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REDEEM YOUR FUTURE CRUISE CREDIT

New bookings.

Other tips: if you are booking multiple rooms, you can enter a Future Cruise Credit number to apply to each room. If a balance remains on your Future Cruise Credit after applying, we’ll reissue with you a new one for the amount of the balance.

Existing Bookings

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HOW TO LOOK UP THE VALUE OF YOUR CRUISE CREDIT 

For every Future Cruise Credit that we issue, we send an email with all the necessary info. Search your inbox for 'Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit'. You can also check the balance of your FCC when you are completing a new booking on the website, just before you make your payment. If you’re having trouble, you can call us , or contact your Travel Advisor if you made the original reservation through them. They receive all the same information about your Future Cruise Credits.

MORE QUESTIONS?

Visit our Future Cruise Credit FAQ. 

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How can I redeem my Future Cruise Credit?

You can redeem your Future Cruise Credit  online , by calling us , or through your Travel Advisor.

Here’s how to redeem online for new bookings:

  • Find the sailing that you are interested in.
  • Select your cabin type and location.
  • Proceed to the payment page.
  • Enter your payment and personal information.
  • If you are booking multiple cabins, you can enter your Future Cruise Credit number(s) for each room.
  • Click “submit.”
  • Any remaining balance of your Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will be reissued to you as a new FCC after you complete your cruise.

Here’s how to redeem online for existing bookings:

  • Visit our Redemption page.
  • Enter your booking information.
  • Enter your Future Cruise Credit number(s).

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Royal Caribbean makes it easier to use future cruise credits

Erica Silverstein

Got a future cruise credit from a canceled cruise with Royal Caribbean that you're having trouble spending? The cruise line just made it easier to recoup the entire credit amount by letting travelers use any leftover credit to pay for onboard expenses on their cruise.

The cruise line announced its updated policy to travel agents on Wednesday, as first reported on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog .

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Many travelers still hold future cruise credit , which they received when their booked cruises were canceled during the pandemic when the cruise industry shut down for more than a year.

They soon discovered that it was not always a simple matter to find a replacement cruise priced the same, down to the penny, as the original booking and credit amount. Some cruisers had to pay the balance in cash; others booked a cruise for less than the amount of the credit, ending up with a small remainder.

Prior to this week, Royal Caribbean would reissue the leftover amount as new future cruise credit. Travelers would have to book a second cruise (and pay the majority out of pocket) or forfeit some of the money they paid. Neither option was ideal for Royal Caribbean's customers.

Now with the change in policy, when cruisers use their future cruise credits to book sailings, any remaining credit will be transferred into onboard credit.

"Starting today, for qualifying bookings and certificates, Royal Caribbean will convert any remaining balance from Future Cruise Credit into Onboard Credits instantly," the company said in a statement emailed to TPG. "This means that any value left at the time of redemption is automatically added as a refundable onboard credit for FCCs redeemed in full."

This new credit can be used to pay for onboard purchases, such as drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions and meals in extra-fee restaurants. (Future cruise credits historically could only be used to pay cruise fares and nothing else.)

This is a much better option for cruisers. It gives them the flexibility to cover a variety of purchases with the unused credit, so it's easier to use up the total amount. Plus, the onboard credit is refundable, according to Royal Caribbean, so should travelers manage not to spend it all, they'll get the remainder back.

The line notes that this policy change applies only to bookings originally made in U.S. dollars and for Cruise with Confidence or Global Suspension certificates of credit.

Related: Cruise onboard credit: What it is, where to get it and how to spend it

Earlier in the industry's post-pandemic recovery, future cruise credits caused much grumbling among cruise fans. They felt forced to use the credit before they felt comfortable traveling again (or before they could cruise again, if they were not vaccinated) — or lose it. Also, if they rebooked a cruise using the credit and the second cruise was canceled, they were no longer able to request a refund in cash.

Earlier this year, according to the RoyalCaribbeanBlog, the cruise line made another passenger-friendly change. It got rid of expiration dates on all future credits offered under its Cruise With Confidence program. This now-defunct program allowed passengers to cancel cruises at the last minute without penalty when the line first returned to cruising after the pandemic-induced shutdown.

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Future Cruise Credit Redemption

Follow the steps below or contact your travel advisor.

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A Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is a voucher for future travel. It has a monetary amount associated with it, which can be used towards a new cruise booking.

Redeem your Cruise Credit in 3 easy steps

New cruise purchase.

Find a cruise.

When booking, you’ll enter the Certificate Code for each guest on the Guest Information page.

Book your cruise without a deposit, and the value of your credit will be applied within 48 hours.

Already have a booking?

Retrieve the reservation for which you want to apply the cruise credit.

Enter the code for each applicable guest, making sure each guest's name exactly match the full name on the voucher.

The credit will be applied to the balance due within 48 hours.

Guest Information Form

When booking your cruise online, this is the page where you’ll enter the information from your Future Cruise Credit (FCC).

Screenshot of the Guest Information Form

After I receive my 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC), can I choose to change to the 100% refund?

Yes, so long as you request it on or before the relevant deadline. If you request a refund, your 125% FCC will be deactivated.

If I choose to be refunded, but then change my mind and decide I want a Future Cruise Credit instead, can I do this?

Yes, as long as the refund hasn’t been processed, we can change the compensation offer back to a Future Cruise Credit for the amount paid toward your cruise fare.

If I had a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that I applied to a sailing Celebrity Cruises canceled, what terms apply when I book my new cruise?

The value of the original FCC you used toward your cruise fare on the cancelled cruise will be reflected in your new FCC, but at 100% of its original unused value. If you made payments toward the cruise fare on your booking on the cancelled cruise using forms of payment other than the FCC (i.e., via check or credit card), the value of the new FCC will include 125% of those amounts. As of June 1, 2022, the portion of the FCC value that represents 100% of the cruise fare paid on your original reservation will no longer expire. The incremental 25% bonus value that was provided will expire on the original expiration date or on 12/31/22, whichever is later. Multiple FCCs may be applied per guest within the same reservation.

Guests with bookings on September 16, 2020 – June 30, 2021 sailings (with the exception of any previously canceled sailings) will automatically receive an FCC equal to 125% of the cruise fares they paid to Celebrity.  These FCCs are issued to guests via email, with the guest’s travel agency in copy if it was booked through one. However, if these guests prefer to receive a 100% refund, as opposed to the 125% FCC, they have until provided deadline to request it.

Can I use the Future Cruise Credit across multiple itineraries, or does it have to be used for a single booking?

