All articles tagged with #cruise
The Zac Brown Band announced at their Fenway Park show that every attendee would receive a cruise trip as a surprise giveaway, turning the concert into a stadium-wide prize event.
FinanceBuzz reports that five major cruise lines—Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Holland America—have raised gratuities and cut perks in 2026, widening the gap between base fares and what travelers actually pay. Increases include higher daily tips, pricier drink/dining packages, and fewer standard inclusions, prompting readers to price gratuities and extras separately before booking, with some premium lines (Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journeys) maintaining all-inclusive fares for more predictable costs.
Barcelona is curbing overtourism by capping total visitors at 16 million, hiking taxes on cruise passengers staying under 12 hours and increasing hotel guest levies, amid protests and concerns over housing prices and overcrowded transit.
A 79-year-old British tourist was found unresponsive on a cruise ship near Crete. Crew administered first aid, and the passenger died at a local hospital as the vessel docked in Crete. Greek authorities ordered an autopsy to determine the cause, with the UK Foreign Office assisting the family; this marks a second British cruise-ship death in Greece this month.
An Atlantis Events LGBTQ-focused cruise aboard the Scarlet Lady was blocked from Turkish ports and then denied entry by Egypt, forcing a reroute and touching more than 1,000 U.S. travelers aboard a 1,900-guest voyage. Turkish officials cited “morality” concerns, Egypt followed suit, and the ship diverted to Crete. The episode highlights a broader global rollback of LGBTQ rights in some countries and renews calls from passengers and rights advocates to rethink where LGBTQ travelers spend their dollars and how communities are supported by tourism.
Turkey barred Virgin Voyages’ LGBTQ+-themed Scarlet Lady from docking at Kuşadası and Istanbul, citing groups deemed incompatible with the country’s ‘moral values.’ The voyage’s itinerary was shifted to Cairo and Crete; Atlantis Events says this is the first time docking was denied for an LGBTQ+-focused cruise in 36 years. The move comes amid Erdoğan government crackdowns on LGBTQ+ events, including a ban on Istanbul Pride since 2015. Roughly 1,900 passengers were expected on the 10-day Mediterranean trip, about 1,100 of them from the U.S.; passengers were informed of the itinerary change.
A Ruby Princess 20-day Alaska cruise experienced a norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 100 passengers and about 20 crew. Passengers were urged to report symptoms as the ship underwent deep cleaning and non-self-serve meals, with quarantines for those affected. The CDC reported 3.4% of the 3,032 passengers and 2% of the 1,144 crew fell ill, and the vessel returned to San Francisco for comprehensive disinfection, after which illnesses declined. The passenger, Peter Korer, who didn’t fall ill, described the ship as a “floating Petri dish” and noted precautions and sanitization in place, while later boarding another cruise; Princess Cruises said illness was limited and highlighted ongoing sanitation protocols, with previous outbreaks on other Princess ships this year.
Turkish authorities canceled port calls for Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, a LGBTQ+-focused cruise chartered by Atlantis Events, citing 'moral standards' and 'family values.' The ship, carrying about 2,000 passengers, was scheduled to dock in Kusadasi and visit Istanbul but will not call at Turkey and will instead reroute to Cairo, Egypt and Crete. The move drew criticism from Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell and prompted Patti LuPone to express shock after plans to perform on the cruise; the U.S. Embassy reportedly could not intervene to overturn the decision.
A norovirus outbreak infected 125 people on the Ruby Princess during a 20-day San Francisco–Canada–Alaska cruise (102 passengers and 23 crew). The ship docked in San Francisco and will be cleaned and disinfected before its next voyage. CDC data show several norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships this year; prevention centers on thorough handwashing (at least 20 seconds) since hand sanitizer is less effective against norovirus.
A cruise program centered on low‑carb eating features talks from doctors and health coaches, sharing weight‑loss success stories and building a community at sea. Passengers enjoy fiber‑forward, plant‑based meals and gut‑health focus, with organizers stressing personal choice and not policing diets, as attendance grows from a handful to hundreds.
JoJo Siwa headlined a three-night theme cruise on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, mixing live performances with fan experiences—from bow-making workshops to private cabana events at CocoCay—while most activities were included or optional, and attendees described intimate moments with Siwa that made the voyage feel more like a friends-on-a-ship weekend than a typical cruise.
Six American cruise passengers from Colorado were fined a combined $52,725 after a brawl at Nassau’s Cruise Terminal on June 8. The group faced charges including assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct, obscene language, resisting arrest, and property damage, and all pleaded guilty while claiming intoxication. Fines ranged from $150 to $16,600 per person, plus $5,375 in officer compensation. The incident occurred in the port area and at the Tourism Police Station; it involved injuries to officers and damage to property, but it is unclear which cruise ships or lines were involved. There were six ships in Nassau that day, from four lines, while the vast majority of beachgoers sailed without incident.
Cruise lines are raising automatic gratuities and service charges for 2026, with Holland America implementing daily 'Crew Appreciation' fees of $18 per day for non-suites and $20 for suites, plus an 18% service charge on drinks, spa, and certain purchases. MSC Cruises and Carnival followed with higher per-night or per-day charges (MSCs rising to $17 standard, $23 for Yacht Club; Carnival to $17 standard, $19 suites), prompting passenger complaints on social media about deceptive pricing and mounting travel costs.
Five American cruise ship passengers were arrested in the Bahamas following a brawl; authorities have not immediately released details on charges or injuries, and the investigation is ongoing.
Health officials have ordered extra cleaning on the cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak to reduce contamination while investigators assess the situation.