Category: Cruise News

Marella Cruises has confirmed that Marella Discovery 2 will become a permanent adults-only cruise ship from November 2027, with the vessel undergoing a significant onboard transformation that will see its children’s facilities replaced by four new venues designed exclusively for adults.

The announcement forms part of the cruise line’s newly unveiled winter 2027-28 programme, which also introduces new itineraries, repositioning and transatlantic cruises, expanded Cruise & Stay options and homeport operations across six ports in Europe and the Caribbean.

Marella Discovery 2 is already scheduled to operate adults-only sailings during the 2026-27 winter season on a trial basis. Following that programme, the ship will officially join Marella Explorer 2 as the line’s second dedicated adults-only vessel.

As part of the refurbishment, the ship’s existing kids’ spaces will be transformed into four new venues: a speakeasy, an escape room, a karaoke room and a dedicated arts and crafts area.

“Our winter 2027 programme will focus on the regeneration of Marella Discovery 2 returning as an adults-only ship for a second consecutive winter season. With demand for adults-only cruising continuing to grow, we’re investing in four new onboard concepts to enhance the experience even further.

“With brand-new itineraries, festive overnight stays, repositioning cruises, transatlantic cruises and an expansion of 39 hotels for our cruise and stay offering, we’re continuing to evolve our holidays to give customers more ways to cruise with Marella Cruises.”

Chris Hackney, chief executive of Marella Cruises

New Itineraries And Winter Deployment

The entire five-ship Marella Cruises fleet will operate from six homeports throughout the winter 2027-28 season, offering a combination of Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings alongside repositioning and transatlantic voyages.

Marella Discovery 2 will spend November 2027 through to March 2028 sailing Canary Islands itineraries from both Tenerife and Gran Canaria before repositioning to Malaga for cruises from March until April 2028.

One of the highlights of the season will be the debut of a new seven-night Atlantic Fusion itinerary. Sailing roundtrip from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, the cruise will call at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Arrecife in Lanzarote, Agadir in Morocco, followed by a day at sea, Santa Cruz de La Palma and back to Gran Canaria. The itinerary also marks Marella’s return to Agadir.

Elsewhere in the fleet, Marella Discovery will spend the first part of the season sailing from La Romana in the Dominican Republic before moving to Palma, Majorca, for spring departures.

Marella Explorer will alternate departures between Tenerife and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, operating a range of Canary Islands cruises. The ship will also feature a festive overnight stay in Funchal, Madeira, as part of its A Canarian Chri

Norwegian Cruise Line has been forced to cancel three scheduled port calls and offer passenger compensation after the 25-year-old Norwegian Sun experienced propulsion issues that have severely restricted the ship’s speed during a nine-day Northern Europe sailing.

The 1,976-passenger vessel departed Helsinki on 21st June for a scheduled voyage to Copenhagen, but technical problems have prevented the ship from reaching several key destinations on the advertised itinerary.

Norwegian Sun is currently operating at significantly reduced speed due to a technical malfunction affecting its propulsion system. Tracking data shows the vessel struggling to exceed 14 knots, well below normal cruising speeds.

On 25th June, passengers received official notification from Norwegian Cruise Line explaining that the technical issue required the ship to operate at lower speeds. The cruise line emphasised that whilst the problem impacts scheduling, it poses no safety risk to passengers or crew.

The reduced speed has made it impossible for the ship to reach all scheduled ports within the planned timeframes, forcing Norwegian Cruise Line to make substantial alterations to the published itinerary.

Swedish, Lithuanian and Polish Ports Eliminated From Schedule

The propulsion failure has resulted in the cancellation of three planned port calls, with replacement sea days and alternative stops substituted where possible.

Nynäshamn, Sweden – serving as the gateway to Stockholm – has been completely cancelled and replaced with a day at sea. Klaipėda, Lithuania, has similarly been eliminated from the itinerary and substituted with an unscheduled sea day.

Gdynia, Poland, was also removed from the schedule, though Norwegian Cruise Line arranged an alternative call at Rønne, Denmark, to partially compensate for the lost port experience.

Revised Itinerary Shows Adjusted Timings Throughout Voyage

The current sailing, which departed Helsinki on 21st June at 4pm, successfully called at Tallinn, Estonia, on 22nd June as scheduled, with passengers enjoying the port from 8 am to 5 pm.

The first casualty was Nynäshamn on 23rd June, which became an unplanned sea day. Riga, Latvia, was reached on 24th June and visited from 9:30 am to 6 pm as originally intended.

