Key Aspects: Gift cards can be used as extra gratuities for crew members, but not all gift cards are appropriate. Carnival crew members cannot make use of Carnival Cruise Line gift cards in any way. Other gift cards are acceptable, but guests should be careful with which ones they may offer. Many cruise guests generously
Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on three upcoming sailings to warn of heavy traffic in PortMiami this weekend. Carnival Horizon is supposed to embark from the busy port on March 14, followed by Carnival Celebration and Carnival Magic on March 15. The traffic is the result of a high
Key Aspects: Carnival Firenze has cancelled all of its Baja sailings departing between October 12 and November 16, 2026. The cruise line did not provide a reason for the sudden cancellations aside from hinting at a change in itinerary plans. Impacted guests can either book a comparable cruise or cancel their reservation in exchange for
Key Aspects: MSC is redesigning the Yacht Club Restaurant on four of its ships. This refurbishment is expected to be completed on all ships by February 2028. This is just the latest in recent efforts by MSC to upgrade its fleet. Since 2008, MSC Cruises has been giving its guests the luxury VIP treatment with
Key Aspects: The “white night bride” has explained her grandmother’s enthusiasm for her upcoming wedding on Oasis of the Seas. The bride did not know about her grandmother’s request that no one wear white on her wedding day. In fact, the bride thinks it would be funny for others to wear their own wedding gowns
Key Aspects: A UK agency has completed its investigation into a passenger death aboard Spirit of Discovery in 2023. The 85-year-old guest severely injured his spine during a major storm at sea and later died. Propulsion problems caused the ship to tilt violently as it sailed through the Bay of Biscay. A UK government investigation
Key Aspects: Legend of the Seas will feature a brand-new “America’s Got Talent LIVE” stage show. The show will offer unique entertainment for guests, possibly with a different lineup for each performance. The new show joins a diverse lineup of entertainment options for the third Icon Class ship. In an industry first, Royal Caribbean’s upcoming
Key Aspects: MSC Seashore dealt with a possible overboard situation while sailing away from MSC Ocean Cay. Emergency protocols were quickly enacted, including turning around to search the suspected fall area. Ultimately, video surveillance and a headcount of all passengers confirmed that this was a false alarm. Just one day after embarking on a 4-night
Key Aspects: Carnival Cruise Line is not responsible if guests miss private tours due to time differences. John Heald has reminded guests that not all ports are on the ship’s time or Daylight Savings Time. Cruise lines take several steps to remind guests about important times, but guests are ultimately responsible for being on time.
Key Aspects: Coral Princess will operate a 115-night world voyage in 2028. The Princess ship will sail 36,000 nautical miles as it visits 49 ports in 24 different countries. Guests can look forward to a new destination, extended port calls, and new shore excursions. Princess Cruises has just announced one of the most exciting world
Norwegian Cruise Line currently sends five of its ships on Alaska cruises — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Spirit — and the best of the bunch is going to depend on what kind of experience you’re hoping for and what matters most to you when cruising. Overall, while yes, the brand may not have a
Key Aspects: Celestyal Cruises has cancelled the next two sailings of Celestyal Discovery, due to the Iran war. The line’s two ships, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, are in Dubai and Doha, respectively. Both ships were operating Arabian Gulf itineraries when the conflict began. As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to escalate, engulfing the
