Diplomacy

Ever since cruise lines started doing e-muster or virtual muster drills after the shutdown, the practice has become so popular it’s hard to imagine going back.   But a recent email stating the requirement of the old-style muster drill on Carnival Sunshine caused some confusion.

One of the biggest pain points of cruising in years past was the drawn-out process of going to the muster station in an area packed with people while you waited to see who was absent.

No one misses those roll calls as the person in front of you stepped on your toes, nor the stampede which followed in crowded stairwells.  It wasn’t a fun way to start off the cruise, and it’s the part I always dreaded the most.

Because most cruisers now love the quick digital safety briefing, it was a surprise to some Carnival cruisers when an upcoming cruise was told it had to return to the “old school” drill.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, quickly cleared things up for the next Carnival Sunshine sailing, explaining that this isn’t a long-term change, but something they have to do.

Not a Fleet-Wide Requirement

John Heald posted a video on his popular Facebook page this morning to respond to questions about the Carnival Sunshine‘s sailing on the 18th. This cruise will require passengers to take part in a traditional, full-ship muster drill.

“A lot of you wrote to me and said, why are we going back to the old way of doing boat drill, muscle station drill, lifeboat drill, whatever you like to call it”, Heald said in the video.

He explained that this isn’t a fleet-wide thing. Instead, it is a specific, required action for the Sunshine‘s next voyage, as determined by maritime regulations.

Why Traditional Muster Drill is Required

The reason for the traditional drill is due to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty. SOLAS is an international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for ships. A big part of these standards is making sure all cruise ships conduct periodic safety exercises.

Heald made it clear that this requirement comes from authorities:

“This is something that every single ship needs to do twice a year as per US Coast Guard, Australian Coast Guard and other government agencies and SOLAS, Safety of Life at Sea.”

While digital briefings (like e-muster) take care of the daily requirement to brief individual passengers, the full, “old style” drill is still required for periodic checks and compliance.

These twice-a-year drills are necessary to check the ship’s entire safety system, including crew preparedness, alarm checks, and the flow of passengers to their muster stations.

Heald said that the crew is working to make the process as efficient and painless as can be:

“We have sent you an email and you are going to be doing the old style muster drill. We will get this done as quickly as possible.” He stated, “I know the crew will take great care of you and make sure that it is done as quickly as possible.”

For passengers sailing on Carnival Sunshine on October 18th, this means physically gathering at your assigned muster station. Crew members will then give a live demonstration and explanation of safety procedures, including how to properly wear a life jacket and what steps to follow in an emergency.

Mattresses on Carnival Ships

Heald took a moment to address another common question from cruisers in the Facebook live video this morning: mattress comfort.

He acknowledged the feedback and concerns about firmness and wear and tear. He assured Carnival fans that the cruise line has an established policy to maintain quality, and he stated that all ship mattresses are replaced every two years.

Update on Mardi Gras Drydock

Heald also provided a quick update on Carnival Mardi Gras.  He announced that the ship has officially left drydock and is currently heading to Barcelona, where it will begin its repositioning voyage.

He also shared an interesting fact about the ship’s trip home:

“I think that is absolutely fabulous. There are 1,020 people, 1,020, who brought the ship from Port Canaveral to Barcelona, have either taken a cruise on the Carnival Miracle or stayed in Europe… and 1,020 of them are taking the ship back home to Port Canaveral again. So I think that is absolutely brilliant…”

The Brand Ambassador is traveling to the ship to meet those passengers and will be sharing more statistics and details about the work completed during the drydock soon.

Heald mentioned that while specific public area changes will be announced later, Mardi Gras is scheduled to welcome guests back on October 16 for a repositioning voyage returning to Port Canaveral.

In just a few weeks, Galveston’s cruise port is getting a new addition — and it’s a big one. The 5,800-maximum capacity (4,540 double capacity) MSC Seascape will arrive in Galveston, Texas on November 7, making it the cruise line’s first-ever homeport in Texas.

I’ll be joining MSC Cruises on the ship’s inaugural sailing from Galveston to see firsthand how this European-style cruise experience is getting a Texas twist.

A New Homeport for a Global Cruise Line

MSC Seascape will begin year-round 7-night Western Caribbean cruises, departing every Sunday starting November 9. The itineraries include stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras.

The ship will sail from Galveston’s newest cruise terminal, opening at the same time as Seascape’s arrival.   The port has seen a lot of growth lately and is already the fourth-busiest in the country and the only one in Texas.

