News

Cruise fans can look forward to a “wave” of enhanced experiences next year as Royal Caribbean has confirmed it will amplify three of its most beloved ships in time for the 2026 cruise season.

Announced on 18th June 2025, the refurbishments are part of the line’s long-running Royal Amplified programme, which began in 2018 to modernise and elevate older ships in the fleet.

The upgrades will see the vessels – Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas – receive new dining venues, entertainment concepts, upgraded staterooms, redesigned pool areas, and other improvements tailored to their upcoming regional deployments.

“After seeing incredible success and guest satisfaction with the amplification of Allure of the Seas, we’re excited to bring three new amplifications to our fleet in 2026,”

Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer at Royal Caribbean.

What’s Coming to Each Ship?

Ovation of the Seas – Alaska, Spring 2026

The 4,182-guest Ovation of the Seas will return to Alaska with new upgrades that include:

• A redesigned pool deck with whirlpools and private casitas
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Izumi Teppanyaki
• A new Pesky Parrot tiki bar, first introduced on Utopia of the Seas
• The all-new Sound Cellar music venue
• Larger Casino Royale
• Upgraded accommodation options including the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suites

Notably, Ovation of the Seas will also become the first Quantum-class ship to offer land-based Cruisetours, combining cruise sailings with guided overland experiences in Alaska.

Harmony of the Seas – Europe to Florida

One of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships, the 6,687-guest Harmony of the Seas, will be revamped before spending summer 2026 in Europe and returning to Port Canaveral, Florida for Caribbean itineraries. New features include:

• A refreshed Caribbean-style pool deck and Solarium
• New dining options such as Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
• Additional nightlife venues
• Expanded Casino Royale – the largest in the fleet
• Introduction of the Ultimate Family Suite

Her Caribbean sailings will include stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and the new Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, opening in 2025.

Liberty of the Seas – UK to Texas

The 3,798-passenger Liberty of the Seas will begin her 2026 season after her upgrades with 7-night Northern Europe cruises from Southampton, visiting ports in Norway, Belgium, and Denmark, before repositioning to Galveston, Texas for Western Caribbean routes. Key upgrades include:

• A modernised pool deck with The Lime & Coconut bar and shaded lounging areas
• A new Starbucks location
• The addition of a Royal Escape Room
• Dining enhancements including El Loco Fresh and Izumi Teppanyaki

Once in Texas, Liberty of the Seas will call at the new Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, set to open in late 2026.

More Ships, More Memories

This latest announcement underscores Royal Caribbean’s continued investment in its aging yet still immensely popular ships, ensuring they remain competitive alongside new-builds like Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

“Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on delivering the best of every vacation with revolutionary ships and top-rated exclusive destinations,” said Schneider.

With 28 ships in its fleet and more set to launch soon, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified initiative is creating refreshed experiences for loyal guests while helping attract new cruisers with expanded dining, entertainment, and suite options across multiple price points.

As 2026 approaches, passengers booking Ovation, Harmony, or Liberty of the Seas can look forward to brand-new features while enjoying the ships they already love – in destinations ranging from Alaska to the Bahamas and northern Europe to Mexico.

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

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Antarctica may be the most untouched continent on Earth – but booming cruise tourism is starting to leave a destructive mark beneath the icy surface.

A new scientific study has revealed that cruise ship anchors and chains are causing long-lasting damage to fragile Antarctic marine life, including some of the world’s oldest and slowest-growing species, like giant volcano sponges.

The research, published in Frontiers in Conservation Science by scientists from Memorial University of Newfoundland and New Zealand’s National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, is the first to document this kind of ecological damage on video.

Using 62 hours of underwater 4K footage, the team observed crushed sponges and scarred sea beds across multiple popular cruise landing sites – while nearby untouched areas revealed thriving marine ecosystems.

The problem stems from the fact that even small, polar-class cruise ships must anchor offshore due to the region’s lack of infrastructure.

While only ships with fewer than 500 guests are allowed to land under IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) rules, their anchors still impact the vulnerable shallow coastal zones where marine life flourishes.

