ocean world tour

NORMAL HOURS 9am – 6:00pm

Gift shop – 9:00am to 6:00pm, tour hours –  9:15am to 4:30pm*, tours start every 15 minutes throughout the day., tour size is limited and on a 1st come/1st serve basis, *because we are a natural light facility, our last tour of the day can vary., please call ahead for the last evening tour time..

Ocean World is more than just an aquarium; it is entertainment for the whole family. You will be taken on a fully guided tour by our highly trained staff who will show you and tell you about the creatures of the sea. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and it is fun, educational and entertaining. These tours are intimate with many unique and one of a life time experiences waiting for you.

We start with the Touch and Feel Tide Pool where you will have the opportunity to see and touch many of the strange and interesting creatures that live within the rocks near the shores of the Pacific Northwest.

Next we descend into our aquarium where you will see sharks, bat rays and our playful seals and sea lions. You will learn about the life of sea creatures that live right off of our coast here in California.

Then you will be given the opportunity of a life time to pet a real shark. So many who come to visit Ocean World rate this as the thing they liked best about the tour, to touch and feel one of the most amazing creatures living on our earth.

You will then wrap up the tour with an intimate Seal or Sea Lion Performance. You will get to know our Pacific Harbor Seals Wyatt, Skully and Marina as they make you laugh and amaze you with their antics. You will then see the high energy and amazing feats from Cora Sea Lion as she performs for you. You will be introduced to our newest star, Pearl, who is learning new behaviors every week.

Then you will be able to enjoy what many have claimed to be the very best gift shop on the North Coast. We pride ourselves on bringing the unique and “must have” gifts for you to get for yourself or for that special someone. No other gift store offers more.

We are rated 4.5 stars on Trip Advisor. Come in and see why; you will not be disappointed you did.

Ages 12 and over – $16.95 Ages 3 to 11 – $10.95. Children 2 and under are free.

Ocean World

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Ocean World - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sun 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (0.06 mi) Ocean View Inn
• (0.08 mi) Bayview Inn
• (0.09 mi) Shoreline RV Park and Campground
• (0.09 mi) Wonderful location and views with a short walk to the beach.
• (0.15 mi) Quality Inn & Suites Redwood Coast
• (0.03 mi) Apple Peddler
• (0.08 mi) Perlita's Authentic Mexican Restaurant
• (0.24 mi) Kin Khao
• (0.30 mi) Good Harvest Cafe
• (0.25 mi) Los Compadres

Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR Vol. 10

Adventure. Action. Ocean Life.

Ocean Buddies

Wie gut kennt ihr euch?

Videos anschauen

Alle Termine

Hol' dir deine Tickets!

Film Special

Maya and the Wave

Infos & Tickets

Jetzt auf Tour!

Bilder & Video anschauen

Unser Jubiläumsprogramm

Wir feiern unseren 10. Geburtstag!

Mit neuen Rekorden im Windsurfen und Eisschwimmen, engagierten Umweltschützern und der aufstrebenden kubanischen Surf-Community. Und natürlich mit euch – Wir sehen uns auf Tour!

Havana Libre

Filmdetails

The Return to Antarctica

Born to windsurf, ice mermaid, older than trees.

"Für alle, die das Meer lieben – berührende und bewegende Geschichten über die sieben Weltmeere." — Pro7 Newstime

"Zum zehnten Mal haben die Macher der OCEAN FILM TOUR eine Sammlung herausragender Dokumentationen zusammengestellt." — Tagesschau

"Das blaue Wunder auf der großen Leinwand" — 3Sat, Kulturzeit

Termine & Tickets: Komm' zur Tour!

Die nächsten Events

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Wir feiern großes Jubiläum!

Hallo OCEAN LOVERS, vor zehn Jahren haben wir euch zum ersten Mal eingeladen, mit uns in See zu stechen. Seitdem sind wir mehrfach zusammen um die Welt gesegelt, gerudert und geschwommen.

Zehn Jahre voller spannender Geschichten, unvergesslicher Bilder und unbequemer Wahrheiten liegen nun hinter uns. Doch wir sind uns sicher: Da geht noch MEER. Mehr Filme, mehr Wissen, mehr Einsatz und mehr Verantwortungsbewusstsein.

Danke, dass ihr bis hierher mit an Bord wart. Wir freuen uns auf die nächsten zehn Jahre!

Hallo Ocean Lover!

Abonniere jetzt unseren Newsletter und bleibe über die Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR, andere Outdoor-Events und Film-Touren auf dem Laufenden:

Maya and The Wave

Presented by Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR

Exklusive Deutschland-Premiere | Nur in ausgewählten Kinos

Lesen & Anschauen

Ocean Talk anschauen

Interview lesen

Peter Hammarstedt

Host a Show

Mache die Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR zu deinem Event!

Werde Gastgeber und bringe unser sorgfältig ausgewähltes Programm der besten Meeresfilme zu deinem eigenen Publikum.

Reiche deinen Film ein

FilmFreeway

Wir suchen dich!

Trail Team Jobs

OCEAN LOVERS EDUCATION

Zur Plattform

Wir danken unseren Partnern

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Ocean World Day Pass

Ocean World Day Pass: Featuring one of the largest man-made dolphin lagoons in the world, Ocean World Adventure Park is a must-see attraction in Amber Cove. During your free time, take in the dolphin, sea lion, shark and tropical bird show that is sure to entertain the family. Stroll through the fascinating bird aviary and see the love bird sanctuary or go snorkeling in the Tropical Reef Aquarium. Cool off from the tropical heat at the Pirate’s Pool or just swim and relax in the calm waters of the Dolphin Beach Lagoon. Guests can enjoy Dominican chocolate and coffee tasting, and woodcarving and cigar rolling displays any time at their leisure. What’s Included:

• Access to Ocean World Adventure Park, Pirate’s Pool and Dolphin Beach Lagoon.
• All park shows (time permitting).
• Snorkel gear.

