Author: Laura Simmons
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Daily Meals on Mega Cruise Ships
Food Provisioning and Planning Mega cruise ships face the monumental task of feeding thousands of passengers and crew daily. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, for instance, serves an astounding 70,000 meals over a week, with chefs preparing 8,000-10,000 meals daily. Not to be outdone, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (QM2) serves an impressive 19,000 meals…
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Disney Fall 2025 Cruise Cancellations
Disney Fantasy Dry Dock Schedule Adjustment Disney Cruise Line has made changes to the Disney Fantasy's dry dock schedule, resulting in the cancellation of the following sailings in 2025: Affected guests will receive a full refund and a 20% discount on a future cruise. To replace the October 20 departure, a new 13-night Westbound Transatlantic…
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Virgin Voyages 2026 Luxury Pass
Virgin Voyages Unveils 2026 Annual Pass: A Year of Luxury at Sea and Beyond Virgin Voyages has introduced its highly anticipated 2026 Annual Pass, offering unlimited cruising for an entire year across their fleet. This exclusive package includes: The pass also grants access to Virgin Voyage’s newest ship, the Brilliant Lady, set to debut with…
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Captain Faevelen Retires
From Ordinary Seaman to Captain: The Journey of Johnny Faevelen Captain Johnny Faevelen’s remarkable career with Royal Caribbean began in 1975 as an “ordinary seaman” aboard the Song of Norway. Over five decades, he climbed the ranks to command some of the world’s largest cruise ships, including: Faevelen’s journey to captaincy reached a milestone in…
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Inside a Captain’s Cabin
Layout and Design A captain’s quarters on a cruise ship differs significantly from typical crew cabins. It features large windows, often with a veranda, and is furnished for both comfort and functionality. The living area includes: The private bedroom offers a solitary retreat with a comfortable bed. The bathroom rivals the ship’s finest suites, with…
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Piracy Risks to Cruise Ships
Current Threat Level Modern-day piracy poses a reduced threat to cruise ships compared to cargo vessels. Pirates primarily target cargo ships due to their high-value cargo and minimal crew. Cruise ships, with their larger structures and faster speeds, are less vulnerable. In the Gulf of Aden, only six of 230 recorded attacks since 2005 involved…
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How Cruise Ships Handle Power Outages: What Stays On, What Goes Off?
Essential Systems During Power Outages During a cruise ship power outage, critical systems remain operational: Non-essential areas like casinos, entertainment systems, and some public spaces may have reduced power. Cabin outlets might be affected, limiting device charging capabilities. Non-Essential Systems Affected Power outages on cruise ships impact non-essential systems to conserve energy for critical operations.…
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Where Does It All Go? The Journey of Waste on a Cruise Ship
Solid Waste Management Cruise ships manage solid waste through a comprehensive process of separation, storage, compaction, and disposal. The process begins with separating recyclables, food scraps, and general waste. Hazardous waste receives special treatment. Once sorted, waste is stored in designated spaces. Compactors crush plastic bottles, cans, and other compressible items to maximize storage efficiency.…
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Cruise Bumping: What You Need to Know
Reasons for Being Bumped Charter sailings can cause passengers to be removed from cruises. Cruise lines sometimes sell the ship’s capacity to outside entities, resulting in regular passengers being bumped. This can occur for events like music festivals at sea or corporate retreats. Ships may be shifted to different locations, leading to unexpected removals. Cruise…
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Mandatory Immigration Checks on Bliss
Mandatory Immigration Check for Norwegian Bliss Passengers On January 15, 2025, passengers aboard the Norwegian Bliss transatlantic cruise will undergo a mandatory face-to-face inspection due to United Kingdom immigration regulations. This process will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manhattan Restaurant on Deck 7. All guests, including UK citizens, must participate.…
