WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.200 Welcome to Cruise News, your daily update on 00:00:02.200 --> 00:00:05.179 everything happening at sea. Visit cruisenews 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:07.580 .io to see today's stories and sign up for email 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:11.279 alerts. We have a really interesting deep dive 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.880 for you today. We're looking at three big stories 00:00:13.880 --> 00:00:16.679 that kind of show this tension happening right 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:19.160 now in the cruise world. You've got this focus 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:22.420 on, you know... Incredible scale, amazing new 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:25.199 ships, real innovation. But then there's the 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:27.820 other side of, let's say, the serious business 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.039 of keeping things safe and orderly on board. 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:32.119 Yeah, it's a real balancing act, isn't it? Absolutely. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:34.700 So we've got sources talking about the crackdown 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:38.200 on, well, unruly passengers, strict rules. But 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:41.020 then we're also celebrating two huge new ships 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:43.979 launching. Princess Cruise's Star Princess and 00:00:43.979 --> 00:00:46.399 Disney Cruise Line's Disney Destiny. For two 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:48.920 massive additions. So the big question, I think, 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:51.320 is as these ships get bigger, basically floating 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:53.320 cities, right? Yeah. How does the industry actually 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:55.759 manage, you know, people just being people, sometimes 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:58.039 chaotic people? It's a huge challenge. Okay, 00:00:58.100 --> 00:00:59.820 let's tackle the serious stuff first. We've all 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:02.979 seen them, haven't we? Those viral videos, fights, 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:07.459 arguments over chairs, sometimes, yeah. actual 00:01:07.459 --> 00:01:10.099 brawls breaking out. Unfortunately, yes. It seems 00:01:10.099 --> 00:01:12.219 more common or at least more visible now. And 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:14.859 because of that, the major cruise lines are, 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:17.019 well, they're done with warnings, it seems. They're 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:20.280 moving straight to pretty severe penalties. They 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:23.219 really are. And what's interesting is the strategy 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:26.379 here. It's not just about getting one disruptive 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:28.560 person off the ship. It's about setting a really 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:31.920 strong example legally and financially. OK. So 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:34.459 passengers involved in like physical fights, 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:37.299 they're facing immediate consequences. It's sort 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:40.379 of a three part punch that just stops their trip 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:43.260 and maybe more than just their trip dead in its 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:45.260 tracks. So tell us about those immediate consequences, 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:47.299 because the sources suggest this isn't just talk. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:49.219 It's actually happening. Oh, it's definitely 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:51.769 happening. The first thing is confinement. usually 00:01:51.769 --> 00:01:53.950 in their cabin, maybe a dedicated security cabin 00:01:53.950 --> 00:01:57.129 or on some ships. Yeah, actual brig. A brig, 00:01:57.310 --> 00:02:00.569 really. On some larger vessels, yes. And right 00:02:00.569 --> 00:02:03.489 after that, it's immediate disembarkation. Next 00:02:03.489 --> 00:02:05.670 port of call, period. And that's where it gets 00:02:05.670 --> 00:02:07.530 complicated for others, too, right? Exactly. 