A 44-year-old woman who punched a 17-year-old during a cruise on board the Carnival Sunrise back in March was arraigned in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Tuesday.
How the Incident Happened
It appears Jennifer Frost first encountered the teen — identified only as NJ in court, given her status as a minor — at the Lido buffet on board the ship. Police reports indicate that Frost appeared intoxicated to the teen, and that the older woman attempted to insert herself into the teen’s conversation with several people she was traveling with.
Frost initially walked away from that first encounter, but soon after the two crossed paths again. It’s unclear why Frost eventually punched the girl in the face. During Monday’s hearing, it was established that NJ suffered a broken nose as a result of the punch.
How Frost Wound Up In Court
According to a report from Florida’s Local 10, Frost fled immediately after the incident, but was followed by witnesses who summoned security. While being questioned by security, Frost reportedly admitted to having punched the girl and “expressed satisfaction with her actions.”
Although initially detailed by the ship’s security team, it appears Frost managed to disembark when the vessel returned to Port Miami. After contacting an attorney, Frost returned to Miami to face the consequences of her actions.
Charged with aggravated battery, she was released on $2,500 bond while awaiting further court proceedings. Frost was also ordered to stay away from the victim.
Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed on Tuesday afternoon it is arranging the medical evacuation of two passengers requiring urgent care and another guest associated with the passenger who passed away on May 2. Two specialized aircraft are en route to Cape Verde and passengers will be transferred for onward medical evacuation to the Netherlands. The company said...
Oceanwide Expeditions has provided an update on the ongoing medical situation onboard the Hondius, which remains off the coast of Cape Verde, according to a May 5 press update. The World Health Organization confirmed on May 4 that seven cases, including two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases, have been identified. Three passengers have...
Lindblad Expeditions delivered a record first quarter occupancy of 93 percent even as it grew available guest nights by more than 6 percent, with Chief Executive Officer Natalya Leahy noting disciplined commercial execution and strengthening demand across the company’s global portfolio. “In a complex macro and geopolitical environment, our team delivered another record quarter,” she...
Oceania Cruises is eliminating non‑commissionable cruise fares (NCFs) on all newly launched sailings, set to be announced in May and June. Covering the 2028 summer and 2028–29 winter seasons and 2028 and 2029 Around the World voyages, the change is meant to simplify advisor compensation and expand their earning opportunities. Once the new itineraries go...
Bahamas police opened an investigation following the drowning death of an elderly cruise ship passenger.
An American man, 83, died after being found unresponsive in the water Sunday during a stop at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamas destination, Great Stirrup Cay.
The man was found unresponsive by his son while snorkeling, Eyewitness News reported. Despite assistance by a lifeguard and medical personnel, he never regained consciousness. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his body was later transferred to New Providence for an autopsy.
Norwegian Getaway Guest Pronounced Dead at Great Stirrup Cay
It is thought the man was a guest on Norwegian Getaway, which was the only ship to call on May 3. The vessel was on a three-night sailing in The Bahamas and had earlier docked at Nassau. It returned to PortMiami on Monday, May 4.
The incident comes less than a month after the cruise company settled a lawsuit claiming negligence in the drowning death of a guest in Bermuda in 2024.
The suit was settled for an undisclosed sum just days before a trial was set to begin. The lawsuit alleged NCL failed to warn guests about dangerous riptides, the absence of lifeguards at the beach, and previous drowning deaths in the area.
Norwegian Getaway (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Great Stirrup Cay, part of the Berry Islands chain, has been operated by Norwegian Cruise Line since 1977, when it became the first cruise line in the industry to develop a private island concept.
The cruise line recently spent about $150 million upgrading the 268-acre island with more amenities and guest experiences. These include a 28,000-square-foot pool area and the Vibe Shore Club adults’ retreat. The Great Tides Waterpark is set to open in late summer 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
BW LNG has signed an agreement with BASS Software to deploy BASSnet Neo software solution across its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs). According to a statement, the contract win followed a global evaluation process covering up to 30 solutions in the market. “We are extremely proud...
Malta is working to attract more boutique cruise ships and expand homeporting operations, according to Arthur Grima, director of marketing for the Malta Tourism Authority. In 2025, in addition to 4 million tourists, the destination welcomed 870,560 cruise passengers who visited the country as part of 387 calls. While overall passenger volume increased by 2.5...
As MSC Cruises continues to expand its LNG-powered fleet and explore next-generation ship designs, the company is focusing on building vessels capable of exceeding current sustainability targets over a three-decade lifespan, according to Chief Energy Transition Officer Michele Francioni. Cruise ships designed today will enter service in five years and operate for 35 years or...