One of the worst-hit sites was Yankee Harbour in the South Shetland Islands – home to Gentoo penguins and a popular stop for expedition cruises.

In 2023, just eight ship visits caused damage to nearly 1,600 metres of seabed, according to the report.

This isn’t ordinary ocean floor – it’s a slow-growing, cold-water ecosystem where recovery from anchor strikes could take over a century, if it occurs at all.

“This is not an environment where the seafloor bounces back quickly… It’s more like breaking coral or slicing through a centuries-old forest.”

Researchers’ comments

A Record Number of Cruise Visitors

Cruise tourism to Antarctica has skyrocketed in recent years.

During the 2022–2023 season, over 70,000 passengers visited. That number climbed to a record 123,000 in 2023–2024, and it’s expected to grow even more in 2025 and beyond.

While expedition vessels like those from Hurtigruten or Ponant dominate the region, larger ships such as Majestic Princess are slated to visit in 2026–2027, offering scenic-only sailings with no landings.

IAATO limits landings to just 100 people at a time, and only for ships carrying 500 or fewer passengers – a safeguard meant to reduce human footprint onshore.

Still, all ships must rely on anchors or dynamic positioning systems to remain stationary, especially when tendering guests to and from land.

The researchers behind the study aren’t calling for a halt to Antarctic tourism – but they do urge new policies and technologies to minimise harm.

Among their top recommendations:

• Establish permanent mooring zones in high-traffic locations to eliminate the need for anchoring.
• Ban anchoring entirely in particularly vulnerable areas, to protect sensitive habitats.
• Use dynamic positioning more widely. This high-tech GPS-based system allows a ship to stay in one place without anchoring – and many modern cruise ships are already equipped with it.

Balancing Exploration with Conservation

Antarctica has long been referred to as “the last frontier” – a vast, ice-covered wilderness that has remained relatively untouched by human activity.

But as more travellers seek out bucket-list cruises to the polar south, experts say there’s a pressing need to develop eco-conscious protocols that allow for exploration without irreversible damage.

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

Some people will go to great lengths for an Alaska cruise – but for one man, the desire to set sail allegedly crossed the line into serious criminal territory. Enrico…

Cruise fans can look forward to a “wave” of enhanced experiences next year as Royal Caribbean has confirmed it will amplify three of its most beloved ships in time for…

Cruising to Alaska is all about dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders. But in 2025, travellers might get more drama than expected. Mount Spurr, an active volcano located around 80…

Loyal Carnival cruisers are in for a sea of change. The cruise line announced today, 18th June 2025, that its current VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program will be phased…

Some people will go to great lengths for an Alaska cruise – but for one man, the desire to set sail allegedly crossed the line into serious criminal territory.

Enrico Ronquillo, a 37-year-old Philippine national legally residing in the US, has been indicted on multiple federal charges after allegedly stealing the identity of an American citizen in order to board a cruise ship bound for Alaska earlier this year.

According to a June 2025 press release from the US Attorney’s Office for Alaska, Ronquillo is accused of using a fake California driver’s license and birth certificate to impersonate the victim and board a ship operating between 11th – 14th May 2025.

Officials also say Ronquillo submitted a fraudulent IRS Form W-9 using the same stolen identity. This form is typically used to report a taxpayer’s identification number and certification, indicating the impersonation may have extended beyond just cruise access.

“Ronquillo is charged with one count of false impersonation of a US citizen, one count of making and using a false document, and two counts of aggravated identity theft,”

US Attorney’s Office statement

He is expected to appear before a US Magistrate Judge in Alaska at a future date.

If convicted, Ronquillo faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft charge, as well as up to five additional years and a $250,000 fine for the false impersonation and document charges.

Authorities have not revealed which cruise line or ship was involved, nor how the impersonation was discovered.

The cruise line may have detected inconsistencies during ID verification or flagged the documents through digital screening systems.

Though international travellers often board Alaska cruises with ease – typically requiring only valid travel documents such as passports and visas – Ronquillo’s exact motives or visa status remain unclear.

