Every cruise line has its strengths and weaknesses, and every cruise line does something that outshines its competitors in some way. But how much do cruise lines learn from one another? Of course, cruise lines are aware of most public policies from their competition, but the onboard experience can be a wonderful learning opportunity. That
For many cruisers, choosing their shore excursions is one of the most fun tasks to complete in the run-up to embarkation day, as the anticipation of exploring port call destinations mounts. At Carnival Cruise Line, guests booking their shore tours through the line will soon switch to a fully digital experience, as paper tickets for
Cruisers who are also connoisseurs of high-end bourbon will be glad to know that a new partnership between Carnival Cruise Line and Jack Daniel’s is bringing a special retail offer to three of the cruise line’s ships starting in May 2025. Thanks to a collaboration between Harding+, the cruise retail company that operates most of
Drink packages are increasingly popular on all cruise lines, and guests especially enjoy fully all-inclusive packages that make it easy to choose a favorite beverage – everything is included! Princess Cruises, however, has quietly made a switch to its pricey Plus and Premier drink packages, eliminating some sodas. While guests can still get fountain sodas
Cruise passengers are required to arrange a payment method for onboard expenses before they set sail, whether they choose to link a credit card to their account or prefer to pay in cash. One rumor has begun to circulate that cash will no longer be king for onboard accounts, however, but Carnival Cruise Line has
When you take advantage of a cruise line’s promotion, always make sure to read the fine print. One future Carnival guest just learned the hard way that the little details matter when they tried to upgrade their interior cabin to a balcony cabin on an upcoming sailing to Alaska – and found that they would
The new tourist tax for cruise guests visiting Mexico has been slashed to a far lower fee than the original $42 per person proposal, but the low rate won’t last long. The “non-resident fee” was first passed in December 2024 at a rate of $42 per person, which would apply for a full sailing rather
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is almost ready to set sail – and this time, families and teens are getting top billing. In a new video released by the cruise line, Jennifer Goswami, senior director of product development, gave a candid look inside the design process behind the next Icon Class ship, set to debut in
If you thought Carnival Cruise Line’s ships were already glitzy, just wait. One of the cruise line’s most stylish partnerships is getting a major upgrade that will appear on land, at sea, and even on a charter sailing built around sparkle. The cruise line and longtime onboard partner EFFY Jewelry announced that they are expanding
MSC Cruises’ brand new flagship, MSC World America, is bringing a great deal to her guests with luxurious spaces, thrilling onboard rides, delicious dining, stunning entertainment, and much more. But it is the smallest thing the ship brought to other mariners on a much smaller craft on Sunday, May 4, 2025 that is the most
Virgin Voyages is rebranding its Celebration Voyage concept and changing the name to Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage, starting in 2026. The cruise line also revealed the names of musicians who will perform on the final Celebration cruises of 2025. These special voyages, which launched in 2023, feature performances by A-list celebrities and have highlighted
Earlier this week, around 10,000 residents who live Argostoli, Greece – a beloved cruise ship destination – suddenly found themselves without power after a cruise ship mishap. On May 4, 2025, one of the two cruise ships in the port that day may have accidentally damaged an underwater submarine cable with its anchor, which resulted