Lindblad Expeditions has financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Natalya Leahy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In a complex macro and geopolitical environment, our team delivered another record quarter, achieving 93% occupancy- highest in the Company’s history, record yields, and 16% EBITDA growth. These results reflect the strength of our strategy and...
The global expedition cruise market is at an inflection point with serious grow expected to start again soon as the all new 2026 Expedition Cruise Market Report from Cruise Industry News captures it all. Now available for instant download in PDF format, the 280+ page report is the most comprehensive independent analysis of the expedition...
Huna Totem has built up to four ports in Alaska and is extending its reach into the Caribbean, which is a transformation that Howard Sherman, president, Huna Totem Tourism Group, said reflects both the industry’s growth and Huna Totem’s evolving ambitions. “If you go back and look before COVID, it was a single destination, which...
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings expects net yields to decline three to five percent, the company said in its earnings announcement on Monday. “This updated guidance reflects both the impact of the macroeconomic environment and the extent to which those pressures have compounded the execution and commercial challenges already facing our business,” said Mark Kempa, CFO,...
Following her 134-day world cruise, Phoenix Reisen’s Amera entered drydock this week at Chantiers Naval de Marseille for scheduled refurbishment work. Working with the ship management company BSM, Phoenix Reisen is investing approximately 15 million euros in a number of upgrades. Work will cover the modernization of 160 guest bathrooms as well as the redesign...
Three months into his post as Chairperson and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, John Chidsey is orchestrating a turnaround at the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, targeting internal execution failures he said are fixable. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, Chidsey pointed to the work head, describing missteps in marketing, revenue management...
Celestyal Cruises announced that its two ships have welcomed guests back in the Mediterranean, resuming their regular sailing schedule in the region. The Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery returned to Europe in late April after spending nearly two months stranded in the Arabian Gulf. After arriving back in Greece earlier this month, the ships...
Three passengers have died and at least three others are ill in a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, an expedition cruise ship currently anchored off Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. The World Health Organization confirmed the situation Sunday.
Of the six symptomatic individuals, just one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed in a laboratory so far, while the other five are suspected cases, the WHO said.
Two crew members, one British and one Dutch national, are currently experiencing acute respiratory symptoms requiring urgent care, according to ship operator Oceanwide Expeditions.
Dutch couple among the dead
Two of the deceased were a married couple. A 70-year-old Dutch man died onboard on April 11 and was declared dead on arrival to the remote Atlantic island of Saint Helena on April 24. His 69-year-old wife collapsed at Johannesburg’s international airport while attempting to fly home to the Netherlands and died there.
Oceanwide Expeditions said at the time that it had not confirmed whether the couple’s deaths were connected to the onboard outbreak.
The third victim was a German national, although the official cause of death has not been established, Oceanwide said.
One confirmed hantavirus case
After the ship left Saint Helena, a British national fell sick on April 27. He is now in critical condition at a private medical facility in Johannesburg and is the only case confirmed to be hantavirus, according to South Africa’s Health Department. The UK’s Foreign Office said it is monitoring the situation and is in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.
Oceanwide Expeditions said 149 people remain onboard, including 17 Americans. They will not be allowed to disembark in Cape Verde, the island nation’s health minister told Radio Cabo Verde. The ship is considering sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife in the Canary Islands for disembarkation.
How hantavirus spreads
Hantavirus is most commonly spread when infected rodents’ urine, saliva, or droppings dry out and become airborne, and humans become infected by inhaling the contaminated particles, according to the WHO. There is no dedicated treatment or cure, though early detection improves the odds of survival. Unlike norovirus, which is commonly reported on cruise ships, hantavirus cases at sea are essentially unheard of.
“Detailed investigations are ongoing, including further laboratory testing and epidemiological investigations. Medical care and support are being provided to passengers and crew,” the WHO said.
The MV Hondius, operated by Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia, Argentina and made stops in Antarctica and Saint Helena before anchoring off Cape Verde. The ship has a passenger capacity of 170.
Joe Maloney has been appointed as president of VacationPort, formerly Passport Online. Maloney brings more than two decades of leadership experience across the cruise and travel sectors, most recently serving as head of sales for Mitsui Ocean Cruises. According to a press release, he will lead VacationPort into its next chapter, focusing on innovation and...
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is reassessing its bundled air program after Chairperson and CEO John Chidsey acknowledged on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call that the offering had been functioning more as a promotional subsidy than a genuine value-creating tool. Speaking on May 4, Chidsey said the program was being evaluated through the same...
