Key Aspects: Just over one year ago, mass layoffs at the CDC threw the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) a major curve ball. Despite the challenges, the VSP has come back stronger and is completing more cruise ship inspections than before. Gastrointestinal outbreaks onboard cruise ships are also trending down compared to last year. In April
It’s been a rough week of cruise news, with a major US airline shutting down just before summer, a deadly snorkeling incident on a private island, and Disney crew members hauled off in restraints in front of guests. Plus, a Bahamas alcohol ban is shaking up itineraries, more loyalty program drama at Carnival, a charter
Key Aspects: A Costa Cruises cruise director has been awarded €130,000 after failing to be rehired after 51 contracts with the line. An Italian labor court judged that the excessive use of fixed-term contracts is an abuse of the contract style. This judgment could have ramifications for crew members throughout the industry if hiring practices
Key Aspects: MSC Preziosa has cancelled an overnight stay in Hamburg with a sea day. The itinerary change for May 9, 2026, means guests will miss the annual Hafengeburtstag port festival. MSC Cruises offered 50 euros per person – up to 100 euros per cabin – as compensation for the adjustment. Passengers sailing aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC
Key Aspects: Vision of the Seas is dropping two ports and adding alternatives for her May 10, 2027 sailing. The 11-night cruise will now visit Samana Port and Perfect Day at CocoCay instead of St. Maarten and St. Thomas. No other ports on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary have been changed at this time. Many cruise
Key Aspects: Carnival’s booking system will undergo planned maintenance from 9 p.m. ET on May 8 through 3 p.m. ET on May 9. During this time, guests will not be able to book new sailings or manage existing reservations. If guests want to feel productive, they can still research the cruise line’s offerings or opt
Key Aspects: Disney Adventure‘s May 7, 2026 cruise is cancelled with guests disembarking the ship and transferring to local hotels. Technical difficulties impacting the ship’s propulsion are believed to be the cause of the cancellation. The Singapore-based ship offers 3- and 4-night cruises to nowhere, but only one sailing is cancelled so far. Disney Adventure
Key Aspects: Princess Cruises is navigating its second outbreak of 2026, this time onboard Caribbean Princess. 115 guests and crew members have been sickened by the notorious norovirus. Enhanced sanitation protocols have been implemented onboard and the ship will be deep cleaned upon its arrival in Port Canaveral. Norovirus strikes again. More than 100 passengers
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises says demand for MSC Seascape has been strong during its first six months sailing from Galveston. The cruise line customized dining and entertainment aboard the ship to appeal to Texas passengers. Galveston officials say the new Cruise Terminal 16 is helping fuel growth at the port. MSC Cruises says its move into Galveston
Key Aspects: Turks and Caicos may be receiving a multi-million-dollar port redevelopment on Grand Turk. The dual cruise and cargo ship project would allow for larger cruise ships to call on the island. The proposal is in early stages and is tied to a cruise port project involving the MSC Group. Cruise passengers sailing to
Key Aspects: Carnival informed cruise guests that they would need to enroll in the new Rewards Program in order to maintain their current VIFP status. This action has reignited the controversy behind the new program. Largely because of the negative response, the program’s launch was delayed to September 1, 2026. It’s no secret that Carnival’s
Key Aspects: Two US citizens recently returned home from sailing onboard MV Hondius, the cruise ship that has been hit with the deadly hantavirus outbreak. While they are not showing any symptoms, officials are monitoring the Georgia residents closely. The cruise ship itself has now completed three medical evacuations and is bound for Spain’s Canary
