Morgan Hines, USA TODAY - Published 8:00 a.m. ET Jul. 25, 2020 / Updated 11:26 a.m. ET Jul. 26, 2020

As the novel coronavirus emerged, the cruise industry came to a screeching halt that has lasted for months. Resuming sailings will happen slowly and in regional phases with at least one U.S. line's pause in operations already extended until December.

As cruise lines surge forward without the same incoming revenue, some, including cruise giant Carnival Corp., have announced that they are making reductions to their fleets of ships. But those cuts go beyond saving the cruise companies money – they affect passengers, too.

While many passengers are dealing with cruise cancellations as a result of sailing suspensions, other travelers are facing cancellations or schedule changes because of ships' departures.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/07/25/carnival-other-cruise-lines-cutting-ships-fleets-amid-covid-19/5449857002/

April 15, 2021 - Sarah Bretz

Holland America Line has announced a new premium fare option for cruises six days or longer.

The news follows a similar announcement from Celebrity last year, where the cruise line revealed it will be including drinks, wifi, and gratuities in its base cruise fare.

holland america nieuw statendam aerial

Available year-round on all itineraries six days or longer except Grand Voyages, “Have It All” is valued at $99 per person, per day for a seven-night cruise. Compared to purchasing the included amenities individually, Holland America says the “Have It All” cruise fares represent a 50 percent or more savings. However, the fare does not include gratuities.

https://cruiseradio.net/holland-america-cruise-line-moves-closer-all-inclusive-pricing/

Interest rates on debt could rise, and these cruise companies have a lot of debt.

Rich Smith - May 4, 2021 at 3:39PM

Cruise stocks were definitely taking on water Tuesday afternoon. As of 1:50 p.m. EDT, shares of cruise giant Carnival (NYSE:CCL) (NYSE:CUK) had shed 5%, while Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) was down 4.2%, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE:NCLH) was off 3.4%.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/05/04/why-carnival-royal-caribbean-and-norwegian-cruise/

Erica DePascale - Sep 18, 2021, 6:00 AM

Between the shopping malls, specialty dining options, and endless alcoholic beverages, it's easy to lose sight of how much you're spending while cruising.

As someone who has worked on a major cruise line for six years, I've rounded up a list of the seven things tourists should stop wasting their money on.

https://www.insider.com/what-you-should-not-buy-on-a-cruise-according-to-crew-2021

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN - 21st February 2022

(CNN) — It's been three years in the making, but the world's largest cruise ship is finally ready to welcome passengers.

Measuring a staggering 1,188 feet, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas was delivered last month and is due to begin its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4.

The 18-deck cruise ship was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and has capacity for 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-largest-ship-wonder-of-the-seas-delivered/index.html

Two Insider reporters booked trips with two of the world's most popular cruise lines: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. While the companies offer comparative experiences, their sailings were similar in some ways and different in others.

Joey Hadden and Monica Humphries - Jun 4, 2022, 3:01 AM

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are two of the world's most popular cruise lines, according to Cruise Web.

In April, Joey Hadden took her first cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world that can hold about 7,000 guests. During Joey's seven-night voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Last July, Monica Humphries joined 2,700 vaccinated passengers on the Carnival Vista, the first Carnival ship to depart out of the US since the pandemic began. Due to COVID-19, it purposefully sailed at partial capacity but can hold 3,934 passengers, according to Carnival. The seven-night trip embarked from Galveston, Texas, and made stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

https://www.insider.com/carnival-royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-differences-photos-2022-6

Another cruise news update covering the major developments, including new ship delay, itinerary changes and cancellations.

Emrys Thakkar - Jun 11, 2022

In this week’s cruise news update, we’ve got all the major coverage from the past week with new ship delays, cancellations, protocol changes, and everything you need to know about the new zone on Carnival’s upcoming new ship.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-news-update-june-11-2022/73830

Joey Hadden - Jul 3, 2022, 3:31 AM

On a cruise, travelers have the freedom to experience multiple destinations on one trip with port stops where they can exit the ship and explore a new place.

But cruise ships run on a tight schedule, often only allotting passengers around seven or eight hours for a one-day stop, sometimes even less. This leaves many to wonder, what happens if you're running late getting back to the ship?

https://www.insider.com/how-late-will-cruise-ship-wait-for-you-2022-7

Joey Hadden - Jul 24, 2022, 2:34 AM

When I booked my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, I expected breathtaking views of the world between relaxing swimming and sunbathing sessions.

But my experience cruising for the first time didn't quite meet my expectations.

