Key Aspects: P&O Cruises has updated Keel & Cow gastropub’s menu with new starters, mains, and desserts. The new steakhouse concept has also expanded its vegan and lighter choices. The rollout launched aboard Iona on July 4, 2026, and Arvia on July 5. One of P&O Cruises’ most popular dining venues just received its biggest refresh in years. The
Key Aspects: Norwegian Sun’s technical issues disrupted a second consecutive Baltic sailing after repairs in Copenhagen took longer than expected. Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled the ship’s Oslo call, compensated guests, and refunded shore excursions. The cruise line has not reported any additional mechanical issues since departing in the evening of July 4, 2026. Norwegian Sun’s
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean has introduced the “Find My Kid” service onboard Legend of the Seas. The offering allows parents and guardians to track their child’s location in the Royal Caribbean App after the purchase of an Adventure Ocean WOW Band. Legend of the Seas is the second Icon-class ship to get this feature, after
Key Aspects: Norwegian Bliss is adjusting every port visit on the 7-night Alaska cruise departing July 11, 2026. Ongoing repairs to a propulsion component require the ship to sail at a slower speed but onboard operations are not impacted. The propulsion issue first arose in late May and there is no indication if this will
Key Aspects: An Italian court overturned environmental approval for Royal Caribbean’s proposed €600 million cruise port in Fiumicino. Judges ruled the project was improperly reviewed and must undergo a new approval process. Construction is on hold until new approval is provided. Royal Caribbean’s plans for a new cruise port near Rome have hit a major
Key Aspects: Some guests booked to sail on Ovation of the Seas’ August 14 voyage may be getting new staterooms. Due to new occupancy limitations, certain travel groups may need to be moved to cabins that are better suited to accommodate their group. The Royal Caribbean ship recently completed a major refurbishment in dry dock,
Key Aspects: A hairstylist who worked onboard Brilliant Lady is accused of molesting female passengers. The crew member allegedly offered unsanctioned massages to female passengers who booked hair appointments with him. If convicted, the Virgin Voyages’ employee could face two years in prison for each charge. A former crew member who once lived and worked
Key Aspects: Seven new gastrointestinal illness cases are now reported aboard Ruby Princess on her July 2, 2026 sailing. The new cases follow the 125-case outbreak on the ship’s previous cruise. No report has yet been made to the CDC for the new outbreak as it is not widespread enough to require investigation. Additional cases
Key Aspects: A UK school principal lost her teaching career after changing school term dates to take cruises. The disciplinary panel found the changes negatively affected attendance and disrupted families and school staff. Investigators did not identify the cruise line or itinerary. A pair of luxury cruise vacations ultimately cost a school principal in England
Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line’s July 4th meetups offered fireworks at Celebration Key and many onboard events. Not all guests were happy with the different activities and some ships did not seem to offer much. It is possible the cruise line may begin offering annual July 4th celebrations, but this has not been confirmed. The
Key Aspects: Holland America Line unveiled its 2027-28 Caribbean season with 47 departures across 29 itineraries. The deployment emphasizes longer Caribbean voyages, with more sailings of 9 days or longer. The season will also introduce a reimagined Oosterdam and upgrades to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Longer Caribbean cruises are taking center stage in Holland America Line’s 2027
Key Aspects: Netflix is releasing a documentary on the Costa Concordia disaster on July 10, 2026. “Shipwrecked: Nightmare at Sea” includes survivor accounts and never-before-seen footage of the incident. The online streaming platform has released several documentaries on different cruise-related events. News coverage was extensive in January 2012 when Costa Concordia struck a rocky outcrop
