Looking for the top cruise news stories of the week? We have them right here in Cruise Hive’s new edition of its weekly recap. Highlights include Carnival Cruise Line’s new rewards program getting panned by guests, and Royal Caribbean planning renovations to three mega-ships. Make sure you stay well informed by signing up for Cruise
At 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2025, the 1,964-passenger Westerdam officially crossed into the Arctic Circle. Guests onboard are currently enjoying a 28-night Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice cruise, which arrived at the Arctic Circle on the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. During the longest day of the year in this particular location, the sun
The second-largest city in the Bahamas and just a short distance from Florida, Freeport is a popular stop on cruising itineraries. While, yes, it’s not as popular as Nassau Cruise Port, some cruisers think this is a benefit. You get fewer crowds and a more low-key vibe while still enjoying all the amenities you expect
Even with no hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, it’s been a stormy week for Carnival Cruise Line with intense, Category 5 reactions to the line’s announcement of the new Carnival Rewards program. Due to replace the existing Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program from June 1, 2026, the new rewards program has proven to
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are that easy! One Carnival Cruise Line guest has shared an inexpensive, lightweight, safe, and relaxing option for the cruise cabin nightlight quandary, and yes, it’s cruise line-approved. Cruise ship staterooms can have a lot of odd lights at night – a spotlight-like glare from an uncovered peephole (try a
Nicknamed the world’s “last frontier,” Antarctica is largely unexplored by people because of its extreme conditions and remote, difficult-to-access location. Cruise ships – and primarily Polar Class ships that are built for the ice and weather – can usually only safely visit Antarctica during the summer, which lasts from late November until mid-March. But despite
Earlier this month, passengers on Carnival Paradise went to a karaoke night that took an unexpected turn when guest Tyler Heyworth began to sing. Of course, karaoke is a toss-up, but what passengers got was a near-perfect rendition of Keith Sweat’s song “Nobody” by a 20-year-old Georgia native. Guests were quick to start recording the
Sometimes an unexpected emergency can develop after a cruise ship seems to be safely docked in port. That was the case in Alaska just days ago and now a probe is underway to find out what happened and why. The US Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the dangerous situation that emerged at the
Reactions to Carnival Cruise Line’s announcement of their complete loyalty program revamp have been fast and furious – literally. Guests have wasted no time in expressing their disbelief, frustration, and outright rage over the vast changes as the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program is to be sunsetted in 2026, replaced with a points-based,
Retail spaces onboard cruise ships can be big money-makers for cruise lines since many guests love to return home with branded merchandise and other souvenirs from their vacation at sea. Disney Cruise Line, arguably an industry leader in sales from onboard shops, given the popularity of its iconic characters, has announced it will introduce all-new
Travelers who drive to the cruise homeport know that between traffic, unfamiliar directions, and general congestion, finding the best parking at the cruise terminal can be a challenge. Unfortunately, guests setting sail this weekend on Carnival Panorama‘s June 21, 2025 departure may have even more parking challenges than they anticipated, due to limited options at
There are regular news stories about travelers who retire to the seagoing life and spend their golden years almost entirely aboard cruise ships, but do such retirement plans come with extra benefits? One cruise couple who encountered such a retiree in recent years has been considering the option, and reached out to Carnival Cruise Line
