Key Aspects: Sun Princess had a close encounter with a military submarine in the Mediterranean this week. There was no interaction between the vessels but the surfaced sub provided great views to guests. Submarine sightings are rare for cruise guests, but there are other ways to enjoy these unique naval vessels. A favorite pastime of
While you might envision cruise ship captains standing on the bridge, steering ships in and out of port via a massive wheel, the reality is a lot less dramatic, but definitely more technologically interesting. That’s right. Modern ships, cruise or otherwise, do not use steering wheels in the traditional sense. Instead, they use highly technical,
Key Aspects: Norwegian Dawn will be debarking in Tarragona, Spain rather than Lisbon, Portugal on October 4, 2026. The ship’s Barcelona departure on September 27 is unchanged, but the port visit to Portimao is also dropped. Guests are being offered onboard credit, future cruise credits, and travel reimbursement as compensation. How would you feel if
Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line reached a multistate settlement over how it marketed cruises and handled cancellations during the early months of COVID-19. The cruise line is cited with sales tactics promoting cruises as a safe option. NCL will pay the states $2 million and introduce new training for customers. Cruising shut down worldwide in
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises is raising hotel service fees for all guests beginning May 11, 2026. Rates will go up by $1 per guest, per night for standard staterooms and $3 for MSC Yacht Club staterooms. Guests can adjust their gratuity rates onboard if they do not receive satisfactory service during their cruise. Following similar
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises’ Baby Care service is no longer free for guests across the fleet. Full pricing and terms have not been disclosed for the previously included service. Other cruise lines already charge fees for nursery care and after-hours babysitting. Parents planning the ultimate family getaway aboard MSC Cruises ships have discovered the quiet
Key Aspects: The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse. 18-year-old Kepner was killed onboard Carnival Horizon in early November 2025. Kepner’s stepbrother will face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. Five months after the tragic death of Anna Kepner during a family vacation aboard
Key Aspects: Costa Smeralda will skip its April 15 call in La Goulette, Tunisia, due to forecast wind conditions that could make it unsafe to dock. The Tunisia stop has been replaced with a port call in Cagliari, Sardinia. Shore excursions in La Goulette were automatically cancelled and refunded, with new tours available for booking in
Key Aspects: MSC Group has announced Sandy Cay, a luxury beach retreat near MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. The new island destination will focus on beach experiences and the ultimate in serenity. Both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships will be visiting Sandy Cay when it opens in 2028. Private islands can be the
Key Aspects: The Blue Angels buzzed by Port Canaveral over the weekend as part of the Cocoa Beach Air Show. 11 ships were in port on Saturday and Sunday, offering thousands of guests outstanding views of the jets. No cruise ship operations were impacted by the show, but traffic in the area could be challenging.
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises replaced Tracy Arm with Endicott Arm on MSC Poesia Alaska sailings. The official change affects the August 17, 2026, Seattle departure, but other reports suggest the change across the season. Tracy Arm is experiencing evolving geopolitical conditions that raise safety concerns for vessels. A key scenic highlight on one of MSC Cruises’ Alaska
Key Aspects: Much of Great Stirrup Cay is still under construction, with the pier, arrival plaza, and waterpark still to come. Great Life Lagoon, Vibe Shore Club, Silver Cove, and beaches are open. The 270-acre island is being redeveloped into a larger, more resort-style private destination. The first thing I noticed when I pulled back
