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Palma to limit cruise ships after environmental concerns

Spanish officials hail ‘historic’ deal to limit arrivals to maximum of three vessels a day at Mallorca port

Officials in the Balearic Islands will seek to limit cruise ships to a maximum of three vessels a day at its largest port, in a deal described as the first of its kind in Spain .

The regional government said in a statement that arrivals at Palma in Mallorca would be limited when possible to three cruise ships a day, one of the vessels allowed to be a mega-cruise liner carrying more than 5,000 people, starting in 2022.

Calling the deal historic, officials estimated it would result in a 13% drop in arrivals at one of the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean compared with 2019.

The procession of cruise ships passing through Palma has been a source of friction for years, pitting environmental concerns against the economic benefits of a sector in which as many as eight ships arrive on the same day, disgorging more than 22,000 people into the maze of narrow streets in Palma’s old town.

In 2019, when more than 2.6 million cruise-ship tourists visited the Balearic Islands, more than 25 organisations joined forces to call for the vessels to be limited to one arrival a day with a maximum of 4,000 tourists.

“The mega-cruise ship tourism arriving in Palma has grown in a way that is unsustainable and undesirable for our city, leading to serious environmental impact and increasing social protest,” they said in a joint manifesto.

“Tourist overcrowding devalues our historical and cultural heritage, converting urban space into a theme park for visitors only and degrading the tourist experience for others.”

The regional government said the deal had been more than two years in the making.

“It means setting, for the first time, a real limit to the arrival of cruise ship passengers to Palma, something that would not have been possible without the will of the sector,” Iago Negueruela, the regional official in charge of economy and tourism, said.

Similar deals have been struck for Dubrovnik in Croatia and Aalborg in Denmark, Negueruela told the Spanish newspaper El País. “We’re the first to do so in a port as large as Palma.”

As cruise ship arrivals were often scheduled months in advance, the new daily limits would include fewer than 20 exemption days in order to honour previously signed contracts, the government said. On these days the limit for cruise ship arrivals would be increased to four, though the number of total passengers would be capped at 59,500 a week.

The five-year deal was criticised by critics and proponents of cruise ship tourism. Some, such as the Platform Against MegaCruises, said little would seemingly change.

“Three cruise ships a day – one of them with a capacity of more than 5,000 passengers – still seems to us a very high figure for what the city can bear,” it said. “The regional government has missed out on the opportunity to make a courageous decision to safeguard residents of the Balearic Islands, their environment, their health and their right to the city.”

The competing platform Yes to Cruises described the push to limit the sector as an “error” that could have grave repercussions for an economy, after a 2015 study by the port authority estimated that tourism linked to cruises supported more than 5,500 jobs and contributed €256m in direct and indirect revenues to the region.

The spokesperson for the platform, the local tour guide Álex Fraile, suggested this would set a precedent: “Is the next step to restrict the arrival of aircraft at [Mallorca’s] Son Sant Joan airport?” .

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Some Britannia cruise passengers to fly home after Mallorca storm crash

• Published 28 August 2023

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Watch: Two ships collide as storms hit Mallorca

Some passengers on board a cruise ship that crashed in a storm in Mallorca have been told they have to fly home.

The P&O Cruises vessel Britannia broke free from moorings and collided with a freight vessel on Sunday.

Inspections revealed a lifeboat was damaged and could not be repaired on board, the cruise company said.

P&O said a total of 321 passengers would be returned to Southampton, or their starting point, by flight and transfer.

A technical assessment was carried out on the cruise ship in Palma, where experts found "structural issues" with one of the lifeboats.

Britannia can carry 3,647 passengers and P&O said the ship was "close to capacity" at the time of the collision.

P&O said guests were asked to "kindly volunteer to disembark".

"Together they made up the total of people who needed to leave for the ship to be able to sail safely within maritime law, given the damage to one of the lifeboats," the spokesperson added.

