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Just as Trainwreck: The Poop Cruise captivates viewers with its look into Carnival Triumph’s 2013 sewage disaster, Netflix is diving deeper into cruise ship controversy with its latest true crime entry: Amy Bradley Is Missing.

Premiering 16th July 2025, the three-part docuseries will revisit one of the most perplexing cases in cruise history – the disappearance of 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in March 1998.

Amy was sailing with her family on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, celebrating her college graduation.

On the night of 23rd March, she and her brother Brad visited the ship’s nightclub. By 3:30 am, they returned to their stateroom. But by 6 am, Amy had vanished without a trace.

Despite immediate searches, no trace of Amy was ever found onboard or in the surrounding waters.

Only a polo shirt and sandals were left behind. The cruise proceeded as planned, including the scheduled port call in Curacao, though investigations with local authorities also proved fruitless.

Unsolved for Nearly 30 Years

Over the years, several unconfirmed sightings have surfaced – from a woman matching Amy’s description crying in a Barbados restroom, to someone spotted in a brothel, and even an eerie image emailed to her family years later. None of these leads produced conclusive results.

The case remains open with the FBI, and a $25,000 reward is still offered for information leading to her discovery.

Amy’s case has gained attention over the decades.

In 2024, around what would have been her 50th birthday, renewed interest from online communities again tried to crowdsource answers.

Despite her being declared legally deceased in 2010, the Bradley family continues to hold hope that Amy may still be alive.

Cruise Disasters in the Spotlight

The Netflix series comes hot on the heels of another cruise-themed documentary.

The recently released Trainwreck episode about the 2013 Carnival Triumph breakdown – often referred to as the “Poop Cruise” – has reignited public interest in cruise ship incidents.

From missing persons and mechanical failures to feel-good and behind-the-scenes specials, the cruise industry continues to be a popular – and polarizing – focus for television and film.

Unlike accidents or storms, Amy’s story taps into the deepest fears of isolation and vulnerability at sea. It also reminds travellers – and cruise operators – of the gaps that once existed in cruise security, investigations, and international cooperation.

A compelling, chilling, and deeply personal investigation into one of the most enduring mysteries at sea. If it leads to new information, Amy’s story could finally get the resolution it deserves.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

A British cruiser has been arrested after packing nearly £15,000 worth of stolen jewellery for her getaway – and then sending her work colleagues selfies while wearing it. Lucy Roberts,…

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Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas encountered an unexpected hiccup during their Northern Europe sailing, with the ship arriving late to the Netherlands and cancelling a future port…

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Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas encountered an unexpected hiccup during their Northern Europe sailing, with the ship arriving late to the Netherlands and cancelling a future port call in Norway due to ongoing onboard maintenance.

On 25th June 2025, the 154,407-gross-ton vessel arrived nearly three hours behind schedule into Rotterdam, cutting short what was meant to be a highlight port day for the 3,634 guests onboard.

The reduced visit meant that shore excursions to Amsterdam – an hour away by bus – were significantly impacted.

While the ship had previously enjoyed smooth visits to Oslo, Copenhagen, and Hamburg, things took a turn as guests were informed that maintenance had triggered speed restrictions, delaying arrival into Rotterdam from the scheduled 11 am to nearly 2 pm.

“We’ve had to make some adjustments to the times we’ll visit Rotterdam due to speed restrictions from ongoing maintenance onboard,”

Aurora Yera-Rodriquez, assistant vice president of guest experience at Royal Caribbean, in a letter to guests.

The ship still departed on time at 7 pm, giving passengers less than five hours in port, many of which were spent on buses or adjusting tour logistics.

While Royal Caribbean emphasized guest safety and downplayed the maintenance concerns, the reduced time ashore was a let-down for many.

Follow-Up Voyage Also Impacted

The maintenance delays aren’t isolated. Passengers booked on Independence of the Seas’ next sailing – a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing Southampton on 29 June 2025 – have also been notified of changes.

Due to the same speed restrictions, the ship will now skip its planned call to Ålesund on 1st July, and instead spend two full days at sea.

A replacement stop in Molde, Norway, is now scheduled for 2nd July, with arrival moved up by an hour.