Accessibility: Tour is ambulatory accessible; you must be able to take a few steps (up/down) and walk short distances. Collapsible wheelchair can be stored. Requirements & Restrictions: Minimum height required to use the waterslides and aquatic games – 48 inches. What to Bring: Beach towel and cash or credit/debit card for purchases.

Bringing you the world's best ocean films, from both above and below the surface.

At the ocean film festival world tour our vision is to inspire you to explore, respect, enjoy, and protect our oceans. film is at the heart of the ocean film festival world tour and we aim to share the best films from around the globe with our audiences..

Currently touring in Australia, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, the US and the UK, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour screens over 2 hours of the most inspirational, educational and entertaining films related to the ocean from independent film makers around the world.

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour includes a unique selection of films of varying lengths and styles covering topics such as ocean adventure and exploration, the oceanic environment, marine creatures, ocean related sports, coastal cultures and ocean lovers.

At the Ocean Film Festival World Tour we are committed to conserving our oceans. In each tour location we work with local ocean charities to support them in their crucial work conserving our oceans.

For details on how to have your film considered for the Ocean Film Festival World Tour and earn royalties click on the FILM ENTRIES tab above.

We look forward to bringing the world’s premier ocean films to your community. To inquire about hosting a tour of the Ocean Film Festival World Tour in your country please Contact Us

To be kept up to date on future screenings please   follow us on Facebook .

ENTER YOUR FILM

Our vision is to inspire more people to explore, respect, enjoy, and protect our oceans. We are currently seeking entries for the 2025 World Tour. We are looking for a broad selection of films to fill a 2+ hour program that will tour Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Italy, Mexico, Brazil the UK and more in 2025. We are searching for one long film (45mins to 60mins) and a number of short films (40 minutes and shorter) to make up our program.

At the Ocean Film Festival World Tour, we are actively searching for films covering topics including ocean exploration, ocean-related adventures, marine creatures, ocean-related sports, ocean racing, coastal cultures, sailing, diving, rowing, free diving, surfing, oceanic environment, and ocean lovers.

The 2025 Ocean Film Festival tour will kick off in Australia in February 2025. To find out more information about submitting your film click on the FILM FREEWAY link below.

We prefer to receive submissions electronically via Film Freeway

Please Select Your Country

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VIP Dolphin Swim Adventure

Dolphin Swim

Dolphin Encounter

Sea Lion Encounter

Shark Encounter & Swim

Ocean World Terrace

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• BUY YOUR TICKETS TO OCEAN WORLD

Ocean World Adventure Park

30 Minutes program.

Discover the unique opportunity to be up close to this wonderful marine mammal, kissing, hugging, dancing and feeding a Dolphin.

A moment that will last for a lifetime.

The best family activity at Ocean World is the Dolphin Encounter , which offers close contact with dolphin in waist deep water, touching, kissing, dancing, feeding and playing with this gentle mammal.

An interaction that is fun and educational, ideal for non swimmers and families with young kids.

A fun program designed to let you meet the clown of the sea, the Patagonian Sea Lion.

Meet them up close, in our interaction pool, where guests are provided with an opportunity to touch, feed, pet and play with these wonderful animals.

Get up close and personal with nurse sharks in the Shark Encounter & Snorkeling Tour at Ocean World.

Day Pass Ocean World Adventure Park

Boasting the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting the Dominican Republic.

All four corners, one epic voyage.

The Ultimate World Cruise

The most epic world cruise ever to set sail.

Get ready to see the world in a whole new light — introducing the Ultimate World Cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas®. You can spend 274 nights bonding with like-minded explorers over global discoveries across all seven continents. Or pick a corner of the globe and explore every inch of it on one of four Ultimate World Cruise℠ segments — each an immersive voyage of 60+ nights. Connect with countless distinct cultures, soak up the most spectacular landscapes on Earth, and marvel at World Wonders that showcase mankind’s boundless imagination.

Or call your local travel advisor . For more information, call the Ultimate World Cruise Contact Line at 800-423-2100.

Dive deeper into the world's wonders

Ultimate world cruise.

Visit 150+ destinations and 8 World Wonders, across 7 continents and 60+ countries. The Ultimate World Cruise features four distinct segments that traverse the globe in one incredible journey.

Dec 10th – Feb 11th

Ultimate Americas Cruise

Feb 11th - May 9th

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise

May 9th - July 10th

Ultimate Africa & Southern Europe Cruise

July 10th - Sep 10th

Ultimate Europe & Beyond Cruise

Chichén Itzá, Cozumel, Mexico

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Machu Picchu, Lima, Peru

Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia

Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

The Taj Mahal, Cochin, India

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Berlin, Germany

Copenhagen, Denmark

New York, New York

Dec 10th 2023 – Feb 11th 2024

Venture across Three Continents

36 Destinations, 64 Nights

Arica, Chile

Your once-in-a-lifetime journey begins December 2023, embarking from in Miami on the first segment of the Ultimate World Cruise℠ — the Ultimate Americas Cruise. Go from postcard-perfect Caribbean shores—including the ABC islands —to viewing abundant wildlife like sea lions, penguins and whales roaming glacier-studded Antarctica as you round Cape Horn. Along the way, discover World Wonders in South America, including man-made marvels and extraordinary natural phenomena.