Alaska Cruise Arrests on the Rise

This latest case is part of a growing list of recent cruise-related arrests, especially in Alaska, where law enforcement works closely with federal agencies at busy cruise ports considered legal ports of entry.

Just days earlier, on 12th June 2025, a woman named Karen Bryan was arrested in Ketchikan while attempting to re-board her ship.

Bryan was flagged by local authorities due to an outstanding warrant from Laramie County, Wyoming, where she is accused of embezzling church funds.

“She was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested,” confirmed Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak.

Ketchikan’s high cruise traffic makes it a hotspot for warrant checks, with facial recognition and ID scanning systems regularly used at security checkpoints.

Global Trend of Cruise Crime

The recent identity theft and Wyoming embezzlement cases are part of a larger global pattern of cruise-related arrests.

In a separate incident this June, a couple was detained in Ibiza, Spain, after allegedly trying to flee their cruise without paying a €3,196 ($3,630 USD) bar tab.

The pair attempted to disembark quickly and avoid the bill but were arrested by Spain’s National Police before leaving the port.

Cruise lines make it relatively simple to track and manage onboard expenses using mobile apps, stateroom TVs, and guest services. Attempting to bypass these systems is not only unwise – it can result in international legal consequences.

While rare, these incidents highlight the importance of honest travel documentation and adhering to cruise line policies.

Ports of call, especially in North America and Europe, are subject to the same security standards as airports, and passengers can and do face arrest if flagged by law enforcement.

With more than 1.6 million cruise visitors expected in Alaska during 2025, local officials are staying vigilant – and so should passengers.

Whether planning to cruise Alaska or elsewhere, the safest (and simplest) route to a dream vacation is through legitimate travel documentation and onboard conduct that stays well within the law.

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

Cruise fans can look forward to a “wave” of enhanced experiences next year as Royal Caribbean has confirmed it will amplify three of its most beloved ships in time for…

Cruising to Alaska is all about dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders. But in 2025, travellers might get more drama than expected. Mount Spurr, an active volcano located around 80…

Loyal Carnival cruisers are in for a sea of change. The cruise line announced today, 18th June 2025, that its current VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program will be phased…

A routine call at Juneau, Alaska, turned into a tense afternoon for passengers and crew on Celebrity Edge after the cruise ship broke free from its mooring lines during severe…

Loyal Carnival cruisers are in for a sea change.

The cruise line announced today, 18th June 2025, that its current VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program will be phased out in favour of a new loyalty initiative, set to launch on 1st June 2026.

Dubbed Carnival Rewards, the new loyalty structure will be the first of its kind in the cruise industry, introducing a dual-earning model that rewards guests not only for cruising – but also for how much they spend.

Points and Stars: A New Way to Cruise and Earn

Unlike the VIFP system (and pretty much every other cruise line loyalty program) which is based solely on cruise nights, Carnival Rewards will offer guests two ways to benefit:

• Carnival Rewards Points – Redeemable for everything from spa treatments and specialty dining to onboard experiences and future cruise fares.
• Status Qualifying Stars – Used to determine your tier level, from Red to Diamond, based on your spend and engagement rather than just cruise nights.

Points and stars will be earned on cruise fare, onboard purchases, and via Carnival’s co-branded Mastercard®, which will also be rebranded for the launch.

“By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalize their rewards in ways that matter most to them,”

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Duffy emphasised that the new program is designed to reward overall engagement, recognising frequent cruisers as well as high-spending guests and loyal Carnival Mastercard holders.

Credit Card Perks & Everyday Rewards

A standout feature of the program is its integration with the Carnival Rewards Mastercard. Cardmembers will be able to earn rewards even on land, giving them a chance to rack up points between cruises.

Further credit card perks will be unveiled closer to launch, but Carnival confirmed that existing cardholders’ Fun Points will convert to Carnival Rewards points when the program goes live.

