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New Zealand Welcomes Cruise Ships Back as Borders Fully Reopen

Cruise ships can return to New Zealand after more than 2 years.

New Zealand dropped restrictions on cruise ships over the weekend, more than two years after the start of the pandemic and just months after the country started welcoming international travelers.

The decision to once again allow cruise ships, which the government outlined on Sunday, comes as part of a larger easing of border restrictions in which the country will welcome travelers from non-visa waiver countries. New Zealand first reopened to vaccinated tourists in May, including from the United States, before dropping pre-arrival testing rules for those vaccinated visitors in June.

New Zealand will continue to require that all tourists be fully vaccinated to enter.

"Today's change in border settings marks the final milestone for our reconnecting strategy," the government said in a statement. "This is great news to the tourism industry and economy as we approach spring and summer with people from the Northern hemisphere booking their winter holidays. We have heard optimistic messages from tourism operators who are ready to welcome back international visitors from all over the world."

The return of cruise ships, which comes ahead of New Zealand's popular summer tourist season of October to April, is expected to be a boost to the economy. Pre-pandemic, cruise travelers spent more than $500 million per year, the government noted.

Travelers who arrive in the country by ship will be subject to the same vaccination rules as those arriving by air, according to the government . Children 16 years old and younger are exempt.

Travelers will have to provide proof of their vaccination status to their booking agent or the operator as well as "comply with New Zealand's domestic COVID-19 requirements around mask-wearing, and testing."

The decision to ease border restrictions comes weeks after neighboring Australia dropped all pandemic-related border rules. It also follows Australia's move in April to eliminate restrictions on cruise ships into and within Australian territory.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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Passengers in an 'uproar' after P&O cruise ship turned away from New Zealand, ruining couple's wedding

A couple's wedding planned for Saturday had to be cancelled after a P&O cruise around New Zealand was completely changed during the actual voyage.

Key points:

• Passengers say they are frustrated and disappointed about missing out on planned events
• They say little compensation was offered after being alerted to only two changes
• P&O said weather did not allow hull cleaning, meaning the ship failed New Zealand's biosecurity requirements

P&O's cruise ship Pacific Adventure left Sydney last Monday for a 13-night "Kiwi Adventure" cruise.

The ship was denied entry to New Zealand waters under the country's biohazard rules as its hull had not been cleaned and is now on its way to Tasmania instead.

Sydneysiders Janine Sherriff and Kyle Risk had planned their dream wedding at Hobbiton — The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie set — near Wellington after receiving some cruise tickets for a trip to New Zealand.

"Initially, the cruise started out as an early Christmas present from my parents. Along the way, we found out one of our stops was Hobbiton," Ms Sherriff said.

She said the idea to get married came about as they looked at the itinerary.

"Kyle is a massive Lord of the Rings fan and when we found we were going there, we jokingly mentioned they do a wedding package." She said.

"His face just absolutely lit up like it was the greatest thing ever discovered.

"So we seriously started planning the wedding, we took the time off from work, we had our nearest and dearest friends and family all co-ordinate to be in New Zealand at this exact time.

"The plan was to get off the boat, go straight to Hobbiton, have our wedding, then head straight back to the boat for the rest of the honeymoon."

Mr Risk said it has been a rollercoaster of emotions.

"First off, I was furious. I saw Janine's face when we got the news. I was ready to explode," he said.

"I got a selfie from our family and friends at the site in Hobbiton we should have been on about 20 minutes before we had to turn around."

Mr Risk said the whole thing has been woeful.

"It would have meant a lot as it was a beautiful setting. As long as we have each other," Mr Risk said.

"I adore this man, I was so excited, so ready to be able to officially call him my husband, I am heartbroken this day has been taken away from me." Ms Sherriff said.

Ms Sheriff says they've now accepted flights from P&O back to Sydney and will get married there instead.

"They offered us a flight to New Zealand but all of our guests are already going to be home by then," she said.

"We accepted a flight back to Sydney. It's not the best outcome, but it at least gets us off the boat and on our way back to the comfort of home.

"They have also turned the 50 per-cent credit for all of the patrons to a 50 per-cent refund which is nice as well.

"Definitely will help us fund the next attempt."

Passengers say they have 'been basically kidnapped by P&O'

In a statement, P&O Cruises Australia said guests were notified before embarking on their 13-day Kiwi Adventure voyage that there could be significant changes to the itinerary.

"Due to New Zealand's strict biosecurity requirements, the ship left Sydney on Monday for hull cleaning off the Bay of Plenty, however the weather did not allow this to happen, so we apologise that the itinerary had to be amended."

Speaking to ABC News from sea, Sydneysider David Curtis, 60, said the ship was on its way to Tasmania.

He said it was very disappointing to miss all of the planned New Zealand ports advertised on the cruise — Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park.