00:02:07.530 --> 00:02:09.509 That's the ripple effect. Because you could just 00:02:09.509 --> 00:02:12.090 be, you know, having your vacation, maybe reading 00:02:12.090 --> 00:02:13.830 a book on the balcony, and suddenly your whole 00:02:13.830 --> 00:02:16.530 trip is over because your cabin mate got into 00:02:16.530 --> 00:02:18.819 a fight. That's right. The policies are pretty 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:21.740 clear now. Family members, anyone sharing that 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:24.159 cabin booking, they might also have to leave 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:26.819 the ship immediately. Doesn't matter if they 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:28.780 were involved or not. Wow. And then there's the 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:31.240 money side. Beyond just being stranded somewhere, 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:34.259 maybe a port you didn't even plan to visit properly. 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:36.560 Yeah, the logistics must be a nightmare. Totally. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.919 But financially, Carnival Cruise Line and Margaritaville 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:42.939 at sea, they're specifically hitting people with 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:47.240 a $500 fine just for fighting. Okay, $500. That's 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:50.379 not nothing, but it sounds like the least of 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:52.340 your worries financially at that point. Oh, absolutely. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:55.460 That fine is almost symbolic. The real hit is, 00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:57.780 number one, you forfeit the rest of your cruise 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:00.780 fare, thousands of dollars probably gone. And 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:03.419 number two, you are completely on your own to 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:06.099 get home. Booking flights last minute from some 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:09.080 random port, hotels, dealing with customs or 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:11.340 visas if it's international, that's all on you. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:14.840 Plus any medical bills or... heaven forbid, legal 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:16.919 fees if the port authorities get involved. And 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:18.780 that's a real risk, isn't it? Getting handed 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:20.620 over to local police when you get off the ship, 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:22.840 especially if someone got hurt or a property 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:25.199 was damaged. Yes, that's where it potentially 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:28.360 escalates from breaking cruise line rules to, 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:32.379 you know, actual criminal charges. Local police 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:34.620 are getting involved more often. Arrests happen, 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:37.960 court appearances, assault charges. That could 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:40.280 mean a permanent criminal record. It's a serious 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:42.680 deterrent now. And for people who love cruising, 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:44.780 maybe the biggest punishment is being told you 00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:47.219 can never cruise again. That do not sail list. 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:50.219 How widely is that shared? Well, the list itself 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:52.580 is usually kept by the specific cruise line. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:55.000 But, and this is key, within the big corporate 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:57.759 families, they absolutely share that information. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.580 So you get a lifetime ban. from, say, Carnival 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:03.500 Cruise Line. You're almost certainly banned from 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:06.620 Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa, 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:08.419 you know, anyone under that Carnival Corporation 00:04:08.419 --> 00:04:10.860 umbrella. Right. So it effectively locks you 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:13.500 out of a huge chunk of the cruise market. It 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.879 really does. A massive segment. And you can see 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.220 why they need these strict rules from an operational 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:20.740 standpoint, too. These fights and things, they're 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:23.839 not just, you know, annoying. They actually pull 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:26.800 staff away from their real jobs. I saw a note 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:30.089 about a buffet incident. Someone threw salt shakers. 