Two guests drowned in separate incidents at Celebration Key while visiting on Carnival cruise ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Elation, prompting investigations and support from Carnival Cruise Line. The incidents highlight the importance of water safety and awareness for travelers in unfamiliar waters.
Carnival Cruise Line is responding to passenger concerns about its upcoming Carnival Rewards loyalty program, which shifts focus from nights at sea to spending. The cruise line has assured passengers that current loyalty levels will be retained until 2028-2032 and promises enhanced benefits and flexibility. The program's full details will be communicated before its June 2026 launch, emphasizing that loyalty will still be rewarded with better perks, despite initial passenger backlash.
A Garden City couple and several other passengers were left stranded on the island of São Tomé after their cruise ship, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, departed without them. The cruise line stated that the passengers missed the all-aboard time and are responsible for rejoining the ship at the next port of call, including covering any necessary travel costs. The stranded passengers, including elderly individuals and a pregnant woman, are now attempting to reunite with the ship at another African port, facing complications in the process.
Two crew members of a Holland America cruise line died following a steam leak incident on the ship while it was moored at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. The police on the island of Eleuthera are investigating the incident, which occurred after an automatic fire alarm alerted the captain to a malfunction in the ship's engine room. The cruise line expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to the families of the deceased crew members.
Carnival Corporation, the cruise line operator, reported record revenue and its first quarterly profit since 2020, driven by a surge in bookings amid the post-pandemic travel boom. The company's net income of $1.07 billion exceeded expectations, while revenue surged almost 60% from a year ago. However, Carnival issued weaker-than-expected guidance for the fourth quarter, citing concerns about rising fuel costs impacting profit margins. Despite the profit outlook, management remains confident in the strong demand for cruise bookings and expects the momentum to continue into next year.
Disney plans to spend approximately $60 billion over the next decade to expand its domestic and international theme parks and continue building its cruise line. This investment doubles the amount spent on parks and cruises in the past decade. Despite challenges in other divisions, Disney's parks and cruise business has been a bright spot, generating significant operating income. The company sees significant growth potential in its parks business, with plans to incorporate more intellectual properties and expand capacity. However, there are risks associated with increased investment in theme parks, including external factors beyond Disney's control. Disney also intends to focus on developing new ports for its cruise ships, with a new ship set to be based in Singapore starting in 2025.
Ambassador Cruise Lines has issued an apology to its passengers after one of its ships arrived at port in the Faroe Islands during a whale hunt, where dozens of pilot whales were being slaughtered. The cruise line expressed disappointment and objection to the practice, stating that sustainability is one of their core values. The government of the Faroe Islands defended the hunt, emphasizing its cultural significance and regulated nature. Ambassador Cruise Lines, in partnership with ORCA, a charity dedicated to protecting marine mammals, has been working to encourage change. The Faroe Islands government maintains that the hunt is sustainable and the meat is distributed equally among participants.