Category: Cruise News

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay: A New Era of Island Adventures

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled a host of exciting new attractions at Great Stirrup Cay, its exclusive island retreat in the Bahamas. This marks one of the most significant transformations in the island’s history. The centrepiece of this upgrade is the impressive Great Life Lagoon, a 1.4-acre pool complex. This new addition is part of the cruise line’s Escape to The Great Life experience, designed to enhance the island’s appeal as visitor numbers grow.

Island Transformation and New Infrastructure

The changes at Great Stirrup Cay extend far beyond the new pool area. A new two-ship pier, operational since 28th December 2025, allows ships to dock directly at the island. This eliminates the need for tender boats, making arrivals smoother. Norwegian Getaway was the first to use this pier, which is also available to Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, both part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd family.

Guests now arrive at a new centre and can explore the island with ease. An island-wide tram service connects beaches, dining spots, and attractions, ensuring a seamless experience even on busy port days.

What Guests Can Expect From the New Attractions

Great Life Lagoon is a standout feature, larger than two Olympic-sized pools combined. It boasts two swim-up bars, numerous sun loungers, and private cabanas for hire. Splash Harbour, a water play area for children, is integrated into the lagoon. For adults seeking tranquillity, the Vibe Shore Club offers an exclusive retreat. This adults-only area, for those aged 18 and over, features a private bar and cabanas, echoing the popular Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Further developments are on the horizon. The Great Tides Waterpark, set to open in summer 2026, promises thrilling adventures. It will feature 19 waterslides, an 800-foot river attraction, and a cliff-jumping experience. The Tidal Tower, standing 170 feet tall, will be the park’s centrepiece, offering a variety of slide experiences.

Ships Visiting Great Stirrup Cay in 2026

As Norwegian Cruise Line expands its fleet and itineraries, Great Stirrup Cay is set to welcome around one million cruise passengers in 2026. This island paradise is ready to offer unforgettable experiences to all who visit. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Great Stirrup Cay has something for everyone.

The Gratuity Debate in the Cruise Industry

Gratuities are once again stirring up discussions in the cruise world. This time, the conversation is being driven by someone with firsthand experience. A former cruise ship crew member has initiated a petition urging cruise lines to incorporate gratuities into the upfront cruise fare. The goal is to enhance transparency for passengers and provide financial stability for crew members.

The Crew Member Behind the Movement

Zlatko Simovski, the man behind the petition, spent six years working on cruise ships. His roles included pool attendant and lifeguard. Before his cruise career, Zlatko grew up in a small developing country, working in construction from the age of 12 while studying biotechnical sciences. He credits the cruise industry with transforming his life and feels compelled to address the gratuity issue. “The cruise industry gave me everything I have in life,” he says, “and I couldn’t stand aside and watch cruising get a bad name over gratuities.”

Understanding Cruise Gratuities

On most cruise lines, gratuities are a daily charge per person. They cover tips for crew members who ensure guests have a pleasant experience. The amount varies by cruise line and cabin type, typically ranging from $14 to $20 per person, per day. Suites often have a slightly higher rate. These charges support various crew roles, from cabin stewards to dining staff and behind-the-scenes workers.

How Gratuities Are Managed

Gratuities can be handled in two main ways. Some passengers opt for prepaid gratuities, paying them before the cruise, often during booking. Others have them added to their onboard account daily, settling the total at the end of the cruise. While it’s possible to adjust or remove gratuities by visiting guest services, it’s important to remember that these tips form a significant part of many crew members’ income.

Varied Approaches to Gratuities

Not all cruise lines manage gratuities the same way. Many British cruise lines, like P&O Cruises and Marella Cruises, include gratuities in the cruise fare. Ultra-luxury cruise lines often bundle gratuities with drinks and other extras. This variation in policies contributes to the ongoing debate, with passengers holding diverse opinions on the matter.

