Key Aspects: MSC Cruises has made great progress in sending home thousands of guests from the Middle East. As of March 6, more than 1,500 guests have been placed on flights and seven have already departed. Crew members continue to provide top-notch care for the passengers who remain onboard. The end is in sight for
Keeping up with the major cruise news headlines across the globe is easy with Cruise Hive’s weekly update, where we recap the big developments. Top stories in this edition include the delivery of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna; the christening of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in Singapore; and Royal Caribbean’s
Key Aspects: The CDC has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice after poliovirus was detected in 32 countries. Several destinations on the list include major cruise hubs or ports visited by ships. Health officials recommend passengers ensure they are up to date on polio vaccinations before international sailings. A global polio warning from US
Key Aspects: Norwegian Sun was unable to visit Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on March 5 due to cargo congestion. Instead, the ship enjoyed a visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on the 2-week cruise. Norwegian Sun will be leaving the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in late 2027. A two-week cruise vacation can be an amazing
Key Aspects: Norwegian Epic has cancelled a visit to St. Lucia on the ship’s March 8, 2026 departure. Instead, the ship will extend its visit to Barbados the day before into an overnight call. No other ports on the 7-night sailing from San Juan are impacted at this time. Many cruise guests select their vacation
Key Aspects: Guests onboard MSC Euribia in Dubai should stay alert for two new emergency code announcements. These “Delta Tango” blue and red codes indicate emergency situations for the ship’s safety. MSC Euribia remains docked in Dubai amid Middle East violence, but guests are gradually being flown home. With MSC Euribia remaining docked in Dubai
Key Aspects: Carnival has adjusted the itinerary for Carnival Freedom’s transatlantic crossing that embarks on August 18. Instead of Gibraltar, UK, guests will get to enjoy a day in Tangier, Morocco. Gibraltar remains on the itinerary for the return sailing to the US that departs on October 17. Carnival Freedom will briefly say goodbye to
Key Aspects: Norwegian Jewel will no longer be able to visit Charleston, South Carolina, on several cruises to Bermuda. Charleston will be completing work on a redevelopment project that makes it impossible to accommodate larger cruise ships. All voyages from July 2 to August 20 have replaced by Charleston with Halifax, Nova Scotia. Norwegian Jewel
Key Aspects: John Heald has clarified that just 12 guests are permitted at Carnival’s onboard ashes scattering ceremonies. Ceremonies are arranged to be as private as possible, but there are limits to what can be offered. Carnival does not charge for these ceremonies, but they must be arranged in advance. While a cruise vacation ought
Key Aspects: Grand Turk Cruise Center and Carnival Corporation are celebrating 20 years of cruises to the beautiful island. A special event on Wednesday, March 4, included speeches and gift presentations. April 18 will now officially be “Grand Turk Cruise Center Community Day” to celebrate the ongoing partnership. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, was a special
Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Luna, the second ship in its expanded Prima Plus Class. The 156,000-gross-ton ship will debut in Miami on March 23, 2026, offering Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries. The delivery continues a long partnership with Fincantieri. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has officially taken delivery of its newest cruise
Key Aspects: Princess Cruises will add Barbados as a seasonal homeport in 2027-28. The cruises are geared to the UK market and can include an airfare component. Crown Princess and Emerald Princess will sail 6- to 9-night voyages. Cruisers hailing from the UK will have more choices for Southern Caribbean voyages in 2027 and 2028,
