cruise ship wild weather

Chaotic videos show Florida cruise passengers hit with chairs, debris during severe weather while in port

Videos show people running for shelter as the chaotic scene unfolded aboard royal caribbean's independence of the seas..

Wild weather causes chaos on cruise ship

FOX 35 in Orlando spoke with cruise ship passengers who were onboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas in Port Canaveral, Florida, when wild weather moved in.

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Passengers say they were caught off guard by severe weather as they were boarding their cruise ship at Port Canaveral in Florida last week.  

According to a report from FOX 35 in Orlando , cruisers weren’t even out of the port on Friday when the thunderstorm moved in quickly. People were running to seek shelter as the chaotic scene unfolded aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. 

Jenn Stancil captured video of the storm moving in – completely covering another cruise ship in the water as people ran to safety . The passengers can be seen scrambling to get out of the pouring rain as deck chairs were flying through the air, even hitting some people.

CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL SUNSHINE POUNDED BY LARGE WAVES DURING COASTAL STORM NEAR CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Watch: Intense storm sends deck chairs flying, knocks down cruise ship passengers

Video recorded on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas shows deck chairs flying through the air and passengers being knocked to the ground when a severe thunderstorm blew through Port Canaveral, Florida.

Those who witnessed the mayhem told FOX 35 News that they had never seen anything like that on the water or even on land.

"It just turned crazy. It looked like a scene from the movie ‘Twister’ is exactly what I thought because you see these chairs flying up in the air," she said.

Lucas Sparrow was on board with his family when the chaos unfolded.

"People were getting blown, losing their hats, towels," said Sparrow.

The entire video one passenger shared with us was only four minutes long, showing how fast weather can move in and the need for warnings to make sure passengers are safe.

VACATION TURNS INTO NIGHTMARE FOR A SEATTLE MAN AFTER A ‘ROGUE WAVE’ PARALYZES HIM

Watch: Florida cruise ship passengers scramble for safety during severe thunderstorm

Video shows cruise passengers scrambling for safety as heavy rain and gusty winds battered Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas ship as it prepared to leave Port Canaveral, Florida. 

FOX 35 News reached out to Royal Caribbean about the rough weather, and they asked about their protocol in such as situation. 

FOX 35 received the following response Wednesday morning: 

"On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew. Independence of the Seas continued its regularly scheduled 3-night itinerary, arriving to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, on Saturday morning, as scheduled."

• Severe Weather
• Thunderstorms

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Port of Miami Cruises Delayed Due to Weather (Possibly 60,000 Passengers Impacted)

The Miami area has been hit by wild weather over this weekend with strong wind gusts and heavy rain. Official data counted about 1.2″ in the Miami area officially on Saturday, but wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour also hit the region. As well, tide levels reached moderate flood stage, causing havoc:

We’ve seen wind gusts as high as 56mph along parts of the South Florida coastline. The constant onshore wind is pushing us into moderate flood stage during times of high tide, about 2.2 feet higher than normal. #Miami #FLwx pic.twitter.com/oQZVVGjPTP — Brandon Orr (@BrandonOrrWPLG) December 17, 2023

As of Sunday morning, the port announced on its website and Twitter that due to the weather, “all PortMiami cruise ship boardings and departures will be delayed.”

The notice says cruise passengers should contact their cruise line for more details.

There will be a delay on Sunday, December 17th embarkation due to recent weather conditions. Please contact your cruise line for instructions and more information. pic.twitter.com/3POAPbDODc — PortMiami (@PortMiami) December 17, 2023

Given this delay is occurring on a weekend when more ships end their trips and begin new ones (known as “turnaround day), it has a significant impact on a large number of passengers. A check of ship-tracking site CruiseMapper.com shows Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas in port with MSC Divina, with Oceania Insignia and Norwegian Encore in the process of docking. Meanwhile, several other ships sit offshore, waiting their turn to come into port.

Typically ships arrive in port early in the morning, between 6-7 a.m. local time. As of 11 a.m. local time today, many ships had yet to dock.

All told, nine cruise ships are scheduled to be in port today before heading back out this evening:

• Scarlet Lady (carries 2,770 passengers at double occupancy)
• Oasis of the Seas (5,602 pax)
• Grandeur of the Seas (1,992 pax)
• Norwegian Encore (3,998 pax)
• MSC Divina (3,078 pax)
• Oceania Insignia (698 pax)
• Carnival Horizon (3,960 pax)
• Carnival Celebration (5,374 pax)
• Vision of the Seas (2,050 pax)

Combined, these ships have a passenger capacity of roughly 30,000 at double occupancy . Considering that the passengers both debarking and embarking are impacted by the delay, that could mean roughly 60,000 passengers in total will be affected if the ships are sailing full.

This no doubt includes a number of passengers with flights home scheduled for later today that will likely have to be rescheduled.

If you have a cruise arriving or departing Miami today, then your cruise line should be in touch with instructions . No matter what, it’s important to pack some patience as an already busy day in port is set to be even busier.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 7 easy ways to get from the airport to the miami cruise port, 15+ miami hotels with airport and cruise port shuttles, 12+ inexpensive miami cruise hotels near the port (highly rated), 20+ best miami “park and cruise” hotels (free/discount parking), port of miami cruise parking (where to park): prices, profiles, & map, 25+ miami hotels near the cruise port with shuttles (free & paid), leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Carnival Cruise Live Blog (Day 3): Blow Holes & Golden Trophies

Carnival cruise live blog (day 2): the most beautiful port i’ve visited, carnival cruise live blog (day 1): first impressions sailing radiance from long beach, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Severe Weather Is Flooding Cruise Ships and Forcing Guests to Stay in Their Rooms

A relaxing, sun-drenched cruise may sound like the perfect winter getaway . There are so many cruise lines to choose from—and each journey comes with its own bountiful list of onboard amenities and port activities. Of course, any idyllic cruise can quickly turn into a nightmare in the presence of a severe weather storm. This was the case for recent Carnival Dream and Voyager of the Seas guests, whose itineraries were hijacked when both of their ships encountered stormy weather and rough waters.

RELATED:  11 Clothing Items You Shouldn't Wear on a Cruise .

On Jan. 26, passengers aboard Voyager of the Seas —a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International—began experiencing severe, rocky weather while en route to its return destination of Galveston, Texas. The vessel suffered some damage, including minor flooding and deconstructed furniture due to high winds. However, the strength and force of the storm left many guests frightened and seeking shelter.

"When we tried to walk across our room, it felt like we were walking up a very steep hill," Chelsea Ireland told USA Today , noting that she and her husband felt the ship tilt. "And that lasted for about five minutes."

The couple was already in their cabin, having previously noticed dark skies and rain on the horizon. However, passenger Elaina Escobedo was exploring the ship's Royal Promenade when she heard sounds of flying and clanking metal. Once back at her family's cabin, she discovered fallen drinking glasses and other misplaced items.

