Aug. 14, 2022 -- Four major cruise lines are dropping their COVID-19 vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, according to USA Today.

Carnival Cruise Line won’t require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6. The changes are subject to local restrictions, such as those in Bermuda, Canada and Greece, and don’t include voyages in Australia or trips that are 16 or more nights.

Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days. The cruise line currently requires unvaccinated guests to have a vaccine exemption before they sail.

Royal Caribbean Group, which includes Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, will welcome all travelers regardless of vaccination status beginning Sept. 5 “as long as testing requirements are met,” a spokesperson told USA Today.

For Royal Caribbean, the changes include sailings from Los Angeles, New Orleans, Galveston and Europe. For Celebrity, that means cruises leaving from Los Angeles, the U.K. and Europe — but not Ireland. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports still have vaccine rules in place.

The announcements came on Friday after Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises said Monday that unvaccinated passengers would be allowed on many cruises starting Sept. 3, according to The Washington Post. The cruise lines, which are part of the same parent company, also dropped all pre-cruise requirements for vaccinated passengers. Those who are unvaccinated still need to test within 72 hours before boarding.

Testing rules have been rolled back on many cruise lines as well. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity require testing for unvaccinated passengers but only require vaccinated people to test on sailings that are six nights or longer. Carnival, MSC Cruises and Silversea Cruises have made similar changes since the CDC ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships. At the time the program ended last month, nearly every ship that reported data to the CDC was under observation for COVID-19 cases, The Post reported.

Starting Sept. 6, Princess Cruises will require passengers on sailings of 16 nights or longer to take a test within three days of leaving, as well as those on full Panama Canal transits. Unvaccinated passengers will be required to show a negative test for all trips.

Cruise companies said they expect to further reduce some of their restrictions in coming days, which came in response to the CDC loosening its coronavirus recommendations for screening and testing in most settings on Thursday, the newspaper reported.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners around the world to develop updated protocols that provide for the continued safety of our guests and the communities we visit, better align with the travel and hospitality sector, and meet destination regulations,” Royal Caribbean said. “This means we’re transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us.”

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SOURCE: Web M.D..com (Press Release, August 14, 2022) Photo Credit: Cruise Hive

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Carnival Cruise Line has followed Royal Caribbean's lead in adding a travel insurance requirement for unvaccinated cruisers departing from Florida.

"Consistent with the practices of other lines who are also restarting their operations, and in the best interests of our guests who are unvaccinated, this is important coverage to have should they encounter a medical situation during their cruise," Carnival said in a statement provided by spokesperson Vance Gulliksen.

The new requirement will be in effect for cruises departing from Florida starting July 31. The requirement is waived for children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated in the U.S.

All unvaccinated guests must provide proof of their travel insurance policy that covers at minimum $10,000 per person in medical expenses and $30,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation and without exclusions for COVID-19, the cruise line said on its website. 

The policy has to name the unvaccinated passenger as the holder or beneficiary and can be purchased from a travel insurance company of the passenger's choosing or through Carnival Vacation Protection.

Royal Caribbean International said last month it is requiring passengers ages 12 and up who choose not to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to purchase travel insurance – if they're departing from Florida. 

"The insurance must cover medical, travel and other related costs for COVID-19 should they test positive while on board," Royal Caribbean said in a statement provided by spokesperson Lyan Sierra-Caro.

Outside of Florida, Royal Caribbean is requiring all COVID-vaccine eligible passengers to show proof of vaccination. But in Florida, requiring proof of vaccine putsbusinesses, including cruise lines, at odds with state law.

The travel insurance requirement applies to sailings departing from Florida Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 and all bookings after June 28. Proof of travel insurance for unvaccinated passengers must be shown at check-in. 

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SOURCE: USA Today  (Morgan Hines, July 9, 2021); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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As Carnival Cruise Line guests return to cruising this summer, they will find expanded functionality of the award-winning HUB App, which will include enhanced food and beverage features, spa and shore excursion booking capabilities, virtual queuing for onboard venues, and updated health and safety information. 

The most popular app in cruising with more than 8 million total downloads and 4.6+ rating in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the HUB App is leading the way in Carnival’s efforts at providing a more contactless and convenient shipboard environment once cruising resumes. 

“In today’s world, smart phones have become ubiquitous for travelers, and they provide a great platform to help our guests make the most of their cruise vacation. We continue to leverage the popularity of the HUB App to enhance our guests’ pre-cruise and onboard experience,” said Ron Dillehay, Carnival’s vice president of guest marketing & technology. “The updates we are announcing today will build upon the convenient features that have made the HUB App the most popular app in cruising, and further enhance our guest experience on board.”

