It’s that time again, so let’s dive right into Cruise Hive’s exciting weekly news roundup. Highlights in this installment include coverage of Disney Cruise Line deploying Disney Wish to Europe for summer 2027, Carnival Cruise Line solving technology issues that impacted multiple ships, and Royal Caribbean adding smart glasses to its list of prohibited items.
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Tech Glitches Resolved Aboard Carnival Ships
The troublesome technology glitches that impacted multiple Carnival Cruise Line ships have been resolved, and the line’s president, Christine Duffy, has issued a letter of apology to affected guests.
The disruptions happened on February 8 and 9, 2026, when tech problems caused embarkation and debarkation delays for Carnival Liberty, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Freedom. Other impacts from the systemwide failure then spread to more vessels in the fleet.
Some of the issues included the lack of WiFi and the inability of guests to use their onboard accounts to buy amenities and services. It meant, for instance, that guests had to pay cash at the casino rather than use their Sail and Sign accounts.
Duffy said passengers who had purchased internet packages and were unable to use them would be refunded. She confirmed that all technology issues have been resolved and all ships’ operations are back to normal.
The February 9 boarding delays for Carnival Breeze, sailing from Galveston, and Carnival Glory and Carnival Freedom, both departing from Port Canaveral, stemmed from crew members having to manually collect and record guests’ ship IDs rather than quickly scanning them at the gangway.
This resulted in a two-hour embarkation delay for passengers eager to begin their vacations at sea. A similar scenario had played out aboard Carnival Liberty on February 8, as the ship was due to depart New Orleans.
Onboard Auction Left These Cruise Guests Frustrated
Buying a piece of high-end sports memorabilia on a cruise ship turned out to be a frustrating experience for one couple sailing with Royal Caribbean.
A couple from Brisbane, Australia, bid on and won a signed Muhammad Ali glove that was being auctioned by Park West Gallery, the art vendor the cruise line uses to hold art and memorabilia sales and auctions.
They paid $5,000 AUD (around $3,500 USD) with the understanding that the item would be shipped to them. It is not known which ship the couple was sailing on.
Ten weeks later, the glove arrived, but it looked different from the one they had seen on the ship. Checking the item’s serial number confirmed it was not the same glove they had bought.
Disappointed, the guests complained and were told that the items shown onboard cruise ships are display pieces, and that the Park West Gallery contract stipulates that it may substitute items.
In this case, the gallery vendor, which operates auctions onboard many major cruise lines, agreed to provide the guests with the exact item they saw on their ship. It is unclear whether the couple agreed to the solution, as the entire episode was a major disappointment.
Disney Wish Is Bound For Europe in Summer 2027
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish is headed to Europe for summer 2027, offering 3- to 10-night itineraries from multiple home ports.
The repositioning from Port Canaveral begins with a 13-night transatlantic cruise on April 25, 2027, calling at Barcelona, Madeira, Gibraltar, and Cartagena. The ship will then sail unique itineraries from Southampton, Barcelona, and Civitavecchia (Rome).
Port calls will bring guests to diverse destinations, from Belfast, Ireland, to Santorini, Greece, and many hot spots in between, including Lisbon, Liverpool, Naples, and Dubrovnik, to name a few.
Disney Cruise Line’s announcement about Disney Wish was part of a larger fleet repositioning planned for 2027.
Two ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, will deploy to Vancouver, British Columbia, for Alaska voyages, sailing 7-night cruises to popular ports such as Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau.
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are currently based at Galveston and San Diego, respectively.
Disney Destiny, meanwhile, will remain at Port Everglades, sailing 3- to 5-night Caribbean cruises, while Disney Adventure continues her deployment in Singapore.
No Fault Found After Inspection of Carnival Encounter
Carnival Cruise Line received some good news after a series of crew complaints was filed against one of its ships.
It turns out that a surprise inspection of Carnival Encounter by Australian authorities has found no negative issues related to the crew’s standard of living.
