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Holland America Line is about to invest over $500 million in a new program they’re calling the most ambitious guest experience update in the company’s 153 year history. When all is said and done, older ships in the fleet will seem new again as a result of bow-to-stern renovations.
Good News for Solo Travelers
The changes will be implemented over the next few years, with the Oosterdam being the first to undergo the transformative (and appropriately named) Evolution program.
In the coming years, each of the remaining Vista-class ships (Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam) as well as the two comprising the Signature-class (Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam) will get their turn in the Evolution spotlight.
Eurodam will be one of the ships to undergo the Evolution in coming years.
But first, debuting in the fall of 2027, the updated Oosterdam will feature new stateroom categories as well as the addition of perhaps the line’s most popular venue, the Grand Dutch Cafe. (This particular spot was previously only available on Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships.)
One of the biggest change being made is the addition of 30 staterooms specifically designed for solo travelers. Better still, these won’t be small, featureless interior staterooms but cabins offering private balconies and full amenities.
In all, over 70 staterooms will be added to the ship, although Holland America makes it clear that they will be preserving the “room at the rail” aspect that allows guests to soak in the environments through which the ships sail.
Bookings aboard the newly-refurbished ship will go on sale May 6.
Rooms With a (Killer) View
Also new to the ship will be two Bridgeview Suites, offering panoramic windows, a wraparound balcony and, thanks to their location at the front of the ship, what might be called a captain’s-eye view!
Elsewhere, Oosterdam will feature a 1,550 square-foot reimagined Pinnacle Suite, making it the most expansive one ever featured on a Vista-class ship.
Speaking of first-in-their-class, Oosterdam will also debut 24 Vista Suites, long among the most popular for those sailing on Pinnacle-class ships.
More Changes Ahead
One major addition coming to ships under the Evolution program? The addition of the previously-mentioned Grand Dutch Cafe. This European style spot, rooted in the line’s Dutch heritage, will welcome guests on Deck 3, just off the atrium.
The Grand Dutch Cafe will be added to each of the ships.
Declaring that the line is “just getting started,” Holland America Line president Beth Bodensteiner offered an enthusiastic tease of what’s yet to be revealed. “Over the coming months, we’ll be unveiling several more exciting additions to Oosterdam as well as the other five ships that are part of this evolution.”
The company will also be investing in various ways to improve the energy efficiency of ships. This will involve an emphasis on smarter power management and making performance changes aimed at reducing energy demand and decreasing their overall carbon footprint in the future.
More details about not only Oosterdam’s renovations (and future itineraries) will be shared at hollandamerica.com/evolution, which will also offer real-time updates as plans are revealed.
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Four months after the tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon, her 16-year-old stepbrother has officially been charged with murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual assault.
Teen To Be Charged As An Adult
In a release regarding the development, the Department of Justice laid out their case that “while the ship was in international waters en route to Miami, T.H. allegedly sexually assaulted an intentionally killed Kepner.
The Miami-Date Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxiation.” The full name of the young man has not been revealed in court documents due to his status as a minor.
Speaking for the court of the Southern District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said, “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.
We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with profesionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
(Photo via Pixabay)
Although originally charged as a juvenile back in February, the young man will be tried as an adult according to the Department of Justice.
Kepner was found beneath her stateroom’s bed during a family sailing aboard the Carnival Cruise ship last November. Among those on the trip were her father and stepmother, as well as her paternal grandparents. Even as suspicions swirled around Anna’s stepbrother, her grandparents maintained that the young woman was close to her step-siblings.
“It’s all family,” said grandfather Jeffrey Kepner to news outlets. “It’s a blended family, yes, but that’s not how our family is. Our dynamic is we’re all just family.”
Now, that family will face the prospect of Anna’s killer spending the rest of his life behind bars if convicted and given the maximum sentence.
In a letter sent to passengers and travel partners, MSC Cruises revealed that they will be hiking gratuity rates on two popular types of cruises.
While they offered a way for booked guests to avoid paying the higher rate, there is a ticking clock attached to the deal.
Which Daily Gratuity Is Going Up
In the letter, MSC said that the rate would impact guests booked on Caribbean and Alaskan sailings. They also said the new per person, per day rate would go into effect as of May 11, 2026.
As of that date, guests booked in standard staterooms will see the daily gratuity (or, as MSC calls it, “Hotel Service Charge”) rise from $16 to $17 per person per day.
Meanwhile, those booked into the Yacht Club — aka MSC’s ship-within-a-ship area — will pay a whopping $3 more per person, per day, with their price jumping from $20 to $23.
“The Hotel Service Charge helps us maintain the highest quality standards of service by supporting the dedicated crew members who work to enhance your onboard experience,” read the letter.
Pay Now, Save Later
MSC did offer booked guests a chance to avoid paying the increased rate. “We are happy to honor the current Hotel Service Charge rate for guests who have already paid, as well as those who choose to prepay before the policy change [goes into effect] on May 11.”
There’s been no word as to why Caribbean and Alaska sailings were targeted in particular — aside, perhaps, from their popularity. It’s also unclear whether this change eventually will be implemented across the fleet’s other itineraries.
“We have a Yacht Club experience coming up,” said one MSC cruiser who reached out to our tip line. “And honestly, as if that wasn’t expensive enough already, now there’s another increase to contend with. When will it end?”
The Yacht Club’s many benefits will now come at an additional cost. (Photo by Richard Simms)
Similar stories are unfolding across many cruise lines. In February, Carnival Cruise Line announced they would be increasing their daily gratuities at the beginning of April. In that case, rates went from $17 to $18 per person per day for standard staterooms, and from $18 to $19 for suite guests.
This still falls well below the rates charged by Margaritaville at Sea, which in February hiked their rates to $22 per person, per day for standard rooms and $25 per person per day for suites.
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MSC Cruises has announced a second private island destination in the Bahamas.
