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Onboard and Onshore Cruise Ship Positions

Whether you long for the sea breeze and ocean air, or you're strictly a landlubber with a passion for hospitality management, there are literally hundreds of positions available in the cruise industry that will meet your needs. But you'll need to know exactly what each position entails before you apply.

There are a large variety of jobs on cruise ships and at cruise line corporate offices.

Skim over the list of job titles below. You may recognize a number of the jobs, i.e., disc jockey, but some may be foreign to you. For example, few people know what a Gentleman Host does!

This page provides you with a list of common positions on luxury cruise liners as well as links to general job descriptions, which will give you a better idea of what each job is all about.

Furthermore, see how jobs are broken down into different departments below.

The only way to get a more detailed look at these jobs is to become a CruiseJobFinder member .

Commonly Available Positions on Cruise Ships:

• Cruise Directors
• Disc Jockeys
• Expedition Leaders
• Hosts and Hostesses
• Naturalists
• Shore Excursion Managers
• Water Sports Instructors
• Youth Counselors
• Cosmetologist
• Fitness Directors
• Medical Staff
• Air/Sea Reservation Agents
• Gift Shop Positions
• Photographers
• Junior Assistant Pursers
• Information Technology Staff
• Administration Assistants
• Customer Service Representatives
• Casino Staff
• Cruise Staff
• Entertainers
• Gentleman Host
• Production Managers
• Shore Excursion Staff
• Beauticians
• Massage Therapists
• Fitness Instructors
• Personal Trainers
• Bar Stewards
• Bedroom Stewards
• Hospitality or Hotel Managers
• Dance Instructors
• Booking Agents
• Sales and Marketing Positions
• Engeering Department Crew

Jobs Listed by Department

Activity and shipboard entertainment departments:.

These positions are all about keeping passengers busy and entertained, and they're the people who are top of mind when passengers hear the term "cruise staff." The activity leaders or instructors work with passengers in small groups, leading them in a specific activity, whether it's diving, dancing, or Yoga. Entertainers provide music (either playing it or as a disc jockey), sing, act, juggle, or other forms of entertainment, either poolside or in the ship's many clubs, casinos, or on stages. Cruise directors are responsible for all of these areas, and making sure that passengers are participating and enjoying each experience. For a more detailed overview of Activity/Entertainment positions and their job requirements, Click Here!

• Art Auctioneer
• Assistant Cruise Director
• Assistant Shore Excursions Manager
• Casino staff
• Cruise Consultant
• Cruise Director
• Dance Instructor
• Disc Jockey
• Dive Instructor
• Gentlemen Host
• Lecturer/ Special Guest Speaker
• Photographer
• Port Lecturer
• Shore Excursions Manager
• Social Host/Hostess

Entertainment

• Audio Visual Coordinator
• Production Manager
• Sound and Light Technician

Deck and Engineering Departments:

These are the people in charge of keeping the ship well maintained, running smoothly, and on course - all the while ensuring everyone's safety, keeping detailed records, and being knowledgeable of maritime laws and regulations. While the captain is usually very visible, you may not realize that there are many additional crew members, each with important duties. For most of these positions you'll need to have some experience onboard a ship and specialized training. However, there are some internships and/or apprenticeship programs that can launch your career in this department. For a more detailed overview of Deck Positions, Click Here!

• Able Seaman
• Chief Officer
• First Officer
• Quarter Master
• Safety Officer
• Security Officer
• Staff Captain

Engineering

• Assistant Engineer
• Chief Engineer
• Chief Electrician
• Chief Radio Officer
• First Assistant Engineer

Service and Hospitality Departments :

These positions can also be called "hotel management" jobs. The common denominator with all of these jobs is that you are providing a direct service to passengers, whether it's cooking food, serving food or beverages, cleaning cabins, doing laundry, and a wide range of other duties. The purser also falls under this category. Pursers are in charge of all onboard accounting during each cruise. For a more detailed overview of Service/Hospitality Positions, Click Here !

Food and Beverage

• Bar Manager
• Buffet Server
• Chef de Partie
• Cocktail Server
• Dining Room Head Waiter
• Dining Room Manager
• Executive Chef
• Food and Beverages Manager
• General Cook
• Maitre d' Hotel
• Pastry Chef
• Wine Steward
• Chief Purser
• Purser Staff

Housekeeping

• Cabin Steward/ess
• Chief Cabin Steward
• Chief Steward/Housekeeper
• Laundry Staff

Hotel Administration

• Computer Systems Manager/IT
• Gift Shop Manager
• Gift Shop Sales Assistant
• Hotel Manager
• Program Coordinator
• Receptionist

Personal Care and Shipboard Medical Departments:

Workers in these jobs are also providing direct care to passengers, but services are in the form of massages, hair care, manicures, or even medical care. Of course you'll need to have the proper credentials or licenses before you can apply for any of these jobs. For a more detailed overview of Personal Care Positions, Click Here!

Salon/Spa/Fitness

• Beauty Therapist
• Fitness Instructor
• Hair Stylist
• Spa Attendant

Nurses and Physicians

Corporate Office Positions:

Some people are much more interested in being an important part of the inner workings of the industry - the very necessary people who keep the company running, not just the ships. If this sounds like you, then here are the main departments you have to choose from for finding work. In many of these positions you can be promoted to executive or leadership roles.

Accounting : If you're more interested in an onshore, behind-the-scenes job in the industry, you could pursue a position in this department. In addition to the traditional accounting positions, you'll also find cruise line-specific jobs like tour accounting.

Administrative/Clerical : Like any other business, it takes a lot of people in the "back office" to keep a company running smoothly. From human resources professionals, to IT workers, without the work and expertise of these employees, the work onboard the ship would be much harder to perform.

Air operations: It takes a lot of coordination between the airlines/airport and the harbor to ensure that passengers and their luggage arrive and depart safely, on time, and with all their possessions intact. These employees are the ones responsible for these important tasks.

Marketing/PR: The cruise industry has become much more competitive than in years past. There are more cruise lines, and more ships all vying for passengers. Marketing and public relations professionals have the task of creating public campaigns that make their companies stand out from the competition. Creativity is important in these positions.

Reservations/Sales : These are the onshore employees that usually have the most interaction with passengers. It's your job to be the first representative of the cruise line that the passenger comes into contact with. You must be very service-oriented, while still keeping in mind that the goal is to sell tickets. These jobs are very important to cruise lines.

• Accounts Payable Staff
• Operations Analyst
• Senior Business Analyst
• Senior Staff Accountant
• Staff Accountant
• Tour Accounting

Administrative/Clerical

• Administrative Assistant
• Administration Manager
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• IT Lead Developer
• Manager Deployment & Itinerary Planning
• Operations Administrator
• Part-Time Data Entry
• Payroll Clerk
• Software Engineer

Air Operations

• Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) Coordinator
• Pier/Airport Expediter
• Seasonal Air Operations Agent
• Seasonal Corporate Air Ticketing Agent

Marketing / PR

• Account Executive
• Brand Manager
• Field Representative
• Marketing Research Analyst
• Media Relations
• Purchasing Agent
• Vice President of Marketing

Reservations/ Sales

• Inside Sales Representative
• Outside Sales Representatives
• Reservations Sales & Service
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Working Onboard a Cruise Ship

We help create lasting memories.

There's nothing like bringing people together to share unique experiences and see the world, making them feel special and becoming part of the stories they tell for years to come. That's what we do and what you'll do if you join us.

As part of the Princess® family, you’ll develop your skills, work with committed crew members and travel to some of the most breathtaking places around the globe. And while an adventure at sea is its own reward, we offer a variety of programs to recognize employees who go above and beyond. Princess offers a winning combination of pay, benefits and lifelong friendships, so come aboard the Love Boat. We’re expecting you!

Why work onboard a Princess Cruises ship?