Discontent Among Britannia Passengers Over Cruise Disruptions

Passengers aboard the Britannia during the festive season were left fuming. P&O Cruises announced no refunds or compensation, despite significant itinerary changes. The 16-night Caribbean cruise, which set sail on 26th December 2025, faced major disruptions. Mechanical issues kept the ship docked in Barbados for several days, leading to the cancellation of multiple ports of call.

Passenger Reactions to P&O’s Decision

The cruise line apologised for the inconvenience, but many guests felt let down. In a letter to passengers, P&O Cruises confirmed no refunds or compensation would be provided. This decision sparked immediate backlash. Many passengers believed the situation could have been handled better. One passenger vowed never to use P&O again, while another expressed disgust after spending £15,000 on the holiday.

Calls for Transparency and Clarity

Passengers also raised concerns about the lack of transparency. They demanded a detailed explanation of the technical issues that caused the disruption. Onboard information was often limited and unclear. This left guests uncertain about the situation and the duration of delays.

Apology Without Financial Compensation

On 8th January 2026, P&O Cruises issued another apology. They acknowledged the frustration and thanked passengers for their patience. The message downplayed the impact, noting only two missed ports and one replacement destination. The extended stay in Barbados was presented as a chance to enjoy the island’s culture and beaches.

Advice to Seek Insurance Claims

Passengers were advised to contact their travel insurance providers for missed ports. This advice only added to the frustration. Guests questioned why they should turn to insurers for what they saw as a cruise line responsibility. Some reported shortages of food and beverages due to the unexpected extra days in port and at sea.

Conclusion

The situation aboard the Britannia highlights the importance of clear communication and fair compensation. Cruise holidaygoers expect transparency and accountability. As the cruise industry continues to grow, addressing these concerns will be crucial for maintaining passenger trust and satisfaction.

Oceania Cruises Embraces Adults-Only Experience

Oceania Cruises has made a significant shift to become an adults-only cruise line. From 7th January 2026, only guests aged 18 and over can book new sailings. This change aims to enhance the brand’s reputation for offering a serene and sophisticated cruising experience.

Honouring Existing Bookings

Families with existing bookings that include guests under 18 need not worry. Oceania will honour these reservations, ensuring no disruption to planned holidays. This decision reflects the cruise line’s commitment to its loyal customers.

Guest Feedback Influences Change

Nathan Hickman, Oceania Cruises’ chief commercial officer, explained that the shift to adults-only formalises the existing onboard atmosphere. Oceania’s ships lack children’s clubs and family entertainment, aligning with guest preferences. Feedback indicated a strong desire for a fully adults-only environment.

Hickman believes this change will create a consistent onboard experience. It will also assist travel advisors in recommending the right cruise for their clients. Historically, children have been a small fraction of Oceania’s passengers.

Joining the Adults-Only Cruise Club

Oceania now joins a select group of cruise lines that cater exclusively to adults, including Viking and Virgin Voyages. This move is part of a broader brand repositioning. Over the past year, Oceania has shifted from upper-premium to luxury, adding fare inclusions like alcohol and shore excursion credits.

Jason Montague, chief luxury officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, emphasised the importance of a tranquil environment. The adults-only transition enhances Oceania’s core values of sophistication, serenity, and discovery.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Remains Family-Friendly

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, another luxury brand under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, will continue to welcome families. Unlike Oceania, Regent offers a youth programme, Club Mariner, on select sailings. This ensures families still have options within the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings portfolio.

In conclusion, Oceania Cruises’ transition to an adults-only model reflects its dedication to providing a refined and peaceful cruising experience. This change aligns with guest preferences and strengthens the brand’s luxury positioning.

A Long Island travel agent has been arrested on multiple fraud and larceny charges after allegedly taking large sums of money from customers for trips that were never booked, including cruises, destination weddings and international holidays. Nassau County police confirmed on 6th January 2026 that a 47-year-old woman from East Meadow, New York, was taken into custody following an investigation into a series of complaints from former clients. Investigators say customers paid tens of thousands of dollars to the woman’s travel agency, only to discover that no reservations had ever been made and refunds were not issued.