"There were just things flying all over the place," Escobedo recalled. A seasoned cruise pass holder, Escobedo acknowledged she's sailed through rough water before, "but nothing to this extent."

AccuWeather stitched together several videos of the storm taken by passengers in real time and shared it on X. In the clip, a camera pans over one of the communal areas, where lounge chairs have been hastily thrown and pool covers are blown off. Later in the video, a passenger shows water seeping into their bedroom due to a flooded balcony.

Carnival Dream passengers had a similar experience the following day when their ship came in contact with rough weather while sailing through the Gulf of Mexico. Coincidentally, the ship was also returning to its homeport in Galveston.

As a safety precaution, the ship captain ordered guests and crew members to stay in their rooms until conditions improved, per Cruise Hive. Luckily, within an hour, crew members were able to secure the perimeter and check for damage, and guests were able to continue on with their day.

While the intensity of the storm abated, the ship was still facing foul weather. For that reason, Carnival Dream had to cancel some of its entertainment, including its Diamond and Platinum Party for the line's VIFP guests. Additionally, travelers didn't have access to the outer decks and were advised to practice extra caution when outside of their rooms.

According to Cruise Hive, it isn't uncommon for ships to encounter rough weather in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter. However, the severity of storm can vary—as these guests learned the hard way.

Sign Up for Our FREE Daily Newsletter

Be the first to receive tons of amazing, life-changing tips!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

What You Need to Know About Cruises in Bad Weather, According to an Expert

From rough seas to hurricane season, here's how to handle cruising during a storm.

Weather can be unpredictable. And when you plan your cruise vacation months — and sometimes even more than a year — in advance, it’s impossible to anticipate.

Cruises are often planned well in advance of the actual trip and, unfortunately, sometimes even the best plans are thwarted. That’s what happened when a group of passengers on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship staged a protest in 2019 after bad weather forced them to miss several ports on their European voyage.

The cruise on Norwegian Spirit (with a capacity of just over 2,000 guests) left from Southampton, England, and planned to make stops in the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland — none of which they reached. A spokeswoman for the cruise line told The New York Times that “severe weather conditions” caused the itinerary changes and that the cruise line offered passengers 25 percent off the cost of a future cruise. However, passengers complaining about other issues like clogged toilets staged a protest, demanding a refund.

While weather is as uncertain as playing the lottery, changing an itinerary is a calculated decision, Colleen McDaniel, the editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic , told Travel + Leisure.

“[For] cruise lines, their No. 1 priority is going to be guest safety,” McDaniel said. “It is not just the decision of the onboard crew… it’s a team who makes that decision based on the latest weather patterns, based on the options or other alternatives.”

And while it is no doubt very frustrating if you’re forced to miss several planned stops, McDaniel said that cruise lines are often under no obligation to offer a refund.

“When itineraries change, they’re pretty well protected by the contract that every person on board their ships signs,” she said, adding that any refund offered is “actually above and beyond what they’re legally required to do. For some passengers that doesn’t sound great, but they are covered by that contract.”

So what can you do if you’ve packed your bags, booked your flights, and updated your out-of-office message for your dream cruise and the weather decides to rain on your plans? Cruises in storms are never ideal, but here's how to plan ahead and make the most of your trip.

Be aware of what is going on at all times.

McDaniel said it’s important to listen to announcements and be very clear with the situation on board. It’s imperative that you get the most up-to-date information from the staff who know it best and don’t rely on rumors or hearsay.

Though your itinerary may change, cruises are rarely canceled due to storms. Ships are designed to handle rough seas and can be rerouted to avoid danger. Once you're on board, any port updates will be announced over the ship’s intercom or detailed in a notice delivered to your stateroom.

Use a travel agent.

McDaniel said that using a travel agent to book your trip could save you a headache in the end.

“This person becomes your travel advocate,” she said. “They're someone who has relationships with the cruise line — when something goes wrong, they can be your advocate.”

While cruise ships aren't obligated to offer refunds, you'll often get a small reimbursement for missed ports.

Stay organized.

If you are offered any kind of compensation, McDaniel recommends writing down all the information.

“Get people's names and write down what the compensation was,” she said, adding you also have to be patient: “Be aware that there are countless cruise ships out in port at any time and so it might take some time to hear back."

Prevent seasickness.

Cruising in bad weather can lead to seasickness, so you'll want to take immediate steps to ensure you won't be confined to your cabin with a stomach ache. Some options include taking an over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine, using an acupressure wristband, or applying a patch like Transderm Scop before you step on board.

Plan alternative activities.

Though some excursions like helicopter rides or kayaking tours might be scrapped, you may still be able to go shopping, visit a museum, or go on a bus tour. Your cruise line will likely refund you for any excursions you booked through them, while private tour operators usually issue refunds upon request.

Since outdoor activities on board, such as pools and rock climbing walls, might be unavailable, your best bet is to find something to do indoors. The ship will usually offer additional programming, so pay attention to announcements and do your best to get into the spa, evening entertainment, or specialty restaurants, since these will be more in demand.

Know that you can leave.

If you’re not enjoying the cruise or not doing what you hoped to, you can leave the ship early as a last resort.

“Ultimately, if you feel like you're not getting the cruise you want, you can leave,” McDaniel said, “but it’s going to be on you.”

Related Articles

• Live Weather Radar
• Hurricane Tracker
• Severe Weather Event Cameras
• Satellite Imagery
• Port Weather
• Weather Links

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Guest Register If you are reading this it means you have not yet registered. Please take a second to REGISTER (it's FREE). You will then be able to enjoy all the features of Cruising Earth .

Weather - Cruising Earth

It looks like you may be utilizing ad blocking software or another ad filtering technology while visiting Cruising Earth. Certain areas of this site may not work properly because of this, particularly live updates of ship trackers and webcams.

We work hard to strike a balance between content and ads and as a free site we greatly appreciate your support in permitting ads to render. Ads help us cover our server and maintenance costs, which helps us continue to keep this site free to use. You also don't want to miss out on any specials or discounts posted from the Cruise & Travel Industry! For the best site experience please disable your ad blockers for cruisingearth.com, then click the button below. Thank you.