Don’t take our word for why it’s great to be at Princess — let our team members tell you! In the "I Love My Princess Job" video series, our colleagues on shore and at sea share what they love about their work.

Cruise Career Opportunities

Onboard departments.

We offer exciting cruise career opportunities in a variety of onboard departments. Working for Princess Cruises is ideal if you are looking to take your career to the next level and enjoy working in a challenging and unique environment. We employ team members of over 70 nationalities, creating a diverse and welcoming environment.

International recruitment partners

Princess Cruises cooperates with a world-wide network of recruiting agencies to select only the most qualified crew. Resumes may be forwarded to the agency that is nearest the applicant’s residence. Once received, candidates will be processed based on current available positions.

Fraudulent Employment Opportunities We have recently been made aware of fraudulent entities around the world claiming to represent Princess Cruises as recruitment partners. We are working closely with our Security department and local police authorities in various countries to prevent individuals from wrongly representing themselves as Princess' recruitment partners. We strongly suggest that you only discuss employment opportunities with the agencies/partners listed below. If you have any suspicion about the nature of ads or websites claiming to recruit on behalf of Princess Cruises, please contact the approved Princess agency located nearest your place of residence (choose from the list below).

Living & Working at Sea

Life onboard.

Not sure what to expect while working onboard a cruise ship? A career at sea affords you many unparalleled opportunities such as travelling to world-famous locations, building meaningful friendships with diverse colleagues, and gaining valuable professional skills in a world-class environment.

Unlike careers on land, however, working onboard a cruise ship has some unique conditions. Princess Cruises takes great pride in our efforts to make the adjustment to sea life as easy as possible so you can focus on making our guests feel special.

Total rewards

Here at Princess Cruises, we understand how challenging it can be for our crew to work away from home for such substantial periods of time. Therefore, as a company we strive to help give you all the necessary resources and comforts to enable you to take care of our guests – and yourself.

While working onboard a Princess cruise ship, you can enjoy these living essentials provided by the company:

• Furnished living accommodations
• Crew cafeterias (also known as Crew Mess) with a variety of menu items from around the world
• Laundry facilities and services
• Crew Store with discounted convenience items such as toiletries and snacks
• CrewCard pay system to help manage your finances at home while you are at sea

Cruise Employment Application Process & FAQs

As a well-known premium brand in the cruise industry, we receive a high volume of cruise employment inquiries each day. To help you understand what to expect if you are being considered for a position, we’ve outlined the application process below.

Princess Cruises works with a global network of authorized recruiters to attract and select the most qualified candidates to join us at sea. If you are being considered for a position, there could be several steps after your initial application before you are notified with a decision. Depending on the job you are applying for, these could include follow-up interviews with our corporate hiring managers.

If you are successful in your application, there are also several steps you will need to take to become travel-ready to work onboard. You will partner with a manning office that will help you obtain the required seafarer medical certificates, travel visas, and other required documentation to work at sea.

Cruise Ship Ranks and Hierarchy

Working on a cruise ship is a unique environment. Although one may argue that it’s just a floating resort, a look closer identifies that hierarchy and ranks are embedded in each cruise job onboard. By understanding the difference in stripes and ranks you’ll get to know how the chain of command works on a cruise ship.

Overview of Cruise Ship Hierarchy

A cruise ship is run like a small corporation. Similar to the president of a company, the Captain is in charge and is ultimately responsible. The Captain has a handful of senior officers that report to him just like a handful of vice presidents that would report to the president of a company. Beyond those high level ranks, the larger the cruise ship, the bigger the organizational chart of other ranks and cruise ship jobs that there are.

Typically, each department has a department head, managers, supervisors and crewmembers. (The actual title of each cruise job varies by cruise line). This equates to a chain of command that all those working onboard must adhere to. Another term for cruise job is rank. The rank of all officers and crew on cruise ships governs not only their working environment but also their cabin assignment, where they eat, their emergency duty, and whether or not they have access to passenger facilities.

History of Hierarchy and Rank on Cruise Ships

When you look at both naval ships and cargo vessels, there has always been a strict hierarchy of command. Maritime laws govern safety of life at sea with regulations that must be followed by all officers and crew working onboard the vessels. The Golden Era of ocean liners evolved into the cruise industry today where cruise ship safety is also paramount.

In the past, cruise ship hierarchy was a very militarized organizational structure with lower ranks rarely questioning the authority of higher ranks. In addition, only few departments such as the Deck Department and the Engine Department wore stripes to indicate their officer status.

Although there are many differences in how cruise ships are managed today, the officer ranking system continues to be in place and has inevitably been expanded. In an interview with Royal Caribbean’s Captain Erik Standal for the website, Beyond Ships, Standal explains that the traditional militarized hierarchy on cruise ships is still necessary.

“We are a small community and in a community you have to have some order to control certain people.” He points out, “You have the ranking system in order to make it clear who is making the decisions…”

Cruise Ship Management Hierarchy

On today’s cruise ships, in addition to the Captain being in charge, there are a handful of senior officers that manage the ship’s operations and report to the Captain. These jobs include Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, and Staff Engineer.

Each of those department heads have managers and supervisors that report to them as well. (See the Cruise Ship Job Positions for more information.) Plus, each department is responsible for specific emergency duties.

Cruise Ship Officer Stripes

When you first start working on a cruise ship it may be overwhelming to understand how all the departments work together, who’s in charge of what and who reports to whom. Getting to know how to interpret the stripes on their epaulets is the first step. (Reading the officer’s name tag is an alternate method). For starters, each department’s stripes are represented by a specific colour of stripe.

• Deck Department  –  Black and gold stripes
• Engine Department –  Purple and gold stripes
• Hotel Department  –  White and gold stripes
• Medical Department  –  Red and gold stripes

The number of stripes indicates the rank of the officer. The more stripes, the more authority the officer has within their department. Each cruise line varies slightly with how many stripes a particular cruise job may have. In all cases, the Captain has the most stripes (4+ black and gold stripes)

Comparatively, in the Hotel Department, the Hotel Director is the head of his/her department. He/she may have four stripes. This person looks after all guest services, entertainment and revenue on the ship. Therefore, the Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, Customers Services Director, and Human Resources Manager all report to the Hotel Director and typically have between 3 – 3.5 stripes.

In some cases it’s difficult to tell who’s who on a ship because there are so many people wearing stripes. (Note: Some cruise jobs may not actually wear stripes but their job has a stripe equivalent in the case of the Cruise Director.)

Cruise Ship Chain of Command

Each cruise line has a slightly different organizational chart when it comes to the chain of command. Yet, most cruise lines follow the same chain of command protocol.

Click here for a simple diagram of cruise ship organizational hierarchy .

On cruise ships, you are expected to follow the chain of command whenever you have a complaint or concern. Always speak to your immediate supervisor first and allow them to make an effort to solve the issue. At no time should you jump the chain of command and proceed directly to the Captain.

When the Chain of Command Breaks Down

There may be times when you feel that your immediate supervisor has not dealt with the issue at hand. Or, possibly your immediate supervisor is the issue. If that’s the case, you take it one step up the chain of command and speak with the next in line.

Most cruise ships also have a Human Resources Manager onboard. This person is onboard for situations that you feel that can’t be resolved within your own department and also for situations that you feel are sensitive or personal. Feel free to speak this onboard HR manager.

All in all, working onboard a cruise ship can take a bit of getting used to, with its overly structured environment. But, once you experience it, you appreciate it. You know exactly what you can and cannot do. You know what your responsibilities are. You know who you need to report to. This military style is not for everyone, but many crewmembers and officers careers thrive in this environment.

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7 Gifts Cruise Crew Members Really Want & Need

Sharing is caring!

It’s not uncommon for cruise passengers to want to acknowledge the hard work of cruise ship crew members and show appreciation. In fact, in many facebook groups and message boards, gifts for cruise ship crew members is a hot topic of discussion.

