Diplomacy

Star Princess, the world’s newest cruise ship, departed on its maiden voyage this week, an 11-night cruise from Barcelona to the Western Mediterranean.

Star Princess is the second Sphere class ship from Princess Cruises and the cruise line’s 17th ship in their fleet. After a couple of weeks in Europe, the vessel will head to Florida and arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on November 5, 2025.

Star Princess will be christened by godparents Matthew and Camila McConaughey on November 6, 2025. On the following day, the ship will begin sailing from Port Everglades to The Bahamas and Caribbean for the winter season.

The 177,800 gross ton ship can carry 4,300 passengers and has 30 distinct dining and bar venues. The vessel has over 1,500 balcony cabins and the exclusive Sanctuary Collection suites.

Entertainment highlights on the ship include Spellbound by Magic Castle, Meridian & Illuminate, Entertainment Beyond the Area, and The Dome.

Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises, gave the following statement:

“Star Princess shines brightly as one the largest and most spectacular ships we’ve ever built, and we proudly welcome excited guests on her inaugural voyage.

“We wish our Star Princess captain, senior officers, and crew much success – may her voyages be safe, her sunsets unforgettable, and may she shine, as her name promises, in the sky and on the seas.”

Captain Gennaro Arma, captain of Star Princess, added:

“From leading the newbuild team at the Monfalcone shipyard to watching our amazing crew now guiding her on her maiden voyage with our very first guests, this journey is a true honor for me and our dedicated crew. We warmly invite guests to come aboard our new Star Princess to experience the extraordinary and well-loved service Princess is known for.”

Star Princess is a sister ship to Sun Princess which debuted in early 2024.

Royal Caribbean has announced new details for Legend of the Seas, their third Icon class ship. The cruise ship will have next-level family experience and will also bring Roald Rahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to the high seas for the first time.

Legend of the Seas will have 28 dining options that range from Royal Railway to the Hollywoodland Super Club to the AquaDome Market.

The ship will also have legendary entertainment and adventures. Here’s a look at what guests can expect on Legend of the Seas when the ship debuts in 2026.

Legendary Nights

The golden ticket is coming to the high seas with Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. This hit Broadway musical brings the magical world of Willy Wonka to life in a show packed with sweet surprises.

There will be over 20 bars and lounges on Legend of the Seas including Lou’s, Dueling Pianos and 1400 Lobby Bar.

The AquaTheater will feature high divers, aerialists, robots, and dancers, and at Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea.

Legendary Adventures

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides. Crown’s Edge is a part zip line experience 154 feet above the ocean. The ship will have a new spin on mini golf at Lost Dunes, the Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall and more.

Legend of the Seas will have seven swimming pools that include The Hideaway infinity pool, Swim & Tonic swim-up bar, and the largest pool at sea, Royal Bay. The cruise ship will also have 10 hot tubs.

Surfside, a neighborhood just for families, will have a new carousel concept and Playscape for young cruisers.

Legendary Flavors

Royal Caribbean is bringing Royal Railway to an Icon class ship for the first time. This train dining experience will have new new destinations along the ancient Silk Routes by train, combining entertainment, food and technology. Guests will follow the travels of explorer Marco Polo on a five-course expedition of flavors and history through China, India, Italy and more.

Hollywoodland Supper Club will be a multi-course dining experience that takes guests from 1910 to the 1950s with jazz, gourmet bites and cocktails.

The AquaDome Market will have reimagined global cuisines with five new all-day food stalls.

Other popular Royal Caribbean dining options will be available including Surfside Eatery, Basecamp, Chops Grille, Izumi and Hooked Seafood.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean, gave the following statement:

“With Legend of the Seas, we are bringing to life our most legendary vacation yet as we continue to push the boundaries with more of what guests know and love. Those looking to get the most out of their vacation can have it all with Legend’s combination of adventure-packed experiences and incredible destinations in Europe and the Caribbean.”

Legend of the Seas will debut in the summer of 2026 and start off by offering seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean.

