Cruise Intel Briefing

System-Wide IT Outage, New CEOs & 2027 Itineraries

Carnival's tech disruption causes check-in friction. Plus: NCLH names a new leader, Disney reveals summer 2027, and Royal Caribbean bans smart glasses in sensitive zones.

February 15, 2026 6 min read
Operational Alert

Carnival IT Outage Disrupts Check-In & Boarding Across Multiple Ships

A widespread technology outage hit Carnival Cruise Line this week, disrupting operations across multiple ships and homeports. The glitch affected embarkation processes, onboard apps (including menus), and online check-in access for upcoming sailings. Carnival attributed the issue to complications during planned IT maintenance.

While the line emphasized that navigation and safety systems were unaffected, passengers faced delays at terminals and friction with app-based dining reservations. As of this briefing, systems are coming back online, but intermittent issues may persist as the fix stabilizes.

Smart Traveler Protocol
  • Print everything. Do not rely on the app for your boarding pass or luggage tags. Keep hard copies or screenshots saved to your camera roll.
  • Arrive early. Manual check-ins take longer. If you have a sailing in the next 48 hours, pad your arrival time to the terminal.
  • Know your booking number. Write it down. If the system is down, agents can often look you up manually if you have this specific code.

Fleet Command

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Names New CEO

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has appointed John W. Chidsey as its new President & CEO, effective immediately. He replaces outgoing CEO Harry Sommer. Chidsey previously served on the NCLH Board and brings extensive executive experience to the role.

Leadership changes rarely affect booked sailings instantly, but they often signal future shifts in pricing strategy and onboard investment.

Disney Cruise Line Reveals Summer 2027 Lineup

Disney has released its full Summer 2027 itinerary list for Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Highlights include Marvel Day at Sea sailings out of Galveston on Disney Magic and a return to key European capitals. Castaway Club members get early access starting Feb 16, with general booking opening Feb 23.

Disney inventory—especially themed sailings—moves fast. If you want a specific cabin type for Summer '27, be ready when the window opens.

Policy & Safety

Royal Caribbean Restricts "Smart Glasses" in Sensitive Zones

Royal Caribbean has updated its prohibited items policy to restrict smart glasses capable of recording audio or video. They are now banned in specific zones including public restrooms, Youth Program areas, medical centers, and the casino to protect guest privacy.

If you rely on prescription smart frames (like Meta Ray-Bans), pack a standard backup pair to avoid issues in restricted zones.

Princess Call Cancelled After Pilot Incident

A harbor pilot fell while boarding Emerald Princess near Kauai, prompting an emergency response. While the pilot was recovered, the incident and subsequent sea conditions forced the ship to cancel the planned port call and adjust its itinerary.

A reminder that safety incidents can trigger immediate itinerary changes, even when the ship itself is fully operational.

Itinerary Updates

MSC Splendida Reroutes Due to Mediterranean Weather

Citing safety concerns due to forecasted high winds, MSC Splendida canceled a scheduled call to La Goulette (Tunisia). The ship substituted a sea day and added a stop in Palma de Mallorca instead.

Shore excursions booked through MSC for the cancelled port are being refunded automatically. Third-party tours will need manual cancellation.

CocoCay Pier Repairs Complete

Following storm damage in early February that limited docking capacity, repairs at Perfect Day at CocoCay are reportedly complete. The pier has returned to handling two ships simultaneously, restoring normal flow to the private destination.

Capacity is back to normal, reducing the risk of being "bumped" to a sea day on upcoming double-ship days.