Your Future Cruise Credit may be used across multiple sailings if there is a remaining balance after its initial use.  Any remaining funds on the FCC will continue to be available until you have used the entire value of the FCC or it expires, whichever occurs first.  Multiple FCCs may be applied per guest within the same reservation.

Can you use your Future Cruise Credit (FCC) on an existing booking?

Yes. These FCCs can be applied to satisfy any remaining balance due for the cruise fare on an existing booking. However, FCCs cannot be used to obtain a refund. Multiple FCCs may be applied per guest within the same reservation. As of June 1, 2022, the portion of the FCC value that represents 100% of the cruise fare paid on your original reservation will no longer expire. The incremental 25% bonus value that was provided will expire on the original expiration date or on 12/31/22, whichever is later.

How long will I have to redeem my Future Cruise Credit (FCC)?

As of June 1, 2022, the portion of the FCC value that represents 100% of the cruise fare paid on your original reservation will no longer expire. 

The incremental 25% bonus value that was provided will expire on the original expiration date or on 12/31/22, whichever is later.

Are Future Cruise Credits interchangeable between brands?

No. Future Cruise Credits acquired through the Cruise with Confidence program can only be redeemed on the cruise brand with which you made the booking you cancelled.

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Port of Baltimore suspends ship traffic after bridge collapse: What it means for travel

Travel is being impacted by Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse along Interstate 695 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Drivers were immediately directed to take alternate routes through the city, following the early morning incident. What’s less clear is what the bridge collapse may mean for upcoming cruises in and out of Baltimore.

“Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice,” the Port of Baltimore posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Live Updates: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., whose district includes the bridge and the port, called the collapse an “unthinkable horror” and said he had spoken with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the White House. 

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“They are responding with all of the assets at their disposal,” he said in a statement. “Our prayers right now are for the missing individuals and victims of this tragedy. We thank God for the effective service of our first responders.”

Here’s what we know.

Which cruises go to Baltimore?

Several major cruise lines serve Baltimore. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Key Bridge that occurred last night and extend our support and heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” CLIA spokesperson Anne Madison said in an emailed statement. “We join everyone in extending our thanks and appreciation to the first responders and emergency workers in Baltimore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other professionals who are working with one goal in mind—to save lives. We are closely following this situation.”

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas has a roundtrip itinerary scheduled to depart Baltimore on April 12, according to the cruise line’s website. “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” a spokesperson for the line said in an email. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

Carnival’s website shows Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend also have sailings into or out of Baltimore set for April. 

Carnival Legend will temporarily move operations to Norfolk, Virginia.

The ship's current cruise, which left for a planned round-trip sailing from Baltimore on March 24, will end in Norfolk on Sunday. Passengers will then receive free bus rides to Baltimore. The vessel's next cruise will sail round-trip from Norfolk later that day.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Carnival president Christine Duffy said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

The cruise line has not yet shared plans for Carnival Pride.

Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next

American Cruise Lines has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website.

“We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to future cruises if needed, but at the present time our schedules remain unaffected, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the immediate situation and rescue efforts underway,” an American Cruise Lines spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t appear to have any Baltimore sailings until September on Norwegian Sky . The line will stay in contact with the port and share any changes with passengers and travel partners, according to a spokesperson.

"In the meantime, we wish the city of Baltimore strength during this very unfortunate event," they said in an email.

Alternate routes for the Baltimore bridge

Most drivers can take Interstate 95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or Interstate 895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) to avoid the collapsed bridge. However Maryland Transportation Authority notes there are some exceptions .

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13-feet and 6-inches high or 8-feet wide may not use the 1-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14-feet and 6-inches high or 11-feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel. 

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

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Royal Caribbean Cancels Brilliance Cruises Following Technical Issue

  • March 25, 2024

Brilliance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International is canceling cruises onboard the Brilliance of the Seas. According to the company, a technical issue is impacting the vessel, which is completing a winter program in Australia & the South Pacific .

Affected sailings include an 11-night voyage to the South Pacific Islands that departed on March 19, and a five-night cruise to Tasmania that was scheduled to sail on March 30.

In a statement sent to guests, Royal Caribbean said that the first sailing was cut short on March 22, while the second sailing is no longer taking place.

“As you may know, the Brilliance of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we’re returning early to begin required maintenance,” the company explained.

“Our crew has started working on restoring the system and we’re deploying the best experts. Despite our efforts, we are unable to complete the needed repairs to be ready in time on March 30, 2024.”

As a result, the sailing scheduled for that day had to be cancelled, the company added.

“We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news,” Royal Caribbean concluded.

Passengers who were set to board the Brilliance on March 30 will receive a full refund, the company said, in addition to a 50 percent Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that can be used toward any future sailing departing within one year.

Guests will also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees incurred, such as flight, hotel, train tickets or car rentals, Royal Caribbean added, noting that it will cover up to $250 per guest for domestic changes, and up to $400 per guest for international changes.

Passengers who left Sydney on March 19 and had their cruise cut short are also set to receive a 50 percent FCC, the company said.

Wrapping up its winter program in Australia, the Brilliance of the Seas is scheduled to depart on a trans-Pacific voyage to Hawaii on April 12, 2024.

The ship will then depart on a repositioning cruise to Canada before starting a summer program in Alaska.

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My first cruise was a 7-day disappointment. Even worse, it left me feeling sick long after touching dry land.

  • I took my first-ever cruise in February and realized cruising isn't for me .
  • I had horrible weather and rough seas that left me feeling sick after the cruise.
  • I don't want to roll the dice again, so I have no desire to go on another cruise.

Insider Today

I took my first-ever cruise in February and spent a week sailing around the Eastern Caribbean on the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas .

Although I was hesitant to dive headfirst into a weeklong cruise, I figured a few days of sunshine in the middle of Minnesota winter would do me good.

Plus, cruises are as popular as ever — and I was curious to see if they actually lived up to the hype.

Well, my vacation wasn't so sunny after all, and I have zero desire to book another cruise.

The weather was awful — and we had to evacuate our first port

It rained on five of the seven days of my cruise, including all three port days.

So, we scrapped our plans to visit beautiful beaches on St. Thomas and St. Maarten and instead slogged through puddles to check out local shops.

We also had to evacuate early on our first port day at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas due to an incoming storm.

My friend and I got in a couple of hours of cloudy beach time that day, but we headed back to the ship when it started sprinkling.

On our way back, Royal Caribbean announced we were leaving the island early. I appreciate the cruise putting our safety first, but I was still bummed.