Mr Curtis said passengers onboard were frustrated — with no options given and some wanting to get back to Sydney.

"The whole ship is in an uproar at the moment. We are forced to go to Tasmania," Mr Curtis said.

"We have been basically kidnapped by P&O."

Mr Curtis said he had planned to meet with several friends in New Zealand following his 60th birthday celebrations.

"This is horrendous, I have missed out on seeing friends based in New Zealand. They were not able to come to Australia for my birthday celebrations and I said that is OK – I am coming to see you." Mr Curtis said.

He said it could have been worse, however, referencing the young couple who missed out on their wedding.

"All of the guests had already got there and were waiting for them and they missed their wedding. So I got off fairly lucky. But again, still, everyone on the ship is devastated." Mr Curtis said.

Biosecurity New Zealand's northern regional commissioner Mike Inglis says biofouling was a "major biosecurity threat" and rules were in place to "protect us against pests such as exotic caulpera".

"We know that almost 90 per cent of the exotic marine species already in New Zealand likely arrived here as marine growth on the submerged surfaces of international vessels," he said.

"The operator did attempt to clean the hull and specifically the areas of concern in recent days, however, abandoned cleaning due to bad weather and chose to cancel the New Zealand leg of the journey.

"We have been talking with the cruise ship's operator P&O over the past few weeks around their planned voyage from Australia to New Zealand and concerning levels of biofouling on the vessel the Pacific Adventure.

"The photos they sent us showed the vessel had high risk organisms including mussel and oyster growth and could pose a risk to New Zealand if the ship cruised in our waters."

Mr Inglis said Biosecurity New Zealand had been working closely with cruise lines to ensure vessels arrive with clean hulls. 

"To help manage the risk we've been asking cruise lines to submit all their documentation and risk management plans as early as possible so we can provide early notification of any cleaning requirements, helping avoid voyage delays," he said.

"We appreciate that cleaning the hull of a cruise ship is a difficult and complex task often dictated by the weather.

"We need to do all we can to protect New Zealand from biosecurity threats."

TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald says the Pacific Adventure is due to arrive in Hobart on November 28, noting "species that are deemed invasive by the New Zealand authorities that have prevented the ship from entering New Zealand are common in Australian waters". 

Passengers not informed

Mr Curtis said passengers were only alerted to two ports being missed.

"We got an email last Thursday [from P&O] that said the itinerary was being changed and that only two of the destinations would be missed – Auckland and Bay of Islands." Mr Curtis said.

In a statement, P&O Cruises Australia said it hoped guests would enjoy their time in Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden on the NSW South Coast.

"Guests have been offered additional compensation in light of this change to their itinerary."

After initially offering a credit on future bookings, P&O has now offered passengers a 50 per cent refund on the price of their ticket as compensation.

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‘Cruise to nowhere’: passengers on NZ P&O cruise plagued by bad weather and biosecurity issues

‘Outcry’ about New Zealand holiday plans being scuttled by rough seas and invasive species prompts P&O to offer onboard credits and refunds

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Passengers on a cruise ship prevented from docking in New Zealand due to a dirty hull have been struck by sea sickness after an extended time on large ocean swells.

The P&O Pacific Adventure cruise, which departed Sydney and was due to visit New Zealand, was turned away last week because it could not meet the country’s strict biohazard entry requirements.

Passengers have had to cope with unexpected time at sea amid choppy waters.

“The sick bags are quickly disappearing from the stairwells,” 21-year-old Jake Welch said.

“I feel for all the people who get sea sick, we have had five to 10m swells almost every day.”

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The cruise, which was sold as a round trip to New Zealand between 20 November and 3 December, was scheduled to stop at multiple ports in New Zealand on the north and south islands, including Auckland, Wellington and Fiordland national park.

New Zealand has strict biosecurity laws that prevent a ship from docking if it has invasive species attached to its hull. The cruise had scheduled cleaning in the Bay of Plenty to remove three juvenile mussels and a single hydroid, or Lace Coral.

But the required cleaning could not be completed because conditions for diving were worse than forecast.

The cruise will now stop at Hobart and Port Arthur in Tasmania and Eden on the NSW south coast.

Welch said many of the passengers were disappointed.

“It is very disappointing we never even got to see NZ but overall a holiday is still a holiday. It does seem like lots of people have had their plans ruined,” he said.

Passengers on the cruise who hoped to celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries or to get married at particular locations in New Zealand have had to shift their plans.

Some expressed their disappointment on a Facebook page created for the cruise.

“My wife and I are on this crummy cruise to nowhere, very disappointing, never travelling on P&O again,” wrote one passenger.

“I’m furious P&O think this is acceptable,” said another.

The cruise company initially offered a 50% “future cruise credit” scheme for passengers, but there was an “outcry” from passengers, according to Welch.

P&O is now offering a refund on top of a $300 per person onboard credit.