In November 2026, the ship will reposition to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for six- and eight-night cruises to the Caribbean.

Even one of the happiest occasions of someone’s life can be interrupted by breaking one of the biggest rules on a cruise ship. For one bride-to-be, a clever trick to sneak alcohol on board turned into a lifetime ban from Carnival Cruise Line.

Maddie, known as @madisonwest2000 on TikTok, was all set for a bachelorette party on a Carnival cruise. But her sneaky plan to bring alcohol onboard—hidden in feminine hygiene product wrappers—backfired in a big way.

After sharing her “hack” on TikTok during the cruise, she caught the attention of Carnival’s security team.  The result was a lifetime ban and a viral post full of unsympathetic comments.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has repeatedly said that the cruise line monitors these types of social media posts and will find out if someone is breaking the rules.

@madisonwest2000How I got banned from carnival cruises

♬ original sound – Maddie | Gym Girlie💪🏼✨

The Viral Bachelorette Cruise Gone Wrong

Maddie thought she’d outsmarted Carnival’s rules by disguising alcohol in feminine hygiene wrappers to smuggle it aboard the ship. She posted a TikTok video mid-cruise, showing herself pouring the booze into a drink.

“Mannn yall gotta know they have a social media team,” one commenter warned. Her followers quickly tagged Carnival Cruise Line, and it didn’t take long for security to show up at her cabin door.

During the visit, which Maddie partially recorded, security found more alcohol-filled wrappers stashed in her stateroom’s mini fridge.

“He made me change my written statement from ‘brought’ to ‘smuggled’,” Maddie captioned, owning up to her mistake. “This was on me, and I accept my punishment.” She also noted the crew’s comments about her filming, saying, “They were so weird about me recording, I’m pretty sure that’s my right but I didn’t want to make it worse.”

How Carnival Discovered the Smuggling

TikTok users had plenty to say about how Maddie got caught as the post was filled with hundreds of comments. “Did someone see you or a snitch off the video!? Like HOW did the crew see your TikTok?” one asked. Another guessed, “I think the cabin steward saw the fridge and told on them.”

Others pointed out her biggest issue which seems fairly obvious: “I’m trying to understand why you’d post it while you’re still onboard? You’ve got to know they’ll find out.”

Why Carnival Cracks Down

Carnival’s policy is strict: guests can bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed wine or champagne in carry-on luggage, but all other alcohol is off-limits.

Why? It’s not just about protecting their bar revenue (though drink packages and à la carte sales are big business). Unmonitored alcohol can lead to overdrinking, which raises safety concerns. There’s also the risk of tampered drinks being shared.

TikTok users weighed in: “Just get the drink package,” several urged, with one sharing, “I spent $800 on drinks! Don’t be like me.” Another suggested, “If you can’t buy drinks on a cruise or get that casino point marker for free ones, you really shouldn’t take a cruise.”

The cost of drink packages sparked debate, with one user noting, “Just FYI the drink package is $1100 for 2 people for a week,” while another countered, “I’ve been cruising for 20 yrs and never spent for that $239 pp on a drink package.”

A Plea to Have the Ban Lifted

Maddie then revealed why Carnival matters to her. “Me and my husband actually met on a Carnival cruise, so Carnival means a lot to us,” she shared in a follow-up video, pleading, “I take it all back. Just let me back on, please.” But most comments weren’t buying it.

One user said: “It’s so hard for some people to just follow the rules and enjoy the vacation!!!” Another was blunt: “This is a natural consequence‍.”

Some highlighted the rules themselves. “Just to be clear. When you book a cruise you waive your rights. The captain is the only authority on the ship. You must follow their rules. Period,” one explained. Another added, “The rights you might think you have ARE NOT the same at sea. It’s THEIR rules.”

Can She Sail Again?

While Carnival allows appeals for lifetime bans, they’re rarely overturned. Maddie’s case is a reminder that smuggling alcohol is a practice that is bad enough, and flaunting the behavior online, is even too much for most social media users to have too much sympathy.