We had unusually rough seas throughout the entire cruise

Having never been on a cruise, I had no idea what to expect in terms of motion and whether I'd get sea sick .

My doctor prescribed a scopolamine patch as a precaution to prevent sea sickness, but I had a negative reaction to it and had to remove it. Still, I figured I'd be fine since Wonder of the Seas is a large ship, and I'd heard you don't feel as much movement on larger ships .

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Well, I felt a lot of movement. And I wasn't alone.

Because we experienced some rougher seas, we felt more motion on the ship than is typical, according to conversations with seasoned fellow cruisers on board and comments from the captain.

One night it was so bad that many of us had trouble walking in a straight line down the hallway. Thankfully, other than a couple of hours of nausea I attribute to too much wine and not enough food, I didn't get sick to my stomach.

But that weird sensation of swaying and rocking got to me.

Motion sickness followed me home

Unfortunately, I could still feel some rocking and swaying after we disembarked. Even after returning home, the feeling didn't go away.

My brain knew I was on solid ground, but I felt like I was still on the cruise ship battling rough waves.

As it turns out, I'd developed "land sickness," also known as mal de débarquement syndrome , where you feel as though you're still swaying on the ship once you get off.

Although it's somewhat rare , it's a form of reverse motion sickness that can last for months or even years after a cruise (or other triggering event).

So far, anti-nausea medication and ginger ale haven't helped much.

As I sit and write this over two weeks later, I'm still rocking, swaying, and bobbing. Although I'm slowly getting better, it's definitely not fun.

I'm avoiding cruises from now on

I had some great laughs with friends on board despite the rough seas and lack of sunshine. A lot of what I experienced probably isn't the norm and maybe I was just unlucky.

But considering I wasn't even sailing during hurricane season in the Caribbean, I don't want to roll the dice again and try another sailing.

One bad experience culminating with motion sickness on dry land is enough to make me want to avoid any cruises in the future.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

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Jail Cells? Morgues? Your Cruise Ship Has Some Surprises for You.

Here are five unexpected features on ships, some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own.

A close-up photograph of three decks of a cruise ship's cabins, each of which has a balcony with a half wall of blue glass and two chairs.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu

Cruise ships have hidden features that many passengers, particularly first-timers, don’t know about. Some ships are as big as small cities, and while it’s relatively easy to familiarize yourself with a seemingly endless number of amenities — water parks, tattoo parlors, multiple restaurants — there is also an entire ecosystem, often below passenger decks, that is shrouded in mystery.

Here are five things that cruisers may not know about cruise ships:

There’s a morgue …

Cruise ships carry millions of passengers each year, and it is not uncommon for deaths to occur on board. Most vessels are required to have a morgue and additional body bags in the event of an emergency.

The morgue, usually a small stainless steel refrigerated room on the ship’s lowest deck, accommodates between two to 10 bodies, depending on the size of the vessel. When a passenger or crew member dies, officials on the ship will notify the authorities on shore and a medical team will assess the body and move it to the morgue, where it is kept until arrangements are made for repatriation. In most cases, the body will be removed at the next port of call, but sometimes will remain on board until the end of the voyage.

…and a jail

There are no police officers on cruise ships, but most vessels have small jails known as the brig, and unruly passengers could find themselves locked up if the ship’s security team determines that they have violated the cruise line’s code of conduct.

The brig, usually a bare-bones room with a bed and bathroom facilities, does not have iron bars like a traditional jail cell. It is used to detain guests who commit serious crimes like assault or possession of illegal substances. Drunk and disorderly passengers may be put under “cabin arrest,” meaning they cannot leave their cabin without a security escort.

Depending on the circumstances, most passengers put in the brig will stay there until they can be handed over to law enforcement officials.

Many ships don’t have a Deck 13

Many cruise ships do not have a Deck 13 because of the widespread superstition in Western culture that the number is unlucky. Ships with a Deck 13 typically use it for public areas, not cabins.

Some ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class vessels, have a Deck 13 because the vessels are used mainly for the company’s market in Asia, where the number is not considered unlucky. MSC ships also have a Deck 13, but not a Deck 17, because the cruise line’s founder is Italian and 17 is considered unlucky in Italy.

Cruise lines entertain other superstitions, like appointing godmothers to bless new vessels and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. They also hold naming ceremonies in which a bottle of champagne is smashed against the hull of a new ship for good luck. If the bottle fails to break, the vessel will, according to superstition, have bad luck. These days, cruise lines use mechanical devices to ensure that does not happen.

Hidden pools and facilities for the crew

There are typically more than 1,000 crew members on board large cruise ships, and while they spend most of their time serving passengers, there are several areas on the lower decks designated for them to unwind.

The facilities vary from ship to ship, but there are usually small pools in the ship’s bow exclusively for crew members, as well as restaurants, bars and recreational areas like game rooms and gyms. The designated bar, a central social hub for employees after they have finished their shifts, often hosts live music and events in the evening.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, has an entire “neighborhood” dedicated to its 2,300 crew members, with a clubhouse that has massage chairs and virtual balconies — large screens that show real-time views from outside — as well as a restaurant with portholes looking out to the ocean.

Most ships host A.A. meetings

With all-inclusive beverage packages and countless bars, cruise ships can be a tough environment for guests in recovery. Many cruise lines offer daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings that are usually scheduled as “Friends of Bill W.,” a reference to William Wilson, who co-founded the A.A. program in 1935.

The meetings are usually held in a quiet place like the library, where guests can feel comfortable and maintain their anonymity. They are also open to other support group members, like Women for Sobriety and Narcotics Anonymous.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

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 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

TikTok’s Favorite New ‘Reality Show’:  People on social media have turned the unwitting passengers of a nine-month world cruise  into  “cast members”  overnight.

Dipping Their Toes: Younger generations of travelers are venturing onto ships for the first time . Many are saving money.

Cult Cruisers: These devoted cruise fanatics, most of them retirees, have one main goal: to almost never touch dry land .

2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival cruise

MIAMI — Two crew members died on board a Holland America cruise ship, and a fire broke out on a Carnival ship while both of the ships were in the Bahamas this weekend, officials said.

The two crew on the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam died Friday during an "accidental steam release" while it was calling at the private resort island Half Moon Cay, Holland America said in a statement on Sunday.

"There was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members," the cruise line said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board were investigating the exact cause of the release, Holland America said.

A representative of the Bahama’s Coroner’s Court did not immediately respond to a request for information, such as the crew members’ identities and the cause and manner of death.