Some people wonder if there are items cruise workers need and find difficult to get these days, and others like the idea of giving something that will make their lives better.

On a recent cruise, I had an interesting conversation with a crew member, that opened my eyes to what can really make a difference for cabin stewards, waiters and other cruise ship workers.

In this post I share 7 gifts cruise crew members really appreciate.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my  disclosure policy  for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gifts for Cruise Crew Members that Are Most Appreciated

Tips & cash.

Yes, cash is king. This might be obvious, but the best “gift” you can give your cruise cabin steward, waiters and even your favorite bartender, is a nice tip.

Even if you auto or prepay your gratuities on a cruise, giving extra cash above and beyond the cruise ship gratuity is very much appreciated by cruise ship staff.

Crew members often send money home to their families. Money can also be used to purchase any items that they need, including wifi or SIM cards, so cash is very useful.

Edible Gifts (Chocolates & Candies)

Crew member cabins are usually very small. Therefore there isn’t a lot of space to keep items you may bring onboard as a gift. However, cruise ship crew can enjoy and share any edible gifts like chocolates and other treats.

If you know the crew member, you may have an idea of his or her preferences. For example, does he or she like salty snacks like chips or Doritos?

In most cases you won’t really know, but bringing a box of chocolates or local treats from home is a nice gesture.

Toiletries & Convenience Items

For some time after the cruise restart, many cruise ship crew members weren’t able to get off the cruise ship when in port. This meant getting convenience items and toiletries was a challenge.

For this reason, some cruise passengers brought basic items and toiletries like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and moisturizer to cruise ship staff. Through the grapevine, I’ve heard more recently, that crew aren’t as much in need of these items anymore as they can either get off the ship or order things to the cruise ship that are delivered.

If you feel it’s appropriate, you can always ask a crew member if you can pick them up anything while in port of call.

Positive Comments

While tangible gifts like tips and chocolates are nice, something that can make a huge difference for cruise crew members is leaving positive comments on surveys and comment cards.

When cruise ship staff get positive comments and feedback, this goes a long way towards their career with the cruise line. Good ratings can mean promotions onboard and even rewards and privileges onboard their cruise ship.

When you get off the cruise ship after disembarkation, you’ll be sent an online survey to review your cruise experience. Make sure to fill it out and use this this as an opportunity to highlight any cruise ship staff that made a positive impact on your cruise vacation .

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A Handwritten Note

Over the years, writing a personalized thank you note is not very common. So, when you take the time to write a handwritten note to a crew member, this can be more meaningful than you think.

As a crew member mentioned to me recently, many cruise ship staff are away from home for several months and it can be very lonely. Those passengers who have personal interactions, even if brief, are meaningful and have an impact.

A handwritten note, usually accompanying a tip, is very appreciated.

Kindness costs nothing but makes the life of cruise ship crew more enjoyable. Working on a cruise ship isn’t easy. Even if they enjoy their work, which many do, there are times when it’s likely tough.

Saying please and thank you, and showing appreciation is nice. Remembering their names, asking how they are doing or about their families or life back home, is a good way to learn more about them too.

Let’s face it, positive interactions with guests, probably help to make up for the times that cruise passengers have complaints .

Ease Their Workload

Cruise ship cabin attendants, waiters and other staff work really hard, often for many hours a day. Try not to give them extra work by not leaving your stateroom an absolute mess.

Even at a restaurant or in the main dining room, try as much as possible to be respectful and not create extra work.

Video: 7 Gifts That Cruise Crew Members Appreciate

In this YouTube video I share more about gifts for crew members, including a few examples from cruise passengers.

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Final Thoughts on Gifts for Cruise Ship Crew Members

There is no obligation to give a gift to cruise ship crew members. However if you are wondering, giving tips or gratuities, being kind, and filling out the post-cruise survey are 3 things that are very much appreciated by cruise ship staff.

Have you given a gift of any sort to cruise ship crew members? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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Thank you for useful info. I was watching your video about the ports it was mention to take a local taxi I just want to let you know a family member in the port in Honduras took a local taxi to the driver told him for $50 will take his family of 3 to a nice ride to see all around he drove about 1 hour away from the port at that time he demanded $250. or get out of the car. It was a scary and disappointing experience. Have a good day, Maria

Oh no! Thanks for sharing your story Maria

I love your videos and information for cruising. What do you consider to be an appropriate gratuity for the cabin steward especially if he went above and beyond the normal service?

This is a great question.That said it’s very personal & there’s no right or wrong answer. In some of my videos about this topic, many cruisers will share their own experience in the comments of what they gave as an additional tip.

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These Cruise Ships Score the Highest Passenger-Crew Ratio

How many crew members are there for one passenger, and why this is important for you? This ranking will inform you about cruise ship passenger and crew capacities and help you understand how much "crew time" you can expect on which cruise ship.

Crew Passenger ratio explained the easy way

The passenger-crew ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of passengers by the total number of crew members . It is a measure of the level of service you can expect during your journey. The higher the ratio, the more time each crew member has to fulfill your wishes.

It is not to be confused with the passenger-space ratio, which is the gross tonnage of a cruise ship divided by the number of guests.

Why should you check a cruise ship's passenger to crew ratio?

If comfort and excellent quality of service is a priority for your cruise vacation, knowing this will help you choose the best cruise ship for you . Although the largest cruise ships can guarantee onboard space, getting personalized service from the cruise staff is even more crucial. Many cruise lines, especially from Carnival Cruise Line , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International or MSC Cruises are taking this more seriously.

As you will see in the below ranking, the biggest cruise ships in the world like Symphony of the Seas, Oasis Of The Seas, Quantum of the Seas or Harmony Of The Seas, all from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line don't necessarily offer the highest passenger to crew ratio.

Cruise ship passenger to crew ratio ranking

The following list will show vessels with the highest crew-passenger ratio first so you have a good idea of cruise ships that have the most crew available per guest. Moreover, getting a large crew is expensive, that's why the ranking is dominated by luxury cruise ships.

Once you have scrolled down to view the entire list, you'll never book the wrong cruise ship again. Click next on the cruise ship's name to get more information about its available sailings, average price per day and cabin type, and finally the ship's current location .

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Best Cruise Ships for You

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Celebrity Beyond

Launched in April 2022, Celebrity Beyond is the third ship in the cruise line's Edge Series, capable of holding up to 3,260 passengers and 1,400 crew members. On board, guests have their pick of 32 food and beverage venues serving everything from Greek to French to Italian cuisine; there are also several cocktail bars and lounges where guests can grab a drink.

One of the highlights of Celebrity Beyond is its 4,500-piece art collection, which includes works by travel photographers and international artists. There is also no shortage of unique entertainment options; these range from acrobatic shows to juggling mixologist performances. To enjoy stunning water views, enjoy Celebrity's "Magic Carpet," a large platform that hangs off the edge of the ship and moves from deck to deck.

Staterooms offer amenities like plush bathrobes, comfortable Cashmere mattresses and flat-screen TVs; many also come with private verandas. For a one-of-a-kind experience, splurge on a room in The Retreat. This resort-within-a-resort features villas and suites with added luxuries like plunge pools, hot tubs and butlers. Plus, guests of The Retreat have exclusive access to a private sundeck, restaurant and lounge, along with an onboard credit that can be used however you see fit.

Celebrity Beyond sails to a variety of popular Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations, including the French Riviera, Italy, Mexico and more. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: On Celebrity Beyond, if you're lucky, your drink might be poured by Captain Kate McCue herself during the nightly flair bartender show at the Grand Plaza Martini Bar. Make sure to follow her behind-the-scenes adventures on Instagram. – Skye Sherman, Contributor

Celebrity Edge

Debuted in December 2018, the 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge stands out for its modernity. The Edge is dressed to the nines in contemporary designs and features a diverse array of technologies, amenities, activities and dining venues on board. Passengers can delight in the ship's rooftop garden, take a dip in one of many ocean-facing pools, work up a sweat on the jogging track or relax at the on-site spa.

