Diplomacy

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has one of the most unique jobs on the planet.  And as a representative of the family cruise line, he tackles some odd questions from time to time.

He also has to straighten out some false information on what seems like a regular basis.

After the long three-day weekend, Heald took to Facebook to respond to a “Free donut” hoax that had been spreading on a certain unnamed Facebook page.

The Free Donut Hoax

Heald addressed the unusual rumor spreading on social media: “Carnival announced all police officers serving and retired will be given the new donuts for free.”

The claim even suggested officers only needed to show their ID to get the free donuts.

“I don’t know where this comes from,” Heald said.

Heald had to step in and clarify that, while Carnival supports first responders, this particular offer was completely false.   While admitting it was just a rumor, he did admit that he could possibly bring it up with “the beards” in the future.

New Donuts Are Here, But They’re Not Free

For those who still have donuts on the brain, it’s worth noting that Carnival has introduced new mini donuts, beignets, and churros. However, these are a for-a-fee item and are not complimentary.

You can find them on 11 ships in the fleet right now as a new menu item and also at Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private destination. At Celebration Key, a food truck called “Mini Donut King” serves up these treats for a charge.

Stolen Cabin Door Magnets

Heald also shared a story that many social media users found shocking: a guest on Carnival Conquest saw another passenger steal a magnet decoration from another passenger’s cabin door.

As Heald explained, “Here’s an older lady walking down the corridor, doesn’t think anybody’s around, steals the magnet and puts it in a purse.”

While some might think, “it’s just a magnet,” Heald was quick to point out that “it’s still stealing.” He used the incident to discuss a “lack of concern for others.

Adults-Only Cruises vs. Family Fun

Heald also weighed in on the popular debate between adults-only cruises and family-friendly vacations. While he acknowledged that some people “may prefer adults-only cruises,” he made it clear that Carnival prides itself on being a family-focused line.

He called having a “whole mixed demographic of age on the ship” the “perfect scenario.”

He also pushed back against the idea that only children cause a disturbance, noting that while kids “run and they jump and they shout and they scream,” it’s often just a sign they are having fun. This point was an interesting contrast to the story of the adult caught stealing, showing that poor behavior isn’t limited to the youngest passengers.

A couple weeks ago, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas has made its debut in Florida. Tied for the largest cruise ship ever built, the ship is now sailing week-long cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

With four months left in the year, there’s another five ocean ships debuting from mainstream cruise lines. Here’s a look at these new cruise ships and where they will be sailing to and from.

Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages 4th adults-only cruise ship, Brilliant Lady, will make its long awaited debut this week on September 5, 2025. The ship was originally scheduled to debut in 2024 but Virgin pushed it back until this week.

While its a sister ship to the other three Virgin ships, the cruise line has made a few changes to make it even better.

Brilliant Lady will start off by offering a handful of cruises from New York City to Bermuda and Canada/New England.

In October, the ship will reposition to Miami, Florida for six- and eight-night cruises to the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

In the spring of 2026, Brilliant Lady will head to the West Coast for cruises to the Alaska.

Star Princess

Star Princess is the second Sphere class ship from Princess Cruises, the largest ships in their fleet.

The ship will sail its maiden voyage on October 4, 2025 from Barcelona, Spain. After its second cruise in Europe, the vessel will sail to Port Everglades for seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Star Princess will be christened in Ft. Lauderdale on November 6, a day after arriving from Europe.

After a winter season of cruises to the Caribbean, the ship will also head to the West Coast for cruises to Alaska from Seattle.

Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth Edge class ship from Celebrity Cruises and will debut on November 9, 2025, a four-night cruise from Port Everglades to Mexico.

After the inaugural cruise, the ship will sail a few press cruises for media and travel agents and Celebrity Xcel will be christened on November 16 by Janaína Torres.

After a five-night cruise to the Western Caribbean, the ship will begin sailing week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

In the summer of 2026, the ship will sail in Europe offering a variety of cruises from Barcelona and Athens.

Disney Destiny

The first of two new Disney cruise ships this year, Disney Destiny will be the cruise line’s third Wish class ship.

The ship will debut on November 20, 2025 offering four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The ship will visit both of Disney’s private ports in The Bahamas, Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point. Some cruises will substitute one of these port stops with Nassau.

Disney Destiny will have a ‘Heroes and Villains’ theme and offer one-of-a-kind venues and experiences.

The cruise ship will offer spectacular entertainment for the whole family, featuring the debut of brand-new experiences and the return of guest-favorite shows and activities that immerse families in legendary worlds, both real and imagined, through unparalleled Disney storytelling.

