Cruise ship crackdown hits tourist hot spot as city fast-tracks new visitor tax

Cruise ship crackdown hits tourist hot spot as city fast-tracks new visitor tax

One of Europe’s most crowded tourist cities is cracking down on cruises and their passengers, with the mayor of the city pushing to fast-track a tax hike on short-stay passengers. Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni on Wednesday said he wants cruise passengers to pay up to $9.30 (8 euros) per night, a 100% increase from the current … Read more

Spain reports new hantavirus case in passenger evacuated from MV Hondius cruise ship

Spain reports new hantavirus case in passenger evacuated from MV Hondius cruise ship

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Spanish passenger evacuated from the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak has tested positive for the virus, Spain’s health ministry announced Tuesday, as the World Health Organization said it has now confirmed nine cases. Three people on the cruise died. The passenger with the new confirmed case of hantavirus … Read more

I’m an infectious disease doctor — the virus that keeps me up at night, especially on a cruise ship

I’m an infectious disease doctor — the virus that keeps me up at night, especially on a cruise ship

A dream trip has turned into a floating nightmare for passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak has killed three and sickened at least four others. Nearly 150 people still on board are in quarantine after health officials confirmed that two passengers were infected with the Andes strain, a rare and … Read more

The two possible causes for the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak — one is disgusting, the other terrifying

The two possible causes for the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak — one is disgusting, the other terrifying

The suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has killed three people and sickened at least seven others, has two likely causes — and both are bad news for the 150 passengers on board, experts said. The more likely scenario would be passengers contracting the virus from the feces, urine or saliva … Read more

Carnival cruise passenger missing after apparently ‘jumping’ from ship as authorities launch frantic search

Carnival cruise passenger missing after apparently ‘jumping’ from ship as authorities launch frantic search

A search is underway after a passenger went overboard from a cruise ship near Brisbane. A man in his 70s fell from a Carnival Splendor ship about 30km northeast of Moreton Island on Friday night after he “apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped.” A Carnival Cruise spokesman confirmed the man was traveling with … Read more

First 100% battery-electric cruise ship revealed — at 90,000 tons with a capacity for 1,900 guests

First 100% battery-electric cruise ship revealed — at 90,000 tons with a capacity for 1,900 guests

Can cruise ships help save the planet? One German shipbuilder thinks so. This week, Meyer Werft introduced Project Vision, the world’s first fully battery-electric cruise ship, and experts say the boat could cut emissions by up to 95%. “We asked ourselves how we can use innovation to reduce CO₂ and contribute to decarbonization — not … Read more

Carnival plans exclusive ‘invite-only’ cruises for adults in place of canceled trips on the same ship

Carnival plans exclusive ‘invite-only’ cruises for adults in place of canceled trips on the same ship

Carnival is offering a kid-free kind of cruise after scrapping a slew of sailings scheduled for later this year. The cruise line has confirmed that it will offer four new adults-only trips this fall aboard the Carnival Firenze. According to Carnival, these cruises will “feature a mix of Mexican Riviera destinations,” and will set sail … Read more

Royal Caribbean’s new ship is now the world’s largest — breaking dozens of records for size and amenities

Royal Caribbean’s new ship is now the world’s largest — breaking dozens of records for size and amenities

Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship is the world’s largest. The Hero of the Seas, set to launch late next summer, includes a record-breaking water park, the most pools at sea, 28 dining options, a multi-level family treehouse, and a kinetic sculpture, just for kicks. Billed by Royal Caribbean as “the most unstoppable, incredible, revolutionary family … Read more

Cruise ship worker unknowingly ruins couple’s engagement: ‘Carnival owes you an engagement cruise’

Cruise ship worker unknowingly ruins couple’s engagement: ‘Carnival owes you an engagement cruise’

It was, without a doubt, a memorable moment. Having it leak that you’re about to get engaged might be one of the worst experiences, even for those who don’t like surprises. Sadly for one couple, that’s exactly what happened. A woman named Amanda Bratton, 46, posted a now-viral TikTok video that showed the exact moment … Read more

Cruise ship abruptly changes course to rescue people in distressed boat: ‘Knew something’ was up

Cruise ship abruptly changes course to rescue people in distressed boat: ‘Knew something’ was up

Passengers aboard a cruise ship sailing from Texas to Mexico erupted in cheers after the crew rescued four people from a distressed, makeshift boat in the Gulf, the second such rescue involving a Caribbean cruise ship in just days, according to reports. The Regal Princess was en route from Galveston to Cozumel Feb. 23, when crew members responded to … Read more