I sunbathed in a loud, crowded pool area when I was lucky enough to find a chair. I spent more time waiting in lines than I had anticipated. And I saw much of the world from behind other people's heads.

https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-cruise-like-reality-vs-expectation-disappointing-photos-2022-7

Emrys Thakkar - Aug 6, 2022

It’s time to catch up and find out what’s been going on in the past week in another cruise news update. Covering all the major cruise lines, we’ve got coverage on pre-cruise testing, Carnival making cutbacks, itinerary changes from Royal Caribbean, good news from Norwegian Cruise Line and more.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-news-update-august-6-2022/78244

Carnival Cruise Line has resumed calls to Ensenada after recent unrest, but future calls may still be in jeopardy.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Aug 17, 2022

After visits from two cruise lines were canceled last weekend in the wake of a recent surge of unrest, cruise ships are cautiously returning to the popular port of Ensenada, Mexico. Cruise lines are continuing to monitor the situation closely, however, and may need to adjust future calls if necessary.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ships-cautiously-returning-to-ensenada/79263

Difficulties with airline travel are causing more cruisers to set sail without bags, but some cruise lines are stepping in to help.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Aug 17, 2022

With ongoing air travel challenges due to pilot shortages and other staffing issues, cruise travelers are having more difficulty with lost or delayed luggage that can dramatically impact a seagoing getaway. What can you do to protect your luggage and be sure it arrives on time for your cruise?

https://www.cruisehive.com/lost-luggage-a-growing-problem-for-cruise-ship-passengers/79234

Every cruiser’s worst nightmare is running to the pier as your cruise ship sails away, leaving you stranded in a foreign place!

06 Sep 2022 - Jenna DeLaurentis

Videos of “pier runners” (people frantically running to the ship) are popular online and can provide a great laugh, but the reality is that missing a cruise ship is not something you want to deal with on vacation!

Paying out-of-pocket to travel to the next port and being in a foreign country without any of your belongings is not on anyone’s vacation bucket-list. While you’ll have extra protections when on a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean, missing the cruise ship can still be a stressful experience for any passenger.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/09/06/what-happens-if-you-miss-your-cruise-ship

Christopher Elliott - 5:00 a.m. ET Sept. 16, 2022 / Updated 2:38 p.m. ET Sept. 16, 2022

When Katie Whittington canceled her 14-day transatlantic sailing from New York to London on the Norwegian Getaway, she made one of the most common post-pandemic cruise mistakes: She didn't read the fine print on her ticket.

Instead, she took a Norwegian Cruise Line representative at his word.

“A customer service representative told me they could cancel my cruise and that I'd receive a future cruise credit for the full amount I paid,” she says.

So Whittington expected a $4,725 future cruise credit. Instead, her cruise line applied a 75% cancellation fee and refunded the other 25%.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/2022/09/16/cruise-mistakes-avoid-next-vacation/10370098002/

The two biggest cruise lines both offer similar things, but there are clear differences that can help you decide which one to book your cruise on.

Daniel Kline - Sep 17, 2022 11:22 AM EDT

Both Royal Caribbean International (RCL) and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) operate massive cruise ships packed with family-friendly activities. Most of the ships in the two biggest cruise lines sailing from the United States offer water slides, amusement park-style rides, climbing walls, impressive kids' clubs, multiple pools, and countless dining and drinking options.

If you sail comparable ships in either the Royal Caribbean or Carnival fleet, on a surface level you're getting a pretty similar experience. There are, however, some major differences between the two cruise lines.

In a broad sense, it's important to realize that no two cruises are the same, even back-to-back sailings on the same ship can see one voyage filled with families and the next having a much older crew. The ship doesn't change but the makeup of who's onboard can impact your sailing (so consider whether you're booking during a school vacation or over a major holiday).

But, while cruising is a social thing where the makeup of the passengers can impact your trip, there are some major factors to consider when deciding between Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-vs-carnival-choosing-between-big-cruise-lines

Another cruise news update with new ship stories from Carnival, Disney and Princess Cruises, along with coverage on Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages.

Emrys Thakkar - Modified Date: Sep 17, 2022

Cruise Hive is here with another cruise news update with all the major stories from the past week. There is plenty of new cruise ship news from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Disney, along with some other news from Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-news-update-september-17-2022/81772

Christine Kesteloo - Sep 18, 2022, 5:42 AM

After working in the cruise industry for around 15 years, I lost my job during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, I sail on cruises half of the year as a “wife on board” with my husband, a ship engineer.

We live on land and at sea, and I share my adventures on my TikTok (@dutchworld_americangirl). Years later, I still think cruising is one of the best ways to see the world.

It's like tapas — you get a taste of ports around the world and you can decide whether you'd like to travel back to a certain place and have the “full entree,” one destination. That said, planning your first trip can be overwhelming.

