Frank M

Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel.

He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.

Angry mayor accosts Royal Caribbean cruise ship originally appeared on TravelHost.

In what looked like a publicity stunt, the mayor of a sought-after summer cruise destination boarded a police boat with a TV news crew on July 3 as Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas arrived for its planned call in the port.

Although the ship’s stop in the port was long-planned and cleared, it went against a new cruise ship ban on ships carrying more than 2,500 passengers that just took effect in the region.

Related: Key port backpedals on cruise ban, Royal Caribbean still blocked

Set on enforcing the new ban he passionately championed, Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice, France, set out to personally send the ship out of the region’s Villefranche harbor.

For months, Estrosi has spoken out against monstrous “floating hotels,” which he says bring both pollution to Nice and passengers who don’t spend enough money in the city to justify being welcomed there.

Estrosi’s influence recently helped lead the neighboring French Riviera city of Cannes to vote to follow Nice in blocking larger cruise ships from its port beginning in 2026. However, the confrontation he staged in Villefranche harbor proved that his influence on the cruise industry is not nearly as strong as it is on his region.

Doug Parker shared more details on Estrosi’s bizarre cruise ship confrontation, as well as some sad news from a Norwegian cruise in Alaska, on the July 5th edition of Cruise News Today.

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Missing Norwegian Cruise Line passenger found dead in Alaska

Transcript:

This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.

Here’s your cruise news for Saturday, July 5th. Authorities in Alaska say the body of a 62-year-old cruise passenger who went missing during a hike in Juneau has been located.

Dr. Buenafe, a passenger aboard Norwegian Bliss, was last seen on Tuesday morning around 7:30 a.m. heading up to the Mount Roberts Tramway for a solo hike. Now when she failed to return, a multi-agency search began. Her body was located on Thursday roughly 1,700 feet below Gold Ridge.

A good reminder to share your plans with family and friends and carry backup communication in remote areas. Our thoughts are certainly with Dr. Buenafe’s family.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line embraces a growing travel trend

Mayor of Nice, France angrily confronts Royal Caribbean ship

And get out of our port — interesting story here. The mayor of Nice, France, Christian Estrosi, was denied access to Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas after attempting to expel the cruise ship from the harbor on July 3rd.

Yeah, this is how it happened. He tried to make his way on the ship by way of a police boat in the harbor of Villefranche on Thursday when security staff, well, they denied him boarding.

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He was trying to hand the captain a letter citing new local restrictions limiting ships to only 2,500 passengers or less while this vessel had 3,100 on it. A guest on board the ship told our tip line that everything else went fine and there was no disruption.

The Cruise Line International Association says that the call was pre-approved and accuses the mayor of acting unlawfully. Royal Caribbean says visitor access must follow formal protocols, which is notifying the ship well in advance. A roundtable meeting is on the way.

Related: Royal Caribbean is quietly offering a rare travel deal

And the photo of the week comes from Brad. He was on Enchanted Princess shooting this photo of Disney Dream as they both steamed towards Cozumel. Great photo here, Brad. You can send yours in: photos@cruiseradio.net.

And cruise stocks ended higher on Thursday. Carnival Corporation: up 1%, 29.96. Royal Caribbean: up 2.6%, 334.48. Norwegian: up 3%, 21.98. And Viking: up 2%, 55.46.

If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@cruiseradio.net.

Have yourself a great weekend. I’m Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.

(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)

Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

• Anthem of the Seas is coming to Australia for its first ever season.
• While it’s largest similar to the Royal Caribbean ships we’ve seen in recent years, it does have a few unique features that are important to know.
• We’ve got you covered with itineraries, new features and hidden spots on the ship.

Anthem of the Seas will arrive in Sydney on October 31, 2025 for its first ever Australian season. The ship is also a Quantum-class ship like the other Royal Caribbean ships we’ve seen in recent years such as Ovation or Quantum. B`1ut just like any other ships, it has its own unique charm and hidden surprises. 

Royal Caribbean cruisers are quite loyal and enjoy repeat cruises, so having a new ship in town will offer something fresh and new.

