What Happens To Retired Cruise Ships?

Above, Majesty of the Seas at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas.

The following year, Majesty of the Seas was sold to Seajet in Greece. This took place when the worldwide pandemic hit. Majesty has been sitting and deteriorating ever since.

Some may ask, What happens to cruise ships after they're retired?

To answer that question Yahoo! Life posted an article.

It begins with:

Cruise ships are so massive that some of them are actually bigger than aircraft carriers. But like any other vessel on the ocean, they don't last forever. When their eventual end comes, cruise lines sometimes sell retiring ships to other companies, who repurpose them in various ways. This was the case with the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 2, which are now floating hotels in California and Dubai, respectively.

Sometimes, cruise ships are rebranded and continue sailing the world after they're sold. For example, Margaritaville at Sea's newest addition, the Beachcomber, was actually purchased from Costa Cruises. In fact, this is the third ship the Jimmy Buffet-inspired cruise line has bought from Costa. However, the Majesty of the Seas, once one of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, didn't get a new lease on life. It was sold to Greek ferry company Seajets in 2020. For years, the deteriorating ship has been docked, with no signs of sailing again.

If there is no demand for a ship to be repurposed, it may be scrapped. This was the fate for several Carnival cruise ships over the years, including the Ecstasy, the Fantasy, and the Sensation, among others. The decision to scrap a cruise ship is typically made for a variety of reasons, which can include renovation costs. Essentially, any money spent to modernize an older, outdated ship could ultimately result in a net loss. Some of these ships eventually end up in the largest cruise ship graveyard in the world.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Ships Seeing Record Number of Outbreaks

Above, bathers in the pool area on a cruise to the Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following is why I feel having mega cruise ships is a lousy idea, especially since COVID.

I have been on three cruises and I have contracted a virus during two of them. Luckily, they were relatively minor. 

Taking a cruise may seem like a great idea, but having thousands of people in a limited amount of space is bound to spread illnesses. Frankly, cruise ships are floating petri dishes.

This year has been a record year for outbreaks.

According to SFGate:

Cruise ships are seeing a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses. So far, there have been 20 outbreaks on the vessels, mostly of norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, which was also a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, there were 18.

The latest outbreak involved the Oceania Insignia of Oceania Cruises on an 11-day (October 16-27) Montreal to Boston cruise, the CDC reported. The outbreak affected 75 people: 74 passengers out of 637 passengers (11.6%) and 1 crew member out of 391 (0.3%). Those afflicted saw symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. 

To read more, go here. 

Beloved Royal Caribbean Vessel Now Looks Like A Ghost Ship

Above, Majesty of The Seas docked at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba. 

A year later, Royal Caribbean retired Majesty and sold the ship to Seajets in Greece. Then the pandemic hit. Since then, Majesty of the Seas, renamed Majesty of the Oceans, has been sitting unused in Greece. Its future is uncertain.

Above, yours truly aboard Majesty of the Seas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The following from Yahoo! Life shows the ship today.

They posted:

When cruise lines like Royal Caribbean build a new cruise ship, they don’t expect it to sail in their fleet forever. Most major cruise lines plan to get about 30 years of life out of each new ship they build, but that doesn’t mean that a ship is scrapped when it’s retired.

Large cruise lines often sell their aging vessels to smaller lines that will refurbish and rebrand them to continue sailing for many years to come. For example, up-and-coming cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is growing its fleet with ships purchased from larger Costa Cruises.

But while Margaritaville at Sea has carried out its expansion plans successfully with refurbished ships, some cruise lines’ plans for acquired ships don’t work out so well.

That appears to be the case for Greek ferry operator Seajets, which bought up eight cruise ships during the pandemic, according to a Cruise Industry News report, including Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas. Some of the ships Seajets purchased have since been sold for scrapping, while others, like Majesty, are laid up and deteriorating in a Greek port.

A recent YouTube video by drone videographer Michael Miller, which was shared in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit, offers a haunting look at how Majesty now floats like an abandoned ghost ship in a port in Eleusis, Greece.

It is sad that a popular ship is deteriorating away. 

