In a move to attract more tourists, Muscat has announced a free 10-day visit visa for passengers and crew members of cruise ships visiting Oman. This new rule, part of Decision No. 132/2024, was introduced by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs.
On September 5, 2024, the cruise ship AIDAprima operated by AIDA Cruises made history by refueling with 100% renewable biofuel (BMF100) at the Port of Rotterdam. This refueling marked the first time the ship has used a biofuel entirely from advanced waste and residue streams. VARO Energy, the provider of the biofuel, estimates that this innovative energy source will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85% when compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Carnival Corporation has been ordered to pay an extra $2 million in interest after trying to appeal a $10.2 million verdict in a sexual assault case, bringing the total compensation to over $12 million. The ruling comes after a Florida federal judge imposed sanctions on the company for delaying the case for an additional two years.
A disturbing incident aboard a Mediterranean cruise has left a waiter with permanent facial injuries after a guest violently attacked him in the main dining room. The incident, which has shocked both passengers and crew, reportedly occurred during the evening shift when a disagreement over the misuse of a drink package escalated into a brutal assault.
Santorini has introduced new rules to manage the number of tourists arriving by cruise ships. The island's port authorities now limit the number of guests at the dock to 500 at any given time. This measure is meant to reduce overcrowding at the dock and make the experience better for everyone.
During the recent visit, Princess Cruises informed guests sailing aboard the Sun Princess about the new rule:
The United States Coast Guard evacuated a female crew member in need of urgent medical attention from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Navigator of the Seas.
The crew member, who was experiencing lower abdominal pain, was medically evacuated on Thursday at around 2:53 am while the ship was sailing in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Southern California this week.
The Governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, announced signing of an agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) to establish a Cruise Tourism Development Fund. The new fund will be financed through a $5 fee charged to each cruise passenger visiting the ports of Cozumel and Mahahual. The revenue generated from this tax will be dedicated to improving tourism infrastructure, strengthening natural disaster prevention measures, and enhancing security at these popular destinations.
The Spanish multinational oil and gas company Cepsa has begun supplying second-generation biofuels to Norwegian Cruise Line ships at the Port of Barcelona. The first ship to receive this fuel was the 'Norwegian Escape,' in late July. Cepsa plans to continue providing this greener fuel to the ship throughout the European cruise season. In August, Cepsa supplied this type of fuel to two other ships operated by the NCLH. Further supplies have been confirmed for the coming months, with biofuels available on a regular basis from the Ports of Barcelona and Algeciras.
Royal Caribbean Group has signed a deal with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku for a fourth Icon Class ship, which will be delivered in 2027. The agreement also includes options for two more ships in this class. Jason Liberty, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, highlighted the success of Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024, and expressed excitement about expanding the fleet. The new ships are expected to build on the innovative experiences offered by the Icon Class, with the next ship, Star of the Seas, debuting in 2025.
Four passengers sailing on the cruise ship MSC Magnifica out of Miami were arrested for using fraudulent credit cards in the ship’s casino. The suspects, Michael F. Emmanuel, 35; Tyrisha Delgado, 38; Devin Jones, 28; and Quentin Marcellus Tuck, 32, were charged with several crimes, including grand theft and fraud. They tried to take out large cash advances using fraudulent credit cards to gamble on slot machines and other games during the four-day cruise, which started on August 19.