As compensation, Royal Caribbean is issuing onboard credit as follows:

• $150 per stateroom (Interior and Oceanview)
• $200 per stateroom (Balcony)
• $400 per stateroom (Suites)
• An additional $25 per third and fourth guest in a stateroom

Additionally, all Royal Caribbean excursions for Ålesund have been cancelled and refunded automatically.

What’s Causing the Delays?

While Royal Caribbean has not publicly confirmed the exact nature of the mechanical issue, the speed restrictions, paired with the impacted itineraries, strongly suggest propulsion or engine-related maintenance. The ship is still operating safely, but not at full cruising speed.

This marks the second cruise in a row affected by the issue, and the situation is being carefully managed by the cruise line to limit further disruption.

It’s worth noting that Independence of the Seas already calls on Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam due to Amsterdam’s restrictions on cruise tourism, including a tourist tax hike and environmental regulations.

Rotterdam is now the default alternative port, but for this particular visit, even that substitution couldn’t avoid delay.

Independence of the Seas is still expected to return to Southampton on 29th June as planned to begin the next itinerary.

Guests onboard and upcoming passengers can track updates via the Royal Caribbean app and should expect communications in the event of further itinerary shifts.

While maintenance at sea is never ideal, Royal Caribbean’s swift communication and compensation offer are helping to smooth the experience for guests caught up in the disruption.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

A British cruiser has been arrested after packing nearly £15,000 worth of stolen jewellery for her getaway – and then sending her work colleagues selfies while wearing it. Lucy Roberts,…

Guests aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady will now enjoy a full view of the 12th August 2026 total solar eclipse, thanks to a proactive itinerary adjustment that aligns the ship…

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Guests aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady will now enjoy a full view of the 12th August 2026 total solar eclipse, thanks to a proactive itinerary adjustment that aligns the ship with the path of totality – a change sparked directly by guest feedback.

Originally, the Land of Fire & Ice sailing was only due to experience 98% totality, but once passengers noted that sister ship Scarlet Lady would be positioned in the full path, requests poured in.

Virgin Voyages took action, amending the sailing and swapping port visits to guarantee guests the same astronomical thrill.

What’s Changing on the 2026 Valiant Lady Eclipse Cruise

To give passengers the best viewing experience possible, Virgin Voyages has cancelled two ports and rearranged multiple dates at sea and in port. Here’s what’s different:

❌ Cancelled: Stornoway, Scotland (10th August)
✅ Added: Belfast, Northern Ireland (same date & time)

❌ Cancelled: Akureyri, Iceland (12th August – Eclipse Day)
✅ New: Day at Sea to position the ship directly in the line of totality

🔄 Moved: Liverpool, England
Now scheduled for 9th August instead of a day at sea.

🔄 Shifted: Siglufjörður, Iceland
Now scheduled for 13th August from 1 pm to 9 pm (originally 8 am to 5 pm)

The rest of the 15-night voyage, which departs 5th August 2026, remains unchanged, still visiting Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Isafjordur, and Reykjavik.

Guest-Driven Change Applauded

Passengers were quick to commend Virgin Voyages’ responsiveness to feedback, especially with how quickly the cruise line was able to secure a new course that hits the 100% eclipse viewing zone.

Instead of watching from port – potentially subject to local obstructions or unpredictable coastal weather – guests will now view the eclipse at sea, where the crew can manoeuvre the ship for optimal positioning and visibility.

The total solar eclipse on 12th August 2026 is generating serious cruise interest, with several lines already tailoring itineraries around the rare event.

According to the National Solar Observatory, the path of totality will cross Iceland, Greenland, northern Spain, Portugal, and portions of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.

Cruise lines planning similar voyages include:

• Princess Cruises: Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Sun Princess (Spain)
• Holland America Line: Oosterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Zuiderdam (Spain & Iceland)
• Seabourn: Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Ovation (Spain & Iceland)
• Cunard: Queen Victoria, Queen Anne (Mediterranean)
• Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Legend (Mediterranean)
• Marella Cruises: Marella Discovery 2 (Mediterranean)

While these ships aim for prime positioning, eclipse visibility still depends on weather conditions.

Clear skies aren’t guaranteed – but sailing at sea does give cruise captains more flexibility to avoid cloud cover and enhance the viewing experience.