You'll find plenty of evening entertainment options, too, including themed bars and lounges, a club and a theater showcasing a variety of productions. The Edge was the first Celebrity ship fitted with the Magic Carpet – the line's cantilevered venue at sea that travels 13 stories. The open-air venue can be repositioned alongside several decks, allowing it to transform from a live music venue to a bar to an exclusive specialty restaurant, depending on its location.

For dining, passengers have 29 options to choose from. These include four main restaurants and specialty options serving a range of cuisines, from sashimi to French bistro classics. After a bite to eat, take a break and relax in your modern stateroom or suite. Every room offers technology that allows guests to control temperature, service and lighting with a touch screen. What's more, with a roughly 2-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio, service across the ship will be spot on.

Celebrity Edge makes sailings across Europe, Asia, Australia and more. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: On Edge Series ships, park yourself at the Sunset Bar with a spicy margarita every evening – it’s the best spot on the ship to watch for the fabled green flash. – Skye Sherman, Contributor

Debuted in October 2021, Rotterdam welcomes up to 2,668 guests. The name hearkens back to the line's founding in the late 19th century, when its first ship, Rotterdam, sailed from the Netherlands to New York. Though the ship's name is rooted in the cruise line's past, its amenities are anything but antiquated. 

Among Rotterdam's standout facilities is World Stage, a performance venue that features a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen that creates a panorama of light and sound for audience members. For more entertainment, passengers can catch a performance at any of the ship's numerous music venues, including the Rolling Stone Rock Room and B.B. King's Blues Club.

When travelers aren't grooving to live tunes, they can test their luck at the onboard casino or relax at the spa. Meanwhile, kids can play the day away at the Kids Club. Foodies will be pleased to hear the ship offers eight dining options, including Rudi's Sel de Mer, a French brasserie, and Tamarind, which highlights the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan.

Cabins range in size from 143 square feet to 1,290 square feet, with some of the luxury suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, whirlpool baths and verandas with hot tubs.

Sailings aboard Rotterdam depart from ports like Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and Amsterdam to destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and the Panama Canal.

U.S. News Insider Tip: The art collection aboard Rotterdam is valued at more than $4.1 million and has 2,645 pieces of diverse works ranging in value from $500 to $620,000. Take some time to walk around the ship to explore the collections. Each of the three stairwells has a theme that reaches from top to bottom: architecture, music or zoology. – Jill Schildhouse, Contributor

Viking Venus

Launched in May 2021 from Portsmouth, England, Viking Venus features modern amenities and a contemporary design. The ship can hold 930 passengers and 465 crew members. Amenities include multiple pools and shops, as well as a cinema, a live performance theater, a jazz lounge, a spa, a fitness center and a salon. Plus, you can attend a lecture or discussion with the onboard historian, who helps educate passengers on the cultural aspects of each destination. An onboard cooking school, The Kitchen Table, also allows guests to learn about each destination's unique cuisine. 

Cruisers can enjoy daily updated food options at The Restaurant, diverse cuisine at the World Café, expertly paired tasting menus at The Chef's Table and Italian favorites at Manfredi's Italian Restaurant. There are eight dining venues on board in total, in addition to the ship's cooking school at The Kitchen Table and 24/7 room service.

When it's time to rest, there are six types of accommodations to choose from – all with private verandas. The standard Veranda Staterooms measure 270 square feet and feature plush beds, free Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs. Higher-tier rooms come with extras like priority shore excursion reservations, priority spa reservations, in-room coffee and free laundry services. Plus, travelers in these cabins will have more space: Rooms reach up to 1,448 square feet and may include separate living and dining areas.

The Viking Venus sails to popular European destinations like Barcelona , Athens , Bangkok , Istanbul , Rome , London , Sydney and Stockholm .

Celebrity Apex

The Celebrity Apex – which made its inaugural sailing in June 2021 – can hold up to 2,910 passengers and 1,320 crew members. Guests can wine and dine at 29 restaurants, bars and lounges, then spend the night testing their luck at the casino or enjoying live music at the Magic Carpet (which offers great ocean views). Specialty restaurants include a steakhouse and a raw bar, while main dining options feature Mediterranean, Italian and French cuisines. There are also meeting spaces and multipurpose areas on board, as well as upscale shops. 

Visit the spa or adults-only Solarium pool to stay relaxed throughout your stay at sea. For younger travelers, there are some kid-friendly areas of the ship – such as a Camp at Sea. However, the ship is geared more toward adult clientele (or families with older children) looking for a relaxing escape.

The ship's staterooms, which start at 181 square feet, offer smart TVs, customizable air conditioning and plenty of storage space. Many rooms also offer private verandas. If you're willing to splurge, consider booking a room in The Retreat. This exclusive section of the ship features luxury accommodations as well as access to a private restaurant, sun deck and lounge. Plus, rooms in The Retreat offer more space, measuring up to 1,892 square feet.

The Celebrity Apex sails to European destinations like Greece, Italy, Croatia and Portugal, as well as to Caribbean hot spots like St. Thomas , Puerto Rico , Belize and Grand Cayman . 

Viking Saturn

Debuted in May 2023, the adults-only Viking Saturn has the capacity to hold 930 passengers and 465 crew members. Travelers love the ship's clean Scandinavian design and compact size, which allows it to dock in smaller ports that larger cruise ships cannot reach.

On board, travelers have access to a slew of amenities, including a fitness center, a spa, a library, a state-of-the-art theater, a hair salon, an infinity pool and more. A resident historian is also on board to offer lectures and educational programming about upcoming port destinations. When hunger strikes, Viking Saturn offers an array of dining options, from fresh seafood at World Café to afternoon tea service at Wintergarden to traditional Norwegian cuisine at Mamsen's. Or, learn how to prepare regional dishes from your itinerary at the onboard cooking school.

Starting at 270 square feet, standard staterooms come equipped with king-size mattresses (which can be converted into two twin beds), flat-screen TVs, full-size verandas and bathrooms with heated floors. What's more, each accommodation includes 24-hour room service. Travelers who opt to stay in one of the ship's upgraded suites (which reach up to 1,448 square feet) have access to additional perks such as separate living areas and dining rooms, complimentary laundry services and a welcome bottle of Champagne, among other luxuries.

Viking Saturn sails to a variety of destinations in northern Europe (such as Bergen, Norway; London  and Stockholm ) and the Mediterranean (think: Barcelona, Spain ; Rome ; Athens, Greece ; and Istanbul ).

Seven Seas Splendor

Debuted in September 2021, the 746-passenger, 548-crew member Seven Seas Splendor is the newest ship within the Regent fleet. Seven Seas Splendor – along with most of the line's other ships – takes opulence to the next level by equipping each suite with its own private balcony. Other standard in-room amenities include interactive flat-screen TVs, luxurious bath products, bathrobes and slippers, signature queen-size beds and dining tables for two. There are 10 suite categories available, ranging from the smallest Veranda (307 square feet) and Deluxe Veranda suites (308 to 361 square feet) to the largest Regent (4,443 square feet) and Master suites (1,895 to 2,108 square feet). 

Guests have a wide array of things to do while on board. Spend your days relaxing at the spa, playing paddle tennis or bocce ball, working up a sweat on the jogging track or taking a dip in the ship's two whirlpools and two pools, one of which is an infinity-edge pool that stretches along the edge of the ship, providing swimmers with exceptional views of the ocean. At night, enjoy one of five shows at the onboard theater. 

When it comes to food, Seven Seas Splendor offers eight eateries ranging from casual to fine dining. Enjoy your breakfast alfresco at La Veranda and grub down for lunch at the Pool Grill buffet. For something more formal, opt for a French-inspired meal at Chartreuse, Pan-Asian dishes at Pacific Rim or Compass Rose, the largest restaurant on the ship.