A small number of people were also being cared for on board after sustaining minor injuries, P&O previously said.

The captain earlier told passengers there was "no structural compromise".

Russ Dawson, from east London, was asked to leave by cruise staff earlier on Monday, but said he refused to leave the ship.

"We got a phone call to the cabin and they told us to bring our passports to reception because we were going home at five o'clock but I told them I wasn't leaving.

"I assumed people would have been asked to leave the ship based on whether they were in the same muster station as the damaged boat, but that didn't seem to be the case because we weren't," he added.

Mr Dawson was watching the weather from his balcony when the crash happened, as weather had suddenly become stormy and the sky had "turned black".

"I saw this boat start to turn around and I said 'that's going to crash into us'," he said.

"There was a bang when it hit the boat and there was screaming and shouting and panic."

Mr Dawson said P&O had offered him 20% off his next cruise as a gesture of goodwill, but he said that it "didn't come close" to making up for the situation.

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UK cruise ship crashes in Mallorca storms

• Published 27 August 2023

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King Charles to resume royal duties amid cancer treatment

Cruise ship involved in collision during severe weather in mallorca.

The P&O Cruises ship Britannia broke free of its mooring and was involved in a collision in Palma, on the Spanish island of Mallorca, during a storm with wind gusts of up to 100 km/h on Sunday, August 27.

Videos filmed by X user @Stephen Marsh show severe weather outside the Palma cruise terminal and passengers waiting to reboard the Britannia.

“Storm in Palma Mallorca breaks it’s [sic] moorings and pushes P&O Britannia into another ship and onto rocks. Ship not compromised and being pushed back into position by tugs” Marsh wrote in his post containing the video.

News reports said the Britannia broke mooring and crashed into another ship. Several people received minor injuries and were treated on board, P&O said in a statement obtained by WalesOnline .

Storyful has contacted P&O for a statement.

Mallorca was under yellow and orange alerts for severe weather on Sunday, and Palma police reported downed trees and damaged buildings in the city. Credit: Stephen Marsh via Storyful

Video transcript

- [INAUDIBLE] I hope it's not like this when we go out to sea. Look, everything is blowing off, towels and everything.

[HORN SOUNDING]

- [INAUDIBLE] .

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

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Cruise ship carrying thousands of Britons crashes into oil tanker in Mallorca

The ship was carrying thousands of British tourists when it collided with an oil tanker on Sunday due to strong winds. No serious injuries were reported.

A 300-metre-long tourist cruise ship moored in the Spanish port of Palma de Mallorca collided with an oil tanker on Sunday due to strong winds.

No serious injuries were reported, the Balearic port authority said.

The ship was carrying thousands of British tourists who were preparing to disembark in the middle of the storm.

The strong winds - of around 120 kilometres per hour - hit the island of Mallorca and broke the moorings of the Britannia cruise ship, pushing it to the other end of the dock until it collided with the Castillo de Arteaga oil tanker.

"A small number of people suffered minor injuries and are being treated by the ship's medical centre," a spokesman for P&O Cruises, which owns the Britannia cruise, said in a statement.

"To allow our technical teams to carry out an assessment, Britannia will remain in Palma de Mallorca this evening, with entertainment and activities planned on board."

One of the people who witnessed the incident captured the scene in a video that has gone viral on social media.

"What a mess. The wind blew the cruise across the harbour like straw. It crashed into the wall and that stopped it... Because if it hadn't, it would have been blown away," said the man in the video.

As a result of the collision, the tanker suffered a hole in its hull on the side of the quay, but no oil was spilled into the sea.

Palma's fire brigade and port police were immediately mobilised.

After a week of intense heatwave across Spain, a storm of rain, wind, gales and hail is battering much of the country, especially in the east, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia, which are on orange alert (high risk) this Sunday and have already caused several incidents.

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Britain's biggest ever cruise ship docks in Palma

P&o flagship arvia in palma.

