Weekly Cruise News Recap for August 10

Ships in Hamburg are now expected to connect to shore power.

The Port of Hamburg will now have all cruise ships that can connect to shore power do so when they are docked. This change is ahead of a new EU requirement taking effect in 2030 for all major EU ports. Connecting to shore power means ships can turn off their engines while they are at port and reduce emissions for the area, not to mention cut fuel costs.

Royal Caribbean pauses visits to their private beach on Labadee, Haiti - again.

Labadee is a private beach destination for Royal Caribbean and is on several itineraries for ships. Royal Caribbean stopped visits in 2024 after a state of emergency was declared in Haiti, but brought back the beach destination in 2025. For this new pause, Royal Caribbean stated that the change is out of an abundance of caution from the growing unrest in Haiti and is expected to go at least until October 2025. The U.S. State Department has Haiti at a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory (its highest warning level). It is unknown how many ships and passengers will be effected by the change.

MSC cancels NYC cruises in favor of Miami.

The MSC Meraviglia will no longer be sailing out of New York City in 2026 and 2027 as MSC moved the itineraries of the vessel to Miami. There it will join MSC World America, MSC Poesia, and MSC Seaside offering Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. Passengers booked on the Meraviglia from NYC on Nov. 8, 2026 through April 11, 2027 can either rebook on another MSC ship with a cruise credit and the option of a free night, or cancel entirely for a full refund.

Royal Caribbean changes their enforcement on drink packages.

New enforcement comes after the misuse of the exemption to the drink package policy that allowed only one person in a stateroom to purchase the drink package. The policy for Royal Caribbean is that everyone in a room must purchase the drink package. Exemptions in the past were made if you contacted customer service and had a reasonable situation for only one person in the room to get the package such as a medical condition that doesn't allow one guest to drink. Many were abusing this exception so Royal Caribbean is no longer offering it as of August 1.

Celebrity releases some of their 2027 and 2028 itineraries.

Starting August 5, 2025, Celebrity will be putting their 2027 and 2028 cruise itineraries up for booking. They will first offer their European, Japanese, Canadian and New England, and Spring Transatlantic schedules. On September 9,2025 they will offer their Alaskan and Hawaiian cruises. And then on September 30, 2025 their Australian bookings. A date has yet been given for their Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Fall Transatlantics, and Galapagos sailings.

Juneau could be getting a cruise port with resort-like amenities.

Goldbelt Aaní is a proposed private port on the west side of Douglas Island which is apart of Juneau, Alaska. In a permit filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the port will feature a kayak center, theater, restaurant, shops, stalls, spa, skybikes, treehouses and bungalows on 251 acres of land. Goldbelt hopes to open for the 2028 cruise season.

Waterslide breaks on the Icon of the Seas, injuring passenger.

The acrylic glass broke on the 46-foot tall Frightening Bolt Waterslide aboard the Icon of the Seas. Nobody was reported to have fallen through the hole but one passenger suffered lacerations. The injured guest was treated for their injuries and is not reported to be in any serious condition. Royal Caribbean shut down the slide and it won't reopen until repairs can be made, which could be for several sailings.

Holland America has opened their bookings for the 2027 Alaska cruise season.

Six Holland America ships will explore Alaska in 2027, the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. Early booking deals includes the Have It All premium package, Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi.

Star of the Seas arrives at Port Canaveral.

The second Icon class ship has arrived at Port Canaveral, Florida where she will homeport. She arrives a week before her first scheduled sailing with guests and the naming ceremony with Godmother Diana Ross.