The cruise line said the conclusions of any investigation would be taken seriously. "Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident," it said.

Passenger Laine Doss said she was on board when the captain announced the deaths on the vessel's P.A. system.

"We were celebrating the last day of the cruise," she said, when the mood changed "to something extremely somber."

The captain's voice broke, she said.

"He broke down crying," Doss said. "There was a moment of silence that the captain requested. And that entire scenario did affect the entire cruise. Things were canceled, joyous events were canceled, and we really just thought about mortality — the people who perished on the ship."

Crew members were being offered counseling, Holland America said.

Dutch government inspectors determined the vessel to be "fully operable," and this was "confirmed" by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cruise line said.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said she was looking into the statement and was unable to immediately confirm it.

The Nieuw Amsterdam returned Saturday to its home port of Fort Lauderdale, guests disembarked, and the vessel has embarked on a cruise with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday, Holland America said.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event," the cruise line said. "We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time."  

The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

Fire on the port-side exhaust funnel of another Florida-based cruise ship in the Bahamas, the Carnival Freedom, rocked some passengers Saturday and took the ship out of commission for repairs, the cruise line said.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement Sunday, Carnival Cruises acknowledged witness reports of a lightning strike or the sound of thunder before the fire erupted.

Passenger Heath Barnes said the ship was on a detoured path, destined for an unscheduled stop in Freeport, as a result of stormy weather and high winds when fire started.

"I was shocked," he said. "I mean, I looked out there and you're not supposed to see black smoke and fire shooting out of the tail end of the cruise."

The blaze was preceded by "the loudest thunder-lightning clap that I've ever heard in my life," Barnes said.

Ship personnel extinguished the fire, Carnival Cruises said.

The cruise line said a technical team determined the ship sustained enough damage that it will need repairs before it can be returned to scheduled cruises. The funnel was stabilized, passengers were expected to be returned to Port Canaveral, and the ship will set off to Freeport for repairs, it said.

"The damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruises said.

Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said.

It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom since 2022.

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Marissa Parra is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.

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Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

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Fire on Carnival Freedom ship prompts canceled cruises

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Passengers are facing disruptions following an incident involving a CCL-Carnival Cruise Line vessel amid adverse weather conditions on Saturday, March 23rd.

CCL announced the cancellation of cruises scheduled for March 25 and March 29 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida .

Carnival further conveyed their regrets in a statement:

“We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

Carnival Freedom ship encountered a fire while she was coming alongside the dock on Grand Turk Island , in Turks and Caicos. The company indicated that multiple eyewitnesses observed a lightning strike.

After canceling a stop at Princess Cays due to inclement weather, the vessel experienced the fire incident on the port side of its exhaust funnel, resulting in a portion collapsing onto the deck.

While no injuries were reported among guests, two members of the firefighting team were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

For more Carnival Freedom incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page .

ISDC 2024

Burevestnik: a Russian air-launched anti-satellite system

By bart hendrickx monday, april 27, 2020.

In September 2018, an aircraft photographer noticed something interesting while observing activity at the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky near Moscow, sometimes called the “Russian Edwards Air Force Base.” What caught his attention was a MiG-31BM fighter jet with a large black missile suspended under its belly. While this specific aircraft had been seen before, the rocket was new. The pictures he posted on the Internet baffled observers: it seemed to be too big to be an air-to-air or an air-to-surface missile. It did appear to be the right size for an anti-satellite weapon.

The pictures brought back memories of a Soviet-era ASAT project called Kontakt, which comprised the MiG-31D aircraft and a missile of the MKB Fakel design bureau outfitted with a kinetic kill vehicle. Kontakt was the Soviet response to the American Air-Launched Miniature Vehicle or ASM-135A, which destroyed a US satellite in September 1985 after having been dropped from an F-15 fighter jet. Test flights of the MiG-31D with the missile were reportedly conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but without targeting satellites.

So it looked like the new project could well be a reincarnation of Kontakt, as was speculated in many articles in the weeks following the release of the pictures. Backing up that idea were at least two statements made by Russian officials. In August 2009, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force, Aleksandr Zelin, had declared that the MiG-31 was being upgraded to perform the same space defense tasks as in the Soviet days. About eight years later, in February 2017, a squadron commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Yevgeny Polyakov, was quoted as saying by the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Zvezda TV channel that a new missile was being developed for the MiG-31BM “capable of destroying targets in near-space.”

Analysis of publicly accessible online Russian sources now leaves little doubt that the MiG-31BM and the rocket are part of a broader ASAT project called Burevestnik (“Stormy Petrel”). Most likely, the rocket will not carry a kinetic kill vehicle like its Soviet-era predecessor, but will serve as a launch vehicle for small interceptor satellites that can approach and disable enemy satellites.

Burevestnik, a popular name in Russian culture, was also the name given by popular vote to a nuclear-powered cruise missile (9M730) not long after it was unveiled by President Vladimir Putin during his State of the Union address in March 2018. This has no connection whatsoever to the ASAT project.

The Burevestnik satellites

Burevestnik has never been discussed in Russia’s state-controlled media or even in specialized Russian space publications, but details about the project have slowly leaked out in recent years, mainly via openly available tender documentation and contracts on Russia’s government procurement website. These showed that the project began on September 1, 2011, with a government contract awarded to the Design Bureau of Machine Building (NPK KBM), a weapon manufacturer based in Kolomna (about 100 kilometers southeast of Moscow) that seems to be the overall coordinator of the project. At the end of that same month, NPK KBM signed a contract with a Moscow-based organization called the Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics (TsNIIKhM or CNIIHM), which in turn subcontracted work on satellites called Burevestnik-M.

Another phase in the project began on December 1, 2015, when NPK KBM received another government contract under which CNIIHM subsequently performed work on satellites named Burevestnik-KA-M. The difference between Burevestnik-M and Burevestnik-KA-M is not known, but a PowerPoint presentation (in Russian) of a Russian solar panel and battery manufacturer (PAO Saturn) that somehow ended up online in May last year clearly identified them as two different satellites. The hush-hush nature of the project as well as the background of some of the contractors involved strongly pointed to an ASAT role, as was discussed in an earlier article here (see “Russia’s secret satellite builder” , The Space Review, May 9, 2019).