“P&O Cruises Australia can advise a change to the compensation for guests on board Pacific Adventure, after the ship was unable to visit New Zealand,” a spokesperson said.

“We have listened to the feedback from our guests and understand not all of them wish to cruise with us again.

“Again, we apologise for the change in itinerary, and thank our guests for their patience and understanding.”

Welch said he was pleased with the final outcome.

“There isn’t much else they can offer monetarily as our 14-day cruise ends up being $68pp per night, which is far cheaper than a cruise [going] directly to Tasmania,” he said.

“I’m happy with the outcome and would cruise again with them knowing that they are willing to give onboard credit and a refund – although it did take some outcry from the passengers.”

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First cruise ship since pandemic began arrives in Auckland

The Pacific Explorer and 2000 passengers have become the first arrivals to enter Auckland’s harbour since the pandemic began.

The first cruise ship to arrive in New Zealand since the Covid-19 pandemic began was welcomed into Auckland this morning.

The Pacific Explorer, carrying 2000 people, is the first cruise ship to arrive in Aotearoa for two-and-a-half years.

Its charge is made up of 1200 guests and 800 crew who departed from Sydney.

Local and tourist businesses hope the much-missed foreign visitors have deep pockets.

After visiting New Zealand, the ship will carry on to Fiji before returning to Australia.

Before the pandemic, 20% of spending in Auckland's CBD stemmed from international tourists, and in the year ending June 2020 that spending topped $200 million.

The ship's arrival is expected to primarily benefit retail and hospitality but the return is also being met with criticism regarding health and environmental risks.

The protesters are trying to draw attention to the cruise industry’s environmental impact.

A small boat was trailing the Pacific Explorer on its arrival into Tamaki Makaurau with protesters onboard trying to draw attention to what they say are the cruise industry's negative impacts on the environment.

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UNLEASH YOUR ADVENTURER'S SPIRIT

New zealand cruises.

Lace up your hiking boots and explore New Zealand's natural beauty.

The Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand is known for Maori culture, lush-valley-and-gentle-hill-filled landscapes made famous by the "Lord of the Rings" films and dramatic glacial mountain peaks. Cruise to New Zealand and head to the World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, home to the mighty fjords of Milford Sound. Ever imagined setting foot on tundra? Check out Franz Josef and Foz Glaciers on the South Island, two of the world's most accessible glaciers. Get your fix of urban culture in windy Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. Adrenaline junkies will want to make a beeline for Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu's shores, where you have access to ski resorts, bungee jumping and jet boating.

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Lace up your hiking boots and explore the natural beauty

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FROM HARBORS TO HOBBIT-HOLES

Sightsee your way through New Zealand's best-known sites and cities. "Lord of the Rings" lovers, appreciators of the arts and culinary enthusiasts won't be disappointed. 

WELLINGTON WOWS

Hilly and windy Welly is New Zealand's capital city. It's home to a scenic hillside tram, a collection of indigenous art and artifacts at the Te Papa Museum and an up-and-coming food scene, exclusive cocktail bars tucked next to modernist, high-end spots serving inspired takes on local ingredients.

AUCKLAND EXPERIENCE

New Zealand's largest city, Auckland is home to two harbors, black and white sand beaches, hiking trails and the iconic Sky Tower. Head to the top for the best views during your vacation.

JUST LIKE THE MOVIES

Follow in Frodo's footsteps and check out Hobbiton in Matamata — check out the recreation of the hobbit's houses nestled in the rolling green hills (watch your head!). Cruise to New Zealand to kayak past unique cliff structures at popular Cathedral Cove, where the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed.

NEW ZEALAND RUGGED, ROBUST AND READY FOR YOU

The best part about a New Zealand cruise is that it departs from Australia , so you see two countries and two different landscapes in one visit.

SAMPLE AUSTRALIA

While you're "in the area," start in Australia and experience a sampler cruise from Sydney , or a cruise up the coast from Tasmania to Queensland .

ALL OVER NZ

From North to South, see city sights in Auckland, check out the art deco delights of Napier , and cruise through Milford Sound's majestic fjords .

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Hiking Know-How

Although summer is the best time to visit New Zealand in terms of warm weather, it's also the busiest season for domestic and international visitors. This means less accommodation options and higher prices. The shoulder season of autumn is a better option, as you have the bonus of falling leaves, while spring is known for its unstable and windy conditions. If hiking is on the agenda, remember to pack quality hiking boots and layers, as some of the Great Walks have notoriously temperamental weather. A waterproof and windproof jacket will save you while cruising around New Zealand, particularly in the cooler months.

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Kia Ora is a local greeting, which translates to "Hello!". It is derived from the Maori language, where it's literal meaning is "alive" or "healthy".

As in Australia, tipping is not a New Zealand custom.

If driving in New Zealand, bear in mind the roads can by windy, narrow and hilly, so give yourself extra time to get from point A to B.