The new island, called Sandy Cay, will be located adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and is set to open in 2028.
Sandy Cay will be available exclusively to MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests. The island takes its name from its aragonite sand beaches, which MSC describes as among the purest in the world.
The company is positioning Sandy Cay as a more secluded, lower-key experience compared to Ocean Cay, with a focus on natural surroundings and a quieter atmosphere.
The announcement puts a name to what MSC had previously referred to internally as “Little Cay” in earlier communications about its Bahamas expansion plans.
Ocean Cay upgrades also on the way
While Sandy Cay is still three years out, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is getting a major upgrade closer to home.
MSC announced in January that the island will receive a range of new facilities due for completion in late 2027, along with a pier extension that will allow two ships to dock simultaneously.
New additions to Ocean Cay will include four additional dining venues, bringing the total to seven, a dedicated adults-only beach called Paradise Sands, an upgraded family beach area at Seakers Cove featuring a splash pad, ropes course and playground, additional cabanas, and a new marine conservation experience operated by the MSC Foundation.
Ocean Cay opened in late 2019 on a former industrial site and has become a regular stop on MSC’s Caribbean itineraries. The island currently features more than two miles of beachfront across eight beaches, seven bars, and a range of water activities.
MSC expanding its Bahamas presence on multiple fronts
Earlier this month, MSC also confirmed a deal with the Bahamas government for a new beach club at the Grand Lucayan Resort site in Grand Bahama, in addition to its previously announced $450 million investment to upgrade the Freeport cruise port facility.
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One of Alaska’s most popular cruise destinations is off-limits for the 2026 season, and the list of affected sailings keeps growing.
Tracy Arm Fjord, a narrow 30-mile passage in southeast Alaska known for its glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife, has been closed to cruise ship navigation following a massive landslide on August 10, 2025.
The slide originated above the South Sawyer Glacier near the head of the fjord, sending water surging more than a quarter mile up the opposite mountain wall. No ships were in the fjord at the time and no injuries were reported, though kayakers camped nearby lost gear to the rushing water.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the slide displaced as much as 100 million cubic meters of debris into the fjord and has warned that the area remains unstable.
Continued rockfall and smaller-scale slides from the exposed landslide scar are expected, with the potential to trigger future localized tsunamis.
163 Tracy Arm calls cancelled across five cruise lines
Seals on an iceberg in Tracy Arm Fjord (Photo courtesy of Nancy Schretter)
Here is where the cancellations stack up at the time of reporting. With MSC Cruises confirming this week that the MSC Poesia will skip all 20 of its planned Tracy Arm calls during its inaugural Alaska season, the total number of cancelled fjord visits for 2026 has reached at least 163 across five cruise lines and 11 ships.
Carnival Cruise Line has the highest number of cancellations with 53 calls cancelled across three ships: Carnival Spirit and Carnival Miracle, both sailing round-trip from Seattle with 21 calls each, and Carnival Luminosa operating from San Francisco with 11 calls.
Holland America Line follows with 46 cancelled calls across four ships. The Koningsdam, sailing round-trip from Vancouver, accounts for 24 of those, including two sailings that had Tracy Arm listed twice on the same itinerary. The Zaandam adds 19 Vancouver-based calls, while the Eurodam and Westerdam account for two and one call respectively.
Royal Caribbean has cancelled 31 confirmed calls, with the Serenade of the Seas dropping 16 calls from its Vancouver schedule and the Voyager of the Seas dropping 15 from Seattle.
Notably, the Royal Caribbean announcement covering those two ships did not address the Anthem of the Seas, which has 12 Tracy Arm calls on its Seattle schedule. Whether those sailings will also be affected has not been confirmed.
Virgin Voyages rounds out the list with 13 cancelled calls on the Brilliant Lady, sailing round-trip from Seattle.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier are the alternative
Dawes Glacier (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
All cruise lines redirecting away from Tracy Arm are substituting scenic cruising at Endicott Arm, located roughly 20 miles south, with views of the actively calving Dawes Glacier.
Endicott Arm has served as an occasional backup to Tracy Arm in past seasons when ice conditions made the fjord unsafe.
The 2026 Alaska cruise season is set to begin April 21 in Ketchikan, with ships arriving in Juneau the following week.
Scientists are continuing to study the causes of the landslide and monitoring for additional hazards in the broader Tracy Arm fjord network. Whether ships will be able to return in 2027 remains an open question.
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Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that a crew member went overboard from the Norwegian Viva on April 9, 2026, while the ship was sailing near Costa Maya, Mexico.
The incident occurred during a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage that departed Galveston, Texas on April 4.
Search and rescue operation launched and suspended
Once the incident was confirmed onboard, the vessel immediately notified the Mexican Rescue Coordination Centre. A coordinated search and rescue operation was launched but was ultimately unsuccessful. The search has since been suspended.
A passenger onboard told the Cruise News Today tipline, “Just received message over speaker the ship has turned around and is in a man overboard mission. Believed to be a crew member they are looking for. They are in communication with the Mexican authorities and other ships in the area.”
Norwegian Cruise Line issued the following statement:
On the afternoon of April 9, 2026, a crewmember went overboard near Costa Maya, Mexico. Upon confirming the incident, the vessel immediately informed the Mexican Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and a coordinated search and rescue operation was initiated with no success.”
It went onto say, “The search and rescue operation has since been suspended. The family of the crewmember have been notified of the incident. The safety, security, and well-being of our crew is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the crewmember’s family during this difficult time.”
Passengers reported the ship turning around near Cozumel
Marine tracking shows that the ship turned around Thursday evening just before 7:00 p.m. local time and conducted a search operation near Cozumel before continuing its voyage.
The Norwegian Viva resumed its scheduled itinerary and returned to its homeport of Galveston, Texas this morning. The Norwegian Viva carries approximately 1,388 crew members and can accommodate up to 3,215 passengers.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not released the identity or nationality of the crew member. No further details about the man overboard have been disclosed.