Klaipėda became the second cancelled port on 25th June, replaced with another sea day. On 26th June, the substitute stop at Rønne, Denmark, operated from 8 am to 6 pm in place of the planned Gdynia call.

Warnemünde, Germany, remained on the itinerary but with an extended port stay from 7:30 am to 11 pm on 27th June. Kiel, Germany, saw shortened hours on 28th June, with the ship arriving and departing on a compressed schedule from 8 am to 5 pm.

The final destination of Copenhagen faces a delayed morning arrival at 10:30 AM on 29th June, though the overnight stay remains intact. Disembarkation is scheduled to proceed as planned at 6 am on 30th June.

Previous Sailing Also Affe

Royal Caribbean is giving more passengers access to its highest level of personalised service, with the launch of a new paid Royal Genie Package that brings the cruise line’s luxury concierge experience to guests in any stateroom category on select ships.

Previously, Royal Genie was an exclusive benefit reserved for guests staying in Star Class suites aboard Oasis, Quantum and Icon Class ships.

Now, the new package extends that experience to passengers sailing on Freedom, Radiance, Voyager and Vision Class vessels, regardless of the cabin they book – but only if they pay for it.

The move means guests staying in anything from an Inside stateroom all the way up to a Suite can now purchase the same concierge-style service, with a dedicated Royal Genie available to help plan and personalise their holiday.

According to Royal Caribbean, the package was developed after strong demand from guests who had previously experienced the Royal Genie service in Star Class accommodation and wanted access to it when sailing on older ships in the fleet.

“Our Royal Genie Package offers an elevated VIP experience with personalized service and a curated collection of premium benefits designed to make every moment onboard seamless and unforgettable,” the cruise line said.

Premium Perks Included

At the heart of the package is a dedicated Royal Genie, who begins assisting guests up to two weeks before embarkation and continues throughout the voyage.

The concierge handles everything from dining and entertainment reservations to special celebrations, personalised requests and itinerary planning.

The package also bundles several premium inclusions, including:

Complimentary speciality dining throughout the cruise

Deluxe Beverage Package

High-speed VOOM WiFi

Priority access to dining venues, activities and reserved seating at entertainment

Assistance with special requests and personalised celebrations

The experience effectively offers many of the benefits previously associated with Star Class suites, without requiring guests to book one of the cruise line’s most expensive accommodations.

Pricing is dynamic and varies depending on the ship, itinerary and sailing date.

Early pricing seen by guests starts at around $300 per adult, per day, with children’s pricing beginning at approximately $200 per day.

Royal Caribbean notes that all guests aged six and over sharing the same stateroom must purchase the package for the full length of the cruise if one guest chooses to add it.

While the package represents a significant additional cost, it could appeal to travellers celebrating special occasions or those looking for a more personalised, luxury cruise experience.

And for guests who planned on buying a Deluxe Beverage Package, the VOOM WiFi and paying for speciality dining, the price increase to upgrade to a full Royal Genie package may not be quite the leap.

The launch also creates another pre

Sixteen Carnival Cruise Line passengers have been permanently banned from sailing with the cruise line following a chaotic brawl that erupted in the customs area at PortMiami after disembarking from Carnival Conquest.

The incident, which was captured on mobile phones by witnesses and has since gone viral across social media platforms, involved multiple families and escalated rapidly in the federal customs zone under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Fight Begins Between Two Women In Customs Queue

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating online, the altercation began between two women waiting to clear customs.

One woman, dressed in a black dress, reportedly ducked under a queue divider to confront another woman wearing polka dot pyjamas.

The confrontation quickly turned physical, with the first woman throwing punches at the second.

Within moments, additional individuals became involved in the melee, transforming what began as a dispute between two people into a multi-person brawl.

The initial spark that ignited the confrontation remains unclear, with no official explanation provided by authorities or the cruise line regarding what prompted the dispute.

Chaos Escalates As More Passengers Join The Melee

As the fight intensified, more passengers joined the fray, creating a chaotic scene in the customs area.

Video footage shows one individual grabbing the hair of one of the women involved, whilst others pushed, shoved, and grappled with one another.

The viral videos reveal passengers struggling to maintain their footing on the smooth tile floor of the customs facility.

Many of those involved in the fight were either barefoot or wearing only socks, making it difficult to stay upright during the physical altercations.

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The scene descended into further disorder as luggage became part of the conflict, with at least one suitcase visible in video footage being hurled into the crowd of fighting passengers.

U.S. Customs Officers Intervene To Stop The Brawl

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stationed in the area quickly moved to intervene and separate the combatants.

However, the expanding nature of the fight, with additional people continuously joining in, complicated their efforts to restore order.