Alleged Fake Cruise Booking Left Passengers at the Port

Police identified the accused as Tavia Thomas, the owner and sole operator of Destiny Travel, which was based at 1936 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow. One of the most serious allegations involves a group of nine cruise passengers who believed they were booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise departing from Bayonne, New Jersey, in July 2024. According to police, the group paid Thomas a total of $35,753.98. When they arrived at the cruise terminal, they were informed that their bookings were fraudulent and had been cancelled because they never existed in the cruise line’s system. Authorities say this was not an isolated incident. Thomas now faces three counts of grand larceny, three counts of scheme to defraud, and two additional grand larceny charges linked to separate cases.

Weddings and Family Trips Also Allegedly Affected

The investigation suggests the alleged fraud extended well beyond cruise bookings. In one case, Thomas is accused of accepting $5,000 from two customers who believed she was arranging a destination wedding at an ALG Vacations resort. Police say no such booking was ever made. Another reported case involves a family planning a 75th birthday celebration in the Dominican Republic, where investigators allege Thomas collected more than $10,000 without securing any travel arrangements. Police said customers paid via cash, cheque or electronic transfer. Thomas was the only person operating Destiny Travel, and there were no additional staff involved. Detectives are now urging anyone who believes they may have been affected by similar incidents to come forward and contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers.

Online Reviews and Business Claims Under Scrutiny

Destiny Travel’s website states that the agency had been serving New York City and Long Island since 2016 and promoted itself as offering stress-free planning for cruises, group trips and destination weddings. The site also claims affiliations and certifications linked to major travel industry organisations and describes a team of “experienced travel agents”, despite police saying Thomas was the sole operator. “I founded Destiny Travel NY to offer stress-free planning for unique and memorable destination weddings,” Thomas said in promotional material.

Unexpected Arrest at German Cruise Port

A routine identity check at a major German cruise port recently led to the arrest of a crew member. The 26-year-old man was detained on 4th January 2026 at the Columbus Cruise Terminal in Bremerhaven. He was about to board a cruise ship when German federal police intervened.

Standard Checks Reveal Wanted Crew Member

During standard departure checks, officers stopped the man around 2pm. His details were run through law enforcement databases. It was then discovered that he was wanted on multiple charges. Two separate arrest warrants had been issued by courts in southern Germany.

Details of the Arrest Warrants

One warrant was from the District Court of Augsburg for a robbery-related theft charge. The other was from the District Court of Nördlingen for a probation violation after an assault conviction. Further details about the offences were not disclosed. The crew member was taken into custody and transferred to Bremerhaven state police. He was scheduled to appear before a judge the following day.

High-Profile Cruise Departure from Bremerhaven

The cruise ship the man was set to join was not officially named by the police. However, Disney Adventure was a notable departure from Bremerhaven on 4th January. The ship was embarking on a high-profile repositioning voyage to the Bahamas.

Disney Adventure’s Journey

Disney Adventure, the largest in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, began its journey from Bremerhaven. The ship was delivered to Disney Cruise Line in December 2025. It is currently on a transatlantic crossing with a stop planned in Freeport, Bahamas. The ship will then continue to Port Canaveral, Florida, for a brief media sailing.

Future Plans for Disney Adventure

After transiting the Panama Canal, Disney Adventure will make a preview call in Los Angeles. It is expected to stop in Tokyo before reaching Singapore. The ship is scheduled to start operations from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on 10th March 2026. This marks Disney Cruise Line’s first long-term deployment in Asia.

Arrests at Cruise Ports: A Common Occurrence

Arrests during cruise departure checks are not uncommon in Germany. In September 2025, two crew members from Disney Adventure were detained at a German port. They were wanted for offences including drunk driving and fraud. German ports are known for conducting thorough identity and security checks on both passengers and crew.

