Cruise Passengers Busted With 749 Cartons of Cigarettes

Editorial Summary

Doug Parker reports on several recent developments within the cruise industry. The report begins with a smuggling incident at the Long Beach Seaport where US customs officers discovered 749 cartons of cigarettes hidden in ten suitcases. The passengers, who had recently disembarked the Carnival Frenzy, lacked the necessary commercial import license for the goods, which were valued at nearly $60,000. The cigarettes were subsequently seized for destruction. In another story, the MSC Meraviglia is undergoing emergency underwater repairs in Portland, Maine, due to damaged propeller blades. This maintenance resulted in the cancellation of a voyage from New York and has prompted warnings from the US Coast Guard. Environmental groups have also expressed concerns regarding emissions during the repair process. The ship is expected to resume its scheduled Bahamas cruises from Brooklyn this coming Sunday, with impacted passengers receiving future cruise credits. Additionally, Royal Caribbean announced that the Navigator of the Seas will homeport in Singapore from October through February 2027. The vessel will offer various sailing lengths to destinations including Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The report concludes with a photo of the week from a passenger and a summary of recent cruise stock performance, noting mixed results for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Viking.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.