The Barefoot Brief
The Barefoot Brief: October 24, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Oct 24, 2025
• Overboard passenger on Norwegian Jewel — search unsuccessful
• Norwegian Cruise Line criticised for last‑minute itinerary swaps
• Margaritaville at Sea Islander reroutes cruise to dodge Tropical Storm Melissa
The Barefoot Brief: October 17, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Oct 17, 2025
• Princess cancels Asia sailings amid staffing & port issues
• Crew member dies overboard aboard Icon of the Seas
• P&O launches 124‑night world voyage for 2028
• New leads emerge in Amy Bradley cruise disappearance
The Barefoot Brief: October 10, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Oct 10, 2025
• RC rescues ~10 stranded on raft between Cuba & Mexico
• Medevac from Sky Princess off Algeria
• Woman stuck in over‑ocean waterslide aboard Bliss
• Carnival demands “guardian” for adult cruisers
• MSC Silver II collides with fishing boat off India
• German police board Disney’s new cruiser during test voyage
The Barefoot Brief: October 3, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Oct 3, 2025
• Norovirus outbreak on Serenade of the Seas sickens ~100
• Norwegian cancels 55+ sailings in fleet redeployment
• Aqua & Escape skip Bermuda; rerouted due to storms
• Star of the Seas reroutes to Western Caribbean to avoid weather
• Carnival tweaks itineraries amid Atlantic storms
• Medevac: 2 guests + 1 crew flown off Carnival Adventure
The Barefoot Brief: September 26, 2025
Viral waterslide stuck incident, MSC world cruise changes, Icon overboard & onboard violence, Carnival & Celebrity itinerary shifts, renewable-powered cruise ships.
The Barefoot Brief: September 19, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Sept 19, 2025
Wonder of the Seas brawl sends ship back to Miami; two hospitalized.
Carnival Pride crew removed after exploitation allegations.
Juneau tragedy: 36-year-old Texas passenger dies on Mount Roberts hike.
Sitka loss: 71-year-old Florida man found dead aboard Oceania Riviera.
Celebrity Beyond sparks panic with erroneous itinerary emails.
Western Australia announces major cruise expansion for 2026–27.
Carnival modifies loyalty program: “Diamond Forever” for top members.
The Barefoot Brief: September 12, 2025
The Barefoot Brief — Week of Sept 12, 2025
Overboard drama in San Juan: Rhapsody of the Seas guest jumped ship over unpaid gambling debt. Survived, swam ashore, and was later arrested with cash and fake IDs. Facing federal charges.
Dock collision in Athens: MV Gemini smacked the pier at Piraeus, scraping her hull. No major injuries, but itineraries may shuffle.
Ketchikan tragedy: A 57-year-old cruise guest died after a vehicle veered into a pedestrian area near the port. Others injured. Community stepped in quickly.
Labadee pause: Royal Caribbean cancels Labadee calls until at least spring 2026 due to safety concerns.
Disney Adventure delay: Inaugural season pushed to early 2026 out of Singapore.
Carnival shuffle: Hurricane season prompts Carnival Firenze to swap Cabo and Ensenada stops. Expect more storm-season adjustments.
The Barefoot Brief: September 5, 2025
Carnival launches its new zero-proof drink package, a bomb scare halts embarkation in Southampton, Red Sea tensions rise after an attack, cruise slides face scrutiny, and Viking & Japan cruise demand skyrocket.
The Barefoot Brief: August 29, 2025
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas made headlines after a waterslide shattered mid-ride, CocoCay turned into a poolside brawl, Legend of the Seas floated out in Finland, and Hawaii took cruise lines to court over a climate tax.
The Barefoot Brief: August 22, 2025
From towel-animal secrets to a midnight chicken-tender brawl, Carnival’s new doughnut fees, and a next-gen river ship with an escalator, this week’s cruise news proves the small details can cause the biggest waves.
The Barefoot Brief – March 21, 2025
From rollercoasters to gratuity hikes, this week’s cruise news roundup covers it all—tropical drama, future ships, and tips to cruise smarter (and funnier).
Buffet Battles, Elevator Farts, and Other True Cruise Nightmares
Cruises are paradise… until they’re not. From buffet brawls to mysterious hallway goo, these true cruise nightmares will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe pack an extra bottle of Febreze.
The Barefoot Brief: March 8–14, 2025
A weekly roundup of cruise news, nautical nonsense, and questionable decisions made at sea — brought to you by Barefoot and Booked.
Top 5 Caribbean Ports That Aren’t Total Tourist Traps
Not every cruise stop has to be a tourist circus. These five Caribbean ports serve up real island flavor, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and a refreshing lack of overpriced margarita mugs. If you're craving authenticity, this list is your boarding pass.