Seven Seas Splendor visits a variety of European and Mediterranean destinations, as well as ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and South America.

Viking Mars

Viking's newest ship, the Viking Mars accommodates 930 passengers and, since it's a smaller vessel, it can dock in many ports where some of the larger ocean-faring cruise ships can't reach. The all-veranda accommodations on this ship, which debuted in May 2022, range in size from around 270 square feet to 1,448 square feet. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars filled with drinks and snacks, robes, slippers and 24-hour room service.

Visitors will find a relaxing spa, a hair salon, a yoga area and a well-equipped indoor fitness center (plus an outdoor fitness center) aboard the ship. Those looking to unwind with a book in one hand and a cocktail in the other should snag a cozy spot in The Living Room. Like other Viking ships, the Viking Mars offers educational programming, lectures, cooking classes and more on board.

Cruisers can also enjoy amenities like the main pool and hot tub, the infinity pool, the cinema, the theater, a jazz lounge and various bars. Dining options on this ship include Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, Aquavit Terrace, World Café, The Chef's Table and The Kitchen Table.

Viking Mars receives rave reviews from recent cruisers. The variety of excursions, the delectable onboard dining and the comfortable cabins are a few things previous guests highlighted as superb. However, the staff received mixed reviews: Some experienced attentive and friendly employees, while a few noted they were expecting better service across the board for the price point.

Upcoming itineraries on the Viking Mars include cruises with ports of call in Iceland, Norway, Greece, Italy, Spain, the U.S. and Canada.

The 930-passenger Viking Sky – which debuted in February 2017 – receives rave reviews from past cruisers for its port-heavy itineraries (fares include one complimentary excursion per port) and luxurious, comfortable staterooms. Cabins offer between 270 and 1,448 square feet of space and include balconies, complimentary Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs and bathrooms with heated floors, among other amenities. Those who opt for an upgraded stateroom or suite are treated to additional perks, like priority reservations at the spa and specialty restaurants.

Viking Sky's activities include classes at the fitness center, treatments at the spa and destination-focused lectures. The ship also offers two pools and two whirlpools, including an infinity pool on the stern of the ship. In the evenings, passengers can enjoy live performances in the theater or watch destination-related movies in one of two cinemas.

Guests also have their choice of cuisine, from alfresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace to Manfredi's Italian Restaurant. With 550 crew members on board, the ship maintains a nearly 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio.

Viking Sky sails to the Mediterranean, Europe, Central America and more. The ship also offers world voyages.

Seven Seas Explorer

Regent Seven Seas Explorer debuted in 2016. It's one of the largest vessels in the fleet, welcoming up to 746 passengers. The ship makes service a top priority, with 548 crew members on board. According to past cruisers, the staff was friendly and attentive.

Travelers were even more impressed by the all-suite accommodations, which are some of the largest offered among ocean liners. All 373 suites include spacious balconies, marble bathrooms, walk-in closets, interactive flat-screen TVs and unlimited Wi-Fi.

Another high point: the cuisine. Explorer offers eight dining areas that range from the casual Pool Grill to Asian creations at Pacific Rim. As part of the 'Regent Experience,' all specialty dining is included in the cruise fare.

Outside the cabins, guests can spend their days participating in cooking demonstrations, lounging by the pool or relaxing in the library. At night, entertainment options include casino games, cocktail lounges and shows in the Constellation Theater. Complaints about this ship are few and far between, though some reviewers felt the entertainment could be more impressive. 

The best perk, according to recent passengers? All shore excursions are included. Seven Seas Explorer sails to destinations in Alaska, Asia, Australia and more.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Pacific Rim is a favorite dining venue among cruisers, with its Asian-inspired cocktails and cuisine offering a selection of dishes from Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam and Japan. Spin the bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel as you enter the restaurant and be sure to sample the miso black cod. – Gwen Pratesi, Contributor

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Watch CBS News

Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska

Updated on: May 8, 2024 / 6:27 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A cruise ship worker from South Africa was arrested Tuesday in Alaska's capital city, accused of attacking a woman and two security guards with scissors on board the vessel, according to authorities.

The U.S. attorney's office says the man, identified as 35-year-old Ntando Sogoni,  is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Online court records do not show an attorney for the 35-year-old man.

According to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, the man was recently hired by a cruise line and joined the ship, the Norwegian Encore, in Seattle on Sunday. The ship set off that day for a weeklong trip with scheduled stops in Alaska ports, including the capital of Juneau, and British Columbia.

The alleged incident happened west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, as the ship was sailing to Alaska. According to the affidavit, during the late evening on Sunday, ship personnel saw the man trying to deploy a lifeboat, and he was taken by security to a medical center for an evaluation.

While there, he "became irrational and attempted to leave," and "physically attacked" a guard and a nurse, the affidavit states. He ran into another room, where he grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed a woman who was being examined, as well as two guards who tried to intervene before being subdued and held in a "shipboard jail," the affidavit says. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The ship arrived in Juneau on Tuesday, when he was arrested by the FBI, the U.S. attorney's office says.

If convicted, Sogoni faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence.

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What are cruise ship pilots, and what do they do?

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If you’ve sailed on a cruise ship of any size, you’ve probably seen pilot boats pull alongside the vessel, and you might have watched curiously as one or two people climbed onto the ship via a rope ladder. Have you ever wondered who these people are and what they do once they’re on board?

They are marine or ship pilots, experts on the waterways and ports you are entering or leaving. They come aboard to safely guide your cruise ship into and out of the harbor.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

To learn more, TPG chatted with two experts in the industry. Clayton L. “Clay” Diamond is the executive director-general counsel of the American Pilots’ Association, whose pilots are responsible for handling over 90% of the larger ocean vessels (cruise ships and cargo vessels) in international waters. We also spoke with Edouard Petitson, Norwegian Cruise Line’s port captain director. Based at Norwegian’s Miami headquarters, Petitson is responsible for many port-related matters, including pilotage.

Diamond and Petitson gave us the inside scoop on what happens once a cruise ship pilot is on board and how they interact with the captain and crew to help them safely navigate the ship into or out of port.

What does a cruise ship pilot do?

In ports in the U.S. and around the world, a pilot boards the ship 10 to 20 miles offshore via a pilot boat, which can be anywhere from 65 to 100 feet long. While on board, the pilot gives orders to the captain or helmsman regarding the best way to steer the ship to navigate the offshore channels and waterways until the cruise ship docks.

Marine pilots also pilot vessels from the dock to a “pilot boarding area,” where they transfer to the pilot boat. The pilotage can be as short as two to three hours or as long as eight to 10 hours.

Alaska has a different situation since cruise ships sail so close to the shoreline and icebergs during nearly all their transit. Vessels sailing in these waters will typically be under pilotage the entire time by using two pilots. This type of piloting arrangement is typical in places like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve .

What qualifies a pilot over the ship’s captain to direct a ship into port?

“Marine pilots are the most highly trained mariners in the world,” says Diamond.

After many years of working in the maritime industry as a pilot apprentice and training in the waterways where they work, they are experts in their ports. Ship pilots must be able to chart the pilotage ground from memory, including the channel, landmarks, docks, buoys and any hazards to navigation.

“A pilot also has comprehensive knowledge of the local environments such as the hydrographic, wind and currents and tidal conditions,” Petitson adds.

Ship captains who sail into different ports around the world do not have the comprehensive knowledge and training that marine pilots do in one specific port. Essentially, marine pilots are maritime specialists in their port of expertise.

Related: How is cruise ship speed measured, and how fast is a knot in miles per hour?

Does every port have a pilot?

There are only a handful of ports in the world where pilotage isn’t mandatory. In Miami and all U.S. ports, pilotage is compulsory and provided by local pilots for all inbound and outbound ships.

A state regulatory board oversees the number of pilots needed in each port. The board determines the number based on the port’s shipping and cruise traffic. The goal is to have enough pilots working to avoid delays.