Take in the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Behold the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazú Falls near Buenos Aires. And explore Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic symbols of Peru’s ancient Inca heritage. Then sail up to the Yucatàn Peninsula to discover hidden coves and dramatic rock formations along Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas before exploring Ensenada.

Feb 11th 2024 - May 9th 2024

Far East. Down Under. And up for anything

40 Destinations, 87 nights

Taj Mahal, India

Venture miles from ordinary in Australia and Asia on this leg of the Ultimate World Cruise SM . Explore Hawaii and discover the crystal-clear waters of Mo’orea and Tahiti in unspoiled French Polynesia. Set out for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — the only living thing on the planet that’s visible from space. Trek from pristine natural beauty in Bali to one of the most iconic man-made World Wonders, the Great Wall of China. And discover the unparalleled culture and modern architecture of Tokyo, then take in one of the most breathtaking sights in the world — The Taj Mahal.

May 9th 2024 - July 10th 2024

Beauty beyond belief

Ultimate Africa & Med Cruise

39 Destinations, 63 Nights

Walvis Bay Sandwich Harbour

Explore the orange sand dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namibia. Bask in the beauty of idyllic beaches in Cape Town. And hike mist-topped rainforests along the Ivory Coast. Plus, go back in time as you wander through the Colosseum in Rome and get lost in the Venetian-style streets of Corfu.

Then your journey continues to even more destinations known for their storied history — like the fortified walls of Split, Croatia and the cobblestoned streets of Barcelona, Cannes and Provence.

July 10th 2024 - September 10th 2024

Set a course for the north

40 Destinations, 63 Nights

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive cultural exploration starting in the Med heading north. Discover Barcelona’s brilliant architecture, including Gaudi’s Sagrada Família. Savor flavors across continents — like a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco.

Go from taking in fjords in Norway to biking through Copenhagen. Finally, experience another natural marvel — the other-worldly geothermal seawater at The Blue Lagoon in Iceland before stopping in New York and Perfect Day at CocoCay on your way back to Miami.

Amenities Included in your entire adventure

Join us for the entire Ultimate World Cruise, you’ll enjoy exclusive perks and amenities — all included in your adventure. So you can complement back-to-back discoveries onshore with all your favorite comforts onboard, plus thoughtful touches to elevate every moment.

*New World Wonders Shore Excursions included for Crown & Anchor® Society Platinum members & above

Business Class Airfare

Premium Transportation Between Airport, Hotel and Ship

Pre-cruise Hotel & Gala

New World Wonders Shore Excursion*

Deluxe Beverage Package

Wash & Fold Laundry Service

VOOM Surf & Stream

A World Wandering Fleet Favorite

Designed with acres of glass offering panoramic vistas of sea, sky and land, Serenade of the Seas® is the perfect ship for scenery-scoping. Take in captivating views of Norway’s majestic fjords, gaze at glaciers in Antarctica, and soak up the sun and the sights while cruising through French Polynesia. In between adventures onshore, you can unwind poolside or tee off on the mini golf green. Settle in for dazzling entertainment or dance until dawn beneath the stars. And with top-notch restaurants onboard, every meal turns into a global taste-tour that’s as immersive as your Ultimate World Cruise.

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Cruise Details & Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ultimate World Cruise?

The Ultimate World Cruise is a never-before-offered Royal Caribbean adventure that takes you on a 274-night journey around the world from December 10, 2023 – September 10, 2024. The adventure begins and ends in Miami, Florida, visiting all 7 continents, 65 countries, 150 ports of call, with 16 overnights and 8 World Wonders. More than 40 of the ports you’ll visit are either rarely available on our other itineraries or brand new to Royal Caribbean, so get ready for the exploration of a lifetime. Book The Ultimate World Cruise early to ensure the best accommodation throughout the entire voyage.

What is the starting price for the Ultimate World Cruise and its 4 individual segments?

Ultimate World Cruise Starting Price

Considering all that’s included in your 274-night Ultimate World Cruise fare, you’ll enjoy an incredible value. No matter which stateroom you choose, your fare includes Ultimate World Cruise complimentary amenities like business class airfare, pre-cruise hotel and gala, Deluxe Beverage Package, gratuities, VOOM internet package, wash and fold laundry service, and more.

*Taxes, fees, and port expenses of $4,667 USD per person are additional and are subject to change at any time. All starting prices listed are per person, in USD, cruise only, based on double occupancy and are subject to change at any time.

Ultimate World Cruise Segments Starting Price

Considering all that’s included in your Ultimate Cruise segment fare, you’ll enjoy an incredible value. No matter which stateroom you choose, your fare includes Ultimate Cruise segment complimentary amenities like Deluxe Beverage Package, gratuities, VOOM internet package, and wash and fold laundry service.

*Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and are subject to change at any time. All starting prices listed are per person, in USD, cruise only, based on double occupancy and are subject to change at any time.

What are the 8 World Wonders the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments will visit, and on what dates?