CUISINE Meats and Sweets

Like its neighbor Australia, New Zealand's national cuisine has British, Mediterranean and South Pacific influences. But it has developed its own sweet tooth, with a long list of cookies, candy and cakes that locals love.

EMBRACE YOUR SWEET TOOTH

New Zealander's sweet selection includes pavlova (a meringue cake with fruit toppings), Afghan and Anzac biscuits, hokey pokey ice cream (vanilla with honeycomb pieces), chocolate fish, Pineapple Lumps and lolly cake.

KIWIS LOVE THEIR LAMB

One of New Zealand's biggest meat exports, roast lamb — seasoned with rosemary and served with seasonal vegetables — is served in many local restaurants. When you visit New Zealand, look for options that are locally raised and grass-fed for the best flavor.

SEAFOOD ESSENTIALS

Satiate yourself on Bluff oysters, thought by many connoisseurs to be the world's best. Or try the country's British-inspired favorite, crisp-fried fish and chips with plenty of malt vinegar to cut through the richness. Top that off with savory whitebait fritters and green-lipped mussels in curry sauce with crusty bread.

Related Ports

New Zealand ports are a combination of cities and countryside stops. This includes Auckland and Wellington, as well as Tauranga's beaches, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds' fjords and the Bay of Islands. Don't forget Napier, with its distinctive art deco architecture like Miami Beach.

Akaroa, New Zealand

Bay Of Islands, New Zealand

Doubtful Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Dunedin, New Zealand

Dusky Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Tauranga, New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand

Milford Sound (Cruising), New Zealand

Napier, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

Picton, New Zealand

Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand

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Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

Cruise ships that visit New Zealand

Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough

By Rob Suisted

Cruise to New Zealand aboard one of the many ships that sail to and around New Zealand, each offering a unique experience.

The majority of cruise lines visit New Zealand during the October – April summer cruise season. A shorter winter cruise season also runs from April – July. Most of the world's major cruise companies offer cruise services to New Zealand. In a typical year, more than 25 different ships visit New Zealand's coast. Cruises between Australia and New Zealand offer the opportunity to travel the length of both North and South Islands. Most depart from Auckland in New Zealand, or Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane in Australia. Typically they visit New Zealand destinations including the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland. The Marlborough Sounds and Stewart Island are also popular ports of call.

Round the world

Round the world cruises visit New Zealand from all over the globe. These cruises can take as long as 150 nights, with some liners spending two weeks or more travelling the length of New Zealand and others spending shorter periods visiting just one or two ports. Some shorter ‘round the world cruises’ visit just a few countries – the USA, Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, for example. Round the world cruises are often sold in sections, for those passengers who don’t want to take the entire trip.

Expedition cruises mix visits to large ports with scenic visits to less-frequented locations that many large cruise liners do not visit. Some expedition cruises visit New Zealand’s South Island on the way to sub-Antarctic islands, while others visit smaller New Zealand locations, such as Stewart Island or Kaikoura.

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Covid-19: hundreds onboard infected as cruise ship docks in sydney after new zealand tour.

The Majestic Princess has docked in Sydney after a 12-day cruise of New Zealand with hundreds of those aboard testing positive for Covid-19. (File photo) Photo: Wikipedia / via Jackhayes1

Epidemiologist Michael Baker is appalled that one in five passengers on a cruise ship that recently visited the Bay of Islands have tested positive for Covid-19.

Health authorities are working with the operators of the Majestic Princess cruise ship after it docked in Sydney Harbour with hundreds of people infected with Covid-19 on board, following a 12-day tour of New Zealand.

New South Wales Health has confirmed the ship was at the highest Covid-19 alert possible for those on board, with a Tier Three warning.

That means at least 20 percent of people who were on board for the cruise have the virus.

The Majestic Princess has more than 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew, with several hundred believed to be infected.

Many passengers have been disembarking from the ship today after testing negative for the virus.

The president of cruise operator Carnival Australia, Marguerite Fitzgerald, said there were about 800 people infected, who were mostly passengers.

"This is a 12-day voyage and we started to see elevated cases about halfway through," she said.

Fitzgerald said the infected guests had mild or asymptomatic cases, and had been isolating in their rooms.

"Reflective of the increase in community transmissions, we too have seen more guests test positive for Covid-19 on the current voyage of Majestic Princess. This is a result of mass testing of our 3,300 guests," she said.

The company said it had been proactively preparing for Covid-19 incidents and was working closely with NSW Health.

But Professor Baker told RNZ the ship should have taken more care to reduce infections.

"I think it's appalling," he said.

"If they really have had 800 people infected at one time, they're really not looking after the safety of their passengers."

One man leaving the ship said he thought the cruise operator had done a good job with protocols, but passengers were not listening to instructions.

"It was scary because we heard about it [the infections] but we tested negative, and the Princess Majestic were really good with the protocols," he said.