New offerings include:

• Expanded Food Delivery, Additional F&B Capabilities: The HUB App was the first app to enable pizza and beer delivery, and this popular function will be expanded to include the delivery of a variety of culinary and beverage offerings anywhere on board. Menus for all shipboard dining and beverage offerings will be available in a digital form using QR codes. The HUB App will also be expanded to include dining check-in functionality to additional guests and venues, in addition to Your Time Dining. 

• Virtual Reservations & Queuing: Guests will soon be able to reserve seats virtually for various venues on board and be alerted when it is time to arrive for their function. Additionally, guests will be able to check-in to virtual queues for select locations on board, including guest services, and be alerted when their place in line is ready. Guests will also leverage the HUB App to reserve tickets for BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea debuting on Mardi Gras July 31 from Port Canaveral. 

• New Safety Content: Guests will be able to check-in for their cruise via the HUB App with the ability to submit necessary health information, including a health questionnaire and other time-saving steps prior to departure, and new safety content, including new notifications to help guests complete their muster check-in on board.

Additional enhancements to the HUB App capabilities will be rolled out in the coming months. 

These new enhancements complement the variety of functions that provide a seamless vacation experience from beginning to end, including advance spa and shore excursion reservations, a popular chat feature, a full listing of food, beverage and entertainment offerings, youth program check-in and check-out information and easy access to guests shipboard Sail & Sign accounts. 

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

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SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line  (Press Release, June 28, 2021); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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MIAMI, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line today notified its guests and travel advisor partners of cancellations for additional sailings as it works toward plans for a possible July restart in the U.S. on select ships. 

Carnival hopes to begin operating sailings on three ships from Florida and Texas, including Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, and Carnival Horizon from Miami.  Further, if Carnival can find a solution to allow cruise ships to visit Alaska, Carnival Miracle will assume some of Carnival Freedom's departures from Seattle. Given that there is still some uncertainty in our ability to operate these cruises, guests booked on those sailings who wish to make alternate summer vacation plans may cancel without penalty by May 31, 2021 and receive a full refund.  

The company is cancelling sailings on all other ships through July 30, 2021.  Guests whose cruises are cancelled are eligible for a future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC) or a full refund.  

"We continue to have constructive discussions with the CDC but still have many questions that remain unanswered.  We are working diligently to resume sailing in the U.S. and meet the CDC guidelines," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  "We sincerely appreciate the continued patience and understanding of our guests and travel advisor partners and will share additional information as quickly as we can." 

Separately, late last week Carnival notified its guests that Carnival Splendor's pause out of Sydney was extended another month, as it cancelled sailings from Aug. 19 to Sept. 17, 2021.

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SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line (Press Release, May 11, 2021); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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Following the popularity of the stunning red, white and blue livery adorning Mardi Gras, another Carnival Cruise Line ship will soon receive the dramatic hull design that will become a trademark feature across the fleet as Carnival, America’s Cruise Line, prepares to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2022.

Carnival Magic will be the first ship to receive the new livery during its current dry dock in Marseilles, France. 

Paying homage to maritime tradition and patriotic colors, the eye-catching hull design is highlighted by a stately navy blue hull inspired by officers’ uniforms along with vibrant red and white accents running the entire length of the 1,004-foot-long ship.  Additional vessels will receive the new livery as they undergo scheduled dry docks.  Carnival Glory will be the second ship to receive the new hull design during a dry dock scheduled in June.   

“When we first saw the hull design for Mardi Gras, we knew it was something special and, particularly as we get ready to celebrate our 50th birthday, we’re delighted to incorporate this stunning livery as a signature exterior design element across our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “As we look to resume sailing in the U.S., we’re coming back with a signature new look as well!”

In addition to the new livery, Carnival Magic will emerge from its dry dock on May 24 with an expanded casino with an even greater variety of slots and other games, as well as a host of enhancements including freshening up the finishes for the WaterWorks aqua park and pools.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

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SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line (Press Release, May 5, 2021); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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Two of Carnival Cruise Line’s Galveston-based ships – Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista – arrived at the Port of Galveston earlier today in anticipation of a cruise rally at the port on Monday to discuss the economic impact of the 14-month pause in operations.

Carnival President Christine Duffy and Galveston Mayor Dr. Craig Brown will be among the speakers at the event that is hosted by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) which will be represented by FMC Commissioners Louis E. Sola and Carl W. Bentzel.  Galveston port and community officials as well as local business leaders will be on hand as well.

Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round cruise program from Galveston in 2000 and is the only cruise operator with three year-round ships based at the Port of Galveston, carrying roughly 750,000 guests annually.