Tiers, Status & Transition Plan

The program’s status tiers – Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond – will remain, but earning them will now be based on spend over a two-year window, rather than lifetime cruise nights alone.

Once earned, status will last two years, while existing Diamond members will retain their level until 31st May 2032. All other members will carry over their current tier status into the new program through 31st May 2028, offering a generous adjustment period.

Guests can still earn VIFP status until the switchover date in June 2026.

Backlash From Long-Time Carnival Fans

Carnival’s announcement was met with swift and vocal backlash from many long-time cruisers, particularly those who have spent years working their way up the VIFP loyalty ladder.

While some applauded the new emphasis on spend and flexibility, a significant number of guests expressed frustration over what they see as a devaluation of traditional loyalty.

Common concerns include the two-year expiration of status, the emphasis on high spending over cruise frequency, and the perception that the program disproportionately benefits those with Carnival’s co-branded credit card.

Many commenters lamented that years of loyalty could effectively be wiped out if they don’t meet new spending thresholds.

“I just got to Platinum after 26 years… now I’m a free agent,” one guest quipped. Others echoed the sentiment, stating the changes gave them a reason to explore competitors like Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Norwegian Cruise Line – some of which offer loyalty status matches.

Questions also swirled about fairness in shared spending. Couples, families, and guests using casino comps or travelling with children expressed confusion and concern over how points and status stars would be distributed.

Some fans acknowledged the logic behind rewarding engagement and spend, but overall, Carnival’s social media pages quickly became flooded with disappointment. As one guest summarised, “It’s no longer a loyalty program… it’s a spending program.”

Carnival Rewards will launch 1st June 2026, but Carnival is giving guests plenty of time to prepare. Current VIFP members will begin receiving email updates and loyalty tracking tools in the coming months, and a new website – carnivalrewards.com – has gone live with a preview of what’s coming.

Carnival says guests will be able to track points and stars, view personalised offers, and redeem perks more easily than ever before.

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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 routine call at Juneau, Alaska, turned into a tense afternoon for passengers and crew on Celebrity Edge after the cruise ship broke free from its mooring lines during severe…

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For one would-be cruiser, a dream Alaskan getaway came to a screeching halt in Ketchikan, Alaska, when law enforcement arrested her just as she was preparing to board her ship.

On 12th June 2025, 64-year-old Karen Bryan was taken into custody at the popular cruise port after authorities in Laramie County, Wyoming, flagged her as a fugitive.

Bryan was reportedly wanted on suspicion of embezzling thousands of dollars from a church in her local community.

Despite the more than 1,500-mile distance between Laramie and Ketchikan, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. routinely share warrants digitally.

When Bryan arrived at the cruise terminal, a routine check triggered a watchlist alert, allowing local police in Ketchikan to act swiftly.

Arrest Confirmed by Local Sheriff

The arrest went viral after Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak posted about it on Facebook, praising the inter-agency coordination that led to Bryan’s arrest.

“Our deputies are responsible for picking up wanted fugitives throughout the United States,

“She was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested.”

He added that extradition procedures are already underway and joked, “Our deputies are currently fighting over who is going to get to go to Alaska to extradite her back here to Laramie County.”

Which Ship Was She Trying to Board?

Authorities have not confirmed which cruise line or ship Bryan was attempting to board. However, Ketchikan saw an exceptionally busy day on 12th June, welcoming five large cruise ships carrying more than 16,000 passengers combined:

• Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line) – 4,004 guests
• Royal Princess (Princess Cruises) – 3,560 guests
• Sapphire Princess (Princess Cruises) – 2,670 guests
• Eurodam (Holland America Line) – 2,104 guests
• Koningsdam (Holland America Line) – 2,560 guests

All vessels were in port during overlapping times, and the exact ship Bryan intended to sail on has not been publicly confirmed.

A Growing Trend: Cruise Terminals as Arrest Points

While it may surprise some, cruise terminals in the U.S. function as ports of entry, even for domestic cruises. This allows local and federal authorities to scan passenger IDs against active warrants or security databases.