The unusual story unfolded on February 9, 2026, when officials from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority boarded the ship during a port call in Darwin, Australia. Their inspection was prompted by a whistleblower complaint that included charges by many crew members who cited long work hours, low hourly pay, cramped living spaces, and the lack of free drinking water.
However, later that day, local media reported the findings of the inspection, which revealed no deficiencies regarding the crew’s standard of living and accommodation areas.
Carnival Encounter is the former Pacific Encounter, which had been operated by P&O Cruises Australia before the brand was absorbed by Carnival Cruise Line in 2025. The ship sails Australia and Southeast Asia itineraries.
Carnival Cruise Line from the outset welcomed the onboard review, saying the maritime authority routinely inspects cruise ships.
Guest Injured on FlowRider Sues Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is facing a lawsuit from a former guest who was injured on the FlowRider Surf Simulator aboard Adventure of the Seas.
The incident happened on February 3, 2025, when guest Jason Keller fell, fractured his neck, and sustained other injuries.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on February 9, 2026, Keller had multiple strokes as a result of the fall and experienced weakness on his left side as a result. The lawsuit charges that the onboard medical staff misdiagnosed his injury and, as a result, it worsened. Keller is seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost income.
The line’s surf simulator is a 40-foot-long water ride in which 30,000 gallons of water are unleashed for the purpose of surfing or boogie boarding.
Royal Caribbean’s website cautions that the FlowRider is an extreme sport and a high-risk activity. It warns that using the simulator may result in serious injury to the body.
The popular attraction is offered on many Royal Caribbean ships. Some ships have two FlowRiders to accommodate guest demand.
No More Smart Glasses on Royal Caribbean Ships
Smart glasses, trendy wearable device that can record video and audio, among other tasks, are now banned by Royal Caribbean. Those who attempt to bring a pair aboard one of the line’s ships will have it confiscated.
One other cruise line, MSC Cruises, also prohibits the item on its ships. No formal announcement has been made by Royal Caribbean, but smart glasses have been added to its prohibited items list.
Also, the app contains a notification to guests confirming that any ship’s chief security officer and captain are authorized to confiscate smart glasses.
The objections to smart glasses include the ability of wearers to record or videotape others without them knowing. They could be used, for instance, in ship spas, medical centers, or locker rooms, or in public areas where children congregate.
Smart glasses are internet-connected, or AI-enabled eyewear that have cameras and speakers. While most users enjoy the high-tech gadget in innocent ways, smart glasses can also be used for nefarious purposes.
Royal Caribbean suggested that anyone attempting to bring prescription smart glasses onboard one of its ships should have a spare pair of regular glasses on hand, in the event the smart glasses are confiscated.
Guest Jumps From Ship While Docked at Italian Port
A man jumped to his death from a Costa Cruises’ ship while it was docked at the Port of Civitavecchia, near Rome, on February 6, 2026.
In what Italian authorities described as a deliberate act, the passenger, an unidentified German national, leaped from Costa Smeralda as the ship was calling at the port and embarking and disembarking guests.
The 20-deck ship accommodates 5,224 guests; it is unknown which deck the man was on when he jumped, but he fell onto the port’s concrete pier. First responders, who were already at the pier assisting with a separate medical emergency, saw the guest plummet from the ship.
They attempted to render aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, having fallen an estimated 98 feet.
Costa Cruises issued a statement in which it said support was being offered to the man’s family. The line confirmed that the guest had voluntarily jumped onto the quayside.
The ship remained in port until about 8:30 p.m., while officials conducted their investigation, then continued on her itinerary to Savona and Palermo, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona; and La Goulette, Tunisia.
More Cruise Headlines
Let’s keep going with even more cruise news! Cruise Hive has many more important stories from this week, including a harbor pilot falling into the water as he was trying to board a Princess Cruises’ ship; Carnival Cruise Line delaying embarkation of Carnival Pride due to weather; and MSC Cruises touting its spring break and Easter holiday voyages.
Also, MSC Cruises will broadcast all 2026 FIFA World Cup matches this summer, and Royal Caribbean names its Chief Dog Officer for new-build Legend of the Seas.
