Latest news with #CarnivalMiracle
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cruise ship rescues American students trapped in Israel
Cruise ship rescues American students trapped in Israel originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Cruise lines and cruise ships are widely known for their vacation value and appeal, but they can be much more. Cruise ships, as well as all commercial vessels at sea — like shipping containers, freighters, and transport ships — are required by maritime law to aid vessels that are in peril, and even passengers stranded at sea when their vessel breaks down. Cruise ships have rescued hundreds of stranded people to include migrants left adrift at sea and in some cases, people floating at sea from a sunken vessel or from falling overboard. In recent years, cruise ships have been used for events like the 2005 Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville. The city of Jacksonville contracted with several cruise lines to offer hotel space on cruise ships. It was reported that when hosting a super bowl, there are requirements like having enough security, emergency services, transportation, and lodging for attendees from out of town. In this case, Jacksonville contracted five cruise ships, Carnival Miracle, Holland America Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, and a ship from Reagent Seven Seas. It cost the city $11 million to charter the five cruise ships turned into mere floating hotels, as reported by Mitch Stacy from the Associated Press. Without them, the city would not have had enough lodging to host the spectacular Super Bowl where the New England Patriots squeaked out a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21. Cruise ships have also been used for other big world events, such as the 2009 Olympics in Barcelona, and as humanitarian assistance — like in Scotland and the Netherlands — to house refugees fleeing from Ukraine during the start of the war in 2022. Cruise ship rescues students in Israel As of mid-June 2025, Israel had hundreds of young adult students from the U.S. and abroad who were visiting on a Birthright Israel heritage trip to learn firsthand about their culture and history. With conflicts rising between Israel and Iran, nearly 1,800 American students needed to evacuate immediately. With the airspace above shut down, this would not be an easy venture for so many people traveling at one time. That's when the cruise line Mano Maritime/Mano Cruise, an Israeli-owned and operated cruise line, sprang into action and lent its cruise ship, the Crown Iris, to the Transport Minister of Israel. The Crown Iris is a 1,700-plus passenger cruise ship with 750 state rooms. It is 680 feet in length and is just over 40,000 gross tons. The Crown Iris docks up at the port of Haifa, Israel, which it calls home. Once the ship was secured, a plan was formed to shuttle and move hundreds of people out of Israel to a much safer haven. On June 17, the ship, loaded to capacity with the students and several others, sailed to the nearby island country of Cyprus. This was a one-way trip to a safe area where they could then arrange to get home. According to a government official I spoke with yesterday, the U.S. and Florida chartered flights to Cyprus to help retrieve the stranded students and others who were seeking safety. The cruise ship Crown Iris, known for its vacation appeal, quickly switched to a luxury transport ferry on an 8-10 hour/more than 250-mile journey. Upon dropping off the student passengers, the cruise ship-turned-ferry then switched gears. It brought Israelis — whose flights were diverted to Cyprus when air spaces over Israel shut down — back home to Israel, arriving on June 20.
