Crew Center received a message from Azamara Onward crew member who wishes to remain anonymous. The message sheds light on the situation onboard following a recent outbreak of gastrointestinal (GI) illness. While health and safety remain a top priority for all seafarers, the crew member voices frustration describing it as an unjustified and demoralizing decision: a full ban on crew going ashore during a tender port visit.

This is the letter we received from the crew member:

The Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice-Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area, has come under fire after what many are calling a staged publicity stunt during the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas off the coast of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

A suspected foreign spy arrested in Crete last week has triggered alarm within Greek intelligence after investigators uncovered thousands of surveillance photos, among them, detailed images of cruise ships in Chania docked at Port Souda. Authorities are now probing whether the vessels, carrying thousands of tourists, were potential reconnaissance targets in a broader suspected terrorist plot.

Three French men were sentenced on Monday by a court in Genoa for their involvement in the rape of a 19-year-old Italian student aboard an MSC cruise ship last year. The Genoa tribunal handed 10-year prison terms to two of the men, while the third received a 5-year and 4-month sentence. All three had been accused of participating in the sexual assault of the student on the cruise ship MSC Seaside during the night between May 17 and 18, 2024, as the ship sailed off the coast of Genoa.

Viking Ocean Cruises celebrated the christening of its newest ocean-going vessel, the Viking Vesta, in Split, Croatia. The ceremony comes as the cruise line marks its 10th anniversary in the cruise business, reinforcing its reputation for delivering elegant, small-ship experiences.

Passengers aboard Independence of the Seas were met with a surprise announcement this week as Royal Caribbean International confirmed a last-minute itinerary change due to ongoing propulsion system maintenance.

Carnival Cruise Line is cutting ties with Pepsi and cracking open a cold one with Coca-Cola. Starting later this summer, Carnival guests will once again be sipping the world’s most iconic soda brand as Coca-Cola becomes the cruise line’s preferred beverage partner across its North American fleet.

In preparation for hosting the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Brazilian government has announced plans to charter two large cruise ships Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview, to serve as floating hotels for international delegations attending the event.

On June 29, while returning to Fort Lauderdale, the Disney Dream crew responded to a man overboard alert after a child fell from the ship’s deck and her father jumped in after her. Deck 4 features a jogging track and plexiglass barriers, but the child somehow went overboard. Her father immediately followed in a heroic attempt to save her.

Ambassador Cruise Line is celebrating a big win—being named Best Cruise Line at the 2025 Group Leisure & Travel Awards in London. This annual event honors the best destinations, attractions, and experiences in the group travel industry, and the win marks a major milestone for Ambassador.

Chosen by travel organizers who specialize in planning group trips, the award is especially meaningful. It reflects the trust and appreciation of the people who work closely with cruise lines and know exactly what makes a trip unforgettable for their clients.