Posts in category: Diplomacy

A March 1, 2026 cruise out of Doha, Qatar has been canceled due to ongoing security threats and military strikes in and around Iran.

According to news reports, MSC Cruises has decided to call off a 7-day Arabian Gulf sailing on MSC Euribia. 

The ship is currently docked in Dubai, along with Celestyal Discovery, and will remain in the port as a precautionary measure while the company reviews the situation.

The cruise line said the following in a statement:

“Due to the current situation and the air space closure in the Middle East region, we are currently monitoring and reviewing all our operations in the region, and we are in constant contact with the local and national authorities and relevant partners.”

“Our focus is the safety and security of our guests and crew therefore MSC Euribia cruise sailing from Doha tomorrow, 1st March is cancelled and the ship will remain in the port of Dubai.”

Because airspace in the region is closed, it’s making any flights to or from the cruise port impossible. 

Passengers who have just arrived in Dubai after a 7-day cruise out of the port are remaining in place while the cruise line evaluates the situation and decides on the safest course of action for all guests.

Because of recent missile and drone interceptions over the UAE, several airlines have grounded flights, and some shipping routes have been put on hold for safety.

The decision by MSC Cruises follows a move made by several other major lines earlier this season. Both AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises (which are both brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella) pulled out of the Middle East for the 2025/26 winter season back in July of last year.

Maritime traffic in the region has come to a halt as operators were advised to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for trade routes in and out of the Arabian Gulf.

Many of these ships are in holding patterns and waiting to see how things play out.

MSC Euribia is not new to these waters, as it’s been operating in the Arabian Gulf for the last two winter seasons.

For now, MSC Cruises is monitoring any developments and remaining in contact with authorities.  It’s a fluid situation and more cruises may be impacted.  As always, passenger and crew safety is a top priority for cruise lines.

Every cruise line has a page on their website that lists the prohibited items that should not be brought onto a cruise ship.  These pages are frequently updated as new technologies or trends pop up.

Royal Caribbean just recently updated their “ban list” or “prohibited items onboard policy” page and organized it into easy-to-find sections. 

These sections include topics like drinks, snacks, hair tools, sporting goods, pets, and the recently added smart glasses category.

As a recent addition to the list, smart glasses have been a controversial topic, and the cruise line gave more specific guidance as to where they can be worn.  So, it’s not an outright ban, but anyone wearing them where they aren’t supposed to will have them confiscated.

Here is a straightforward breakdown of the current Royal Caribbean rules for 2026.

New for 2026: Smart Glasses

The most obvious addition to the list involves wearable technology. While you can bring Smart Glasses (like Ray-Bans with cameras) onboard, they are strictly prohibited in several areas for privacy reasons.

Royal Caribbean plainly states that you basically can’t wear them “anywhere there is a reasonable expectation of guest and crew privacy”.

• Restricted Zones: Casinos, spas, restrooms, locker rooms, medical facilities, security screening locations, back-of-house tour locations, crew areas and youth areas.
• Consequences: Use in these areas will lead to the glasses being confiscated by security.
• Side note: If you are bringing your smart glasses for your prescription, the cruise line recommends bringing a second pair of backup glasses to use in the restricted areas.

Beverage and Snack Rules

The rules for drinks are very specific, although under the new snacks category on the page the cruise line advises for cruisers to be “sensible”.  After all, the ship is loaded with food, so I never understood bringing the kitchen pantry onto the ship anyhow.

• Wine/Champagne: One sealed 750ml bottle per guest of drinking age is permitted. Boxed wine and liquor are prohibited.
• Non-Alcoholic: You may bring up to 12 standard cans or bottles (17 oz or less) of soda, water, or energy drinks per stateroom.
• Snacks: Pre-packaged, sealed snacks are allowed in “sensible” amounts (So don’t bring your entire Costco shopping cart on board). Open containers of food cannot be brought onboard.

Hair Tools

This is a new category that was added to the page, although the items under it are the same as before.  The new layout just makes it easier to peruse and find what you’re looking for.

Also, it might seem a bit confusing for this to be on the “ban list” because everything under this section is actually permitted on board.  Royal Caribbean is just making it plain and clear, so cruisers know these “hair tools” are allowed.

Under this category the page states that hair curling irons, straighteners, and hair dryers are perfectly fine.  There’s also a reminder that hair dryers are in each stateroom, so you don’t need to bring those along.

Sporting Goods

Royal Caribbean added this section to clarify that while you can bring your own gear, you can’t just use it anywhere. They want to make sure your pickleball hobby doesn’t turn into an impromptu hallway match (you know who you are).