Here are important things I think future first-time cruisers should know.

https://www.insider.com/things-to-know-before-first-cruise-former-employee-reveals-2022-9

Bad weather is looming on the East Coast and that could impact your upcoming cruise, but Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian cruise lines have a plan.

Daniel Kline - Sep 26, 2022 5:25 PM EDT

When a hurricane, snowstorm, or any other sort of bad weather hits on land, there's very little hotels, theme parks, and other travel destinations can do other than batten down the hatches. Walt Disney (DIS) can't move Disney World simply because bad weather is on the way nor can any of its rivals.

Disney can, of course, close its theme parks and may even encourage people to change their plans by modifying its policies to allow people to rebook. It can't, however, simply sail Epcot or the Magic Kingdom out of harm's way.

That's one area where cruise lines have a major advantage over their stationary land-locked competition. Royal Caribbean International (RCL) , Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) , Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) , and any other line (Disney too) can change itineraries in order to keep customers away from bad weather.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/how-royal-caribbean-carnival-norwegian-handle-hurricanes-bad-weather

Joey Hadden and Monica Humphries - Oct 1, 2022, 2:31 AM

When it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are often mentioned in the same sentence. The two cruise lines are competitors and are among the world's most popular cruise lines. Insider reporters went on both.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are two of the world's most popular cruise lines, according to Cruise Web.

In April, Joey Hadden took her first cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world that can hold about 7,000 guests. During Joey's seven-night voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

In July 2021, Monica Humphries joined 2,700 vaccinated passengers on the Carnival Vista, the first Carnival ship to depart out of the US since the pandemic began. Due to COVID-19, it purposefully sailed at partial capacity but can hold 3,934 passengers, according to Carnival. The seven-night trip embarked from Galveston, Texas, and made stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

https://www.insider.com/carnival-cruises-interior-room-royal-caribbean-ocean-view-cabin-photos-2022-10

James Hills - 27 September 2022

There are a lot of things that folks who love cruising do to make the adventure even more fun. While some folks look to pineapples, a much more wholesome and family-friendly game has developed in the past few years around hiding rubber duckies on cruise ships and then sharing your finds with others on social media. In fact, entire online communities have evolved to embrace this activity and frankly … it is one of those things that is as fun to give as it is to get!

I first started hearing about hiding “cruise ducks” during the pandemic when friends shared that it was one of the things that they missed most about sailing on Carnival. In all honesty, despite Carnival being where my wife and I started cruising - at that point I had not stepped on the deck of a Carnival cruise ship in many years, except for the occasional trade event. Now I was curious though!

https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-tips-advice/hiding-ducks-on-cruise-ships.html

Your cruise news update with the major stories from the past week, including from Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian and MSC Cruises.

Emrys Thakkar - Modified Date: Oct 8, 2022

In this week’s cruise news update, we have coverage from Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. The latest developments on new policy changes for misbehaving passengers, protocols, and exciting deployments.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-news-update-october-8-2022/83922

Sharon Waugh - 16 October 2022

After working for two different cruise lines in the span of six years, I've seen guests make the same mistakes over and over.

Here's a list of the top 10 things you should avoid doing to make the most of your cruise.

https://www.insider.com/what-you-should-never-do-on-cruise-former-crew-member-2022-10

Price is not the only factor when you look at overall value and that makes finding the best deal on a cruise challenging.

Daniel Kline - Oct 15, 2022 12:54 PM EDT

The pandemic made passengers wary of taking a cruise. That may not be true for regular cruisers, but the cruise industry needs to bring in new blood in order to grow its business. That's especially true at a time when ongoing covid fears have caused older cruisers – a pretty large segment of people who take cruises frequently – from returning at their 2019 levels.

While customers have come back, it has been challenging for the value and mid-tier cruise lines. Royal Caribbean International (RCL) CEO Jason Liberty has seen some positive trends.

“The attractive new-to-cruise segment is now returning faster with non-loyalty guests doubling in Q2, compared to Q1, and the mix is essentially on par with 2019 levels. Our attractive brands and strategically adjusted deployment toward shorter itineraries are driving more new-to-cruise,” he said during the cruise line's second-quarter earnings call.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/these-cruise-lines-offer-the-best-price-sailing-from-florida

Gene Sloan - 14 October 2022

It’s easy to run up a monster bill ordering wine, beer and mixed drinks by the glass on a cruise ship. The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise vessels — particularly cocktails — can be pricey. But for those who regularly order several alcoholic drinks a day when cruising, there’s a way to save: a flat-fee drinks package.

