Key Aspects: Queen Elizabeth has been delayed by more than 24 hours in Seattle while essential routine maintenance is completed. The Cunard ship is now scheduled to depart at 5:00 p.m. on September 18, a day later than originally planned. Cunard has warned that the delay could impact the ship’s final Alaska itinerary of the
Key Aspects: The Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the Whittier dock, damaged by fire on Monday, September 14, 2026, is a total loss. The dock is part of the $80 million Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal project that first welcomed ships in September 2024. There have not yet been any changes to ship
Key Aspects: Norwegian Joy had a deceased fin whale on its bulbous bow as the ship approached Sitka on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The ship’s docking was delayed and the whale carcass will now be assessed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. To compensate for the later arrival, guests on Reddit report that Norwegian
Key Aspects: Carnival Jubilee will begin regularly sailing 4- and 5-night cruises from Galveston as part of Carnival’s newly opened 2028-29 Texas schedule. These shorter cruises mark a major shift for Carnival’s newest and largest ship, which has primarily operated weeklong voyages from Galveston. The move follows a wider trend of cruise lines deploying newer
Key Aspects: A video posted to social media shows a guest climbing over a balcony railing and walking along an overhang onboard Norwegian Getaway. The guest appeared to pause at several points to pose for selfies and take other photos while in the restricted space. The video was posted on September 3, 2026 and was filmed
Key Aspects: Safety concerns over channel depths and forecast tides have eliminated Carnival Encounter’s upcoming overnight in Cairns, shortening the visit to one day. Departure from Cairns was moved up to 8:00 p.m. September 29 and a visit to Townsville was added the following day. The change comes weeks after shallow channel depths forced the
Key Aspect: A sick guest was airlifted from Serenade of the Seas on Monday, September 14, 2026, roughly 480 miles northwest of Vancouver. The 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force responded to the request for a medical evacuation. Tthe operation was carried out efficiently and safely in apparent windy conditions,
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean has announced when the first deployments and itineraries for the 2028-2029 season will be released for bookings. Alaska’s 2028 season will be the first available beginning the week of September 28, 2026, followed by part of the European season (week of October 12) and the 2028 7-night Caribbean summer season (week
Key Aspects: Ruby Princess will not be visiting Nawiliwili (Kauai) on her September 17, 2026 sailing, a 16-night Hawaiian voyage roundtrip from San Francisco. Hurricane Lowell caused extensive power outages and damage on Kauai when it passed close to the island on September 7-8. Instead, Ruby Princess will extend her visit to Honolulu into an
Key Aspects: A fire in a linen storage area onboard Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea caused 320 guests to be evacuated to a different part of the ship on September 14, 2026. The fire happened while the ship was docked in Ronne, Denmark for a port visit but was extinguished within 10 minutes of the first report.
Key Aspects: Following a fight onboard Costa Smeralda, 13 cruise guests have been reported to Palermo authorities for aggravated brawling. The incident involved two groups of guests after a comment made toward a young woman escalated to physical violence. Authorities identified all 13 guests involved and it was confirmed that one guest who was kicked
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean has named retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson as godmother of Legend of the Seas. During her 37-year military career, Robinson made history as the first woman to lead a U.S. unified combatant command. The naming ceremony will take place in Fort Lauderdale on Veterans Day, November 11, as