From PortMiami to Galveston to Baltimore, arrests of cruise passengers with outstanding warrants have become increasingly common.

In fact, FBI agents in Texas are specifically assigned to cruise port operations, and authorities regularly use facial recognition technology to scan for wanted individuals.

A recent example includes a Kentucky man arrested in PortMiami in December 2024 for owing over $100,000 in back child support.

Other arrests have occurred in Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and New York, often just minutes before embarkation.

Despite their relaxing atmosphere, cruise ships are not a safe haven for fugitives. With cruise lines implementing strict ID checks and working closely with law enforcement, attempting to board a ship with an active warrant is a high-risk gamble.

As for Bryan, what was likely meant to be a scenic Alaskan cruise has now turned into a legal journey back to Wyoming – in custody.

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

A routine call at Juneau, Alaska, turned into a tense afternoon for passengers and crew on Celebrity Edge after the cruise ship broke free from its mooring lines during severe…

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For passengers aboard Regal Princess this week, a call to Invergordon, Scotland turned into a logistical headache when shuttle delays of up to four hours caused hundreds to miss out on planned tours to the Scottish Highlands.

The incident occurred on 10th June 2025, during a 12-night British Isles itinerary.

With the port of Invergordon requiring cruise passengers to be transported via shuttle to reach tour coaches due to local regulations, the system quickly buckled under the pressure of the ship’s more than 4,000 passengers.

For some, the delay was so long that they gave up entirely. “People were waiting hours,” said one frustrated passenger. “We missed our slot on the Loch Ness boat cruise and never got to see the castle.”

Tour operators also expressed concern over the scale of the issue. Gordon Pearson of Wow Tours Inverness told the Press and Journal:

“Some people didn’t make it off today and missed their tours entirely. It was just chaos and is an absolute embarrassment.”

Despite being a deep water port popular with cruise lines, Invergordon’s small population of fewer than 4,000 and limited local infrastructure clearly struggled to cope with a ship the size of Regal Princess – which can carry up to 4,250 guests.

Port Authority Responds

The Port of Cromarty Firth, which arranges the shuttle buses, acknowledged the problem and blamed a combination of “specific circumstances” for the breakdown.

“We held a very positive and constructive meeting with the cruise line… We are now both working through what we can change and improve for the next visit.”

The port also pledged to look into mobility access concerns, as several guests reported difficulty boarding the step-up buses provided.

Why Regal Princess in Particular?

Regal Princess is the largest cruise ship scheduled to visit Invergordon this month, significantly bigger than other upcoming vessels such as Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers), P&O Britannia (3,647), and MSC Preziosa (3,959).

The 142,700-gross-ton ship is due to return to the port on 22nd June, 16th July, and multiple dates throughout August, September, and her final call on 5th October, during a 31-night repositioning voyage to Galveston.

With additional calls expected this season, pressure is mounting on local authorities and Princess Cruises to ensure smoother disembarkation and tour processes in future.

At the time of writing, Princess Cruises has not released a public statement on the incident. It is also unclear whether affected guests – particularly those who missed paid excursions – will receive any form of compensation or partial refund.

Compensation typically depends on whether the tour was booked through the cruise line or independently.

Some passengers have already voiced their dissatisfaction on social media, urging the cruise line to review its shore excursion planning and port logistics for future British Isles sailings.

As more megaships make their way to smaller ports around the world, incidents like this highlight the delicate balance between growing passenger demand and the limits of local infrastructure – especially in rural or historically smaller cruise destinations.

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

A routine call at Juneau, Alaska, turned into a tense afternoon for passengers and crew on Celebrity Edge after the cruise ship broke free from its mooring lines during severe…

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A routine call at Juneau, Alaska, turned into a tense afternoon for passengers and crew on Celebrity Edge after the cruise ship broke free from its mooring lines during severe weather on 16th June 2025.

The incident occurred amid heavy rain, strong winds, and even hail, while five ships were docked at capacity in the busy Alaskan cruise port.

Eye-witness videos captured the moment as the 130,818-gross-ton vessel drifted away from the pier, leaving some guests stranded ashore and sparking concern for the safety of nearby ships.