Unexpected New Year on the Danube

Around 200 passengers on a luxury river cruise found themselves in an unexpected situation as they welcomed the New Year. Their ship, the Nicko Vision, became stranded on the Danube River due to unusually low water levels. The incident occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday while the ship was en route to Bratislava.

Stranded but Safe

Local authorities assured that passengers were not in danger. However, the falling river levels meant there was no immediate way to re-float the vessel. The 135-metre-long ship had set sail from Passau, Germany, on 26th December, embarking on a festive Danube itinerary. Earlier in the cruise, guests had already faced disruptions, including a coach transfer to Budapest before re-joining the ship.

Low Water Levels Cause Grounding

The Danube’s water level in the affected area had dropped to about 23 centimetres below normal. This exposed a gravel section of the riverbed and possibly shifted a navigational marker, leading to the grounding. Although no injuries were reported, efforts to free the ship were unsuccessful. A river tug was dispatched on Wednesday, but the attempt failed as water levels continued to decline.

Celebrating New Year Mid-River

With no immediate solution, passengers and crew made the best of the situation. They held a gala-style New Year’s Eve celebration while still stranded mid-river. On New Year’s Day, officials decided to evacuate passengers. However, the low water levels made it too risky to bring another cruise vessel alongside Nicko Vision.

Safe Evacuation and Continued Journey

Authorities positioned a barge next to the stranded ship, allowing 211 passengers to disembark safely. They were then transferred to Viva Two, operated by Scylla Cruises, to continue their journey. Meanwhile, the 46 crew members of Nicko Vision remained onboard the grounded vessel. Local officials noted that the public holiday made it challenging to mobilise additional resources quickly.

Ongoing Challenges for River Cruises

This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by river cruise operators. During winter months, fluctuating and unpredictable water levels can severely disrupt itineraries. Low water conditions on major European rivers like the Danube and Rhine have, in recent years, forced cruise lines to cancel sailings, reroute passengers by coach, or temporarily strand vessels. Several other river cruise ships were reportedly impacted by similar conditions.

Caribbean Cruise Chaos: How US Military Action in Venezuela Disrupted Travel

Cruise enthusiasts in the Caribbean recently faced significant travel disruptions. This chaos was triggered by US military operations in Venezuela. The capture of President Nicolás Maduro led to increased military activity, causing temporary airspace restrictions.

Impact on Caribbean Airspace and Cruise Ports

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed restrictions on US airline operations. These restrictions affected flights to and from parts of the Caribbean. Although maritime operations were not directly impacted, the ripple effect on cruise travel was immediate.

Key Ports Affected

Embarkation and disembarkation processes were severely disrupted. Key ports like San Juan in Puerto Rico and Bridgetown in Barbados were hit hard. Cruise passengers experienced delays and cancellations, complicating their travel plans.

P&O Cruises’ Arvia: Affected UK Holidaymakers

UK holidaymakers aboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia were notably affected. The ship’s captain informed guests about the situation. He explained that airspace restrictions led to the cancellation of several flights.

Flight Cancellations and Delays

TUI, P&O Cruises’ airline partner, cancelled five flights from Barbados. However, two Norse-operated flights were still scheduled, albeit delayed. Passengers on Norse flights were instructed to disembark later that evening.

Overnight Stay for TUI Passengers

Guests booked on TUI flights had to remain onboard overnight. The captain assured passengers that flight arrangements were being coordinated. He promised updates as the situation became clearer.

Cabin Reassignments and Onboard Arrangements

The onboard hotel team worked diligently to reassign cabins. Some guests returned to their original cabins, while others were relocated. The crew ensured that all passengers were accommodated comfortably.

Conclusion: Navigating Unforeseen Challenges

This incident highlights the unpredictability of cruise travel. Military actions and airspace restrictions can have far-reaching effects. Cruise lines and passengers must remain adaptable in the face of such challenges.