Margaritaville at Sea has announced its first national brand campaign, “Welcome to Somewhere,” rolling out in May. Described as an effort to strengthen brand voice, the campaign is designed to place focus on the journey as much as on the destination. In it, the company is presented as a more relaxed, emotionally driven alternative to...
Antarctica21 announced in a press release that it had a busy 2025–26 expedition season, having sold 92 percent of its berth inventory. The company welcomed 2,847 travelers from 53 nationalities aboard with 40 percent coming from North America and 60 percent from the rest of the world. The season saw 42 voyages to Antarctica, South...
Princess Cruises has welcomed its newest ship, the Star Princess, to Port of Seattle, which will serve as its homeport for the inaugural Alaska season. The ship is set to sail 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Pier 91 through Alaska’s Inside Passage from May 3 to September 13, 2026. To mark the occasion, a maritime plaque exchange was held between...
Jordan Freese was appointed group sales and operations manager for North America at Hurtigruten. This is the first time a fully dedicated resource will be allocated to group sales following the split from HX, the company said in a press release. Freese joins the company from Incredible Adventure, where she was general manager. “Jordan joining...
Carnival Corporation has broken ground for its new global headquarters in Miami. This marks the official start of construction on the new campus in Waterford Business District, with site work scheduled to begin immediately. To mark the occasion, Miami-Dade County formally recognized May 1 as “Carnival Place Day,” the cruise line said in a statement. “Breaking ground at 887 Carnival Place feels less like a beginning and more like a natural next step...
Oceanwide Expeditions has provided a timeline of the ongoing medical situation onboard the Hondius, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, according to a May 4 press update. On April 11, a passenger died onboard. The company said the cause of death could not be determined onboard. On April 24, this passenger was...
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is working quickly to optimize expenses, including making significant cutbacks shoreside. “While ship operating costs had remained relatively consistent over the past several years, we see a meaningful opportunity to reduce our shoreside costs,” said John Chidsey, chairperson and CEO, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call. “As part of...
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 and provided guidance for the second quarter and full year 2026. Highlights First quarter total revenue grew 10% to $2.3 billion. GAAP net income was $105 million, with EPS of $0.23. Delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $533 million in first quarter...
Orca AI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Heavy Industries to jointly develop and deploy autonomous vessel technologies, according to a press release. The collaboration will combine Samsung Heavy Industries’ autonomous solutions with Orca AI’s AI-powered maritime operations platform, enabling deployment of AI-assisted navigation, berthing and speed optimization across newbuild vessels and existing...
As Millennials and Gen Z drive demand for purpose-driven travel, HX Expeditions is leaning into science, education, and community engagement to differentiate itself from traditional cruise lines, according to Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer. He noted that while geographic expansion is vital for customer retention, the depth of the experience is paramount. “Every customer you...
Royal Caribbean Group has been building the infrastructure of a loyalty ecosystem, including status matching across brands and a co-branded credit card. That appears to be paying off as repeat guests are big spenders, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s earnings call on Thursday, April 30. “They tend to sell on...
Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed three guests have passed away onboard the Hondius which is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde. Media reports said the 174-guest ship is battling a hantavirus outbreak. Information regarding the number of guests and crew aboard was not immediately available. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in...
Among the many people dealing with the unexpected shutdown of Spirit Airlines are hundreds of cruise passengers. With literally no advance notice, they are suddenly scrambling to find alternative modes of transport in order to board their awaiting ship.
What Spirit Airlines Said
While Spirit has faced financial struggles for years, their sudden closure caught most by surprise. “It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind down of our operations, effective immediately.”
Making it entirely clear, the airline went on to say “all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available.”
Even as this news was impacting both travelers and Spirt Airlines employees who suddenly found themselves both unemployed and, in many cases, stranded, other airlines stepped up to help. Several — including JetBlue, Southwest, United and Delta — agreed to cap ticket prices for displaced Spirit Airlines guests with confirmation of payment.
These airlines agreed to do so for limited times ranging from 72 hours to two weeks.
How Cruisers Are Reacting
Given that Spirit Airlines has become the popular butt of many a joke in recent years, it’s not surprising that some turned the news into a commonly-repeated punchline: “On the plus side,” their general sentiment read, “no one will ever have to fly Spirit Airlines again!”
Those impacted by the unexpected closure, however, weren’t laughing.
“We booked our flights and paid our fare months ago,” wrote one Redditor of their sudden plight. “Now we’re at the airport trying to find a flight that won’t cost us a fortune. And no, before you ask, we didn’t buy travel insurance, which I always have in the past!”