The Port of Galveston at the Galveston Wharves is the fourth most popular cruise homeport in North America and only cruise port in Texas. Galveston’s cruise business generates $1.6 billion in expenditures annually and 27,000 jobs statewide.

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SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line (Press Release, May 2, 2021); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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MIAMI, October 12, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests and travel agents that it is cancelling the remaining cruises for the six total ships operating from PortMiami and Port Canaveral for November 2020.  

It has also cancelled five cruises scheduled to operate from Sydney, Australia from Jan. 16 - Feb. 8, 2021.

Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) decision to extend its no-sail order for cruise operations until Oct. 31, Carnival cancelled all but PortMiami and Port Canaveral cruises for the rest of the year.  It has now determined that November 2020 operations will not be feasible.

Carnival continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, with a gradual, phased-in approach, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for embarkations.  Cruises currently scheduled for December from those two homeports remain in place for the time being while Carnival evaluates options.  However, guests booked on cruises in December out of Miami and Port Canaveral still have the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer that all other impacted guests are receiving, which includes a combination future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC), or a full refund.

In Australia, Carnival is notifying guests and travel agents that five cruises on Carnival Splendor from Jan. 16 - Feb. 8, 2021 have been cancelled.  Those guests will receive the same offer of the combination FCC/OBC, or a full refund.

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SOURCE: Press Release, Carnival (October 12, 2020); Photo Credit: Pixabay Free Stock Photos

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Carnival Cruise Line is taking reservations for Carnival Celebration, its newest ship set to debut in November 2022 as part of the company’s 50th birthday. A sister to the line’s first XL-class ship, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration will maintain PortMiami's position as the top embarkation port for Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Celebration will include many Mardi Gras features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, along with other design features created specifically for this vessel. 

Carnival’s 50th Birthday celebration kicks off in March 2022 with a series of commemorative sailings that will feature special entertainment and itineraries and continuing all year long, culminating with Carnival Celebration’s arrival in November.  

“Carnival Celebration promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet, just in time for our 50th birthday,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We’ve put together a terrific array of itineraries kicking off with a two-week-long inaugural transatlantic cruise and then year-round Caribbean sailings from PortMiami featuring some of the most beautiful and popular destinations in the region.” 

Carnival Celebration will debut with a 14-Day Carnival Journeys transatlantic crossing departing Southampton Nov. 6 and arriving in Miami Nov. 20, 2022.  Featured ports will include La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal (Maderia), Portugal; and Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain.  Carnival Journeys cruises offer guests local cuisine, entertainment and cultural opportunities, along with cooking, arts and crafts and other activities.

Once in Miami, Carnival Celebration will offer a six-day Thanksgiving cruise visiting Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Nassau Nov. 21 to Nov. 27, 2022, then begin its year-round seven-day Caribbean cruise rotation on Nov. 27, 2022, offering week-long voyages departing Sundays to the eastern and western Caribbean.  Eastern Caribbean cruises call at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. or St. Maarten, N.A., while the western Caribbean route features Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan.  

Two eight-day cruises will depart Dec. 11 and Dec. 19, 2022 featuring stops at Grand Turk, Amber Cove, San Juan and St. Thomas, while a one-time five-day cruise to Amber Cove and Grand Turk will operate Jan. 3 to Jan. 8, 2023. For more information, visit www.carnival.com or www.carnival.com/sailabration.

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SOURCE: Insider Travel Report, Alan Fine (Oct. 9, 2020); Photo Credit: Carnival Corp.

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MIAMI, Sept. 16, 2020 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced the sale of Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination, which had previously been put on long-term lay-up status and removed from published itineraries.

The sale of Carnival Fascination, launched in 1994, and Carnival Imagination, introduced in 1995, is in line with Carnival Corporation’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet.  This follows the sale of Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration which took place in July.  Upon return to operations, Carnival will still operate four upgraded Fantasy-class ships – Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise – which feature additional balcony staterooms as well as enhanced dining and entertainment options that are part of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program. 

“While we are sad to see  Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination leave our fleet, it is a necessary move as it allows us to focus on ships that offer the greatest variety of features and stateroom accommodations for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.   

Related to its ongoing ship enhancement program and the current pause in cruise operations, Carnival also advised guests and travel agents that it is delaying the return to guest operations for four ships until after scheduled dry dock enhancements are completed in the first half of 2021. 

The four impacted ships and resulting cancelled itineraries include:

• Carnival Magic itineraries operating from Miami will be cancelled until Mar. 13, 2021
• Carnival Paradise itineraries operating from Tampa will be cancelled until Mar. 19, 2021
• Carnival Valor itineraries operating from New Orleans will be cancelled until Apr. 29, 2021 (including the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans on Jan. 25, 2021 and the return from Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2021)
• Carnival Spirit itineraries operating from Brisbane will be cancelled through May 16, 2021, with the first sailing being the Singapore to Brisbane voyage embarking on June 12, 2021.