Disney Adventure

Disney Adventure will be Disney Cruise Line’s largest ship yet at over 200,000 gross tons in size. This is also the only ship on the list that will not sail from the U.S.

Disney Adventure will have the longest roller coaster at sea and have unique features found only on this ship.

Since the ship will be a destination in itself, it will sail three- to five-night cruises from Singapore with no port stops.

Cruise Fever will be on Star Princess, Disney Destiny and Celebrity Xcel in November. Stay tuned as we bring you all the great features of these brand new cruise ships.

A number of cruise lines are offering special deals for Labor Day Weekend 2025 that include Carnival’s biggest bundle deal ever.

Here is a look at what each cruise line is offering for Labor Day so you can save money when booking your next cruise vacation.

2025 Labor Day Cruise Deals

Norwegian Cruise Line – NCL is offering 50% off all cruises, kids cruise for free, and unlimited open bar, specialty dining, WiFi and shore excursion credit. View Best Prices on Norwegian

Royal Caribbean – Royal Caribbean is offering up to $900 off cruises, 40% off beverage packages, and up to $50 in bonus savings on short cruises to the Caribbean. View Best Prices on Royal Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line – Carnival has launched their biggest bundle deal ever for Labor Day and it includes $400 in onboard credit and 25% off beverage packages, WiFi, shore excursions, spa treatments and specialty dining. View Best Prices on Carnival

Holland America Line – Holland America has 45% off cruise fares with deposits lowered to $99 per person. They are also adding in up to $400 in onboard credit to spend once you are on the ship. View Best Prices on HAL

MSC Cruises – MSC is offering up to 40% off cruises and kids sail for free on cruises to the Caribbean and The Bahamas. View Best Prices on MSC

Princess Cruises – Princess Cruises’ Labor Day Weekend Sale has up to $400 in instant savings on cruises, plus up to 40% off, and the 3rd and 4th guests in a cabin sail for free. View Best Prices on Princess

Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity is offering 75% off the second guest in a cabin and the 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom cruise for free. You can save up to $500 with this deal. View Best Prices on Celebrity

Virgin Voyages – Virgin, the adults-only cruise line, is offering an End of the Summer Sale that has the option of 70% off the second guest and up to $500 in instant savings, or cruises for $109 per person, per night. View Best Prices on Virgin

Margaritaville at Sea – Margaritaville is offering free stateroom selection and 80% off extra guests in a cabin in a Labor Day Flash Sale.

Oceania Cruises – Oceania is offering up to 50% off cruises and their Your World Included fares include gratuities, Starlink WiFi, and specialty dining. View Best Prices on Oceania

For complete terms and conditions of every deal that cruise lines are offering for Labor Day, contact your preferred travel agent or visit the cruise line’s website.

A small fire on the second largest cruise ship in the P&O Cruises fleet was quickly extinguished by the crew, with no injuries reported.

The incident which occurred on the 5,200-passenger (double capacity) vessel Iona, appears to have been an oil fire in a galley on Deck 5.  The fire caused a temporary disruption but did not require an evacuation of passengers.

Social media reports state that the crew were told to report to their muster stations on the 184,000 gross ton ship.

According to a firsthand account from a passenger on Reddit, a series of announcements were made, with the situation escalating from a need for a first aid team to a larger response.

The crew was eventually sent to their muster stations, but passengers were not required to do so. The captain later praised the crew’s response, which one Reddit user described as “rock solid.”

Passengers in the immediate vicinity of the fire were asked to temporarily leave their cabins as a precaution.

One Reddit user, who was on Deck 5, recalled, “I actually opened our door not long after the announcement to see a load of fully kitted firemen running down the corridor...” The passenger’s young children were a little “upset because of all the alarms,” but were fine once the all-clear was given.

The small fire resulted in several restaurants being shut down temporarily, particularly on Deck 6.

Cleanup crews were seen working in the impacted area, which smelled of burning oil. But thankfully, the situation was resolved quickly, with another Reddit user later confirming, “Everything is back open again.”

The possibility of a fire is the biggest concern for the crew on a cruise ship, and even a small fire is treated very seriously.  In this case, the crew responded very quickly.

Another social media comment emphasized this point: “Hearing these responses shows the benefit of the incessant crew drills and safety training.”

Another passenger noted that the crew had ironically conducted several fire drills just the day before the incident.

P&O’s Iona is an Excellence-class cruise ship that was laucnhed in August 2021. At the time of its launch, it was the largest ship ever built for the P&O cruise line.