“The ship broke away from the mooring and supposedly slammed back into the dock. No communication from Celebrity whatsoever,”

A passenger on the ship

Rapid Response in a Crowded Port

Celebrity Edge, which can carry up to 2,908 passengers, was not alone in Juneau that day. She was joined by Carnival Luminosa, Royal Princess, Eurodam, and Koningsdam, as well as the National Geographic Sea Lion, a small expedition vessel with just 62 guests.

One video appeared to show Carnival Luminosa reversing unexpectedly, possibly to avoid a collision. Another passenger, watching from a nearby ship, described seeing Edge drifting toward them as winds howled through the port.

Despite the chaos, crew onboard acted swiftly, and by 4:20 pm local time, announcements informed passengers that the ship would re-dock on the port side once broken mooring lines were cleared from the water.

“They are going to redock on the port side. First, they need to remove the snapped ropes from the water,” confirmed a guest who remained on board during the incident.

By evening, Celebrity Edge was securely back at the pier, and guests were able to re-board with time to spare before the ship’s scheduled 10 pm departure.

The Role of Extreme Weather

While the exact wind speeds haven’t been officially confirmed, witness reports and on-site video clearly show hail and high winds – the same conditions blamed for similar incidents across Alaska and beyond in recent weeks.

On 30th May 2025, Holland America Line’s Westerdam suffered a gangway collapse in Ketchikan after strong gusts caused her mooring lines to snap.

Around the same time, MSC Seascape and Norwegian Epic were affected by mooring failures elsewhere in the world, all due to extreme weather conditions.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the Celebrity Edge incident, and no major damage has been confirmed to either the ship or the pier. The cruise line has not yet released an official statement regarding the event.

Celebrity Edge is currently sailing a 7-night roundtrip Alaska itinerary from Seattle, which began on 13th June 2025. The voyage is expected to continue as scheduled, with upcoming stops in Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Despite the dramatic moment in Juneau, cruise experts note that mooring line failures are extremely rare, and ships undergo stringent safety procedures and protocols in these events.

Cruisers booked on future sailings aboard Celebrity Edge can take comfort in knowing that these incidents are one-off weather-related anomalies – not reflective of routine ship safety or operation standards.

With Alaska’s cruise season now in full swing, port authorities and cruise lines alike will be watching forecasts closely and reinforcing safety measures to prevent a repeat performance in this otherwise breath-taking destination.

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

For passengers aboard Regal Princess this week, a call to Invergordon, Scotland turned into a logistical headache when shuttle delays of up to four hours caused hundreds to miss out…

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Two cruise experts have revealed that they have been banned from all Carnival Group cruise lines after the couple “demonstrated that (Carnival) cannot offer the holiday” they were looking for….

Two cruise experts have revealed that they have been banned from all Carnival Group cruise lines after the couple “demonstrated that (Carnival) cannot offer the holiday” they were looking for.

Dan Wailing and Jay Cannon are known for their publication Sail Away Magazine which is a printed cruise magazine. They also have a popular podcast and a YouTube Channel with over 40,000 subscribers.

The pair revealed that they have received a letter from Carnival UK, informing them that they would be banned from all cruise lines in the Carnival Group for at least the next 5 years.

The Carnival Group is made up of eight brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.

The letter stated:

“Following a review of your recent interactions with us, we believe that you have both clearly demonstrated that we cannot offer the holiday that you are looking for. It is thus no longer appropriate for you to travel with us, or any of the Carnival group brands. This includes Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.

“I am sorry to have to convey this decision to you. Please note that this letter represents our final decision on this matter, and you will therefore not be permitted to travel with us for a period of 5 years, after which we may review.”

Letter sent to Dan & Jay

Sail Away Magazine, across its print magazine, podcast and social channels, aims to offer unbiased and real cruise reviews and information to help experienced and new cruisers.

By Dan and Jay’s own admission, they have spent the year asking “difficult questions”, which includes challenging cruise lines on cuts to their service, poor communication and complaints that guests have made.