“This extended pause in our operations has also impacted shipyard availability, and we’ve had to reschedule required dry docks.  As we continue to work through issues related to our eventual return to operations, we are committed to providing our guests and travel agent partners with certainty where we can, although we regret disappointing our guests.  We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our guests and hope to welcome them back on board soon,” Duffy said.

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SOURCE: Carnival Cruise Line, (News Release-September 16, 2020); Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

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Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corp.'s flagship line, announced it will sell two of its ships, the Carnival Fantasy and the Carnival Inspiration, as a part of the company's overall fleet reduction. 

In addition to selling two ships – but not included in the overall reduction – the Carnival Fascination and the Carnival Imagination will move to a long-term layup status, meaning they will be out of operation but will remain in the fleet. There are no plans or dates determined to resume operation, according to a release provided by line representative Vance Gulliksen. 

The removal of the four ships from Carnival's rotation of ships means puzzle-like schedule shifts for many of Carnival's vessels that will be operating.

Carnival Sensation will move to Mobile, Alabama, from Miami and will take on Carnival Fascination and Carnival Fantasy's previously scheduled itineraries. Guests scheduled to sail on those two ships are being accommodated on the Sensation.

Carnival Sunrise will move to PortMiami from Port Everglades to assume Carnival Sensation's previously scheduled itineraries. Guests booked to sail on the Sunrise's four- and five-day itineraries will be automatically moved to sail from its new embarkation point in PortMiami.

The Carnival Fascination itineraries leaving from San Juan and Barbados have been canceled for 2020 through 2021.

The Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration itineraries from Long Beach have been canceled through April 19, 2021. 

Carnival Panorama will continue its seven-day itineraries from Long Beach, California, and Carnival Miracle will move to operate itineraries from San Diego to Baja Mexico.

Carnival Radiance will move to Long Beach after its renovation is complete and is expected to arrive in April 2021 to begin Baja Mexico itineraries that had been run by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration previously. 

Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021, will sail on Carnival Radiance.

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By USA Today, Morgan Hines (July 25, 2020)

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Carnival Cruise Line today advised guests and travel agents that it has extended its operational pause in North America through Sept. 30, 2020.

“During this unprecedented pause in our business, we have continued to assess the operating environment and confer with public health, government and industry officials,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy told booked guests and travel agents in a letter sent today.  But she added that following the cruise industry’s announcement on Friday that it would voluntarily extend its pause in North America, Carnival Cruise Line is now cancelling all cruises through September 30.

“We have watched with great interest as commerce, travel and personal activities have begun to start back up, and once we do resume service, we will take all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we bring our ships to in order to maintain public confidence in our business.  Nevertheless, we apologize for disrupting your vacation plans and appreciate your patience as we work through these decisions,” Duffy said in the letter.

Carnival initially announced a voluntary 30-day pause in operations on March 13, and has now extended that pause three times, reflecting the public health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is currently completing the repatriation of nearly 29,000 crew members to more than 100 nations who serve its fleet of 27 ships.  As with previous pause announcements, Carnival is giving guests who wish to move their booking to a later date a rebooking offer that combines a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) and  either a $300 or $600 Onboard Credit (OBC) that has proven very popular with their guests.  Guests, as always, have the option to receive a full refund.  The process is fully automated so that guests can submit their preference online and they have until May 31, 2021 to make a selection.

“We appreciate the patience and support of our loyal guests, and recognize how much they want to get back to cruising.  When the time is right, our outstanding onboard team will be waiting to welcome them back and give them the great vacation that they deserve,” said Duffy.

By Carnival Cruise Line (Press Release, June 22, 2020)

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MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday it will start cruising again, from Florida and Texas, beginning in August. These Caribbean trips are the first announced by one of the major cruise lines since the coronavirus pandemic forced a near-total pause in the global cruise industry.

The ports of Miami, Cape Canaveral and Galveston, Texas were selected because they are accessible by car for the majority of the guests, the company said in a statement. The eight ships named by the company have itineraries showing stops in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Mexico, among other places.

Carnival Cruise Line said ships will not be cruising from Alaska, Hawaii and Australia through Aug. 31.

The State Department began warning against cruise travel on March 8, and the CDC issued a no-sail order on March 14, which was extended and set to expire on July 24. The order prompted several countries, including some in the Caribbean, to reject cruise ships suspected of carrying infected passengers and crew members, stranding some ships at sea for weeks.