To read more, go here.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds Dining Limit On Room Service

Above, the stateroom aboard NCL's Majesty of the Seas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although I have been on three cruises over the years, I have never dined in the ship's staterooms.

It's a good thing I haven't since the cruise lines tack on extra charges along with a 20% gratuity. We've always dined in the dining rooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line is now adding dining limits to room service.

According to Cruise Hive:

Just days after adding fees for a second entree in the Main Dining Room, Norwegian Cruise Line is now imposing fairly strict limits on room service orders.

The change is a recent one, but guests are quickly noticing the restriction, which didn’t exist in September but is now present for October sailings. Specifically, it has been noted aboard Norwegian Sun, which is currently sailing a 16-night sailing between Honolulu and Vancouver.

“Each stateroom occupant may order 1 hot item and 1 cold item (bento box) per delivery,” the room service restriction reads.

This is just more nickel and diming of cruise passengers.

To read more, go here. 

Why Cruise Ships Are Only Getting Bigger (Video)

 

The Best Time To Book A Cruise

Above, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a cruise is a growing means of traveling. More people are "diving in" to this mode of travel.

One may ask, "When is the best time to book a cruise for the lowest prices and best perks?" Southern Living has posted an article that answers that question.

They begin it with:

Booking a cruise can feel like a game of chance—but when you book may matter just as much as where you sail. Prices can swing hundreds of dollars depending on timing, and certain itineraries sell out months, if not a year or more, in advance. 

“That timeline can shift depending on the destination,” says Atlanta-based Michael Consoli, Cruise Planners travel advisor for nearly 25 years who books about 4,500 cruise customers annually.

Whether you're dreaming of a Royal Caribbean escape or a once-in-a-lifetime summer voyage on Viking to chase the midnight sun in Norway, here's how to book smart and maximize your experience.

To read more, go here. 

Forbes: The Truth About Cruise Ship Internet

Above, the Norwegian Sky at Great Stirrup Cay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If I ever go on another cruise in the future, I am leaving my laptop computer at home.

Last summer, I brought it along for the Bahamas cruise, but I ended up not even taking it out of the suitcase. Why? Internet access aboard the cruise ship was too expensive. I limited my usage to the free access time on my phone or the public WiFi at different ports such as Freeport and Nassau. When not in use, I always put my phone on Airplane Mode to keep from being charged any money.

Forbes has posted an article on the truth about cruise ship Internet and how to get it cheaper.

They begin with:

Until recently, cruise ship internet had a reputation for being slow, patchy, and overpriced. Modern systems have improved dramatically, but the price tag has not shifted much. Mainstream cruise lines still treat connectivity as a premium add-on.

Even with Starlink and other low-orbit networks, the infrastructure costs are significant. The hardware is expensive and bandwidth must be shared among thousands of passengers and crew members. When demand peaks, such as during sea days, speeds can slow.

Most lines charge either by the day or for the duration of the cruise, with higher-tier packages including access to streaming services such as YouTube. The costs quickly add up, especially on longer sailings and on lines that charge by device.

To read more, go here. 

Hundreds Stranded As Cruise Ship Flees Hawaii Tsunami

Above, the coastline near Hilo on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Russian earthquake wreaked havoc with cruise lines in Hawaii Tuesday.

A tsunami warning was issued and cruise ships left Hawaiian ports, most notably Hilo Harbor, on the Big Island stranding passengers for several hours.

According to Beat of Hawaii:

As sirens blared across Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon and evening, one of the most dramatic scenes unfolded quietly on the Big Island in Hilo Harbor. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America was forced to abandon port hours ahead of schedule due to tsunami evacuation orders. In the rush to leave, more than 300 passengers and crew members were left behind, many of whom were stranded without transportation, a place to go, or any clear sense of what would come next.

The decision to leave the port abruptly was driven by protocol. Following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami alerts were issued for Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. The U.S. Coast Guard ordered vessels out of Hawaii’s ports for safety, and NCL complied.

But timing proved difficult. With sirens already sounding and traffic completely snarled across the Big Island and the entire state, hundreds of Pride of America passengers were unable to get back to the ship before it departed port. 