Search for Missing Cruise Passenger Suspended

The United States Coast Guard has halted its search for a cruise passenger who went overboard from the Nieuw Statendam. Despite an extensive operation, the missing guest was not found. The search was paused on Thursday, 1st January 2025, pending new information.

Extensive Search Efforts

The Coast Guard’s Southeast Sector reported that the search spanned approximately 690 square miles over eight hours. The incident took place about 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba. Both a Coast Guard boat and helicopter were involved, alongside the Nieuw Statendam, which conducted zig-zag search patterns in the area.

Guest Confirmed Overboard

The emergency response began after multiple announcements onboard failed to locate the missing guest. Holland America Line confirmed the incident through security footage. The footage showed the guest alone on the ship’s third deck, appearing to go overboard intentionally. The Coast Guard identified the guest as a 77-year-old woman, but further details remain private to respect her family.

Ship Resumes Its Journey

As night approached, the Nieuw Statendam was released from search duties and continued its journey to Port Everglades. The ship was scheduled to visit Key West, Florida, on Friday, 2nd January, but this stop was cancelled. Instead, the final day of the cruise was spent at sea, with the ship returning to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, 3rd January.

About the Nieuw Statendam

The Nieuw Statendam is a Pinnacle-class cruise ship, accommodating up to 4,100 guests when fully booked. Holiday cruises, like New Year sailings, often operate at near full capacity. Currently, the ship is based in Fort Lauderdale until early April. It will then move to Europe for summer cruises around the British Isles, Arctic Circle, and Baltic Capitals, departing from Dover and Rotterdam. The ship will return to Florida in December for another Caribbean season.

Challenges of Overboard Searches

Overboard incidents present significant challenges for search operations. The vastness of the ocean and the time-sensitive nature of such searches make them particularly difficult. Despite the best efforts of the Coast Guard and cruise ship personnel, finding a missing person at sea is a complex task.

Passenger Arrested After Carnival Cruise

A recent Carnival Cruise Line passenger found himself in hot water after disembarking from the Mardi Gras. Anthony Ridings was taken into custody by US Customs and Border Protection. This occurred after officers discovered disturbing content on his mobile phone.

Discovery During Routine Customs Check

Ridings had just completed his cruise when he was stopped for a routine check. Initially, there were concerns about potential illegal material involving children. However, the investigation took a different turn. Officers found videos allegedly showing adults engaging in sexual acts with animals, a serious offence under Florida law.

Investigation Initiated Post-Cruise

The exact reason Ridings came under scrutiny remains undisclosed. However, cruise ships have systems to detect illegal downloads via onboard WiFi. These systems can alert authorities once the ship docks in a US port. Wayne Ivey, a law enforcement official, shared details on social media. He clarified that the initial suspicion was child-related content, but the reality was different.

Formal Investigation Launched

Agent Josh Strait from the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit was called to Port Canaveral. He conducted interviews and began a formal investigation. During questioning, Ridings claimed the videos were meant to “shock” his friends. This statement did not deter the investigation.

Arrest Follows Forensic Examination

Ridings is believed to have disembarked on 27th December 2025. The Mardi Gras was transitioning between Caribbean itineraries at Port Canaveral. Initially, Ridings was not arrested. His phone underwent a digital forensic review to check for more illegal content. Sheriff Ivey explained that the phone examination was crucial before issuing an arrest warrant.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

After the forensic review, Ridings was arrested on New Year’s Eve in Daytona Beach. He remains in custody with a bond set at $300,000. The arrest has sparked significant public reaction. Many are relieved that the investigation led to charges and are calling for further action against those involved in creating such content.

Public and Cruise Line Reactions

The news of Ridings’ arrest has generated strong online reactions. Many express relief and demand stricter measures against similar offences. The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and the role of cruise lines in monitoring illegal activities.