What does it take to land in ‘cruise jail’? According to one TikTok user, acting in self-defense led to big problems and a very small stateroom. But while her side of the story has garnered well over a million views on the social media site, the comment sections have been rife with debate over whether the punishment fit the crime.
How She Landed in ‘Cruise Jail’
According to TikTok user @claudette.c, the trouble unfolded aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. As she tells it, a seating dispute led to her hand being smacked by a fellow passenger. In response, Claudette admits to punching the woman in the face. “I didn’t hit her hard,” she enthuses, “just hard enough to be like, b—-, don’t touch me!’
“I coulda hit her way harder,” she adds, “but I didn’t.”
This initial interaction later led to a confrontation allegedly involving Claudette’s aunt and the punched woman’s husband. After security intervened and interviews were conducted, Claudette says she was taken to her new quarters. There, she was watched over by a member of the ship’s crew at all times.
While allowed the occasional visitor, she was not permitted to leave. Therefore, all food and drinks were provided by room service. Claudette did, however, question why she was being kept under confinement given that the other party had opted not to press charges.
The Truth About Her Time in ‘Jail’
Because details matter, it’s important to note that the young woman in question, Claudette, was not actually thrown into the proverbial brig. While many ships do, in fact, have some form of jail, Claudette wound up in a stripped-down stateroom. Anything with which a person could hurt themselves had been removed, and she claimed one light had to remain on at all times.
Needless to say, her video generated not only a huge number of views but quite a few comments as well. Some suggested that the incident in question never actually took place, while others suggested she contact a lawyer in order to sue the cruise line.
Much of the debate in comments revolved around semantics and the use of the words “smack” versus “punch.” Claudette admits that “the only thing [security] cared about was the fact that I punched her in the face, because ‘punching’ is assault, ‘smacking’ is not.”
Should Passenger Be Banned?
In response to several queries from followers as to whether she’d been banned from Royal Caribbean, the TikToker claimed that she had not. She has also made repeated requests that the cruise line provide her with any and all CCTV footage from inside the theater, believing it ultimately will support any claim she makes, legal or otherwise.
“I was not the initiator, I did not start it,” she says, implying that the footage would show as much. However, “they said that the authorities have to request it.”
Asked if the other person involved in the altercation was similarly confined, Claudette claimed that her family saw the other woman at various spots around the ship. “My family saw her in the casino,” she says. “My family saw her at dinner.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, the 30-year-old indicated that despite not having been banned, she would not be returning anytime soon. “It wasn’t even all that,” she snarked. “Ship looked like it was built in 2001 and hasn’t been updated since.” (For the record, Libery of the Seas joined the fleet in 2007 and is slated for a refurb, ironically enough, following her current 16-night transatlantic.)
Claudette did give a shout-out to the crew. “The staff was really nice,” she concluded, ”minus the captain. He’s the one who said I had to stay in my room.”
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A fifth cruise ship dock for downtown Juneau, Alaska is quietly moving forward. According to Huna Totem Corp., the Alaska Native corporation overseeing it, work will start on the development next year.
Dock will be ready for 2028 Alaska season
The Juneau Assembly signed a tidelands lease for the development last week. Susan Bell with Huna Totem Corp. confirmed work on the project will start in summer 2027, to make it ready for the 2028 Alaska cruise season.
“There’s still a lot of detailed engineering and design that needs to happen, and we needed to be sure that we do this sequentially,” she said. “Signing the lease allows us to have confidence in moving forward with securing steel, securing the float that is needed for the dock.”
The new dock will be one element in a larger waterfront development called Aak’w Landing, which has an overall budget of about $150 million.
Approved in principle by the Juneau planning commission back in 2023, it will feature a culture and science center, underground parking and various dining and retail concessions. It will also include a boardwalk and green space for events and outdoor concerts, according to the company’s latest renderings, along with Alaska Native art educational resources.
There is strong local support for the development, although general public sentiment remains mixed over the impacts of added cruise ship capacity.
Huna Totem says the project would disperse cruise passenger traffic in the downtown Juneau area and help reduce road congestion, but opponents contend it could actually make congestion worse.
Huna Totem is committed to giving the public a voice to raise any concerns, Bell added. “This was built on years of input, and I think Huna Totem will continue making sure that we’re continuing that dialog and getting people’s input,” she said.
MSC Cruises is doubling down on the Bahamas with plans for its first dedicated beach club. The cruise line confirmed a deal with the Bahamas government for part of the site of the iconic Grand Lucayan Resort in Grand Bahama.
MSC aims to develop the 20-acre site which is currently The Reef Village area. Neither the cruise line nor local officials have disclosed what amenities the MSC Beach Club will feature. It will be available to MSC and Explora Journeys guests.
“This agreement represents a defining moment for Grand Bahama and the future of our island,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis. The redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Resort has long been a national priority, and this step forward speaks to our commitment to restoring Grand Bahama as a leading tourism destination.
Two cruise beach club facilities being developed at the Grand Lucayan Resort
It won’t be the only beach club destination for cruisers at the site. Alongside MSC Beach Club, Ancient Waters Cruise Resort will be locally operated and accessible to various other cruise lines’ passengers.
The 56-acre beachfront Grand Lucayan Resort and 160-acre Reef Golf Course is now owned by Concord Wilshire Capital, which is overseeing a huge resort redevelopment.
“Together, the MSC Beach Club and the Ancient Waters Cruise Resort are projected to welcome more than one million guests annually,” Concord Wilshire President Nate Sirang said. “Combined with the activation of the Mega Marina and Casino Resort, this development will generate substantial economic activity.”
MSC’s new beach club plans are in addition to its already announced $450 million investment to upgrade the Freeport, Grand Bahama cruise port facility. The goal is to expand ship capacity and improve guest services.