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Ship Superstitions

Above, the Celebrity Mercury was renamed when it was sold.
 Isn't it a no-no to rename a ship? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something interesting: Cruise ship superstitions. 

Oddly, superstitions do exist and modern cruise lines still keep them in mind.

Cruzely posted an article on cruise ship superstitions.

They begin with:

When it comes to superstitions, there’s arguably nowhere that they play a bigger role than at sea. It makes sense. Back in the old days you needed every bit of luck when you headed out to sea, unsure of when you might be home again.

But while modern ships are much safer than sailing hundreds of years ago, the superstitions still survive in maritime culture. From christening a ship by breaking a bottle on the bow to taking your first step aboard with your right foot to never renaming a boat, there are a number of these quirks that many mariners still continue to follow.

But there’s one superstition you find on cruise ships that might actually make it harder to get around the ship… if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

To read more, go here. 

Exploring the Norwegian Sky 2025 Tour

Above, yours truly at the pool deck's smoking area having a cocktail and stogie.

In a little less than a month from now, it will have been a year since the cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Norwegian Sky of Norwegian Cruise Line.

It was a good cruise, four days long. We went to Nassau, Freeport and Great Stirrup Cay (where we jet skied). 

The Norwegian Sky is an older 1990s cruise ship with a maximum of around 3,000 passengers. It is a smaller ship whose size is my preference over the mega-behemoth cruise ships that are coming into service by many cruise lines. If you don't want to be around too many people, this ship is ideal.

Sportsmonkey posted a video on the Norwegian Sky titled, "Exploring the Norwegian Sky 2025 Tour". 

As the video states, the ship is older and smaller, which includes the staterooms. But I didn't spend my time in the room. I hung out mainly on the pool deck at the smoking area.

Here's the video:

Cruise Ships For Travellers Who HATE Crowds

Above, the Norwegian Sky made the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even before the pandemic hit in 2020, the idea of going on a cruise on a massive behemoth cruise ship did not suit my fancy. To me, those ships are floating petri dishes.

The three cruises I have taken over the years were on smaller ships that accommodated under 3,000 people. Even then, I have come down with viruses anyway (fortunately, nothing major).

The topic of a Yahoo! article is about cruise ships for people who hate crowds. The ship I took to the Bahamas last summer, the Norwegian Sky, made the list. For me, it was just right.

The article begins with:

If the idea of sharing a ship with 7,000 passengers makes you queasy, the biggest cruise liners might not be your thing. But go too small, and you risk missing out on the perks that make cruising special – poolside lounging, a choice of bars and restaurants, spa days at sea and quality entertainment. That’s where 'Goldilocks cruises' come in: mid-sized ships that strike the perfect balance. Not too big, not too small – just right.

To read the full article, go here. 

Are 'All-inclusive' Cruise Deals REALLY Worth It?

Cruising and "sticker shock" seems to go hand-in-hand".

Many things of one's cruise aren't as "all-inclusive" as they may have been led to believe. As the saying goes, BUYER BEWARE!

A cruise ship worker reveals whether "all-inclusive" deals are really worth it in a Daily Mail article.

It begins with:

It often seems like everything is included on a cruise. 

But first-timers might be shocked to learn that 'all-inclusive' doesn't necessarily mean they won't face a bill at the end of their cruise. 

Cruise crew worker, Lucy (@cruisingascrew), has warned cruise newbies that there are lot of things that are 'not included' in the initial package. 

In a YouTube video called 'Cruise Mistakes First-Times Always Make (Don't be that person'), Lucy reveals: 'An all-inclusive cruise is not the same as an all-inclusive hotel on land.' 

So what might not included in the price of a cruise? 

To read the full article, go here. 

Cruise Onboard Accounts

Above, the lobster dinner at Crossings Restaurant on the Norwegian Sky was
paid for with my Onboard Account. The cost was $20. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I took the cruise to the Bahamas last summer with Norwegian Cruise Line, I deposited money with my credit card to my Onboard Account to pay for purchases on the ship. It is tied to the stateroom key card.

