Cruise News Update - October 2025

Major Port & Infrastructure News

1. Port Miami Fuel Crisis

• Port Miami (world's busiest cruise port) faces potential fuel shortage
• Currently relies on private fuel bunker on Fisher Island
• Fisher Island sold for $180M to real estate developer last month
• Developer plans land development, threatening fuel access
• County considering:
  • Acquiring bunker site via eminent domain
  • Building new fuel depot at the port
• Crisis talks scheduled with developer for next week
• Risk: Cruise ships may relocate to other home ports

4. Europe's Largest Cruise Terminal Opens

• Location: Port of Las Palmas, Canary Islands
• Features:
  • Two-story facility
  • 150,000+ square feet
  • Capacity for 4 cruise ships simultaneously
• Celebrity Apex was first ship to use terminal

Cruise Line Policy Changes

2. Princess Cruises - Non-Refundable Deposits

• Effective: October 15, 2025
• Eliminates default refundable deposit policy
• Refundable deposits now require upgraded fare class (higher cost)
• Change removes Princess's unique booking flexibility advantage

5. Princess Cruises - Medallion Rebate Reduction

• Effective: October 16, 2025
• Onboard credit rebate reduced from 7% to 2%
• Applies to port purchases made with Princess Medallion
• More merchants being added to program
• No explanation provided for reduction

7. Disney Cruise Line Policy Clarifications

Prohibited Items:

• No power strips or multi-plugs allowed (unlike most cruise lines)

Room Service:

• Available 24/7 at no charge
• Breakfast orders must be placed outside door by 3 AM the night before

9. Norwegian Cruise Line - Room Service Limits

New Restrictions:

• All-day menu: Maximum 2 meals per person per delivery
• Breakfast: 1 hot item + 1 cold item per person per delivery

Current Fees:

• Breakfast: $4.95 + 20% gratuity
• All-day menu: $9.95 + 20% gratuity

Reason: Improve efficiency, maintain freshness, reduce waste, and decrease wait times

Industry News

3. Exploris Expeditions Files for Bankruptcy

• Operates 1 ship (144 passengers)
• Routes: Argentina to Antarctica
• Only 50% capacity bookings
• Key investor withdrew funding
• Filed for bankruptcy protection
• Company hopes to reboot operations

8. Southwest Airlines - Free In-Flight Wi-Fi

• Launch Date: October 24, 2025
• Partnership with T-Mobile
• Requirement: Rapid Rewards loyalty membership (free to join)
• Rolling out across entire fleet

10. World Record Marathon on Cruise Ship

• Ship: Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas
• Record Holder: Shane Woods
• Time: 2 hours, 52 minutes, 47 seconds
• Pace: 6 minutes, 36 seconds per mile
• Guinness World Record for fastest cruise ship marathon

Weather Update

6. Hurricane Season Status

Atlantic:

• Tropical Storm Lorenzo (moving northwest, dissipating - no major concerns)
• Northeastern storm conditions improving

Eastern Pacific:

• One weather system with 50% chance of cyclone formation
• Potential impact on Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries
• Monitoring system moving up Mexico coastline

Special Announcement

Travel Scouts 2026 Alaska Group Cruise

• Ship: Royal Princess
• Dates: August 22-29, 2026
• Port: Round trip from Seattle
• Goal: 100 cabins
• Spaces still available