The Barefoot Brief: March 8–14, 2025
Quantum of the Seas Outruns a Cyclone (Kinda)
Mother Nature had other plans for Quantum of the Seas this week. The ship was on its way back to Brisbane when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred said “nope,” shutting down the port entirely. So instead of heading home, guests were treated to an extra detour back to Noumea. Royal Caribbean covered flight change costs and even tossed in free Wi-Fi so cruisers could make new plans without maxing out their roaming fees.
Coral Princess and the Return of the Unwanted Guest
Coral Princess just can’t catch a break. A second round of norovirus hit the ship, sidelining 82 passengers with the usual suspects: vomiting and diarrhea. (Gross.) The ship was sailing from California to Florida for nearly three weeks, and yes, they broke out the bleach. Affected guests were isolated, and cleaning procedures got cranked up to max level.
Queen Anne Tiptoes Through Pirate Territory
While sailing through the piracy-prone waters between Darwin and Manila, Queen Anne took some extra precautions. Passengers were asked to stay off the promenade deck at night, and exterior lights were dimmed to stay under the radar — literally. No actual threats were reported, and the cruise sailed on without incident. Just a little reminder that “adventure” can mean different things.
Pacific Encounter Cruise Canceled by Cyclone Drama
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is really making the rounds. This time it forced P&O Cruises to cancel the final voyage of Pacific Encounter — a 7-night Pacific Island getaway that was supposed to leave Brisbane on March 8, 2025. Instead, the ship’s heading into a new gig with Carnival Cruise Line later this month. Farewell, Encounter — may your new home have fewer weather tantrums.
Japan’s Cruise Comeback Is On Fire
Japan’s tourism scene is thriving — and the cruise industry is riding that wave. A record-breaking 37 million visitors arrived in 2024, with 2.7 million of them coming from the U.S. alone. Now Japan’s aiming for 2.5 million international cruise passengers and 2,000 ship calls in 2025. Sushi, temples, bullet trains... and now more cruise ships than ever before.
Barefoot Wrap-Up
Whether it’s dodging cyclones, scrubbing down for norovirus, or floating past pirate zones, the cruise world never stops moving. But neither do the opportunities. Catch us next week for another edition of The Barefoot Brief — same vibes, fresh headlines, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
Stay tuned for next week’s Barefoot Brief — same time, same sarcasm, new ship drama. In the meantime, check out more cruise stories, updates, and borderline chaos over on the blog.