Generally, the onboard account is used for souvenirs, drinks and ship restaurants (for meals not covered under the cruise package). I paid extra for the lobster dinner one night. Meals not covered are stated on the menus, so there's no surprises.

Above, the bar bill was paid with the room card that was tied to my Onboard Account.

According to Norwegian's website on Onboard Accounts:

How do I pay for onboard expenses?

For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to your Onboard account. Sign up when you check in, establishing your method of payment with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB Card, Diner's Club. You may also use your debit card however please be advised that we obtain pre-authorization, as we do for all Credit Cards, and some banks hold these funds for up to 30 days. The maximum initial pre-authorization amount for all credit and debit cards is $300. Cash can also be used as a method of payment to settle your account with an initial deposit paid in advance.

At the end of the cruise, when checking out, I was given an itemized receipt for all Onboard Account purchases and the amount of unused or credited amounts. The cruise line refunds any unused money to the credit card. I received a $147 refund to my credit card.

To read more, go here.

Reality of Cruises At Night

Above, the moon over the cruise ship to Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's an interesting article on cruise ships.

To begin with, I am an early riser. Being so, I usually go to bed early, maybe anywhere between 8:00 to 9:00. 

Most often during cruises, I'll get up around 4:00 in the morning and head on down to a snack bar and grab a cup of coffee and, if available, a small box of cereal to munch on and take my medications (several require taking with food). In my experience, the seas, when I have gotten up, are relatively calm. But, there are instances where staying indoors on a cruise ship at night is the most prudent thing to do.

LADbible posted:

Thinking about a holiday on a cruise ship soon? It's a great chance to sample the unique experience of traveling the world on water, and enjoying some well earned relaxation time on deck.

Yeah, that sounds incredible, but, one cruise line regular has explained why it's not all rainbows and unicorns on cruise ships.

I know what you're thinking - it's a cruise ship, in the middle of the ocean at night, they're just going to say it's really, really dark. Sorry to disappoint, but that's not the only thing to worry about.

According to this frequent cruiser, one of the biggest concerns around cruises at night is just how rough the ocean can get. Uploading a video to TikTok, he gives us a glimpse of just how rough the sea can get at night, and the dangers that could bring to anyone up on the deck.

 To read more and, see a video, go here.

Prepaying Gratuities In Advance: 3 Reasons Why

Above, yes, one should tip their cruise dining room team Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One expense that first-time passengers on cruises are surprised about are gratuities (or tips).

The stewards and others rely on gratuities as do waiters on land for their incomes. (I wonder if President Trump's "no tax on tips" apply to cruise gratuities for American cruise staff). 

Some are shocked at the end of cruises when tips are usually left for one's cabin steward. Some feel that it's easier to pay gratuities in advance. 

Cruise Blog has posted an article on paying gratuities in advance. They also post the gratuity amounts for different cruise lines.

They begin with:

When booking a cruise, you must decide whether you want to prepay gratuities or wait until you are onboard. 

Gratuities, or tips, are service charges that go toward the crew members, including your cabin steward, dining room team, and more — and how you pay them can make a big difference in your cruise experience. 

Within the past two years, I've taken over 15 cruises and prepaid my gratuities for every single voyage. Not only does it help me budget for each sailing, but it helps me avoid uncomfortable surprises at the end of the cruise. 

Far too often do I hear about cruisers who didn't know that cruise lines will automatically bill their onboard account for the daily recommended gratuity rate, resulting in a high onboard statement. 

While budgeting is a major reason I think everyone should prepay their tips, there are other reasons why smart cruisers settle their gratuities before boarding their cruise. 

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Sky News

Above, the Norwegian Sky docked in Nassau, Bahamas last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is more news on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, the ship Mitch Geriminsky and I cruised to the Bahamas last summer.

The ship is in Europe and will remain with Norwegian's fleet until next year.

According to Cruise Industry News:

The Norwegian Sky returned to Europe earlier this month to kick off its first summer deployment in the region.

After offering itineraries in Asia and the Indian Ocean during the 2024-25 winter, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship recently completed a repositioning voyage in Barcelona, Spain.