Modern Design Meets Texas Style

Though new to Texas, MSC Seascape isn’t new many MSC cruisers. The ship was built in 2022 as part of MSC Cruises’ Seaside EVO class.  This class is an evolution of its Seaside class which has been known for connecting passengers to the ocean through extra outdoor spaces and waterfront promenades.

The 1,112-foot-long ship blends a sort of European chic with American-style comfort, and now it’s adding a touch of Southern hospitality for its Texas debut. Expect menus featuring barbecue-forward dishes, cajun spices, and Southern comfort food favorites, alongside international dining venues like the Kaito Sushi Bar, HOLA! Tacos & Cantina, Ocean Cay seafood restaurant, and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse.

Entertainment

The entertainment lineup is getting a Texas touch as well. Passengers can look forward to a resident country band, a lively Big Texas Sailaway Party, dueling pianos, and even line dancing classes.

Fun for Families and Thrill Seekers

Families will find plenty to do and enjoy on board, with more than 7,500 square feet of kids’ space and activities like a LEGO parade, MasterChef at Sea Juniors, and the Guinness World Record Family Quiz.

Race car lovers can also take a spin in the Formula 1 simulator, catch a show in the XD interactive cinema, or go for the ultimate thrill ride on Robotron — a robotic arm coaster that swings guests high above the deck.

MSC Yacht Club

For those who want a touch of luxury, the MSC Yacht Club offers a “ship-within-a-ship” retreat with 32,000 square feet of exclusive space, with private pools, a restaurant, and a 24/7 butler service.

It’s MSC’s most premium experience and one of the largest Yacht Clubs in the fleet.

Texas Cruising

With 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, six pools, and a really stunning aft infinity pool overlooking the sea, MSC Seascape has a lot to offer. There’s even a glass-floored Bridge of Sighs and a 1,772-foot waterfront promenade.  It’s all just another way that this class of ship allows passengers to get closer to the water.

I’ll be on board for that inaugural sailing next month to see what MSC Seascape brings to Galveston, and I’m excited to show all of our Cruise Fever readers what they can expect.

A nervous first-time cruiser took to the internet to express concern about a letter from the captain.  The letter which warned of rough seas aboard MSC Fantasia in the Eastern Mediterranean was posted on Reddit and received a few hundred comments.

The letter, signed by Captain Corrado Iaconis, advised guests of “ROUGH SEA CONDITIONS AHEAD,” with wind gusts reaching 45 knots and swells as high as four meters (about 13 feet).

“For your safety, all pools on board may be emptied, and we strongly advise guests to avoid the outer decks.  Please exercise caution when moving around the ship and always use handrails.  Our crew will be on hand to assist and ensure that everyone stays safe throughout the journey,” the letter stated

To one newcomer, though, the notice felt terrifying. In a Reddit post titled “Very Scared”, they asked, “My first cruise and I got this in the door. How horrible is this going to be?”

“Absolutely Zero Reason to Be Concerned”

The cruise community quickly rallied with hundreds of comments to try to remove any concern.

“If your concern is one of safety, there is absolutely zero reason to be concerned,” wrote one cruise veteran with plenty of experience. “These vessels can take significantly stronger seas and winds.”

Another echoed the sentiment: “The ship will make every attempt to [bypass] the storm. Don’t be scared. These ships are built for rough seas.”

Others lightened the mood with perspective. One commenter described being on board during Hurricane Sandy in 2012: “They closed all outer decks. Food was brought to the rooms. Not so scary with the size of the boat tbh.”

Swells in Perspective

Many quickly explained that 13-foot swells sound dramatic but are really quite manageable for a large ship.  MSC Fantasia is a 137,000 gross ton vessel and can carry over 3,200 passengers at double capacity.

One comment pointed out: “4m is 13.1ft that’s not too bad… Went to Alaska a couple years ago and we had 19-21ft (6m) swells. The ship was moving a bit, but it wasn’t terrible. You should be perfectly safe. The ships are made for this.”

Others agreed, sharing their own experiences in storms. “I’ve been on a cruise where we had 19 foot seas…your feet would leave the ground with the swells. lol. That was pretty fun,” wrote one cruiser.

And one Reddit user, a former bridge officer and maritime safety professional, noted: “These ships are built to withstand so much more than what is being described here. This is just another light breeze for the ship… I have been in 150 knot winds and 10m+ waves and the worst thing that broke were wine glasses.”

Seasickness is the Real Challenge

While safety wasn’t really a concern among veteran cruisers, many commenters agreed the real challenge would be personal comfort.

One commenter advised: “If you have concerns with this, then take some medications before you go to bed tonight before anything is bothering you. That’s the best time.”