Another passenger shared a similar story. “We were literally heading out the door when my sister called to tell me the news,” she shared in a Facebook cruise group. “I thought she was joking and told her it wasn’t funny. Well, joke’s on me because now our only option is to drive seven hours and hope we make it!”
Moving Forward
A common theme among cruisers addressing the shutdown? Buy travel insurance. “I don’t want to say I told you so,” wrote one Redditor, “but yeah, I told you so. Always buy travel insurance.”
The other commonly shared advice? To always fly to your embarkation point at least a day in advance. In fact, Norwegian Cruise Line recently instituted a policy requiring that anyone taking advantage of their Air/Sea program to do exactly that. Why? In the event of travel delays which might derail one’s arrival at the cruise port in a timely manner.
P&O Cruises has announced its Early May Bank Holiday offer with discounted fares for additional guests on summer sailings. For new bookings made before May 5, 2026, third and fourth guests sail from £49 per person when booking a balcony cabin with two full paying adults, according to a statement. The deal applies to selected...
AmaWaterways has prepared benefits for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. Advisors can take advantage of incentives, educational opportunities and giveaways, according to a statement. “Travel advisors remain at the heart of everything we do, and Travel Advisor Appreciation Month is an important opportunity for us to recognize their ongoing support and partnership,” said Catherine...
Trafalgar is launching a limited-time deal offering savings on select European river cruises. The Spotlight Savings offer is available on a range of 2026 and 2027 departures across Rhine and Danube itineraries while inventory lasts. It features solo supplement deals and shipboard credit for suite bookings, according to a statement. “River cruising continues to see...
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Star Clippers has introduced a new collection of 2027 Greek Island sailings aboard the Star Flyer. The itineraries showcasing smaller ports across the Aegean are now open for booking, with departures throughout the spring and fall seasons, the cruise line said in a press release. “These new 2027 Greek itineraries—and the added value of the...
Riviera Travel is expanding its offerings of no single supplement cabins across some of its most popular European river cruises for 2026, according to an announcement. Solo travelers can now book select departures on itineraries including The Blue Danube, Cruise the Heart of Europe, Rhine, Moselle & Medieval Germany, The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, and...
Alaska’s Goldbelt Tram, located beside Juneau’s downtown cruise dock, will remain closed for several days after two employees were hospitalized following an accident at the base station.
The incident happened just days after the 2026 Juneau cruise season got underway.
No cruise passengers were involved
A cable car came into the base station faster than expected, injuring two staff members who were later taken to the hospital. One was unconscious at the scene, but both were released over the weekend.
Goldbelt confirmed five employees were aboard the tram at the time and no cruise guests were present. The three other staffers did not require medical treatment.
Capital City Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, saying it “successfully stabilized the cabin and gained access to all occupants.”
The tram remained closed Friday and is not expected to reopen for several days. Director of Operations and Facilities Ben Moorhead said representatives from the lift manufacturer and state safety officials are traveling to Juneau to assess the situation.
“It came in faster than anticipated, and docked at a higher rate of speed,” Moorhead said. He added that coordination is underway with the lift manufacturer to determine what happened and make necessary repairs.
Tram ride is a popular shore activity for cruisers
The Goldbelt Tram is one of Juneau’s most popular attractions for cruise guests. It carries riders 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts, offering panoramic views of downtown Juneau and the Gastineau Channel.
At the top, visitors can explore hiking trails, a bar and grill, a gift shop and a theater.
The closure comes at the start of what is already a closely watched season.
The 2026 Juneau cruise season began just days ago with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Eurodam and marks the first year operating under new daily cruise passenger limits.
Margaritaville at Sea has announced several initiatives to celebrate the Hero community during Heroes Month in May. Active and former duty military, first responders, nurses and educators will be celebrated throughout the month with experiences onboard and beyond the ship. According to a statement, the initiative builds on its Heroes Sail Free program launched in 2022 in partnership with GOVX. “Heroes month is about more than recognizing...
Windstar Cruises has presented benefits available to travel advisors during Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. According to a statement, this includes rewards, incentives and booking tools. “Travel advisors are at the heart of everything we do,” said Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer. “Their knowledge, dedication, and ability to match the right guest with...
Signature Travel Network brought together approximately 70 agency owners for Horizon Club, an invitation-only recognition experience held across Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, from April 12 to 19, according to an announcement. Hosted by The Travel Answers Group, the Horizon Club represents Signature’s recognition for agency owners. “The Horizon Club trip was a fantastic opportunity for...