As one commenter shared, “I’m not judging. But once I realized how much I love to cruise I just won’t take the risk of losing my privileges.” Another summed it up neatly: “Carnival ain’t playing no more.”

Not the Only TikToker to Be Banned

TikToker Courtney Murley also faced a lifetime ban from Carnival Cruise Line after posting a viral video that appeared to show her smuggling alcohol onto Carnival Conquest. She shared her ban letter publicly, which confirmed Carnival’s strict stance: guests caught violating alcohol policies—and then broadcasting it on social media—can expect swift and lasting consequences.

Murley later claimed the video was satirical and no actual alcohol was smuggled, but Carnival emphasized that posting such content alone was enough to justify the ban. The letter warned that any attempt to book future cruises would be canceled, with deposits forfeited.

Carnival Cruise Line continues to release new cruises for 2027-2028 and today the cruise giant announced where three ships will be sailing to and from in Florida.

Carnival Cruise Line is moving Carnival Venezia to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami, for six- to eight-day cruises to the Caribbean. In addition, Carnival Magic and Carnival Vista will offer expanded options.

Here is a look at these newly announced cruises from Carnival.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia will move to Miami in May 2027 offering six- and eight-day cruises to the Caribbean.

Six-day western Caribbean cruises feature stops at Carnival’s new exclusive destination Celebration Key; as well as calls in popular ports such as Ocho Rios or Montego Bay in Jamaica and Grand Cayman; Grand Turk and Amber Cove.

The eight-day cruises will visit ports like Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Amber Cove.

Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic will continue to sail from Miami also offering six- and eight-day cruises to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.

The cruise ship will stop in the following ports on cruises from Miami: Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Southern Caribbean cruises will feature port calls in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

Carnival Vista

Carnival Vista will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida on seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean.

Ports that Carnival Vista will visit on these week-long cruises will range from Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“Carnival Venezia moving to Miami creates even more choice for our guests with longer itineraries to the most popular Caribbean destinations and adds a new flavor of fun with our ‘Italian Style’ experiences.

“With Carnival Magic and Carnival Vista continuing to build on their strong popularity, the wide variety of sailings we’re opening today speaks to our commitment to guests who want convenient getaways from Florida.”

Carnival Cruise Line said that they will release more sailings for 2027-2028 in the coming weeks.

Princess Cruises has announced that Matthew and Camila McConaughey will serve as the godparents to their new ship, Star Princess.

Star Princess will be christened by the McConaugheys at Port Everglades on November 6, 2025. The ship will sail its inaugural cruise from the port the following day, a three-night cruise to The Bahamas.

Camila and Matthew McConaughey, co-founders of Pantalones Organic Tequila, bring their dynamic spirit and creativity to this time-honored maritime tradition. Together they exemplify the values of passion, generosity and innovation that resonate deeply with Princess Cruises.

Camila and Matthew McConaughey gave the following statement about being named godparents of Star Princess:

“We’re honored to be godparents of the Star Princess. With Princess, it’s not just a vacation — it’s time well spent, families and friends coming together, meeting new folks, and making memories. This ship’s got that spirit built right in, and we’re proud to be part of her story from the beginning.”

The 177,800 gross ton, 4,300-guest Star Princes features 30 distinct dining and bar venues, curated entertainment and activity offerings, and luxurious accommodations across a wide range of categories.

The ship has more than 1,500 balcony cabins and will debut on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

The ship will sail a couple cruises in Europe before heading to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for the winter season.

Once in Florida, the ship will offer week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

At least 12 cruise ships have already been forced to alter their itineraries and schedules as a Category 4 Hurricane Humberto intensifies in the Atlantic and a tropical storm stirs things up along the Eastern coast of the United States.

Welcome to the 2025 hurricane season.  Cruise lines are used to these types of events and are very capable of avoiding major storms to keep their passengers and crew safe.  Sometimes cruises have to be canceled, but often they can just change their itineraries to keep those vacations plans mostly intact.