"We wore masks for the last seven days and we were very careful when we went ashore, so some people don't just listen. Obviously they didn't [follow the rules] and that was the problem, people just don't take Covid seriously."

Another passenger praised the crew and said the cruise was enjoyable.

"Fantastic, no problems. The crew were terrific, and we've had a great time," he said.

"You've got to accept that this is how it's going to be, and no we thoroughly enjoyed it."

Carnival said all positive cases would be separated from other guests when they disembarked the ship.

"We understand this current wave of Covid-19 is concerning to many in the community and we take our responsibility in keeping everyone safe very seriously," it said in a statement.

"All guests disembarking have undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours, which will determine how they will disembark the ship.

"All guests will be masked, regardless of Covid status."

NSW Health said in a statement that all Covid-positive people onboard were isolating and being cared for by the staff medical team.

"NSW Health's assessment is that the Covid-19 risk level for the Majestic Princess is now Tier 3, which indicates a high level of transmission," it said in the statement.

"Carnival has advised NSW Health that they are assisting passengers with Covid-19 to make safe onward travel arrangements."

Baker told RNZ the cruise ship industry should reflect on whether it had the proper protocols in place to care for infected passengers.

Copyright © 2022 , Radio New Zealand

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US family’s Carnival Cruise trip cancelled by identity theft via social media post

Sarah Pollok

Share this article

Carnival Cruises declined to comment on the specific incident, but said guests should not share booking information online.

An American family’s US$15,000 ($24,230) cruise holiday was mysteriously cancelled two days before departure after falling victim to identity theft, but people are divided over whether they deserved it.

Tiffany Banks, of Kentucky, posted a TikTok video claiming her family’s Carnival Cruise holiday was cancelled two days before departure, and saying she would never sail with the company again.

Banks, her husband and children had already paid US$15,000 for the trip, which included the ship’s largest room, Excel Presidential Suite and various excursions.

In a series of videos, Banks said the plan, which they had anticipated for a year, was to fly to Florida and then sail from Miami. However, a day before the flight, she received an email confirming two cruise excursions had been cancelled.

Certain it was a mistake, Banks called the cruise line, but they explained the excursions were cancelled because the room had been cancelled.

@thathippiedoc We will never book with carnival again ... #carnival #celebration #carnivalcelebration ♬ original sound - Tiffany Banks

On May 12, Banks shared a video documenting what had happened: “I have to laugh, or I’m just going to sit down and cry and just absolutely lose my mind.”

During the call, Banks said an employee explained the booking had been cancelled by someone who logged into the account and the suite had already been rebooked by another passenger.

Banks revealed the room was about US$12,000-$13,000, flights were almost US$2000, and excursions cost “a few grand”, and she had a “full-blown panic”.

Because the cruise line does not offer refunds within 15 days of departure, the company instead offered them two interior rooms. Banks rejected the solution, arguing the rooms were far lower quality than the suite they had paid for.

Determined to try to save the holiday, the family still flew to Miami, but were unable to get on to the ship and the suite. Instead, they rented an Airbnb in Miami.

On May 13, Banks shared another video to address comments and accusations that she wasn’t sharing the entire story, and claimed she was “an open book”.

In yet another video, things became more clear as Banks said an investigation by Carnival found she had been a victim “of a form of identity theft”.

@thathippiedoc Well they still aren’t willing to make this right .. they apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer.. i want an apology from them trying to make it look like i was lying or hiding something or even worse - that there were security issues.. i will keep yall posted I promise .. #cruisetokc #carnivalcelebration #truth @carnival you owe me a public apology, and my money ! ♬ original sound - Tiffany Banks

Before the trip, Banks and her husband had shared a “cruise countdown” sent to them by Carnival on Facebook. Banks later claimed the emails encouraged people to share the countdown on social media.

However, instead of sharing via the “share countdown” button, it appeared they shared a screenshot of the countdown that included the booking reference details.

According to Carnival, the same day the couple shared the Facebook post, a fake Carnival account was created with their booking number attached to the profile using an IP address in British Columbia, Canada. The fake account then deleted the cabin booking just 48 hours before the ship’s departure.

Carnival offered US$10,400 in cruise credit if Banks said the issue had been resolved positively on social media, the Independent reported.

“They apologised and then spit in my face with another bogus offer …” Banks said of the offer, adding that she wanted an apology and admission there were security issues.

“@carnival you owe me a public apology, and my money!” she wrote.

“While we are not going to comment on any specific guest complaint or incident, it is never a good idea to post personal information about your travel plans, including a confirmation number for a booking, which could allow a bad actor or identify thief to use that information in inappropriate or even illegal ways,” they wrote in a statement to media outlet Daily Express US .

In the comments section of Banks’ videos, people were divided over who was at fault; Banks for sharing her trip details publicly, or Carnival for not having a more secure account system.