• Selector Map
• Mediterranean Sea (All)
• Western Mediterranean
• Central Mediterranean
• Eastern Mediterranean
• Adriatic & Aegean Seas
• Strait of Gibraltar
• Balearic Islands
• Ligurian Sea
• Corsica and Sardinia
• Strait of Bonifacio
• Sicily and Malta
• Bermuda to West Indies
• South Florida
• Florida to West Indies
• Gulf of Mexico
• Caribbean Sea
• Virgin Islands to Dominica
• Leeward Islands
• Windward Islands
• Gulf of Honduras
• Approaches to Panama
• Northern Europe to Iceland
• British Isles
• S. Ireland to English Channel
• English Channel
• Bay of Biscay
• Portugal to Gibraltar
• Canary Islands
• Labrador Sea and Greenland
• Nova Scotia and Newfoundland
• New England
• Chesapeake and Delaware
• Cape Hatteras to Florida
• Newport to Bermuda
• Great Lakes
• Great Lakes (all)
• Lake Superior
• Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
• Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
• North Atlantic Ocean (All)
• Tropical Atlantic Ocean
• Northern Transatlantic
• Southern Transatlantic
• Mediterranean to Caribbean
• Azores to Mediterranean
• South Atlantic Ocean (All)
• Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro
• Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
• Cape Horn - Drake Passage
• South Africa to Seychelles
• North Pacific Ocean (All)
• Gulf of Alaska
• California to Hawaii
• USA West Coast
• Strait of Juan de Fuca
• Southern California
• California to Mexico
• Baja California Peninsula
• Mexico to Panama
• Panama to the Galapagos
• North America to Polynesia
• Sea of Japan
• Japan to Micronesia
• Strait of Malacca
• South China Sea
• South Pacific Ocean (All)
• Fiji to the Marquesas
• NE Australia and Coral Sea
• SE Australia and Tasmania
• SW Australia
• New Zealand
• Southeast Pacific Ocean
• Northern Indian Ocean
• Southern Indian Ocean
• Red Sea and Arabian Sea
• Southwest Australia
• Giraglia Race
• Middle Sea Race
• Antigua to Bermuda Race
• Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC)
• Cape to Rio Race (South Atlantic Race)
• Charleston Bermuda Race
• Fastnet Race
• Marion to Bermuda Race

Newport Bermuda Race

• Pineapple Cup (Montego Bay Race)
• Regata al Sol (Pensacola to Isla Mujeres)
• RORC Caribbean 600
• RORC Transatlantic Race
• Transatlantic Race
• Bayview Mackinac Race
• Chicago Mackinac Race
• China Sea Race
• Corona del Mar to Cabo San Lucas Race
• Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas Race
• Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas Race

Pacific Cup

• Sydney Hobart Race
• Transpac Race
• Tropical Warnings
• World Pilot Charts

Giraglia Rolex Cup

Annapolis to Bermuda Race

We offer custom Weather Routing and Historical Weather Services

If you use this site on a regular basis, please consider helping us out...

PassageWeather.com specialises in Sailing Weather Forecasts... We provide 7-day Wind and Wave Forecasts to help sailors with their passage planning and weather routing. Before and during deliveries, ocean races, regattas, cruises, and all other types of offshore passages, we have your whole route covered.

Our sailing weather forecasts are derived using data from the most trusted and reliable weather models available. These models include the GFS and WaveWatch III models, the same weather models that produce the GRIB files used by modern electronic navigation software and weather routing software.

We have a small favor to ask you.

More people are using PassageWeather than ever, but advertising revenues across the web are falling fast. And unlike many other websites, we haven't put up a paywall - we want to keep our website as open and free as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

PassageWeather's forecasts take a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our forecasts matter.

If everyone who uses our weather forecasts helps us out just a little bit, our future would be much more secure.

You can support PassageWeather for as little as 5€ - and it only takes a minute.

Yes, I'd like to Help Close

Cruise FAQs

How to check weather for a cruise.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Stay flexible and prepared for changes in weather conditions
• Pack warm and cool clothing options for varying weather conditions
• Stay informed through the ship’s daily newsletter or crew updates
• Consult with cruise line or travel agent for weather updates

Research the Weather Patterns of Your Cruise Destination

Check Weather Websites and Apps

Look for cruise-specific weather forecasts, pay attention to weather alerts and warnings.

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast constantly to stay updated.
• Follow the instructions and recommendations provided by the cruise line regarding weather alerts.
• Be prepared for itinerary changes or possible delays due to adverse weather conditions.
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures and protocols in case of extreme weather situations.
• Stay connected with the ship’s crew and fellow passengers for any updates or changes.

Consider the Time of Year and Seasonal Weather Patterns

Keep an eye on tropical storms and hurricanes, pack appropriate clothing and accessories, plan activities and excursions based on the weather, stay flexible and be prepared for changes, consult with your cruise line or travel agent for weather updates.

• Accurate and up-to-date information on weather conditions
• Guidance on potential changes to your travel arrangements
• Tips on how to prepare for different weather scenarios
• Knowledge of any alternative activities or destinations in case of adverse weather
• Assistance in making informed decisions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular weather websites and apps that can provide accurate cruise-specific weather forecasts, how can i stay updated on weather alerts and warnings during my cruise, are there any specific clothing or accessories that i should pack for a cruise, considering the weather conditions, what are some activities or excursions that i should plan based on the weather forecast, how can i stay flexible and prepared for any weather changes during my cruise.

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team.

From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

How To Fake A Covid Test For Cruise

How Old Is The Ruby Princess Cruise Ship

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team. From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

You may like

New leadership transitions at carnival corp: navigating challenges with innovation.

Cruise into uncharted waters with Carnival Corp's new leadership, facing challenges head-on with innovative strategies – discover their path to success.

• Agile adaptation and constant monitoring drive success.
• Embracing change proactively fosters innovation.
• Strategic leadership navigates turbulent waters effectively.
• Innovation and creative solutions lead to success in challenging times.

Innovative Leadership Strategies

Overcoming Industry Challenges

Navigating Turbulent Waters

Embracing Forward-Thinking Solutions

• Enhancing Senior Leadership Skills: Investing in continuous development programs to equip senior leaders with the necessary skills to lead during times of change.
• Building Strong Relationships: Prioritizing relationship-building efforts to foster trust and collaboration among leadership teams, ensuring a united front in navigating transitions.
• Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions: Leveraging innovative solutions to streamline integration processes and capitalize on new opportunities arising from mergers and acquisitions.
• Engaging Executive Coaches: Providing senior leaders with personalized guidance and support from executive coaches to enhance their effectiveness and resilience in times of transition.

Success Through Innovation

How Do You Navigate Leadership Transitions?

Who is the vice president of carnival uk?, who is the ceo of carnival uk?, who is the current ceo of carnival corporation?.

Claire, a creative soul with an unquenchable thirst for storytelling, is an integral part of the Voyager Info team. As a dedicated writer, she weaves captivating narratives that transport readers to enchanting cruise destinations and beyond.

Claire’s love affair with writing began at an early age when she discovered the magic of words and their ability to craft worlds and emotions. Her innate curiosity led her to explore various literary genres, but it was travel writing that truly captured her heart. Drawing inspiration from her own globetrotting adventures and encounters with diverse cultures, Claire embarked on a journey to become a travel writer par excellence.

Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta: The Road to Economic Recovery

Buckle up for a transformative journey as Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta navigate the road to economic recovery, facing challenges and uncertainties along the way.

• Implementation of biosecurity protocols and strategic interventions vital for recovery.
• Collaboration with stakeholders and government support crucial for economic revitalization.
• Diversification of tourism offerings and enhanced visitor experience for sustained growth.
• Embracing digital transformation and innovation to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

Economic Challenges Faced by Jalisco

Tourism Strategies in Puerto Vallarta

Resilience of Local Businesses

• Adaptation to Changing Consumer Behavior: Flexibility in adjusting business models to meet evolving consumer needs.
• Community Collaboration: Strengthening local partnerships to enhance business sustainability.
• Innovation in Services: Introducing new services or products to diversify revenue streams.
• Digital Transformation: Embracing technology to reach a wider audience and improve operational efficiency.
• Advocacy for Government Aid: Lobbying for increased federal assistance to aid in the recovery of local businesses.

Opportunities for Economic Revitalization

Prospects for a Brighter Future

• Implementing targeted marketing strategies to attract tourists back to Puerto Vallarta.
• Enhancing health and safety protocols to build traveler confidence.
• Diversifying tourism offerings to appeal to a broader audience.
• Establishing partnerships with other industries to create new job opportunities.
• Advocating for government support to expedite the recovery process.

Why Is Everyone Going to Puerto Vallarta?

Is puerto vallarta safe right now with cartel?, why is puerto vallarta important?, why do people move to puerto vallarta?, 10 exciting updates on royal caribbean's new oasis-class ships and cococay enhancements.

Fascinating updates await as Royal Caribbean unveils 10 enhancements to their Oasis-Class ships and CocoCay, promising a new era of luxury cruising.

• Oasis-Class ships offer luxurious overwater cabanas and Solarium Suites for panoramic ocean views.
• Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas prioritize sustainability with LNG technology and eco-friendly design elements.
• CocoCay enhancements include Hideaway Beach for adults, Splashaway Bay for families, and thrilling activities like zip lining.
• Royal Caribbean's entertainment options and sustainability initiatives set new standards for responsible and innovative cruising experiences.

Oasis-Class Ships Enhancements Overview

Icon of the Seas Unveiling Details

• Revolutionary Design : The Icon of the Seas, belonging to the Icon Class, boasts a groundbreaking design that redefines the cruising experience.
• Sustainable Technology : With a focus on environmental responsibility, this ship is powered by LNG, ensuring a reduced carbon footprint without compromising on performance.
• Unparalleled Experience : CEO Michael Bayley promises that the Icon of the Seas will offer an unparalleled experience, with eight unique neighborhoods and a wide range of amenities to cater to every guest's desires.

Utopia of the Seas Features Revealed

Innovative Technology Integration

• Unleash your taste buds with omakase-inspired dining at Izumi.
• Indulge in casual dining delights at The Spare Tire.
• Immerse yourself in panoramic ocean views from the Solarium Suites.

Sustainable Design Elements

Interactive guest experiences.

• Cutting-edge technology integration for seamless navigation and entertainment.
• Immersive dining experiences that tantalize the taste buds and delight the senses.
• Engaging activities like escape rooms and interactive shows to keep guests entertained throughout their journey.

New CocoCay Hideaway Beach Experience

Royal Beach Club Enhancements

• Beach Bars: Indulge in refreshing tropical cocktails while soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean breeze.
• Cabanas in The Bahamas: Relax in style and comfort in exclusive cabanas offering stunning views and personalized services.
• Pools: Take a dip in crystal-clear pools or simply lounge by the water's edge, savoring the ultimate relaxation experience.

Thrilling Updates at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Innovative Activities on Oasis-Class Ships

• Zip Line Ride: Soar above colorful lounge chairs and beach umbrellas on a zip line ride that offers a unique aerial view of the island.
• Up, Up And Away Helium Balloon: Take a thrilling ride 450 feet above land in the Up, Up And Away Helium Balloon, providing a panoramic view of the entire island.
• Thrill Waterpark: Dive into the largest wave pool in the Caribbean and conquer 13 water slides, including the tallest in North America, adding an adrenaline-pumping element to your cruise experience.

CocoCay Adventure Pool Upgrades

Entertainment Offerings on Royal Caribbean Ships

Innovative Onboard Shows

Interactive game experiences, celebrity guest performances, sustainable initiatives and future plans.

What Was Updated on Oasis of the Seas?

Which oasis class ship is the newest?, which oasis class ships have been amplified?, what are the improvements to cococay?.

Affiliate disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Overcoming US Travel Ban: European Challenges and Creative Workarounds

Exploring Medellin: How to Navigate Transportation Tourist Spots Food and Souvenirs

Which Celebrity Cruise Ships Have Been Refurbished

What Drinks Can You Bring On Princess Cruise

How To Turn On Cruise Control Tesla Model 3

What Is The Weather Like On A Transatlantic Cruise In April

How To Set Cruise Control Tesla Model Y

Azamara Onward: Origins, Renovation, and Future Plans

Anthony Bourdain: Unconventional Culinary Icon and Global Influencer

Authentic Tacos and Local Delights: A Culinary Adventure in Cabo San Lucas

Arctic Adventure: Uncharted Destinations With Le Commandant Charcot

Authentic Art, Exciting Auctions: The Ultimate Cruise Ship Experience!

How To Get From Venice To Chioggia Cruise Terminal

How to Contact Someone on a Carnival Cruise Ship

How Do You Qualify For An Ultra Cruise On Carnival

Cruise ship's arrival into Akl delayed as wild weather continues

A cruise ship has been forced to delay its arrival into Auckland today as the tail of ex-tropical cyclone Lola continues to lash the upper North Island.

The Majestic Princess is currently anchored off Rangitoto Island as the port remains closed due to the wild weather.

A Princess Cruises spokesperson told 1News the ship may be able to dock tonight.

The remnants of cyclone Lola and another weather system have combined to bring strong gusts and substantial rainfall.

"Upon approval from the harbour authority, and subject to weather conditions, Majestic Princess is expected alongside tonight, October 30 at 9.00pm local time.

"Guests will remain onboard until the morning at which time a select number of guests will begin disembarkation at 6:30am local time.

"Given this delay, embarkation for the following cruise has been delayed by one day and will now take place on Tuesday, October 31."

The ship's arrival into the city is part of a 25-day cruise from Los Angeles.

A spokesperson for the Ports of Auckland said the Majestic Princess' delay was due to the "strong winds" the city is currently experiencing.

"Once it's safe for us to bring them in we will."

Majestic Princess cruise ship docked (file image). (Source: 1News)

Overnight, thousands of people lost power in Northland amid severe weather, as the tail of cyclone Lola hit New Zealand.