• What’s allowed: You can bring your own pickleball paddles, ice skates, and other sports equipment to use at the actual onboard courts or to take with you for shore excursions.  Not sure why anyone would bring ice skates on a cruise ship but maybe Alysa Liu will inspire some to try it.
• The Restriction: You aren’t allowed to use this equipment in “non-sporting areas” of the ship.
• Diving Knives: If you’re a scuba diver, you can bring a recreational diving knife, but you can’t keep it in your room. You have to check it in with the security team, and they will let you “check it out” specifically for your dive trips.

Baby Things

This category gets a lot of questions for a family cruise line, so Royal Caribbean tried to make the rules even clearer. Cruising with a little one requires a lot of gear, and the new layout helps parents see exactly what is allowed in the stateroom versus what needs prior approval.

• The Essentials: You are allowed to bring strollers, baby bathing basins, and portable cribs/pack n’ plays.
• The Hallway Rule: The page is very clear that strollers and basins must be stored inside your room. They cannot be left in the hallway because they block the path for both passengers and crew.
• Case-by-Case Items: Things like baby bottle cleaners, sanitizers, and warmers are handled on a case-by-case basis. You’ll need to contact the Access team at [email protected] to have them reviewed before you board.
• The Ban: Baby monitors are explicitly listed as not allowed.

Pets and Service Animals

This section is short and to the point. Unless your animal has a specific job, it’s staying at home.  The fact this section was added tells me that people ask about bringing their pets on a regular basis.  Who knew?

• No Pets: Traditional pets are not allowed onboard no matter how cute they may be.
• Service Animals: Only officially recognized service animals are permitted. If you are traveling with one, you’re encouraged to contact the “Accessible Shore Excursions” team to make sure your tours in port can accommodate them.

Toiletry Size and Luggage

Unlike airlines, Royal Caribbean is much more relaxed about your bathroom bag and your suitcase.

• Toiletries: There is no “3-ounce rule” here. You can bring full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and sunblock.  The cruise line states that your room already has shampoo, body wash, and hand soap, but I know many are more particular about their skin products.
• Luggage: There aren’t strict size requirements, but the page does mention that if your bag is too big to fit through the standard X-ray machine at the terminal, it will have to be manually checked by security, which can slow down your boarding process.

Destination-Specific Warnings

At the bottom of the page, there are a few warnings that have nothing to do with the ship and everything to do with the countries you are visiting.

• Camouflage in Barbados: It is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage clothing in Barbados. It’s a serious rule.  Don’t even mess with this one.  Violators can face fines or even jail time.
• Vapes in Mexico: Mexico has strictly banned vapes and e-cigarettes. The page warns that you cannot bring these ashore, or you risk legal trouble with Mexican authorities.
• Ulu Knives in Alaska: If you buy an Ulu knife while in port in Alaska, you can bring it back to the ship, but you have to keep it in your room for the rest of the cruise.

Other Items Not Allowed

Finally, the page wraps it up with a catch-all list of items that remain strictly prohibited, many of which have been on the list for years:

• Illegal Drugs: This includes marijuana, even if you have a medical certificate.
• Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, and even realistic replicas are banned.
• Tools: Standard hardware tools like screwdrivers and hammers are not allowed.
• Cybersecurity Gear: This includes items like satellite dishes and routers that could interfere with the ship’s electronics.

Bottom Line

I recommend checking out your cruise line’s prohibited items page before you cruise as these policies do get updated more than you might think.  Most of the time it’s pretty obvious why an item might be banned, but with Royal Caribbean’s new layout on their webpage it makes it a lot easier to just peruse the list before you sail.

If you love to cruise and live in Australia, it seems like there are fewer and fewer options lately. And with this latest news, there’s going to be one less ship to choose from, at least on a seasonal basis.

North America’s gain is Australia’s loss, as Carnival Cruise Line confirms that a ship that was year-round in Australia will be moving across the Pacific to offer cruises in the Northern Hemisphere.

Carnival just confirmed that Carnival Adventure is sailing to North America in April 2028.

It’s a win for Carnival cruisers in the U.S. and Canada, but it’s another sign that the Australian cruise market is struggling to keep its ships.

Australian Cruise Market

While Carnival remains the only cruise line with a year-round commitment to the region, the “uncertain regulatory environment” in Australia and New Zealand is making it hard for them to stay.

According to some, the high fees and complicated rules are pushing companies to look elsewhere.

