Nassau Shatters Cruise Record, Viral TikTok Safety Tips, and More

This week, the cruise world was filled with excitement, from Nassau’s record-breaking event and TikTok’s viral safety tips to a new ship and updated dining and entertainment options from various cruise lines. Here’s everything that has been making waves in the cruise industry lately.

The Bahamas’ Nassau Cruise Port welcomed six ships from four different cruise brands on Dec. 27, 2023, setting a new single-day arrivals record — a whopping 29,316 cruise guests in total. This broke the port’s previous record, held since February of the same year. With the holiday season being a popular time for cruise travel, the port is projected to surpass the 4.2 million arrivals mark for 2023 once December’s arrival numbers are calculated.

On the digital front, a TikTok user named Victoria has been gaining attention for a video she posted, offering safety tips to women embarking on solo cruise trips. Victoria goes to the extreme in her room-securing measures, using items like doorstop alarms and wireless security cameras. Her video has drawn in nearly 19 million views and received around 18,000 comments so far.

Icon of the Seas, a new cruise ship from Royal Caribbean, has completed its transatlantic journey, landing at Ponce, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 2, 2024. The largest ship ever built, Icon of the Seas is gearing up for its first voyage with guests after its christening on Jan. 23. There’s buzz that football legend Lionel Messi may join the ship even before it arrives at its home port in Miami.

The American Diner, a specialty restaurant on several Norwegian Cruise Line ships, has stopped charging guests for lunch and dinner. This change began on Jan. 2, 2024, a move expected to attract more guests. Despite removing some menu items, new options like cheese nachos and chicken pot-pie casserole have been added to keep customers’ taste buds excited.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas has been weathering some challenges on its 274-night Ultimate World Cruise. The cruise experienced bad weather that caused flooding inside the ship and on guest cabin balconies. Despite the setback, the cruise is set to visit 150-plus ports in 65 countries where guests can see significant landmarks, including the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

Finally, Carnival Cruise Line announced an updated schedule of themed deck parties across its fleet for 2024. The array of parties, often viewed as the highlights of guests’ vacations, range from “80s Rock and Glow” and “Motown Party” to “Serenity Nights” and “White Hot Party.” They’re designed to bring fun and entertainment to the guests, making their cruising experience unforgettable.