Australian maritime investigators boarded Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Encounter in Darwin on Monday following whistleblower allegations about crew working conditions.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) launched the investigation after receiving reports from an anonymous crew member about wages as low as $2.50 per hour and unsafe living conditions.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) says it has received hundreds of complaints about Carnival’s operations over the past six months.

As reported earlier this month, union organizer Shane Reside described conditions as “horrifying,” with galley stewards earning as little as $600 monthly while working over 10 hours daily for more than 30 consecutive days.

Water Access and Overcrowding Concerns

The whistleblower also reported that crew members must either drink poor-quality tank water or purchase bottled water at 70 cents per bottle.

While passengers and officers receive free drinking water, crew members face what the union calls a significant financial burden given their wages.

The Maritime Labour Convention, an international treaty setting minimum working and living standards for seafarers, requires that clean water must be provided free of charge on ships. The union says this requirement is not being met for crew on the Carnival Encounter.

Additional allegations include severely overcrowded living quarters leading to the rapid spread of skin diseases, and workers being required to perform duties while seriously ill.

Reside attempted to board the vessel in Sydney in December to investigate these claims but was denied access. The whistleblower requested anonymity, fearing job loss.

Company Response and Legal Questions

According to media reports, Carnival Encounter is one of three Carnival Cruise Line ships currently operating in Australian waters under cabotage regulations, which allow foreign-flagged vessels to operate domestic coastal routes.

The MUA claims the company uses regulatory loopholes to employ foreign crew members who fall outside Australian employment law protections.

MUA Northern Territory branch secretary Andy Burford said Carnival recruits workers from some of the world’s poorest economies while “generating billions of dollars in profit worldwide.”

“This is exactly what happens when you allow foreign-owned and controlled companies to sail the Australian coast, using Australian ports, carrying Australian passengers paying Australian fares, but who are completely immune from Australian law,” Burford said.

Reside indicated the union believes these conditions are “endemic across the Carnival Cruise fleet” rather than isolated to one vessel.

In a statement, Carnival said it has “nothing to hide” and welcomes AMSA oversight. The company noted that AMSA routinely conducts inspections to ensure compliance with international crew welfare requirements.

“We respect this process, and we hold our shipboard team members in the highest regard,” the statement read. “We welcome AMSA’s oversight as an important assurance mechanism for our crew and our operations.”

AMSA confirmed it investigates health and safety claims in line with the Maritime Labour Convention and will take action if breaches are found.

Holland America Line has released nearly three dozen new itineraries for the 2027-2028 season across Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast.

The sailings run from October 2027 through April 2028 and depart from five North American homeports.

Four ships will operate the new season: Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zaandam.

The itineraries will include longer port stays and being able to explore destinations, including extended time in Honolulu and expanded exploration of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

“Whether guests are chasing the sun in Hawaii or seeking the rugged, untouched beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest, this season truly has something for every type of cruiser,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment for Holland America Line.

Hawaii Sailings Feature Extended Honolulu Stays

The Hawaii program includes 17- and 18-day Circle Hawaii voyages aboard Koningsdam and Zaandam. All itineraries call at Nawiliwili, Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Hilo. Select sailings feature overnight or up to 40-hour stays in Honolulu.

The cruises include Holland America’s Hawaii Up Close cultural programming, covering topics from agriculture and local history to native arts and geology. Guests can also participate in stargazing, luaus and island-themed entertainment.

Panama Canal and Mexico Offerings Expand

Panama Canal itineraries range from 14 to 22 days and transit the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Voyages include access to UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mayan archaeological sites and wildlife-rich rainforests across Central America.

Mexico sailings span from short five-day getaways to 12-day Baja Peninsula explorations. New itineraries highlight the Sea of Cortez with calls at Loreto, Pichilingue (La Paz) and Guaymas. The cruises feature Destination Dining and the line’s Global Fresh Fish Program showcasing regional cuisine.

Pacific Coast voyages range from one to seven days and include the return of the Great Bear Rainforest itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver in April 2028. That voyage calls at Ketchikan, Prince Rupert (overnight), Nanaimo and Victoria..

Carnival Cruise Line experienced massive IT system failures over the weekend and into Monday morning, causing embarkation delays and onboard service disruptions across multiple ships.

Ships Affected and Departure Delays

At least seven Carnival ships remained in port well past scheduled departure times Sunday evening.

With many ships still docked late into Sunday night, included Carnival Celebration, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Panorama.

Carnival Celebration, scheduled to depart PortMiami at 3:30 PM for a seven-night Caribbean cruise, didn’t leave until approximately 1:00 AM, more than eight hours late.

Carnival Panorama and Carnival Glory passengers received emails notifying them of two-hour delays to check-in appointments, with the cruise line targeting 4:30 PM to have all passengers aboard.

Onboard System Failures

Passengers aboard affected ships reported extensive technical problems to our tip line.

A passenger on Carnival Jubilee, which docked in Cozumel on February 9, said the ship’s tech system remained down, preventing cabin charges.

Only cash transactions were accepted in the casino, and crew members were unable to log in for shifts.

The outage disabled prepurchased packages including OnDemand movies and shut down gaming systems in youth clubs.

Passengers on Carnival Sunshine reported pen-and-paper boarding and Sail and Sign card outages. The Carnival HUB app was not functioning across multiple ships, preventing access to shore excursions and activity schedules.

Carnival’s Response

Carnival posted a statement on its website acknowledging IT issues during planned maintenance that resulted in delayed debarkation and embarkation. The company emphasized navigation and safety systems remained operational throughout.

In a statement to Cruise Radio, Carnival said many impacted systems have been restored. “The debarkation and embarkation processes took longer than usual on Sunday, and we expect similar delays today for those ships on a homeport turnaround,” the company said. “While Sunday departures from homeport were delayed, all ships are now at sea and sailing their itineraries.”

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald posted messages on Facebook notifying passengers of the delays, including for Carnival Glory on Monday.

The cruise line has not yet released details about compensation for affected passengers.

Pattern of Technical Issues

This incident follows a similar IT failure in December 2025, when Carnival Firenze was stuck in Long Beach for more than 21 hours due to connectivity issues.

That outage also affected the HUB app and guest services computers, forcing dining venues to hand-write tickets.

Carnival has not disclosed what caused either incident.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Rome has introduced a new €2 (about $2.16) entrance fee for tourists who want to access the front area of the iconic Trevi Fountain.

The charge went into effect February 2 as city officials look to manage overcrowding at one of Italy’s most visited landmarks.

The fee applies daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is required only for those who want to approach the fountain’s basin. Visitors can still view the fountain from a distance without paying.

Who Pays and How to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online in advance, at city civic museums, tourist information points, authorized retailers, or directly at the fountain entrance. Rome residents are exempt from the fee, along with children under 5 and people with disabilities and their caregivers.

According to Rome’s tourism officials, the admission charge will help fund ongoing maintenance and preservation of the 18th-century monument.

Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s Assessor of Tourism, defended the modest fee in comments to The Associated Press.

“I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for 2 euros for a site of this level,” he said. “I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100.”

A New Money Grab?

The Trevi Fountain fee is part of a larger revenue initiative in Rome. The city has also introduced a €5 (about $5.40) tourist ticket for certain museums.

Together, these new charges are expected to generate an additional €6.5 million ($7 million) annually.

The fountain remains one of Rome’s most popular attractions, drawing visitors who participate in the tradition of tossing coins into the water.

Legend says throwing one coin ensures your return to Rome, while a second or third coin brings luck in love. The practice generates approximately $10,500 weekly, which the city donates to charity.

Cruise passengers visiting Civitavecchia with shore excursions to Rome should factor in the new entrance fee when planning their fountain visit.

Disney Cruise Line has made history as Disney Adventure completed her transit of the Panama Canal this week, becoming the largest passenger vessel by both capacity and gross tonnage to ever pass through the waterway.

The milestone transit occurred as part of the ship’s repositioning voyage to Asia, where she will enter service later this year. The Panama Canal Authority has officially confirmed the record.

Breaking the Previous Record

Disney Adventure stretches about 1,120 feet long and is roughly 152 feet wide.

At 208,000 gross tons and carrying approximately 6,700 passengers, she surpasses the previous record holder, Norwegian Bliss, which transited the canal in May 2018.

Disney Adventure’s passage highlights the growing number of cruise ships capable of transiting the Neopanamax locks, which opened in 2016 to accommodate larger ships.

The Panama Canal Authority reports that more than 40 Neopanamax cruise ship transits are expected during 2025, including inaugural passages by AIDAdiva, Brilliant Lady, Celebrity Ascent, and Star Seeker.

A New Chapter Begins for Disney Adventure

Disney Adventure’s path to this moment has been anything but straightforward.

Originally ordered by Dream Cruises as Global Dream, construction began at MV Werften in Wismar before Genting Hong Kong collapsed in early 2022, leaving the ship unfinished.

Disney Cruise Line acquired the incomplete hull, and Meyer Werft took over completion and redesign to Disney specifications.

After delivery in December, the ship departed Bremerhaven, Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the Bahamas for inspections, stopped at Port Canaveral, and now continues westward toward the Pacific.

Disney Adventure will homeport in Singapore, operating three- and four-night itineraries. This is Disney Cruise Line’s first permanent deployment in Asia.

The ship features seven themed zones drawing on Disney, Pixar, and Marvel properties. Notable features include Marvel Landing and the Ironcycle Test Run, an 820-foot roller coaster that Disney calls the longest at sea.

At 208,000 gross tons, Disney Adventure is the largest ship ever built for Disney Cruise Line.

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 reunited with her legendary namesake off the coast of Long Beach this morning, marking the first time the two ships have met in two decades.

The historic rendezvous took place as Queen Mary 2 anchored near the retired Queen Mary during the ship’s 2025 World Voyage. The original Queen Mary, now permanently docked in Long Beach, is celebrating her 90th anniversary this year.

A Living Connection Between Generations

The reunion carries special significance beyond the shared name. Queen Mary 2’s starboard funnel actually houses a fully refurbished whistle from the original Queen Mary, creating a physical link between the two vessels.

The original Queen Mary debuted in 1936 and served as a transatlantic liner until her retirement in 1967. She was then permanently docked in Long Beach as a tourist attraction.

Queen Mary 2 entered service in 2004 and remains the world’s only true ocean liner in active service, regularly crossing between New York and Southampton.

Historic Panama Transit

The Long Beach reunion followed another milestone for Queen Mary 2, her first-ever transit of the Panama Canal.

After the rendezvous, the ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles for the first time in 17 years, staying overnight as part of her current World Voyage.

The 108-night voyage is taking passengers to more than 30 ports across the Americas, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

It’s Queen Mary 2’s first World Voyage in two years and includes overnight stays in destinations like San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Cape Town.

The retired Queen Mary now operates as a hotel and cultural attraction in Long Beach, featuring dining, tours, exhibits, and special events.

The CDC is investigating a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner that sickened 27 people during a three-week voyage from Miami to Honolulu.

According to the CDC, the outbreak affected 21 passengers and six crew members during the January 11 through February 1 sailing. The ship was carrying 631 passengers at the time, meaning roughly 3% of guests fell ill during the voyage.

Regent Seven Seas notified the CDC of the illnesses during the sailing. The agency has listed the cause as unknown, with laboratory testing still pending on stool samples collected from affected passengers.

What the Cruise Line Did

The luxury cruise line implemented several containment measures during the voyage. These included ramping up cleaning and disinfection procedures throughout the ship and isolating passengers and crew members who reported symptoms.

Regent followed the CDC’s outbreak response and sanitation protocols, according to the federal agency.

The Mariner had scheduled port calls in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and other destinations during the transpacific repositioning voyage.

Still Under Investigation

Federal health officials say identifying the source of outbreaks can take time. While norovirus is frequently associated with gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, the virus is not always immediately confirmed through testing.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program tracks outbreaks when at least three percent of passengers or crew report symptoms and requires cruise lines to report gastrointestinal illnesses within 24 hours.

The CDC continues to emphasize frequent handwashing as a critical step in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal illness aboard ships.

This marks the second reported cruise ship illness outbreak in early 2026.

In January, Holland America Line experienced a confirmed norovirus outbreak that left nearly 90 passengers and crew members ill during a voyage running from late December through early January.

Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed it will broadcast the Super Bowl across its entire fleet on February 9, but sports fans hoping to catch the Winter Olympics will be out of luck due to broadcast restrictions.

Brand ambassador John Heald announced the plans in a recent video, explaining that all Carnival ships will show the big game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

Ships with large outdoor screens on the Lido Deck will host tailgate parties, while other vessels will broadcast the game in their main theaters.

Schedule Changes for Game Day

The cruise line is making several adjustments to accommodate the 6:30 p.m. Eastern kickoff time.

Ships scheduled for Elegant Evening on February 9 will move formal night to a different day during the sailing, allowing guests to watch the game in comfortable attire rather than formalwear.

Guy’s Burgers and other food outlets will stay open throughout the game, and the Lido Marketplace buffet, room service, pizzeria, and deli will be available for guests wanting game-day snacks.

The full game and halftime show will air, but guests should note that Super Bowl commercials won’t be shown. Heald explained that Carnival receives a direct satellite feed that doesn’t include U.S. commercial breaks.

Passengers not interested in football can still enjoy the regular schedule of activities, including trivia, comedy shows, and other entertainment.

Olympics Not Available Onboard

While football fans celebrate, Olympic enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that the 2026 Winter Games in Italy won’t be broadcast on Carnival ships.

The cruise line doesn’t carry the network airing the Olympics, which run from February 6 through 22.

Guests who plan to follow Olympic events such as skiing, figure skating, bobsled, and others can purchase Wi-Fi packages to stream coverage on their personal devices.

Norwegian Cruise Line is pulling the plug on “Beetlejuice: The Musical” aboard Norwegian Viva, with final performances scheduled for late March 2026.

The show will wrap up less than three years after the ship joined the fleet.

The musical featuring the “ghost with the most” has been part of the Prima-class ship since shortly after her August 2023 debut.

While the 90-minute production didn’t make it onto the first sailings due to unspecified production delays, it eventually became a fixture of the ship’s entertainment lineup.

Norwegian hasn’t issued a formal announcement about the change, but the cruise line’s website now shows that “Beetlejuice: The Musical” will have its final performances during the March 21-28, 2026 sailing.

Second Broadway Show Cut in Recent Days

This marks the second Broadway production Norwegian has discontinued in recent days. Just before the Beetlejuice announcement, guests learned that “Jersey Boys” would end its run on Norwegian Bliss, with final performances February 8-15.

Two replacement shows will debut on Norwegian Viva after Beetlejuice closes. “Motor City Moves,” described as a high-energy tribute to Detroit’s iconic sound, premieres May 2-9 during the ship’s first Mediterranean sailing.

“Burn the Floor,” a ballroom dance production featuring championship dancers, follows on May 23-30.

Both shows already appear on other Norwegian ships.

Motor City Moves” runs on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun, while “Burn the Floor” performs on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.

Moving Away From Broadway

The trend indicates Norwegian Cruise Line is shifting from licensed Broadway productions to favor in-house entertainment.

While Broadway shows carry name recognition, they also require licensing fees and arrangements that can complicate shipboard production.

Popular game shows like “Deal or No Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “Press Your Luck” remain onboard, along with Syd Norman’s Pour House and comedy shows.

Alaskan Dream Cruises, a small-ship operator that has been sailing Southeast Alaska waters since 2011, has unexpectedly ceased operations and canceled all future sailings, according to a notice posted on the company’s website.

The Sitka-based cruise line had just completed its 2025 season and was offering itineraries for summer 2026, suggesting the shutdown was unplanned.

Booked guests and travel agents are being contacted regarding refunds, with specific details provided via email.

The sudden closure leaves passengers who booked 2026 voyages seeking refunds during what is typically a slower booking period before the Alaska cruise season ramps up in spring.

Four Small Ships

The company operated four expedition-style vessels: Alaskan Dream, Admiralty Dream, Baranof Dream, and Chichagof Dream.

These small ships accommodated 40 to 80 passengers, enabling access to narrow waterways and remote areas that larger cruise ships cannot reach.

Premium Pricing in a Competitive Market

Alaskan Dream Cruises targeted upscale cruisers seeking expedition experiences. An 8-night Inside Passage voyage was priced at $7,600 per person, double occupancy, visiting multiple glaciers and Alaska Native villages.

However, there were signs of financial strain. In 2025, the line offered Alaska residents a 70 percent cruise fare discount, potentially indicating struggles to fill cabins in the competitive small-ship market.

The small-ship expedition cruise sector has faced mounting financial pressures in recent years. Operating costs including fuel, crew wages, and port fees have risen significantly, while smaller vessels cannot achieve the economies of scale that benefit larger cruise operators.

Several small-ship lines have struggled post-pandemic as they compete not only with each other but also with the return of mass-market cruise ships to Alaska, which offer lower per-day pricing.

The company faced competition from other small-ship operators in Alaska, including Un-Cruise Adventures, Discovery Voyages, and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

Carnival Cruise Line is doubling down on Baltimore with a historic move.

For the first time in the cruise line’s history, two ships will homeport simultaneously in Maryland’s largest city starting in fall 2027.

Carnival Miracle will join Carnival Pride in Baltimore beginning November 20, 2027, following a 15-day transatlantic crossing from Civitavecchia, Italy.

The addition marks an expansion for Carnival, which has operated from Baltimore for more than two decades since establishing year-round service at the Port of Baltimore’s South Locust Point cruise terminal in 2009.

What Carnival Miracle Will Offer From Baltimore

The 88,500-ton Spirit-class ship will operate a range of Caribbean itineraries, including seven-, eight-, and nine-day sailings to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.

Longer Carnival Journeys voyages of 12 and 14 days will visit destinations like Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten.

Carnival Miracle accommodates approximately 2,124 passengers at double occupancy and features Guy’s Burger Joint, a specialty steakhouse, WaterWorks aqua park, Playlist Production shows, Alchemy Bar, and The Punchliner Comedy Club.

Carnival Pride Staying Year-Round

Carnival Pride, which has been the sole Carnival ship based in Baltimore, will continue its year-round operations with seven-day Bahamas and Bermuda cruises, plus extended nine-, 12-, and 14-day Carnival Journeys to Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, and Martinique. The Spirit-class sister ship also carries about 2,100 passengers.

The dual-ship deployment positions Baltimore to compete more effectively with nearby Mid-Atlantic homeports, including Norfolk and Cape Liberty, which have seen increased cruise activity in recent years.

The expansion is part of an industry trend as cruise lines seek alternatives to congested Florida ports and target drive-to markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Carnival Firenze Getting New Homeport

In related deployment news, Carnival Firenze will shift to Port Canaveral starting fall 2027, offering four- to 14-day Caribbean itineraries.

Sailings will include short Bahamas getaways with stops at Celebration Key, as well as longer Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages.

Nassau, Bahamas has set another cruise passenger record, marking the third straight year of growth for what’s now the world’s busiest transit cruise port.

The port welcomed approximately 6.1 million cruise passengers in 2024 across nearly 1,600 ship calls. That’s a 9.5% increase over 2023’s total of 5.6 million guests, which was itself a record at the time.

“This milestone year for tourism underscores the critical role Nassau Cruise Port continues to play as the primary gateway for visitors to The Bahamas,” said Mike Maura, Jr., CEO and Director of Nassau Cruise Port.

The growth follows a pattern of steady increases. In 2022, Nassau welcomed 4.4 million passengers, up from 3.2 million in 2021.

$300 Million Investment Pays Off

Port authorities invested $300 million in revitalizing Nassau Cruise Port, which reopened in its upgraded form in May 2023.

The project added six new and expanded berths capable of handling the largest cruise ships afloat, including Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class vessels that can bring up to 7,600 passengers per call.

Additional improvements to downtown Nassau included expanded shopping and dining options and the rollout of free Wi-Fi for visitors in 2024.

The upgrades have delivered results. Nassau broke its single-day passenger record twice in 2024. On March 11, six ships brought 30,538 passengers to port. That record fell again on April 8 when five ships delivered 31,011 cruise guests in one day.

Bahamas Tourism Hits All-Time High

Nassau’s success reflects broader growth across the Bahamas. The country welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors in 2024, with cruise tourism accounting for 86.5% of total arrivals, or more than 10.6 million passengers.

“Visitor arrivals grew 11.4 percent year-over-year, surpassing 2023’s record and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 72 percent,” Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper told Parliament.

Beyond Nassau, other Bahamian ports showed growth, including destinations with private cruise line islands across the region.

MSC Cruises is bringing its popular Yacht Club concept to two more ships in its fleet.

The cruise line announced that MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra will both receive the “ship-within-a-ship” concept during scheduled refurbishments between late 2026 and early 2027.

The upgrades will complete the rollout of Yacht Club across the entire Musica class, with all four ships in the series offering the premium enclave once the work is finished.

MSC Musica will get its Yacht Club installation first in late 2026, just ahead of its South American deployment. MSC Orchestra will follow in the first quarter of 2027 before it heads to the Mediterranean for a season sailing from Bari, Italy.

What This Means for MSC’s Fleet

Once both ships are complete, 19 vessels across the MSC Cruises fleet will feature Yacht Club accommodations. The two Musica-class ships join sister vessels MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica, which already offer the premium experience.

Both MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra measure 92,409 gross tons and currently carry 3,223 passengers. They’re considerably smaller than MSC’s newest ships, like MSC World America, which features the largest Yacht Club in the fleet.

MSC Cruises is always looking for new ways to enhance the onboard experience, striving to create exceptional and elevated concepts to ensure that guests will remember their cruise as the ultimate vacation experience,” the cruise line said in a statement.

The company hasn’t disclosed how many Yacht Club suites will be added to each ship or whether other public areas will be modified during the refurbishments. 

What Yacht Club Passengers Get

The Yacht Club concept gives guests access to exclusive areas separate from the ship’s main public spaces. This includes a suite-only restaurant, private lounge, and dedicated sun deck.

Accommodations feature larger suites with 24-hour butler service and concierge assistance. In-suite amenities include daily refreshments, premium bath products, and packing and unpacking services.

Additional perks include private shopping appointments in onboard boutiques outside regular hours, customized shore excursions, and private transportation in select ports.

MSC Cruises plans to continue adding Yacht Club to future ships, including upcoming World-class vessels scheduled to debut through 2031.