The brawl continued for several minutes before customs officers and law enforcement personnel were able to successfully break up the fighting and establish control over the situation.

The incident occurred entirely within the federal customs zone, placing it under the direct authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection rather than local police.

Despite the intensity and duration of the fight, no weapons were reported to have been involved beyond fists, elbows, and improvised use of luggage items.

No Arrests Made As Participants Decline To Press Charges

In an unusual

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska, on 19th June 2026 carrying the carcass of a pregnant endangered fin whale on its bow, with federal investigators later confirming the animal died from injuries consistent with a ship strike.

The 61-foot female fin whale was discovered draped across the vessel’s bulbous bow when the 4,180-guest cruise ship completed a one-way Alaska sailing from Vancouver.

The ship had called at Sitka, Juneau and Skagway before arriving in Seward, where the whale was immediately removed for examination.

A necropsy conducted by marine wildlife specialists revealed the whale had suffered severe blunt force trauma to the spine, ribs and jaw. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the injuries were consistent with a collision involving a vessel.

Investigators also determined that the whale was pregnant at the time of its death.

“The examination revealed that the whale was pregnant, freshly dead, and in good nutritional condition, with plenty of blubber and muscle,” NOAA Fisheries Alaska said following the necropsy.

The whale’s body was initially covered with a tarp after the ship docked before being transported to a protected lagoon near Lowell Point, south of the Seward cruise terminal, where the examination was carried out.

Fin whales are the second-largest whale species on Earth and can grow to around 85 feet in length and weigh up to 80 tons. The species is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and is also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Federal authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement has appealed for information from anyone who may have knowledge relating to the whale’s death.

Royal Caribbean Responds

Royal Caribbean Group confirmed that one of its vessels was involved in the incident and said it is cooperating fully with investigators.

Credit: Kaiti Grant / Alaska SeaLife Center

“We are deeply saddened by the whale incident involving one of our ships en route to Seward and take any impact to marine life with the utmost seriousness,” a company spokesperson said.

“We are cooperating fully with NOAA, and we will partner with them following their final investigative findings. Our respect for the ocean is at the core of everything we do.”

Despite the incident, Ovation of the Seas maintained its schedule and departed Seward on its next voyage without delay.

The vessel is operating alternating northbound and southbound Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Seward throughout the 2026 season. It is also the first Royal Caribbean ship to regularly use Seward’s new Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal, which opened earlier this month.

Calls For Cruise Ships To Slow Down

The incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter measures to protect whales in busy shipping corridors

A passenger who used stolen identities to board Discovery Princess and fraudulently obtain $20,000 from the ship’s casino has been sentenced to more than four years in prison, bringing an end to a sophisticated scheme that federal authorities say stretched beyond a single cruise voyage.

Enrico Ronquillo, 38, a Philippine national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, received a 53-month prison sentence on 17th June 2026 after pleading guilty to false impersonation and aggravated identity theft.

The court also ordered him to pay more than $25,000 in restitution and imposed one year of supervised release following his prison term.

The fraud was uncovered during a Princess Cruises sailing aboard the 4,600-guest Discovery Princess, which departed from Seattle.

Authorities say Ronquillo used multiple stolen identities and fraudulent documents to gain passage on the vessel before targeting the ship’s casino for a series of cash advances.

Federal investigators believe Ronquillo may have used stolen credit card information to pay for the cruise itself. Once onboard, he allegedly assumed at least two separate identities as part of a scheme designed to avoid detection.

Cash Withdrawals Spread Across Multiple Transactions

According to court documents, Ronquillo obtained approximately $20,000 from the casino through a series of transactions rather than a single large withdrawal.

To facilitate the withdrawals, he submitted a forged IRS Form W-9 using a victim’s name, signature and Social Security number. The document is required for certain financial transactions and allowed the withdrawals to proceed without immediately triggering fraud concerns.

Authorities said the strategy enabled Ronquillo to complete at least four separate cash advances before questions were raised about his identity.

The scheme came to an abrupt end on 14th May 2025 when Discovery Princess called at Juneau, Alaska. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer conducting routine checks noticed inconsistencies with the identification Ronquillo presented.

Investigators determined that Ronquillo’s appearance did not match the photograph on the ID card. A subsequent search uncovered multiple documents, including two birth certificates, a counterfeit California driver’s licence and a backpack containing a large amount of cash.

The evidence led to a federal indictment in June 2025 and ultimately to Ronquillo’s guilty plea.

Federal officials strongly criticised the offences following the sentencing.

