Cruise week report: FBI investigates death, cruise ship morgue, Texas mega ship, and more!

Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of November 14, 2025! 

This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed from this week, including sad news about a teen who died on a Carnival cruise and what it's like to take a girls' cruise with NCL. 

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FBI launches investigation into death aboard cruise ship in Miami, Carnival confirms

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating a passenger's death on the Carnival Horizon, a Carnival cruise ship based out of Miami, Florida. 

Federal authorities boarded the Vista Class ship when it returned to PortMiami on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the cruise line confirmed.

The guest passed away on the Carnival Horizon during the ship's 6-night Western Caribbean cruise. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner listed the cruiser's time of death at 11:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. 

Read more: FBI launches investigation into death aboard cruise ship in Miami, Carnival confirms

A mega cruise ship will launch Galveston sailings. What to know about the Texas port

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Icon of the Seas is officially saddling up and preparing to move to the Lone Star State. 

Royal Caribbean's latest deployment confirms that Texas is finally getting an Icon Class ship — something fans have been begging for.

The voyages will primarily focus on visiting Royal Caribbean's new private destinations, including Perfect Day Mexico and the Royal Beach Club Cozumel.

Read more: A mega cruise ship will launch Galveston sailings. What to know about the Texas port

Do cruise ships have morgues? Crew member shows rare look at one

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Cruise ships are essentially floating cities, and they're equipped to handle every aspect of life at sea, including death. 

All cruises have morgues, though very few passengers realize it. The morgues are smaller than those in hospitals and are discreet, typically nothing more than stainless-steel refrigeration rooms with individual compartments.

One crew member shared a glimpse at what the morgue looks like on one of the newest ships at sea: Carnival's Mardi Gras.

Read more: Do cruise ships have morgues? Crew member shows rare look at one

Teen who died on Carnival cruise ship identified, family says

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The identity of the passenger who died while sailing aboard a Carnival cruise ship over the weekend has been revealed.

The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida. According to Kepner's family, she was a bubbly, straight-A student with plans to graduate high school in May.

She had just taken the test to join the military and was talking to recruiters. According to her family, she wanted to devote her life to something that would help her community.

Read more: Teen who died on Carnival cruise ship identified, family says

I Took a Norwegian Cruise With My Best Friend — It Was the Ultimate Girls' Trip

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After not seeing each other for over a year and a half, Elizabeth and her best friend booked a Norwegian cruise and began planning a much-needed girls' trip. 

Girls' trips can be difficult to plan because everyone has different expectations for how they want to spend their PTO. However, cruises typically offer something for everyone, from foodies to adrenaline-junkies and those with wanderlust. 

For Elizabeth and Hayley, a Norwegian cruise was the perfect solution. They didn’t have to choose between pool days, late-night parties, or exploring new places because they could do it all.

Read more: I Took a Norwegian Cruise With My Best Friend — It Was the Ultimate Girls' Trip