Ultimate Americas Cruise: December 10, 2023 – February 11, 2024

Chichen Itza: via Cozumel Dec 13, 2023

Christ the Redeemer: via Rio de Janeiro Dec 31, 2023

Iguazu Falls: via Buenos Aires Jan 5, 2024

Machu Picchu: via Lima Jan 29-30, 2024

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise: February 11, 2024 – May 9, 2024

Great Barrier Reef: via Airlie Beach and Cairns March 13-14, 2024

Great Wall of China: via Beijing April 7-8, 2024

Taj Mahal: via Cochin May 1, 2024

Ultimate Africa & Med Cruise: May 9, 2024 – July 10, 2024

Colosseum: via Rome July 1, 2024

Ultimate Europe & Beyond Cruise: July 10, 2024 – September 10, 2024

There are no World Wonders visited during this Ultimate Cruise segment.

What benefits are included when booking the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

Guests who join us for the entire Ultimate World Cruise will receive the following inclusions:

Embarkation Amenities

Round-trip business class airfare

Pre-cruise hotel and gala

Premium transfers between airport, hotel and ship

Onboard Amenities

Deluxe Beverage Package for entire voyage

VOOM Wi-Fi internet for entire voyage

Gratuities for entire voyage

Wash and fold laundry service

Our Crown & Anchor Society guests who hold Platinum status and above will also receive the exclusive benefit of included excursions to the 7 New World Wonders.

Guests who join us for one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments will receive the following inclusions:

Deluxe Beverage Package for entire segment

VOOM Wi-Fi for entire segment

Gratuities for entire segment

Wash and fold laundry service for entire segment

Will I receive the same stateroom for the entire duration of my Ultimate World Cruise or Ultimate Cruise segment?

Our Ultimate World Cruise team will ensure that you get the same stateroom for the entirety of the cruise when purchased within the exclusive booking window through November 2021. If you are purchasing your Ultimate World Cruise after the Ultimate Cruise segments have opened for sale, our team will work with you to make every effort to secure the same stateroom for your entire time onboard, based on the remaining available inventory.

What is the payment schedule for the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

To reserve a stateroom on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments a non-refundable deposit is required. Final payment must be received by Royal Caribbean 180 days prior to cruise departure. For bookings created within 180 days prior to cruise departure, final payment must be received within 48 hours of booking.

How long do I have to place my deposit for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

If outside of final payment, our Ultimate World Cruise and Ultimate Cruise segment guests are able to place a two-week hold to lock in their preferred stateroom and price before deposit is required. Your deposit must be placed within the two-week offer period to secure your selected stateroom.

Are there travel insurance options available on the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

There are travel insurance options available to guests who meet certain qualifications. For more information, please call 800-423-2100 or contact your Travel Advisor.

Why are the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments only offered as nonrefundable?

Our Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments are a unique adventure that has never before been offered by Royal Caribbean and we want to ensure that our guests who are committed to sharing this experience with us receive priority placement. To preserve this unique experience, all sailings onboard Serenade of the Seas from December 10, 2023 – September 10, 2024, will be offered as exclusively nonrefundable.

Explore More

Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR Vol. 10

Adventure. Action. Ocean Life.

Ocean Buddies

How well do you know each other?

Watch videos

Get your tickets here!

Now on tour!

Check out impressions

Our anniversary program

We are celebrating our 10th birthday!

With new records in windsurfing and ice swimming, committed environmentalists and the aspiring Cuban surf community. And of course with you – See you on tour!

Born to Windsurf

Film details

The Return to Antarctica

Ice mermaid, havana libre, older than trees.

"For everyone who loves the ocean - touching and moving stories about the seven oceans" — Pro7 Newstime

"For the tenth time, the organizers of the OCEAN FILM TOUR have put together a collection of outstanding documentaries." — Tagesschau

"The blue wonder on the big screen" — 3Sat, Kulturzeit

Join us on tour!

Next events, please enable javascript to use the date search., we are celebrating 10 years.

Hello OCEAN LOVERS, ten years ago, we invited you to cast off with us for the first time. Since then, we have sailed, rowed, and swam around the globe together many times.

Ten years full of exciting sea-faring stories, unforgettable images, and uncomfortable truths are now behind us, and we are certain there is more to ‘sea’ and do. More films, more knowledge, more engagement, and more individual and collective accountability.

We thank you for being on board with us and look forward to the next ten years together!

Hello Ocean Lover!

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Exclusive German premiere | Only in selected cinemas

Maya and the wave.

presented by Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR

Read & watch

Sebastian unger.

Watch Ocean Talk

Read interview

Peter Hammarstedt

Read interviews

Host a Show

Book your own Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR show!

Become a tour host and bring our carefully selected program of the best ocean films to your own community.

Submit your film

FilmFreeway

OCEAN LOVERS EDUCATION

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How Changing Ocean Temperatures Could Upend Life on Earth

Is the world’s climate close to a tipping point.

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Katrin Bennhold. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Many of the effects of climate change are already with us — heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, flooding. But some of the most alarming consequences are hiding beneath the surface of the ocean. Today, my colleagues David Gelles and Raymond Zhong on just how close we might be to a tipping point.

It’s Tuesday, May 7.

David, you’ve been writing about different aspects of climate change for years and are definitely no stranger to distressing news about a warming planet. But something about ocean temperatures seems particularly distressing. What’s going on?

Starting last year, scientists started noting something alarming happening in oceans all around the world. It was warm in the oceans, but it started to get really hot in ways that they had never seen before. And for the last year-plus, I’ve been checking in with scientists. And they are increasingly concerned, perplexed even, with what they’re seeing.

And when you say oceans are getting hotter, can you just give me a sense of how much the oceans are warming and how fast?

Well, if you look at a chart that shows, say, the last two or three decades of average sea surface temperatures, you’ll see a gradual warming trend. But starting last March, we didn’t see another gradual increase. We saw this big jump. And from March of 2023 on, it stayed hot. And it’s just getting hotter. And we began 2024 at this much higher level than we’ve ever seen before.