Royal Caribbean Group has set its sights on the Texas cruise market. “We’re expecting to own the Texas market as it relates to cruising into the Caribbean,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call April 30. A new terminal that opened in 2022 in...
Avalon Waterways has unveiled new seasonal excursions for 2027 designed to take place exclusively during specific times of the year, according to a press release. The excursions span spring, summer, fall and winter and are timed to regional activities and traditions. “Our new seasonal excursions connect our guests more deeply to the places they’re exploring,”...
Carnival Cruise Line has retired many of its earliest ships over the decades, but most didn’t simply disappear.
Many went on to second lives with other cruise lines before eventually being scrapped, especially after the 2020 shutdown.
Below is a look at some of Carnival’s former ships and what ultimately happened to them.
Ship
Entered Service
Later Service Name(s)
Final Fate
Mardi Gras
1972
Olympic, Apollon
Scrapped (2003)
Carnivale
1976
Fiesta Marina, Olympic, Topaz
Scrapped (2009)
Festivale
1977
Island Breeze, Big Red Boat III
Scrapped (2003)
Tropicale
1982
Costa Tropicale, Pacific Star, Ocean Dream
Scrapped (2021)
Holiday
1985
Grand Holiday, Magellan
Scrapped (2021)
Celebration
1987
Grand Celebration
Scrapped (2021)
Jubilee
1986
Pacific Sun, Henna
Scrapped (2017)
Carnival Fantasy
1990
—
Scrapped (2020)
Carnival Ecstasy
1991
—
Scrapped (2022)
Carnival Sensation
1993
—
Scrapped (2022)
Carnival Fascination
1994
Century Harmony (briefly)
Scrapped (2022)
Carnival Imagination
1995
—
Scrapped (2020)
Carnival Inspiration
1996
—
Scrapped (2020)
Check out a bit of history behind the 13 former Carnival Cruise Line ships and see where they are now.
1. Mardi Gras
(Photo via Carnival Cruise Line)
Mardi Gras was sold to Carnival from Canadian Pacific in 1972 and was just over 18,000 gross registered tons. She sailed under the Carnival flag until 1993 and was then sold to Epirotiki.
Many names and a few cruise lines later, the ship was laid up and ultimately sold for scrap in 2003.
In 2021, Carnival debuted a new Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, Florida. You can read our full review of the ship here.
The Excel-class ship features BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, an attraction later added to sister ships Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.
2. Carnivale
The Carnivale after a complete transformation. (Photo via Carnival Cruise Line)
Before being sold to Carnival in 1976, Carnivale was called Queen Ann Maria for the operator Greek Line. In 1993, Carnival transferred her to a subsidiary cruise line, Fiesta Marina Cruises.
After a few other cruise lines and the final name of Topaz sailing under the Peace Boat Organization, she was retired and laid up in April 2008.
The ship was beached in India to be scrapped that summer, with the process completed in 2009.
3. Festivale
Carnival Tropicale, Festivale, and Holiday (Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
Carnival acquired Festivale in 1977 from the South African Marine Corporation. She was originally a mail service ocean liner, but when Carnival bought her, they refit her into a cruise ship in Japan for $30 million.
After sailing for several cruise lines, she ended up with Premier Cruise Line under the name Big Red Boat III. When Premier went bankrupt in 2000, the ship was seized and ultimately scrapped in 2003.
4. Tropicale
The Tropicale in Los Angeles in 1986. (Photo via Carnival Cruise Line)
Tropicale was a monumental ship for Carnival, as she was their first new build. She began sailing in 1982, mainly in the Caribbean.
The ship was later transferred to Costa as Costa Tropicale, then to P&O Australia as Pacific Star. She was eventually sold to Pullmantur Cruises, refurbished, and sailed as Ocean Dream.
After a final stint with Peace Boat, the ship was scrapped in January 2021.
5. Holiday
The Holiday departing Los Angeles in 2000. (Photo via Carnival Cruise Line)
Holiday was Carnival’s second purpose-built ship. Constructed in Denmark, Holiday entered service in 1985. In 2003, she was refurbished, and in 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, she was used as temporary housing for victims of the storm.
She sailed from Alabama to the western Caribbean until 2009, when she was transferred to Iberocruceros and renamed Grand Holiday.
She later sailed as Magellan for Cruise & Maritime Voyages. After CMV ceased operations in 2020, the ship was purchased at auction and eventually sent to Alang, India, where she was scrapped in 2021.