The Burevestnik rocket

What has emerged from further research in recent weeks is that the scope of the Burevestnik project is much broader than earlier believed. First, it turned out that another component of the project is a solid-fuel rocket. A rocket by the name Burevestnik first showed up in the annual report of the Russian Academy of Sciences for 2015, where it was said to be one of several rockets for which new types of solid propellant were being developed. No further details on it emerged in the following years.

Analysis of procurement documents now shows that the rocket has the code name “293” and is built by NPO Iskra, a manufacturer of solid-fuel rocket motors in Perm (roughly 1,400 kilometers east of Moscow). Contracts for “293” (some of which also mention the name Burevestnik) refer back to the same September 1, 2011, contract awarded to NPK KBM that is also seen in documents on the Burevestnik satellites, leaving no doubt that the two are part of the same project. NPO Perm was assigned to “293” by NPK KBM on the very same day. Some of the contracts for “293” are based on an earlier government contract dated August 7, 2009, suggesting the roots of the project may go back even further.

Available contracts for the “293” rocket going back to 2013 regularly mention parts called 14D812, 14D813, and 14S47, which presumably are the rocket’s individual stages. 14S47 fits in a series of indexes for upper stages of space launch vehicles, strongly suggesting it performs the same role. Procurement documents placed online by NPO Iskra in recent months also show that the company began working in December 2018 on another rocket called “328”. The parts ordered for this indicate that it is a modified version of the “293” rocket, possibly using the new solid propellants mentioned in the 2015 Academy of Sciences report. Two companies linked to that work in the report are also seen in one of the contracts for the “328” rocket.

The MiG carrier aircraft

A search for the “293” rocket on Russia’s government procurement website subsequently revealed that it is an air-launched rocket to be carried aloft by a modified version of the MiG-31 aircraft. A contract (in Russian) signed by the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK MiG) in August last year is for work “to determine the safety of operating Object 08 with Product 293 under the influence of naturally and artificially produced electromagnetic fields.” This work was to be completed in four months and would involve both a mock-up and “live” version of the rocket.

This is unmistakable evidence that “293”, the solid-fuel rocket built by NPO Iskra as part of Burevestnik, is designed to be carried by a MiG aircraft described as Object 08. This almost certainly is the MiG-31BM aircraft with number “81” that was seen carrying the mysterious black rocket in September 2018. One other RSK MiG contract (in Russian) that can be positively linked to Burevestnik refers to the aircraft more specifically as “Object 08/1”, a further indication that it is indeed MiG-31BM nr. 81.

The documentation links this work to a government contract awarded to NPK KBM for Burevestnik on December 1, 2015, and another one subsequently concluded between NPK KBM and RSK MiG on December 17, 2015. Therefore, it is in the same sequence of contracts that initiated work on the Burevestnik-KA-M satellites. However, RSK MiG’s involvement with Burevestnik began earlier than that. According to court documents (in Russian) published online late last year, NPK KBM and RSK MiG signed an initial contract for Burevestnik (described as “Burevestnik-MiG”) as early as January 23, 2012. This was presumably in the same chain of contracts that started work on the Burevestnik-M satellites and the “293” rocket back in 2011.

Burevestnik’s explosive payload

Other recently uncovered procurement documentation may provide conclusive evidence that the Burevestnik satellites are indeed ASAT interceptors. One contract (in Russian) for Burevestnik was signed in June 2017 between an organization called the Krasnoarmeysk Scientific Research Institute of Mechanization (KNIIM) and a company called OOO Expotekhvzryv. KNIIM is an institute in Krasnoarmeysk (a name derived from the Russian word for “Red Army”), which is situated about 60 kilometers northeast of Moscow. It is a leading manufacturer of ammunition and explosives, as can be seen in this profile of the institute.

Expotekhvzryv, based in Moscow, specializes in industrial safety control of “dangerous objects” (the word vzryv in the company’s name means “explosion”). Under the deal with KNIIM, it was to perform what was literally described as “industrial safety control of an experimental container for special products” and complete that work before the end of June 2017. According to the documentation, the work involved detonating the container to study the effects on its surroundings and on the container itself. The contract is clearly related to the Burevestnik-KA-M satellites because the documentation links the work to the December 2015 government contract that initiated that phase of the Burevestnik project and a subsequent one inked between CNIIHM and KNIIM on September 1, 2016.

The most logical interpretation of this information is that KNIIM developed some type of explosive charge for the Burevestnik satellites and that the tests conducted by Expotekhvzryv were needed to ensure that this material is safe for storage and transportation. While KNIIM seems to be the manufacturer of this payload, it should be noted that CNIIHM itself probably also has the necessary expertise in the field. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, a team at CNIIHM led by Kirill N. Shamshev devised two types of explosive charges that were carried by experimental interceptor satellites called IS (“Satellite Destroyer”). These were detonated when the satellites came in the vicinity of specially launched target satellites. According to its former website, CNIIHM has a “Center of Ammunition and Special Chemistry” and this may very well play a role in this work as well.

As is clear from several technical papers and patents, a number of Russian institutes (including CNIIHM) have also done research on non-destructive technology for co-orbital ASATs, mostly involving the use of finely dispersed particles that could presumably disable satellite sensors or cause other damage. Similar technology has also been studied to conceal satellites from potential enemy ASAT interceptors under a program known as Vual (see “Self-defense in space: protecting Russian spacecraft from ASAT attacks” , The Space Review, July 16, 2018). However, there are is no convincing proof that any of this work is connected to Burevestnik.

Possible on-orbit tests

It is perfectly possible that Burevestnik satellites have already been tested in orbit. Between 2013 and 2019, Russia launched six mysterious satellites from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome that showed similar in-orbit behavior and transmitted on identical radio frequencies, indicating they share a common platform. They were called Kosmos-2491, 2499, 2504, 2521, 2535, 2536, and 2543. All were launched as co-passengers with other payloads, the first three on the Rockot launch vehicle (now retired) and the later ones on the Soyuz-2.1v, the lightest rocket in the Soyuz launch vehicle family (without the first-stage strap-on boosters and carrying NK-33 engines inherited from the Soviet-era N-1 moon rocket.) All except the first one performed rendezvous and proximity operations with other objects launched on the same mission, either the rocket’s upper stage or other satellites.

Some of these satellites are likely part of a project called Nivelir, started in the same month as Burevestnik (September 2011) and also managed by CNIIHM. The Nivelir satellites are believed to be intended for on-orbit inspection of other satellites and are known to share at least two design features with the Burevestnik satellites, namely 4LI-20 lithium-ion batteries of PAO Saturn and MSKV84 fuel tanks of NIIMash, which likely feed K50-10.6 hydrazine monopropellant thrusters of OKB Fakel on both types of satellites. Because they seem to use a common bus, it is hard to tell which of the satellites belong to which program.