Both Top Energy and Northpower showed large parts of the region without power early today.

Top Energy reported the bulk of those outages were due to "extreme weather" affecting equipment.

A Top Energy spokesperson said: "Fault crews were out first thing to assess the damage across the network.

"We experienced over 100km an hour winds which has brought trees and debris into the lines."

A number of yachts were damaged at Auckland’s Waiake Beach.

A Facebook statement from the provider said: "Our vegetation crews will be out clearing fallen trees and debris from the line so that repairs can begin. Please be prepared for prolonged outages – it could take some time to fully restore the network."

And for a number of outages further south, Northpower said it couldn't address the problem overnight.

"Unfortunately due to dangerous conditions with lines and wind we are having to leave this area isolated until tomorrow," the information for a number of cuts in Northpower's area read. "We apologise for the inconvenience.

"Thank you for your patience. Please treat all lines as LIVE."

It comes as the tail of ex-tropical cyclone Lola – which hit Vanuatu last week – lashed the upper North Island from yesterday.

A beached boat at Waiake Beach in Auckland's Torbay this morning. (Source: Pete Robinson)

The wild weather is set to continue for many today.

Some schools in Northland and Coromandel have closed for the day amid the rain and wind.

MetService severe weather warnings and watches are in place for much of the upper and east North Island.

Most orange strong wind warnings from overnight ended this morning, but Coromandel Peninsula remains under an orange strong wind warning until 11am today.

"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles," MetService warned.

The remnants of Cyclone Lola have hit the upper North Island, leading to power outages and some flooding.

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Coromandel Peninsula from 9am today to 9am tomorrow, for Tairāwhiti Gisborne from Tolaga Bay northwards from 9am this morning to 4pm tomorrow, for Bay of Plenty west of Matata including Rotorua from 9am today to 9am tomorrow, for Tairāwhiti Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay from 1pm today to 5pm tomorrow and for the inland ranges of Hawke's Bay south of State Highway 5 from 2pm today to 5pm tomorrow.

"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService said.

A strong wind watch is in place for the Kaimai Range and eastern Waikato until 11am today.

Boats at Waiake Beach in Auckland's Torbay this morning. (Source: Pete Robinson)

A heavy rain watch is in place for Northland from 9am today to 8am tomorrow.

"Heavy rain is most likely in the Coromandel and Gisborne, while the strongest winds are expected from eastern Northland to the Coromandel," NIWA Weather wrote on Twitter.

The transport agency said the Auckland Harbour Bridge would operate with four lanes in each direction during the morning peak, and speed restrictions and delays should be expected.

And all ferry services between downtown Auckland and Pine Harbour are cancelled due to weather conditions and debris in the Harbour, Auckland Transport said this morning.

More on this topic

'Make sure you are prepared' - Severe weather incoming for north

October 29, 2023

Wind warning for Auckland Harbour Bridge as strong gales loom

October 28, 2023

Garry Towler from Coromandel Civil Defence said plenty of rain had fallen in the region overnight and winds of up to 120km/h had hit.

More rain and gusts were expected today.

More Stories

'Devastating': One of two missing fishermen in Northland found dead

The men were reported missing just before midnight on Wednesday, after failing to return from fishing on rocks, near Taiharuru, earlier in the day.

One dead after car crashes into tree in Whangārei

Emergency services responded to the Kamo Rd scene at about 12.45am. A vehicle had crashed into a tree, police said.

Search for two Northland men missing after fishing from rocks

Thursday 5:36pm

Five arrested after Head Hunters meth raid

Thursday 11:30am

Police name man who died in suspicious Northland house fire

Thursday 10:44am

Heavy rain to lash central New Zealand overnight

Wait for new passports increases further

Australian PM concerned for fate of brothers missing in Mexico

Fresh charges for man accused of killing Samantha Murphy

'Thank you for watching' – Midday signs off for the final time

First NZ former league player diagnosed with CTE after death

Major security change for international travellers leaving Auckland

Aus ex-lawyer allegedly trafficked 120kg of cocaine in frozen chickens

Hurricanes whallop Waratahs in Wellington

Wild orangutan uses medicinal plant to treat wound

Female youth arrested after alleged Mount Maunganui mall stabbing

Nearly 2200 arrests during pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses

Toyota helps drive community sports groups to success

Sponsored by Toyota

More from Entertainment

Legendary ‘King of Twang’ guitarist Duane Eddy dies aged 86

He left a legacy that inspired everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

Drake, Adele, Billie Eilish music returning to TikTok

Universal Music Group has struck a new licensing agreement with TikTok after an approximately three-month long dispute.

Britney Spears reaches divorce settlement with estranged husband

Dan Schneider sues Quiet On Set producers for defamation

Thursday 9:45pm

'Became a parody': Hemsworth on Waititi-directed Love and Thunder

Thursday 1:26pm

Andy Lee engaged to long-term girlfriend Rebecca Harding

Thursday 10:42am

Biden and Putin talk, Denver shooting, COVID on cruise ships, wild weather: 5 things to know Thursday

Biden and putin talk ahead of january diplomatic meeting.

President Joe Biden will hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia. The call comes as U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet next month, according to reports. In the past several months, there has been a buildup of Russian troops along Ukraine's eastern border and Biden and allies have said they will impose tough economic sanctions if the situation escalates. Biden held a high-stakes video teleconference with Putin earlier this month, where he emphasized that he preferred a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine. However, the president warned that if Russia invades Ukraine, the U.S. would send additional defense resources above what it is already providing and would be looking to deploy additional forces to fortify its NATO allies in the area. 

• What is happening at Ukraine's border? Putin's buildup of Russian troops sparks concern
• Video diplomacy : Biden warns Putin against Ukraine invasion in high-stakes call

Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 Things  podcast : 

Authorities investigating what motivated shooting spree in Denver

Authorities in Colorado are investigating a motive behind the shooting spree  that left six people, including the shooter, dead in Denver. Earlier in the week, Denver police said they are "aware" of a series of books published by a company once owned by the gunman that eerily foreshadow the deadly shooting rampage – even naming two of the victims. The department added the book series has become "a component of our ongoing homicide investigation." The shooter had "personal" or "business" relationships with nearly all of the victims, Matt Clark, Denver police commander of the Major Crimes Division, said Tuesday. "It does appear that the offender was targeting specific people in this case," Clark said. 

• 'We don't know the connections': Denver's tattoo community is grieving, stunned by a deadly shooting spree

CDC is monitoring 92 cruise ships for COVID-19. What it could mean for you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring 92 ships for the coronavirus, a factor that could add to travelers' worries as they consider whether or not to embark on an upcoming cruise. But that doesn't mean there is an outbreak on board. Even with stringent vaccination, testing and masking, among other protocols, it is fairly common for cases of COVID-19 to emerge among the passengers and crew. Nevertheless, the CDC recommends people avoid cruise travel if they are not fully vaccinated and advises that people get a booster shot if eligible.  Here's how to check whether your ship is on the CDC's list . 

