto the helicopter, along with a member of the ship’s medical staff. The injured crew member was then flown to Comox for transfer to BC Emergency Health Services.

Public tracking data from The Cruise Globe lines up with the timing of the incident.

Around 12:35 PM the ship made a noticeable turn and headed southeast. Later, around 3:35 PM, the ship did another 180-degree turn and resumed a northwest course, consistent with the area and timeframe of the rescue operation.

You can see the full video and additional details in this report from CHEK News: RCAF helicopter rescues injured cruise ship crew member off Port Hardy.

The nature of the injury and the patient’s condition have not been released. Disney Wonder continued on its scheduled Alaska itinerary after the successful evacuation and is scheduled to arrive back in Vancouver today.

Another Med Evac at Sea

This was not the only cruise ship medical evacuation in the same area last week. Just four days later, on Saturday, September 12, the same 442 Squadron was called out again.

This time to a different cruise ship sailing about 124 miles northwest of Port Hardy. In the pre-dawn hours, crews airlifted an ill passenger, along with a travelling companion and a member of the ship’s medical staff, using another CH-149 Cormorant and CC-295 Kingfisher.

Reports identify the vessel as Celebrity Solstice, which was also on a Vancouver–Alaska itinerary at the time.

MSC World Asia, the next new cruise ship from MSC Cruises, successfully completed sea trials this past week as the ship prepares to enter service later this year.

MSC World Asia is the third World class ship from MSC Cruises and will sail its maiden voyage on December 4, 2026, out of Barcelona, Spain. The ship will be christened in Le Havre, France on November 28, 2026.

The ship completed its final round of sea trials this past week that took place in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of France.

During the sea trials, everything was tested on the ship, including engines, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, safety systems, speed, and stopping distances, to make sure the ship was seaworthy.

MSC World Asia will be the 24th ship in MSC’s growing fleet and will also be powered by LNG.

The cruise ship will offer the ultimate cruise experience for guests with more than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants, international entertainment options, a range of family facilities and more.

The vessel will have the longest dry slide at sea, The Spiral @ Tree of Life, at 266.7 feet long that will take guests down 12 decks.

MSC World Asia will have subtle design elements reflecting Asia’s rich culture, art and landscapes, including a stunning 39-foot-long, 29-foot-wide dragon sculpture in the World Promenade, suspended 32 feet in the air.

MSC World Asia will sail seven-night cruises calling at some of the Mediterranean’s most popular destinations, including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina and Valletta, with accessible embarkation available in every port.

The ship is 1,093 feet long and 154 feet wide. The 216,638 gross ton cruise ship will carry up to 6,764 guests and over 2,000 crew members. The class is currently the third largest class of cruise ships in the world.

MSC Cruises’ fourth World class ship, MSC World Atlantic, will homeport at Port Canaveral offering cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean starting in 2027.

A cruise line is redeploying two cruise ships to new regions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Explora Journeys has announced new itineraries for EXPLORA I and EXPLORA V that will replace previously planned cruises in the Middle East and Red Sea for the 2027-2028 season.

The new itineraries include 20 maiden ports of call for the luxury cruise line. EXPLORA I will now offer 10 cruises along the shores of South America, and EXPLORA V will launch her inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

Here is a look at these new itineraries from Explora Journeys.

EXPLORA I – South America: A Continent of Contrasts

From December 2027 to March 2028, EXPLORA I will sail the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months, visiting Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Chile.

The ship will offer five overnight stays in ports, including Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Rio de Janeiro. In addition to the overnight stops, there will be eight late departures in coastal cities ranging from Balneário Camboriú and Port Stanley to Rio and Maceió.

EXPLORA I will visit 20 maiden ports for the cruise line, including 12 in Brazil.

EXPLORA V – The Inaugural Journeys Collection

EXPLORA V’s inaugural season begins by exploring the Western and Central Mediterranean and North Africa’s ancient coastline. In January, the cruise ship sails into the sun-kissed Atlantic, before returning to the Mediterranean in March.

Guests can discover Calabria during a maiden call to Crotone, while late departures in Salerno, Livorno, Palma de Mallorca, Kotor and Ibiza invite exploration into the evening.

Istanbul will offer time to discover historic neighborhoods and grand bazaars after sunset, while Pauillac, France, provides access to Bordeaux’s renowned wine estates.

Memorable celebrations include Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve off the coast of Naples, with spectacular views of the city’s fireworks from the ship’s open decks.

Visits to Atlantic islands include Los Cristianos in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. Overnight stays in Casablanca and Lisbon further enrich the collection, offering additional time to discover two of the Atlantic coast’s most captivating cities.

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, gave the following statement:

“We see travel differently at Explora Journeys. It is not simply about how many places you can visit, but about how you experience them.

“With EXPLORA I, we are bringing together the extraordinary contrasts of South America, from the vibrancy of Brazil to the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia. At the same time, EXPLORA V will reveal a quieter, more atmospheric side of the Mediterranean in winter before continuing into the Atlantic Islands. Both collections give guests the freedom to explore further, with every detail designed to create a seamless and enriching experience from one destination to the next.”

About Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is a luxury, all-inclusive cruise line from MSC Group. They currently have three ships in their fleet, but will double to six by the end of 2028.

At its heart is a unique ‘Ocean State of Mind’ that connects guests with the sea, themselves, and like-minded others, while immersive itineraries blend iconic destinations with lesser-traveled ports for unhurried Journeys that inspire discovery.

A cruise passenger has filed a lawsuit against the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages and One World Spa after an alleged sexual assault that took place this summer.

The alleged incident took place during a 12-night cruise from Seattle to Alaska from June 11-23, 2026, on Brilliant Lady.

The 17-page lawsuit from Morgan & Morgan is asking for damages in excess of $75,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney’s fees.

The complaint alleges that a crewmember led the plaintiff to a secluded grooming area for a shoulder massage, where the crewmember assailant locked the door and sexually assaulted her under the guise of providing therapeutic bodywork.

The lawsuit alleges that Virgin Cruises and One Spa World failed to adequately supervise their crewmembers and implement safeguards to protect passengers.

The complaint alleges the crewmember was able to use the booking system to schedule multiple unauthorized, after-hours massages despite not being a massage therapist.

The alleged assault occurred during the second massage he provided to the plaintiff in a secluded grooming area. The lawsuit states that the plaintiff did not consent to sexual touching at any time and the assailant’s touching was “intentional, offensive, harmful, and without legitimate purpose”.

The alleged assailant has been charged in federal court with two counts of abusive sexual contact involving passengers aboard the Brilliant Lady.

The plaintiff is a woman from Hidden Valley, California, who is using the pseudonym Jane Doe (E.M.) to protect her privacy. She is demanding a trial by jury on all issues so triable as of right.

Even though cruise lines usually do not run the spas on their ships, the lawsuit states that they are vicariously liable for the negligence of One Spa World and that they have a duty to protect passengers on their ships.

Spa workers are not employed by cruise lines, but by spa companies that lease space on the ship.

Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Garrett P. Keane, gave the following statement about the lawsuit:

“When someone steps aboard a cruise ship, they surrender a degree of control over their own safety and trust that the company responsible for their well-being has taken every reasonable precaution to protect them.

“Our lawsuit alleges that Virgin and One Spa World failed in their responsibility by allowing a crewmember to exploit his position and access to passengers and ship facilities to isolate and sexually assault our client. As a result of this alleged assault, our client has endured devastating physical and emotional suffering, and we intend to hold the defendants accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

The lawsuit was filed on September 10, 2026.

Kids can say some hurtful things. But for one disabled cruise passenger on a recent vacation at sea, a late-night interaction with a group of teenagers led to a visit from ship security.

In a reel posted on Facebook, the disabled passenger reported that he was accused of being drunk. He stated “I [have] cerebral palsy and that’s the way I walk.”

In this case, the passenger is comedian Josh Blue. He’s long been used to handling awkward or insensitive comments about the way he moves and turning those moments into something positive through his comedy.

In yesterday’s video on his Facebook account, however, Blue wasn’t going for laughs. He simply wanted to share what happened and encourage people to stand up for the disabled community.

A Visit from Security

According to Blue, the incident took place on the second night of a Royal Caribbean cruise he took this past summer.

Around 1:00 AM, security came to his cabin. A group of teenagers had reported to their parents (and the parents then reported to the ship) that Blue had tried to abduct them.

Blue said the actual moment was one he was fairly familiar with. He was walking up a set of stairs carrying two bottles of water. His girlfriend was right behind him.

At no point, he explained, were they closer than eight to ten feet from the teens. The teenagers reacted to the way he walks because of his cerebral palsy. One of them yelled “run,” and the group began screaming that he was coming after them.

Security initially believed Blue was drunk and told him they were going to revoke his alcohol privileges.

“I explained that I was disabled and that’s the way I walk,” Blue said.

His girlfriend then also chimed in and clarified that he has cerebral palsy. After that, security said they understood and that no further action was needed.

They told the couple they could go back to sleep.

But Blue stated that “it’s impossible to fall back to sleep after you’ve been accused of kidnapping children”.

Blue was quick to point out that no apology was given, and when they later spoke with a different security officer, they were told the situation had been resolved and no further action would be taken.

In the reel, the comedian made sure to point out that he is speaking out mainly to raise awareness.

Raising Awareness

To be fair, every cruise ship crew member is used to seeing drunk passengers on board. The security officers could have looked into the matter a little closer before this late-night visit, though.

But Blue’s purpose in posting the 3-minute reel was not to criticize the cruise line as much as to raise awareness.

“The reason I’m bringing this up with Royal Caribbean and bringing it here is because I’m very fortunate where I am able to talk about this and bring it to a platform,” he said. “But how many other disabled people out there in the world deal with this on a daily basis, not just on a cruise but other places.”