Additionally, further upgrades are coming to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve which will add more recreational activities, restaurants, bars and cabanas, as well as an exclusive adult-only retreat area.
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Cruise ships and food go together like chicken and waffles. Which, as it happens, is exactly what’s featured on a new menu being tested aboard a few Carnival Cruise Line ships.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
While some say the offerings remind them of another venue found on the high seas, most are ready to line up and get their fill. But will the venue prove popular enough to go the distance… by which we mean be rolled out across the fleet?
What’s On the New Carnival Menu
While word of the new venue has been circulating on message boards and in Facebook groups for a while now, it was John Heald who made things official.
Taking to his popular Facebook page, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador said that the line had been “testing some new food options” on various ships.
Screenshot
It was only a few short weeks ago that Heald excitedly revealed that practically every aspect of onboard dining was being looked at. “We’ll find out what you like and perhaps what you want to see changed,” he said in one of his daily videos, “but it is going to be a very, very big year for food.”
This week, he highlighted one of the options being tested. Chicken & Waffles & Waves is currently being tested on several of the fleet’s ships, including the Carnival Liberty.
When Heald posted the new Carnival menu, seen below, and asked his followers if there was “something there that you would order at lunchtime,” the response was overwhelmingly positive.
‘I’ll Take One of Everything’
As you might expect, the comment section was filled with people who may have struggled to type while fighting off unexpected cravings. “Be very afraid,” warned commenter Erick Smith.
“If I find brisket, I’ll be standing there like I’m at the blackjack table [saying] hit me, hit me, hit me, double down!”
Others noticed that the menu bears more than a passing resemblance to another venue featured on some Carnival ships. “Reminds me a lot of Big Chicken,” said several, referring to the venue spearheaded by the line’s CFO (Chief Fun Officer), Shaquille O’Neal.”
Still others poked gentle fun at the menu’s typos (including misspellings), asking if those were kinks yet to be worked out before it could be rolled out across the fleet.
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Carnival Pride returned to Baltimore on April 9 after a 22-day dry dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama, resuming the year-round service Baltimore cruisers have loved for nearly 16 years.
The ship first arrived in the city in April 2009 as Baltimore’s first year-round cruise ship, briefly relocated to Tampa in late 2014, and has called Baltimore home again since March 2015.
How the ship has changed over the years
The largest transformation came in 2015, when Carnival Pride received the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade. That overhaul added Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, WaterWorks, RedFrog Pub, and several other venues that are now staples across the Carnival fleet.
In 2019, the ship returned to the Grand Bahama shipyard for a refresh that brought new carpeting and tiling throughout public areas, a renovated and relocated arcade, and the addition of The Cove, a dedicated lounge space for teens.
The most recent major overhaul came in 2023, when the Pride spent nearly a month at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.
That dry dock brought the most visible changes yet, including new livery, the Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge, a venue honoring U.S. military service members that had already appeared on several other ships in the fleet.
David’s Steakhouse was rebranded as Fahrenheit 555, and in the process, the ship said goodbye to its longtime replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David, which had occupied the space since the ship’s debut in 2002.
The 2023 dry dock also added the Carnival Adventures shop, Dreams Photo Studio, an upgraded Cloud 9 Spa, Starlink internet, and a full repaint in Carnival’s red, white, and blue hull livery.
What’s new from the 2026 dry dock
The latest shipyard visit was more modest by comparison. The casino underwent a full refurbishment, with updated décor throughout the gaming floor, and the Effy Jewelry boutique in the retail area was refreshed.
With dry dock complete, Carnival Pride resumes its year-round Baltimore schedule, offering seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Bermuda, along with select Carnival Journeys sailings to more far-flung destinations.
Itineraries also include stops at Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest private destination on Grand Bahama, which opened in July 2025.
Baltimore cruisers have more to look forward to beyond the Pride’s return. Starting in November 2027, Carnival Miracle will join Pride in Baltimore, marking the first time two Carnival ships will homeport simultaneously in the city.
The cruise ship of the future might sound more like a library than an engine room.
No rumble underfoot. No funnel overhead. No exhaust cutting across the view from your deck chair. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft unveiled a concept this week for a cruise ship that runs entirely on batteries and says it could carry nearly 2,000 passengers by 2031.
Called Project Vision, the concept was announced at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami. The ship would measure 275 meters (about 900 feet) long, carry 1,856 passengers, and weigh in at around 82,000 gross tons, comparable in size to ships sailed by Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America today.
What would be different onboard
Because the ship runs entirely on batteries, there are no main engines and no exhaust to manage. That eliminates the funnel that typically dominates a ship’s upper deck and the internal exhaust shaft that cuts through the interior.
Meyer Werft says that frees up prime sun deck real estate for unobstructed views that passengers rarely get on modern-day cruise ships.
The aqua park, rather than sitting exposed on an upper deck, would be fully enclosed at the stern and usable year-round regardless of weather.
And with no combustion engines running beneath your feet, passengers would experience significantly less noise and vibration throughout the ship.
Can it actually work?
The battery system would be supplied by Corvus Energy, a Norwegian company that has already equipped more than half of the world’s hybrid and fully electric seagoing vessels. Meyer Werft says the technology exists today, not in some distant future.
A fully charged ship could cover popular European itineraries such as Barcelona to Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. For longer crossings, including transatlantic voyages, the design can be built as a hybrid with small backup generators.
By 2030, roughly 100 European ports are expected to have the shoreside charging infrastructure needed to support electric cruise ships.
Meyer Werft isn’t the only one working on this
Norwegian coastal line Hurtigruten has its own zero-emission ship project, called Sea Zero, targeting a 2030 launch.
That vessel would cut energy consumption by 40 to 50% compared to today’s ships, running primarily on a 60 megawatt-hour battery system Electrive charged at ports along the Norwegian coast.