Whether aboard Valiant Lady or another cruise ship, 2026 promises a once-in-a-lifetime moment at sea for travellers willing to chase the shadow of the moon across the ocean.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

A British cruiser has been arrested after packing nearly £15,000 worth of stolen jewellery for her getaway – and then sending her work colleagues selfies while wearing it. Lucy Roberts,…

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A scenic morning in Ketchikan, Alaska took a dangerous turn on 26th June 2025, when a school bus carrying 46 cruise passengers was involved in a serious collision with an…

A British cruiser has been arrested after packing nearly £15,000 worth of stolen jewellery for her getaway – and then sending her work colleagues selfies while wearing it.

Lucy Roberts, a 39-year-old from Swanland in Yorkshire, was arrested at Heathrow Airport following a cruise holiday after police discovered she had smuggled stolen merchandise from the high-end jeweller Daniella Draper Beverly, where she had been the store manager.

During her employment, Roberts frequently took jewellery home, allegedly to sort stock – a practice her colleagues found suspicious.

She resigned from the company in early 2025 and set off on a cruise.

But the timing wasn’t the only red flag. Roberts sent holiday photos to former colleagues showing herself decked out in luxury items they recognised – not as her own purchases, but as missing stock from the store.

Police were contacted, and a warrant was swiftly issued. Upon her return flight, Roberts was arrested at Heathrow, where she was still wearing £1,015 worth of stolen jewellery, and was carrying £13,880 worth more in her suitcase.

The police even confirmed that body camera footage of the arrest showed Roberts trying to remove and dispose of more jewellery as she was escorted from the airport.

What Police Found

A search of Roberts’ home found a substantial stash of 269 stolen items, with an estimated value of around £108,000 ($148,000).

Including the jewellery she had taken onto the cruise, the total theft value was around £125,000 ($171,000).

She was charged with theft, with further evidence showing she had conducted fraudulent returns and falsified stock counts to cover her tracks.

Roberts pleaded guilty at Grimsby Crown Court and was sentenced to 28 months in prison. Detective Sgt. Krista Wilkinson of Humberside Police condemned her actions:

“She betrayed the trust of her employer and her colleagues, who considered her a friend.”

Wilkinson added that she hopes Roberts will reflect on the impact of her actions, not only on the company but on the people she worked with daily.

This isn’t the first jewellery-related crime involving cruise guests in 2025.

In May, an elderly couple on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation was accused of walking out of a Messina, Sicily jewellery store with a $1,100 ring they’d asked to try on.

When the theft was discovered, the ship had already departed, but the couple was intercepted and searched by police in Naples, where the ring was recovered.

Their case is still pending, and they remain presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Related Posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Guests aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady will now enjoy a full view of the 12th August 2026 total solar eclipse, thanks to a proactive itinerary adjustment that aligns the ship…

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas encountered an unexpected hiccup during their Northern Europe sailing, with the ship arriving late to the Netherlands and cancelling a future port…

Just as Trainwreck: The Poop Cruise captivates viewers with its look into Carnival Triumph’s 2013 sewage disaster, Netflix is diving deeper into cruise ship controversy with its latest true crime…

A scenic morning in Ketchikan, Alaska took a dangerous turn on 26th June 2025, when a school bus carrying 46 cruise passengers was involved in a serious collision with an…

What began as a serene off-the-grid excursion turned into an ordeal for dozens of Silversea cruise passengers on 26th June 2025, when a fast-falling tide left their zodiac boats stranded off Adele Island, along Australia’s remote Kimberley coast.

The incident unfolded during an expedition from the 254-passenger Silver Cloud, which was midway through a 10-day luxury Kimberley voyage from Darwin.

Around 70 guests and 10 expedition guides had set off earlier that day for a zodiac tour of Adele Island – a rugged outpost famed for its birdlife and coral beds – when they were suddenly caught off guard by a dramatic tidal drop.

As the tide retreated rapidly, multiple zodiac boats were grounded in shallow water, leaving passengers knee- to thigh-deep in the sea and unable to return to the ship. One passenger described the unfolding scene on social media:

“What started as a fabulous trip across to Adele Island ended with all 100 odd passengers and staff getting caught by the rapid tide going out and stranding us on the wrong side of the deeper part of the water to get our zodiacs back to the ship.”