Two of the satellites (Kosmos-2521 and 2543) were deployed from larger “parent satellites” built by NPO Lavochkin (Kosmos-2519 and 2542). Having the military index 14F150, these are also part of the Nivelir project and themselves seem to be used for space situational awareness. Kosmos-2542 raised concern in US Defense Department circles earlier this year when it made several relatively close passes to the American reconnaissance satellite USA 245 in an apparent attempt to take detailed pictures of the satellite.

While most of the six satellites seem to have performed missions comparable to those of American and Chinese inspection satellites, two experiments conducted during these missions seem to have nothing to do with inspection. In October 2017, Kosmos-2521 itself deployed a small subsatellite (Kosmos-2523) that immediately lowered its perigee by 100 kilometers and has remained inert ever since without ever coming close to another satellite. Speaking to Time magazine last February, Gen. John Raymond, the commander of the U.S. Space Force, likened these satellites to Russian nesting dolls and described the subsatellite as a “high-speed projectile.” Possibly, Kosmos-2523 was another top-secret satellite of CNIIHM identified as Napryazheniye, the purpose of which is unclear.

Another puzzling event occurred last year during the mission of Kosmos-2535 and 2536, launched in July 2019 along with two other satellites (Kosmos-2537 and 2538) that are probably used for calibration of ground-based radars. About two weeks after launch, Kosmos-2535 and 2536 began a lengthy series of close encounters that continued until earlier this year. The first of those, in early August, was actually reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which described the two objects as an “inspection satellite” and a “registering satellite.” They were reportedly on a mission to study the effects of “artificial and natural space factors” on satellites and also to test technology to protect satellites and service them in orbit. More specifically, the equipment on the inspector satellite was designed to study the effects on the registering satellite of “space debris, electron and proton radiation of the Earth’s outer natural radiation belt, protons and heavy charged particles, solar and galactic cosmic rays.”

Then, in mid-October, objects labeled as “Kosmos-2535 debris” started gradually appearing in the catalog of space objects maintained by the United States Strategic Command. In all, 24 such objects were registered. The catalog does not disclose when exactly the satellite generated this debris, but orbital analysis has traced most of it back to a close encounter between Kosmos-2535 and 2536 in late September (which would mean the debris could have come from either satellite).

The debris wound up in widely scattered orbits with altitudes ranging from less than 400 to more than 1,000 kilometers, while the two satellites themselves have been circling the Earth in roughly circular orbits slightly over 600 kilometers above the Earth. This means it must have been created by some sort of energetic event. Both of the satellites did continue maneuvering afterwards, meaning that neither was rendered inoperable.

This could lead one to conclude that it was either a failed ASAT test or not an ASAT test at all. However, numerous other scenarios are possible as well, including one where the Russians elected to test an explosive charge without destroying the satellites in order to minimize the amount of debris and not attract undue attention to the mission. It could, for instance, have been ejected in a canister and detonated at a safe distance, with one or both of the satellites observing the event. It is also possible that one or both satellites carried protective material enabling them to survive the event and even sensors to detect possible impacts, like many of the target satellites used in the Soviet IS project. Such scenarios would still be in line with two of the mission objectives given in the official Russian statement on the mission, namely studying the effects of space debris and testing technology to protect satellites in orbit.

Future outlook

If Burevestnik has already been tested in orbit, it was launched as a co-passenger on a conventional ground-based rocket. However, this is likely to change in the future. As is clear from the evidence presented above, the satellites, the “293” rocket, and the MiG-31BM aircraft are part of one and the same project. Most likely, the air-launched “293” rocket will serve as a launch vehicle for future Burevestnik satellites. In Russian terminology, all these components would be described as belonging to the same “space complex,” a word used for the combination of the satellites, the launch vehicle, and all the ground-based infrastructure needed to support them. In some official documents, Burevestnik has been more specifically called “a space security complex,” a fitting term for an ASAT project (it has also been applied in one document to a project called Kalina, a ground-based laser system designed to blind or dazzle optical instruments of satellites). The index for the Burevestnik space complex is 14K168.

The idea that “293” is a satellite launch vehicle is corroborated by the fact that the index for one of its stages (14S47) is similar to that of some upper stages of space launch vehicles. Moreover, plans to use the MiG-31 as a satellite launch platform are not new. They were first put forward by the MiG design bureau in the late 1990s and culminated in a 2005 Russian/Kazakh proposal called Ishim to equip the aircraft with a three-stage solid-fuel rocket capable of placing 160-kilogram satellites into 300-kilometer orbits with a 46-degree inclination. With a maximum speed of Mach 2.8 and a service ceiling of more than 20 kilometers, the MiG-31 is an ideal platform for such missions.

With the Burevestnik satellites probably weighing around 100 kilograms or less, a rocket the size of “293” should be capable of placing them into orbit from a MiG-31, although potential targets would probably be limited to satellites in relatively low orbits, primarily reconnaissance satellites. The use of an air-launched rocket instead of a ground-based launch vehicle offers several advantages for ASAT missions. First, not being tied to a specific launch site, air-launched rockets can use a much broader variety of launch azimuths and, consequently, send satellites into a wide range of orbital inclinations. Second, they can be prepared for launch at short notice (certainly solid-fuel rockets like “293”) and away from the prying eyes of reconnaissance satellites, giving the enemy little warning time. By contrast, the Soyuz-2.1v, the lightest launch vehicle in Russia’s current rocket fleet, is a liquid-fuel launch vehicle that needs two days of launch preparations on a single available pad. In addition to that, the Soyuz-2.1v (with a payload capacity of 2.8 tons to low Earth orbit) would be far oversized for launching a single Burevestnik satellite. Both the “293” rocket and its apparent successor (“328”) could potentially also be used to launch other small military satellites on quick-response missions, a capability that the US military has been seeking for a long time without much success.