Arvia: docks in Palma. | James Robinson

Britain's biggest ever cruise ship, Arvia, docked in Palma on Friday morning with more than 5,000 passengers on board. At about 184,700 gross tonnage Arvia is the largest ship to be commissioned for the British cruise market she is owned by P&O, She was floated out on 27 August 2022.

Arvia ' s normal operating capacity is 5,200 passengers even though her maximum capacity if 3rd and 4th berths are used is 6,264 passengers.

Arvia was supposed to have made her maiden voyage on 9 December 2022 but due to operational reasons this was delayed to 23 December 2022. Her maiden voyage was a 14 night Canary Island cruise from Southampton. She has a crew of 1,800.

She has many facilities including various themed restaurants and a spa.

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An ugly, polluting monstrosity full of the type of people who don’t care that they are aboard an ugly, polluting monstrosity.

Copying a Wikipedia article verbatim passes for journalism these days!

Virgin Set For Second ‘Virgin Celebration Voyage’

• April 26, 2024

After its successful debut last year, Virgin Voyages announced its second annual “Virgin Celebration Voyage.”

In honor of the company’s 50+ year history, guests will have the opportunity to sail on three voyages featuring special guests, including Richard Branson and Boy George from Culture Club, according to a press release.

Present onboard will be Virgin Voyages executives joined by astronauts from Virgin Galactic who have voyaged to the edge of space. Guests can look forward to shore experiences, fitness classes, interactive workshops, exclusive fireside chats and daily happy hours.

  “Not only are we excited to bring back this special series, but we’re making a splash, doing it bigger and better than in 2023 with not one, but three incredible voyages,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “Once a year, our Sailors have unprecedented access to immerse themselves in the magic of both Virgin Voyages and the Virgin brand. They’ll be rubbing elbows with visionary leaders from across the Virgin family and this year’s very special guests.”

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• Marella (TUI UK) cancels Red Sea repositioning cruises due to...

Marella (TUI UK) cancels Red Sea repositioning cruises due to safety concerns

Marella Cruises has made the decision to cancel a series of repositioning sailings on Discovery 2 ship due to concerns regarding the Red Sea area.

Affected passengers who were scheduled for cruises next month have been informed of the cancellations and have been presented with the choice of rebooking at a discounted rate of 10% or receiving a full refund.

Discovery 2 is presently engaged in a series of cruises in the Far East, departing from Singapore . The 15-night ‘Eastern Delights’ fly-cruise scheduled for March 26th from Singapore to Sri Lanka will proceed as planned.

Subsequent relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) through the Red Sea have been called off, along with a Limassol to Palma, Majorca voyage set for May 1st. The earliest departure listed on the Marella website is now a ‘Highlights of the Mediterranean’ round-trip from Palma on May 7th.

In correspondence with customers, TUI , the parent company of Marella Cruises, explained that due to the ongoing Red Sea conflict, they had explored alternative routes for sailing from Singapore to Palma. Regrettably, they had made the challenging, yet necessary, decision to cancel the cruise.

"The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority.”

TUI is extending a 10% discount on a new cruise booking or providing a full refund, inclusive of any excursions booked. The 10% discount offer is valid for re-bookings made by 16 March.

A spokesperson for Marella Cruises commented:

“We can confirm that due to the on-going conflict in the Red Sea area we have made the difficult decision to cancel ‘Eastern Flavours 1 and 2’, ‘Arabian Sunrise 1 and 2’, ‘Red Sea Sights 1 and 2’, ‘Ancient Discovery 1 and 2’ and ‘Ancient Escape’ on Marella Discovery 2 between 4 April 2024 – 1 May 2024, for the safety of our customers and crew. “We appreciate how disappointing this news will be. All impacted customers will be contacted by their booking agent to discuss the options available to them, which including being able to rebook with a 10% booking incentive or receive a full refund.”

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Palma De Mallorca

Map & parking, hotel & flights, palma de mallorca overview.