00:04:30.250 --> 00:04:32.569 Yeah, glass salt shakers. That's a perfect example 00:04:32.569 --> 00:04:36.110 of the drain on resources. Suddenly, security 00:04:36.110 --> 00:04:38.230 isn't doing patrols. They're managing a fight 00:04:38.230 --> 00:04:40.930 scene. Medical staff might be needed. Management 00:04:40.930 --> 00:04:43.689 has to step in, deal with cleanup, maybe damaged 00:04:43.689 --> 00:04:46.269 property. And they might have to coordinate with 00:04:46.269 --> 00:04:49.649 court agents, customs. It takes time and focus 00:04:49.649 --> 00:04:53.129 away from serving the other thousands of guests 00:04:53.129 --> 00:04:55.129 who are just trying to have a good time. So for 00:04:55.129 --> 00:04:57.319 the average cruiser. The person who just wants 00:04:57.319 --> 00:04:59.980 a peaceful vacation. What's the best advice? 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:03.100 How do you avoid getting caught up in this? It's 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:06.639 really about being prepared and honestly staying 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:08.959 out of it. First, actually read the guest conduct 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:10.920 policy before you go. It's usually online. Good 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:13.819 point. Second, watch the alcohol intake. It's 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.500 often a factor in these things. And third, maybe 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:19.279 most important, if you see something kicking 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:22.459 off or if you feel unsafe, don't try to be a 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:27.030 hero. Don't jump in. Right. Report it. Immediately. 00:05:27.030 --> 00:05:30.189 Find a crew member, call security, go to guest 00:05:30.189 --> 00:05:32.629 services, let the trained professionals handle 00:05:32.629 --> 00:05:35.019 it. That's the safest thing for everyone. That 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:36.839 makes a lot of sense. Protect your own vacation. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:39.360 Let the crew do their job. It really highlights 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:42.120 how much relies on that crew, doesn't it? Especially 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:44.579 on these enormous new ships. Absolutely. The 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:46.939 scale is incredible. Which actually is a perfect 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:49.660 transition. Let's shift gears from conduct rules 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:52.240 to the exciting stuff, the hardware. Let's talk 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.860 about Princess Cruise's newest ship, the second 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:57.480 in their sphere class, Star Princess. Yes, this 00:05:57.480 --> 00:05:59.600 is a big one for Princess. Star Princess, second 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.439 sphere class ship, their 17th ship overall. shows 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:05.600 their commitment to this modern, large -scale, 00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:09.779 tech -integrated design. And it is large, 177 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:13.839 ,800 gross tons, carrying 4 ,300 passengers. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:16.759 That's huge. What does that mean for the experience 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:19.680 on board? And when does she actually start sailing? 00:06:19.860 --> 00:06:23.160 She's set to debut in fall 2025, kicks off with 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:26.199 an 11 -night med cruise from Barcelona. And that 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:28.490 scale... Well, it means Princess is aiming for 00:06:28.490 --> 00:06:30.610 itineraries where the ship is a major part of 00:06:30.610 --> 00:06:33.389 the destination. Managing 4 ,300 guests, you 00:06:33.389 --> 00:06:35.410 need smart design. Lots of different spaces, 00:06:35.670 --> 00:06:38.310 public and private, so it doesn't feel overwhelmingly 00:06:38.310 --> 00:06:41.050 crowded. And the Sphere class is known for some 00:06:41.050 --> 00:06:43.670 pretty unique features. What makes Star Princess 00:06:43.670 --> 00:06:46.569 stand out? Yeah, the Sphere class is all about... 00:06:47.290 --> 00:06:49.209 creating these really impressive venues and improving 00:06:49.209 --> 00:06:51.790 passenger flow. You've got over 30 places to 00:06:51.790 --> 00:06:53.470 eat or grab a drink, which helps spread people 00:06:53.470 --> 00:06:56.509 out. 30? Wow. Yeah. And they're leaning into 00:06:56.509 --> 00:06:58.730 premium stuff, too, like this exclusive Loveline 00:06:58.730 --> 00:07:00.990 liquor collection, which kind of nods to the 00:07:00.990 --> 00:07:03.550 ship's godparents, Matthew and Camilla McConaughey. 