Many cruise ships had outbreaks at sea, with some passengers and crew members dying on board or after disembarking from international trips.

The CDC says infectious diseases can easily spread when crew members from a ship with an outbreak transfer to other ships. The health agency says outbreaks of COVID-19 on cruise ships pose a risk because they can spread the disease into communities across the world after disembarkation.

Carnival Cruise Line has not revealed what measures is taking to prevent future outbreaks once it resumes sailing.

By Associated Press
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Miami-based Carnival Corp. announced Thursday it would be using cruise ships from four of its brands to serve as temporary hospitals in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The world’s largest cruise line suggested its ships could be used mainly to treat non-coronavirus patients, in order to free up beds in land-based hospitals for COVID-19 patients. The company said it could provide up to 1,000 hospital rooms and would be able to quickly provide the necessary medical equipment, including intensive care units.

The announcement came after President Trump said at a White House press conference that he had spoken with Carnival Chairman Micky Arison about the possibility.

Trump said during a briefing that he would present the offer to New York and California during a teleconference later Thursday with all 50 governors.

Carnival employees would provide things such as food and beverage, cleaning services, and would work with local medical personnel to handle the treatment of patients, a statement read.

"These temporary cruise ship hospital rooms can be quickly converted to install and connect remote patient monitoring devices over the ship’s high-speed network -- providing cardiac, respiratory, oxygen saturation and video monitoring capabilities," Carnival said in a statement. "The rooms also have bathroom facilities, private balconies with access to sun and fresh air, as well as isolation capabilities, as needed."

Two U.S. Navy hospital ships will also join the effort to fight the novel coronavirus.

Florida so far has 360 confirmed cases and 9 deaths.

By Morgan Phillips, Fox News
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Carnival Cruise Line has decided not to dock in Jamaica or Cayman Islands after those countries refused to allow an MSC Cruises ship to come ashore last week.

The Miami-based cruise line this week informed passengers on the Carnival Horizon that they would not be permitted to go ashore in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Tuesday, as originally scheduled, while passengers on the Carnival Freedom were told they would not be disembarking in the country’s port at Montego Bay.

Passengers of both ships were also told they would not be getting off at George Town, Cayman Island, later in the week.

Last week, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands refused to permit the MSC Meraviglia, carrying 4,488 passengers and more than 1,600 crew members, to dock in the two countries out of concern about a crew member who was experiencing flu symptoms. MSC accused the countries of overreacting, saying the crew member had only a common strain of the flu and had tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

In a statement to guests of the Horizon and Freedom, Carnival clarified that it alone made the decision to avoid the Caribbean destinations.

“We are implementing some itinerary changes on voyages scheduled to call on Grand Cayman and Jamaica this week,” the statement said. "A number of Caribbean destinations continue to work through their policies with regards to cruise ship visits. And while we are following all U.S. CDC and World Health Organization screening protocols and guidelines, we want to avoid any possibility of a visit to a destination where there is uncertainty or we risk being turned away.

“To be clear, there is no health situation on board to trigger this concern, but we are making this change to avoid even the possibility of a disruption. We understand some guests will be disappointed and trust they will understand that this decision is being made to protect their vacation and maximize their experience with us.”

Carnival’s decision came as tourism and health officials in the two nations try to balance their need to prevent their citizens from being exposed against tourism workers’ dependance on the money that the ships bring ashore.

According to the Cayman Islands’ daily news site Cayman Compass, Carnival originally revised itineraries of three of its ships to exclude the British overseas territory. But after meeting with the islands’ minister of tourism, the cruise line relented and sent its Carnival Paradise to Grand Cayman. Three other cruise ships were docked on Tuesday along with the Paradise at the port, the Compass reported.

The Compass quoted Joseph Woods, the islands port authority director, as saying itineraries of “some ships” have been adjusted “not because there are any passengers with the virus or infectious diseases on board, but simply because they may be unable to meet Cayman’s requirements for those particular calls.”

Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said by email Tuesday that the Carnival Paradise was allowed to revert back to the ship’s original itinerary, including a stop in Grand Cayman, “based on our ongoing conversations with our destination partners.”

He added that Carnival’s decision to steer the Horizon and Freedom away from the Jamaican and Cayman Islands ports is in effect for this week only. The travel booking website Orbitz.com shows the Carnival Horizon sailing from Miami on March 29 with planned stops in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

By RON HURTIBISE, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL 
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MOBILE, Ala. (WALA)-- For the first time in over 50 years the CDC has issued a quarantine order as concern over the deadly coronavirus continues to mount.