The 21-day cruise sailed from Cape Town, South Africa, in mid-May and included visits to a wide range of destinations in Africa and the Atlantic.

Before arriving in Europe, the 1999-built ship sailed to ports in Namibia, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

According to the article, the future for the ship is as follows:

After being acquired by Cordelia Cruises earlier this year, the Sky will leave Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet in September 2026.

Following a refurbishment in the Middle East, the ship is set to join the former Empress of the Seas for a series of cruises from India.

Renamed Cordelia Sky, the 2,000-guest vessel offers two- to five-night cruises from Mumbai, Goa and Chennai during its maiden season.

In 2027, the ship’s schedule also includes longer cruises to Southeast Asia that sail to and from Singapore.

To read the full article, go here. 

Royal Caribbean Confirms Its Working On New, Smaller Ship Class

Above, Majesty of the Seas docked in Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas. 

A year later, the ship was sold. Then the pandemic hit. Since then, Majesty has been sitting unused in Greece. It is a 33 year old ship.

It was not a mega-ship that Royal Caribbean has been putting into service in recent years. It had a capacity of over 2,800 passengers. 

Yahoo! Life has posted an article stating that Royal Caribbean is working on a new class of smaller cruise ships.

They begin with:

Royal Caribbean has been talking about smaller ships for a very long time. It seems that every time the cruise line launches a new Icon or Oasis-class ship, its executives get hit with multiple questions about when they will build smaller ships.

In recent years, the cruise line has not exactly dodged these questions. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean Group CEO Michael Bayley have openly admitted that a smaller class has been talked about.

Neither, however, has given out much information.

Passengers want new, smaller ships because these ships can stop in ports where the larger ships do not fit. Some cruise line passengers also preferred the intimacy of a few people being onboard.

I also prefer smaller ships. 

To read more, go here. 

Will Hawaii's $100M Tourist Climate Fee Actually Fix Anything?

Tourists to Hawaii will be levied a new tax allegedly earmarked to fight climate change.

Need I remind you that Hawaii's state government is dominated by radical leftist Democrats (like California) who love to impose more new taxes on people.

From Beat of Hawaii:

Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaii each year. Now, all of them will help fund the first-in-the-nation climate resilience fee designed to raise $100 million annually in its first and likely not last levy. This will be paid primarily by visitors as a function of an additional accommodation tax. That new law, just signed by Governor Josh Green, brings those taxes to about 19% and, for the first time, applies them to cruise ships.

Supporters call it groundbreaking, while critics call it another vague money grab. Either way, the stakes are high. The critical question is: Can this fee deliver what Hawaii says it will? It is one of Hawaii’s boldest new promises, with high stakes.

To read more, go here. 

The History of the Sea Diamond (Video)

Here is the history of the Sea Diamond, a cruise ship that hit an underwater reef that was well marked near a Greek island.

The ship sank the next day. It claimed two lives. Over 1,500 were rescued.

Cruise Ships: 15 Nightmarish Facts

Above, the ill-fated Costa Concordia.

To date, I have been on three cruises. One to Alaska in 2001, one to Havana in 2019 and one to the Bahamas last year.

Each one was enjoyable, but I have found on two of them that having so many people in a small space does spread germs. I have come down with an illness twice during cruises.

That's not all people have to contend with while on a cruise. Other things can and do happen aboard cruise ships.

AOL posted an article with 15 "nightmarish facts" that may make one not want to take a cruise.

They begin it with:

Cruise ships market the illusion of a floating escape with unlimited buffets, sunsets on demand, and zero dishes to wash. But behind the floating resort vibe is where things get weird, really fast.

These facts about how cruise ships operate—and what can go wrong—might make you think twice about setting sail.

Here's a snippet:

No, cruise ships don’t sink every week—but when they do, they make headlines and documentaries. Remember the Costa Concordia in 2012? The ship ran aground, tipped over, and tragically took over 30 lives. From 1980 to 2012, 16 cruise ships sank, and many more got stuck. On average, 2.5 ships run aground every year.

To read more, go here.