CLIA, Cruise Lines International Association, has filed a lawsuit against the State of Hawaii due to the new ‘Green Tax’ that is scheduled to be implemented next year.

The fee will extend Hawaii’s 11% transient accommodations tax to cruise ships. CLIA said that the tax being added to cruise ships is unconstitutional and filed a lawsuit yesterday. The lawsuit can be read in full here.

The law also allows counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge bringing the total imposition to 14% of prorated fees.

CLIA sent the following statement to Cruise Fever about the lawsuit:

“The cruise industry, together with local businesses reliant on its economic contributions, opposes the extension of Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) to cruise ship passengers. We believe the extension violates both the U.S. Constitution and federal law, while imposing an additional financial burden on passengers already subject to substantial fees and taxes.

“Such a policy risks undermining a critical sector of Hawaii’s economy without justification. That’s why we are pursuing all appropriate means to make sure that doesn’t happen, including filing suit yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii.

“The economic significance of cruise tourism to Hawaii is undeniable. Small businesses reap significant benefits from cruise tourism and cruise line shoreside activities, which generated $639 million in total economic impact, including $116 million in tax revenues, and supported 3,000 local jobs and $215 million in wages in 2023, according to an analysis by Tourism Economics / Oxford Economics.

“These figures reflect a vibrant partnership that sustains communities across the islands. Extending the TAT to cruise passengers threatens to deter visitors whose spending fuels this economic engine, risking job losses and eroding the financial stability of businesses dependent on tourism.

“The cruise industry values its longstanding relationship with Hawaii and is committed to working collaboratively with state officials to develop a fair and legally sound framework that promotes sustainable economic growth.

“We urge policymakers to reconsider this proposal, which could disproportionately harm the very communities that rely on cruise tourism’s contributions. A balanced approach, grounded in mutual cooperation, will better serve Hawaii’s economic interests and preserve the livelihoods of its residents.”

Nobody likes traffic. It’s universally annoying, and it’s especially frustrating when it’s getting in the way of your cruise vacation.

At a recent Port Canaveral Board of Commissioners meeting, this topic was front and center, with a commissioner stating that the traffic situation is “almost like the elephant in the room here that we kind of gloss over.”

The Numbers

The numbers provide a clear picture of Port Canaveral’s success and growth.  But with all that growth comes a few growing pains as well.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the port estimates a record-breaking 9 million cruise passengers.

That’s a 7% increase from the previous year, and all of these passengers, whether they’ve driven in or flown from across the country, need to get to the ships somehow.  Eventually they all come by the roadways.

The traffic gets particularly bad on what the port calls “five- and six-ship days”—when multiple cruise ships are in port at once.

The number of these busy days is projected to jump from 88 to 93 days a year, with six-ship days alone more than doubling.

This isn’t just about the volume of cars, either. The port is in the middle of major construction projects, including the demolition of a large parking garage to make way for a new, bigger one.

These projects, while they are necessary, can make the traffic jams even worse.

A Few Solutions

Port Canaveral is not ignoring the issue. They have committed “millions of dollars in our budget to address those issues.”

Here are a few of the port’s solutions to these growing pains:

• Infrastructure Investment: The port is in the process of demolishing an existing parking garage to build a new 3,000-space garage near Cruise Terminal 6 and another large garage at Cruise Terminal 3. The port is proposing an increase in daily parking fees from $17 to $20 to help fund this project. They are also improving terminals and roadways to create better drop-off and pickup areas.

• Increased Traffic Control: Money has been allocated to hire more off-duty sheriff’s deputies to direct traffic during peak hours.
• Data Gathering: The port is actively conducting studies to find more efficient ways to manage vehicle flow and parking.
• Long-Term Regional Issues: The port is working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to find a long-term fix for State Road 528 and the replacement of the drawbridges on State Road 401.

For the residents of Cape Canaveral, who regularly experience this congestion, these solutions can’t come soon enough. The port’s chairman has requested a full report be presented to the community at the next meeting which is set for September 24.

Ships in Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral has become home for some of the world’s newest and largest cruise ships. Carnival’s Mardi Gras, with its on-board rollercoaster, has made its home here, and Royal Caribbean has recently brought its brand-new Star of the Seas to the port to sail along with Utopia of the Seas.

Other newcomers to the port include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure.

Carnival’s new Carnival Festivale is set to homeport in 2027 and MSC Cruises committed to a fourth World-class ship based at the port for the 2027-2028 season.

These new ships are a major draw, attracting millions of new passengers and making the port one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.