Cruise News Update: Loyal Backlash Continues, Captain Passes, Increases
Welcome to Cruise Hive’s newest weekly recap, where you’ll get caught up on the big developments across the industry. Highlights of this week’s update include details about the much-anticipated Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, and new adult-only restaurant charges on Disney Cruise Line ships.
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Carnival Cruise Line President Addresses Guest Complaints
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy responded to the outrage that many guests expressed after the line announced plans to significantly alter its loyalty program and change the way cruisers earn benefits and perks.
The proposed changes, slated to become effective in 2026, include phasing out the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program and replacing it with Carnival Rewards.
The existing program offers benefits based on the number of days a guest cruises with the line while the new plan is based on the amount of money a cruiser spends on their fare and onboard purchases.
The reason for the change, Duffy said, is tied to the huge number of repeat guests who quickly reach higher levels in the program. For instance, the number of Platinum guests, meaning those who have sailed for a minimum of 75 nights, has more than doubled in recent years.
It’s unsustainable, the president explained, and has eroded the recognition program. Full details of the new Carnival Rewards plan are yet to be disclosed, and the line has said it is taking guests’ reactions into account as it moves forward with the new program.
Seabourn Says Farewell to Longtime Captain
A cherished mariner who served as captain for the luxury line Seabourn, Geir Arne Thue-Nilsen, known to colleagues and cruise guests as Captain GA, has passed away, leaving behind a stellar legacy.
Thue-Nilsen died on June 22, 2025, his wife, Juvy Thue-Nilsen, said in a social media post. Born in Norway he studied at the Master’s and Horten Engineer Academy and rose to the rank of captain in 1995, serving on Cunard and Seabourn ships.
Colleagues reacted to the news with warm memories of Captain GA. Strength, kindness, and calm were among the words used to describe him.
Sailing to all corners of the world, including Antarctica, Thue-Nilsen served as captain aboard Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Encore, and Seabourn Quest.
Personable and admired by his guests, Captain GA often greeted cruisers and interacted with them during trivia games and other onboard activities. He most recently had served on the cruise line’s expedition ships, exploring remote destinations around the globe.
Images Show What Celebration Key Has in Store For Guests
Carnival Cruise Line released a set of photos from its new private destination, Celebration Key, set to open on July 19, 2025.
Industry watchers have been following the construction of the sun-and-fun development on Grand Bahama Island for about two years, eagerly awaiting the details.
Now, glimpses of the destination are revealed, showing Paradise Plaza, the entry area that sports information booths and way-finding stations, and Suncastle, a 10-story-high arch with two massive water slides.
Aerial views of two huge lagoons, Starfish and Calypso, were disclosed along with photos of the destination’s AquaBanas — 8-person floating cabanas that guests will be able to rent.
For kids, the photos show the Guppy Grotto Splash Pad, and for those seeking a luxury experience the cruise line shared images of its Over-the-Lagoon Super Villas, with accommodations for up to 10 people.
These are just some of the features guests will enjoy when the destination opens, but stay tuned since more sneak peeks are likely to be released in the next few weeks.
Cruise Line Changes Rule Tied to Free Bottle of Water
A free bottle of water is among the perks that loyalty club members at Carnival Cruise Line receive when they embark their ships, and now the rules about how to claim the water have been clarified.
Brand Ambassador John Heald has confirmed that a bottle of water found inside a stateroom can be claimed as the free bottle, meaning that guests no longer must visit a bar to claim the perk.
The confusion arose after one guest recently complained that he was mistakenly charged for using the in-cabin bottle, even though he was entitled to it. At the time, Heald explained that bottled water found inside a stateroom is not a perk — it is placed by the housekeeping staff and, if opened, generates a charge.
The irate guest had threatened to withhold crew gratuities if his charge was not reversed. Heald made sure that it was, so as not to deprive a room steward from receiving his hard-earned tip.
But going forward, all guests who are members of the line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program can consume the water found in their cabins without worrying they will be erroneously charged for it.
Some Disney Cruise Line Ships Raise Dining Up-Charges
Disney Cruise Line guests who indulge in the line’s Remy Champagne Brunch, featuring delectable dishes such as vegetable risotto, lobster cannelloni, and sea bass, are paying more for the privilege after a series of dining venue price hikes were implemented.
In fact, the up-charges at multiple adult-exclusive dining venues onboard Disney ships have risen or will soon rise by up to 10%.
In some cases, the price hikes impact only certain vessels. For example, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are raising charges at Remy, for both the brunch and the prix-fixe dinner. The brunch rises by $5, to $85 per person, while dinner goes up $10, to $145 per person.
Fleetwide, guests dining at Palo will pay $5 more for the venue’s brunch and dinner, which will now cost $55 per person.
These and other changes were implemented on various dates in June, depending on the ship. However, Disney Fantasy will not begin charging the new costs until November 2025, after the ship completes a dry dock maintenance upgrade.
The last time Disney Cruise Line raised costs at its adults-only eateries was back in 2023.
Rough Seas Force World Cruise Itinerary Changes
Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess was temporarily sidelined by severe weather as the 3,080-guest ship was preparing to call at Cape Town, South Africa, during her world cruise.
The ship is sailing a 113-day world voyage roundtrip from Auckland, New Zealand, and departed the port on May 31, 2025. Slated to call at Cape Town on June 25, 2025, heavy rain and powerful winds forced an itinerary change that had the ship calling at Durban instead.
In fact, the ship spent June 23 and 24 sailing along the coast near Durban. The altered port call at Cape Town was set for June 28, with the ship slated to remain in port overnight, as originally planned.
After Cape Town, Crown Princess will visit Walvis Bay, Namibia, on July 1, 2025, rather than the originally planned June 28, 2025.
Since the weather delay will have a domino effect on the itinerary, further changes are expected and guests are being updated by ship officials.
The full voyage will take guests to the Western Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the British Isles, North and South America, and French Polynesia before ending in Auckland.
P&O Cruises Adds Kids’ Club Fee on One Ship
Families planning to sail aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona now must pay for their children’s visits to The Reef, the supervised play area for youngsters under age 12.
The line, which caters to the UK market, announced that parents must pre-register their kids before they visit the facility and pay a fee of £4.95 (or $6.74 USD) for each daytime session and £8.95 (or $12.19 USD) for each evening visit.
Iona, an Excellence-class ship with capacity for 5,200 guests, is the only ship currently charging the fees. The cruise line has not revealed whether the fees will roll out on its other ships, which include Arvia, Britannia, Ventura, and Azura.
Two additional ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet, Aurora and Arcadia, do not allow children under 18 to sail.
The cruise line is urging parents to make reservations in advance of their departure date, since space is expected to be limited.
Programs for older children, including the H20 Children’s Club and The Scene, both geared to teens ages 13 to 17, do not require advance registration and do not charge any fee.
More Cruise Headlines
Let’s keep going with even more news updates from Cruise Hive, including guests aboard a Silversea Cruises’ ship enduring a shore excursion stranding thanks to the falling tide; Carnival Corporation revealing stellar financial results from the second quarter; and Virgin Voyages experiencing a surge in bookings.
Also, a new TV show chronicling life aboard two Holland America Line ships, and a cruise guest getting arrested after posting selfies with stolen jewelry while onboard her ship.
Cruise News Update: Loyal Backlash Continues, Captain Passes, Increases