What happens in foreign ports? Do all pilots have to speak English?

All pilots around the world are required to speak English.

“In certain destinations where English is not the primary language,” Petitson explains, “the pilot can communicate in their native language with other ships in the channel, traffic control and other pilots to eliminate possible misunderstanding, especially in an emergency situation.”

Related: Boat vs. ship: What’s the difference? The annoying mistake some cruisers keep making

If the pilot and captain disagree, who has the final say?

The captain is always in charge of the vessel and the safety of the crew and passengers as the cruise ship is navigated into or out of port. If a disagreement arises, the captain will take over navigation until the situation is resolved.

Is the job dangerous?

If you’ve watched videos of pilots boarding ships by ladder, or have seen them jump from a moving ship to a pilot boat alongside, you’ve probably wondered how safe the process is.

Diamond tells us that the ladder has been deemed the safest way to board and disembark ships. The American Pilots’ Association focuses on safety and routinely works with the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization to improve and enhance the regulations for the ladders and pilot transfers. However, eight marine pilots have been killed since 2006.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here’s what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

How do you become a cruise ship pilot?

Individuals interested in becoming a ship pilot, or a pilot candidate, typically attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, or one of the six state maritime academies in the U.S. After completing the program, a pilot candidate will spend anywhere from eight to 14 years on ships to gain firsthand experience at sea.

Once they have earned their master’s credential, they can “master” a ship or become a captain. It’s usually during this time when a candidate enters a pilot apprenticeship program, which can take up to seven years to complete. Becoming fully licensed, where an individual can pilot the world’s largest ships, can take an additional four to five years.

Are there many female marine pilots?

No. The number of female pilots with an unlimited tonnage master’s credential is .01% overall. The number of female pilots in the APA is 4%-5%. Diamond tells us that the number is considerably better than what you’ll find in most other countries, but the APA would like it to be higher.

Bottom line

When you see that small pilot boat pull next to one of those giant cruise ships, you now know that the person coming on board to guide that ship safely into port has spent decades in education and training — and most of their career has been spent learning to expertly navigate one specific port. You can feel safer knowing that your captain can rely on a local expert to help guide the ship into or out of port.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

I'm a CEO who ran my company from a cruise ship for a month. It requires a lot of discipline, but I'd do it again.

• Tony Fernandes, CEO of UEGroup, managed his company from a cruise ship for 21 days.
• Fernandes experienced challenges with slow internet and communication but found workable solutions.
• Despite the hurdles, he finds value in being offline at times and plans to continue cruising.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Fernandes, a 60-year-old founder and CEO of UEGroup based in San Francisco, about his experience working remotely on a cruise ship. It's been edited for length and clarity.

My wife and I are in the post-kid, post-pet phase of our lives. Our kids have gone off to college and we had a beloved dog and house rabbits that have passed away. After they passed, that really opened up a window for us to travel — and we did — but extended travel is new for us.

In November, I embarked on a trip where I spent several weeks leading my company from a cruise ship with my wife. We ultimately circumnavigated the globe on two different cruises and with air travel. Leaving California, we went through Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.

It's been a cool experience. But I found that while working on the ship , you do need some discipline — especially on a 21-day cruise.

You have to create a time for work and a time for play

We didn't realize it, but when we upgraded our internet, it upgraded our drinks package. So, it turned out we could get bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne for free.

We had a couple of lunches and dinners where we enjoyed Champagne , but we also developed a rhythm where we had work time and playtime. It wasn't rigid — but there were times when my wife, who does finance at UEGroup, and I knew we had to get things done.

Related stories

Working can set you apart from people who are on vacation. That doesn't mean you can't work in your bathing suit or have a beer before you start your work, but it puts you on a slightly different footing than some of the other people on the cruise.

Expect very slow internet service

One thing I didn't realize prior to the trip was that the cruise ship had only one satellite connection shared by thousands of people. The internet was oppressively slow at times.

For our next long trip, I'm looking into getting a data satellite phone so I can put an antenna on my patio facing the right direction for the satellite. I've still got to figure it out, but there were times when it was really important for us to communicate, and we couldn't.

We're now very mistrustful of statements the cruise lines make about the quality of their internet. For example, we upgraded our Internet, but it turned out the cruise line's definition of upgrading was that we could have more than one device, not that there was any better speed or reliability. You've got to read the fine print about how they define an upgrade.

I would also recommend asking what kind of download and upload speeds to expect.

Create a backup plan for meetings and other communication challenges

Internet access can be unpredictable even with research and planning ahead, so we had backup people for important meetings back at the office. If we weren't able to show up, there was someone prepared with the slide deck. I can't say it didn't create awkward moments at times — and it is one of the downsides — but you can plan for it the best you can.

When my wife was dealing with a bank and needed to get a two-factor authentication code without working SMS, there wasn't much she could do. So, that was a challenge as well.

At some points, I was forced to go ashore and buy SIM cards to leverage local cell service, but this requires research. Depending on the country there might only be one cellphone service that works there, or you might be able to get SIM card brands that work for a larger area.

Being offline can end up being a good thing

I find it hard to be offline, but because the connectivity was so bad sometimes, it just forced it to happen. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it wasn't going to change. In a way, being offline was good because I could just tune out.

My wife and I plan to cruise more in the future and even recently bought a home in Portugal near a cruise port that we're going to commute to using cruises as much as possible.

When we did the math, taking a cruise from California to Portugal was less than two business-class air travel tickets. Plus, you get meals, entertainment, and no jet lag — it seems like the way to go.

If you live or work on a cruise ship and would like to share your story, please email [email protected] .

Watch: Microsoft's chief brand officer, Kathleen Hall, says the company's employees are its best product testers

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Rum Journal: From Jamaica, a Legendary Brand Grows Up

This Caribbean Cruise Port Just Set a New Record 

One of the fastest-growing cruise ports in the Caribbean just set another record. 

Thanks to recent calls by Celebrity Beyond and Norwegian Sky, the Antigua Cruise Port just set an all-time passenger record, with more than 500,000 passengers since the beginning of 2024. 

That includes a total of 255 ships calls — 42 more than this time last year, and more than 105,281 passengers above the first half of 2023. 

The elevated numbers “extremely exciting for us,” Cynthia Jacobs Browne, officer-in-charge at the Antigua Cruise Port, said in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal. 

“We are on track for a record-breaking year, and we could not be prouder of our team and our success at this point,” Browne said. 

Looking ahead to the summer, bookings are also up she said. 

What’s next? 

“We are on course to outperform last year’s numbers,” she said. 

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Celebrity Cruises Has a New Destination in the Bahamas 

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Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship

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9241 Charles M Rowland Dr

Port Canaveral, FL 32920

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Just got back from a five day cruise. This was our 20th on Carnival. This was probably the smoothest getting on and off the ship of all of them. The crew was and is always fantastic and super friendly and will go out of their way to make the guest happy. The rooms are typical for a cruise ship but meet our needs. The food was very good. Guys burger is always a hit. Blue iguana tacos were great and I can't believe this is the first time I have tried them. It won't be my last. The buffet was more hits than misses. Loved the midnight chicken nuggets. The pizza was good but the lines kept me from more slices. The main dining room was good but is missing a few choices from last cruise. The only disappointing food option imo was the steak house. My Ribeye was very tuff and that was a disappointment. Everything else we tried was very good. The casino was very nice and run well. The staff were very friendly and knew what they were doing. All in all it was a great cruise.

