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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 — 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.

A weekly roundup of cruise news, nautical nonsense, and questionable decisions made at sea — brought to you by Barefoot and Booked.

Picking a cruise line is basically choosing your vacation alter ego. Are you into karaoke-fueled conga lines, or sipping sushi after a Broadway show? From budget-friendly party ships to jaw-dropping mega-resorts at sea, Carnival and Royal Caribbean couldn’t be more different—and that’s what makes this showdown so fun.