Latest news with #CarnivalFirenze
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line faces first storm of hurricane season
Carnival Cruise Line faces first storm of hurricane season originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Although the typically active Atlantic hurricane season is expected to get off to a calm start as it begins on June 1, tropical activity is already heating up in the usually quieter eastern Pacific. The eastern Pacific hurricane season, which begins slightly earlier than the Atlantic season in mid-May, already has its first named storm, Tropical Storm Alvin.A typical eastern Pacific hurricane season usually brings about 15 named storms and the first named storm usually doesn't come until around June 10. Most storms in this region track away from land, moving westward out to sea, but this season's first storm seems to be behaving a bit differently than most. And that behavior could potentially impact at least one cruise sailing in the popular Mexican Riviera Tropical Storm Alvin became the first named storm of the 2025 Pacific hurricane season on Thursday, May 29, Carnival cruise passengers boarded Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, Calif. to cruise to Cabo San Lucas — the same place that the tropical system seems to be heading. On Friday morning, May 30, Tropical Storm Alvin was hurling large swells toward portions of west-central and southwestern Mexico and the southern Baja California peninsula, increasing the risk of life-threatening rip currents this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. Currently sailing a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to visit Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, on Saturday, May with dangerous rip currents, Tropical Storm Alvin is expected bring a rainy day to Cabo on Saturday that could put a damper on the cruise passenger experience in the popular port. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken this weekend as it swirls toward land, reaching Cabo San Lucas late Saturday night or early Sunday morning as a tropical depression. Of course, the ship's captain is no doubt keeping a close eye on the weather conditions and the storm's path. If deemed necessary, the captain will divert from the ship's planned itinerary to avoid significant impacts from the tropical system. Cruise ship captains will always do what's best for the safety of passengers and you have a Mexican Riviera or Caribbean cruise planned during hurricane season, you really shouldn't worry. As a long-time cruiser and 20-year coastal Florida resident, I can assure you that cruising during hurricane season is safe, and the majority of summer cruises are not affected by severe weather. Yes, there's always the chance that your cruise could be impacted by a storm, but your cruise line will never put your safety in jeopardy. You should be aware though that hurricanes and tropical storms do sometimes cause cruise itineraries to be altered. Occasionally, cruises also have to be canceled as a result of significant storms, especially when they warrant the closure of cruise departure ports. Sometimes, cruise ships even get stuck at sea because of hurricane-related cruise port closures. So, while some cruisers see their cruises canceled because of a storm, others get their vacations at sea example, last summer, Come Cruise With Me's Matt Frankel was on board the Margaritaville at Sea Islander when it got stuck at sea for two extra days due to Hurricane Debby. The ship's home port, Port Tampa Bay, closed due to the hurricane, so the ship couldn't safely get back until after the storm passed. Although inconvenient for the Frankel family and other passengers on board, they remained safe and well taken care of by the ship's crew as they waited out the storm in calmer waters. Purchasing travel insurance for a cruise is always a good idea to provide you with some peace of mind, especially if you're sailing during hurricane season. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line cracks down on new cruise ship scam
Ship-within-a-ship concepts have grown very popular in the cruise industry in recent years. These private retreats within megaships are designed for cruise passengers who want to experience some small-ship luxury and exclusivity while still having access to all the attractions and entertainment that a megaship provides. Related: Carnival Cruise Line promises to fix unpopular change Some cruise lines' ship-within-a-ship concepts are more luxurious than others, but all offer some type of exclusive amenities. Carnival Cruise Line hasn't placed as much focus on ship-within-a-ship offerings as other major cruise lines, but it does have its own version on its newer ships. Carnival's exclusive cruise retreats are called Havana on Vista- and Excel-class ships, as well as Terrazza on Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze. Booking a Havana or Terrazza stateroom on a Carnival cruise ship will give you a few exclusive perks - most notably access to an exclusive pool area away from the crowds of the main pool deck. Of course, access to this desirable exclusive pool area comes at a higher cost, which has led some cruisers who book less expensive stateroom categories to consider ways to try to sneak into the popular Havana pool area without paying extra. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. "Some very naughty people have been selling their Havana wristbands on [eBay] and other auction sites," Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald shared in a post of his popular Facebook page. The post included a photo of Havana-branded wristbands of various colors, which are given to passengers who book a Havana stateroom to wear in order to access the Havana pool area. "These bands are checked by the staff working in the Havana area," Heald explained. "We used to have just two colours for these cabins in the Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee." Related: Carnival cruisers overwhelmingly want this booking process change The photo showed that Carnival now has at least six colors of wristbands. "And someone silly decided to buy two of these and tried to wear them to get into the Havana area on one of the ships. They were denied and I am sure were embarrassed because the wristband was the wrong colour," Heald noted. "You see, we have different colours; they are changed at random each cruise." And no, that doesn't mean sneaky passengers should buy multiple colors of wristbands online. Having the right color might not get you in anyway. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Wristbands aren't the only way Carnival crew members can identify those who are staying in Havana cabins, as one passenger pointed out in the comments on the post. "We have been in a Havana cabin on five cruises. There have been occasions when a group comes into the Havana area without bands. They are asked politely to leave by cruise personnel. The personnel in the Havana area learn quickly who belongs and who does not even without the bands," Sue Duquette French wrote. Passengers who pay for the popular Havana perks don't appreciate other cruisers trying to cheat the system, either. More Carnival cruise news: Carnival Cruise Line shares strict bathroom warningMan climbs Carnival cruise ship; cruiser injured during excursionCarnival cruisers are strongly against this trending hotel tech "We have cruised in a Havana cabin once, on Horizon. Best cruise ever! The appeal for us was truly in the exclusivity of the pool area - it was not crowded at all, and Horizon has such a lovely Havana deck," Tracey Pietron Perry commented. "It would make me angry if I paid extra for that perk and there were people lying/faking their way in who did not pay that extra, and I would never try to do this myself if I had not booked a Havana cabin." Some cruisers also pointed out that Carnival could do a better job of protecting the exclusivity of this amenity by using technology – whether by requiring key card access or using wearable devices like sister cruise line Princess does on some of its ships. "Princess uses a Medallion, automatic door locked and access denied 'Sanctuary Rooms.' Perhaps it's time to switch cards to Bluetooth technology," Miguel GT suggested. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