6. Celebration
Celebration was built for Carnival in Sweden and entered service in 1987. She sailed for the line until 2008, when she was transferred to Iberocruceros and renamed Grand Celebration.
After brief stints with Costa and Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the ship continued sailing under different operators until being sold in 2020.
She was ultimately scrapped in Alang, India in 2021.
The original Jubilee (Photo via Carnival Cruise Line)
Jubilee entered service in 1986 and was one of three Holiday-class ships. In 2004, she was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia and renamed Pacific Sun.
In 2012, she was sold to HNA Cruises and renamed Henna. After HNA shut down operations in 2015, the ship was eventually sold for scrap and dismantledin Alang, India in 2017.
8. Carnival Fantasy
Fantasy was the first ship in Carnival’s new Fantasy class when she entered service in March 1990. Built at Kavaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland, the ship initially sailed Caribbean cruises from Miami.
In 2007, the ship was re-christened Carnival Fantasy and refurbished in 2008, 2016, and 2019. She sailed for Carnival for 30 years until the cruise industry shutdown in March 2020.
Carnival Ecstasy debuted in 1991 as the second ship in the Fantasy class.
She resumed service briefly in 2022 for a farewell season out of Mobile, Alabama, before her final voyage in October of that year. The ship was scrapped shortly after, arriving in Aliaga, Turkey in November 2022.
10. Carnival Sensation
(Photo courtesy of Carnival)
Launched in 1993, Carnival Sensation was one of the early Fantasy-class ships, built in Finland and sailing itineraries from ports including Miami, Tampa, and Port Canaveral.
Over the years, she underwent several updates and remained a staple of Carnival’s fleet, known for her distinctive interiors and classic “Fun Ship” features.
Fascination entered service in 1994 as the fourth member of Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy class. Built in Helsinki, Finland, she sailed from ports including New York, San Juan, and Jacksonville during her time with the line.
After being laid up in 2020, the ship was sold with plans to be converted into a floating hotel and briefly renamed Century Harmony. Those plans never materialized.
She was ultimately sold for scrap and arrived in Pakistan in 2022 for dismantling.
12. Carnival Imagination
Like her Fantasy-class sisters, Imagination was built at Kavaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland. The ship entered service in 1995 and most recently sailed Mexican Riviera itineraries from Long Beach, California.
The ship was renamed Carnival Imagination in 2007 and was refurbished most recently in 2016.
The vessel entered long-term layup status in July 2020; Carnival announced the ship had been sold for scrap in August 2020 and was sent to the scrapyard in Aliaga, Turkey.
13. Carnival Inspiration
The Carnival Inspiration shown at her last homeport of Long Beach, California.
Built in 1996 at the Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland, Inspiration was the fifth entry in the Fantasy class. Renamed Carnival Inspiration in 2007, the ship was most recently refurbished in 2010.
The ship sailed Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, California. After the cruise industry shut down in March 2020, Carnival announced in July that the ship and Carnival Fantasy had been sold for scrap and sent to the shipbreakers in Aliaga, Turkey.
Final Thought
While many of Carnival’s early ships found second lives across the industry, most have now been retired and scrapped, especially following the 2020 shutdown.
Today, Carnival’s fleet has shifted toward larger, more efficient ships, marking a clear end to the era of its original vessels.
In a communication that was quietly sent to travel agents, Norwegian Cruise Line revealed a change to their popular Free at Sea package. While some guests will soon find themselves paying more where gratuities on the drink package price are concerned, this change will not be made across the board.
Who Will Pay More For Norwegian’s Drink Package?
Clearly aware that this change would not be well received, Norwegian’s note to travel partners started with a request that they “not share this publicly or discuss it with your clients before May 1, 2026, when this change will apply.”
(Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
And what, exactly, is the change? An increase to the gratuities charged as part of the Free at Sea package. For those not in the know, while the Free at Sea package offers what NCL calls “free, unlimited open bar,” that claim comes with an asterisk. Why? Because as with the associated “free” dining, gratuities are automatically added.
It is the gratuities attatched to the drinks package which will be increased on some cruises. As NCL’s missive explains, “the price of our Free at Sea prepaid beverage package gratuities on new bookings for two-to-five day cruises will be $32.00 per person, per day.”
It later adds that “for cruises of six days or longer, which make up the majority of our sailings, the gratuities will remain at $28.50 per person, per day.”
Why They May Have Kept This Change Quiet
Typically, when cruise lines raise gratuities, they inform guests in advance and allow those who want to avoid paying the increase a window of opportunity in which to do so. In this case, however, Norwegian Cruise Line went out of their way to ask that travel partners not inform guests of the change in advance, thus guaranteeing that passengers would be unable to snag themselves the lower gratuity.
