Cruise itinerary and sailing dates are usually important factors that influence your decision to book a certain cruise. You don’t expect these key elements of your cruise to change. But you should be aware that they can, and sometimes do, especially when weather situations arise during hurricane season.
This week, Carnival Valor passengers found out just what it’s like to have your cruise itinerary changed due to weather as Hurricane Francine headed toward their ship’s homeport of New Orleans.
Related: Popular Royal Caribbean and Carnival port on 'reconsider travel' list
Carnival Valor gets stuck at sea due to Hurricane Francine
Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane on Sept. 11, the day before Carnival Valor was scheduled to arrive back in Port NOLA. With the port closed as officials conducted a post-storm assessment on Sept. 12, the cruise ship had to spend an extra day at sea waiting for clearance to return to New Orleans on Sept. 13.
With the delay, passengers booked on Carnival Valor’s next sailing, a 4-night cruise to Cozumel, also saw their cruise itinerary adjusted. With their cruise now departing a day later, passengers won’t get to visit Cozumel. The ship is expected to sail without a port of call visit.
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Image source: Disney Cruises.
Disney Cruise Line reminds passengers of important travel document rule
This week, Disney Cruise Line sent out emails to passengers booked on upcoming round-trip sailings from the U.S. with an important reminder for those who are planning to sail using their birth certificates as citizenship documentation.
Only an original, state-issued birth certificate is acceptable as proof of citizenship for a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. Photocopies of birth certificates will no longer be accepted. The cruise line is enforcing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection rule that applies no matter which cruise line you’re sailing with from the U.S. A physical government-issued photo ID is also required for passengers 16 and older.
While an original birth certificate is accepted for certain cruises, the U.S. Department of State recommends all cruise passengers travel with a passport in case of an emergency.
ALSO READ: Disney Cruise Line increases fee for a dining room service
Disney Cruise Line opens bookings for Disney Destiny
Bookings are now open for Disney Cruise Line’s new heroes and villains-inspired ship, the Disney Destiny. Sailing from Fort Lauderdale beginning in November 2025, the new ship will feature “hero-worthy” staterooms and suites and debut new venues and experiences inspired by epic Disney adventures.
The Disney Destiny will sail an inaugural season of four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale in late 2025 and early 2026. Every sailing includes a visit to one of Disney Cruise Line’s private island destinations in the Bahamas, either Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Some itineraries will visit both.
Related: What to watch for on Disney Cruise Line's new private island
Holland America Line updates Pinnacle Grill steakhouse menu
Carnival’s Holland America Line recently made enhancements to its Pinnacle Grill steakhouse menu to offer destination-focused dining. A new regional section of the menu will vary based on each ship’s itinerary. Regional offerings will be featured alongside the steakhouse’s signature dishes from renowned Chef David Burke.
The updated Pinnacle Grill menu reflects the flavors of each destination with a rotating selection of regional dishes featuring local ingredients and locally sourced fresh fish. Locally-inspired offerings will include dishes such as Jerked Chicken Bao in the Caribbean, Coconut Seafood Chowder in Hawaii and the South Pacific, Australian Black Angus Steak Tartare in Australia, and Seared Beef Tataki with Crispy Lotus Chips in Asia.
Greece to add new tourist tax for cruise ship passengers
If you’re planning a Greek Isles cruise for next summer, you may pay an additional fee to visit Greece’s most popular islands. In an effort to combat overtourism, the Greek government shared plans to add a 20-euro per passenger tax on cruise ships sailing to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season.
The new cruise tax is expected to be introduced in 2025.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares the truth on its 'iceberg' incident
Earlier this summer, the Greek government also began considering ways to cap the number of cruise ships visiting the country’s most popular islands. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the country is looking at options like limiting the number of berths and anchoring slots available. Cruise lines would have to secure spaces through bidding processes or auctions.
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