And we’re still there. And in many parts of the world, the temperatures are still going up as we head into summer. And that has scientists really concerned.

And you said earlier that none of the scientists that you’ve been checking in with and none of these very sophisticated climate models that they’re operating with can explain this big jump. And I guess I have to ask at this point, why are these scientists so surprised? I mean, we’ve seen record-breaking heat waves for the past several years. It seems like every single year is hotter than the last. Why is it any surprise that the ocean is no different?

Well, they’re not surprised that the ocean is warming. They have understood for many years now that the overall man-made global warming that we’re experiencing all over the world in all these different ways is going to affect the oceans. Water is very absorbent for heat, and a lot of the extra heat that we’re producing from the burning of fossil fuels, a lot of the extra heat that’s being caused in the atmosphere as a result of that is just getting sucked in to the ocean. And bit by bit, over the last many decades, the oceans have gotten warmer.

So even after the air cools, say, in winter or something, the ocean holds on to a portion of that heat?

That’s right. Even when it’s cold outside, the oceans, year after year, have been getting a little warmer as a result of climate change.

But that on its own does not account for the kind of warming that we’re seeing right now?

Not even close.

So what else do they think could be going on?

Well, for the last year or so, the Pacific Ocean has been going through an El Niño cycle, which is when a lot of excess heat is released from the ocean. And in addition to making the Pacific Ocean hotter, it has sort of an overall warming nudge, a little boost for warmth in ocean heat around the world. But even that doesn’t explain the big jumps we’ve seen. And there’s another counterintuitive factor that scientists believe is playing a role here as well, and that has everything to do with the pollution being emitted by big ocean liners, by big ships traveling across the Atlantic.

So in 2020, some shipping regulations changed. And they required that the emissions from the fuel being used in big ocean tankers become much cleaner. And as a result of that, there was less sulfur dioxide in the shipping emissions. That’s a good thing for many reasons. Sulfur dioxide is a pollutant. It can have really adverse health effects on humans. But one of the things it was also doing was refracting sunlight away from the oceans.

And so what we’ve seen over the last recent years is, as there was less sulfur dioxide in the North Atlantic, as less and less of that particulate matter was in the atmosphere and able to bounce the sun’s energy back into space, more and more of the sun’s energy, more and more of the sun’s heat was making its way into the oceans. And that, scientists are now understanding, likely played a warming role as well.

So basically, lower emissions in these shipping lanes means less kind of smoggy cloud cover and, therefore, more direct sunlight hitting the ocean surface and heating it up, which actually kind of rings a bell. Because we talked about this in the show recently in relation to scientists wanting to artificially create more potent cloud cover to cool down the planet. It’s a little ironic that scientists are now trying to engineer the very thing we were trying to stop doing. Talk about unintended consequences.

That’s right. And this is one of those instances where there are these very tough trade-offs, right? It’s great, yes, that we have less pollution. That’s going to be good for public health. On the other hand, it may have allowed yet more warming in the oceans that’s having cascading effects across all sorts of ecosystems that we’re only just beginning to understand.

Yeah. Let’s talk about that for a moment. What are the effects of this mysterious warming? You mentioned ecosystems.

Well, there are a lot of effects when the oceans get this hot this fast. But perhaps the most immediate concern among people all over the world is the fact that in dozens and dozens of countries all over the world, we’re experiencing a record wave of coral bleaching, which is to say that coral reefs, these vitally important parts of the ocean ecosystems, are just dying at a rate we’ve never really seen before. And that’s going to have all sorts of negative effects for fisheries all over the globe.

Why are coral reefs so important?

Well, they matter for a lot more than just snorkeling. Yes, they’re beautiful. And yes, they are the center of a lot of tourist activity. But they’re also sort of this fundamental, foundational part of the marine food chain. And so when we think about all of the life that coral reefs sustain, that all allows for smaller fish to flourish and go out into the ocean. And those smaller fish contribute to the lives and the ecosystems of bigger fish.

And when we think back to the food chain that we learned about when we were in elementary school, coral reefs are right at the bottom of that. And if we lose that, it’s going to have devastating effects for marine ecosystems all over the world.

Is there any hope to save the coral at this point, or are they doomed?

My colleague Catrin Einhorn has been doing a lot of great reporting on the situation with corals. And she’s highlighted some of the efforts underway to try to save them, to grow more resilient corals. But the truth is, the scale we’re seeing, with bleaching events happening all around the world in something like 56 countries, it’s just not possible to stop it entirely at this point.

So it’s one of these dominoes in our ecosystem that can set off a whole range of problems and actually result in major losses to biodiversity.

And just to come back to the mystery of it all, we just don’t know what happens when those dominoes start to fall. And it’s not just corals that are being impacted here. The weather could well change as a result of these warmer oceans as well. And I’m particularly thinking about the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season. Warm water is a key ingredient to hurricanes. When you think about hurricanes and how strong they get and how fast they intensify, one of the most important factors in both of those dynamics is how hot the water is.

And when we see all this warm water hanging out in the Atlantic Ocean, that is leading forecasters to predict a potentially record-breaking hurricane season that is right around the corner in the North Atlantic. And that could affect the Caribbean, North America, and beyond.

What’s striking to me is that we know that the oceans are getting much hotter. We don’t fully know why, and we can’t fully explain what the impact will be, which really doesn’t sound great. But if we don’t fully understand what’s going on, then how can we even hope to do something about it?