All this does raise the question why dedicated infrastructure for Burevestnik is being built at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This infrastructure is identified in procurement documents as “Object 7511/4,” As can be inferred from recent procurement documents, a new contract for the construction work was awarded by the Ministry of Defense just last December, clearly showing it is not yet finished. One possible explanation is that Burevestnik flights using the MiG-31BM will be staged from Plesetsk’s airfield (known as “Pero”), benefiting from the cosmodrome’s infrastructure for storage and preparation of rockets and satellites. Another, much more remote possibility is that “293” has a two-stage air-launched version (consisting of the 14D813 and 14S47 stages) that can take off from a multitude of air bases and a three-stage ground-launched version (consisting of the 14D812, 14D813, and 14S47 stages) that will be based at Plesetsk. It is hard to tell whether the rocket seen in the photos taken at Zhukovsky has two or three stages. Similarly, America’s Pegasus air-launched rocket had a ground-based “sister rocket” (Taurus/Minotaur-C), which essentially consisted of a Pegasus mounted on top of the first stage of a Peacekeeper ICBM. However, there are no clear signs that any launch infrastructure for such a rocket is being built at Plesetsk.

Other ground-based infrastructure for Burevestnik, named “Object 7511/3,” is under construction near Pervomayskoye in the Tambov province, about 450 kilometers southeast of Moscow. This is the location of a military base (nr. 14272) primarily used for the long-term storage of rockets awaiting shipment to the launch site.

The control center for Burevestnik missions is likely situated right next to the headquarters of Russia’s space surveillance network in Noginsk-9 (also known as Dubrovo), a small town about 60 kilometers east of Moscow. Noginsk-9 was also home to the control center for the Soviet-era co-orbital ASAT missions. A facility in Noginsk-9 known as “Object 3006M” has been linked in building contracts to both Burevestnik and Nivelir. It will probably be fed with targeting data by a network of space surveillance radars and optical telescopes stationed across Russia. Autonomous satellite navigation equipment known to have been developed for Burevestnik satellites by MKB Kompas should also help guide the satellites to their targets relatively quickly. Even with 1970s technology, the Soviet-era IS interceptor satellites demonstrated the ability to reach their targets on the first orbit after launch.

All the construction work is a sign that Burevestnik is not merely seen as an experimental system, but one that Russia intends to place on operational stand-by. When that will occur is hard to tell. The Burevestnik project has been underway for almost a decade but, like many other Russian space projects, was probably hit hard by the Western-imposed sanctions that complicated the delivery of foreign-built electronic components for the Russian space industry. Despite Russia’s policy of “import substitution,” even highly classified Russian military satellites remain very reliant on Western electronics. This is illustrated by one 2016 contract for the delivery of electronic components for Burevestnik satellites, which listed a total of 457 foreign electronic components versus just 45 Russian-built components.

Still, it does look like one or more Burevestnik satellites have already been tested in space, with more such test flights (using the Soyuz-2.1v) possibly yet to come. As for the “293” rocket, the one seen in the September 2018 photos was presumably a mock-up, but one of the earlier quoted RKS MiG contracts signed in August 2019 strongly suggests that a “live” version is undergoing captive carry tests by now. A CNBC article published in September 2018 quoted “three sources with direct knowledge of a U.S. intelligence report” as saying that the MiG-31BM spotted shortly before was believed to be “a mock-up of an anti-satellite weapon that will be ready for warfare by 2022.”

Other Russian ASAT projects

As large in scope as Burevestnik appears to be, it is only one of several ASAT projects that Russia is currently working on. The most advanced of these is Nudol, a ground-launched direct-ascent ASAT missile built by OKB Novator that is believed to have made at least ten test flights from Plesetsk since 2014, without destroying targets in space. The latest of these took place on April 15, prompting an immediate response from the US Space Command’s Gen. John Raymond, who regards it as “further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counterspace weapons programs.” Recently gathered evidence indicates that another, possibly more capable missile may be under development for Nudol at the Moscow-based MIT Corporation.

Other likely ASAT systems under development are ground-based and air-based systems to dazzle or blind satellite optical systems ( Kalina and Sokol-Eshelon ) and ground-based and space-based systems for electronic warfare (Tirada-2S and Ekipazh ). In November 2017, a Russian military official also disclosed the existence of a “mobile anti-satellite complex” called Rudolf, about which nothing is known. Another satellite under development at CNIIHM called Numizmat will probably carry a hard-to-detect ultrawide-band noise radar for proximity operations and may also have an ASAT-related role. An up-to-date overview of Russian ASAT systems is given in the latest edition of the Secure World Foundation’s annual report Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open-Source Assessment .

The co-existence of several ASAT projects indicates they are designed to fulfill complementary roles, possibly targeting different types of satellites in different types of orbits. Similarly, in the 1980s the Soviet Union worked on a plethora of ASAT systems , each of which had its own well-defined tasks in various possible war scenarios. The collapse of the Soviet Union prevented any of those from reaching operational status, but by all indications Russia now once again has a sustained program to develop a broad range of counterspace capabilities, whatever the motives for that may be.

For more details on Burevestnik and a complete list of sources, see this thread on the NASA Spaceflight Forum , which is updated with new information as it becomes available.

Bart Hendrickx is a longtime observer of the Russian space program.

Note: we are temporarily moderating all comments submitted to deal with a surge in spam.

Humans to Mars

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First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

Image courtesy of TVEL

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  2. How to use your "Future Cruise Credit" from Royal Caribbean

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  3. Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit: What you need to know

    rccl future cruise credit

  4. Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit: What you need to know

    rccl future cruise credit

  5. Royal Caribbean will now let guests combine future cruise credits

    rccl future cruise credit

  6. How To Use Future Cruise Credit

    rccl future cruise credit

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  1. Redeem Future Cruise Credit

    Have your Future Cruise Credit number ready. Search your inbox for "Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit" to find your FCC info. When you go to checkout, enter your Cruise Credit number at the Payment page and click "Submit.". Tadah! The credit is applied, and you'll receive a confirmation email that it went through. Create A New Booking.

  2. Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit: What you need to know

    If a Future Cruise Credit was leveraged to pay for a reservation now impacted by the suspension of cruising, Royal Caribbean will make it easier by combining all funds into one voucher. The value of the original FCC will now be added to the new FCC at 100% of its original value, plus 125% of any amount paid by the guest on the cancelled. sailing.

  3. Future Cruise Credit

    Learn about Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit program for cruises cancelled because of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Review Future Cruise Credit frequently asked questions.

  4. Redeem Future Cruise Credit

    Search your inbox for 'Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit' to find your FCC info. When you go to check out, enter your Cruise Credit number at the Payment page and click 'Submit'. Tadah! The credit has been applied, and you'll receive a confirmation email that it went through. Other tips: if you are booking multiple rooms, you can enter a ...

  5. Future cruise credit guide: Everything you need to know

    A future cruise credit is a voucher good for a future cruise. Cruise lines often issue future cruise credits to customers when [the lines] cancel a sailing, in lieu of a cash refund. ... some lines have extended the "use by" dates for future cruise credits several times. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises recently said their pandemic-era ...

