The Barefoot Brief: September 12, 2025
Overboard in San Juan: gambling debt leads to a dangerous jump
A Royal Caribbean guest on Rhapsody of the Seas made headlines after jumping overboard as the ship docked in San Juan. He didn’t vanish into the sea—he swam ashore, where authorities later picked him up carrying cash and multiple IDs. According to the federal complaint, the leap was allegedly tied to unpaid onboard gambling debts. He’s now facing serious charges. This isn’t one of those funny cruise stories—it’s a stark reminder of the risks and chaos that ripple through the crew and guests when someone goes over the side.
Crash landing in Athens: Gemini rams the dock
In Piraeus, Greece, the small cruise ship MV Gemini delivered a full-speed handshake to the pier. The impact scraped up her hull above the waterline and left everyone with a fresh reminder that docking is no joke. No major injuries were reported, but itineraries may shuffle while inspections are underway. If you’re booked, stay flexible—your “Athens day” could turn into a “well, guess we’re still floating out here” day.
Ketchikan tragedy: life lost in Alaska port accident
Sad news from Ketchikan: a 57-year-old cruise guest was killed when a vehicle veered off the road into a pedestrian area near the pier. Several others were injured before the car plunged into Ketchikan Creek. Quick-thinking bystanders stepped in, but one life was tragically cut short. Our thoughts go out to the victim’s loved ones, the injured, and the community that jumped into action during the chaos.
Labadee off the map until spring 2026
Royal Caribbean quietly extended its pause on calls to Labadee, Haiti, through at least spring of 2026. Ongoing security concerns mean your private-beach day will have to wait. Ships are swapping in other ports or sea days to fill the gap. Sure, it’s a bummer—but on the upside, there’s no long line for the Labadee zipline when the stop doesn’t exist.
Disney Adventure’s debut delayed
Disney’s big new ship, the Disney Adventure, won’t hit the water until early 2026. Originally slated for a late-2025 start in Singapore, the ship’s inaugural season has been pushed back. If you were dreaming of bragging rights for the first sailing, you’ll need to wait. On the bright side, more time for Disney to perfect the ice cream machines and make sure Stitch doesn’t eat your luggage.
Carnival dances around hurricane season
Hurricane season’s here, and Carnival’s captains are basically playing hopscotch with the weather. The Carnival Firenze recently flipped its Cabo and Ensenada port order to keep things smooth. Annoying? Maybe. But it beats the alternative—ordering a margarita while Mother Nature tries to blow it out of your hand. Expect more of these itinerary tweaks until the storm season chills out.
