News

Annual data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 2024 was the worst year for cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks in over a decade. There were 16 reported outbreaks on ships last year, up from 14 in 2023. 

Cruises are one of the safest vacations you can take. However, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down onboard or ashore. 

An increase in deadly gang violence resulted in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago declaring a country-wide state of emergency on Monday. 

An 82-year-old cruise passenger died in St. Maarten last Thursday after falling into the water from her electric wheelchair while on the pier. 

According to the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), the incident occurred around 5:00pm and was believed to be caused by a wheelchair malfunction. Though emergency responders tried to resuscitate the elderly woman, she was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a major Category 5 hurricane on Monday, October 8, before weakening as it continues to barrel toward Florida's Gulf Coast, impacting cruise itineraries. 

Florida is preparing for the storm's arrival, with the state's Division of Emergency Management gearing up for the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Milton is expected to make landfall by mid-week and bring rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches across portions of the state, with localized totals up to 15 inches. 

Hurricane Helene continues wreaking havoc on the cruise industry, with one cruise ship stuck at sea and two more skipping their scheduled visits to Cozumel. 

Guests onboard MSC Seashore confirmed they were alerted they'll be unable to return to Port Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, September 26. 

Hurricane Helene, the ninth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, has already caused cruise ships to alter their itineraries. The system will bring life-threatening storm surges, high winds, and heavy rain to parts of the Western Caribbean and Florida, resulting in cruise ships changing course to avoid the worst of the conditions. 

Helene is anticipated to make landfall in Florida on Thursday after strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year, following Beryl, Debby, and Francie. 

Norway won't ban cruise ships from sailing through the iconic fjords until 2032. 

In 2018, the Norwegian government announced plans to ban all but zero-emissions cruise ships from the World Heritage fjords effective in 2026. 

Passengers waiting to embark on a three-year world cruise have been stranded in Ireland for three months after the departure date was delayed due to mechanical issues. 

Initally scheduled to depart Belfast, Ireland, in May, the Villa Vie Odyssey remains docked in Northern Ireland while repairs are made to its rudders and gearbox. 

Some passengers have spent upwards of £680,000 (about $750,000 USD) for the cruise—yet there's no official sail date in sight. 

We're roughly halfway through the Atlantic hurricane season, and, so far, we've seen four named storms, two of which strengthened into hurricanes. As such, cruise ships have had itineraries altered to keep passengers and crew safe. 

The latest, Hurricane Debby, made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5 with sustained winds of 80 mph. As of 2:00pm, however, the National Hurricane Center reported Debby had weakened as the storm moved inland with 65mph sustained winds.