The cruise line’s note goes out of its way to provide agents with talking points, including that “even with this change, the Free at Sea beverage package continues to offer exceptional value.”
It’s important to note that impacted guests do still have a way of saving a bit of money. “This change,” Norwegian says, “only applies to prepaid pricing, which remains lower than onboard pricing. As such, we recommend locking in new bookings and adding Free at Sea’s package gratuities prior to sailing to secure the preferred price.”
Holland America’s Rotterdam is back in service after a two-week dry dock in the Netherlands, and guests sailing this summer’s Northern Europe season are already on board experiencing the changes.
The Two Week Dry Dock
(Photo courtesy of Holland America Line)
The ship returned to service April 26 after work completed in its namesake port. The upgrades touch nearly every corner of the ship, covering entertainment venues, suites, public spaces, the casino, spa, and retail.
The biggest focus was live music. Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge both got additional seating and a redesigned central lounge connecting the two spaces, improving sightlines for performances.
The Crow’s Nest added a dedicated live music stage alongside its existing lecture and enrichment programming. A new outdoor stage and bandstand also went in at the Sea View Pool on Deck 9 aft.
(Photo courtesy of Holland America Line)
On the accommodation side, 22 Vista Suites received new sofa beds, expanding them to quad occupancy for up to four guests without changing the overall suite layout or amenities.
Elsewhere, new carpeting was installed throughout staterooms, corridors, and public areas. The main dining room got more flexible table configurations.
(Photo courtesy of Holland America Line)
The casino added roughly 20 slot machines along with new seating and TVs at the table games area. The Greenhouse Spa received a new ergonomic hair-washing station.
The Effy Jewelry boutique was also refreshed, bringing Rotterdam in line with updates already completed on Koningsdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam.
What It Means for Cruise Guests
(Photo courtesy of Holland America Line)
If you’re booked on Rotterdam for a Northern Europe sailing this summer, you’re getting a noticeably refreshed product. The live music expansion is the most meaningful change for most guests.
HAL has built its identity around Music Walk, and adding outdoor and panoramic-view stages gives passengers more places to catch performances without crowding into the same venues.
(Photo courtesy of Holland America Line)
The suite sofa bed additions are the clearest win for families and small groups. Previously, booking a Vista Suite for four guests was a more complicated proposition.
Now 22 of those suites comfortably sleep four, which makes Rotterdam a stronger option for multigenerational travel without the cost of booking two separate cabins.
This is also a routine dry dock refresh, not part of Holland America’s larger Evolution program, which is a separate $500 million fleet overhaul targeting older Vista and Signature class ships starting with Oosterdam in Fall 2027.
Rotterdam sails seven-night Northern Europe itineraries through the summer before repositioning for Caribbean sailings this winter.
A cruise ship guest was pronounced dead off the California coast after falling from a stateroom balcony.
The woman, who hasn’t been named yet, went over the balcony and landed on a deck below. It is unclear how far she fell.
Woman fell from balcony onto a lower deck
(Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
It marks the third overboard or fall death on cruise ships in just two weeks. She was a guest on the Carnival Firenze which was sailing near Catalina Island when the incident occurred. The woman’s family raised the alarm with ship crew.
“All appropriate authorities have been alerted. As is customary, law enforcement will board the ship today on Catalina Island to conduct the required investigation,” the cruise line said earlier.
“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.”
Carnival Firenze’s path after leaving Long Beach, California. (Image via Marine Traffic)
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told the media the FBI is handling the investigation. The circumstances leading up to the fall have not been disclosed by authorities.
Carnival Firenze is on a short Baja Mexico cruise roundtrip from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. Catalina Island is situated about 20 miles from Los Angeles. The ship left the island and visits Ensenada, Mexico today before returning to Long Beach on April 30. The ship has capacity for more than 5,000 guests.
Third cruise ship fall in the past two weeks
This incident comes days after a Norwegian Cruise Line crew member went overboard off the coast of Massachusetts. According to surveillance video footage, the Norwegian Breakaway employee fell into the sea around 12 miles off Cape Cod at the weekend.
Norwegian Breakaway (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
A large-scale US Coast Guard air and sea search operation was conducted but suspended several hours later without success.
The incident led to a delay in embarkation for the next voyage out of Boston on Sunday. “These efforts required the vessel’s full attention before the voyage could safely resume toward Boston,” NCL said in an update to new departing guests.
“Situations such as these are never easy, and the safety and wellbeing of those at sea remain at the heart of every decision we make.”