Country Manager Peter Little was straightforward, saying that Carnival is seeing more governmental support in other parts of the world.

“In this context, Carnival is adjusting its deployment to better capture greater opportunities elsewhere, while continuing to champion a more competitive and certain operating environment – matters we’ve long emphasized,” Little said.

But this doesn’t mean that Carnival is throwing in the towel.  The cruise line has a long history, even through its other brands, of offering cruises all around Australia.

According to Little, it’s still business as usual. He stated:

“We’re proud of our long-standing commitment to this market. It is business as usual with Carnival Cruise Line operating from more homeports across Australia and New Zealand in 2027/28 than ever before, so there are plenty of attractive itineraries for our guests.”

This news might bring mixed emotions though, as it was just a couple years ago that the announcement was made that P&O Cruises Australia (owned by the parent company Carnival Corp) would be shut down.  The cruise line’s two ships were moved over to Carnival Cruise Line, becoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

The reasons given were based on the “strategic reality” of the situation with higher costs, a small market, and the need for efficiency.

Carnival Adventure’s Move in 2028

Carnival Adventure will finish up its scheduled trips in the South Pacific before repositioning across the ocean. For North American travelers, this means a “new” ship to choose during the summer season.

For Australia, it means one less ship in the harbor during what used to be a busy time of year.

Despite the move, Carnival is trying to reassure Australian cruisers that they aren’t abandoning the region. Little pointed out that they’ll still be busy over the next couple of years:

“Over the next two years, we look forward to welcoming onboard about 1.2 million fun-loving guests across about 400 voyages as we continue to sail year-round to amazing destinations.”

Bottom Line

The cruise industry contributes billions to the Australian economy and supports 22,000 jobs, but as Little stated, the company has to go where the market conditions are “more favorable.”

Apparently, North America offers more favorable seas at the moment.  For now, North American cruisers are getting another ship, and Australia has to wonder if the market will continue to look like it’s shrinking.  At least the move is seasonal, and Australian’s will be able to enjoy Carnival Adventure when it returns for their own summer months.

Carnival Adventure (formerly Pacific Adventure) is a 109,000 gross ton ship that was built in 2000 as a Grand-class vessel. It can accommodate 2,600 passengers and has been rebranded into the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

You can check out a video tour of the ship here:

Explora Journeys, an all-inclusive luxury cruise line from MSC Group, has launched a new campaign that challenges the notion of what a hotel can be.

The cruise line’s new campaign, ‘Explore the Ocean State of Mind’, entices a new generation of affluent travelers to rethink luxury travel.

The campaign shows Explora Journeys as not just a cruise, but as a five-star floating hotel that offers more than land-based accommodations.

By framing the ship as the ultimate destination, the campaign highlights the singular advantages of a luxury boutique resort that moves.

The finest of everything, everywhere, all at once

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, said the following about this new campaign for the cruise line:

“We are suggesting that the most compelling hotel experiences may not be found on land at all. By embracing a more playful, cinematic narrative, we are inviting the most discerning guests to see ocean travel from a new perspective – one where the ocean is not simply a passage between destinations, but a place for enrichment, restoration and personal discovery.

“The campaign comes with a deliberate twist: it reframes the very idea of a hotel, proposing that the most compelling destination in hospitality may not sit on a street, but sail the sea – fluid, evolving, and endlessly inspiring. As we look ahead to having six ships on the water by 2028, we are excited to share this bold new campaign that really captures the essence of our ‘Ocean State of Mind.”

Julien Calot, Creative Chief Officer at McCann Paris, said the following:

“The campaign offers a radically new perspective on life at sea, driven by emotion, sensation and a subtle sense of wit. Fresh, punchy and unlike anything currently seen in the industry, it focuses on the feelings that stay with you long after a Journey ends: calm, space, pleasure, movement and quiet moments of joy.”

 Liam Fearn, Executive Creative Director at McCann Paris, added:

“At the heart of the campaign’s hero film and numerous striking visuals is a simple but powerful idea,” comments. “An Explora Journeys ship is more than a ship. It’s a place that moves with you, adapts to you and opens new perspectives every day.”

Explora Journeys is a luxury cruise line with two ships, Explora I and Explora II, in service. The cruise line has four more ships debuting over the next three years.

The ships have 11 different culinary experiences at six restaurants. There are 12 bars and lounges and 24-hour in-suite dining.