New York Post
29-05-2025
- New York Post
Hawaii enacts ‘green fee' on tourists to raise $100M annually for climate, ecology protection
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, has signed into law a 'Green Fee' bill that will raise tourist taxes to help fund 'climate-change' mitigation. Senate Bill 1396 raises the tourist tax on Hawaii hotels to 11% starting Jan. 1 — which would then increase to 12% the following year, according to the text of the bill. Advertisement Portions of the revenue raised would go into the 'Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund' and the 'Economic Development and Revitalization Special Fund,' according to the bill. The bill addresses invasive species, wildlife conservation and beach management and restoration. It will also help fund a 'green jobs youth corps' and areas of environmental concern. 'Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi,' said Gov. Green in a press release. Advertisement 4 Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, surrounded by lawmakers and supporters, signs legislation in Honolulu on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. AP 4 A person dives off rocks as a tourist boat passes along Kaanapali Beach, a popular tourist destination, on August 5, 2024 near Lahaina, Hawaii. Getty Images The Aloha State governor added, 'The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.' In 2023, 9.6 million visitors traveled to Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Advertisement Hawaii already has a 10.25% tax on short-term rentals. 4 The Carnival Miracle cruise ship is docked during a 15-day cruise on January 15, 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii. Getty Images 4 People visit Iao Valley State Monument, an important historic site and tourist attraction, on August 5, 2024 near Wailuku, Hawaii. Getty Images The state's counties each add their own 3% surcharge on top of the state's tax, according to FOX 13. Advertisement 'Hawaii already imposes what some believe are high taxes on the hospitality sector and short-term stays,' said Travel Tomorrow. The Green Fee is projected to generate $100 million annually, according to the release.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cruise ships will sail from the Port of Dover this summer – with sailings to Norway, Malta, Portugal and more
Carnival Miracle is among cruise ships that have made inaugural calls in Kent this month as the Port of Dover prepares for its high season. Southampton may be the main UK port for cruises but Dover will have hosted four inaugural calls for ships during May and has five regular brands departing from its terminal, providing another departure option for UK passengers. Windstar's Star Pride and Ponant's Le Laperouse and Le Bellot ships stopped at the port for the first time this month, meaning more than 3,000 new guests have travelled into the region in May. The Port of Dover expanded its mooring facilities earlier this year to make room for larger ships and can now host three vessels at once. Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, said: 'We are thrilled to launch our 2025 season with Carnival and their guests, and to see another member of their fleet begin her set of nine turnaround calls this year. 'We also had the pleasure of welcoming both Star Pride and Le Laperouse for their debut calls. 'It was wonderful seeing these two unique ships moored alongside each other in front of the White Cliffs and making use of our wide-ranging facilities catering for different ship sizes and styles.' The Windstar and Ponant ships were only in port for a visit during longer sailings but there are a range of cruise brands departing from Dover in the coming months. Carnival Miracle The 2,670-capacity Carnival Miracle made its debut in Dover this month. The vessel is hosting British Isles sailings from the port after just coming out of drydock following a refresh that includes a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge and Cloud 9 Spa. Passengers can also enjoy the ship's refreshed mini-golf course and eat at a new chef's table experience. Carnival Miracle will homeport in Dover until early August for a series of nine and 12-day itineraries across the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Baltics and northern Europe. Prices start from £747 per person for a nine-day Spain, Portugal and France cruise that departs on 30 May. Saga Cruises Over-50s brand Saga Cruises has regular departures from Dover aboard both Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure. Itineraries include sailings around Britain and Norway, including a seven-night Norwegian fjords summertime cruise departing on 15 August from £2,822 per person. Fred Olsen's 1,360-capacity Borealis is departing from Dover throughout the summer. Passengers can enjoy sailings to the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Azores region in Portugal Other highlights include its 11-night Malta and Scenic Sights of Croatia sailing, departing on 5 June from £1,299 per person. Seabourn Sojourn Luxury cruise brand Seabourn has six sailings from Dover until early August aboard its Sojourn ship, which caters for 458 passengers. Itineraries include sailings to Iceland and Norway as well as a seven-day Castles, Lochs and Scottish Highlands cruise departing on 2 August from £4,164 per person. Holland America Nieuw Statendam Holland America's Nieuw Statendam ship has several sailings from Dover until September. It marks Holland America Line's first UK season in 10 years, with the 2,666-guest ship.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Another MSC cruise passenger arrested; Silversea cruise ship fined