Some commented it was common sense to never share any booking details or references on social media.

“Sharing your social security number doesn’t give permission for thieves to use either, but whose job is it to keep it private?” one person wrote.

“I am surprised they are refunded anything. I would think anyone would be smart enough to not post the booking number,” another argued.

Others criticised Carnival and claimed accounts should have more security, especially when thousands of dollars are on the line.

“It should not be easier to cancel travel worth thousands of dollars than it is to cancel Netflix,” one person joked in the comments.

“it should not be so easy to cancel a trip with one click. Hell I have to go through 3 screens to empty my Amazon cart,” another wrote.

One person who claimed to have taken 25 cruises with Carnival agreed the security system needed updating.

“I agree that Carnival needs to change their online system so that it requires more than the name and confirmation number to cancel/edit online,” they wrote.

The Herald has reached out to Carnival Cruises directly for comment.

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Princess Cruises Named Official Cruise Line Partner of the 
Academy of Country Music

Groundbreaking partnership includes onboard performances by emerging country stars.

By downloading this image you agree to the Princess asset use terms and conditions

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., (June 5, 2024) – Princess Cruises, the world’s most iconic cruise brand, today was named as the exclusive cruise line partner for the famed Academy of Country Music ® (ACM ® ). Kicking off May 16 at the 59 th ACM Awards Show hosted by Reba McEntire, Princess celebrated Country Music’s Party of the Year at the ACM Awards red carpet, interviewing artists and nominees live from the Princess Stage.

As part of this groundbreaking partnership, Princess Cruises will be the presenting sponsor for the recently introduced “ACM Live from the Red Barrel Lounge” series taking place at the Academy’s Headquarters in Nashville this summer, featuring exclusive performances introducing viewers to new and emerging country artists. The collaboration will feature special performances by some of the talented artists from the Red Barrel Lounge, welcoming them onboard select future Princess voyages.

“Princess is incredibly proud to partner with the ACM and to showcase the next big country stars,” said John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises. “Country music has a special place in the hearts of many of our guests, and this partnership allows us to bring unparalleled experiences onboard to combine that love for cruising and country music in a unique and memorable way."

In addition, Princess will be on site supporting the ACM Honors in August, celebrating special award honorees, off-camera category winners and the ACM Industry and Studio Recording Awards.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1964, and still the longest-running Country Music awards show, the ACM made history in 2022 as the first major award ceremony to exclusively livestream on Amazon Prime. The ACM has grown from a regional Southern California trade organization to a national powerhouse with its sights set on a higher purpose – improving lives by connecting fans, artists, and the industry. Today, the ACM is dedicated more than ever to promoting new artists, artists on the rise and established superstars, while supporting the good work of charitable causes nationwide through ACM Lifting Lives ® .

Since the first cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera in 1965, Princess Cruises has become the most iconic cruise brand in the world, from its co-starring role as the setting of the beloved “Love Boat” television series to now sailing 16 luxurious and innovative cruise ships to 330 global destinations, captivating the hearts of travelers worldwide.

All 16 ships in the Princess fleet offer well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities. No matter the cruise, Princess delivers a premium vacation with the line’s award-winning, signature Princess Medallion Class experience which offers unparalleled service and personalization.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com .

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

Not a member of the media? 

Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

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Watch CBS News

Alaska set to limit daily number of cruise ship passengers who can visit Juneau

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: June 6, 2024 / 4:59 AM EDT / CBS News

Cruise aficionados looking to experience Alaska's capital, Juneau, may have to vie for permission to disembark and step foot on land, under a new agreement between the city and major cruise lines that sail there. 

The agreement between Juneau and Cruise Lines International Association in Alaska (CLIA), finalized last week, seeks to limit the number of daily cruise passengers who can arrive in Juneau to 16,000 on Sundays through Fridays, and to 12,000 on Saturdays, effective in 2026. 

The measure intends to limit the congestion and wear and tear tourists can cause a city. Visitors to Juneau skyrocketed to a record 1.6 million last year, after the pandemic depressed numbers for two years. Other popular cities have taken similar measures to limit tourists and their effect on daily life for residents. For example, Venice, Italy, in April became the first city in the world to charge day-trippers a fee just to enter  on peak days.

Alaska's new agreement is designed to cap levels of visitors to roughly where they are now.

"The cruise industry is vital to our local economy, and we need to improve our infrastructure and grow our tour capacity to create a great guest experience and reduce impacts on residents," Juneau Visitor Industry director Alexandra Pierce said in a statement Tuesday. "With this agreement, we are committing to a cap to manage our busiest days and to meet annually to ensure that our visitor numbers remain sustainable."

CLIA, the cruise lines association, applauded the measure, calling the agreement "a well-balanced and thoughtful approach to keeping Juneau a great place to live and visit."

