Key Aspects: The 5,600-guest Icon of the Seas shares the title of world’s largest cruise ship with soon-to-launch sister ship Star of the Seas. Icon of the Seas’ inspection by the CDC was held on June 4, 2025. Adventure of the Seas also garnered a score of 100 during her June inspection. Since the start
Key Aspects: Carnival cruise ships from North American homeports will begin offering Coke products in early September. Individual ships may have slightly different dates for the Pepsi-to-Coke soft drink changeover. Guests can still bring aboard their preferred soft drinks, subject to the cruise line’s standard limitations. With Coca-Cola fans eagerly awaiting the return of their
Key Aspects: A guest aboard Norwegian Escape shared a nearly $10,000 itemized bill from the ship’s medical center. While no information is given about why the guest was ill, the bill is stamped for emergency care. All cruise guests should always check onboard statements in case of duplicate or erroneous charges. It’s no surprise that
Key Aspects: An overboard was reported from Icon of the Seas at just after 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The individual was recovered with the ship’s rescue craft in less than 30 minutes, but unfortunately passed away. Icon of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary and should not be
Key Aspects: Carnival Panorama will remain homeported from Long Beach through at least April 2028. More than 50 Mexican Riviera itineraries are now available for booking, including 3-8 night sailings. The Vista-class ship was last updated in October 2024 and offers fun for all ages onboard, as well as new specialty dining and more. The
Key Aspects: One Carnival cruise guest is upset that their ceiling fan was not permitted onboard and was confiscated by security. Carnival’s John Heald has explained the safety reasons for why ceiling fans are not permitted and the crew was doing their job. The guest suggests that the Carnival security team should be after kids
Key Aspects: Star Princess will feature about 4,800 square feet of shopping opportunities. Vintage handbags are among the luxury offerings guests can purchase. A Caribbean-inspired boutique is planned for the new ship. With the launch of Princess Cruises’ new-build, Star Princess, just a few months away, the line is detailing a major onboard revenue-maker: the
Key Aspects: A classical music production called Vivace has already rolled out on several ships. Local music tied to the destinations the ships are visiting will be added to onboard entertainment. Staff is being expanded to include travel guides who are destination experts. Surprise cabaret performances. New World Stage productions. Classical music interludes. These are
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