This review is overdue. It slipped my mind to leave a review for a cruise. My first cruise since covid was from Saturday, 01-21-23 through Thursday, 01-26-23. Freedom was an older ship, but it was still an enjoyable experience. While my room attendant was nice, he'd sometimes leave a rag behind. There was also something left on the space near the mirror. It was like that on day one. I wasn't sure if it was leftover from the last cruisers or something old that wasn't coming off. He did leave a nice message on the mirror for my birthday. The food was decent. The wait staff at dinner was great. I met a birthday twin at dinner. I did a non-Carnival 4-wheeler excursion in the Dominican Republic. I didn't leave the ship in Turks & Caicos. I enjoyed a discounted spa treatment. I am a gold member of the VIFP Club.

See all photos from D A. for Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship

Oh Lawd She Comin' And by "she", I mean me. With any business transaction, it doesn't matter how great everything is, if you leave the customer with a bad taste in their mouth. My experience with Carnival Freedom was excellent 4 out of 5 days of the cruise, but on the last day- they made me so mad I was sweating. On our first fun day at sea I was all over the ship, enjoying the many activities they have going on. I was in line for a free charm bracelet give away and a tray of rum samples came by, followed by a nice young man with a menu of liquor being sold on ship- duty free- for pick up at the end of the cruise. I declined the menu and said we always shop the liquor the last night of the cruise. That charming, young man told me I shouldn't wait because they sell out of things! Noted. I accepted the menu and later that night found myself with John, in the store. So this is day 2 of the cruise. There is a giant bottle of Bacardi Silver on the counter by the register. Like, obnoxiously big- I had never seen a bottle like this and John and I agreed to buy it as a gift for my mom- her mixing rum of choice is Bacardi Silver! Fast forward to the last morning of the cruise, we are pulling into port and you have a 2 hour window to pick up your liquor purchases. I had bought 2 bottles, the Bacardi and a bottle of Woodford Reserve. The checklist only had us down for one bottle pickup. Um, wait- here is my receipt! 20 minutes later, the girl came out to inform me I had been refunded and said someone should have talked to me...???!!! No- why would I wait 20 minutes for you to look for a bottle if anyone had talked to me. Apparently the double sold the bottle and refunded me. BUT- here's the best part, I had seen the bottle still on the counter the day before and wondered how many bottles they had!!! ONE! The one I bought days ago- that no one boxed up, that they refunded me INSTEAD of the person who bought it second. And I said as much to the girl. I knew it wasn't her fault- she was just delivering the bad news, so I walked away before I made a bigger scene, but I was pissed. I was so mad- I got physically hot! I was mad hours, until we disembarked and then I finally started to cool off. The man who was next to me in line for pick up saw me a little while later and told me he was mad on my behalf. That made me feel a little better- because I was feeling crazy angry. John and split off to another part of the ship for our other liquor purchases made in the DR- and he had our room charges receipt. They did in fact refund us for the bottle, and I was right- the refunded us the day before. All of the wonderful parts of the cruise were crushed in a moment of pissing me off just before the end of my vacation. The cleaning crew for our room- ah-mazing, dining room staff, wonderful. Entertainment- fantastic. Spa, Serenity Deck. bar staff across the ship. All fantastic. Shout out to Nancee- our lead for our housekeeping team. Our first couple nights in the dining room- Indrawan, Pema & Darwin!!! I wish I had you all week- you knew my food allergy and my preferences and I adored the care you took in all our interactions! The spa manager, her team including Joy and Michelle were both wonderful! The entire cast for the shows- spectacular and Morgan, I wish we had discovered you before the last night!!! Robbie- the bartender ont he Serenity deck, thank you for great service and the Alchemy Bar was the BEST every single day!!! You were all FIVE STARS. Bye Ya'll! in the words of our Cruise Director!

See all photos from Crystal O. for Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship

The cruise itself was great. I would recommend. Really nice employees, great service, enough to do. The only complaint I have is how old and raggedy the rooms are. I get it, you're not on a cruise to be in the room but still. This has to be the original set up from the 60s. Very old and dated. The bathroom was nasty! Toilet was dirty urine caked on the toilet that clearly has not been cleaned in God knows how long, shower also nasty hair and stains on the shower wall and the shower curtain was literally dirty with mold/rust spots on it. Really creeped me out. To top it all off, the toilet or the bathroom sink had a horrible odor. And the room is tiny, so the smell permeates through the room. I wasted all the air freshener I brought and some perfume trying to mask it. Horrible. I carried my own sheets and I am glad I did. Even when I was speaking to housekeeping, I mentioned packing my own sheets to one of the housekeeping ladies, and she agreed that was good/smart without saying why or too much. The bit of counter space we had was dusty literally white glove thick finger swipe dusty all around especially around the tv. I had the wipe it all down with Lysol wipes. The food on the boat is decent but it's alot of junk fast food and you never seem to get full even though it's all you eat. The crew keeps everything outside the rooms clean. One night around 1:30am I saw them wiping down the pool, and even cleaning the dining hall lamps. But those rooms, they care nothing about. We went on the Carnival Freedom cruise to the Bahamas for a family trip. Our group of 16 rented several rooms and they were all the same. Old, and not clean. We did have a balcony which was nice but it was also old, rusted. We had a weird pipe spewing water on the balcony which was annoying. We had to move the chairs to the far right which blocked the door, just to avoid getting wet by that water which we had no idea if the source was clean or dirty water. This review would be 5 stars overall but I cannot overlook the condition of the rooms. They make millions! Not sure the cost to renovate a cruise ship of that magnitude, but they only need to do the rooms. The rest of the ship is fine. Highlights of the bought: jacuzzis in the adult only Serenity section, 70s club, fitness center, breakfast French toast, duty free alcohol cost, and the Seafood Shack food spot that requires additional payment not included in all you can eat.

See all photos from Simone H. for Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship

We had a lovely time on this ship but there are definitely positive and negatives. It's an older ship so you won't necessarily get all the fancy frills people are getting used to. Service was pretty great, much better than my MSC miravaglia experience in February. Our room steward Papas was fantastic and brought us ice daily, the blue fuzzy blanket when I remembered and greeted us warmly and with care every time we ran in to him. We had decent experiences at most of the bars and those staff who weren't warm and fuzzy were at the very least efficient. The food was meh in the buffet and dining room. Pizza Pirate was great, Blue Iguana tacos were delicious, and Guy's Burgers were terrific. Swirls soft serve was ok. I will sail with Carnival again, but doubtful on this boat again as it was rockier than I have previously experienced on other ships. Thank goodness for my doctor & scopalamine patches or my very sensitive motion sickness would have ruined my trip due to the ship movement.

We sailed on the Carnival Freedom. 01/15-01/20/24 We've had the worst experience Saling with Carnival Freedom. It was a surprise Cruise for our daughter's 25th birthday. I notified the agent when booking it was her birthday on the 15th. Carnival's employee placed our luggage on the wrong ship (Royal). We were on this cruise with none of our essentials or clothing. Christina cried the first 2 nights which is unacceptable. I am totally disgusted in how this life changing situation was handled by Carnival Assistant Supervisor Oris. She had the worst attitude and customer service I've ever experienced. No remorse or empathy for us not having our luggage or Christina's medication. We became irate when she accused us of losing our luggage. How is it possible if we handed it to Carnival's staff? We should be fully refunded for all purchases regarding clothes. There should be some sought of a voucher given for the entirety of this trip. We couldn't go to any of our dinners (Dining Room) or most other events. We were given six t-shirts, free laundry services and a 20% off coupon at the gift shop. The Gift shop by the way had limited options. We weren't aware the insurance purchased was separate and would need to file a claim upon arriving back home. This policy should be reviewed and changed. There needs to be some way to handle a situation like this by Guest Services onboard. Natasha and Tiffany are a few employees who showed some kind of empathy. I appreciate each one of them. Natasha- checked on of us daily Tiffany- went out of her way and purchased my daughter's underwear, delivered them to our room Ultima- delivered personal items to my daughter personally D (Dewa)- our stateroom attendant was very sympathetic and did an awesome job! By the way the only thing we received from Carnival is an email apologizing no compensation or voucher........ THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SPENDING YOUR MONEY WITH CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

First time back on a cruise ship since the pandemic. Have cruised with Carnival in the past and this was by far the worst trip. Lots of misinformation on how things operate. Improper delivery of pre-ordered cabin gifts to others in our party, credit and rebilling of prepaid spa services to be able to add gratuity on "original" price, and when cancelling an item paid with a gift card they refund on a new gift card that is sent in the mail rather than just crediting sail account. Only saving grace on this cruise was our amazing room steward I Ketut! Even the food was less than desirable compared to precious cruises. Will definitely reach out to the main office. By the way, still sitting on the boat on debarkation day because their idea of dismissing has no rhyme or reason. Supposed to be muster stations then luggage tags but of course they changed that and now people are leaving Helter skelter because we are all upset. They should send those people into the theater of those.of us that follow directions suffer the most.

