Passenger Jumps Overboard from Rhapsody of the Seas to Avoid $16,000 Gambling Debt

After accumulating more than $16,000 in gambling debt, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, a passenger on the Rhapsody of the Seas, jumped overboard after the ship docked in Puerto Rico last weekend, authorities said. The passenger leaped from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship … Continue reading

Crew Member Dies After Stabbing Colleague Then Jumping Overboard on World’s Largest Cruise Ship

A crew member on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is reported to have stabbed a fellow crew member multiple times before jumping overboard to his death as the ship cruised off the coast of San Salvador Island in the … Continue reading

Icon of the Seas, World’s Largest Cruise Ship Sets Sail, Raising Concerns Over Methane Emissions

On Saturday, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, set sail from Miami on its maiden voyage. The nearly 1,200-foot-long and 250,800 gross-ton behemoth can accommodate close to 8,000 passengers across 20 decks. The ship is … Continue reading

SpaceX Launch Scrubbed Due to Cruise Ship in Exclusion Zone

On Sunday, 30 seconds before the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was due to take off from Florida, the launch was scrubbed when a cruise ship sailed into the launch hazard area. Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas ventured into the … Continue reading

Will the Cruise Industry Survive the Pandemic Headwinds?

Pullmantur Cruceros, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean and Cruises Investment Holding, has filed for reorganization under Spanish insolvency laws. Cruises Investment Holding owns 51 percent of the three-ship Spanish cruise line, while Royal Caribbean owns the remaining 49 percent.  … Continue reading

Tens of Thousands of Crew Still Stranded As Cruise Lines Plan Reopening

The major cruise lines have announced plans to restart at least some of their cruise operations in upcoming months, while tens of thousands of crew are still stranded aboard cruise ships. Carnival, the world’s largest cruise line, has announced cruises … Continue reading

Cruise Lines Donating Millions for Bahamas Dorian Disaster Relief

The cruise industry in the Caribbean is donating to help the Bahamian victims of Hurricane Dorian. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Caribbean and Disney have all pledged millions in hurricane relief. Royal Caribbean is committing $1 million to Dorian disaster relief, … Continue reading

Escaping Hurricane Irma by Sea on RCL’s Enchantment of the Seas

As Hurricane Irma proceeds toward South Florida with apocalyptic fury, it is getting harder and harder to find a place of safety or a way to escape. Gasoline and supplies are in short supply. The few north-south roads out of … Continue reading

Princess Cruises Hit by Record Fine for ‘Deliberate Pollution & Cover-up’

The Justice Department has announced that Princess Cruise Lines will pay a record $40 million fine for “deliberate pollution of the seas and intentional acts to cover it up” in what it called “the largest-ever criminal penalty involving deliberate vessel … Continue reading