  6. Future Cruise Credit (FCC) Redemption Overview

    ©2021 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships' registry: Ecuador and Malta. ©2021 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships' registry: The Bahamas. Future Cruise Credit (FCC) Redemption Overview We are thrilled to announce a major enhancement to the process of redeeming Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) through Cruisingpower and Espresso.

  7. Royal Caribbean removes deadline to redeem future cruise credits

    Travel agents were advised today that Royal Caribbean has removed the "book/redeem by" deadline, and FCCs can now be redeemed anytime up until the expiration date listed on the certificate. A FCC can now be redeemed on any Royal Caribbean International sailing departing on or before the expiration date. For example, if their credit expires on ...

  8. How Can I Redeem My Future Cruise Credit?

    Here's how to redeem online for new bookings: Find the sailing that you are interested in. Select your cabin type and location. Proceed to the payment page. Enter your payment and personal information. Enter your Future Cruise Credit number (s).

  9. Royal Caribbean makes using future cruise credits easier with rule

    Royal Caribbean has changed a rule about how guests can use their future cruise credits (FCC) to make it much easier if you have leftover credit. If a guest uses their FCC for a sailing and has a leftover balance, they do not have to wait for the first sailing to complete before applying the remainder. Prior to the change made this week by ...

  10. Royal Caribbean removes future cruise credit expiration dates

    The change applies to future cruise credits a guest has received during the pandemic between 2020 and early 2022. As of June 1, 2022, Royal Caribbean announced that all unredeemed future cruise credits (FCC) offered under the Cruise with Confidence program will no longer expire. Future cruise credits were given to guests as a kind of voucher to ...

  11. What Is Future Cruise Credit and How Can I Use It?

    Future cruise credit (FCC) is a bit like store credit from a cruise line. Many times, in lieu of a direct cash refund, a cruise line will take the price of a refunded cruise and issue it as a kind ...

  12. Future Cruise Credit Expiration Dates: Do I Need to Worry?

    Royal Caribbean offers a 100 percent future cruise credits to anyone unable to sail due to a positive test for COVID-19 immediately prior to embarkation. Details on policies for use and expiration ...

  13. Royal Caribbean International

    If your sailing was cancelled as part of the Royal Caribbean COVID-19 operations suspension, you will receive one Future Cruise Credit combining the two amounts: 100% of your original Future Cruise Credit amount and 125% of any additional cruise fare funds paid on the reservation. If you prefer a refund, this request for any funds paid over-and ...

  14. Royal Caribbean makes it easier to use future cruise credits

    Some cruisers had to pay the balance in cash; others booked a cruise for less than the amount of the credit, ending up with a small remainder. Prior to this week, Royal Caribbean would reissue the leftover amount as new future cruise credit. Travelers would have to book a second cruise (and pay the majority out of pocket) or forfeit some of the ...

  15. You can now use a Future Cruise Credit to pay for a Royal Caribbean

    Royal Caribbean has updated its policies to allow guests to use a Future Cruise Credit towards the deposit on a new cruise booking. ... Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo ...

  16. Royal Caribbean Simplifies Future Cruise Credits

    There's now less confusion and more simplicity with Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit (FCC). The cruise line sent out an update to travel agents about just one simple date that needs to be ...

  17. Future Cruise Credit FAQs & How to Redeem It

    Retrieve the reservation for which you want to apply the cruise credit. Enter the code for each applicable guest, making sure each guest's name exactly match the full name on the voucher. The credit will be applied to the balance due within 48 hours.

  18. Royal Caribbean cancels Australia cruise last minute due to propulsion

    Brilliance of the Seas was scheduled to sail from Sydney, Australia on a 5-night itinerary to Hobart, Tasmania. The impacted passengers are receiving a 100% refund for the sailing. In addition, Royal Caribbean is issuing a 50% Future Cruise Credit for impact guests to be used within one year on a future sailing. Attempted repair

  19. Baltimore bridge collapse is already impacting travel: What to know

    Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas has a roundtrip itinerary scheduled to depart Baltimore on April 12, according to the cruise line's website. "We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and ...

  20. Royal Caribbean Cancels Brilliance Cruises Following Technical Issue

    Royal Caribbean International is canceling cruises onboard the Brilliance of the Seas. According to the company, a technical issue is impacting the vessel, which is completing a winter program in Australia & the South Pacific. Affected sailings include an 11-night voyage to the South Pacific Islands that departed on March 19, and a five-night cruise to Tasmania that was scheduled to sail on ...

  21. Royal Caribbean cancels Brilliance of the Seas cruises

    Mar 25, 2024. |. Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean International has canceled two Brilliance of the Seas cruises out of Sydney, reportedly ...

  22. Reasons I Hated My First Cruise, Will Not Ever Cruise Again

    Mar 22, 2024, 8:30 AM PDT. I feel no need to book another cruise anytime soon. Brittany VanDerBill. I took my first-ever cruise in February and realized cruising isn't for me. I had horrible ...

  23. Jail Cells? Morgues? Your Cruise Ship Has Some Surprises for You

    Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has an entire "neighborhood" dedicated to its 2,300 crew members, with a clubhouse that has massage chairs and virtual ...

  24. 2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival

    Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said. It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom ...

  25. Fire on Carnival Freedom ship prompts canceled cruises

    Passengers are facing disruptions following an incident involving a CCL-Carnival Cruise Line vessel amid adverse weather conditions on Saturday, March 23rd.. CCL announced the cancellation of cruises scheduled for March 25 and March 29 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida.. Carnival further conveyed their regrets in a statement:

  26. Carnival Cruise, Holland America have mishaps near Bahamas

    Carnival said that, "We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests," and that it would provide all guests on canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit.

  27. Burevestnik: a Russian air-launched anti-satellite system

    Future outlook. If Burevestnik has already been tested in orbit, it was launched as a co-passenger on a conventional ground-based rocket. However, this is likely to change in the future. As is clear from the evidence presented above, the satellites, the "293" rocket, and the MiG-31BM aircraft are part of one and the same project.

  28. First refuelling for Russia's Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

    Rosatom's fuel company TVEL has supplied nuclear fuel for reactor 1 of the world's only floating NPP (FNPP), the Akademik Lomonosov, moored at the city of Pevek, in Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The supply of fuel was transported along the Northern Sea Route. The first ever refuelling of the FNPP is planned to begin before the end of ...