Violent altercations involving passengers sailing on multiple cruise lines have made headlines in recent weeks, and the trend grew more troubling with the latest incident, which remains under investigation. A 60-year-old man died on board MSC Cruises' MSC Virtuosa on Saturday, May 3 following an altercation that happened shortly after the ship departed from Southampton, England, on a short weekend cruise to Bruges, Belgium. Related: US updates alarming UK travel warning as busy cruise season begins The deadly fight prompted British police to launch an investigation that led to a passenger's arrest on suspicion of murder. Now, a second passenger has been arrested. British police have reassured concerned cruisers and local residents that the onboard incident appeared to be isolated, and thanked MSC Virtuosa crew members for their cooperation and assistance. Doug Parker shared more details on the ongoing cruise ship murder investigation and other cruise news, including a Silversea cruise ship captain who crossed an environmental line, on the May 13th edition of Cruise News Today. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Transcript: Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Tuesday, May 13th. A second man has been arrested after a passenger died following an altercation aboard the MSC Virtuosa. Now police say a 56-year-old man from Richmond was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. This following a 57-year-old man who was previously arrested for suspected murder. Both men have already been released on bail. Related: MSC cruise ship fight leads to death; cruise crew members deported The incident occurred on May 3rd, shortly after departure from Southampton. Authorities say it appears to be isolated and are asking anyone on board at the time to come forward with information. And a luxury cruise ship has been fined for sailing into protected waters near Italy's Capri island on May 3rd. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Silversea's Silver Ray came within 500 meters of Faraglioni rock formations, violating environmental regulations. Smartphone footage and tracking data confirmed the breach, prompting an $1,100 fine and a warning to the captain from maritime authorities. The incident has reignited calls to designate the area a formal marine protected zone. And Carnival Miracle has returned to service in Europe after a major dry dock. Yeah, the ship launched its summer season from Lisbon on May 11th, featuring updates like a new Heroes Tribute Bar, a dedicated Chef's Table, and refreshed public areas. The ship will sail 16 sailings this summer across Europe, including British Isles and the Med. Related: Carnival shares cruise loyalty news; Royal Caribbean cruiser fined And then, November it heads to Tampa for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. Carnival Miracle was launched in 2004. And cruise stocks were up on Tuesday. Carnival Corporation: up 10%, 22.13. Royal Caribbean: up 4%, 242.18. Norwegian: up 8%, 19.15. And Viking: up 5%, 45.57. If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@ Have yourself a great Tuesday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Another MSC cruise passenger arrested; Silversea cruise ship fined
Violent altercations involving passengers sailing on multiple cruise lines have made headlines in recent weeks, and the trend grew more troubling with the latest incident, which remains under investigation. A 60-year-old man died on board MSC Cruises' MSC Virtuosa on Saturday, May 3 following an altercation that happened shortly after the ship departed from Southampton, England, on a short weekend cruise to Bruges, deadly fight prompted British police to launch an investigation that led to a passenger's arrest on suspicion of murder. Now, a second passenger has been arrested. British police have reassured concerned cruisers and local residents that the onboard incident appeared to be isolated, and thanked MSC Virtuosa crew members for their cooperation and assistance. Doug Parker shared more details on the ongoing cruise ship murder investigation and other cruise news, including a Silversea cruise ship captain who crossed an environmental line, on the May 13th edition of Cruise News Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning, here's your cruise news for Tuesday, May 13th. A second man has been arrested after a passenger died following an altercation aboard the MSC Virtuosa. Now police say a 56-year-old man from Richmond was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. This following a 57-year-old man who was previously arrested for suspected murder. Both men have already been released on incident occurred on May 3rd, shortly after departure from Southampton. Authorities say it appears to be isolated and are asking anyone on board at the time to come forward with information. And a luxury cruise ship has been fined for sailing into protected waters near Italy's Capri island on May Silver Ray came within 500 meters of Faraglioni rock formations, violating environmental regulations. Smartphone footage and tracking data confirmed the breach, prompting an $1,100 fine and a warning to the captain from maritime authorities. The incident has reignited calls to designate the area a formal marine protected zone. And Carnival Miracle has returned to service in Europe after a major dry dock. Yeah, the ship launched its summer season from Lisbon on May 11th, featuring updates like a new Heroes Tribute Bar, a dedicated Chef's Table, and refreshed public areas. The ship will sail 16 sailings this summer across Europe, including British Isles and the then, November it heads to Tampa for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. Carnival Miracle was launched in 2004. And cruise stocks were up on Tuesday. Carnival Corporation: up 10%, 22.13. Royal Caribbean: up 4%, 242.18. Norwegian: up 8%, 19.15. And Viking: up 5%, 45.57. If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@ Have yourself a great Tuesday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
