A recent whale strike involving a Royal Caribbean ship has reignited a debate about cruise ship speeds in Alaska. Should cruise lines be required to slow down to help protect whales, even if it means changing itineraries and extending travel times?
That was one of the biggest questions on today’s edition of The Cruise Show, along with a cruise ship fire in France, record crowds in Nassau, Carnival’s continued expansion in the Bahamas, an important passport warning for Mediterranean cruisers, and a debate over whether passengers should retrieve their own luggage.
Calls Grow for Royal Caribbean to Slow Down in Alaska
Following the death of a pregnant endangered fin whale that was found draped across the bulbous bow of Ovation of the Seas, environmental groups are calling for action.
The whale’s necropsy determined it died from blunt force trauma, suggesting it had been struck by the Royal Caribbean ship. In response, the Center for Biological Diversity is urging cruise ships operating in Alaska to adopt a mandatory speed limit of 10 knots, arguing that vessel speed is the single biggest factor in both the likelihood and severity of whale strikes.
It’s certainly an emotional story. Nobody wants to see an endangered whale killed, especially one that was pregnant.
The question, however, is whether slowing every cruise ship to 10 knots is the right solution.
Cruise ships in Alaska often travel between 18 and 20 knots. Reducing that speed by nearly half would almost certainly impact itineraries, potentially reducing the number of ports ships can visit during an Alaska sailing.
For me, the discussion comes down to context. How common are whale strikes involving cruise ships? If this is an extremely rare event, is a system-wide speed reduction justified? On the other hand, if slowing ships would prevent a significant number of whale deaths, perhaps it’s worth the inconvenience.
It’s a complicated issue with no easy answer, and I’m interested to hear where cruise fans land on the debate.
River Cruise Fire Forces Emergency Evacuation in France
Thankfully, everyone is safe after a frightening fire aboard a CroisiEurope river cruise ship docked in Honfleur, Normandy.
The fire reportedly started in the ship’s galley, prompting the evacuation of all 132 passengers and 31 crew members. More than 70 emergency personnel responded to bring the fire under control.
While the ship suffered extensive damage, the most important takeaway is that there were no reported injuries.
The incident also serves as a reminder of why cruise lines conduct mandatory muster drills. They may feel inconvenient at the start of a vacation, but emergencies like this demonstrate just how important those procedures can be.
Nassau Sets a New Cruise Passenger Record
Nassau continues to prove why it’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.
On June 8, the port welcomed an incredible 33,254 cruise passengers arriving aboard six different ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Caribbean Princess, and Disney Fantasy.
Those numbers are impressive, but they also explain why so many cruise lines continue investing heavily in their private island destinations throughout the Bahamas.
For many cruisers, a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, Great Stirrup Cay, or Disney’s private destinations offers an alternative to spending a day in Nassau when multiple large ships are in port.
Personally, I’ve always enjoyed walking around Nassau and doing a little ship spotting. Still, there’s no question that more than 33,000 cruise passengers make for a very busy day.
Carnival Expands Celebration Key
Speaking of the Bahamas, Carnival Corporation has completed a major expansion at Celebration Key.
The addition of two new berths will allow up to four cruise ships to dock simultaneously, increasing annual cruise calls by roughly 200 and bringing an estimated 700,000 additional visitors to the destination each year.
Celebration Key is expected to welcome approximately 2.5 million guests this year and 3.5 million next year.
The economic impact is equally significant. Carnival estimates its partnership with the Bahamian government will contribute nearly $9.7 billion to the country’s GDP over the next two decades.
That’s a remarkable investment and shows just how important cruise tourism has become to the Bahamas.
Passport Theft Serves as a Reminder for Mediterranean Travelers
A traveler heading to her Mediterranean cruise recently had her passport stolen while dining at a restaurant in Rome.
According to her account, security cameras captured someone taking her bag while she looked away.
The theft forced her to wait until the U.S. Embassy reopened so she could obtain an emergency passport before flying to meet her cruise ship, adding both stress and unexpected travel expenses.
It’s an important reminder that popular tourist destinations often attract pickpockets and thieves.
Whenever you’re traveling, keep your passport, identification, phone, and money on your person whenever possible.
Should You Grab Your Own Luggage?
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald recently shared a story from a passenger who was upset after being told not to retrieve his own suitcase from a luggage cart outside his cabin.
It’s easy to understand why someone would want to grab their luggage if they see it sitting nearby.
At the same time, those carts are carefully loaded, and removing one suitcase could potentially damage someone else’s luggage—or even cause an injury.
Personally, I understand why crew members ask guests to leave the luggage alone and allow them to finish the delivery process.
Still, it’s an interesting debate, and I’m curious what you think.
Would you grab your suitcase if you spotted it waiting on the cart?
Join Me in Tuscany in 2027
I’m also excited to officially announce my next hosted land adventure.
After experiencing Ireland through a multi-city land tour earlier this month, I wanted to create something even more relaxing.
In May 2027, we’ll be traveling to Tuscany, Italy, where we’ll unpack once at a single hotel and spend our days exploring the region together with guided excursions to places like Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and San Gimignano, along with incredible food, wine, and plenty of time to experience Tuscany at a relaxed pace. The tour follows Collette’s popular “Spotlight on Tuscany” style, allowing us to stay in one location while exploring the surrounding region each day.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Europe beyond the cruise ship, I’d love to have you join us.
👉 Learn more about the Tuscany Land Cruise and reserve your spot here:
https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1429675
With only about 40 spots available, I expect this trip to fill quickly. A refundable deposit secures your place, and I can’t wait to explore Italy together with members of the Loco Fam.
Those are today’s biggest cruise stories.
🎥 Watch today’s episode of The Cruise Show:
https://youtu.be/lhjKf1ITp_Q
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Thinking about joining me in Italy? I’d love to travel with you!