The design also incorporates three retractable, autonomous wing rigs that combine solar panels and wind sails, with Hurtigruten reaching 164 feet tall when fully extended.
The key difference is scale. The Hurtigruten concept is built for 500 passengers along a fixed coastal route, Robb Report not open-ocean cruising. Meyer Werft’s Vision targets the mainstream cruise market at more than four times that passenger capacity.
Still a concept
No cruise line has placed an order. Meyer Werft presents a new concept at Seatrade each year, and Project Vision joins a growing list of industry proposals for cleaner ships.
If a cruise line signs on this year, Meyer Werft says the first ship could be delivered in 2031.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but the shipyard is making the case that the technology to build it already exists.
Meyer Werft has announced a concept study for what it says is the world’s first 100% battery-powered cruise ship, the 88,000-ton Vision. The ship will be 275 meters long and able to accommodate 1,856 passengers, with the battery system supplied by Corvus Energy. According to a press release, the battery system will be able to...
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Aerial view of Celebrity Beyond (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
Robert Qi Peng, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is accused of concealing a pen fitted with a tiny video camera in a unisex bathroom.
Staff discovered the device hidden beneath discarded hand towels while cleaning the restroom, and the ship’s chief security officer then notified the FBI.
After docking at Crown Bay, St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands on April 1, FBI and Port Authority agents reviewed the pen camera’s memory card. The footage allegedly showed Peng positioning the device to record the toilet area.
Footage captured multiple passengers, including a child
(Screengrab via BHphotovideo)
The approximately 90-minute recording reportedly captured nine passengers using the bathroom.
When questioned by the FBI, Peng allegedly admitted to placing the camera and told investigators he had begun secretly recording as the ship left Miami.
Video found on his laptop showed multiple guests using the toilet, including at least one child. He also reportedly told investigators he possessed several other micro cameras.
Peng was removed from the ship, which continued the voyage without him. He appeared in U.S. District Court on April 2, where U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Alan Teague released him on a $1,000 bond.
As conditions of his release, Peng was ordered not to use any hidden recording devices and to continue seeking employment.
He faces one count of unlawful video voyeurism. If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
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Selectum Blu has 56 cruises on the books this year, sailing from Cesme from April to mid-October. The cruises are short, three and four nights, and allow Turkish guests to visit Greece without traditional visas. “Our ports of call are determined by a special agreement between Turkey and Greece, which facilitates the entry of Turkish...
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Passengers aboard Sun Princess lost their port day in Corsica, France, on Tuesday after a fishermen’s strike shut down every commercial port on the island, making it impossible for the ship to dock.
(Photo via Robert Nadel)
A guest on Sun Princess emailed our Cruise News Today tip line to report the situation as it unfolded. The passenger said the ship was scheduled to dock in Ajaccio by 8 a.m. but was still sitting idle nearly two hours later.
The captain later announced that negotiations with the striking fishermen had broken down, and that if the ship attempted to dock, the fishermen would block it inside the port, preventing the ship from leaving.
“The small boats are the local fishermen who are blocking the area where we would need to dock,” the passenger wrote. “Corsica has been canceled.”
Island-wide shutdown
(Photo via Robert Nadel)
The blockade is not isolated to Ajaccio. French fishermen launched a coordinated action beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, positioning their boats across the entrances to all six of Corsica’s commercial ports: Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Propriano, and Ile-Rousse.
Ferries and cargo vessels were also prevented from entering or departing.
The fishermen are protesting a sharp rise in fuel costs they say is threatening the viability of their operations. The French government announced in late March a partial fuel rebate for fishing vessels, but fishermen rejected that as insufficient and launched what French media are describing as an unlimited strike.
The action is part of a boycott involving fishermen across France’s Mediterranean coast, including the Occitanie and PACA regions.
What this means for passengers
(Photo via Princess Cruises)
Corsica was a newly added port for Sun Princess. Princess Cruises added Ajaccio to its seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries starting with the April 4 departure, replacing Gibraltar on 16 sailings running through next October.
For passengers on this sailing, it was the only scheduled stop in France.
Passengers who booked Princess-sold shore excursions for Corsica will receive automatic refunds.
It is unclear how long the blockade will continue. French authorities have not announced intervention plans, and the fishermen’s union has indicated they will not lift the blockade until the government meets their demands.
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“Eastern Cruise is not just a company that operates ships; we are establishing an Asian-style cruise philosophy that combines regular sailings, efficient service and immersive cultural experiences,” said Kiro Kim, managing director of the South Korean cruise brand. He added that the company’s 2026 operating strategy is based on this long-term vision and its understanding...
Thirty passengers were safely evacuated after a small cruise ship ran aground on a reef in Fiji over the weekend.
The MV Fiji Princess, operated by Blue Lagoon Cruises, grounded near Monuriki Island on Saturday. The island is best known as the filming location for the 2000 Tom Hanks film “Cast Away.”
What caused the grounding
Blue Lagoon Cruises said in a statement that conditions were calm when the ship anchored in the area. A sudden squall then caused the anchor to drag, pushing the 182-foot vessel onto a nearby reef. No passengers were injured.
A ferry was brought alongside at first light Sunday, and all 30 passengers disembarked with their luggage and belongings. They were taken to Denarau Island.
Fuel removed, crew transferred
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji said in a statement on Monday that approximately 23,000 liters of fuel had been successfully removed from the vessel, reducing the risk of pollution to the surrounding marine environment. Oil spill response booms remain on site as a precaution.
The crew of the Fiji Princess was subsequently transferred to the line’s sister vessel, Cougar, and departed the area bound for Port Denarau.
A salvage operator from Australia has been on scene since Sunday. Further recovery efforts are on hold pending improved weather and sea conditions.
Investigation underway
Blue Lagoon Cruises said the investigation is in its early stages. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji did not respond to a media request for comment at the time of the initial report but issued its own update Monday confirming the fuel transfer had been completed.
A similar situation happened in December 2024 when a tender boat carrying about 30 passengers from Crown Princess ran aground near Australia’s Kangaroo Island after experiencing engine trouble.
Unlike the Fiji Princess, the vessel was a small tender boat rather than a full cruise ship, and no reef was involved.
All 30 passengers made it safely to shore, wading through thigh-high water before continuing with their excursions.
Holland America Line has increased both its daily gratuity rate and its onboard service charge.
The daily crew appreciation fee is now $18 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins, up from $17. Suite guests will pay $20 per day, up from $19. Holland America last adjusted these rates in February 2024.
The one dollar increase breaks down to be a 5.9% increase for standard cabins ($17 to $18) and a 5.3% increase for suites ($19 to $20).
Service Charge Also Increases
In addition to the increasing the daily gratuity that is automatically charged, Holland America raised its service charge on onboard purchases from 18 to 20 percent. That charge applies automatically to beverages, specialty dining cover charges, a la carte menu items, bar retail purchases, and spa and salon services.
The move mirrors what Carnival and Princess have recently done. Princess Cruises raised its service charge from 18 to 20 percent earlier this year, and Carnival made the same move.
No doubt aware that this type of change is never well received by the cruising public, Holland America opted not to make a formal announcement or send a press release. Rather, word began spreading amongst cruisers after they noticed an update to the line’s website outlining the changes.
How the Daily Gratuity Works
The daily fee is automatically added to each guest’s onboard account and pooled with charges from across the fleet.
The cruise line’s website says, “Crew Appreciation is Holland America Line’s approach to gratuities, designed to recognize the many team members who support your journey, including those you see every day and those working behind the scenes.”
Guests can request an adjustment at Guest Services before their account is finalized prior to disembarkation.
How Holland America’s Rate Compares
For context, Princess Cruises currently charges $18 per day for standard cabins and $20 for suites, putting it on par with Holland America’s new rates.
Celebrity Cruises charges $18 per day for most cabin categories, rising to $19 for Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $23 for The Retreat suites. Carnival Cruise Line’s updated rates also took effect April 2.
For a seven-night cruise, two guests in a standard cabin will now pay $252 in crew appreciation charges, up from $238 at the previous rate.
Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off its second summer Fun-ternship Program, giving more than 100 high school students ages 17 and older hands-on experience in cruise terminal operations at six U.S. homeports. The program returns to Baltimore, Tampa, Jacksonville, Norfolk, New York City and Long Beach following a successful debut in summer 2025, the company...
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To open the year, the Club Med 2 operated in the Caribbean, sailing from the Dominican Republic down to French Guiana throughout the winter season. It was then set to sail in the Mediterranean this summer. Among highlights is a 16-day cultural cruise around Italy, from Porto Venere to Venice, visiting 13 Italian ports of...
MSC Cruises became the fourth cruise line to cancel its planned winter season in the Middle East for 2026-27. Following similar announcements from Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Explora Journeys, the company revealed its decision in late March. As the largest ship in the region, the MSC World Europa was scheduled to offer cruises in...
Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering Double Air Credit of up to $3,000 per suite for select voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic. Forming part of the cruise line’s Explorer’s Choice offer, the deal is valid on select sailings for bookings made April 2-June 30, 2026, or until availability is exhausted, according to a press release. “Air travel is an integral part of the overall journey when...
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If you have a cruise booked, there’s a new line item you may want to watch for: a fuel surcharge.
(Photo courtesy of PortMiami)
With oil prices climbing sharply since the start of the Iran conflict in late February, cruise passengers are asking whether the major lines will start passing those costs along. Two Asian cruise brands already have, and industry experts say others could follow.
What’s driving the concern
Since the Iran conflict began on February 28, global oil prices have jumped more than 40%, with Brent crude topping $100 per barrel amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reporting by MarketWatch. That’s well above the trigger thresholds written into most cruise contracts.
Cruise fuel costs are significant. Carnival Corporation spent more than $1.8 billion on fuel in 2025 alone, and Royal Caribbean Group spent roughly $1.1 billion.
Two lines have already acted
(Photo courtesy of Resorts World Cruises)
StarCruises and Dream Cruises, both operated under Resorts World Cruises, notified passengers on March 17 of new fuel surcharges that took effect for bookings made on or after March 20.
StarCruises is adding HKD 200 per person per night, which works out to about $25 per guest per day. Dream Cruises is charging SGD 15 per person per day, or roughly $12, on Genting Dream sailings out of Singapore, Port Klang, and Malacca.
“Due to recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, oil prices have increased significantly, leading to higher fuel and related costs,” the companies said in letters to passengers.
Closer to home, one U.S. cruise line is already charging passengers a fuel surcharge and has been for nearly two years. Margaritaville at Sea has collected a $15 per person per night fuel supplement on sailings aboard the Paradise since June 2024. The fee does not apply to the line’s newer ship, the Islander, which launched from Tampa in 2024.
What the major lines say now
For now, the three biggest cruise companies are holding the line. Norwegian Cruise Line said it does not expect “any immediate impact on ticket prices or the guest experience.” Carnival said it has “no plans to change our current pricing model.” Royal Caribbean did not respond to requests for comment from MarketWatch.
But the fine print in cruise contracts tells a different story. Norwegian reserves the right to impose a surcharge of up to $10 per passenger per day with no prior notice if West Texas Intermediate crude tops $65 a barrel.
Carnival’s contract allows up to $9 per person per day above a $70-per-barrel threshold. Oil is currently trading well above both levels. MSC Cruises has a cap as high as $12 per person per day under similar conditions.
Crucially, these surcharges can be applied even after a cruise has been paid in full.
The math adds up fast. A family of four on a seven-night sailing could see an extra $252 added to their bill under Carnival’s contract terms, or $280 under Norwegian’s policy, if either line chose to act.