Crew quickly sprang into action, guiding passengers across 500 metres of coral beds to reach deeper water, where other zodiac boats were dispatched from the ship to ferry them back.

Photos from the scene show guests slogging through shallow waters, some with the assistance of crew, as the sun began to set.

Rescue Continued Into the Night

By 8:00 p.m. local time, most passengers had been recovered, and ship medical staff treated guests for minor scrapes and twisted ankles.

However, the captain informed guests that 10 passengers and some crew still remained on Adele Island, waiting for the tide to return so their zodiacs could safely re-float.

Silver Cloud remained positioned near Adele Island late into the night. Tide forecasts predicted another high tide at 11:59 p.m., with an expected 20-foot rise in water levels.

Observers have raised questions about why the tide’s dramatic movements weren’t better accounted for, particularly given Silversea’s strong reputation for expedition expertise.

Adele Island is known for its extreme tidal shifts, and a low tide at 5:48 p.m. saw sea levels dip into negative measurements.

Although no serious injuries were reported, passengers described the hours-long experience as disorganised and physically taxing.

Zodiacs are not equipped for extended delays, and no provisions such as food or water were immediately available for the stranded group.

Luckily, temperatures hovered between 23°C (74°F) and 27°C (80°F), preventing heat-related issues, though discomfort was still high for those navigating coral terrain without preparation.

Some passengers retained their sense of humour, calling it a “true expedition,” while others voiced surprise at the miscalculation from such a seasoned cruise operator.

About Silver Cloud and the Kimberley Itinerary

The 16,800-gross-ton Silver Cloud is one of Silversea’s purpose-built expedition vessels, equipped with 20 zodiacs and designed for polar and remote coastal cruising.

Its Kimberley Coast voyage includes stops at uninhabited islands and regions accessible only by sea – areas described by Silversea as “wild and remote… untouched by humans.”

Before the Adele Island stop, the vessel had successfully visited Ashmore Islands on 25th June. It is scheduled to continue to the Buccaneer Archipelago, Yawajaba-Montgomery Island, and other locations before returning to Darwin on 2nd July.

Silversea is part of the Royal Caribbean Group, and a spokesperson for the company confirmed that everyone was OK and back on board and that “the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority”.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

A scenic morning in Ketchikan, Alaska took a dangerous turn on 26th June 2025, when a school bus carrying 46 cruise passengers was involved in a serious collision with an…

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A scenic morning in Ketchikan, Alaska took a dangerous turn on 26th June 2025, when a school bus carrying 46 cruise passengers was involved in a serious collision with an SUV on Tongass Highway.

The crash disrupted a planned shore excursion and sent three individuals – two cruise guests and the SUV driver – to the hospital.

The accident occurred just after 9 am local time, as guests were likely en route to a morning tour experience from the busy Ketchikan Cruise Port.

According to a press release from the City of Ketchikan, the SUV struck a power pole after colliding with the bus, pushing the larger vehicle into a roadside ditch.

Emergency Response and Injuries

Emergency responders from the Ketchikan Fire Department quickly arrived at the scene to assess injuries and stabilize the situation.

Thankfully, no fatalities were reported, and most of the 46 passengers escaped without serious harm. After medical evaluations on-site, 44 passengers were cleared and returned to their ship via a replacement bus.

“The school bus was carrying 46 cruise passengers and a single driver when the accident occurred. The passengers and drivers were examined by EMTs and paramedics,” the city’s official statement confirmed.

Photos of the crash show significant damage to the SUV’s front end and the bus lodged off the road, highlighting the force of the impact.

Ketchikan was at full cruise capacity at the time of the accident. While officials did not confirm which ship the affected passengers were sailing on, multiple vessels were in port that morning, including:

• Royal Princess (Princess Cruises)
• Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line)
• Eurodam (Holland America Line)

Later arrivals included Sapphire Princess and Koningsdam, which docked after the incident occurred.

Not the First Tour Bus Incident in Alaska

This latest accident echoes a similar event from 6th September 2024, when a tour bus carrying 24 cruise passengers overturned on the South Klondike Highway near Skagway after the driver suffered a medical emergency.

That crash, which occurred in a remote area with no cell service, resulted in 12 injuries and required assistance from passing tour buses before emergency services could arrive.