Hurricane Humberto, now a Category 4 storm, is several hundred miles northeast of the Leeward Islands.  The storm is forcing multiple ships to reroute from their original ports of call, with some visiting Canadian and New England ports instead.

On top of that, a developing system near the northwest Bahamas, designated AL94 and expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda, is also causing cruise lines to change their itineraries from Florida, especially short Bahamas sailings.

So far, no full cruise cancelations have been reported, but several cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line have confirmed port swaps, reroutes, and extra sea days to protect guest safety.

Here are the cruise lines and ships that have been impacted by the storms so far:

Royal Caribbean Altered Itineraries

• Star of the Seas (Sept. 28, Port Canaveral): Switching from Eastern Caribbean (CocoCay, St. Thomas, St. Kitts) to Western Caribbean (Costa Maya, Roatán, Cozumel). CocoCay canceled. Refunds issued.
• Symphony of the Seas (Sept. 28, Cape Liberty, NJ): Switching from a Bahamas/Florida itinerary (Port Canaveral, Nassau, CocoCay) to an Atlantic Canada itinerary, visiting Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia with an overnight stay in Sydney. Guests are receiving onboard credit and a Future Cruise Credit.
• Utopia of the Seas (Sept. 26, Port Canaveral): Skipping Nassau; extra sea day added. CocoCay still on.
• Freedom of the Seas (Sept. 27, Miami): Rerouting away from Nassau; Western Caribbean ports TBD.
• Liberty of the Seas (Sept. 27, Cape Liberty, NJ): Diverted from Bermuda to St. John, Canada with overnight stay.
• Adventure of the Seas (Sept. 27, Port Canaveral): Skipping some Bahamas ports; Western Caribbean swaps under review.
• Grandeur of the Seas (Sept. 27, Tampa): Adjusting Western Caribbean route; Cozumel moved earlier to avoid Imelda’s.
• Enchantment of the Seas: Rerouted from its original Bahamas/Perfect Day at CocoCay itinerary to sail to the Western Caribbean, visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival Altered Itineraries

• Carnival Sunrise (Sept. 25, Miami): Half Moon Cay pushed earlier (Sept. 26); Sept. 27 is a sea day.
• Carnival Venezia (Ongoing, return to NY): Returning sooner; skipped one Bahamas port due to Humberto’s swells.

• Carnival Horizon (Sept. 25, Miami): Skipped Grand Turk (Sept. 27); replaced with Cozumel, Mexico.

Disney Altered Itineraries

• Disney Wish (Sept. 26, Port Canaveral): Castaway Cay moved to Sept. 27; Nassau canceled; sea day on Sept. 28.

Watchlist: Other Ships That Could Potentially Be Impacted

These ships have not yet confirmed any itinerary changes but could be impacted based on the estimated storm track.

• Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (Sept. 28, Cape Liberty, NJ): May skip Bermuda; possible Canadian reroute.
• Carnival Celebration (Sept. 28, Miami): Expected CocoCay diversion to Cozumel.
• Norwegian Getaway (Sept. 27, Port Canaveral): Bahamas-focused itinerary under review; Western Caribbean substitution likely.
• Disney Fantasy (Sept. 27, Port Canaveral): Possible port order changes in Eastern Caribbean depending on Imelda’s path.

Bottom Line

Florida cruise ports are still open but on alert.  Cruise lines are playing it safe by rerouting and tweaking schedules rather than canceling trips—not yet anyway. These ships are built for rough seas and have experts onboard keeping an eye on the weather in real-time.

If your shore excursions get canceled, don’t worry—refunds will be automatic. And if you’re cruising this season, having travel insurance that covers weather disruptions is definitely a smart move.

Right now, Hurricane Humberto, a strong Category 4 storm, is heading toward Bermuda, and it’s stirring up decent size swells not just there but also around the U.S. East Coast. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Imelda is likely to shake things up in the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean over the next week or so.