Well, I’ve been asking scientists this very question. Like, what is there to be done? And the tough answer is, there’s no easy way to turn down the thermostat of the oceans. This warming is happening. And our job now is to live with it as best we can.

And we haven’t even talked about what some people regard as the biggest threat of all. As the oceans warm, they’re contributing to the melting of glaciers and the loss of Arctic sea ice. And as that happens, many people are worried not just about rising sea levels but also about the disruption to a vitally important ocean current. And if that happens, it could have massive ramifications for the entire planet. It could change just about everything we know about life on Earth.

After the break, my colleague Raymond Zhong talks about the possibility of that ocean current collapsing.

We’ll be right back.

Raymond, before the break, our colleague David Gelles told us all about this alarming trend of the ocean heating up and some of the very worrying consequences of that. But you are here to tell us about something else that may be happening in the ocean, something to do with ocean currents. And if I’m honest, it sounds like something straight out of a science-fiction movie. Can you explain?

Sure, Katrin. And actually, you’re right. It is something from a science-fiction movie.

I’m here at the global warming conference in New Delhi, where, if you can believe your eyes, it’s snowing.

About 20 years ago, a movie called “The Day After Tomorrow” came out.

The only force strong enough to affect global weather is the sun.

What about the North Atlantic Current? I got a call last night from Professor Rapson at the Hedland Center. He thinks the current has changed.

[MURMURING]

Oh, come on, Jack. How could that be?

And the plot of that movie is that there’s this major ocean current in the Atlantic that — it suddenly stops moving. It collapses. And it sets off this cascade of natural disasters —

In Nova Scotia earlier today, the ocean rose by 25 feet in a matter of seconds.

What you’re seeing are two actual tornadoes striking Los Angeles International Airport.

It’s a mob scene here at Grand Central Station. Over half the platforms are flooded, and service has suspended on all trains.

— that ultimately plunge the planet into a new ice age.

What can we do?

Save as many as you can.

I guess my question to you, Raymond, given what we’re talking about here is, which part of that movie is science fiction, and which part is actual science?

I’d say most of the movie is pretty purely fiction. But there is a kernel of truth in the science, which is that this vital ocean current in the Atlantic is very real. And just like in the movie, scientists are worried about what happens if it shuts down.

OK. So tell me about this current.

Scientists have given it a very, very unwieldy name.

They call it the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. But most people just use the acronym AMOC. AMOC.

Think of it as a giant conveyor belt of water that loops around the Atlantic Ocean. And it starts near the equator, goes up through the Caribbean, around the East Coast of the US, up toward Northern Europe, and then back again.

Scientists have come to realize how important AMOC is for a lot of the climate that we enjoy today. A lot of Northern Europe — Britain, Iceland, Scandinavia — is habitable today, really, because of AMOC. It’s because this system transports heat from the equator and very generously drops it off in Northern Europe — that even though it’s so far from the equator, it’s not as uninhabitable as, say, far Northern Canada or Siberia.

And let me just ask you, is this AMOC current the same thing as the Gulf Stream, which people write about and are worried about a lot these days?

Yeah, the Gulf Stream is a similar system of currents. But AMOC is the full loop. The Gulf Stream is just one part of it, but AMOC is really what’s important for the climate.

OK. So before we talk about AMOC shutting down or collapsing, can you actually kind of give me a quick science 101 explanation of how this thing works? Like, there’s this massive loop of water, like, I guess, an underwater river that you described which kind of transports warm water up towards the north and then comes back as cold water. What keeps this thing running? How does a current just stay in constant motion and loop around like that?

It has to do primarily with differences in temperature and salinity. Basically, fluids want to keep moving in a particular direction. And it’s driven by this balance between warm water, cold water, salty water, fresh water. Heavier water wants to sink. Lighter water wants to rise. And so the temperature and salinity of the water is sort of what determines how dense it is. And this density and differences in density keeps this giant loop moving.

It’s something that explorers noted in the Atlantic hundreds of years ago. They noticed that deep water was very cold. It was unexpected. And so I think as people have started studying the oceans more and science has advanced, they’ve realized there’s a very delicate system of differences in temperature and salinity that keeps this conveyor belt moving.

That’s really fascinating. I mean, I’ve always known we had these currents and that they were really important, but I never really appreciated and understood what it takes to keep them going. So, OK, tell me why scientists are so worried about AMOC shutting down.

As the planet warms, there’s something that might be significantly affecting this delicate balance. And that’s the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. With the melting of the ice, there’s this big infusion of fresh water into the northern Atlantic. And because that affects the salinity of the northern Atlantic, it sort of changes the balance of salinity and temperature, potentially enough to knock this loop off course. And there’s signs already that this is happening, that at least the current is slowing down. And one major piece of evidence is this cold blob that’s appeared in the northern Atlantic.

A cold blob?

A cold blob, that’s right. With most almost everywhere on the planet getting warmer because of the greenhouse gases that we’re putting into the atmosphere, there’s a conspicuous blob in the North Atlantic, near Greenland, that is getting cooler. And it’s exactly the place that scientists would expect to be getting cooler if AMOC were slowing down.

OK. So the Greenland ice sheet is melting due to climate change, and that seems to be disrupting this current. So as a result, less warm water is being transported north, and that’s why we have this cold blob that scientists have noticed in the North Atlantic.

That’s right.

And do we know what would happen if the current collapsed today?