Each private yacht serves as a floating luxury hotel, whose address is the ocean. Every suite has a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Holland America Line has added longer, more immersive cruises to South America and Antarctica for the 2027-2028 season. This includes a new Legendary Voyage that will sail to the Amazon from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

These new cruises from Holland America Line will take place on Zuiderdam and Nieuw Amsterdam as she makes her debut in South America. The cruises will range from 14 to 41 days in length and are designed to showcase iconic landmarks and remote destinations at a relaxed, rewarding pace.

Guests will be able to take in Antarctica’s icy landscapes, the Amazon River, the Chilean Fjords and many of South America’s most celebrated ports.

A highlight of these new cruises is the 28-Day Legendary Amazon Explorer that will sail roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and cruise up the Amazon and have several stops in the Caribbean.

The ship will depart from Port Everglades on January 6, 2028 and return to Florida on February 3, 2028.

A map of this unique itinerary can be seen below:

Holland America Line’s South America and Antarctica voyages offer nine dedicated scenic cruising experiences that put guests front and center to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

Highlights include a four-day Antarctic Experience, along with sailing past the immense Pío XI Glacier, through Glacier Alley, the Beagle Channel and the winding Chilean Fjords.

For those seeking natural wonders, the Galápagos Islands Overland Adventure offers rare access to one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.

Other incredible cruises announced by Holland America are:

• 14–15 Day South America Pathways: Chilean Fjords & Glaciers
• 17-Day Inca & Panama Canal Discovery: Lima Overnight
• 22-Day South America & Antarctica
• South America and Antarctica Collectors’ Voyages

For a limited time, the cruise line is offering a Have It All premium package that includes the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi.

This includes the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi. You can view the best prices on cruises on Holland America here.

Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management for Holland America Line, gave the following statement about these new sailings:

“By adding more sailings, including a new Legendary itinerary, we’re giving guests more opportunities to experience South America and Antarctica.

“These voyages are designed to help travelers really connect with the region, from the energy of South America to the history of the Inca Coast and the awe of Antarctica. And that sense of place continues on board, with destination‑inspired dishes like Argentinian empanadas and enrichment such as Spanish or tango classes that bring the region to life throughout the journey.”

Cruise lines have canceled all port visits to Puerto Vallarta this week after violence rocked the popular port this past weekend.

Three cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line all had ships scheduled to visit Puerto Vallarta this week. All of those stops have been canceled.

Cruise Fever reached out to all three cruise lines and here is the statement that we’ve received from all three.

Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian Bliss):

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests, crew and the communities we visit are always a top priority. Due to ongoing security operations and the recent U.S. travel warning issued for select areas in Mexico, Norwegian Bliss’ scheduled call to Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 25, 2026 has been canceled. We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation and any additional itinerary updates for ships scheduled to call to Mexico in the near future will be communicated directly with impacted guests.”

Princess Cruises (Royal Princess):

“Our security team has been closely monitoring the situation in Western Mexico. To prioritize the safety of our guests and crew, we have cancelled Royal Princess’ planned visit to Puerto Vallarta on February 23rd. We are working on reviewing our onward itinerary and will update guests on a potential replacement port.

“Royal Princess departed its 7-day cruise on February 21st, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles.”

Holland America Line (Zuiderdam):

“Our security team has been closely monitoring the situation in Western Mexico. To prioritize the safety of our guests and team members, we have cancelled our planned visit to Puerto Vallarta February 23.”

Cruise Fever also reached out to Carnival Cruise Line since they have one ship, Carnival Panorama, scheduled to visit Puerto Vallarta next Tuesday, March 3, 2026. At this time they have not made any changes.

No other major cruise lines have a ship scheduled to visit the port in the next two-and-a-half weeks. After that, Royal Caribbean has Navigator of the Seas scheduled for March 13.

Cruise lines will continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Vallarta and will only stop at the port when it is safe to do so.

Disney Cruise Line’s newest and biggest cruise ship is getting an equally big name as its godparent.

Today, the cruise line announced that Robert Downey Jr. will serve as the official godparent for Disney Adventure, the 6,700-passenger ship set to begin sailing out of Singapore next month.

It’s a fitting choice for a ship that is full of Marvel-inspired rides and venues. Downey, who starred as Iron Man/Tony Stark, will now “bless” the ship as it gets ready for its March 10 maiden voyage.

Marvel Cinematic Universe is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. And according to a press release from the cruise line,

“[Downey’s] unparalleled decade-plus cinematic journey as the iconic character culminated in Avengers: Endgame, which amassed more than $2.79 billion at the global box office. Downey was named an official Disney Legend in 2019 and will now star as Doctor Doom in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters Dec. 18.”