“Mr Ronquillo knowingly used stolen identities and personal information of innocent U.S. citizens to gain passage on a cruise ship and enrich himself at its casino,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Zachary Pomerantz of the FBI Anchorage Field Office added: “This fraudster stole the identity of a U.S. citizen and impersonated the victim whilst on b

MSC Cruises has announced a comprehensive enhancement to its MSC Aurea Spa programme, introducing medical wellness treatments, AI-powered diagnostics and advanced beauty services across its entire fleet throughout 2026.

The cruise line’s enhanced spa offering represents a significant expansion beyond traditional cruise ship wellness facilities, positioning MSC as a leader in onboard medical and aesthetic services. The rollout will bring IV therapies, aesthetic injectables and cutting-edge skincare technology to passengers seeking more than conventional spa treatments at sea.

The enhancement reflects MSC’s response to shifting passenger expectations and the rapid growth of wellness tourism globally. According to the cruise line, today’s travellers increasingly seek vacations that deliver measurable health and beauty benefits rather than simply relaxation.

Georg Schmickler, senior vice president of onboard revenues at MSC Cruises, explained the strategic vision behind the upgrade and how the company aims to position its spa facilities as comprehensive wellness destinations rather than supplementary amenities.

“Today’s travellers are looking for more than a vacation; they want to return home feeling better than when they left,

“Our vision is to create the most complete wellness experience at sea, combining relaxation, beauty, recovery and self-care in one destination,”

Medical Wellness Services Launch Summer 2026 On Select Vessels

The most significant addition to the MSC Aurea Spa portfolio involves medical wellness treatments beginning in summer 2026. These services will initially launch on select ships operating in North America before expanding fleetwide.

Licensed medical professionals will administer IV therapy, aesthetic injectables, dermal fillers and permanent make-up procedures. This marks a departure from traditional cruise spa offerings, bringing medical-grade aesthetic treatments typically found in shore-side clinics to the ship environment.

The introduction of injectable treatments and IV therapies represents MSC’s commitment to meeting demand for results-driven wellness services. Passengers will be able to access cosmetic enhancements and recovery treatments without leaving the ship.

AI Technology Powers Personalised Skincare Recommendations

MSC Aurea Spa will incorporate artificial intelligence technology to deliver customised skincare analysis and treatment plans.

The AI-powered skin diagnostic system will assess individual skin conditions and provide tailored treatment recommendations.

This technology-driven approach allows spa staff to offer product guidance and treatment protocols based on objective data rather than visual assessment alone. Passengers receive personalised skincare roadmaps designed to address their specific concerns and goals.

The AI analysis complements advanced skin treatments featuring hydro-microdermabrasion technology. MSC has partnered with

Carnival Splendor has been forced to cancel its sole port visit on a four-night voyage from Sydney after the cruise line’s pilotage provider could not supply a marine pilot to guide the ship into Moreton Bay, turning the short getaway into an unplanned cruise to nowhere.

The 113,600-gross-ton vessel departed Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, 20th June, for what was scheduled as a brief cruise featuring a single port call at Moreton Island in Queensland on Monday, 22nd June.

Guests learned of the cancellation through public address announcements and letters delivered to their staterooms explaining the unusual circumstances.

“A marine pilot is required to be on board the ship as we enter and exit Moreton Bay to get to Moreton Island,” the letter stated. “Unfortunately, our pilotage provider has advised us that they will not be able to provide us with a pilot in time tomorrow, due to unexpected circumstances.”

What Marine Pilots Do And Why They’re Essential

Marine pilots – also known as maritime pilots or harbour pilots – are highly trained specialists with expert knowledge of specific waterways and the unique hazards each presents.

Their role is particularly critical in challenging environments like Moreton Bay, which features significant sandbanks, shallow channels, and other navigational obstacles requiring precise handling.

These pilots also coordinate movements with heavy marine traffic to ensure safe passage for large vessels. Without a qualified pilot available, cruise ships are legally prohibited from entering many ports and harbours, regardless of the captain’s experience or credentials.

The “unexpected circumstances” preventing the pilot’s availability have not been detailed publicly. Such situations typically arise from labour shortages, sudden illness, personal emergencies, or scheduling conflicts that leave pilotage providers unable to fulfil their commitments.

Ship Sails North But Cannot Enter Bay

Satellite tracking data shows Carnival Splendor did sail northward toward Moreton Island as originally planned.

However, the vessel turned south again without entering Moreton Bay, confirming the cancellation of the scheduled eight-hour port visit that was to run from 8 am to 6 pm.

