In a scary moment for Royal Caribbean’s passengers traveling on Vision of the Seas in the Atlantic Ocean last week, a rogue wave unexpectedly hit and rocked the ship. Glassware and dishes went flying, some lounges and restaurants were temporarily closed, passengers and crew braced themselves, and some onboard glass shattered. No one was injured, according to Cruise Hive.
The disconcerting incident occurred as Vision of the Seas was sailing from Bermuda back to the U.S. East Coast at the end of a five-night cruise that had departed September 20 roundtrip from the Port of Baltimore. Typically, rogue waves can hit unexpectedly and are at least twice the height of surrounding waves. So, at times, injuries can occur.
Labadee Suspended
Separately, in a trade email, Royal Caribbean said that “out of an abundance of caution,” Labadee, its private island-style destination on the island of Haiti, will be pulled from all itineraries through April 2026. Alternate ports will be substituted. This is the latest in a series of extensions for Labadee cancelled calls.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for U.S. travelers to Haiti, citing escalating gang violence and widespread security concerns. Location-wise, Labadee is far from Port au Prince, where much of the trouble is centered, plus the Royal Caribbean destination is guarded by a private security force. But many travelers still have concerns about any travel to Haiti, so no cruise lines are currently calling there.
Enhanced or New Ships
To elevate one of its older ships, MSC Cruises said it will install the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Poesia, which launched in 2007. The upscale yacht club will debut on the ship’s 2026 Alaska sailings. This ship-within-a-ship complex of higher-level suites has an exclusive private dining room, lounge and sun deck.
New ocean ships continue to join the global cruise fleet, expanding capacity and itinerary options worldwide. The new 4,300-passenger Star Princess, a second Sphere-class ship, was delivered to Princess Cruises this past week. Later this week, the new ship will set sail on its inaugural voyage from Barcelona, Spain.
In other ship news, Royal Caribbean confirmed that it’s ordered a fifth new Icon-class ship to debut in 2028. Plus, the line already has an option for a sixth Icon-class ship and just added an option for a seventh. Check out Travel Agent Central’s recently published “10 Things We Loved about Star of the Seas” from our recent sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida. We cover that Icon-class ship’s razzle-dazzle thrills, quiet spaces, new dining options, new shows, and even housekeeping robots and Sailor, the ship’s chief dog officer.
Global Rivers & Inland Waterways
Going, going, gone! Celebrity River Cruises released its remaining inventory for its new European river cruise product for public sale on September 25. According to Cruise Critic, the total inventory that spans 33 voyages sold out in less than five hours. The seven-night itineraries will sail between Budapest, Hungary, and Bavaria.
Riviera Travel, which recently announced a solo traveler ship for 2027, will launch its first Mekong River vessel, the new 50-passenger Riviera Alba, in Southeast Asia for 2027. Coincidentally, this week Travel Agent is aboard the new Riviera Radiance on the Danube River, so look for our firsthand insight soon.
(Photo by Susan J. Young)
But not all river or inland waterway travel is far-flung. This past week, American Cruise Lines (ACL) announced that it will expand its sailings within the Mississippi River region. Among the new itineraries is the first ever nine-day Arkansas River cruise between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Memphis, Tennessee.
In a separate development, ACL also announced new, all-U.S. Great Lakes itineraries. While many small-ship lines sail the Great Lakes, typically those voyages call at both U.S. and Canadian ports. But since the new all-U.S. Great Lakes ACL itineraries will begin, end and remain in the US during the entire voyage, a passport or international flight will be unnecessary for U.S. travelers.
Other Top Cruise Developments
As Silversea did with its new pricing structure a few weeks ago, Virgin Voyages is now wading into explaining its upcoming fare changes to loyal past guests and potential clients alike. Virgin’s new “VoyageFair Choices” levels will debut October 7, 2025. Not surprisingly, on social media boards, some consumers are happy, others not.
Pelorus is adding the Sequoia schooner to its yachting fleet in Indonesia, while Secret Atlas will launch new expedition micro-cruises for Antarctica and South Georgia, starting in October 2026. Celestyal Cruises confirmed its two-ship Arabian Gulf deployment for 2025. In addition, Azamara announced an exclusive partnership with the Lowell Observatory.
For fashionistas, Cunard Line revealed more details about its transatlantic fashion week voyage, departing New York on October 31, 2025. One headline activity is a Bob Mackie auction. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on some of Mackie’s original fashion sketches (see below).
(Cunard)
On the new deal front, Explora Journeys has introduced its latest promotional offer, “An Invitation to Discover.” Guests booking by October 14, 2025, can receive up to $1,000 Destination Experiences Credit per suite. Windstar Cruises also launched a new “Ways to Winter” promotion.
And time is running out to participate in Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new philanthropic initiative in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Through tomorrow, September 30, 2025, those who make a $100 donation to the American Cancer Society will be entered into an exclusive sweepstakes offering the chance to win an Aston Martin Aramco Formula One VIP weekend race experience in Austin, TX.
Scenic Group’s oceangoing and river vessels met up recently in Honfleur, France. AE Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle completed what is officially recorded by the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute as the 100th passenger transit of the Northwest Passage, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
Hurricane Watch
Major ocean cruise lines have shifted at least 12 itineraries over the past few days given Hurricane Humberto’s projected path and that of another tropical storm through the eastern Caribbean/Bahamas the past several days. For instance, Disney Cruise Line canceled Disney Wish’s September 27 port call at Nassau, the Bahamas, changed the ship’s call at Castaway Cay to one day earlier, and spent an extra day at sea.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line were among other lines with port or itinerary changes. In some cases, eastern Caribbean itineraries were shifted to western Caribbean voyages. Here’s Carnival’s website page with storm-focused changes. Check with individual cruise lines for the latest on specific ship departures, as conditions can change rapidly.
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