Cruise Safety, Great Lakes, and Expedition Demand

Three stories on safety, growth, and shifting tastes at sea. A 43-year-old passenger has pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to sexually abusing a 15-year-old aboard a Carnival cruise that sailed from New Orleans in November 2023, with sentencing set for September 1 — a sober reminder of onboard passenger-safety stakes. On the Great Lakes, Victory II kicked off Green Bay's expanded 2026 season at Leicht Park, part of a tripling to six cruise calls and a regional boom expected to draw 25,000 passengers. And Atlas Ocean Voyages reports sales up 49% year-over-year, fueled by surging expedition demand and excitement for the new Atlas Adventurer launching in 2028.