First norovirus outbreak of 2026 infects 90 people on cruise ship: CDC

First norovirus outbreak of 2026 infects 90 people on cruise ship: CDC

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a norovirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship — the first one of the year that’s been reported.  The Holland America Line was hit with a norovirus outbreak that sickened nearly 90 passengers and crew during its Dec 28-Jan. 9 voyage. The cruise notified the CDC of … Read more

Cruise ship insider reveals simple booking trick for scoring a better cabin

Cruise ship insider reveals simple booking trick for scoring a better cabin

A woman who travels on cruise ships regularly says one simple booking move can help passengers get a better cabin. Mollie Finlon, 38, originally from Seattle, is able to sail at little or no cost through her husband’s job as a maritime engineer — which covers food, accommodation and other living expenses while onboard, she told news agency Jam … Read more

Nasty norovirus infects over 100 passengers and crew members aboard luxury cruise ship

Nasty norovirus infects over 100 passengers and crew members aboard luxury cruise ship

These passengers are going to need a vacation from their vacation. Nothing is worse than getting sick while on vacation — especially when it’s an illness that causes nasty vomiting and diarrhea. That’s exactly what’s going on aboard AIDAdiva, a luxurious cruise ship from German line AIDA Cruises that is currently on a 133-day voyage, … Read more

Cruise ship experts reveal the ‘mind tricks’ that keep passengers happy on the high seas

Cruise ship experts reveal the ‘mind tricks’ that keep passengers happy on the high seas

Cruise holidays are well-known for their laid-back luxury, whether it be sipping cocktails poolside, indulging in fine dining, unwinding in lavish spas, or waking up to new destinations each day. But according to cruise industry insiders, the blissful feeling many passengers experience isn’t just down to sunshine and sea air — it’s also the result … Read more

Cruise ship passenger shocked to find this hidden housekeeping secret under his bed: ‘Like finding out Santa isn’t real’

Cruise ship passenger shocked to find this hidden housekeeping secret under his bed: ‘Like finding out Santa isn’t real’

Say it ain’t so. One of the exciting things cruise guests look forward to after a long day is coming back to a tidied-up room with a little intricately folded towel animal on their bed — a little touch cruise housekeepers are known for doing. However, a cruise-goer learned the hard way, due to some … Read more

Nude cruisers, beware: This is the one place on a ship where you can’t bare your butt, or anything else

Nude cruisers, beware: This is the one place on a ship where you can’t bare your butt, or anything else

They’re not pirates, but they’ll have to hide their booties while feasting on the high seas.  Travel buffs who prefer vacationing in the buff can freely flaunt their flesh with Bare Necessities, a tourist company chartering nude cruises to exotic destinations.  But it’s not all fun and games and genitalia in every corner of the watercraft.  Bare … Read more

Diana Ross, 81, suddenly cancels cruise ship appearance ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’

Diana Ross, 81, suddenly cancels cruise ship appearance ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’

Diana Ross is not sailing the high seas as planned. The singer, 81, suddenly canceled her appearance on Royal Caribbean’s “Star of the Seas” showcase cruise that is taking place later this month. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear,” a rep for Ross told People on Tuesday. Diana Ross performing at … Read more

Packed cruise ship loses power, set adrift for 3 hours due to ‘technical issue’

Packed cruise ship loses power, set adrift for 3 hours due to ‘technical issue’

These travelers certainly didn’t feel like celebrities. This past Saturday, a Celebrity Cruises ship packed with vacationers was left temporarily powerless after a significant electrical failure — causing it to drift off a southern Italian coast, according to CruiseMapper.  The incident occurred on Saturday, August 2, when the Celebrity Constellation lost power while sailing in the … Read more

Sick cruise ship passenger furious after getting hit with shocking bill: ‘What is this nightmare?’

Sick cruise ship passenger furious after getting hit with shocking bill: ‘What is this nightmare?’

They got more than they asked for. There’s nothing worse than getting sick on vacation — especially if your getaway is out at sea. A frustrated traveler took to Reddit to share not only how bad their recent experience was getting ill on a Norwegian cruise ship — but also how expensive it was. In … Read more

I live on a cruise ship — the health-conscious guests who do this are actually disgusting

I live on a cruise ship — the health-conscious guests who do this are actually disgusting

All hands off deck? Christine Kesteloo, a business owner and TikTok content creator, lives on board a cruise ship for six months of the year. While most of the experience “feels like a constant vacation,” the 44-year-old told Unilad that there are some elements to life on the high seas that she could do without. … Read more