Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination has been damaged by the recent bomb cyclone that hit the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay’s pier and main pool are reported to be damaged and closed until repairs can be made. Passengers arriving at the destination must tender between the ship and the shore. The winter storms
Key Aspects: Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas revised her Bahamas itinerary due to weather. The ship cancelled a call to Perfect Day at CocoCay. The 7-night voyage added an at-sea day instead of the private island call. It wasn’t a perfect day at CocoCay for passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas
Key Aspects: The run of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” onboard Norwegian Viva is ending in late March 2026. This is the second musical to be discontinued recently, following the announcement of the end of “Jersey Boys.” Other, non-Broadway shows will be offered onboard Norwegian Viva, along with game shows and more. Less than three years after
Key Aspects: The recent storm in the Bahamas damaged the pier at CocoCay and only one ship can now dock per day. The popular port has two ships scheduled nearly every day, so there could be many disruptions to upcoming sailings. No timeline has been given for how long repairs may take or when both
Key Aspects: Carnival’s gratuity rate increase is generating a lot of discussion among guests on tipping and service charges. Guests are concerned about whether or not gratuities supplement wages and how that could be changed. Carnival Cruise Line has noted that crew members receive 100% of their gratuities, no matter how the tips are paid.
Key Aspects: One Carnival guest thinks the cruise line out to hand out free umbrellas for use on rainy days. John Heald notes this will not be happening, as many umbrellas would likely be kept as souvenirs. Other guests discuss problems with umbrellas and what their personal solutions are. Everyone wants to enjoy beautiful sunshine
Key Aspects: A recent Royal Caribbean guest left their massage appointment early after excessive upselling from the spa staff. Even after getting a full refund for their massage, the guest went “a little scorched earth” on guest services. Other cruise fans have had similar spa experiences, and not just onboard Royal Caribbean ships. One Royal
Key Aspects: Protesting sailors prevented MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra from docking in Marseille on February 2. This meant that the planned embarkation and debarkation could not go ahead as planned. Guests who were left behind in Marseille will be able to join the ship in Genoa, Italy, on February 3. MSC Orchestra was blocked from
Key Aspects: Queen Mary 2 anchored in Long Beach to meet up with the historic Queen Mary on Monday, February 2. This marks the first time the two Queens have met in 20 years. Queen Mary 2 is currently sailing a 108-night World Voyage, which has included her first Panama Canal transit. It was an
Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line is raising gratuity rates for all stateroom types effective April 2, 2026. Guests can pre-pay gratuities on any booked cruise before April 2 to lock in the lower rate no matter when they set sail. The adult price for the Bottomless Bubbles package is also increasing at the same time,
Key Aspects: A gastrointestinal outbreak has sickened 21 guests and crew aboard Seven Seas Mariner. This is the first reported illness outbreak for 2026, but the cause has not yet been confirmed. The ship was sailing from Miami to Hawaii during the outbreak and has already continued on its next itinerary. Cruise ships are often
Key Aspects: MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra will undergo renovations in late 2026 through early 2027. Both 92,409-gross-ton vessels will add the luxury “ship-within-a-ship” MSC Yacht Club concept. Once completed, all Musica-class vessels and 19 ships in the MSC Cruises’ fleet will have Yacht Clubs. Fans of MSC Cruises’ luxury Yacht Club will soon see