00:07:03.610 --> 00:07:05.769 Ah, the McConaugheys, right. But the really big 00:07:05.769 --> 00:07:08.569 architectural things are the dome. That huge 00:07:08.569 --> 00:07:10.529 glass enclosed space at the top front of the 00:07:10.529 --> 00:07:13.149 ship. Yes. Looks amazing in the pictures. It's 00:07:13.149 --> 00:07:15.470 designed to be a pool and relaxation spot during 00:07:15.470 --> 00:07:18.410 the day. But then at night, it transforms into 00:07:18.410 --> 00:07:20.889 this entertainment venue. They're doing things 00:07:20.889 --> 00:07:23.029 like a candlelight concert series in there. Cool. 00:07:23.449 --> 00:07:25.649 And what about the main theater, the Princess 00:07:25.649 --> 00:07:27.750 Arena? Sounds like they're stepping up the production 00:07:27.750 --> 00:07:30.089 quality there, too. Definitely. They're launching 00:07:30.089 --> 00:07:33.310 with two big new shows, Meridian, which sounds 00:07:33.310 --> 00:07:35.410 like a sort of glamorous high society at sea 00:07:35.410 --> 00:07:38.870 kind of theme, and then Illuminate, a spectacle 00:07:38.870 --> 00:07:42.029 of joy, which mixes circus vibes with high -tech 00:07:42.029 --> 00:07:45.470 effects. So real Broadway -level ambition, it 00:07:45.470 --> 00:07:47.329 sounds like. That seems to be the goal, making 00:07:47.329 --> 00:07:49.870 the ship itself a destination, not just the ports. 00:07:50.649 --> 00:07:52.629 And after she debuts in Europe, her schedule 00:07:52.629 --> 00:07:55.069 looks packed. She's heading to the U .S. and 00:07:55.069 --> 00:07:57.810 then all over the place. Yeah, it's a really 00:07:57.810 --> 00:08:00.189 ambitious first year or so. She comes over to 00:08:00.189 --> 00:08:02.490 Fort Lauderdale for her U .S. debut and naming 00:08:02.490 --> 00:08:06.310 ceremony in November 2025. Then she starts doing 00:08:06.310 --> 00:08:08.769 Caribbean runs, both Western and Eastern. OK, 00:08:08.829 --> 00:08:11.610 standard Caribbean season. Right. But then the 00:08:11.610 --> 00:08:15.649 big one. is Atril 2026. She does a massive 20 00:08:15.649 --> 00:08:18.389 -day Panama Canal transit. Starts in Fort Lauderdale, 00:08:18.470 --> 00:08:20.410 sails all the way through the canal, and ends 00:08:20.410 --> 00:08:23.350 up in Seattle. Wow, 20 days. That's a serious 00:08:23.350 --> 00:08:25.810 repositioning. It is, and it sets her up perfectly 00:08:25.810 --> 00:08:28.310 for the summer season. Alaska, of course. Exactly. 00:08:28.490 --> 00:08:30.949 Starting May 10th, 2026, she'll be doing those 00:08:30.949 --> 00:08:33.809 classic seven -day Alaska inside passage trips, 00:08:33.950 --> 00:08:36.370 round trip from Seattle, visiting Ketchikan, 00:08:36.610 --> 00:08:39.889 Juneau, Skagway, plus glacier viewing. So yeah, 00:08:39.990 --> 00:08:41.769 they built a ship designed for global reach. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.399 And they're putting her straight to work. A truly 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.600 global ship. Very impressive. Okay, so from Princess's 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.840 new giant, let's switch focus to Disney Cruise 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:52.120 Line. They've just officially taken delivery 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:54.879 of their newest ship, the Disney Destiny. Different 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.220 approach here, maybe. A bit different, yeah. 00:08:56.419 --> 00:08:59.440 Still a big, modern ship. She's the third in 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.500 their Wish class, built at Meyer Wharf like her 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:04.220 sisters. And importantly, she's LNG -powered. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:08.039 Ah, liquefied natural gas. So focusing on sustainability, 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:11.440 too. Right. That's a big push for Disney Cruise 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.250 Line. and the industry generally, reducing that 00:09:14.250 --> 00:09:16.370 environmental impact. It's pretty much essential 00:09:16.370 --> 00:09:19.710 now for a global brand like Disney. But the really 00:09:19.710 --> 00:09:23.070 unique thing about Disney Destiny, the thing 00:09:23.070 --> 00:09:25.330 everyone's talking about, is the theme, right? 00:09:25.370 --> 00:09:28.370 This heroes and villains concept. Yes, that's 00:09:28.370 --> 00:09:31.090 the core idea shaping the whole ship. It's not 00:09:31.090 --> 00:09:33.549 just general Disney magic. It's specifically 00:09:33.549 --> 00:09:37.029 built around this duality, heroes versus villains. 00:09:37.289 --> 00:09:39.789 How does that actually play out on board? It's 00:09:39.789 --> 00:09:42.100 everywhere. The entertainment, for example, in 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:44.340 the Grand Hall Atrium, there's a musical show 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:46.779 called Sounds of Wakanda celebrating Black Panther. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.399 OK, hero side. Definitely. Then for adults, there's 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:52.620 a Marvel comedy sketch show called With Great 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:55.080 Power. and the main Broadway -style show in the 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:57.460 theater. It's Hercules. Hercules, perfect fit 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:59.519 for heroes and villains. Absolutely, and even 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.659 the outside of the ship gets in on it. The artwork 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:03.820 on the stern features Spider -Man tangling with 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:06.220 his spider -bots. Ah, nice touch. What about 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:09.779 food and the grown -up spaces? Bars and lounges. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:12.759 They're deeply themed, too. One of the main dining 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:15.860 rooms is Pride Lands, Peace to the Lion King. 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:18.960 It's described as an interactive musical dinner 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:22.230 theater. Sounds very Disney. Very Disney. There's 00:10:22.230 --> 00:10:24.289 also Worlds of Marvel Dining, which sounds like 00:10:24.289 --> 00:10:26.090 it ties into the Guardians of the Galaxy, maybe. 00:10:26.389 --> 00:10:29.070 But the adult lounges seem to lean more into 00:10:29.070 --> 00:10:31.350 the villain side, offering that sophisticated 00:10:31.350 --> 00:10:35.129 escape. Oh, interesting. Like what? Well, there's 00:10:35.129 --> 00:10:37.289 the Sanctum, inspired by Doctor Strange, maybe 00:10:37.289 --> 00:10:39.289 straddles the line there. But then you've got 00:10:39.289 --> 00:10:42.129 DeVille's, themed around Cruella DeVille. Okay, 00:10:42.190 --> 00:10:44.549 definitely villainous. And maybe the most talked 00:10:44.549 --> 00:10:47.509 about one? The Haunted Mansion Parlor, which 00:10:47.509 --> 00:10:49.730 sounds delightfully spooky and sophisticated. 00:10:50.129 --> 00:10:52.649 Wow, that level of theming is really something 00:10:52.649 --> 00:10:55.190 else. That's Disney's unique selling point, isn't 00:10:55.190 --> 00:10:58.889 it? So when can people actually sail on the Disney 00:10:58.889 --> 00:11:01.210 Destiny? Her maiden voyage is set for November 00:11:01.210 --> 00:11:04.549 20th, 2025. She'll sail out of Port Everglades, 00:11:04.570 --> 00:11:07.129 which is Fort Lauderdale. Initially, she's doing 00:11:07.129 --> 00:11:09.590 shorter cruises four and five nights, mostly 00:11:09.590 --> 00:11:12.190 Bahamas and Western Caribbean. And importantly... 00:11:12.509 --> 00:11:14.870 These trips will include stops at Disney's private 00:11:14.870 --> 00:11:18.049 islands, Castaway Cay, and the newer Lighthouse 00:11:18.049 --> 00:11:20.350 Point. Makes sense. Keep her close to home and 00:11:20.350 --> 00:11:23.309 those key Disney destinations at first. Exactly. 00:11:23.850 --> 00:11:26.070 They've mentioned plans for longer seven night 00:11:26.070 --> 00:11:28.990 Caribbean trips starting sometime in 2026. OK, 00:11:29.070 --> 00:11:33.429 so quite a day of news. We've covered the let's 00:11:33.429 --> 00:11:36.450 call it the necessary crackdown on bad behavior. 00:11:36.490 --> 00:11:38.809 Those bans, the fines, making sure rules have 00:11:38.809 --> 00:11:40.830 teeth. Right. The enforcement side. Well, at 00:11:40.830 --> 00:11:43.409 the same time, we're seeing just incredible new 00:11:43.409 --> 00:11:45.710 hardware hitting the water. These massive innovative 00:11:45.710 --> 00:11:49.389 ships like Star Princess and the incredibly themed 00:11:49.389 --> 00:11:51.809 Disney Destiny. It really sums up the state of 00:11:51.809 --> 00:11:53.799 cruising, I think. Yeah. You have this push towards 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:56.779 unbelievable experiences, LNG power, amazing 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:59.500 venues like the Dome, the sheer complexity of 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.679 building a ship for 4 ,300 people. Yeah. But 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.259 to make that work, to deliver that amazing vacation 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:06.659 everyone paid for, you absolutely have to control 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:08.559 the environment. You need strict rules and you 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:10.639 need to enforce them. The bigger and more spectacular 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:12.919 the ship. The more tightly you have to manage 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:15.279 the experience. Exactly. The innovation almost 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:18.279 demands the stricter enforcement. It's all about 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.559 protecting that experience for the thousands 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:22.759 of guests on board, making sure everyone gets 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:25.440 that safe, relaxing trip they expected. A crucial 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:27.419 balance for the industry to keep navigating. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:31.399 Well, that's certainly food for thought. Thanks 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.940 for listening to Cruise News. Visit cruisenews 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:36.320 .io to catch up on the latest updates and sign 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.600 up for free email alerts.