Prefer listening instead of reading? Enjoy the full episode of The Cruise Therapy Podcast, hosted by GFree, your Cruise Therapist.
Cruise itineraries are changing, ports are making headlines, and one upcoming ship is preparing to seriously test the strength of our vacation pants.
In this edition of Your Daily Boarding Call, we are looking at Royal Caribbean’s continued absence from Labadee, concerns affecting LGBTQ+ cruise travelers, a major expansion at Port Canaveral, MSC Cruises’ massive new chocolate experience and more.
Grab your coffee, passport, and emotional-support luggage. Let’s get caught up.
Royal Caribbean Removes Labadee From More 2027 Cruises
Royal Caribbean has removed Labadee, Haiti, from additional cruises scheduled through June 2027 due to ongoing security concerns.
Guests booked on affected sailings may receive a replacement port, a longer visit at another destination, an additional sea day, or revised arrival and departure times.
Safety must always come first, but travelers also want to know where their vacation is taking them. Nobody wants to board a cruise and discover that the destination is listed as “SURPRISE!!!”
What Booked Guests Should Do
Travelers should regularly check:
- The email is connected to their reservation
- The Royal Caribbean app
- Messages from their travel advisor
- Their Cruise Planner for excursion changes or refunds
Cruise itineraries are never guaranteed. Weather, port congestion, security concerns, and operational issues can all result in changes.
Cruise Therapy Takeaway: Do not become emotionally attached to a port until the ship is securely tied to the pier.
Port Restrictions Raise Concerns for LGBTQ+ Travelers
An Atlantis Events charter aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady was denied permission to make scheduled port visits in Turkey and Egypt.
The ship was expected to visit Kuşadası, Istanbul, and Alexandria but was later rerouted to other destinations.
The situation has sparked an important conversation about traveler safety, discrimination, and whether cruise lines should continue to support destinations where certain guests may not feel welcome.
Travel should allow people to explore the world without fearing that their identity could prevent them from entering a destination.
Cruise lines and charter companies must now consider whether these ports can provide a safe and welcoming experience for all guests.
A vacation should be serving glamour, adventure, champagne and room service—not discrimination.
Turks and Caicos Responds to an Updated Travel Advisory
Turks and Caicos tourism officials are pushing back against an updated U.S. travel advisory, saying that some headlines may create unnecessary fear about the islands.
A Level 2 travel advisory does not automatically mean travelers should cancel their vacation. It means they should exercise increased caution and review the complete guidance before traveling.
What Travelers Should Keep in Mind
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Secure valuables and avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
- Use reputable transportation providers.
- Follow local laws.
- Avoid isolated areas, especially at night.
- Read the full advisory instead of relying only on headlines.
Cruise passengers visiting Grand Turk should also review current travel guidance before sailing.
Headlines can be dramatic. Sometimes they show up wearing more makeup than a performer on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Read the details before deciding whether a trip is right for you.
Port Canaveral Is Building a 13-Story Parking Garage
Port Canaveral is moving forward with a major expansion that includes improvements to Cruise Terminal 5 and a new 13-story parking garage near Cruise Terminal 6.
The terminal will receive additional seating, larger luggage areas, expanded security-screening facilities, and refreshed interiors.
The new garage is expected to add approximately 3,700 parking spaces.
Thirteen stories?
At that point, the garage needs a front desk, concierge, and complimentary breakfast.
A Simple Parking Tip for Cruisers
Before heading into the terminal:
- Take a picture of your parking level.
- Photograph the row or section number.
- Include a nearby sign, elevator, or landmark in the photo.
- Save the parking location on your phone.
- Share the information with someone else in your group.
After seven days of desserts, frozen drinks and sea air, you may not remember where you parked—or what kind of car you own.
MSC World Asia Is Bringing a Massive Chocolate Experience to Sea
Let’s end the cruise news on a sweet note.
MSC World Asia will feature the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea. The approximately 3,229-square-foot venue will include a chocolate boutique, café, gelateria, and lounge.
Guests can look forward to:
- Handcrafted chocolates
- Gelato
- Chocolate beverages
- Chocolate-making demonstrations
- Exclusive flavors
- Personalized chocolate bars
- Gifts and treats to take home
Nothing says luxury vacation quite like designing your own chocolate bar while pretending the ship’s fitness center does not exist.
Is It Time for a Chocolate Package?
Forget the drink package. Chocolate lovers may be ready for:
- Fifteen truffles per day
- One personalized chocolate bar
- Daily gelato
- Wi-Fi for one device
- Elastic-waistband gratuities included
MSC has not announced a chocolate package, but Cruise Therapy would like to put the idea into the universe.
Sinners Is Coming to Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios is bringing the Oscar-winning film Sinners to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood.
The haunted-house experience will be inspired by the movie’s juke-joint setting and vampire storyline.
Guests will now be able to pay admission to run through a dark building while being chased by vampires—which sounds a lot like trying to escape a crowded airport baggage-claim area.
Before Attending Halloween Horror Nights
Keep these details in mind:
- Halloween Horror Nights requires separate admission.
- The event may be too intense for young children.
- Universal does not recommend the event for children under 13.
- Costumes and costume masks may be restricted.
- Dates and availability may change.
- A brave travel companion is highly recommended.
Choose someone fearless—or at least someone who runs more slowly than you.
Travel Tip of the Day: Save Important Documents Offline
Before leaving home, take screenshots of important travel documents and itinerary information.
Save copies of:
- Cruise confirmations
- Boarding and check-in times
- Flight information
- Hotel names and addresses
- Travel-insurance details
- Airport-transfer information
- Port transportation instructions
- Emergency telephone numbers
Keep the information in a secure location and make sure it can be accessed from another device.
Travel apps are wonderful—until the Wi-Fi decides to go on vacation before you do.
Preparation may not be glamorous, but neither is standing at the terminal saying, “I know the confirmation number is in here somewhere.”
Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean has removed Labadee from an additional 2027 itinerary.
- Guests should monitor emails and cruise-line apps for changes.
- Port restrictions involving an LGBTQ+ charter have raised concerns about safety and inclusion.
- A Level 2 advisory means exercising increased caution, not automatically canceling a trip.
- Port Canaveral is adding a 13-story parking garage with thousands of new spaces.
- MSC World Asia will feature the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea.
- Sinners is joining Halloween Horror Nights.
- Saving travel documents offline can reduce stress during a disruption.
Join the Conversation
Would Royal Caribbean’s continued Labadee cancellations affect your decision to book a cruise?
Should cruise lines stop visiting destinations that refuse entry to certain groups of travelers?
And be honest: Would you spend more time in MSC’s chocolate lounge than at the pool?
Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation in the Cruise Therapy Podcast Group on Facebook.
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Again, I’m GFree, your Cruise Therapist.
Until our next therapy session, keep cool, keep calm, keep cruising, and keep listening.
And I’ll SEA you over at the BlueIguana Cantina!