Why The Ban?

In a podcast episode where they announced the ban, the couple questioned exactly which of their negative reviews might have sparked it.

Recently they shared a review of their first cruise with Carnival, calling it the “worst cruise” they’d ever done.

Some of Sail Away Magazine’s other recent publications include:

• Criticism of P&O Cruises when the line cancelled their cruise on Aurora with less than 24 hours notice
• Running a public poll which showed that 72% of cruisers believe that cruising has worsened under the leadership of Carnival UK President, Paul Ludlow
• Speaking out about a recent phone call with Carnival UK’s PR and marketing team where the content creators called the cruise line representatives ‘delusional’

Of course, not all of the content created by Sail Away has a negative slant. Far from it, in fact.

Dan and Jay sailed with Holland America Line last year for their wedding, which they state that the cruise line paid for. Dan and Jay clarify that they didn’t ask for this – the cruise line offered it generously.

In terms of other Carnival Group lines, they haven’t ever sailed with Costa Cruises, AIDA or Seabourn. They have sailed on Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises ships, but not for at least two years.

The couple admit that they are baffled as to why they have been banned from cruise lines that they have never sailed with, and that the letter is very vague in the reason given.

They also expressed their distaste at being lumped in with other banned cruisers, who typically have started fights or acted in a dangerous manner onaboard – not simply expressed their personal opinions.

Suggested read: Banned For LIFE! Real Stories Of Cruise Guests Who Are No Longer Welcome

Censorship Questions Raised

The ban certainly prompts some important debate about what this means for the future of criticism in the travel industry. Should a company blacklist customers for being too critical?

This isn’t the first time this has happened. A 66-year-old father was banned for life from P&O Cruises after raising safety concerns about his trip on social media.

A woman was also banned from the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey after sharing her thoughts in a private WhatsApp group. Although the ban has since been overturned.

Of course, Dan and Jay are not the only influencers who share their cruise experiences online in a warts-and-all fashion. The couple drew attention to fellow YouTubers ‘Cruise With Ben and David‘ who regularly create videos that are far from complimentary, but are yet to receive such a ban.

If independent reviewers – especially those who have also praised some of Carnival’s brands – can be removed from future sailings entirely, doesn’t that set a dangerous precedent? Might it discourage other travellers from sharing honest feedback out of fear of retribution?

As I write this, I’m editing my vlog of my recent cruise on Cunard’s Queen Anne. Should I consider leaving out the parts where I discussed what I didn’t enjoy, for fear of being banned from other cruise lines I love such as Princess and P&O Cruises?

Should I consider stopping reporting cruise news, such as Cunard’s decision to start charging for room service?

Of course, my opinion is no. I should be free to share my opinions, and so should Sail Away Magazine.

Defamation or the reporting of false statements is, of course, not okay. But that’s not the issue here. If it were, the letter would have stated as such.

Dan and Jay, known for their transparency and frank style, argue that their critiques are always grounded in personal experience, and offered in the spirit of helping the cruise industry improve.

Their Carnival Miracle review, while perceived as harsh, highlighted issues they felt were of genuine concern to cruisers – from onboard service to ship maintenance. For them, the ban feels like a retaliation rather than a reasonable response.

However, others may see a more nuanced side. From a legal perspective, Carnival UK, like any private company, has the right to decide who it does business with.

Could the Carnival UK team have felt that Sail Away Magazine’s approach was more confrontational than constructive – potentially damaging rather than encouraging improvement?

Given that many cruise lines are still struggling financially after the shutdown of 2020, perhaps this was entirely a financial decision. Maybe the company felt that any negative press generated from this ban wouldn’t be as damaging as the negative press that Sail Away Magazine had the potential to generate, should they continue cruising with the eight brands in question.

Of course, we can only speculate on the motives behind this.

Ultimately, this case asks a broader question: in the age of influencers, content creators and consumer-powered media, where is the line between fair criticism and antagonism? And who gets to draw it?

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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.

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