• Cruising during COVID-19: Cancellation, refund policies vary by cruise line
• Will the cruise industry shut down because of the omicron variant as it did in March 2020?

Wild weather expected across much of U.S. 

Another day of crazy weather is forecast across the U.S. on Thursday. While much of the western and north-central U.S. deals with heavy snow and bitter cold, near-record warmth and the chance for severe thunderstorms will continue to be the story in southeastern portions of the nation. In the north, wind chill warnings extend from Montana and parts of the Dakotas to northern Minnesota, where wind chill temperatures will drop as low as 50 degrees below zero, the National Weather Service said. Heavy snow will continue in the western mountains, where totals will be measured in feet, not inches. Meanwhile, temperatures will soar into the 70s and 80s in the southeastern U.S., potentially setting record highs. In addition, scattered showers and some thunderstorms will remain possible across broad portions of the South on Thursday, the Weather Service said. 

• Tornado threat:  Tornado outbreak possible in South
• Sierra snow:  Hundreds of drivers trying to bypass closed highways getting stuck  

Michigan State, Pittsburgh are without biggest stars in Peach Bowl

College football's bowl season is ramping up ahead of Friday's College Football Playoff semifinals. Thursday's slate of games offers some intrigue, with No. 10 Michigan State facing off in the Peach Bowl against No. 12 Pittsburgh (7 p.m. EST, ESPN), the best of the bunch. Though Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett and Spartans' running back Kenneth Walker III will sit this one out, Pitt's offense will feature Jordan Addison, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. Pittsburgh is looking for its first 12-win season since 1976 and its first-ever win over Michigan State.

• Here's why the College Football Playoff is finally primed for a surprise
• A sports story for every month of 2021 you shouldn't forget

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

14-Day Extended Ship Weather Forecasts

Click on the ship to see a 14 day Extended forecast for the upcoming ports of call.

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Wonder

Port Forecasts

Below you will find a list of frequently visited ports by itinerary. Click on he port to see the current weather, and a 14-day extended forecast (if available).

• Port Canaveral Florida Weather
• Walt Disney World
• Port of Galveston Texas Weather
• Port of Los Angeles California Weather
• Port of Miami Florida Weather
• Port of San Juan Puerto Rico Weather
• Port of Barcelona
• Port of Venice

Alaskan Ports

• Juneau, Alaska Weather
• Ketchikan, Alaska Weather
• Sitka, Alaska Weather
• Skagway, Alaska Weather
• Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska Weather
• Vancouver, Canada Weather
• Victoria, Canada Weather

Bahamian Ports

• Castaway Cay Weather
• Nassau Bahamas Weather

Caribbean Ports

• Basseterre, St. Kitts Weather
• Bridgetown, Barbados Weather
• Castries, St. Lucia Weather
• Costa Maya Mexico Weather
• Cozumel Mexico Weather
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Weather
• Key West Florida Weather
• San Juan Puerto Rico Weather
• St. George’s, Grenada Weather
• St. John’s, Antigua Weather
• St. Maarten Weather
• St. Thomas / St. John US Virgin Islands Weather

California Ports

• San Diego California Weather
• San Francisco California Weather

Mexican Ports & Panama Canal

• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Weather
• Cartagena, Columbia Weather
• Ensenada,  Mexico Weather
• Panama Canal Weather
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Weather

Mediterranean (European & Transatlantic) Ports

• Barcelona, Spain Weather
• Catania, Italy (Sicily) Weather
• Civitavecchia, Italy Weather
• Corfu, Greece (Greek Isles) Weather
• Dubrovnik, Croatia Weather
• Funchal, Madeira Weather
• Gibralter Weather
• Heraklion (Crete), Greece Weather
• Ibiza, Spain Weather
• Katakolon, Greece Weather
• Kusadasi, Turkey Weather
• La Spezia, Italy Weather
• Malaga, Spain Weather
• Mykonos, Greece Weather
• Naples, Italy Weather
• Palma, Mallorca Weather
• Piraeus, Greece Weather
• Rhodes, Greece (Greek Isles) Weather
• Santorini, Greece Weather
• Tenerife, Canary Islands Weather
• Valletta, Malta Weather
• Venice, Italy Weather
• Villefranche, France Weather

Tropical Weather

Tropical weather graphics to help keep an eye on tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

• Tropical Weather Page

DISCLAIMER The weather information provided on this site is from third parties. Please consult official local and nation forecasts before making final decisions. The current conditions and forecast information are provided for your general information only, and should not be treated as an official forecast.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Southeast  | Tourism

With an unexpected ship, Thursday will be Sitka’s biggest day of the summer cruise season

May 2, 2024 by Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka

There will be three ships in port on Thursday in Sitka — rather than two — with a total passenger capacity of 9,300.

The latecomer is the Nieuw Amsterdam, which notified Sitka’s port director about a week ago that it was making an unscheduled call. Combined, the three ships have several thousand crew, many of whom catch a shuttle for the seven-mile ride into town. That could raise the actual number of visitors into five figures.

Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz apologized for what is likely to be a wild start to the visitor season.

“So the goal going forward is to not have 9,000,” he said. “A week ago, it wasn’t. This port call was added very late in the agenda. So Thursday will be busy. What a way to kick off the season.”

Eisenbeisz made the announcement at an informal meeting between Sitka’s two governments, which happens a couple of times a year.

Sitka officials at the meeting were wary of a possible citizen initiative that would limit summertime cruise visitation to less than half of last year’s record season. The mayor cautioned the Tribal Council that recent efforts by city hall to establish a Parks & Recreation program, assume responsibility for maintenance of the schools and the Performing Arts Center, and to take over management of the school swimming pool, would all be jeopardized by limiting cruise ship calls.

Eisenbeisz described a simple trade-off: increased tourism or local amenities.

“I think that’s a choice that community can make,” he said. “The other side of not having buses on your streets, is not having a parks & rec program too.”

Tribal Council member Lillian Feldpausch, however, thought the argument was overstated.

“What is it going to take to be able to run at minimum some of these programs?” she asked. “Because that’s kind of like holding people hostage to say, ‘You don’t have these, you know, we don’t get the funding for these, say goodbye.’

Eisenbeisz said it was not his intention to hold anyone hostage, and that more work needed to be done on tourism. Rather than impose a season limit, he believed Sitka could better manage a daily limit, and one day a week with no ships at all.

