In Falmouth, Jamaica, the Port Authority of Jamaica is continuing to pursue dredging projects in order to permit the gigantic "mega liners," including Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class (sometimes called "Genesis-class") cruise ships to squeeze into the port, which was rebuilt in 2011. During the construction of the two new two piers, the port was originally dredged. 
January 2018
Portuguese Airforce Medevacs Passenger from Saga Sapphire
Yesterday, a Portuguese air force helicopter medevaced a crew member from the Saga Sapphire south of the island of Madeira, according to JM Madeira.
The medical rescue of the crew member was the result of the coordination between the Portuguese navy, through the Center for the Coordination of Maritime Search and Rescue of Ponta…
Carnival Vista (Barely) Passes USPH Sanitation Re-Inspection
After miserably failing the December 2, 2017 sanitation inspection by the United States Public Health (USPH) last month, the USPH re-inspected the Carnival Vista today at the port of Miami. The Carnival cruise ship passed the re-inspection with a score of only 88, three points above the failing score of 85.
The December 2nd sanitation…
In 2017, 14 Cruise Ships Failed USPH Sanitation Inspections
The purpose of the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to assist the cruise ship industry to "prevent and control the introduction, transmission, and spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships." VSP operates under the authority of the U.S. Public Health Service Act.
USPH sanitation inspectors…
Coast Guard Medevacs Passenger From Disney Dream
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Miami Florida medevaced a passenger from the Disney Dream cruise ship yesterday.
The Ill passenger was reportedly suffering from unspecified medical complications when the Disney ship was reportedly 78 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Thursday, January 25, 2018.
The Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene, hoisted…
Another Carnival Cruise Ship Fails USPH Sanitation Inspection: 4 Ships in Just 2 Months
Another Carnival cruise ship officially failed a recent sanitation inspection today.
I first learned that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) finally published the failed score for the Carnival Liberty upon reading the Miami Herald’s article written by Chabeli Herrera titled Another Carnival cruise was caught with dirty conditions. That makes four in two months…
Royal Caribbean, on Soaring 4th Quarter Revenues & Profits, to Pay Employees 5% Bonuses
Royal Caribbean announced its fourth quarter financial results with CEO Richard Fain stating that the cruise company received revenues of $2,000,000,000 with net profits of $288,040,000. Royal Caribbean’s fourth-quarter profits and revenues reportedly exceeded Wall Street estimates,
Mr. Fain told CNBC that the company met its lofty three-year goals of “double earnings” and a “double-digit”…
Canada Join U.S. in Warning of Crime in the Bahamas
Canada recently issued a new crime advisory for the Bahamas, warning its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling there due to high rates of crime, including a reported increase of sexual assaults against tourists.
Canada’s website advisory was updated last week to state that sexual assaults occur regularly, primarily in New…
Joel Taylor Dies on Harmony of the Seas – Latest Drug-Related Death on a Royal Caribbean/Atlantis Cruise?
Storm Chasers’ star Joel Taylor died of a suspected overdose on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship which had been chartered by Atlantis Events, according to TMZ and other websites.
Mr. Taylor was reportedly on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. These tabloids report that passengers on the Royal Caribbean ship stated that “drugs…
Overboard Carnival Cruise Passenger Identified
Yesterday, a local newspaper in Louisiana, KLFY, interviewed the mother of missing cruise passenger Juwanna Brooks who disappeared from the Carnival Triumph on January 21st, as the cruise ship was sailing toward Cozumel after departing from New Orleans the previous day.
The cruise to Mexico, a Christmas present from her husband, was Ms. Brook’s…
State of Emergency Declared in Jamaica – U.S. Warns: Exercise Extreme Caution In Travel to Montego Bay
The U.S. State Deparment issued a travel warning effective January 18, 2018 that U.S. citizens use exteme caution in traveling to certain locations in Jamaica, following a State of Emergency for St. James Parish, Jamaica which was declared by the government of Jamaica to counter the out-of-control criminal activity.
St. James Parish covers the popular…
Passenger Reported Overboard From Carnival Triumph
A search is underway for a passenger who reportedly went overboard from the Carnival Triumph last night, according to passengers onboard the Carnival cruise ship.
Several passengers on the ship notified me that a woman went overboard from the Triumph, which was announced to the passengers around 8:30-9:00 last night. It is less than clear…
Carnival Glory Scores 99 in Yesterday’s USPH Sanitation Inspection
Yesterday, the Carnival Glory received a score of 99 by the United States Public Health sanitation inspectors at the port of Miami. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has not officially published the score on its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) database yet. A draft report, sent from a crew member who wishes to remain anonymous…
Passenger Falls to Death on Carnival Elation
Earlier this afternoon, a guest traveling aboard a Carnival ship died after falling from the balcony of her cabin, according to a passenger aboard the cruise ship.
The woman reportedly died after she fell from her balcony on the 14th deck down to the 11th deck on the Carnival Elation cruise ship.
The death was…
Cocaine Bust in Falmouth, Jamaica – Norwegian Escape
Yesterday, the Jamaican police reportedly seized a pound of cocaine and arrested a man at the cruise port in Falmouth, Jamaica, according to the Jamaican Observer newspaper.
The Observer reported that around 4:30 on Monday, January 15, 2018, "security checks were being conducted on passengers and crew returning to a cruise ship that was…
Carnival Vista Caught Hiding Food and Galley Equipment in Crew Quarters, Flunks USPH Sanitation Inspection Along with Carnival Breeze
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finally issued a report regarding the United States Public Health Inspection (USPH) inspection of the Carnival Vista which took place six weeks ago, on December 2, 2017. The USPH sanitation inspection resulted in a failing score of only 79. Any score of 85 or lower…
GNV Ferry Fantastic Collides with Viking Star Cruise Ship in Barcelona
Today, at the port of Barcelona, the Fantastic ferry from the Italian shipping company, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), collided with the Viking Star cruise ship operated by Viking Cruises.
There were no injuries involved in the mishap which took place around noon local time.
The incident was brought to my attention by a reader…
U.S. State Department Issues New Crime Warning for the Bahamas
The United Stated State Department issued a new crime warning for the Bahamas. You can read the new warning issued on January 10, 2018 here.
The crime warning states, in part:
Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime.
Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault is common, even during …