Blue added that he will not sail with Royal Caribbean again. He closed the video by encouraging people to stand up for the disabled community.

Comments Rally Behind Blue

The post quickly drew thousands of comments (over 4,000 at this time) from people who said they supported the comedian.

One person suggested the ship could have used the moment as a teaching opportunity: “I kinda wish they would have gone to each of the teenagers rooms, got them out of bed, with their parents. Sit them down with you and let them know about folks with disabilities.”

Another commenter who is also disabled and uses a wheelchair, wrote that she was angry on Blue’s behalf and thanked him for speaking up. “Thank you for using the platform you have to educate and advocate — we need this more than ever right now,” she said.

Brian Blackwell, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and deals with balance and mobility challenges, shared that he has faced similar assumptions of being under the influence. “This won’t help much but you’re not alone,” he said.

One comment came from someone else who also has cerebral palsy. She said she completely understood. “I often get asked if I need a waitress to call me a cab when I’m not drinking and can drive just fine,” she wrote. “Thanks for using your platform to educate others.”

Who is Josh Blue?

In case you don’t know, Josh Blue is a very accomplished American stand-up comedian who first broke into the national spotlight as the winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2006.

Born with cerebral palsy, Blue often incorporates his disability into his comedy routines, using humor to break down stereotypes and making fun of himself to sort of break down those barriers.

He has been on The Tonight Show and even gained a ton of notoriety when he appeared on America’s Got Talent season 16 in 2021. He finished in third place.

Blue has also represented the United States as a member of the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team.

Construction started this week on the final Excel-class ship from Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Tropicale, when the first piece of steel was cut for this new vessel.

Carnival Tropicale is being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship will be 180,000 gross tons in size, 1,128 feet long, and accommodate more than 6,000 guests. It will also be powered by LNG.

Yesterday, Carnival Cruise Line opened reservations for bookings on this new ship that will debut in April 2028. Carnival Tropicale will offer cruises to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas.

Since the ship will homeport in Galveston, the vessel’s bow will feature the “Star of Texas”.

Carnival Tropicale will feature innovative dining and entertainment concepts, as well as a new themed area called Sunsation Point, designed as a vibrant family adventure zone.

At the heart of this area will be Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, a multi-story water park, complemented by a wide range of additional family-friendly leisure and entertainment attractions.

What’s next for Carnival Tropicale now that the first piece of steel has been cut? The shipyard will begin to weld blocks together ahead of the keel laying.

Once the keel has been laid, blocks will begin to be welded together, forming the structure of the ship. Once all the blocks are together, the ship will touch water for the first time during a float-out ceremony.

Once the ship is floated out, it will move to the final stage of construction, the outfitting pier. Here, the inside and outer decks of the ship will be completed ahead of its debut in the spring of 2028.

Ben Clement, EVP of maritime and new builds at Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement about construction starting on Carnival Tropicale:

“Today marks an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale as guests can now begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship. From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas when she debuts in 2028.”

André Walter, CEO of MEYER WERFT GmbH, added:

“I am delighted to experience my first construction celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT. Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, a successful and highly popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival.”

Queen Mary 2, the world’s only ocean liner, is going into dry dock next spring to receive a major renovation.

The ship’s renovation will introduce new Grill Suites, an elevated wellness offering, enhanced retail spaces, and carefully refreshed guest areas, while preserving the ship’s distinctive Art Deco identity and her place as the icon of Transatlantic glamour.

Queen Mary 2 will enter dry dock on March 31, 2027, and will return to service on May 9, 2027.

During the renovation, 31 new cabins will be added to the ship. This includes 16 new Cunard Princess Grill Suites and 15 staterooms in the Britannia category.

The new suites and staterooms opened for bookings this past spring for cruises departing from May 2027.

All existing Grill Suites will be refreshed with newly designed bathrooms and new interiors.

The Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants will also be refreshed to ensure they continue to offer the same exceptional sense of space, comfort, and exclusivity.

The kennels on Queen Mary 2 will be enhanced and will have an increase in capacity. The owner’s lounge will also get refurbished with an expanded outdoor walking area for guests and their pets.

The ship’s world-class cultural and entertainment offerings will also be refreshed. Illuminations, the largest planetarium at sea, will receive a major digital upgrade, delivering more immersive, state-of-the-art experiences beneath its dome.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, gave the following statement:

“Queen Mary 2 is more than a ship, she is an icon of modern luxury travel and the only true ocean liner in the world. This is a significant investment in Queen Mary 2, and every decision has been approached with deep respect for her heritage, her character and the sense of occasion that only Queen Mary 2 can offer. We are not reinventing what guests love about her; we are refining it beautifully and ensuring she carries it forward.”

The refurbishment follows a landmark year for Queen Mary 2, when she took center stage in New York Harbor for Sail 4th 250, the centerpiece of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations.

Queen Mary 2 is the flagship of Cunard’s fleet and the only ship in the world that regularly offers Transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton.