Norwegian Cruise Line has issued a notice to current and past passengers aboard Norwegian Epic after two recent guests were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease following their travels on the 4,100-passenger ship.

According to a passenger email sent to the Cruise Radio tip line, the alert was sent on November 4 to guests currently sailing on the ship’s 12-night Mediterranean voyage from Rome to Lisbon, as well as to passengers who recently sailed on the vessel.

The cruise line said that it is currently unknown whether the diagnosed guests were exposed to the bacteria through the ship’s water system or another source.

Investigation Underway with CDC Support

Norwegian Cruise Line is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the investigation.

Testing of water-related fixtures including hot tubs, showers, and faucets is ongoing as part of the standard procedures.

“On the rare occasion that any past guests receive such a diagnosis, we work with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support their investigation efforts as part of their standard operating procedures,” the cruise line stated in its notice to guests.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which spreads through water droplets from fixtures such as hot tubs, showers, fountains, and misters. The disease is not transmitted person-to-person.

Health Guidance for Passengers

The CDC indicates symptoms typically emerge two to 14 days after exposure. Those at higher risk include individuals age 50 and older, current or former smokers, those with chronic lung disease, and people with weakened immune systems.

Common symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Most people recover fully with proper treatment, often including specific antibiotics in a hospital setting.

Norwegian Epic passengers are advised to notify the ship’s medical staff if symptoms appear during their cruise.

Those who have disembarked and develop symptoms within 14 days should seek medical attention immediately and share the notification letter with their doctor to ensure proper testing for Legionella and appropriate antibiotic treatment if needed.

Future passengers at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease may consider rescheduling their cruise. Those using respiratory therapy devices with humidifiers should use distilled water rather than tap water.

Ongoing Operations

Norwegian Epic’s next voyage departs November 13 for a 10-night transatlantic crossing to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The ship will operate Caribbean cruises from San Juan through mid-April 2026 before returning to the Western Mediterranean for spring and summer sailings.

In January 2025, Royal Caribbean sent the same notice to guests who were sailing on Symphony of the Seas in late 2024.

Multiple cruise ships made humanitarian stops in Jamaica this week, delivering critical supplies to the hurricane-ravaged island even as ports remain closed to tourism following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact.

Royal Caribbean delivers 120 pallets to Falmouth

Rhapsody of the Seas arrived in Falmouth on Tuesday, November 4, delivering more than 120 pallets of bottled water, bedding, medical supplies, and non-perishable food items.

The stop was initially scheduled as a port visit, but guests were not allowed to disembark.

“This morning the Rhapsody of the Seas will call into Falmouth, Jamaica on a relief call for a couple of hours to off load over 120 pallets of supplies of water, bedding, medical supplies, food items, said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

He went on to say, “The pallets will be offloaded and then items packaged as relief packages for immediate distribution with the help of GEM our relief partner. A huge thank you to the Falmouth Port Authority and community for opening the port.”

Carnival Horizon makes Ocho Rios supply stop

On the same day, Carnival Horizon delivered relief supplies to Ocho Rios. Captain Rocco Lubrano explained in a November 2 letter to guests that local infrastructure and shore excursion partners would not be ready for normal operations.

Carnival issued full refunds for purchased shore excursions and reimbursed taxes and fees for the canceled Jamaica call. The cruise line has also pledged $1 million in relief to Jamaica through Direct Relief, partnering with the Miami HEAT and the Arison Family Foundation.

Industry-wide relief effort

Disney Cruise Line pledged $1 million in aid to Jamaica. Norwegian Cruise Line committed up to $100,000, including guest donation matches, though the company noted it visits Jamaica less frequently than other major lines.

Jamaica’s three main cruise ports, Falmouth, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios, remain closed as infrastructure repairs continue. The Jamaican government expects cruise operations to resume by December 15, 2025.

Rhapsody of the Seas is repositioning to Tampa and will offer 4-8 night Western Caribbean itineraries starting November 8.

Carnival Horizon passengers received an unusual itinerary update this week: their scheduled visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, was canceled, but the ship would still make a brief stop to deliver much-needed supplies to the hurricane-ravaged island.

Why Jamaica ports remain closed

Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on October 29 as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, left the island’s cruise infrastructure severely damaged and unready for operations.

The storm killed at least 12 people in Jamaica, left over 70% of the country without power, and closed 82 roads.

According to a letter from Captain Rocco Lubrano dated November 2, Carnival has been in close contact with Jamaican officials about the planned Tuesday visit.

“As hard as everyone tried, local infrastructure and shore excursion partners will not be ready for us,” the captain wrote to guests aboard Carnival Horizon.

What passengers are getting

Carnival is issuing full refunds for purchased shore excursions, plus reimbursing taxes and fees for Ocho Rios. The rest of the itinerary will continue as planned.

However, the ship will make a brief supply stop in Ocho Rios on Tuesday, though guests will not be able to disembark due to the short time available.

Carnival’s $1 million relief effort

The supply delivery is part of a broader relief initiative. Carnival Corporation partnered with the Miami HEAT and the Arison Family Foundation to donate $1 million to Direct Relief to support Jamaica’s recovery.

The donation is funding field medic packs, antibiotics, medical supplies, and support for front-line responders.

“Our connection to Jamaica runs deep, and we need to support its communities now more than ever,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.

Captain Lubrano encouraged passengers to contribute to the relief effort through an onboard Groove for St. Jude event on the last sea day, with Carnival matching donations made during the cruise.

Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are also donating dollars to hurricane relief.

Industry-wide impact

Jamaica’s three main cruise ports—Falmouth, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios—remain closed to cruise ships as infrastructure repairs continue.

Multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney, have rerouted ships away from Jamaica.

The Jamaican government expects cruise operations to resume by mid-December 2025.

Jamaica’s cruise industry generates more than $197 million annually, making its recovery critical to the country’s economic comeback.

Carnival Horizon is on a six-night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami.

At the time of publication, a Royal Caribbean ship was also off the coast of Jamaica to deliver supplies.

Royal Caribbean is facing a lawsuit claiming the ship crew was culpable for a woman going overboard during a Taylor Swift-themed Caribbean cruise. 

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges Dulcie White was overserved alcohol even when she was clearly inebriated.

She later went overboard from her stateroom balcony.

The 66-year-old’s body was never recovered from the ocean. White, of Westmoreland, NY, was a guest on Allure of the Seas mega ship, sharing a stateroom with her daughter.

Daughter Megan Klewin said her mother had purchased an unlimited alcoholic beverage package. This is a major factor in the complaint. 

Family Claims Woman Still Served After Being Clearly Intoxicated

“Because of that she did overdo it, trying to maybe get her money’s worth,” Klewin said in an interview with CBS News. “She was completely intoxicated in a way I haven’t seen before. It saddens me that that is my last memory of her.”

The lawsuit says White was exhibiting signs of intoxication, but the crew continued serving her. The family’s lawyer, Spencer Aronfeld, alleged the crew was negligent for “continuing to serve her alcoholic beverages in her intoxicated state.”

“It will haunt us for the rest of our lives. I feel the overconsumption of alcohol and the over service of alcohol was the cause of this,” Kewin said. “These crew members are incentivized to continue to serve them because that’s how they make their tips.”

The family claimed the ship wasn’t turned around, and no rescue boats were deployed after the ship crew was informed of the overboard incident.

Later, air crews from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the US Coast Guard searched.

“The days of profiting from over-service while passengers die at sea are over,” Aronfeld said.  Royal Caribbean Group responded to the lawsuit: “We don’t comment on pending litigation.”

Royal Caribbean offers a choice of inclusive beverage packages with the Deluxe package allowing guests to “enjoy bottomless beverages.” It advises all guests to “please drink responsibly.”

It should be noted that Taylor Swift had no affiliation with this cruise, as it was a fan-organized sailing.

The government of Jamaica has set a target of mid-December for a full resumption of tourism following an assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett has set a date of December 15 to have cruise ports, resorts, attractions and other tourism infrastructure up and running.

Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force announced

To achieve this, the ministry announced the formation of two industry bodies to coordinate the recovery process in the coming weeks.

The Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee, made up of Public and private industry stakeholders, will assess what recovery initiatives are needed.

“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” Bartlett said.

“Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence.”

The Recovery Task Force will prioritize operational assessments, repairs and market readiness for cruise ports and infrastructure, as well as resorts and airports. 

Cruise lines commit funds for recovery efforts

Meanwhile, cruise lines have pledged money to fund interim relief efforts. Carnival Corp and Disney Cruise Line parent The Walt Disney Company are both committing $1 million, while Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd will fund up to $100,000 in aid via the American Red Cross.

Sixty-nine cruise ships are scheduled to call at Jamaican ports through December 15. Many of them are being rerouted to other Caribbean destinations.

Cruise lines call to Ocho Rios, Falmouth, and Montego Bay on a regular basis.

The director of Disney’s Bahamas private island, Castaway Cay, has been charged with sexual assault offenses. Gursel Sahibas, 65, is allegedly facing charges of rape and indecent assault. 

A 29-year-old female reported the attack when she returned to Florida, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force later arrested Sahibas.

According to his attorney, Sahibas has been dismissed by Disney due to the allegations.

Gursel Sahibas granted bail

He is “no longer employed at Disney Cruise Line,” attorney Tamika Roberts said at a bail hearing this week. British national Sahibas was charged in early October and granted $ 15,000 cash bail this week.

His work permit has been canceled, so he plans to return to the UK. He is required to fly back to the Bahamas for the next scheduled court hearing in January 2026.

According to the Daily Mail, the victim met Sahibas on the island and persuaded her to go swimming. She says she was groped and then assaulted despite repeated pleas for Sahibas to stop. The incident took place on September 22. 

The company has so far declined to comment. 

Sahibas was recently profiled in local media for coaching students on local farming techniques as part of Disney’s VoluntEARS community program. This was cited by his attorney in his bail application. 

“We were amazed to see the students’ enthusiasm and knowledge about their crops. It was inspiring to see their eagerness to learn and make an impact in the world around them,” Sahinbas said in the story published by The Nassau Guardian earlier this year. 

Disney acquired Castaway Cay in the 1990s on a 99-year land lease from the Bahamian government.

Previously known as Gorda Cay, the private island offers beaches, lagoons, water slides, an adults-only zone, water sports, and walking trails.

Port Canaveral welcomed Celebrity Apex to its homeported fleet, as the popular Edge-class ship kicks off a winter schedule of seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Central Florida.

Celebrity Apex Replaces Sister Ship

Celebrity Apex, the brand’s second Edge-class vessel, replaces Celebrity Equinox, which launched Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever schedule from Port Canaveral last year.

Arrival festivities included a traditional plaque exchange led by Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and Celebrity Apex Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis aboard the ship.

“Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural season from Port Canaveral was hugely successful and we’re thrilled to welcome home the stunning Celebrity Apex to our Port,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.

“We have a great partnership with Celebrity Cruises and very proud of their success here that continues to contribute economic value to our Port community and beyond.”

Port Canaveral is the world’s second busiest cruise port and one of the most popular drive-to markets. The port offers cruise guests easy access to modern terminals and ample adjacent parking, with approximately 75 percent of passengers driving to their cruise rather than flying.

The convenient Central Florida location provides cruisers with a wide range of ships and sailing options, making it an attractive alternative to Miami and Fort Lauderdale for many passengers.

Caribbean and Bahamas Itineraries

On its week-long sailings from Port Canaveral, Celebrity Apex will visit some of the cruise industry’s most sought-after destinations, including St. Kitts, Bimini, Cozumel, Puerto Plata, and San Juan, among others.

There are currently five Edge-class ships in the Celebrity fleet with a sixth under construction.

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially launched cruise service from Jacksonville, Florida.

On Friday, Norwegian Gem departed on its inaugural sailing from JAXPORT, kicking off a multi-year agreement that will bring seasonal cruises to Jacksonville through April 2028.

The 2,344-passenger ship will homeport in the northeast Florida city from November through April each season.

Strategic Location Serves 98 Million Travelers

Jacksonville’s appeal as a cruise homeport lies in its accessibility. The city is within a one-day drive of more than 98 million consumers, making it an attractive option for drive-to cruisers throughout the Southeast.

The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal offers convenient on-site parking and sits near Jacksonville International Airport and major interstates I-10 and I-95.

“We’re excited to welcome the Norwegian Gem and the entire Norwegian Cruise Line family to Jacksonville,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “This expansion of cruise service at JAXPORT is another example of our commitment to growing tourism and economic opportunities for our community.”

The ship features 12 restaurants, 14 bars and lounges, a Mandara Spa with a thermal suite, and entertainment including “Blazing Boots,” a pop-country tribute show, and “Ignite the Night,” an original dance production.

Jacksonville’s Cruise History

Jacksonville’s cruise terminal opened in 2003 when Celebrity Cruises’ MV Zenith became the first ship to offer regular service from the port. Carnival Miracle was christened at JAXPORT on February 2004, marking the beginning of Carnival’s long relationship with the city.

Over the years, Jacksonville has hosted several Carnival ships, including Jubilee, the original Celebration (which provided year-round service from 2004-2008), and Fascination (which sailed from 2008-2016). Carnival Fascination was sold in 2020 during the pandemic and ultimately scrapped.

More than 3 million passengers have sailed from Jacksonville aboard Carnival ships over the past 20 years, with Carnival Elation currently serving the port year-round.

Norwegian Gem’s arrival marks a new chapter for Jacksonville.

An investigation is underway after a cruise guest was discovered deceased on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef. It has been reported that the cruise line left the 80-year-old woman behind on Lizard Island, off the coast of Australia, during an excursion.

She was hiking with other guests from the Coral Adventurer cruise ship, when she stopped for a rest. The ship departed the island later that day, but somehow the woman’s whereabouts weren’t flagged before it set sail.

Coral Expeditions said the woman’s family is being supported over the “tragic death”.  

Full investigation is underway

“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred. We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation,” said cruise line CEO, Mark Fifield.

The ship crew only realized the guest hadn’t returned to the ship several hours later, and the Coral Adventurer returned to the island. A late-night land and air search was carried out in the dark, but there was no sign of the woman, who hadn’t been publicly identified.

The body was found the next day. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is investigating and plans to interview the ship’s crew this week.

It will focus on “the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding.” Queensland Police is also probing the cause of death but a police spokesperson says they believe it was “sudden and nonsuspicious.”

It was reported that the woman’s absence was first noticed when she didn’t show for dinner, with crew initially focusing on a possible overboard incident. 

Lizard Island was the first call on the Coral Adventurer’s two-month-long circumnavigation of Australia, which cost around $50,000. 

The next scheduled call is Darwin. The Coral Adventurer has a capacity for 120 guests with a crew of 46.

Royal Caribbean Group is bringing its Royal Beach Club concept to Europe for the first time with Royal Beach Club Santorini, set to open in summer 2026.

The exclusive beach club marks a major expansion for the company as it grows its land-based vacation portfolio from two to eight destinations by 2028.

First Royal Beach Club in Europe

The Santorini beach club will welcome passengers from both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, combining the iconic Greek island’s volcanic beaches with the company’s signature experiences and authentic local culture.

Guests will enjoy an “Ultimate Santorini Day” that includes exploring the famous white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches in Oia, along with strolling through shops, cafes and art galleries in Fira.

“Expanding our Royal Beach Club Collection to include Santorini, one of the world’s most popular and beautiful locations, is a bold step forward in growing our vacation portfolio,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

Solution to Greece’s Overtourism?

Royal Caribbean Group stated the beach club will feature an innovative solution to alleviate congestion throughout Santorini by better distributing arriving passengers.

Cruisers will be able to pick from one of three locations, minimizing crowding while maximizing time spent enjoying the destination’s sights and sounds.

“With this new beach club, we are able to bring the best of what the island has to offer with the signature service Royal Caribbean is known for,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Resort Collection is Expanding

Royal Beach Club Santorini joins Royal Caribbean Group’s growing collection of eight land-based destinations spanning The Bahamas, Haiti, Mexico, Chile, Greece and the South Pacific.

The company currently operates Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.

The first Royal Beach Club experience is scheduled to launch in The Bahamas this December.

Additional destinations include Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, the Southernmost Hotel on Earth The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile, Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, Perfect Day Mexico, and Royal Beach Club South Pacific in Lelepa, all opening between 2025 and 2028.

An American cruise passenger was arrested in Italy after a loaded handgun was discovered in his bag during a routine security check at the cruise terminal.

Police said the Browning semi-automatic pistol was found during pre-cruise security screening at the Porto Corsini Cruise Terminal in Ravenna, Italy.

The 77-year old man and his son were detained at the port. The gun was seized and he was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and issued a deportation order. He told police he forgot the weapon was in his bag and said he has a valid US permit for the pistol.

Gun not detected at US airports

The two guests had traveled from Tennessee, flying to Venice via a transatlantic flight at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. It is unclear how they got through airport security screening without detecting the firearm.

Police said they were booked on a cruise to Croatia but further details or the name of the cruise line haven’t been disclosed. Incidents like this are rare although a similar one took place just a few months ago.

Other Guests Caught with Guns Trying to Board Ships

A 73-year old American noticed he had inadvertently packed is firearm in his luggage on the day of his cruise from Kobe, Japan. He discarded bullets and then informed security officers at the cruise terminal. He was then arrested.

Just a few weeks earlier, a passenger was arrested in Aruba after attempting to board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas with a gun.

The mother of a five-year-old girl who went overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship won’t face criminal charges.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly said the state has decided not to press charges.

Kelly acknowledged the woman’s actions were “arguably negligent and irresponsible” but didn’t deem it a serious offense worthy of criminal child negligence.

Child Went Overboard While Posing for a Photo

The young girl fell overboard from the fourth deck after her mother ushered her over to a port hole railing to take a photo.

The girl sat there but lost her balance and went overboard, falling about 50 feet into the water. Her father jumped in after her. He was able to grab her and they tread water for about 20 minutes while a small boat was deployed.

The cruise line praised its crew at the time for their “exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes.”

“The father noted difficulty locating his daughter in the water and admitted losing visual contact temporarily. He was eventually able to reach her and tread water with her until they were rescued,” the Broward County Sheriff’s Office police report stated.

The June incident aboard the Disney Dream was captured on video and went viral. It garnered some intense online commentary with divided opinions over the actions of the parents. It happened as the ship was between Florida and the Bahamas.

The father and daughter were initially treated at the ship’s medical center and then transported to Broward Health Medical Center. Both were treated for hypothermia, and the dad also suffered two spinal fractures.

Assistant State Attorney Kelly said the mother mistakenly believed there was a barrier on the deck railing and didn’t knowingly put her daughter in danger.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a norovirus outbreak aboard Oceania Insignia, marking the 20th reported gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a cruise ship in 2025.

According to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), the outbreak occurred during Insignia’s current voyage, which began October 16 and is scheduled to end October 27. The illness was reported to the CDC on October 20.

A total of 74 passengers out of 637 (11.6%) and 1 crew member out of 391 (0.3%) have reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The illness has been attributed to norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in close-contact environments such as cruise ships.

A guest onboard posted in a Facebook group that, “many from our party our confined to staterooms.”

Outbreak Response Measures

Oceania Cruises implemented several response measures onboard in line with CDC protocols, including:

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures.
• Isolation of symptomatic passengers and crew.
• Collection of stool samples for testing.
• Ongoing consultation with CDC officials to monitor and review sanitation practices.

The CDC is currently monitoring the situation remotely and has not indicated any planned shipboard inspections.

20 Outbreaks in 2025 So Far

This latest incident is the 20th gastrointestinal illness outbreak of the year aboard a cruise ship that meets the CDC’s threshold for public notification. At least 14 of these have been confirmed as norovirus outbreaks.

Other cruise lines affected in 2025 include Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Viking.

Notably, this is the first publicly reported outbreak for Oceania Cruises this year. It follows recent outbreaks on Serenade of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, both operated by Royal Caribbean International.

The CDC has previously acknowledged the increase in cruise-related outbreaks, though officials have not confirmed whether the rise signals a lasting trend.

Oceania Insignia is currently on an 11 night one-way repositioning cruise from Montreal to Boston.

Cruise lines need cast iron certainty on the immediate future of fuel supply at the world’s cruise capital.

Speaking for the industry at a recent meeting of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty says the recent sale of the Fisher Island fuel depot near PortMiami highlights many concerns for the short term future of cruising.

Fisher Island Fuel Depot Recently Sold

While fuel supply has remained uninterrupted, there has been no guarantees offered, going forward. The new owners have other plans for the Fisher Island facility. Liberty stressed that it is essential that there is no interruption in fuel supply, in the short term at least.

“If there’s another place to put the facility, that’s wonderful, whether it’s on the port or not. The issue for us at hand is the certainty element,” he said.

“Even if we identify land, the amount of time it will take for the permitting, the building, it’s not 24 months,” Liberty said. “In the short to mid-term, without that fuel farm, it’s pretty tough to certify certainty that the fuel is going to be available to us.”

Miami-Dade County has been discussing alternative options for several weeks. All except one of these would require years to come to fruition. PortMiami has a fuel supply agreement with Fisher Island terminal until 2027.

The other more immediate option would be to negotiate a purchase of the fuel depot. If that fails, the Commissioners have already discussed the possibility of an eminent domain compulsory purchase order. 

Liberty said the cruise industry is open to all options but on the understanding that there is no disruption to the fuel supply. He was addressing the commissioners on behalf of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA alongside representatives from Carnival Corp; MSC Cruises, NCL and Virgin Voyages.

Speaking on the issue when the sale of Fisher Island was imminent in September, Liberty said: “No major US home port operates without fuel bunkering. If the Port of Miami were to lose this capability, the consequences would be severe.” 

Last month, the Commissioners agreed a motion to continue discussions for a month with the new owners over acquiring the site, a period which is set to expire this week.