Anthem won’t just be a one-hit wonder out of Sydney – it’s already scheduled to come again for the 2026/27 season. 

This guide has you covered on our picks for itineraries, what will be new for those who have already sailed with Royal Caribbean and a few insider tips on how to best enjoy the ship.

What’s new for Aussies?

Anthem of the Seas is not dissimilar from ships like Quantum and Ovation which have sailed in Australia before. However, there are definitely some new features for Aussies. 

While many Aussies hoped for a different Royal Caribbean class ship, Anthem of the Seas will have new features never seen before in this market. Here’s a few picks for some new places to check out on Anthem that you won’t find on the ships that have sailed Down Under.

Johnny Rockets 

Johnny Rockets is a popular American chain restaurant that also exists on Anthem of the Seas. It has an old school, classic diner vibe, offering a retro feel. 

The menu looks something you might imagine, with options like a Chicken Club Sandwich or hot dogs with loaded fries. Johnny Rockets is also known for its milkshakes, so don’t hesitate to give them a try.

It’s not included dining so you will have to pay, but it’s a la carte and generally priced pretty reasonably, so if you’re a fan of American food it’s definitely worth a visit. 

We Will Rock You 

We Will Rock You is a classic show on Anthem of the Seas, written by comedian and author Ben Elton. The world famous show was running in London for over 12-years. 

The whole storyline takes place in the future, where rock ‘n’ roll has been banned, but a group of citizens band together to bring it back to life and fight back against those who are banning it. 

You can enjoy a range of Queen songs, reimagined with extremely extravagant production and costuming.

Watch ‘The Gift’

The storyline follows a family that has become estranged since their mother passed away, and the shows weaves between reality and more a spiritual universe and perspective.

Insider tips for Anthem of the Seas

• For something different make sure you make it to the ‘circus school’ at the Sea Plex. Here you can live out your Circus de Soleil dreams and learn to fly through the air on a trapeze and plenty more. 
• The Music Hall is your go-to move for a late-night drink and dance, as well as a mixture of tribute and original music shows. If you want something even louder, head downstairs for another bar, which has a bit more of a nightclub vibe.
• If you’re travelling without kids or have a few moments to yourself, the adults-only Solarium pool is the place to go to enjoy some pool tranquility, away from the madness of the main pool.
• Head to Two70 during the day and you can generally enjoy a series of different craft workshops, some boardgames, and there’s an internet cafe with great wifi for if you’re looking to get some work done. 
• If the Windjammer is packed and you’re not in the mood for crowds, give Cafe 270 a go instead. 
• As far as late night food goes, Sorrento’s or the Cafe Promenade will generally be your best options. 
• If you’re lucky, you might catch a happy hour at Boleros. While there’s no set schedule, you may occasionally see a two for one promo for margaritas or other beverages at Boleros, so keep an eye out. 

Which itinerary to go for?

Visiting the neighbours?

If you’re looking to get over to New Zealand, Anthem of the Seas has plenty of options available. However, the sailings can get pricey.

The good news is that there this is still a sailing to New Zealand that starts for about $240 a day, a good $50-60 cheaper per day than the other options.

This 10-night New Zealand cruise leaves on December 1, 2025, and you’ll get to visit five-ports in New Zealand through the sailings.

Looking for something snappy?

If you just want to get on the ship and take it for a spin, the way to do this is to go on a two-night cruise, which starts from just $589. Your two options will be on January 17 or February 13. 

If you’re looking to cruise one extra night, you should for the South Coast Getaway option, which visits Eden during a three-night cruise and starts from $979. 

Make it down to Tassie

Anthem has one option for a cruise down to Hobart, leaving on March 8, the five-night cruise starts from $1429. Cruisers will get two days in Hobart, giving them the chance to enjoy an excursion one day and simply explore the city for another. 

Something sunny?

If you want to make it over to the South Pacific on Anthem of the Seas, there are plenty of options. These cruises are generally quite short, but if you want the most time away, you can opt for a nine-night South Pacific cruise, with dates on February 27, January 8 and March 13.

You’ll get to visit Noumea, Mystery Island and Port Vila, and then have a few extra days at sea to enjoy the ship.