The federal government has declared the virus a public health emergency for the U.S. and the state department has warned Americans not to travel to China. 

Concerns over the coronavirus spreading in the U.S. is now pushing travel companies around the nation and in the Port City to make changes in their efforts to keep the disease at bay.

On Friday, Delta, American and United Airlines announced suspensions on their flights to China.

Meanwhile Carnival Cruise line has implemented additional health policies.

A Carnival representative tells FOX10 this includes pre-boarding health screenings and medical evaluations along with temperature readings for anyone with a fever or other respiratory symptoms.

The Carnival Fantasy left port on Thursday, but we're told for upcoming cruises anyone who has traveled to China within the past 14 days will not be cleared to board.

Representatives say the risk to their ships around the world is low, but they’re keeping a close eye on it.

The next cruise leaves Mobile on Monday.

As people travel in and out of Mobile, county health experts ask doctors to be vigilant of any sick patients who have traveled recently, especially those who have traveled anywhere near Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We want to get them tested right away to either rule out their infection as being related to this new coronavirus or if it does happen to be the coronavirus, get them isolated and start doing that investigation that we need to do of anyone that they’ve been around to protect them,” said Dr. Rendi Murphree with the Mobile County Health Department. 

Right now there is no vaccine to treat  the coronavirus.

By Marella Porter, FOX 10 News
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A Carnival Cruise passenger was airlifted from the ship during an operation that the Coast Guard said “stretched the range” of their rescue vehicle. Fortunately, the passenger was successfully transported to a hospital that was more than 200 miles away from his original location.

The Coast Guard issued a press release stating that they received a medevac request from a cruise ship located about 230 miles north of San Juan. According to the request, a 34-year-old male passenger was suffering from medical complications that “required further assistance.”

The ship was directed to a rendezvous point closer to land, although a rescue helicopter would still have to travel 75 miles north of San Juan to reach the distressed passenger.

“This case really stretched the range of our MH-65 helicopter," Katy Caraway, an Air Station Borinquen helicopter pilot, said in the press release. "This medevac's success was due to the combination of our crew's training and efficiency with Carnival Pride's professional conduct throughout the operation."

The man was traveling on the Carnival Pride ship, Action News Jax reports. The passenger was reportedly successfully transported to a hospital in San Juan that had been prepped for his arrival.

Fox News reached out to Carnival Cruise Lines for comment, although they did not immediately respond.

In November, an elderly man suffering from internal bleeding was medevaced from a Royal Caribbean cruise off the coast of North Carolina, as the ship was traveling south from New York. The passenger was transported to a Greenville hospital for evaluation.

The U.S. Coast Guard airlifted the man, his wife and a Royal Caribbean cruise ship doctor from the Anthem of the Seas, a press release from maritime law enforcement officials explained.

By Michael Hollan, Fox News
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Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the accidental spillage of “grey water” from a ship docked at a Florida port on Thursday.

The Carnival Elation, which was preparing to depart on a four-day cruise to the Bahamas, was docked at Port Canaveral on Dec. 2 when the incident occurred. According to the cruise line, the grey water — which is waste water generated from the ship’s sinks, baths, galleys and laundry facilities — was accidentally discharged after a valve “failed.”

Carnival did not confirm how much gray water was discharged; local outlet WESH reports 6,000 gallons.

“Yesterday at Port Canaveral, while Carnival Elation was discharging water from its ballast systems which helps stabilize the ship for navigational purposes, a grey water valve failed and unintentionally discharged gray water from non-sewage waste water systems,” a spokesperson for the cruise line confirmed in a statement. “No sewage was discharged.”

Carnival said the issue was “quickly addressed and resolved” by the crew, and “all appropriate authorities were notified.”

The director of communications for Port Canaveral told Florida Today that the gray water did not contain “human waste or anything biological” and did not pose “a threat to the environment or wildlife.”

Following the incident, which occurred at approximately 9 a.m., the ship was cleared to depart on its sailing, Carnival confirmed. The Carnival Elation will return to Port Canaveral on Dec. 6.

A representative for Port Canaveral was not immediately available to offer further comment.

Carnival also come under scrutiny for gray water in April 2019, after the cruise line was accused of illegally discharging the waste-water at a national park in Alaska, among accusations of pollution. Carnival pleaded guilty in June, with the CEO pledging to correct the company’s past mistakes. Carnival Cruise Line was also sentenced to pay a $20 million penalty, per the Associated Press.

By Michael Bartiromo, Fox News
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A new ban on clothing that might be considered “offensive" has frequent Carnival Cruise Lines travelers wondering who gets to decide what the word means.