View of La Seu, Palma De Mallorca in Spain

Harbor, Palma De Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

View of the Beach with the Cathedral

Experience Glamorous Island Life in Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, the picturesque capital city of the Balearic Islands, serves as an idyllic departure port for your upcoming voyage. Overflowing with beaches, this beloved island offers more than just prime swimming and sunbathing opportunities. The incredible seaside Palma Cathedral Le Seu is a Gothic masterpiece. Likewise, the Moorish-style Arab fortress Almudaina and the 14th Century hilltop Bellver Castle just west of the city all stun visitors.

Palma de Mallorca’s Palma Aquarium is a great place to visit. Like shopping? Walk the maze-like streets of Old Town and visit Mercat de l'Olivar, Mercado de Santa Catalina, and Centro Comercial S`Escorxador. Whether you're embarking on a cruise, setting sail on a yacht, or boarding a ferry to nearby destinations, this departure port promises an unforgettable beginning to your journey. Bon voyage!

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Florence in California: Carnival launches new Italian-style cruise ship

Carnival Cruise Line is bringing a touch of Italy to Southern California.

The line launched Carnival Firenze, inspired by its namesake city, this week. The vessel sailed its maiden voyage from its Long Beach homeport on Thursday.

“We carry more guests than any other cruise line from California, and now this ship is giving us the opportunity to offer more fun to more people sailing from Long Beach,” Christine Duffy, the line’s president, said in a news release . “The recipe combining this ship’s beautiful Italian theming with the familiarity of our friendly team’s hospitality is, in a word, perfecto!”

The ship is the second in the Carnival Fun Italian Style concept after sister ship Carnival Venezia joined the fleet last summer. Both were originally part of Costa Cruises – also owned by parent company Carnival Corp. – before being rehomed.

Where will Carnival Firenze sail?

The roughly 5,000-guest ship will offer Baja Mexico and Mexican Riviera cruises ranging from three to seven days. Stops include destinations like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Catalina Island.

What can guests expect on board?

Built in 2020, Firenze was refurbished earlier this year to add Carnival-specific touches. Those include staple venues like the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and JavaBlue Cafe.

But the line leans into the ship’s Italian motif. The ship’s atrium was designed with Florence’s Piazza del Duomo in mind and the Lido deck takes influence from the Italian Riviera. There’s even a replica of Michelangelo’s David on board that was previously on Carnival Pride (the real sculpture is located in Florence’s Accademia Gallery).

The theme extends to the food and drink options, with eateries like Italian specialty restaurant Il Viaggio, Mexican-Italian fusion venue Tomodoro and La Strada Grill, serving Italian street food. Frizzante specializes in bubbly drinks, and passengers can sip craft cocktails and Italian coffee at Amari.

Other features include the WaterWorks water park and Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

How long should I take a cruise?: Here's how short and long cruises compare

How much does Carnival Firenze cost?

Prices vary based on sailing date and other factors, but a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing on May 30 currently starts at $409 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival’s website . The fare includes much of the food on the ship, drinks like regular coffee and iced tea and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Protect Your Trip »

6 top transatlantic cruises for 2024.

Journey across the Atlantic while enjoying all the amenities at sea.

The Top Transatlantic Cruises

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Sailing from New York to England on Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is just one of many transatlantic offerings in 2024.

Transatlantic cruises are unique when you compare them to traditional cruises most people book for family trips and romantic getaways. These voyages tend to be longer in general, and they have more built-in days at sea and offer a lot more time on board as a result. Repositioning cruises that include a transatlantic crossing tend to attract more retirees and travelers who just want to relax and enjoy their ships' amenities, especially since fewer days in port means fewer excursions and more time doing nothing at all.

That said, the fact that transatlantic cruises can last as few as seven nights means they may fit in your plans more easily than you may think. There are also some benefits to transatlantic crossings that may not be obvious, including lower nightly rates, more onboard credit, and more time to kick back and relax at a floating luxury resort in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're curious which transatlantic cruises are best for 2024, here are six top picks with different cruise lengths, itineraries and unique destinations to explore.

