The cruise ship MSC Armonia, with approximately 1,500 passengers on board, is currently detained in the port of Barcelona. The detention is due to 69 Bolivian passengers being unable to disembark because of allegedly carrying invalid visas for entry into the Schengen area. The ship departed on 18 days’ voyage from Santos, Brazil with scheduled stops in several Mediterranean ports. The Spanish National Police are investigating the matter, on whether the cruise ship's operators were aware of the passengers' invalid documents.

Do you love traveling but would like the lowest possible rates on your next cruise vacation?

Well, now one cruise line is offering guests the opportunity to participate in a Work & Travel program, giving them the chance to work part-time aboard the ships while at the same time enjoying all guest benefits. Guests aboard Aida Cruises ships can work 4 hours a day and be rewarded with a discounted cruise rate.

The program

Brazil's federal police arrested two individuals at the Port of Ilhéus for smuggling around 28 kg of cocaine on a cruise ship. The Federal Police reported that the duo had boarded the ship in Rio de Janeiro, heading towards Barcelona, Spain.

The apprehended individuals, a man and a woman, whose identities have not been disclosed, were discovered with the narcotics concealed within false compartments of four suitcases. This was during a luggage check that involved the use of a scanner (x-ray) and a detection dog.

SSC Napoli And Msc Cruises Launch Limited Edition Jersey

Royal Caribbean International's Housekeeping Leadership Conference recently took a significant step towards coastal conservation. The team dedicated their efforts to a GIVE back project focused on sand dune restoration and beach cleanup at Crandon Park, Miami, Florida, underlining the cruise line's dedication to protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Royal Caribbean International is introducing a new beach club experience, expanding its destination offerings with the Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, scheduled to open in 2026. The announcement of this new addition was made on the western coast of Cozumel island by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, alongside Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, Quintana Roo's Secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, and Cozumel's Mayor, Juanita Alonso.

Windstar Cruises is set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its groundbreaking partnership with the James Beard Foundation in 2025. This alliance, which has set a new standard for culinary offerings at sea, underscores Windstar's commitment to providing guests with unparalleled small ship luxury cruising experiences, enhanced by exceptional gastronomic offerings.

Carnival Cruise Line announced that due to ongoing rescue and recovery operations in Baltimore Harbor following the Key Bridge collapse, its operations for Carnival Legend will be temporarily relocated to Norfolk, Virginia.
 

Carnival Corporation has signed an agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard to construct a new addition to its Excel-class of ships for the Carnival Cruise Line brand. The new vessel, boasting a gross tonnage of 180,000, is scheduled for delivery in 2028. The new vessel will operate using liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a significant step towards sustainable cruising. The ship is designed to accommodate over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew members, underscoring Carnival's strategy for large-scale, high-capacity cruise ships.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, a critical bridge and major route for cargo and cruise ships, collapsed early Tuesday after being hit by a container ship. This incident, which sent vehicles plummeting into the water below, was declared a mass-casualty event.