Despite these rare incidents, the overwhelming majority of cruise excursions proceed safely and smoothly.

Thousands of organised tours take place each year across Alaska without incident, offering guests unforgettable experiences in the Last Frontier.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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P&O Cruises has started to roll out a change that will see places in the kids club charged if guests want to pre-book and guarantee a place.

In an email sent out to guests on Iona, the cruise line has said that it is offering guests the chance to reserve a place in The Reef before the sailing, to ensure that children have a place.

Slots are bookable individually, and will cost £4.95 for the daytime sessions and £8.95 for evening sessions.

For a family with two children who want to attend all of the sessions, that could mean paying up to £38 per day on top of the regular cruise fare.

The notification sent to guests does state that it is being rolled out to Iona first, with no time scale given for it appearing on the rest of the family-friendly ships in the fleet.

The cruise line has said that a number of children’s club places will remain bookable onboard for free, but on a first-come, first-served basis.

Further Charges Risk Annoying Loyal Guests

The new charges to pre-book a place in The Reef for young cruisers come almost a year after the last major change to the kids clubs across the fleet.

In late May 2024, the cruise line introduced penalty fees for guests who reserved a place in The Reef and then cancelled less than 24 hours before the slot. The charge for cancelling at short notice is £5. Guests who keep the booking in the The Reef but then no-show are charged £10.

The charges only apply to The Reef which is for children 12 and under, and it appears from the email communications that the new pre-booking charges also only apply to The Reef.

H2O, the teens club for children aged 13-17, doesn’t require advance booking, primarily because it’s more of a hangout space than one with organised activities.

The new pre-booking charges might sound appealing to some guests, especially those travelling in busier periods such as the school holidays who don’t mind paying extra to guarantee a space for their kids.

But compared to other cruise lines that are a lot more relaxed about their kids clubs, not even requiring the advance reservations regardless of charges, it could be seen as another example of penny-pinching by the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line are examples of cruise lines that sail out of the UK, just as most P&O Cruises do, that all have free kids clubs with no need to book in advance.

Why parents aren’t happy

The new P&O charges will quickly add up for families who wish to book multiple sessions, especially if travelling with more than one child.

Two children attending two sessions a day for just four days out of a week-long cruise could now cost a family over £100, if they don’t want to risk waiting until they’re onboard and seeing if spaces are still available.

Cruisers have accused P&O Cruises of ‘penny-pinching’ over the latest charges. But it’s not just the cost that’s annoying guests.

Having to plan each day of your cruise hour by hour takes away a lot of the fun and spontaneity of cruising. When it comes to 6pm on Tuesday and it’s time to go to the club, who’s to say that your children will want to? Or what if they wake up tired and aren’t ready for the 9am session?

Having to stick to a rigid schedule isn’t fun. Booking the day before is bad enough, but now we must book sessions before we even board the ship, or risk not being able to attend at all?

Many parents are commenting in Facebook groups that this has put them off cruising with P&O Cruises again. And honestly? I think I agree.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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Cruise guests booked on Carnival Liberty’s next sailing from New Orleans have had their summer plans upended, after Carnival Cruise Line was forced to cancel the ship’s 7-night Bahamas cruise just under two weeks before departure.

The reason? A labour stoppage in Europe has delayed the ship’s ongoing dry dock work and required a last-minute shipyard change, pushing back the vessel’s return to service.

In an email sent to guests on 23rd June 2025, Carnival explained that the ship had to be moved from its original dry dock location in Cádiz, Spain, to another facility in Marseille, France, in order to complete refurbishment work.

“This past weekend, we were forced to move the vessel to a new shipyard to complete our work because of a labour work stoppage at the prior facility,

“Regrettably, this situation will delay the ship’s departure from Europe by a few days, impacting its scheduled return to service.”

Carnival’s email to guests

Cancelled Sailing Details

The impacted cruise was a 7-night sailing departing 7th July 2025 from New Orleans, visiting Key West, Freeport, and Nassau.

While disappointing, the cruise line emphasised that full refunds will be processed automatically, including:

• Cruise fare
• Port fees and taxes
• Any pre-paid packages (gratuities, internet, drinks, excursions)

Refunds will be issued to the original form of payment, with no action needed from guests.

