Tragically, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is investigating the death of Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old passenger sailing on Coral Expeditions’ Coral Adventurer. She was found dead after being allegedly left behind by the ship on the uninhabited Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef region.
The elderly woman had participated in the expedition line's group hiking tour with fellow passengers. But she left the group feeling unwell. Unfortunately, it appears that the ship's crew did not account for her when it was time to depart the remote isle. The ship sailed away and then returned a few hours later after the line apparently realized she was missing. A search effort resulted in the discovery of Rees' body the next day.
The deceased woman’s daughter, Katherine Rees, blamed the expedition line for what she terms a “failure of care and common sense,” according to CBS News. In a statement provided to MSN, the line’s CEO Mark Fifield expressed condolences for the woman's family, said it had been in touch with them and that it will continue to offer support through the difficult process.
He also said that following her “tragic passing” and “previous mechanical issues,” the line would cancel the remainder of the ship’s 60-day, around-Australia voyage. Passengers received full refunds. The line also chartered flights to assist guests and crew members in returning home.
Hurricane Melissa Aftermath
In a different kind of tragedy, Jamaica is dealing with devastating destruction following Hurricane Melissa. Stepping up to assist are major cruise companies:
- Carnival Corporation, the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and the Miami Heat have collectively donated $1 million to support hurricane relief efforts there.
- Royal Caribbean Group also pledged more than $1 million to Global Empowerment Mission for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
- Disney Cruise Line stepped up with $1 million for aid to impacted Disney employees and crew members plus such nonprofit groups as UNICEF, World Central Kitchen and Good360, which provide immediate relief in the form of supplies, food and shelter, according to Cruise Hive.
- Among others assisting are Virgin Voyages and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; the latter donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross for communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa and it's also now matching guest contributions; that could take the donation up to $100,000.
Unfortunately, cruise ships aren't able to call as yet at Jamaica's ports, another financial hardship for Jamaicans who make their living from tourism/cruise-related jobs. The ports are currently closed as authorities assess the damage at Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Falmouth and other ports.
For voyages this week, cruise lines have cancelled Jamaica calls and substituted another port of call in the Bahamas/Caribbean or added an extra day at sea.
Trending Hot
Cruise the Great Lakes is projecting $300 million in cruise-related economic benefits for destinations within that region during 2026. That's a whopping 25% increase over 2025. Seven cruise lines, including American Cruise Lines (for the first time), will sail on the lakes next year. Greece is another sailing region that's trending hot with potential cruise guests. Royal Caribbean Group announced plans to open a new Royal Beach Club, a private-island-style destination, at Santorini, Greece, in 2026.
Within driving distance of 98 million consumers, JAXPORT just outside Jacksonville, Florida, last week welcomed its second homeported ship. Seasonally between November 2025 and April 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem will sail four-, five-, six- and 12-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean. News4JAX covered this new option for cruisers. Carnival Cruise Line is the only other cruise company home porting at JAXPORT with the 2,190-guest Carnival Elation.
A bit farther south, Port Canaveral, Florida, celebrated the arrival of Celebrity Cruises’ 3,405-passenger Celebrity Apex, which will operate seven-night voyages to the Bahamas and Caribbean this winter. Launched in 2020, Celebrity Apex is one of the line’s snazzy Edge-class ships, and replaces Celebrity Equinox, launched in 2009, which began the line’s first ever homeporting at Port Canaveral last year.
Fresh Ships, New Itineraries
Guests certainly love new or newly refreshed ships. On the river cruise front, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises unveiled both new ships and six new itineraries in Europe and Asia for 2027. Three new river Super Ships will operate on Portugal’s Douro River. In addition, the line will offer two exclusive sailings a year on Aqua Blu, marking the brand’s debut in Singapore and Indonesia.
Closer to home for North American travelers, AmaWaterways launched its second new river vessel, AmaMelodia on Colombia’s Magdalena River. Separately, the line will partner with Mandarin Oriental to create new, pre- and post-cruise European land programs, starting in 2026. Currently receiving updates in a Maltese shipyard, MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica will emerge in December with a new MSC Yacht Club with 63 suites, two nCew specialty dining venues, and an enhanced spa and fitness center.
For upscale travelers with pure wanderlust, Oceania Cruises opened bookings for a new, 244-day 2027 Around-the-World voyage from Miami on Oceania Vista. The ship will journey through the Caribbean and Panama Canal to the Pacific region and many Asia destinations. Then, it will head for the Middle East, Egypt and many destinations throughout Europe before the eight-month-long voyage ends in New York.
Also on the itinerary front, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection introduced new itineraries for summer 2027. Azamara unveiled winter 2027-2028 itineraries. And Windstar Cruises opened bookings for its 2027 Europe voyages on the new Star Explorer.
Packing and People
Starting this November, cruise travelers sailing on Azamara, Emerald Cruises & Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours can opt to skip luggage hassles, thanks to a new luggage delivery partnership with Ship&Play.
Seabourn revealed the expedition team for its 2025-2026 Antarctica voyages of Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. And of great interest to luxury advisors who've worked in the industry for several decades, Sea Cloud Cruises named cruise and travel industry veteran William “Bill” Smith as its new brand ambassador for North America. He is a beloved former Crystal, Silversea and Virtuoso executive,
Past and Future
And finally, what a difference 250 years makes! Back in the 18th century, “The British are coming, The British are coming,” was the fervent battle cry for American Revolutionary figures including Paul Revere. But next summer, Cunard Line, a luxury British brand owned by Carnival Corporation (an American company and the world's largest cruise company) will play a key role as host to NBC’s national coverage of the International Parade of Sail during America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, will actually lead what’s expected to be a floating parade of more than 100 vessels navigating through New York harbor. They’ll include more than 50 Class A and Class B tall ships from 30 countries plus U.S. Navy ships and those of other allied nations. It’s all part of Sail4th 250, the official event marking 250 years since American independence.