The Barefoot Brief: September 26, 2025
Woman Gets Stuck in Clear Waterslide Hanging Over Ocean (Norwegian Bliss)
A viral TikTok clip captured what looks like a nightmare ride — a woman became trapped inside a transparent tube-style waterslide that extends 11 feet beyond the ship’s edge, suspended more than 150 feet above the ocean. The ship: Norwegian Bliss, on an Alaska leg near Victoria, British Columbia.
Thankfully, there are reports of emergency escape hatches built into that slide design, though details remain murky. This is the kind of viral crisis cruise lines hate (both for safety and PR).
MSC Extends & Alters Its World Cruise; Cancels Baltic Route
MSC just threw a wrench into its 2026 plans: the Baltic cruise originally scheduled for May is now canceled, as they’re diverting and extending the world cruise route (to skirt issues in the Middle East / Suez, apparently).
Passengers on that scrapped Baltic leg are being offered rebooking or full refunds — not great for planners, but better than being stranded. The changes ripple across MSC’s northern Europe schedules.
Carnival Alters Itineraries in 2026 for Multiple Ships
Carnival is tweaking 2026 itineraries across several vessels: Sunrise, Glory, Elation, Pride, and Freedom are all affected. Nothing too radical (no port wipes), but adjustments to sequencing and timing are incoming.
If you’ve got a booking in the mix, expect emails. If not, hey — this is just another proof point that “subject to change” is the second-most hated phrase in cruising (just after “life jacket drill”).
MSC Magnifica World Cruise Itinerary Change & Extension
Alongside canceling its Baltic leg, MSC is lengthening its 118-night world cruise aboard Magnifica. Routes out of Italy, Spain, and France will see adjustments.
These changes are likely logistical — shifting geopolitics, canal access, or fuel routing — but they ripple for those who mapped the trip in detail (shore excursion bookings, anyone?).
Celebrity Issues Widespread Itinerary Updates
Celebrity Cruises dropped a batch of itinerary modifications across its fleet — Hawaii, Caribbean, European sailings — mostly tweaks to port calls, order, and schedule.
Not revolution moves, but enough to make detail‑oriented cruisers squint at their original plans. It’s the kind of soft “oops we move stuff” everyone mildly hates, especially if your excursion depends on docking at a precise time.
Cruise Ship Design’s Next Wave: Solar & Wind Propulsion Innovations
Cruise lines are flirting hard with renewables. New vessels from the likes of Hurtigruten, Ponant, Selar, and Orient Express are rolling out solar + rigid sail systems (plus hybrid / hydrogen tech) to cut emissions and fuel burn.
These aren’t just PR gestures — some ships tout 90% renewable energy operation in favorable conditions. The sea of tomorrow might just come with wind in its sails (literally).
That’s your Barefoot Brief for Sept 26, 2025 — the waves are messy, but we ride them.
Anchors down till next week,
— Barefoot and Booked