Guests Offered Additional Compensation

Given the short notice of the cancellation, Carnival is also offering guests a 100% future cruise credit (FCC) based on their cruise fare – which can be applied to any Carnival sailing across the fleet.

The FCC:

• Must be redeemed by 30th June 2026
• Can be used on any ship, itinerary, or sailing date
• Is not limited to bookings on Carnival Liberty

This gives affected guests a chance to reschedule their holiday – potentially on another ship, from another homeport, or even on a longer voyage.

Refurbishment Update and What’s Next for Liberty

The 110,400-gross-ton Carnival Liberty, a Conquest-class ship, last underwent a dry dock in October 2021, where she received Carnival’s striking red, white and blue hull livery and general maintenance.

The nature of the current refurbishments has not been disclosed, but dry docks of this scale often include:

• Upgraded public areas
• New or enhanced dining and bar venues
• Updated cabin furnishings and décor
• Technical upgrades and routine maintenance

Despite this setback, Carnival Liberty is still expected to return to service on 14th July 2025, for a Western Caribbean sailing to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel – with no further delays currently anticipated.

While the situation was out of Carnival’s control, the timing is unfortunate for passengers looking forward to a summer cruise holiday.

It’s also bad timing for the cruise line, which is battling a wave of negative PR following the changes to its loyalty program.

Nevertheless, the future cruise credit and full refund offer a solid resolution, and Carnival Liberty is likely to return in refreshed condition – ready to sail from New Orleans with upgraded amenities.

Guests with questions about their booking are encouraged to contact Carnival or their travel advisor.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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The curtain has finally fallen on one of the most remarkable vessels in cruise history.

Belgian recycling company Galloo has purchased the 76-year-old Astoria – the world’s oldest surviving cruise ship – for recycling, after placing the sole bid at a public auction held in Rotterdam on 17th June 2025.

Galloo submitted a winning bid of €200,000 ($230,175) for the 16,144-gross-ton ship, which has been laid up in the Dutch port since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“We intend to recycle the vessel at our specialist facility in Ghent,” a Galloo spokesperson confirmed to local media.

A Ship Steeped in History

Built in 1948 as the Stockholm for the Swedish America Line, the ship’s legacy includes one of the most infamous maritime disasters of the 20th century.

On 25th July 1956, the Stockholm collided with the Italian liner Andrea Doria off the coast of Nantucket.

The Andrea Doria sank, but the Stockholm, despite severe damage to her ice-strengthened bow, was able to limp into New York with many of the Italian ship’s survivors aboard.

Over the decades, the vessel was rebuilt, renamed, and repurposed under various owners:

• As Volkerfreundschaft, a trade union holiday ship in East Germany
• As Italia Prima, a luxury cruise ship under Italian ownership
• Later renamed Astoria, she operated cruises for UK-based Cruises & Maritime Voyages (CMV)

The ship was in operation until early 2020, when CMV ceased operations due to the global shutdown.

She was then sold to a group of US investors with the aim of preserving her as a historic attraction – a plan that ultimately failed to materialise.

Final Voyage: To the Scrapyard

Despite speculation in recent years that the Astoria might find new life as a museum ship or floating hotel, Galloo’s purchase confirms that she will now be dismantled and recycled.

The ship is expected to be towed to Ghent, Belgium, where the recycling process will begin at one of Europe’s most environmentally regulated ship-breaking facilities.

Galloo’s offer was the only bid received at the Rotterdam auction, highlighting the difficulty in finding a viable future for such an old vessel – especially one requiring substantial upkeep and retrofitting to meet modern safety standards.

While her active cruising days were over, maritime historians had hoped that Astoria might be preserved due to her historic value.

But the realities of maintenance, regulatory compliance, and the lack of commercial interest ultimately sealed her fate.

Although her hull will be broken down for scrap, Astoria’s story is far from forgotten. As the last surviving ship involved in the Andrea Doria disaster, and a rare example of post-war shipbuilding that remained in active service into the 21st century, she holds a unique place in maritime history.

The ship’s life spanned over seven decades, countless refits, and more than half a dozen names – a testament to resilience in an industry known for rapid evolution.

She may soon vanish from the water, but Astoria’s legacy will remain afloat in the pages of history.

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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