Explore cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cunard Line

Date: Departs May 5, 2024

Departure port: Brooklyn, New York

Starting price: $2,449 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 7 to 18 nights

In May of 2024, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 vessel will offer three different transatlantic crossings of various lengths. Choose from a seven-night sailing from Brooklyn, New York , to Southampton, England; a nine-night sailing to Hamburg, Germany ; and an 18-night round-trip sailing that departs from Brooklyn and crosses the Atlantic twice on the way back to its starting point. This unique combination of itineraries lets you cross the sea and tailor your trip to how long you want to be away from home.

The 18-night itinerary is especially interesting, since it lets you depart from the United States and arrive back in Brooklyn in the end with stops in both England and Germany, as well as plenty of sea days in between. Luxury cruise line Cunard is known for its elegant design, lush amenities and upscale feel, and the Queen Mary 2 is one of the line's most luxurious ships. Highlights on this exclusive vessel include the Royal Court Theatre, a casino, gala evenings, an onboard spa and a vast library. The Queen Mary 2 holds up to 2,691 guests with 1,173 crew to cater to your every need.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Date: Departs March 24, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Starting price: $5,949 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 21 nights

Seabourn is offering a 21-night transatlantic cruise from Miami on Seabourn Quest in March 2024 that offers a diverse range of ports of call before ending its voyage in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands . Departure from Miami is followed by nine days at sea. Then, you'll enjoy multiple stops in the Canary Islands – including Santa Cruz de La Palma and San Sebastián de La Gomera – as well as stops in Praia and Mindelo the Cape Verde archipelago.

This journey with Seabourn makes it possible for travelers to see some of the most beautiful and remote tropical islands in the world. The Canary Islands are known for their white sand beaches , volcanoes and lush greenery; similar landscapes can also be found in Cape Verde's coastal towns and villages. Seabourn Quest, a smaller ocean vessel, accommodates just 229 guests.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Date: Departs Nov. 8, 2024

Departure port: Southampton, England

Starting price: $769 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 16 nights

The MSC Virtuosa from MSC Cruises is repositioning from Europe to the Caribbean in November 2024, which gives travelers the chance to enjoy a lengthy transatlantic crossing with plenty of unique ports. This sailing departs from England with eight sea days plus stops in France, the Azores of Portugal, St. Maarten , Antigua and Barbuda, and Martinique . The ship ends its journey in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

The MSC Virtuosa is a larger cruise vessel that boasts an impressive grand promenade with a LED dome ceiling, dedicated clubs for children and teens, an onboard spa, a lavish casino and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club section of the ship. This vessel holds a maximum of 6,334 passengers at once.

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Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Date: Departs July 5, 2024

Departure port: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn)

Starting price: $4,098 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 31 nights

Princess Cruises also offers its share of transatlantic sailings on various vessels. Its 31-night crossing from New York to Barcelona, Spain , on Island Princess in July 2024 is jam-packed with exciting destinations to explore. This lengthy transatlantic voyage has only 13 sea days with planned stops in Canada's Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, Spain, Portugal and Morocco before the journey ends in Barcelona.

This intriguing sailing experience with Princess takes passengers to eight different countries in the span of a month. Island Princess is a nice ship for a long sailing because of its smaller size, with just 2,200 passengers and 900 crew. But the ship is also large enough to have a huge selection of included and specialty dining options, a Vegas-style casino, a sports court, a large central atrium for gathering, and several pools and hot tubs to enjoy.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Date: Departs April 11, 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Starting price: $760 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 12 nights

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 12-night sailing on Celebrity Equinox in April 2024 that starts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and ends in Lisbon, Portugal – making it possible for travelers to enjoy eight relaxing days at sea. What's interesting about this sailing is its stops along the way, which include the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda; Porta Delgada in Portugal's Azores archipelago; and Porto in mainland Portugal.