So the best source of information we have about what happens when AMOC collapses comes from about 12,800 years ago —

— which is, as far as scientists know, the last major time this happened. Basically, the climate changed really, really quickly, at least by geological time. It was sort of less than 100 years, as far as scientists know. Much of the Northern Hemisphere got cold again. The temperature in parts of Greenland probably fell by about 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

Forests were replaced by tundra. Ice sheets grew again. As far away as California and the Southwestern US, you had evidence of cooler, drier conditions. And as far as scientists can tell, this may even have contributed to the disappearance of some of our early hunter-gatherer civilizations. Some of our ancestors were probably pushing into new territory as the ice sheets retreated and were suddenly confronted with another blast of cold.

Wow. OK. So the last time this happened, this current shutdown, the world was basically plunged into an ice age and wiped out part of humanity. Is that the scenario we’re looking at today?

I think scientists are careful about not being too precise about what it would look like if it happened again. The world, after all, is still warming. And so in a lot of ways, the climate is already quite different from the one that was around at the time. But certainly, I think scientists expect Northern Europe — the UK, Iceland, Scandinavia — to become a much colder place even than it was 200 years ago, before the Industrial Revolution, before humans started adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

How cold are we talking? You mentioned the UK. I’m in the UK right now. I mean, would Britain suddenly look like the frozen tundra?

It would be significantly colder. It’s far north enough to really be almost Arctic. And I think an AMOC collapse could bring much stronger winter storms, deep cold in the winter that would be extremely dangerous. But at the same time, that cold around the North Atlantic doesn’t just translate straightforwardly into cold everywhere. Basically, if you don’t have AMOC, you have more heat that stays around the tropics and the equator. A warm ocean around the equator gives the fuel to storms around the equator and rainfall around the equator.

So it’s not just about getting that warm water from the tropics to Europe. It’s also getting that warm water away from the tropics to avoid things like extreme weather events.

That’s right. And it’s not just about the temperatures people would experience. It’s also about agriculture. And especially in vulnerable places like Africa, big shifts in rainfall, big shifts in temperature could really affect food chains, food supplies, our ability to feed ourselves.

And what does that mean for humans living in these places? Like, you were saying that, 13,000 years ago, Northern Europe basically wasn’t inhabitable anymore. Would humans still be able to live in these places?

We, as a civilization, as a species, obviously have some ability to withstand a range of temperatures, a range of weather conditions. But we really haven’t seen, in our recent history, at least, changes as fast as the ones scientists imagine an AMOC collapse would bring. It’s really hard to say, is Northern Europe ready for a much colder climate than it is right now? If, for instance, sea level rise accelerates on the East Coast of the US, are cities there prepared? That’s another consequence of AMOC that scientists are worried about.

And it’s obviously already happening. And you can see the effects of sea level rise in places like the Gulf Coast, North Carolina, Florida, even New York. But certainly, it would be a test for countries, societies around the northern Atlantic that they haven’t seen before.

OK. That’s a very scary prospect with everything that goes with it — mass floods and displacement of people, climate migration — everything that you can imagine. When do scientists predict that this could actually happen based on the data they have and assuming, of course, current human behavior and emissions don’t change?

As best as scientists can tell right now, they know AMOC is weakening. They expect it to continue weakening. Whether a collapse is imminent, whether it’s far away is still really, really hard to say. But it couldn’t quickly be reversed. Once you started on this process, the system just keeps moving in that direction.

Like a point of no return?

So if we’re already seeing signs that this current is weakening, does that mean we’re possibly already past that point of no return? Is it no longer a matter of if but when?

The really short answer is, we just don’t know. The best guess is that it’s not going to shut down this century. But plenty of scientists are worried. It’s something that a lot of them are focused on very intensely, just because we do think the consequences, if AMOC did shut down, could be so catastrophic.

If that current collapsed, though, is there anything we could do to bring it back? Like, it did come back 13,000 years ago after that last ice age. What happened?

Short answer again, nobody is quite sure. It seems to have abruptly grown warm again over 40, 50 years. But it’s pretty unclear why. And I think as far as what would happen today to bring it back, scientists would still say cutting greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the planet from overheating is probably the only thing we have in our control that could influence the climate on that scale.

I mean, it’s sort of where we land at the end of every episode about climate change. And it’s sort of interesting. I mean, probably like a lot of people listening to you, I find all this pretty scary and dystopian and worrying. It’s kind of crazy to think, actually, that scientists have warned about this for decades, that there was even a science-fiction movie made 20 years ago, which, in some ways, predicted what might be the real consequences of this current shutting down. It’s not like we humans lack the imagination of all the terrible things we’re risking here. But when it comes to protecting ourselves and the planet against this existential threat, we are clearly unwilling to do what it takes.

Yeah. Scientists have been thinking about AMOC and had a pretty good grasp of what AMOC looked like decades ago. As early as the ‘80s and ‘90s, scientists made this connection between the warming that humans were bringing about and consequences like an AMOC collapse and other things as well.

It was one of the scientists who wrote about AMOC in the ‘80s who said, “The climate system is an angry beast, and we are poking it with sticks.” And that’s still true today.

Well, Raymond, thank you very much.

Thank you, Katrin.

Here’s what else you need to know today. On Monday, the judge in Donald Trump’s hush money trial held the former president in contempt for repeatedly violating a gag order and threatened to jail him. The judge told Trump that the last thing he wanted to do is to put him in jail, but at the end of the day, he had a job to do and would seriously consider it. And Israel stepped up its attack on the southern city of Rafah in Gaza hours after Hamas said it was ready to accept a ceasefire proposal.

