Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line has announced Norwegian Bella as the name of the sixth and last Prima class ship, scheduled to debut in May 2028. The ship will offer primarily 7-night Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain for her inaugural season. Guest feedback has helped guide new features and fleet favorites in her design, including
Key Aspects: The Port of Seattle ended its 2026 cruise season on October 18, 2026 with a record number of ship calls, revenue passengers, and homeported ships. Cruise activity generated an estimated $1.2 billion in regional economic benefits, while shore power was utilized by a record 66% of ships. Newcomers to the port helped fuel
Key Aspects: The Italian Coast Guard posted a video of a medical airlift from Odyssey of the Seas conducted on Friday, October 16, 2026. An ill guest was lifted in a litter to the hovering helicopter during 25 mph winds and waves over six feet. The guest was successfully evacuated to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania
Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed the 2026 holiday decorating schedule for seasonal sailings across the fleet. Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa, both based in Brisbane, will be the first and last ships decorated for the season, respectively. Holiday decorations will remain in place for New Year’s Eve sailings but typically come down quickly
Key Aspects: AIDAnova diverted from its scheduled course on October 18, 2026, to assist a burning fishing vessel in the Skagerrak. Four fishermen escaped into a liferaft and were safely rescued by a smaller boat launched from the cruise ship, with no reported injuries. A Norwegian rescue helicopter as well as another passenger vessel responded,
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean has been able to extend Oasis of the Seas‘ unanticipated visit to Halifax to a full 24-hour overnight stay. The Nova Scotia port is the only destination now on the ship’s rerouted 7-night itinerary instead of the original Florida and Bahamas visits. No changes have been made to the compensation offered
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises is ending its status match application program in several countries, including Spain, France, and Italy. Status matching is still available on the cruise line’s US, UK, and Canada sites, among others. Already submitted applications will still be processed and there is no change to the benefits of the MSC Voyagers Club
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean has completely rerouted Oasis of the Seas’ October 18, 2026 sailing due to inclement weather developing off the East Coast. Instead of Port Canaveral, Perfect Day CocoCay, and Nassau, the 7-night cruise will visit Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an overnight stay. Guests are being offered refundable onboard credit based on stateroom
Key Aspects: The former Royal Caribbean ship Majesty of the Seas is being offered for sale at an asking price of $40 million. Adjusted for inflation, the price is a nearly 95% discount from the vessel’s original construction price of $300 million. If not sold, it is likely the ship will be scrapped, as the
Key Aspects: Iona will skip a planned stop in Le Havre, France on Sunday, October 18, 2026 due to civil unrest across the nation. The ship’s modified itinerary moves the call to Vigo a day earlier than planned and adds more time in A Coruña for an overnight stay. There is no change to the
Key Aspects: Vision of the Seas will not be visiting Bermuda on her October 17, 2026 sailing due to poor offshore weather, including strong winds. Instead, the ship is rerouting to Saint John, New Brunswick, for an overnight call, but guests will not be permitted to disembark the ship in port. Royal Caribbean is offering
Key Aspects: Virgin Voyages has confirmed a complete reroute of Brilliant Lady’s October 17, 2026 Mexican Riviera sailing due to Hurricane Trudy. Guests will visit San Francisco, San Diego, and Ensenada instead of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, with Virgin excursions automatically refunded as onboard credit. This officially marks the fourth consecutive Brilliant