Fuel Purchasing Strategies
Not all cruise lines are equally exposed to rising oil prices.
Royal Caribbean has hedged roughly 60% of its fuel needs for 2026, giving it a financial buffer against the current spike and helping explain why the line has said it will not impose surcharges.
Norwegian Cruise Line also uses fuel hedging strategies to lock in costs in advance.
Carnival Corporation is a different story. The company does not hedge fuel purchases at all, making it the most directly exposed of the three major cruise groups to oil price swings.
That vulnerability is already showing up on Carnival’s bottom line. When the company reported first quarter results, it cut its full-year earnings guidance, absorbing more than $500 million in adverse fuel cost impacts compared to earlier projections.
Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman, told MarketWatch that cruise contracts are written to give lines flexibility. The cruise contract is a powerful document entirely in favor of the cruise lines,” he said.
The last time cruise passengers actually paid fuel surcharges on a widespread basis was nearly 18 years ago, during the 2007-2008 oil price spike that pushed crude above $100 a barrel.
I have sailed every Holland America ship except the Zaandam. So when I tell you the Volendam surprised me, that means something.
Not because it is new. It is not. Not because it is packed with amenities. It is not that, either. The ship surprised me because in a landscape where bigger supposedly means better, the Volendam reminded me what cruising felt like before square footage became the primary selling point.
First Impressions
The Volendam is just under 800 feet long and carries 1,400 guests across nine decks, ten if you count the forward sun deck.
On embarkation, you find yourself on deck three, which opens into an atrium that is more an understated foyer than a grand entrance. If you are expecting the soaring multi-deck atriums found on newer ships, reset those expectations at the gangway.
Deck four handles guest services, deck five is the main artery connecting the casino to the Ocean Bar, and deck eight is the Lido.
Three decks cover almost everything you need, and you can walk the length of the ship in a couple of minutes. After navigating ships where you need a map just to find the main dining room, that simplicity was welcome.
The hallways are lined with framed photos of past Holland America ships. It is a small detail but a telling one: This is a line that knows its roots.
The Stateroom
My oceanview stateroom, cabin 1921, sat on the aft end of deck one. For a ship launched in 1999, last upgraded in 2024, it has held up well.
The bed was comfortable, the shower had a glass door instead of a curtain, and the water pressure was good with Elemis bath products in the shower and sink.
Storage was the real standout. Three large closets, multiple drawers, room under the bed for luggage, and additional drawers at the foot of each bed. These ships were designed for longer voyages and the storage reflects that.
No living out of a suitcase here!
The furnishings are worn the way an older ship’s furnishings should be: Lived in, not neglected. The TV ran smaller than what you’ll find on newer HAL ships, and there was a slight vibration at the stern during docking. At sea the cabin was quiet.
The natural light through the oceanview window was better than expected given how low in the ship’s structure it was located, giving you a mix of waterline and horizon that made for good sunrise and sunset photos.
If you are stepping off a Pinnacle-class ship (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, or Rotterdam), temper your expectations on the finishes.
Dining
Lido Market
I tended to do most breakfasts and lunches in the Lido Market, and it earned that loyalty quickly. The salad bar stood out because the staff builds it for you to order rather than serving yourself. I ordered it nearly every day.
The seared tuna was consistently fresh, and I worked my way through the rest of the buffet offerings throughout the week. Lasagna, steak… I tried it all. And the late-night pizza was a major hit.
Then there was the bread pudding with vanilla sauce. I had three bowls one afternoon. I am not proud of it, but I’m not sorry either. If you sail the Volendam and skip the bread pudding, you have made a serious mistake.
Main Dining Room
The main dining room on the Volendam spans two decks, which gives it a sense of scale you would not expect on a ship this size. It is an elegant space and a reminder that Holland America has always taken dining seriously regardless of the ship.
I ate there twice during the segment. The french onion soup was a solid starter, the steak was cooked to order, and the lobster pretty decent.
Nothing blew me away but everything was done correctly, which is its own kind of consistency. What stood out more than the food was the service. The team checked in regularly, coming out specifically to ask if the steak was cooked to my liking.
Pinnacle Grill
The Pinnacle Grill is Holland America’s signature steakhouse and a fixture across the fleet. On the Volendam it sits on deck four and is worth the supplement for a special night. Because it does not have ocean views on this class of ship, windows instead look out onto deck four. But don’t worry, not a lot of people use deck four!
I ordered the steak with a side lobster and the size of the crustacean was almost embarrassing. It was nearly the size of a football! The server extracted it from the shell without being asked, which I appreciated more than I let on. That would have been a challenge!
But the real standout was the clothesline candied bacon. If you have sailed Holland America before you already know. If you have not, order it. I have been getting it for years across multiple HAL ships and it never misses the mark.
It is the kind of thing where you half-jokingly consider ordering it for dessert and then realize there is no reason not to.
Canaletto
Canaletto is Holland America’s Italian venue and it’s tucked within a section of lido buffet, which gives it a different feel than a standalone restaurant but works well in practice.
We went on the final night and the food came in waves. We started with antipasto for the table.
I followed with ordering the meatballs. The chicken parmesan came next and was a solid finish to the meal.
If I had one note it is that the portions are generous to the point where pacing yourself early matters. As with any Italian restaurant worth its salt, the meal was topped off with homemade tiramisu.
Dive In
The Dive In is Holland America’s poolside burger spot and a good option for that gap between lunch and dinner when you need something to munch on but you’re not ready to commit to a full-blown sit-down meal.
The lettuce wrap burger was the move. The lettuce replaces the bun entirely and it works better than it sounds. The hotdog was also genuinely good and worth ordering.
However, I’d skip the cheese fries, where the topping’s watery consistency gave a goopy pool collecting at the bottom of the box. Everything else on the menu made up for that (perhaps a sign I did not need to eat the fries!)