A “Gargantuan Blessing”

Maritime tradition usually involves a godmother breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow for good luck.  But Disney is putting its own spin on things.

Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s incoming CEO, said that Downey has “guided audiences through unforgettable Marvel stories,” making him the perfect person for the role, especially considering this new ship that has an entire deck dedicated to the Avengers.

Downey himself joked about the scale of the job and also called it an honor. “As the largest ship in the Disney fleet, a gargantuan blessing must be bestowed,” he said. “I’ll do my darndest.”

Why Disney Adventure is Different

If you’re used to the classic Disney cruise experience, Disney Adventure is a whole new kind of ship. At 208,000 gross tons, it is bout 44% larger than Wish-class ships in the fleet.

Because of its size, it’s packed with features that haven’t been seen on a Disney ship before:

• Ironcycle Test Run: Another reason Downey is the perfect fit as godparent for this ship, this ride a full-scale roller coaster and the first ever on a Disney ship.  Riders “test drive” a Tony Stark prototype on an 820-foot track. 
• Seven Themed Zones: The ship is divided into distinct areas like “Marvel Landing,” “Disney Imagination Garden,” and “San Fransokyo Street” (inspired by Big Hero 6).
• Asian Influence: Since the ship is calling Singapore home, the dining reflects this region with more than 20 venues with international and Asian-inspired menus.

The Countdown

Disney Adventure has had quite the journey to get here. Originally started by another cruise line, the ship was purchased by Disney and transformed into what only Disney could create.

With Downey as the ship’s godparent, Disney Adventure is ready to take Marvel (and Mickey) fans all over Southeast Asia.

Disney is betting big on the idea that even at sea, everyone wants to feel like a superhero, and this choice as a godparent makes that clearer than ever.

“That’s not how the ships are supposed to look,” said one Facebook comment after photos of MSC Meraviglia were posted on the platform.

Normally a cruise ship’s lido deck is full of sun and excited passengers on embarkation day.  But after a powerful winter storm blew through the Northeast, at least two cruise ships look more like winter wonderlands. 

Passengers are bunkered down, waiting for their ship to depart for warmer climates.  Some have posted photos on social media which look completely surreal.

A powerful nor’easter, named Winter Storm Hernando, has caused a major headache and caused delays.  

Two cruise ships, Odyssey of the Seas and MSC Meraviglia, remain docked in New Jersey and New York as of Monday afternoon due to record-breaking snowfall and high winds.

MSC Meraviglia covered in snow:

See photos on Facebook of Odyssey of the Seas blanketed in snow here.

Current Status of the Ships

The storm, which brought 15 inches of snow to Central Park and caused a citywide travel ban in New York, has made it unsafe for large vessels to navigate the harbor. 

So basically, these vessels are stuck for now.

• Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean): Currently docked at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. The ship was scheduled to depart Sunday, February 22, for a 7-night Bahamas cruise. The departure is now delayed until at least late Monday or early Tuesday as crews wait for winds to subside.
• MSC Meraviglia (MSC Cruises): Currently docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Originally set to sail Sunday afternoon, a passenger on MSC Meraviglia, Sean Johannessen, told Cruise Fever that the captain announced that the port will open back up at 4:00PM. While Nassau has been taken off the schedule, Port Canaveral and Ocean Cay are still on.

As a sidenote, passengers at least have something to do indoors while they wait for their ship to leave port.  All onboard services, including dining, entertainment, and staterooms, are fully operational for the passengers on board.

Itinerary Changes and Delays

As would be expected in a storm like this, delays have changed the itineraries for both ships.

Reports have stated that MSC Meraviglia will skip its stop in Nassau, Bahamas, so it can reach Ocean Cay later in the week.  Odyssey of the Seas will also face itinerary changes which should be announced soon.

More than 8,000 flights have been canceled across the Northeast since Sunday. This has prevented hundreds of “fly-to-cruise” passengers from reaching the terminals, even though the ships have not even left port yet.

Neither cruise line can move these ships yet until the U.S. Coast Guard and Port Authority lift the restriction on vessel movement in the shipping channels.

What Now?

Weather conditions are expected to improve late Monday evening. Once the Port of New York and New Jersey reopen and the Coast Guard clears the channels of ice and debris, both ships will be able to start their cruises.

Cruisers should monitor their cruise line’s mobile apps for real-time updates on departure times and itinerary changes, and we at Cruise Fever hope those ships can leave soon for warmer waters so all that snow (and anxiety) can melt away.