Carnival’s announcement this month of the new ban has triggered a debate over the difficulty of regulating speech in an era when society is more divided than ever, socially and politically, and discourse seems to have no bounds. It also raised questions about whether the ban is even enforceable and whether it infringes on free speech rights.

Carnival’s brand ambassador and senior cruise director, John Heald, revealed the addition to Carnival’s dress code on his popular Facebook page, saying it was added to the FAQ section of Carnival’s website “in the past few days.”

The new section reads: "All guests are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are respectful to fellow guests. Specifically, items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendo/suggestions. In addition, clothing/accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, or hatred or violence in any form.”

Asked what prompted the change, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said it resulted “after some incidents were reported in the media about other travel sectors where customers were wearing clothing with very threatening messages.”

The reports “started a discussion about how we were prepared to handle such a situation and the need for clarification to both guests and crew.”

In October, CNBC posted a tweet from a United Airlines passenger offended by another passenger’s T-shirt that suggested journalists should be lynched. Although the airline did not remove the passenger wearing the T-shirt, it later released a comment saying, "We condemn the statements made against journalists.”

Among competing cruise lines, websites of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian include no policies regarding offensive or respectful messages or attire. Disney Cruise Line asks guests to avoid wearing T-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics to its adults-only onboard restaurants. During nights in which guests are encouraged to wear costumes, Disney asks them to choose ones that are “family friendly, not obstructive, objectionable, offensive or violent.”

Heald, who engages with Carnival fans daily on his Facebook page, said he brought up Carnival’s new policy in response to a post about a woman who threatened to wear “disgusting and lurid shirts” on her cruise.

Quoting the fan who alerted him to the woman’s threat, Heald posted: “'She also says she is never sailing Carnival again and is going to advertise another cruise line with a slogan farewell b******s I am cruising on -----------. My question is will someone on the ship stop her from doing this?'”

Heald responded that Carnival won’t allow the woman to follow through on her threat. “I hope this lady changes her mind and despite whatever she may think of me will have a brilliant cruise and enjoy the service and the fun that the crew will give her.”

In an example of Heald’s social media reach, 23,500 followers responded to a poll he posted asking whether they agree with the policy.

A decisive majority — 93 percent — of respondents said they agreed.

Cindy Trotman said she appreciated the policy because her autistic daughter “loves to repeat things that she reads” and “doesn’t understand that some things aren’t meant to be repeated.”

But among the 1,000 comments generated by the post were several that said people had second thoughts after voting in the poll, and others doubted that Carnival could enforce the policy.

Wendy York said there’s no way to ensure her clothing choices are “always" respectful to other guests and not offensive.

“Yes, I know ... common sense, but we’ve all seen that go out the window,” he wrote. “Point being, no matter what you wear, there’s always a chance someone will be offended for some reason.”

Christi Poor asked if she would have to leave her favorite hoodie behind because someone might perceive it as a hate symbol. “People are offended so easily and by next to nothing," she wrote. "This is heading down a slippery slope if you ask me!”

Michael Guss asked whether the ban would extend to religious symbols on shirts and even jewelry, while Mike Bryant asked if it would include clothing with Confederate Battle Flag symbols. “To some it is racism, to others it is heritage,” Bryant wrote.

Melanie Swift Guin generated 50 comments with a promise to wear a T-shirt with a drawing of President Trump wearing an American flag bandanna and dark sunglasses over the phrase, “'Murica!'” The responses included Julie Brindle’s critique, “It’s not offensive. It’s ugly," and Teri Steenberg’s warning that any wearer “might just be swimming back to Long Beach.”

Janice Heiman Batts said, "I love it when people wear their MAGA loud and proud” because it "lets me know who they are and who to avoid,” to which Charmain Szostek responded, “They may wear their hats in hopes that people like you will avoid them.”

Matt Jennings suggested someone would be offended by “Merry Christmas” and that vegans would be offended by a shirt about fishing. “Where does it end? A vague policy like that is just going to be a nightmare to police.”

Recent cruiser Yanna Thierstein asked if being “respectful to other passengers” included, “Can we then ask some ladies to please not walk around in a thong on the Lido (Deck)? Or wearing a top that barely holds the ladies in and having to hold them in place while getting out of pools? The stuff I’ve seen this past week ... unbelievable.”

Sue Frey asked who would enforce the policy. She recalled that “not one crew member” approached a woman who entered her ship’s dining room wearing a shear cover over a thong."

While Heald assured his followers that the policy would be enforced “strongly,” an editorial on the cruise-oriented website cruiseradio.net predicted that Carnival wouldn’t follow through.

“Imagine being the crew members whose job it is to tell the very large, muscular man — who has been enjoying his [unlimited drinks] package all afternoon — that a fellow passenger has taken offense to his T-shirt, and could he please change out of it immediately?”