Municipal administrator John Leach said the city was investigating a regional strategy to manage cruise traffic, because if Sitka enforced a day with no ships, the cruise lines would go to other towns, and possibly increase congestion there. He wanted a solution that didn’t involve the courts or a ballot initiative.

“Because when it goes to the ballot box, there’s, there’s legal implications on either side pro or against,” he said, ” and it’s going to affect another community.”

As for the cruise passengers, no one disputes that their arrival will be both an economic and culinary boost. A new food truck offering Hawaiian doughnuts is parked downtown, along with another specializing in Cuban food.

“Welcome back to all the food trucks as well,” the mayor said. “I’m pretty excited about that.”

KCAW - Sitka

KCAW is our partner station in Sitka. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Ambitious 20-year plan for downtown Juneau heads to Assembly

April 29, 2024

Blueprint Downtown is an effort to lay the foundation for downtown Juneau's future.

Capital Transit temporarily suspends 2 routes amid worker shortage

April 15, 2024

Bus routes 5 and 6 will stop running on April 22.

Advocates want to ban large cruise ships from visiting Juneau on Saturdays, starting next season

April 10, 2024

A group has filed a proposed ballot initiative that would ban all cruise ships that carry 250 or more passengers from visiting Juneau on Saturdays and the Fourth of July. 

Social media

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram

Public Media

• Gavel Alaska Media Use Policy

Share on Mastodon

• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

Cruise ships to visit Mackinac Island 47 times in 2024, here’s when to see them

• Published: May. 02, 2024, 2:26 p.m.

The Viking Octantis was the first ship to call on Mackinac Island for the 2024 Great Lakes cruising season on Tuesday, April 30. The 665-foot ship anchored and brought passengers to shore by tender boat. Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

• Justine Lofton | [email protected]

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - The 2024 cruise ship season is underway on Mackinac Island.

The first cruise passengers of the season stepped onto the island on Tuesday for a day visit, including a carriage tour and shopping. They came to shore by tender boat after the Viking Octantis anchored on Lake Huron.

At 665 feet long, the Viking Octantis is one of the largest cruise ships on the Great Lakes, along with its identical sister, the Viking Polaris. The two ships will call on the island multiple times through the season, including three times that they will anchor side-by-side.

RELATED: Mackinac Island welcomes first cruise ship of the season, and it’s a big one

The season will include a total of 47 cruise ship visits from eight ships: Pearl Seas Cruises’ Pearl Mist; Viking Cruises’ Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris; Ponant Explorer’s Le Bellot and Le Champlain; Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Inspiration; Compagnie du Ponant’s Le Ponant; and Plantours Kreuzfahrten’s MS Hamburg.

Smaller ships will dock while larger ones anchor offshore.

RELATED:  ‘We didn’t find them, they found us:’ Mackinac Island is most popular Michigan cruise ship port

In 2023, the island had nearly 100 cruise ship visits . That number is halved this year with the bankruptcy of American Queen Voyages, which operated the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager on the Great Lakes. Those two ships accounted for about half of the 2023 calls on the island.

Here’s the 2024 schedule:

• Tuesday, April 30: Viking Octanis
• Saturday, May 4: Viking Octanis
• Tuesday, May 14: Viking Octanis
• Thursday, May 16: Viking Polaris
• Saturday, May 18: Viking Octanis
• Monday, May 20: Viking Polaris
• Thursday, May 30: Viking Polaris and Viking Octanis
• Sunday, June 2: Viking Polaris
• Monday, June 10: Viking Octanis
• Friday, June 14: Viking Polaris
• Monday, June 17: Viking Polaris
• Saturday, June 22: Pearl Mist
• Sunday, June 23: Pearl Mist
• Tuesday, June 25: Viking Octanis
• Thursday, June 27: Viking Polaris
• Friday, June 28: Viking Octanis
• Monday, July 1: Viking Polaris
• Saturday, July 6: Pearl Mist
• Sunday, July 7: Pearl Mist
• Wednesday, July 10: Viking Octanis
• Friday, July 12: Viking Octanis
• Saturday, July 13: Viking Polaris
• Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Viking Polaris and Viking Octanis
• Saturday, July 27: Viking Octanis
• Thursday, Aug. 8: Viking Octanis
• Monday, Aug. 19: Viking Octanis
• Sunday, Sept. 1: Viking Polaris
• Tuesday, Sept. 3: Viking Octanis
• Wednesday, Sept. 4: Viking Polaris
• Friday, Sept. 6: Le Champlain
• Saturday, Sept. 7: Viking Octanis
• Thursday, Sept. 12: MS Hamburg
• Monday, Sept. 16: Viking Polaris
• Thursday, Sept. 19: Viking Polaris and Viking Octanis
• Sunday, Sept. 22: Le Champlain
• Monday, Sept. 23: Le Ponant
• Thursday, Sept. 26: Hanseatic Inspiration
• Sunday, Sept. 29: Viking Polaris
• Monday, Sept. 30: Viking Octanis
• Wednesday, Oct. 2: Hanseatic Inspiration
• Thursday, Oct. 3: Viking Polaris
• Thursday, Oct. 10: Le Champlain
• Saturday, Oct. 12: Le Ponant
• Monday, Oct. 14: Le Bellot

Most Popular Stories by Justine Lofton

• Michigan mall to close, be demolished for $1B mixed-use development
• Mackinac Island welcomes first cruise ship of the season, and it’s a big one
• Northern Michigan snowmobiling town launches 100 miles of scenic ORV trails

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Norovirus: Nearly 200 sick in outbreaks on Princess, Royal Caribbean ships, CDC says

FILE - Tourists crowd upper decks and stateroom balconies as the Anthem of the Seas owned by Royal Caribbean International on Aug. 9, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Nearly 200 passengers on U.S. cruise ships suffered from diarrhea and vomiting in norovirus outbreaks in April, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reported that 94 of the 2,532 (3.71%) passengers on Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess ship reported getting sick during its current voyage. The 32-day, roundtrip cruise began on April 5 and ends on May 7, according to the cruise tracking and information site CruiseMapper . 

Another 20 of the 1,066 crew members on board also reported getting sick, the CDC said.

Cruise ship rescued 14 stranded at sea for over a week

This was the scene from the lunch buffet during the first full day of cruising for the Icon of the Seas. The crew rescued all 14 from the distressed boat which was dwarfed by the largest cruise ship in the world.

On Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas ship, 67 of the 1,993 (3.36%) total passengers on board became ill during a voyage that began on April 8 and ended on April 22, according to the agency. Two crew members aboard also got sick. 

In both of the norovirus outbreaks, the main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC said.

Princess Cruises told FOX Television Stations that "at the first sign" of an increase in passengers reporting gastrointestinal illnesses, "we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitization procedures to interrupt the person-to-person spread of this virus."

"Our sanitization program, includes disinfection measures, isolation of ill passengers and communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard," the company told FOX Television Stations.

