Melissa Mayntz

Florida

Editor and Writer at Freelance

A birder and a writer, naturally writing about birds. Author of "Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birds" (Quadrille Publishing, Spring 2020).

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Articles

Just How Long Has Carnival Been Considering the Rewards Plan?

3 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

A week after its initial announcement, the backlash continues against the new Carnival Rewards program, a spend-based system due to replace the current loyalty program from June 1, 2026. Many flabbergasted cruise guests have wondered just how much thought was put into the design of the new program. It has been almost universally maligned by top tier travelers – the very guests who have shown the most loyalty to Carnival Cruise Line.
Labor Woes Forces Carnival Liberty to Switch Shipyards, Cruise Cancelled

4 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Currently undergoing dry dock refreshment in Europe, Carnival Liberty will not be returning to service as planned due to labor shortages and a shipyard change. This means the ship’s first return sailing from New Orleans, originally scheduled to depart July 6, 2026, is now cancelled. Guests are being notified of the change just two weeks before they would have set sail. The notification was emailed to guests on June 23, 2025, just 13 days before embarkation for the now-cancelled cruise.
Labor Woes Force Carnival Liberty to Switch Shipyards, Cruise Cancelled

4 days ago | flipboard.com | Melissa Mayntz

How To Reach The Bottom Of The Shipyard In Raidou Remastered: The Mystery Of The Soulless ArmyThings are really beginning to come to a head now in the tenth episode of Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, with the launch of the …
Carnival Changes Water Pick Up Policy to Nix Confusion

4 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Just days after an irate guest scathingly chastised Carnival Cruise Line and the official brand ambassador, John Heald, over a simple bottle of water, the cruise line has adjusted how guests can claim that thirst-quencher. Guests in the cruise line’s current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program can now choose to use one of their in-stateroom bottles of water as their complimentary bottle.
Carnival Changes Water Pick Up Policy to Nix Confusion

4 days ago | flipboard.com | Melissa Mayntz

2 hours agoCarnival Reports Earnings Tuesday. Fuel Prices Aren’t the Only Problem for Cruise Stocks. Carnival stock is 5% down in 2025 heading into second-quarter earnings Tuesday.
What We Don't Know (Yet!) About the New Carnival Rewards Program

5 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Carnival Cruise Line certainly shook up the cruise loyalty world with the announcement of their new Carnival Rewards program, set to replace the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program from June 1, 2026. While there are many things about the new program that confused, frustrated, and outright angry guests are focusing on, it is also important to note that there are quite a few things that haven’t yet been fully confirmed about the new program.
Will Cozumel Ever Get the Planned Fourth Pier?

5 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Continuing years of yes-no-yes-no debate, environmental studies, approval grants, challenges, and pauses, the much-discussed fourth cruise ship pier in Cozumel, Mexico, is once again on hold. According to Mexico News Daily, the project is being debated yet again, this time just two months after receiving approval from the Environment Ministry. An injunction against the project was filed on June 13, 2025, and a new environmental impact study must be undertaken.
Carnival Cruise Line's CEO Issues Letter Over New Loyalty Program

6 days ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Is Carnival Cruise Line trying to put a positive spin on what has quickly become a public relations nightmare? A new letter from the line’s president, Christine Duffy, is offering great explanations but little further details for frustrated cruisers. The letter has been sent to past and present Carnival guests (with millions of travelers, it is taking time to reach everyone), and offers detailed insights into the need for the program to change.
Carnival Addresses Loyalty Outrage, Offers Hope for Program Revisions

1 week ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Even with no hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, it’s been a stormy week for Carnival Cruise Line with intense, Category 5 reactions to the line’s announcement of the new Carnival Rewards program. Due to replace the existing Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program from June 1, 2026, the new rewards program has proven to be immediately controversial.
Carnival Guest Finds Cruise-Approved Cabin Night Light Fix

1 week ago | cruisehive.com | Melissa Mayntz

Sometimes the simplest solutions really are that easy! One Carnival Cruise Line guest has shared an inexpensive, lightweight, safe, and relaxing option for the cruise cabin nightlight quandary, and yes, it’s cruise line-approved.