Pools and Lido Deck
Deck eight runs the length of the ship’s outdoor area and has two pool areas worth knowing about. The main Lido pool sits midship and is the social hub during sea days, with the Dive In nearby and plenty of lounge seating in the area.
The aft pool is a quieter alternative if you want the water without the crowd. On a ship of 1,400 guests neither pool ever felt overwhelmed, which is a luxury you do not always get at sea. There’s also a retractable dome over the lido pool that can close during inclement weather.
The Lido deck overall never the chaotic scene you find on larger ships during a sea day, which fit the overall tone of the Volendam perfectly.
The Crow’s Nest
If there is one space on the Volendam that deserves a special shout-out, it is the Crow’s Nest on deck nine forward. This was hands down my favorite spot on the ship.
With gorgeous 270-degree views from the front of the ship, you see nothing but water and horizon in every direction. During scenic cruising it is unmatched.
The space doubled as a trivia venue during the day, had a coffee bar and a full bar for the evenings, and was consistently quiet enough at night to get work done without feeling like you were hiding from the rest of the ship.
If you are a remote worker like myself, or just someone who appreciates a good view with a drink in hand without being out in the weather, find a spot early and make it yours. As an added bonus, the Starlink internet service seemed to be blazing up there!
Entertainment
There’s a very “something for everyone” feel when it comes to entertainment on the Volendam. The highlight of most evenings for me was the live band in the Ocean Bar on deck five, which played to a good-sized crowd until around midnight. The nearby Piano Bar served as a natural next stop when the Ocean Bar wound down for the night.
World Voyages and similar long cruises are different from your typical sailings in that there aren’t a lot of big, splashy, jukebox musicals. Although make no mistake, they are still there.
Instead, the World Stage theater hosted an ever-rotating variety of performers. During my time on board, there was electric violinist and a magician. This spot also played host to enrichment talks and other programming, especially on sea days.
Casino
What the smallish casino lacked in square footage it made up for in energy, especially late at night when the Ocean Bar crowd made their way over.
The table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps stayed busy throughout the segment and the slots had a good mix of machines. Newer games like Buffalo Gold, Dragon Link and Super Flaming Hot Pots were joined by classics like the one I can never resist: Wheel of Fortune (which also lets me down!).
I donated my fair share to the cause, which was promptly claimed by the woman next to me who hit $500 and $576 on back to back nights!
The spa, basketball and pickleball courts were also extremely popular on sea days.
The Crew
The crew is where Holland America has always separated itself from the competition, and the Volendam was no exception.
The ship is predominantly staffed by Filipino and Indonesian crew members who bring a level of warmth and genuine hospitality that is hard to replicate.
What stood out most was the small things. Crew members remembered your name after meeting you once. Remembered your order. The person polishing the staircases in the morning greeted you like a long-lost friend.
Who Is This Ship For?
As cruise ships get bigger, it can be increasingly difficult to feel connected to the sea or the people around you. Those looking for bells and whistles don’t mind, but others (like me) sometimes miss the low-key joy of quiet moments spent staring at the ocean while contemplating everything and nothing.
That latter group is who Volendam is meant for.
Those wanting Broadway shows and ziplines won’t find their needs met here. But folks who value conversation and community over bells and whistles will find themselves feeling right at home aboard Volendam.
The passengers ranged from their 30s to their 90s, and Holland America’s reputation as it’s only for old people did not hold up for a single day onboard. Some of these passengers ran circles around me in the heat of Southeast Asia. Not to mention kicking my butt in pickleball!
Book it for a segment and you will leave looking at longer voyages. That is probably the most honest thing I can tell you, and the highest compliment I could possibly pay this ship and her crew.
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If you’re a cruise enthusiast who spends any time at all “doomscrolling” Instagram, you’ve no doubt come across the video. You know, the one showing a simulation of “what happens if you fall off a cruise ship.” But let’s talk about what that video gets wrong… and what it doesn’t tell you.
Fear Factor
(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
Created and shared by an Instagram account called AxiomPixels, the video starts by showing a person standing at a ridiculously low railing and going overboard. “What happens if you fall from a cruise ship and no one sees you?” the voiceover and accompanying graphic ask.
The reel — which has been viewed over 5 million times and can be found here — goes on to describe this truly terrifying scenario and what would likely happen next. It talks about the force with which your body would hit the water and that “within 10 minutes, the glowing ship is just a speck of light on the horizon.”
‘It’s A Terrifying Reality’
The short clip goes on to ask how long the viewer thinks they’d be able to tread water in the dark, especially as the freezing water “instantly saps your body heat.” While no potential survival tips are included, the video does end by dubbing the situation “a terrifying reality” adding, “In fact: Over 30 people go overboard on cruise ships every single year, and most are never found.”
Crew members take part in muster drill. (Photo by Richard Simms/CruisingTips.com)
Perhaps they should preface that last number by “almost fact” given that the true number of annual man overboards is more in the 20-25 range. According to an industry report, there were 19 “man overboard” incidents.
According to a report from CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), 218 passengers and crew were reported as having gone overboard. Of those, 48 percent were successfully recovered.
What That Cruise Ship Viral Video Omits
What’s important to note — and not mentioned in the fear-inspiring video — is that approximately 37 million people from all around the world cruised in 2025. It’s projected that in 2026, a record-breaking 21 million Americans will board ships.
If 30 people out of 37 million were to falloverboard, that words out to somewhere in the vicinity of 0.000086%. Call us crazy, but those are pretty good odds.
The other thing not mentioned in the viral video is that, simply put, people do not “fall off” cruise ships, at least not without a bit of effort. The fast majority of those who do are either taking a purposeful action or doing something that that goes against both the rules and common sense. Alcohol also plays a role in many incidents, with people who’ve had too much to drink making foolish decisions or taking deliberate actions.
Ultimately, like so many videos which go viral, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, let alone can be explained in so short a format.
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