Just a week earlier, a Carnival Splendor guest in his 70s went overboard off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, which the cruise line says was a deliberate jump based on CCTV footage.
A days-long search operation took place and he too is now presumed dead. There have been six reported overboard incidents so far in 2026.
In an unexpected move, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a change that could impact how future Haven guests book when traveling with families.
While many cruisers say it’s about time the change was made, others worry about the impact on their experience in The Haven.
Some Non-Haven Guests Will Now Have Limited Access
The major change — which has already taken effect — was announced via a note to travel partners and affected guests.
It said that as of now, “guests staying in a non-Haven stateroom (such as a balcony) that physically connects to a Haven stateroom and they are traveling with the guests in the Haven stateroom may dine at The Haven restaurant at no charge, including no service fee, for the duration of the sailing. Guests in the connecting non-Haven stateroom may take advantage of this offer as long as the guests in the connecting Haven stateroom are present at the time of dining. Haven guest(s) can make arrangements for this offer through the pre-cruise Concierge Desk.”
It is important to note that guests staying in the connecting room will not have access to any other Haven perks, amenities, or areas.
And guests traveling with those staying in the Haven but not in the directly connecting suite will not be able to dine at the Haven restaurant.
‘That Will Be Abused’
Needless to say, reaction amongst cruisers in general and those who enjoy Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship concept was swift and varied.
Many across social media recognized that this will have a relatively low impact given the small number of qualifying non-Haven staterooms. Others, however, focused more on human nature, with several assuming “That will be abused.”
“Not to be ‘that person,’” wrote one Haven fan in a Reddit forum, “but we pay for exclusivity and for an elevated product. Why should I pay more so that people who are paying less can enjoy the same elevated dining experience?”
Others wondered if this was the first step toward other changes… including the ability to buy certain Haven-related perks without committing to the pricing of an actual stateroom in the Haven.
Holland America Line, for example, has the Club Orange program, which allows guests who are not staying in a suite to purchase perks normally only available to those in the more highly-priced staterooms.
Given that cruise lines often engage in a follow-the-leader type mentality, it’s reasonable to question whether this policy will be adapted by others. Will Celebrity Cruises, for example, begin selling limited access to Luminae, the high-end restaurant available only to guests staying in The Retreat?
Another question is how this might affect Norwegian’s thought process regarding future additions to its fleet.
Should the change prove popular, might new builds incorporate more non-Haven staterooms with connecting doors?
The Norwegian Breakaway departure scheduled for the morning of Sunday, April 26, was delayed several hours by the aftermath of a crew member going overboard.
Norwegian Breakaway (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Confirms Incident Details
In a statement to Cruise Radio, Norwegian Cruise Line sad that “late in the evening of April 25, 2026, a crew member went overboard east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Upon confirming the incident, the vessel immediately informed the United States Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Center and a coordinated search and rescue operation was initiated.”
According to Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, a Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene just after 1 a.m., and crews from the Coast Guard’s Provincetown station also responded to assist.
Passenger video showed two rescue boats searching the waters near the ship. Guests onboard reported a “Code Oscar, port side” announcement shortly after midnight, and portions of Decks 7 and 8 were closed during the operation.
After several hours of searching, Norwegian Breakaway resumed course toward Boston.
How The Next Voyage Was Impacted
Guests and travel agents received notice of the incident, including details as to the necessary changes made to their departure schedule as a result.
“Today’s embarkation… will take place later than originally scheduled,” read the notification. “Overnight and into the early morning hours, the ship remained engaged in search-and-rescue efforts following a man overboard situation, working closely with maritime authorities.”
It went on to say that, “These efforts required the vessels full attention before the voyage could safely resume toward Boston. Situations such as these are never easy, and the safety and well being of those at sea remain at the heart of every decision we make.”
Ultimately, Norwegian had to move the embarkation time back several hours, asking that guests not arrive at the terminal before 2 p.m. in order to allow time for disembarkation and preparation for the next voyage. “We understand that changes to your arrival plans may be inconvenient and truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
The ship was originally scheduled to dock by 8 a.m. but arrived around 11:30 a.m.
Norwegian Breakaway carries 3,963 passengers at double occupancy. The ship’s next sailing is also a 7-night Bermuda cruise, and no itinerary changes have been announced at this time.
Second Man Overboard in a Week
The incident comes one week after a passenger went overboard from Carnival Splendor off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, in a separate and unrelated incident. That search was suspended after 16 hours.
This is the sixth man overboard of 2026, following 12 man overboard events in 2025.
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