The proposal was put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. But Israel responded by saying that it failed to meet its demands. The prime minister’s office said it would still send a delegation to talk about how to reach an acceptable deal.

Today’s episode was produced by Carlos Prieto, Michael Simon Johnson, Alex Stern, and Diana Nguyen. It was edited by Devon Taylor, contains original music by Rowan Niemisto and Marion Lozano. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Katrin Bennhold. See you tomorrow.

• May 10, 2024   •   27:42 Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand
• May 9, 2024   •   34:42 One Strongman, One Billion Voters, and the Future of India
• May 8, 2024   •   28:28 A Plan to Remake the Middle East
• May 7, 2024   •   27:43 How Changing Ocean Temperatures Could Upend Life on Earth
• May 6, 2024   •   29:23 R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle to Get on the Ballot
• May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
• May 2, 2024   •   29:13 Biden Loosens Up on Weed
• May 1, 2024   •   35:16 The New Abortion Fight Before the Supreme Court
• April 30, 2024   •   27:40 The Secret Push That Could Ban TikTok
• April 29, 2024   •   47:53 Trump 2.0: What a Second Trump Presidency Would Bring
• April 26, 2024   •   21:50 Harvey Weinstein Conviction Thrown Out
• April 25, 2024   •   40:33 The Crackdown on Student Protesters

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Featuring David Gelles and Raymond Zhong

Produced by Carlos Prieto ,  Michael Simon Johnson ,  Alex Stern and Diana Nguyen

Edited by Devon Taylor

Original music by Rowan Niemisto ,  Marion Lozano and Dan Powell

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

While many of the effects of climate change, including heat waves, droughts and wildfires, are already with us, some of the most alarming consequences are hiding beneath the surface of the ocean.

David Gelles and Raymond Zhong, who both cover climate for The New York Times, explain just how close we might be to a tipping point.

On today’s episode

David Gelles , who reports for The New York Times Climate team and leads The Times’s Climate Forward newsletter .

Raymond Zhong , a reporter focusing on climate and environmental issues for The New York Times.

Background reading

Scientists are freaking out about ocean temperatures.

Have we crossed a dangerous warming threshold? Here’s what to know .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

David Gelles reports on climate change and leads The Times’s Climate Forward newsletter and events series . More about David Gelles

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times. More about Raymond Zhong

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Princess is launching an all-inclusive, 4-month, around-the-world cruise for $20,000— see what it'll be like

Posted: May 4, 2024 | Last updated: May 4, 2024

• Princess Cruises announced a 114-day  world cruise to 52 destinations in 2026, starting at $20,000 per person. 
• Guests who book early would get a free, all-inclusive package, a first for Princess' global itineraries.
• Extended and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the vacation industry.

Princess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary.

In January 2026, the company says its Coral Princess will embark on a 114-day cruise to 52 ports in 28 countries and six continents — more destinations than any of its previous global sailings .

It's the Carnival Corp brand's latest appeal to the extended cruising trend . But it's not the only fad this four-month vacation is targeting.

The sailing, which starts at $20,000 per person, also marks the first time Princess is offering a complimentary all-inclusive package as a way to entice early bookings.

Ultra-long and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the industry.

Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, and Oceania's 2024 around-the-world cruises all sold out before departing in January. The former was fully booked within three hours, while every cabin on the latter was called for in 30 minutes.

Besides being high-end, these three companies share one commonality: some level of all-inclusiveness , as is common with premium cruise lines.

Mass-market cruise companies rarely go the all-inclusive route.

Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are generally beloved for their affordability.

But if you want to experience all their ships have to offer, be prepared to face a list of up-charged amenities like pay-to-play rides and specialty restaurants . After all, there's a reason their base fares are much cheaper than their increasingly popular ultra-luxury, all-inclusive counterparts.

But Princess has been increasingly vying for a slice of the luxury cruiser pie.

The cruise line says guests who book its 2026 world cruise early (that is, by the end of October) will receive its most inclusive Princess Premier package for free. The perk — launched two years ago — covers amenities that typically have a fee, like WiFi, premium drinks, some specialty restaurants, and workout classes.

Travelers who reserve one of the ship's high-end cabins by the same deadline would also receive complimentary airport transfers and airfare, services normally exclusively offered by luxury cruise lines .

The itinerary would have two roundtrip embarkation options: Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, on January 5, 2026, or Los Angeles 16 days later.

From there, the 2,000-guest Coral Princess would sail more than 35,000 nautical miles to ports in North America, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Central and South America.

It wouldn't be Princess' longest voyage — that title goes to its 116-day world cruise in 2025 — but it would be one of its most destination-heavy.

While two days longer, next year's around-the-world cruise would hit six fewer ports and four fewer countries than its 2026 counterpart.

According to the itinerary, about half of the 2026 voyage consists of sea days.

That's a lot of time on the water with no land in sight. Luckily, travelers can keep themselves entertained by attending lectures and programs related to the destinations, leisuring around the adult-only lounge, or taking a dip in Coral Princess' four pools.

The 21-year-old ship also has 10 places to grab a bite, although the Italian and steakhouse restaurants are considered specialty. Premier is the cruise line's most inclusive package, but it only includes 16 free dinners at these upcharge restaurants, paced once a week.

Princess is still a mass-market cruise line, after all.

The company has been increasingly dangling its inclusive package as a big perk.

The company says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US in October with its first-ever Sanctuary Collection . Travelers who splurge on these expensive and luxurious accommodations would be rewarded with two major benefits: a private lounge and Princess Premier.

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