Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line will continue its traditional three-ship deployment to Alaska in summer 2027. Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend will sail special Carnival Journeys voyages before arriving in Alaska. Carnival Luminosa will operate a Transpacific Journey to the South Pacific prior to her Alaska series. Carnival Cruise Line is looking ahead to summer
I’ve been lucky enough to have embarked on over a dozen sailings and have stayed in nearly every type of accommodation, from interior staterooms to luxury suites. When choosing their staterooms, cruisers usually orient toward balcony cabins or suites, which are generally seen as the nicer options onboard. However, I tend to deviate from the
Key Aspects: A current guest onboard Disney Magic is upset after allegedly finding bed bugs in one of their family’s two connecting staterooms. The guest was upset because they were relocated to a cabin that was far from the rest of their family, but Disney crew members followed the usual protocols for this type of
Key Aspects: A rumor that Carnival Cruise Line will begin charging for checked bags in August 2025 has begun circulating online. John Heald has confirmed the rumor is untrue and there is no fee to check bags when setting sail with Carnival. All guests can use the self-assist program and there is no need to
Key Aspects: MSC World Asia will debut the first retro-inspired venue in the fleet, The Clubhouse, with amazing game and activity options. Luna Park and The Harbour are both being updated and enhanced for the new vessel to offer even more entertain choices. Popular entertainment venues such as the World Theater, the World Promenade, and
Key Aspects: A recent Harry Potter trivia perfect score has once again raised accusations about players cheating. John Heald has offered a poll about whether guests should swap papers to grade trivia answers. Harry’s wand is, in fact, 11 inches long, which is mentioned in two different books. Trivia is a go-to onboard activity for
Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line ships will operate from 30 homeports around the globe. Its new build, Norwegian Luna, due to debut in 2026, will sail from New York during summer 2027. Several ships will offer voyages to Alaska, from Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier. From Bermuda to Barcelona, Scandinavia to Santorini and scores of places
Key Aspects: Ambition is swapping the order of two ports of call on her current sailing to take on additional fresh water supplies. No onboard water conservation measures are necessary as adequate water supplies have now been arranged. There is no mechanical problem with the ship’s reverse osmosis system, but that system is not operated
Key Aspects: Celebrity Millennium’s 12-night voyage through Japan that embarks on March 16, 2026, has been oversold. Celebrity Cruises is making tempting offers to encourage some of the booked guests to change their travel plans, including switching to a new sailing for a partial refund or cancelling their trip for a full refund and a
Key Aspects: USS Texas will be permanently berthed at Pier 15 at Port of Galveston beginning in 2026. Pier 15 is between the Royal Caribbean and (upcoming) MSC Cruises terminals. A museum, onboard exhibits, and tours will be part of the historic battleship’s new home. Cruise guests setting sail from Port of Galveston will have
Key Aspects: Four Carnival Pride passengers were arrested in Kings Wharf port, Bermuda. Bermuda Police Services said suspects were said to be carrying deadly drugs with intent to sell. If found guilty, the guests face severe penalties under both US and Bermudian law. Four cruise passengers aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship were arrested in
Key Aspects Crown Iris had a six-hour port call planned at Syros, Greece, about 80 miles south of Athens. Cruise guests were told to remain inside the ship while the protests were held. The cruise ship ultimately left Syros and called at Cyprus instead. A few hundred protesters demonstrating at the port of Syros, Greece,