With no alternative ports feasible on such short notice and within the cruise’s geographic area, the ship instead spent Monday as an unscheduled sea day. The vessel is expected to return to Sydney by 6:30 am on Wednesday, 24th June, as originally scheduled, with no other changes to the itinerary.

Guests Receive Onboard Credit As Compensation Gesture

While cruise lines typically do not offer compensation for itinerary changes beyond their control – such as weather disruptions, civil unrest, or mechanical issues – Carnival Cruise Line recognised the unique nature of this cancellation.

Because Moreton Island was the only port of call on the four-night sailing, effectively transform

A transport strike on the Greek island of Santorini forced three cruise ships to alter their itineraries this week, leaving thousands of passengers facing disrupted holiday plans after local bus operators suspended services in protest over controversial new port regulations.

The industrial action, which took place on Monday, 22nd June 2026, brought cruise passenger transportation on the island to a standstill. With no buses operating, cruise lines were unable to run shore excursions or move guests between key arrival points and tourist areas.

The disruption affected approximately 8,500 cruise passengers across three vessels from different cruise lines.

MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Pearl both cancelled their scheduled calls to Santorini entirely and remained at sea instead. Meanwhile, Celebrity Ascent adjusted its itinerary and delayed its arrival by 24 hours, allowing passengers to visit the island on Tuesday, 23rd June, after transport services resumed.

Celebrity Ascent carries around 3,260 guests at double occupancy, meaning thousands of travellers were able to salvage their planned visit. However, passengers aboard MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Pearl were not as fortunate and missed the destination altogether.

With little opportunity to secure alternative ports at short notice, both ships continued their voyages without replacing the lost call.

New Passenger Rules Spark Backlash

At the centre of the dispute is a recently introduced passenger management system implemented by Santorini’s port authority.

The policy, known locally as the “70-30 rule”, requires 70% of cruise passengers coming ashore to disembark at the Old Port of Fira.

The remaining 30% must use Athinios Port, which offers road access suitable for larger vehicles and organised transportation.

Bus operators argue that the arrangement is impractical and creates significant operational challenges.

Passengers arriving at the Old Port face limited options for reaching the clifftop town of Fira. Visitors must either climb 588 steps, ride donkeys or use the island’s cable car system.

The cable cars can transport approximately 1,200 passengers per hour, a figure operators say is insufficient when several cruise ships arrive simultaneously.

According to the local bus association, the new system was introduced without adequate consultation or preparation. Drivers claim key issues such as parking arrangements, traffic management and passenger logistics were not properly addressed before implementation.

They warn that when multiple vessels are in port, as many as 8,000 passengers could converge on the Old Port at the same time, creating lengthy queues and potentially leaving visitors waiting in high temperatures with limited shade or access to water.

Bus operators have insisted they will continue protesting until meaningful discussions take place with local authorities regarding changes to the policy.

Overtourism Measures Continue To

P&O Cruises has quietly updated its alcohol policy, introducing a significant change that will affect guests who attempt to bring more alcohol onboard than permitted at embarkation.

Under the revised policy, any wine or Champagne exceeding the cruise line’s allowance will now be confiscated and discarded, with no compensation offered to guests. Previously, excess alcohol was held by the cruise line and returned before the end of the sailing.

The change applies to guests aged 18 and over, or 21 and over when embarking from ports in the United States.

Passengers are still permitted to bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne onboard when joining the ship for the first time. However, any amount above that limit will no longer be stored for collection later in the cruise.

The updated policy states: “Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.”

Previously, the policy advised guests that excess wine or Champagne would be stored and returned before disembarkation.

The remainder of the alcohol policy remains unchanged. Guests who choose to consume their own wine or Champagne in dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas will continue to be charged a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion, which is applied to their onboard account.

P&O Cruises also continues to prohibit guests from bringing spirits onboard at embarkation, classifying them as restricted items.

Another Change In P&O Cruises’ Evolving Alcohol Rules

The latest update is not the first significant change P&O Cruises has made to its alcohol policy in recent years.

Until May 2024, guests were allowed to bring either one litre of wine or Champagne, or a one-litre bottle of spirits, when embarking on a cruise. The spirits allowance proved particularly popular among many passengers, especially those looking to enjoy drinks in their cabins without purchasing onboard beverage packages.

That policy was revised in 2024, removing the option to bring spirits and limiting guests to a single litre of wine or Champagne only.

The newest amendment further tightens the rules by removing the previous option for excess alcohol to be held safely until the end of the voyage. Guests who exceed the allowance now risk losing those bottles entirely.

The change brings a stronger deterrent for passengers considering bringing more alcohol onboard than permitted and reinforces the cruise line’s current restrictions on guest-supplied beverages.

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