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

5.5 miles away from Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship

Valerie D. said "My girlfriends and I stayed here last weekend for a husband/child free weekend getaway, and we came looking to be taken care of. We were NOT disappointed!! Our first night one of the rooms AC wasn't working properly. A quick call to…" read more

Margaritaville at Sea

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Israel-Gaza latest: Spain bans ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports - as Gaza hospital chief issues desperate plea amid 'massacre'

The UN's top court will hear from Israel today as it responds to charges of genocide over its actions in Gaza brought by South Africa. Meanwhile, the head of a Gaza hospital issues a desperate plea for a ceasefire, accusing Israel of deliberately killing civilians as part of a "massacre".

Friday 17 May 2024 12:06, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Spain bans ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports
• Gaza hospital chief issues desperate plea for ceasefire amid 'massacre'
• Number of Palestinians killed since October rises to 35,303 - Gaza health ministry
• Israel to defend itself against genocide charges at World Court today
• Scroll down for the latest on the Israel-Gaza war
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Israel told the United Nations' top court on Friday that a case brought by South Africa about its military operation in Gaza "makes a mockery of the heinous charge of genocide".

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which wants the court to order a ceasefire in the enclave.

A protester shouting "liars" briefly interrupted the hearing in The Hague as Israel was defending its military operation in Gaza.

The allegations were "completely divorced from the facts and circumstances", Israel's deputy attorney general Gilad Noam had told a panel of 15 international judges.

"Armed conflict is not a synonym of genocide," he said.

South Africa told the court yesterday that the situation in Gaza has reached "a new and horrific stage" and urged judges to order Israel to halt its military operations.

Israel must "totally and unconditionally withdraw" from the Gaza Strip, said Vusimuzi Madonsela, South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands.

Israel has strongly denied committing genocide in Gaza, saying it does all it can to spare civilians and is targeting only Hamas militants.

A new poll has shown British public support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the suspension of UK arms sales to Israel A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) shows that 73% of people support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The poll further found that 55% of Britons support the UK ending arms sales to Israel for the duration of the conflict in Gaza. 

Only 13% want to see the sale of arms to continue.

Low approval was also found for both the Tories and Labour's position on the situation.

Only 18% of people polled approve of the government's response, while just 12% approve of the response from Labour.

By Alistair Bunkall , Middle East correspondent

After considerable delay, the US built pier is now operational off Gaza. Weather and security conditions have been blamed, but in truth this was supposed to be up and running some weeks before now. The floating pier is estimated to have cost more than $250m (£197m) to construct.

Early on Friday morning, the first trucks began moving aid ashore.

It is a complicated network involving the US military, private contractors, IDF and United Nations - no US forces are expected to enter Gaza. 

The port of Larnaca in Cyprus is being used as a staging and screening post, as ships have already been preloaded with aid in anticipation. 

Commercial ships will offload the aid at a floating pier a few kilometres offshore. Smaller US naval ships will then transport it to a long causeway stretching off the coast. From there, lorries will make the final part of the journey to a secure onshore facility before it is taken into Gaza.

If operations run smoothly, 150 trucks a day could enter Gaza - that would significantly bolster aid, although it isn't a substitute for land crossings and some way below the 500 trucks a day that are needed. 

By some estimates, the first 48 hours of operations could see as much aid enter Gaza as all the aid drops to date, combined. 

Images show the UK and US militaries working together to assemble the temporary Trident Pier to deliver aid into Gaza.

British and US forces are working with civilian organisations, other governments and the UN to get aid into the enclave.

Aid has started flowing along the pier after construction was completed yesterday.

Defence secretary Grant Shapps said: "The newly operational pier off the coast of Gaza will enable truckloads of humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in dire need. 

"The UK continues to play a key role in this herculean international effort – supporting logistics coordination in Cyprus, deploying RFA Cardigan Bay to help US personnel constructing and operating the pier and providing UK aid for delivery.

"We expect the first shipment to provide enough provisions to feed 11,000 people for a month."

The head of Shifa hospital in Gaza has issued a desperate plea for a ceasefire.

In a piece published in The Lancet titled "Stop the Gaza genocide immediately", Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya said Israel was deliberately targeting civilians and accused the IDF of conducting a "massacre" in the enclave.

He said Israeli forces had been shooting men at point-blank range, threatening to rape women and using detainees as human shields.

"What is happening in Gaza cannot be fully described in words," he wrote.

"This brief Correspondence is a plea to every human being to help stop this genocide right now—we cannot live like this; the world should not be silent about the killing of civilians in the thousands."

Israel has always maintained that it takes great care to avoid civilian casualties as it seeks to destroy Hamas following its October 7 attack.

The Lancet states that it takes a neutral position in respect to territorial claims.

The Houthis claim they downed an American MQ9 drone on Thursday evening over Yemen's southeastern province of Maareb.

The Iran-backed group said they would release images and videos to support their claim, and added that they had targeted the drone using a locally made surface-to-air missile. 

The group's leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said yesterday that any ship from any company heading to Israeli ports will be targeted  in any area their capabilities could reach, not only limited to the Red Sea region.

At least 35,303 Palestinians have been killed and 79,261 have been wounded since October, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has said.

Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced since fighting began.

The war began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 in which Palestinian militants killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

Israel says it takes great care to avoid civilian casualties as it seeks to destroy Hamas following its October attack.

For context:  While some Israeli officials have sought to cast doubt on fatality figures given out by the Palestinian Health Authority in Gaza, a number of independent groups say they have proved to be largely reliable and broadly in line with those later produced by the UN and Israel itself.

Examination of data from previous Gaza conflicts - the Hamas-run health ministry's counts compared with the post-war United Nations analysis - shows that the initial data is largely accurate with, at most, a 10-12% discrepancy.

Spain will not authorise ships carrying weapons for Israel to call at its ports, the country's foreign minister has said.

The country has refused to let a ship call at the southeastern port of Cartagena. 

The ship was the first to be denied access to a Spanish port, foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said.

He added that the refusal was consistent with the government's decision not to grant weapon export licences to Israel since 7 October as Spain doesn't "want to contribute to war". 

Hello and welcome back to our live coverage of the Israel-Gaza war. 

Aid has begun to be delivered via a temporary pier built in Gaza, the US military has said. 

The shipment is the first in an operation that American military officials anticipate could scale up to 150 truckloads a day entering the enclave as Israel presses in on the southern city of Rafah.

US officials and aid groups warned the pier project is not considered a substitute for land deliveries that could bring in all the food, water and fuel needed in Gaza.

Here is a rundown of key developments over the last 24 hours:

• South Africa has told a UN court that the situation in Gaza has reached a "new and horrific stage" as the country attempts to convince the organisation to order a ceasefire;
• Israel is due to respond to charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice later in The Hague later today;
• Republicans in Washington have rebuked Joe Biden for pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel;
• Israel is set to abolish its free trade agreement with Turkey and impose a 100% tariff on other imports from the country in retaliation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to halt exports to Israel. 

That's all for our live coverage for the moment. 

Our regular updates will continue tomorrow. 

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