Carnival spokesman Gulliksen said that while Carnival crew members are “not onboard to be the clothing or expression police,” staff members will nonetheless “look out for guests wearing clothes with inappropriate images or language and ask them to change as needed.”

He added, “We will evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis and take appropriate steps as necessary.”

By RON HURTIBISE, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL
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In a letter sent to guests on Friday, Carnival Cruise Line apologized for an earlier accident in Cozumel, Mexico, during which the Carnival Glory came into contact with the Carnival Legend while docking, resulting in six passengers sustaining minor injuries.

The captain of the Carnival Glory also confirmed an investigation into the cause of the accident, which the company currently believes was due to “spontaneous wind gusts and strong currents.”

“Dear Carnival Glory Guest,” begins the letter, which is attributed to Carnival Glory Captain Pero Grubjesic. “Welcome back from your day ashore. We hope you enjoyed your time in Cozumel.”

Grubjesic then apologized for that morning’s incident, which occurred as the Glory was “maneuvering” into its docking position, he said.

“A formal investigation is underway to confirm the cause of the accident, which we believe was due to spontaneous wind gusts and strong currents. The ship has been inspected by the required authorities and there are no issues that impact our ability to sail safely back to New Orleans.”

Grubjesic also confirmed that the six guests who presented themselves for medical examination following the collision had already been treated and released.

“Once again, we apologize for the disruption this may have caused,” Grubjesic wrote. “We will be extending a US$100, per stateroom, onboard credit to your Sail & Sign account.”

The ship itself stayed docked in Cozumel shortly longer than anticipated, Carnival says, to “complete some of our work.” Carnival Cruise Line also confirmed that guests planning to dine in the Platinum Restaurant dining area that evening would be accommodated, presumably as a result of the incident.

The ship left port in Cozumel on Friday evening at approximately 9 p.m. CST.

The initial incident, which Carnival is referring to as an allision as opposed to a collision (seeing as one of the ships was not actually moving at the time), took place on Friday morning at approximately 8:50 a.m.

Footage taken by onlookers shows the Carnival Glory maneuvering toward the dock alongside the Carnival Legend, scraping its stern against the Legend’s bow.

Carnival had initially received reports of one person injured while being evacuated from a dining area; five additional minor injuries were reported by Friday afternoon.

The Carnival Glory is due back in New Orleans on Dec. 22.

By Michael Bartiromo, Fox News
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Carnival Cruise Line is joining the ranks of the sensory-inclusive to help guests with autism, ADHD, PTSD, Down syndrome and other disorders.

Carnival announced earlier this week that the crews of six ships based out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale have been certified as sensory-inclusive by KultureCity, an Alabama-based nonprofit group that promotes accessibility. 

The current list of certified Carnival ships includes the Carnival Sunrise, which is based at Fort Lauderdale, as well as the following Miami-based vessels: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Magic and Carnival Victory.

Spokesman Vance Gulliksen told USA TODAY that employees on the rest of Carnival's fleet will be certified by March 2020.

So what does it mean for a cruise ship to be sensory-inclusive?

Hundreds of guest-facing staffers – including those in guest services and those who work directly with children through Carnival's Camp Ocean youth programs – are available to answer questions about how various attractions might affect people with those sensory issues. In addition, youth staffers are trained on how to tell the difference between sensory overload and a tantrum and react accordingly so they can calm the child. They're also equipped with gear such as weighted vests, sensory games and conversation cards to facilitate communication.

"We appreciate Carnival Cruise Line for taking this important step in making their vacations accessible to everyone,” said Dr. Julian Maha, the co-founder of KultureCity.

In addition, KultureCity has curated "sensory bags" that guests can check out for use during their Carnival cruises, free of charge. The kits include noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a visual feeling thermometer that helps guests express their emotional state non-verbally and a lanyard to make it easy for trained crew members to find and assist them. Guests interested in checking out a bag can inquire at guest services.

“Carnival Cruise Line is to be commended for training their staff about autism and offering sensory bags that will enable individuals with autism and their families to have an enjoyable cruise,” autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin said in a press release.

Earlier this year, a Universal Studios worker in Orlando who had undergone similar training was praised for her handling of an autistic boy who became upset when a ride was closed.

"She got down on the floor WITH HIM," the boy's mom, Lenore Koppelman wrote in a May Facebook post that later went viral. "She rested next to him while he cried his heart out, and she helped him breathe again...She told people to keep on walking around them, so they would stop standing there and staring. And then she told him it was okay for him to be sad and feel this way."

By Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY
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