Ports and Ships Interrupt the Plan: Whittier's Burned Dock, Cairns' Shallow Channel, Late Sailings

The Alaska Fire Marshal has declared the Chugach Glacier Gateway dock in Whittier a total loss after a fire. The dock is co-owned by NCLH and Huna Totem and serves Norwegian, Oceania and Regent. Ships are using Cruise Terminal 1 for now, and no schedule changes have been announced. Huna Totem told Seatrade it aims to have the dock operational for 2027.

The commercial risk is next season. Advisors with 2027 Southcentral Alaska clients on those three lines should watch for changes to embarkation and logistics, and should avoid promising terminal-specific details until the lines confirm them. Princess and Holland America use the separate city pier, and Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sail from Seward, so those brands are unaffected.

Carnival opened 2028-29 Galveston sales on Sept. 17. Its largest ship, Jubilee, moves from mostly 7-night sailings to short Western Caribbean itineraries. The schedule has 20 four-night and 42 five-night departures, plus one 6-night and two 8-night sailings, and no 7-nights. Fares start at $432 per person.

This puts short-cruise inventory on a mega-ship, which suits first-timers and clients with limited time. It follows the Mardi Gras short-cruise shift. It also cuts week-long capacity out of Galveston, so clients who want a 7-night sailing from Texas will have fewer options. Carnival Tropicale joins the port in 2028.

Two medical evacuations forced Oasis of the Seas to return to Nassau. The ship is now due at Cape Liberty around 2 pm on Sept. 20, about eight hours late. Embarkation for the next sailing is pushed back 7-8 hours, and that sailing's Port Canaveral visit is cancelled. Guests get onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean will adjust Flights by Royal bookings automatically. For air booked independently, it will reimburse change fees up to $200 per person domestic and $400 international, with receipts. Advisors with clients on this sailing or the next should check flights now and pass on the compensation terms.

For the Sept. 26 Brisbane sailing, Carnival cut the Cairns overnight to a single day. The ship now departs at 8 pm on Sept. 29, and Townsville replaces the second day. Excursions booked for Sept. 30 move to the 29th or are refunded. On the Sept. 5 sailing, Cairns was cancelled outright.

This is the second Cairns change in September, and the cause in both cases is tidal and channel depth. That suggests more Cairns changes are likely on Great Barrier Reef itineraries. Advisors with Australia clients should warn them and check excursion bookings.

Departure on Queen Elizabeth's final 2026 Alaska cruise slipped from Sept. 17 to 5 pm on Sept. 18 for maintenance that Cunard has not specified. Cunard warned the itinerary could be affected. Guests were confined overnight and allowed ashore the following day.

The unexplained maintenance and the possibility of port cuts mean advisors with Cunard clients on this sailing should watch for further notices and for any compensation offer. The disruption is limited to one sailing.

Guests are confused about what happens to a child's Crown & Anchor status at 18. The Supplemental Terms are clear: children share a parent's tier only until age 18. After that, status reflects the guest's own points. For example, a Diamond child with 20 points needs 155 to reach Diamond Plus.

Advisors booking families with young adults should set expectations before sailing. Perks such as Diamond drink vouchers may disappear at 18.