The Celebrity Equinox accommodates a maximum of just 2,852 passengers at once, so this Celebrity vessel is a solid choice for travelers who want just the right size ship instead of a smaller vessel or a megaship. There are also plenty of onboard features to keep you happy and entertained as you float across the Atlantic Ocean, including The Casino, The Lawn Club with outdoor games like bocce ball and croquet, The Martini Bar, the adults-only Solarium and more.

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Dates: Departs Oct. 24, 2024

Departure port: Barcelona, Spain

Starting price: $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 14 nights

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is hosting a transatlantic voyage in October 2024 that departs from Barcelona, Spain, and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This vessel will make stops in Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartagena and Málaga in Spain, then spend eight days at sea. After that, enjoy a day in Nassau in the Bahamas before the cruise drops passengers off in sunny Florida.

Interior staterooms on this Royal Caribbean sailing start at just $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees), which works out to around $60 per night, per person. The Oasis of the Seas megaship can hold a total of 6,771 guests and 2,109 crew, so it's an enormous vessel – to put it mildly. This size may not be ideal for travelers who want a more intimate cruising experience, but it's perfect for cruisers who want plenty of space to spread out and endless activities to take part in. Oasis of the Seas boasts 20 different restaurants and cafes, 11 bars and lounges, a variety of pools and whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, the AquaTheater diving and entertainment venue, mini-golf, a casino and plenty more.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Solo Cruises (With No Supplement Fare)
• Sustainable Cruises: The Top Lines Making Progress
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials Chosen by Experts

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Travel alert: Royal Caribbean cancels cruises to this island

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 4:57 p.m.
• Alvin Buyinza | [email protected]

Royal Caribbean Cruises has canceled more stops at a popular private resort in Haiti due to safety issues.

Guests who booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are receiving notifications from Royal Caribbean that their cruises to Labadee, a private resort on the northern coast of Haiti, have been canceled, according to royalcaribbeanblog.com , a website that reports on the cruise line.

After Royal Caribbean started to cancel trips to Haiti in March due to civil unrest in Haiti, the cruise line started to cancel more cruises into September, royalcaribbeanblog.com reported. The Royal Caribbean had previously canceled visits to Labadee through the end of this May.

• Read More: Cruise line stops visits to popular Caribbean resort amid U.S. travel advisory

The private resort stop has since been replaced with another port or a day at sea, the royalcaribbeanblog.com reported. The cancellations affect ships such as Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean announced in March that it was suspending all calls to Labadee, according to cruiseindustrynews.com . The move came after the U.S. State Department announced a travel alert for people to not visit the country.

“The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the U.S. State Department wrote in a press release in March. “We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.”

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• Anniston/Gadsden

U.S. travel alert: Cruise line cancels more visits to popular Caribbean destination

• Updated: Apr. 24, 2024, 10:55 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 24, 2024, 11:09 a.m.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has canceled more stops at one of its most popular destinations due to safety concerns.

• Leada Gore | [email protected]

RoyalCaribbeanblog.com, a website that tracks the line, reported guests booked in the summer and early fall are receiving notification their visits to Labadee, Haiti have been canceled. Labadee is a private resort operated by Royal Caribbean.

The line had previously canceled visits to Labadee through the end of May. The stop was replaced with visits to other destinations or a day at sea.

The cancellations affect several Royal Caribbean ships, including Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas, the website reported.

Royal Caribbean announced in March it was suspending calls to the resort on the northern coast of Haiti after the U.S. State Department issued an alert advising people not to visit the country. Haiti is at a Level Four travel advisory, alongside countries such as Russia, Syria and Burkina Faso, due to issues with “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor healthcare infrastructure,” U.S. officials said.

Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic sharing the island to the east. The Dominican Republic is under a level 2 advisory with visitors urged to exercise increased caution.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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