Another cruiser added: “I was very sick and quickly learned if I was going to be sick, drowsy Dramamine was the way to go. The non drowsy stuff didn’t make a difference!”

Practical tips included:

• Stay inside, enjoy the wild ocean views from inside lounges instead of decks or balconies… Or the lowest most central public part of the ship you can get. (u/Kerensky97)
• Oof, go to the infirmary and get some motion sickness patches and wristbands. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and hold the railings when walking (u/SallyARNP)
• Take the Dramamine before you feel sick. (u/Anxious_Fox9706)

And for one commenter, the silver lining was simple: “Definitely will get some sea legs from this trip.”

Bottom Line

Letters like the one from MSC Fantasia’s captain are routine on cruise ships whenever rough conditions are expected. They are designed to prepare passengers and reduce accidents, not to alarm them.  

Thankfully, modern cruise ships are engineered to handle far harsher weather than most guests will ever experience. For newcomers, the bigger challenge is usually seasickness or temporary discomfort, not safety.

Holland America Line is offering a special sailing for Oktoberfest in 2026 and 2027 that will depart on September 13, 2026 and September 17, 2027.

The 14-day Scandinavia & Berlin Oktoberfest with The HISTORY Channel will take place on Rotterdam and depart from Rotterdam, Netherlands on September 13, 2026.

This immersive itinerary includes stops in Germany, Norway, Denmark, Poland and Latvia, offering guests a chance to explore a tapestry of historic cities and vibrant cultures.

Back-to-back calls in Kiel and Warnemunde, Germany, give guests a chance to delve deeper into German culture, including the chance to visit Berlin, Germany, on a shore excursion as they kick off their Oktoberfest celebrations.

There, guests can raise a stein, enjoy bratwurst and soak in the lively atmosphere of Germany’s capital.

Holland America Line will also bring the spirit of Oktoberfest to the ship with authentic entertainment, including live local music, themed events, and German-inspired cuisine.

The 2027 cruise will take place on Nieuw Statendam and depart from Dover, England on September 17, 2027. This 14-day cruise will visit Rotterdam, Oslo, Aarhus, Kiel, Warnemunde, Ronne, Gdansk, Klaipeda, Riga, and Copenhagen.

Drew Foulk, senior manager of beverage operations for Holland America Line, gave the following statement about the cruise line’s Oktoberfest cruises:

“Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer celebration, and we’re incredibly proud to bring this iconic festival to our guests onboard. As part of our regional beverage program, we’re committed to ensuring guests enjoy the very best locally inspired drinks no matter where they sail.

“During Oktoberfest, we feature authentic German brews — including Rostocker, Paulaner, and Warsteiner — so guests can raise a stein and savor the true spirit of Oktoberfest at sea. It’s all about delivering an immersive, unforgettable experience that celebrates both tradition and discovery.”

Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with eight cruise lines, has expanded their meal donation program into Latin America for the first time.

Carnival’s expansion into Mexico, Honduras and The Dominican Republic will bring their fresh meal donation program to Latin America.

Carnival Corporation’s meal donation program redirects surplus prepared and unserved meals from cruise ships to a growing network of trusted local partners for distribution to families and communities in need.

Part of the Carnival Corporation’s Less Left Over strategy to cut food waste, the program maximizes the use of high-quality surplus meals to help address food insecurity in communities where it is established.

By expanding to three new ports, the program will now operate in 19 destinations worldwide.

In Mexico, Carnival Corporation signed an agreement with Bancos de Alimentos de Mexico (Red BAMX) for ports where Carnival Cruise Line ships visit. It will first launch in Ensenada and then expand to more ports in Mexico.

In Honduras, Carnival Corporation signed an agreement with Mayor Ron McNab of Roatán.

In the Dominican Republic, Carnival Corporation signed agreements with the Catholic Diocese of Puerto Plata and Banco de Alimentos República Dominicana.

Vicky Rey, vice president of government affairs for Latin America, Carnival Corporation, gave the following statement:

“Expanding our meal donation program into Latin America is an important step in giving back to the amazing ports and destinations who warmly welcome our guests into their communities and make their visits so memorable.

“Our goal is to help feed families and children who may not have a hot meal to eat every day by donating healthy and delicious meals we prepared but did not serve onboard. We’re grateful to our partners in Mexico, Honduras and the Dominican Republic who helped make this possible.”

Carnival launched the food donation program in 2017 through their Costa Cruises line and has since expanded it to more of their cruise lines.

So far, the program has donated more than 300,000 unserved meals.