"Ongoing, direct dialogue with local communities is the best way to jointly self-regulate to preserve great resident and visitor experiences while providing a predictable market for the many local businesses that rely on the cruise industry," CLIA said in part in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.

In Alaska, residents have complained that record numbers of visitors contribute to bad traffic and increase noise pollution when they visit glaciers by helicopter. On the other hand, many local businesses rely on the cruise industry and the steady flow of visitors it provides, the city of Juneau acknowledged in a statement . 

Cruise seasons have also been extended from early April to late October, offering year-round residents little reprieve from tourists' presence.

Under a separate agreement, only five large ships are permitted a day during the current cruise season. 

Pierce said other projects in the works will also likely diminish the impact tourists have on the city. They include installing a gondola at the city's ski area, updating its downtown sea walk and expanding capacity for visitors at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. 

City leaders are "trying to balance the needs of our residents, the needs of our economy, the needs of future opportunities for people to stay in our community," she said.

The agreement has its skeptics, though. Cruise industry critic Karla Hart says the new measure isn't sufficient to curb unsustainable levels of tourism. "It feels like we're just getting led along again, and expansion will continue and more time will pass," she said, according to the Associated Press. 

Hart is behind a local ballot proposal that would ban ships of at least 250 passengers from stopping in Juneau on Saturdays or on July 4. 

—The Associated Press contributed to this report

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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Fed up with hoards of cruise passengers, Alaska residents are calling for ‘ship-free Saturdays’

A new agreement between Alaska’s capital city and major cruise lines seeks to cap the daily number of cruise ship passengers arriving in Juneau starting in 2026, though a prominent critic of the cruise industry said on Tuesday the planned limits do not do enough.

The agreement, finalised late last week, seeks a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays. However, officials said that doesn't necessarily mean there will be that many people every day.

Cruise passenger numbers ramped up rapidly after two pandemic-stunted years, hitting a record of more than 1.6 million passengers in Juneau last year. That's caused tension between businesses that rely on tourism and residents who are fed up with increased traffic, busy trails and the hum of helicopters ferrying visitors to glaciers .

Cruise seasons also have gotten longer, with the first boat this year arriving in Juneau in early April and the last set to arrive in late October. On peak days in the past, passenger numbers have totalled about two-thirds of Juneau's population of roughly 32,000 people.

A daily limit of five large ships took effect with the current season, as part of a separate agreement signed last year.

Cruise passenger cap will 'buy time' to improve infrastructure

Alexandra Pierce, Juneau’s visitor industry director, said on Tuesday that the aim with the current agreement is to hold cruise passenger numbers roughly steady, in the 1.6 million range.

“The idea is that the agreement buys everybody time not only to see if it is sustainable but also to build the infrastructure that will help it feel more sustainable,” she said.

Pierce said she expects a number of projects will be completed in the next five years “that will help our current numbers feel less impactful". She cited plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area, updates to the downtown sea walk and increased visitor capacity at the popular Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.

The agreement, which was signed by the city manager and major cruise line executives, also calls for yearly meetings to “review lessons learned, to review and optimise the subsequent season’s operations, and align on community and industry parameters, goals and opportunities.”

Pierce said city leaders are “trying to balance the needs of our residents , the needs of our economy, the needs of future opportunities for people to stay in our community.”

Critics say Alaska's cruise passenger cap doesn't go far enough

Karla Hart, a longtime critic of the industry, is skeptical of the new agreement, saying it doesn't do enough to address concerns many residents have that current tourism levels are unsustainable.

“It feels like we’re just getting led along again, and expansion will continue and more time will pass" and impacts will continue, she said.

Hart is helping push a proposed local ballot initiative that would institute “ship free Saturdays,” with no cruise ships with a capacity of at least 250 passengers allowed to stop in Juneau on Saturdays or on 4 July. The signature-review process for the proposed measure is underway. If the measure is certified, it could appear on the October ballot.

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Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for Cruise Lines International Association Alaska, a trade group, said initiatives “remove the opportunity for collaboration and discussion, and I think that that leaves a lot to be desired".

She said the agreements with Juneau are the first such agreements the industry has signed in Alaska and underscore the cruise lines' commitment “to being good partners in the communities that we visit”.

Juneau and other southeast Alaska communities are popular stops on cruises that leave from Seattle or Vancouver. The much-smaller community of Sitka also has been grappling with the debate over tourism numbers.

Reeve and Pierce also participated on Tuesday in a Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce news conference to discuss the agreement.

P&O Cruises Australia being shut down in 2025, refunds offered

• Grace Thomas

Watch: The Pacific Explorer's final ever sailing from Auckland will depart on October 30. Credits: Video - Newshub; Image - P&O Cruises Australia.

Australian cruise brand P&O is being axed and will cease to exist next year as part of a "strategic" move by its parent company Carnival Corporation & plc.