Royal Caribbean International did not immediately return a request for comment, but the CDC said in its notice that the company also took several steps in response to the outbreak – including isolating the sick passengers and crew members and "increased cleaning and disinfection procedures." 

RELATED: 'Vampire facials' at unlicensed spa likely resulted in HIV infections: CDC

Cruise ships expose passengers to high volumes of people and new environments, which can "create the risk for illness from contaminated food, or water or, more commonly, through person-to-person contact," the CDC says. 

The agency recommends that anyone feeling sick should report their illness. If it happens before the voyage, travelers can ask their cruise line about any possible alternative cruising options. 

Those on board should wash their hands often to prevent illness, as well as get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. 

This story was reported from Cincinnati.

Preference Center

We use cookies and similar technologies to collect device data and usage information for analytics, measuring the effectiveness of ads, personalizing content, and tailored advertising. By clicking “Accept”, you agree to such purposes and the sharing of your data with our partners. To learn more, CLICK HERE . To change your preferences at any time, click the “Do not Sell my Personal Information” link in the footer of this page.

• Destinations
• Food & Drink

Antarctica cruise: The last frontier for a big at-last luxury adventure

Factors that figure into planning, a rough start, science up close, what to expect along the way.

Stranded cruise passengers from Utah race to catch up with their ship

By maureen o'hare, cnn | posted - may 2, 2024 at 6:18 a.m., a utah couple – ages 84 and 81 – were left behind by the cruise line in spain. (roman belogorodov, alamy).

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

ATLANTA — A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a Utah couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.

Salt Lake City couple Richard and Claudene Gordon were on a Mediterranean cruise aboard Norwegian Viva with family and friends and looking forward to celebrating Richard Gordon's 85th birthday later this week.

While the ship was docked in Motril, Spain, on Monday, the pair went to tour the historic city of Granada by themselves, an excursion not organized by the cruise line. On their return, their bus was delayed for an hour by a rain storm, Richard Gordon told CNN by phone.

"I am a very experienced traveler and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime," Gordon said. "Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system."

The pair missed the ship's all-aboard time of 5:30 p.m. local time, for a sail away at approximately 6 p.m. Gordon said that at around 5:45 p.m. he spoke to a relative on board who raised the alarm that they were nearby and running late, but the relative was told by Norwegian Cruise Line staff that as the ship needed to sail on time, nothing could be done.

According to the Gordons, they arrived at the dock by taxi at 6:10 p.m., while the ship sailed away with Claudene Gordon's medication, Richard Gordon's eyeglasses and both their spare hearing aid batteries and phone chargers on board.

"Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4:00 p.m.," Richard Gordon told CNN. "Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled."

"They looked around and they looked around and no one was there," Marilee Barker, the couple's Utah-based daughter, told CNN by phone. They got a taxi to the police station where "the policeman helped them call back to the dock. And they said, 'There's nothing we can do.'"

The couple says they received no further assistance from Norwegian Cruise Line at that point, from the ship or on land.

No medication, no hearing aid batteries

"Luckily my dad has traveled, but he's still 85," Barker said. As the Norwegian Viva wouldn't be docking again until Tuesday on the island of Ibiza, "They took a bus up to Granada and found a cute, cheap little B&B."

Meanwhile, Barker says she and her husband were up to 3 a.m. finding flights and a hotel, eventually getting them on a plane to Palma de Mallorca, where their ship would be docking at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

Claudene Gordon texted her daughter late Tuesday afternoon Spanish time to say that Norwegian Cruise Line had made contact with them for the first time since the incident and had offered them a taxi from their Palma hotel in the morning to reunite them with their boat.

"We really received the royal treatment today," Claudene Gordon told CNN after being reunited with the ship on Wednesday morning, two days they disembarked at Montril.

"They picked us up at the hotel in a beautiful black BMW limousine to take us to the ship. There we were met by the head of ship services who escorted us inside the ship to meet the general manager of the ship, then they escorted us to breakfast, then they escorted us to our cabin," she said.

"We simply told them that we were abandoned at the dock with no one to meet us or tell us where to go, and they said they have already complained about the harbor master who was supposed to take care of things for them. But of course, the ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn't speak so well for them," Claudene Gordon said.

Norwegian Cruise Line said it disputed the time of the couple's arrival at the pier. "The two guests who went ashore independently arrived at the pier approximately an hour late and missed the all-aboard time of 5:30 p.m. local time, for a sail away at approximately 6:00 p.m.," a spokesperson said via email.

"A cruise ship follows a set itinerary with designated arrival and departure times. Itineraries are carefully coordinated and planned out well in advance of each voyage to ensure that all of our guests have the experience they are expecting," the spokesperson said. While there is a small window of time where late guests can be accommodated, the spokesperson added, the Gordons arrived outside of this.

"After several attempts to contact these guests with the phone numbers provided, as well as trying to phone their emergency contact, we were unable to speak to them directly. However, we worked closely with the local port agents to make arrangements for the guests to rejoin the vessel."

The spokesperson said that, prior to the hotel pickup on Wednesday morning, the cruise line had coordinated an airport pick-up for the Gordons at Palma de Mallorca the evening before but were still unable to contact the couple by phone.

In a similar incident last month, eight passengers were late getting back to their Norwegian Cruise Line ship on the African island nation of São Tomé on March 27. They then struggled for days to catch up with their ship as it made its way up the western coast of Africa.

In that case, Norwegian Cruise Line emphasized that the delayed guests were on a private tour that was not organized by the cruise line.

Most recent Utah stories

South salt lake's mural fest is back and literally bigger than ever, rejection to billion-dollar success: jamie kern lima shares business journey at uvu graduation, udot launches volunteer litter-cleanup program to keep utah beautiful, related topics, more stories you may be interested in.

Dwyane Wade, Michelle Obama headline 2nd day of Qualtrics summit in Utah

• Doctors say new 'BEAR' procedure could be future of ACL reconstruction

Most Viewed

• Patrick Kinahan: Decision to leave Utah goes beyond basketball for Burgess
• Local, federal law enforcement investigate bomb threats after 'furry' outrage at middle school
• Teachers' salaries are the highest in over a decade. Why it's still not enough
• Pleasant Grove man charged with choking uncle, breaking his arm because he dropped a box
• Romney says there's no comparison to his past dog story and South Dakota governor shooting her puppy
• Central Utah man charged with physically abusing 11-month-old nephew
• Jury finds Salt Lake pastor not guilty in rape case
• JJ Vallow's grandma, Chad Daybell's mother and sister-in-law all testify in murder trial Thursday
• Saratoga Springs father arrested, accused of abusing infant son

STAY IN THE KNOW

KSL Weather Forecast

Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Updated: Apr. 30, 2024, 3:16 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has canceled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.