The P&O Pacific Explorer, which operates for some months of the year out of New Zealand, is being retired in February and refunds are being offered to customers booked on subsequent trips.

P&O Cruises Australia's other two cruise liners - the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure - will be transitioned to Carnival Cruise Line branding.

Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein blamed the move on "the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs".

More from Newshub

P&O is a highly recognisable Australian brand that has been operating since 1932.

The Pacific Explorer's maiden voyage with P&O Cruises was in 2017 and it is set to return to Auckland next month, where it will be based until October.

When it was here last year, cruise director Damian Hewitt said it was a special ship that was a great option for first-timers.

"There's just something about this ship. It's got heart to it - it's not huge but it's not small either," Hewitt told Newshub at the time .

"The crew feel like family. They see the guests a lot more, they want to spend time with them and you want to spend time with them because all you're doing is walking past them and you're with them. You see them a lot more. There's something about that that makes this ship a bit more relaxing, a bit more like home and a bit more comfortable."

For customers booked on Pacific Explorer cruises before March, 2025 the company says those will operate normally.

Currently, the final-ever Pacific Explorer sailing to depart Auckland is set to do so on October 30 for a five-night one-way cruise to Melbourne.

New Zealand customers affected by the cancelled sailings will be contacted directly, the company said in a statement on its website .

"In early 2025 P&O Cruises Australia brand will be sunset and its operations integrated into sister line, Carnival Cruise Line. As a result, all itineraries on Pacific Explorer scheduled to sail after March 2, 2025 are being cancelled," the statement reads.

"If you are booked on one of these itineraries you will be contacted by guest services in the coming days with refund details. We apologise that this change has been necessary.

"If you are booked to cruise before this date, your itinerary is unaffected and we look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

"We are all immensely proud of P&O Cruises Australia's 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region and Carnival Cruise Line are honoured to carry forward its storied legacy and continue to deliver the same onboard experiences and itineraries."

Carnival cruise ship rescues 25 people stranded off the coast of Mexico

A Carnival Cruise Line ship responded to a call from the U.S. Coast Guard and rescued 25 people stranded in a small boat off the coast of Mexico, the company announced Saturday.

The 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance had left Long Beach, California, on Friday and was heading toward Ensenada Mexico for a three-day sailing when the cruise ship's officers were informed by the Coast Guard "about a distress call involving a small vessel," a news release said.

The ship immediately routed toward the location of the vessel, provided by the USCG, and "quickly" rescued all 25 people on board, including three children, the company said.

The U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

The rescued group was welcomed onto the cruise ship and given food, water, and medical assistance. Carnival coordinated with the Coast Guard to hand off the group.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The incident did not disrupt the Carnival Radiance's schedule, the company announced.

A roller coaster in the ocean: What Carnival Cruise Line's BOLT ride is like

Another Carnival ship rescued a group of 28 Cuban nationals stuck at sea as it was sailing the Caribbean and saw people signaling for help in late April. The cruise ship was headed from Tampa, Florida, to Roatan in Honduras at the time. Also last month, a Celebrity Cruises ship sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to multiple destinations in the Caribbean rescued a small vessel adrift between Mexico and Cuba.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

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Investigation of cruise ship spotted off the Napali Coast in Kauai inconclusive

The cruise line elected to include Nāpali Coast sailings after being unable to make port calls at Lahaina due to last year’s wildfires. However, it is the DLNR’s understanding that the cruise industry is sensitive to concerns expressed by residents. Courtesy photo

By The Maui News

KAHULUI–A two-pronged investigation by the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) failed to find evidence that the Celebrity Cruise Lines ship, Celebrity Edge, violated any state rules while sailing off Kauai’s Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, earlier this month.

DOCARE officers on Kaua’i and O’ahu investigated the incident after social media posts showed the 2,908-passenger ship allegedly sailing too close to the coastline and community concerns about the incident.

Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) for Nāpali Coast ocean waters restrict any vessels carrying more than 50 passengers and requires such vessels to be at a distance of at least 3000 feet from the shoreline.

When the ship returned to port in Honolulu, O’ahu-based officers boarded it and interviewed the captain and ship’s master. The captain said he was in full control of the vessel and was always in waters of not less than 30 meters depth. He was unclear as to the vessel’s distance from shore.

On Kaua’i the investigation focused on identifying witnesses who could provide relevant information. None of the witnesses could factually conclude the 3000-foot seaward distance was violated. Some witnesses did not wish to be involved in the investigation and others only had second-or-third-hand information or repeated what they saw on social media.

The cruise line elected to include Nāpali Coast sailings after being unable to make port calls at Lahaina due to last year’s wildfires. However, it is the DLNR’s understanding that the cruise industry is sensitive to concerns expressed by residents.

DOCARE determined there is insufficient evidence that supports probable cause or that there is clear and convincing evidence to pursue any criminal or civil action at this time.

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