All the major mass-market cruise lines offer flat-fee drinks packages that, in some cases, can save you money when cruising.

What’s included in a cruise line drinks package and how do they work? And, perhaps more to the point, how much do cruise line drinks packages cost? Read on for the answers in this ultimate guide to cruise line drinks packages.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tips/cruise-ship-drinks-packages-a-line-by-line-guide/ar-AA12XHPn?li=BBnbklE

Monica Humphries, Joey Hadden, Mikhaila Friel, and Amanda Krause - 23 October 2022

Between 2021 and 2022, Insider reporters have sailed on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival's Cunard cruise lines.

But while our reporters expected scenic views, adventure, and plenty of space to relax …

… their adventures also included some disappointments, like large crowds, long lines, and some confusion.

https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-go-on-a-cruise-now-photos-2022-10#-their-adventures-also-included-some-disappointments-like-large-crowds-long-lines-and-some-confusion-3

J. Souza - October 29, 2022

Have you ever noticed that some cruise ships seem more crowded than others? Ever wondered what cruise ship for each cruise line is the most crowded or least crowded based on simple math? Well, I wondered the same thing and decided to compile a list.

I compared 117 cruise ships from 7 major cruise lines to see which offered the most space based on passenger capacity and ship volume.

While many factors can have an impact on how crowded a ship may feel, there is a simple formula for figuring out the passenger space ratio. Additionally, this allows us to compare different ships by the same metric and see how it compares with out experience on the ship.

https://cruisefever.net/most-crowded-cruise-ships-by-passenger-space-ratio/

29 Dec 2022 - Matt Hochberg

Warm sunny days, savory food at every turn, and family memories. Taking your first cruise has high hopes for a great vacation experience.

When you're new to cruising, there's all sorts of emotions you may be feeling, including excitement, anxiety, impatience, and hope. 

In talking with new cruisers I'm reminded of the highs and lows pre-vacation planning brings from when I first started cruising.

Now, with over twenty years of cruising experience under my belt, I go into almost any cruise with a sort of “auto pilot” sense to the planning process. My brain is tuned to what to expect and what to do next in a variety of scenarios.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/12/29/new-cruise-ship-traveler-advice

For many, a cruise vacation is perhaps a once a year kind of vacation, but there are folks that cruise much more often than that, including myself.

13 Jan 2023 - Jenna DeLaurentis

We’d all love to cruise frequently with Royal Caribbean—or perhaps even live on a cruise ship—but what are the downsides to cruising a lot?

Millions of passengers sail on cruise ships each year, many of whom find themselves cruising several times per year. It’s not uncommon for those living near a cruise port to sail once a month (or even more!).

Like anything in life, though, doing something too frequently has its downsides. This isn't meant to be any kind of pity party for those of us that cruise often. Rather, I wanted to share with you an inside look at the realities of going on cruise ships often.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/01/13/the-downsides-cruising-lot

Marella Cruises is cancelling a week-long sailing due to food and beverage issues, but what might that mean?

Melissa Mayntz - Jan 30, 2023

Marella Cruises is cancelling a 7-night sailing of Marella Discovery 2 due to technical problems impacting food and beverage service, and all guests booked on the impacted sailing will be flown home as needed.

Special aircraft are being brought in to accommodate the cancellation, which will affect a number of cruisers on the current voyage who had planned back-to-back voyages.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-cancelled-due-to-food-and-beverage-issues/93362

06 Feb 2023 - Jenna DeLaurentis

I recently stayed in one of Royal Caribbean’s most opulent cabins–an $870 per night Owner’s Suite. Usually a budget traveler, I had no idea what to expect and whether the spacious cabin would be worth the hefty price tag.

As someone who typically books the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship, I suddenly felt like royalty when skipping lines, hosting in-suite parties, and ordering free room service to our cabin’s sparkly dining room.

Like anything new in life, though, my first time in a cruise ship suite was nothing short of a learning experience, and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way.

Here are 5 things I learned from my first suite experience and 3 I’d do differently next time.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/02/06/5-things-i-learned-royal-caribbean-suite

IT'S funny how once you’ve worked on ships, you feel at home on every cruise.

Caitlin Hornik - 9:18 ET, Mar 13 2023 / Updated 10:46 ET, Mar 13 2023

As a former cruise ship worker, I have a unique understanding of the behind-the-scenes dynamics and logistics that can impact a guest's vacation.

I recently took my first cruise vacation in several years.

The week-long voyage was also my first since my last contract as a cruise ship performer.

I spent nearly two years working as a singer and dancer on different cruise ships, entertaining guests as I sailed around the world seeking sunshine, sand, and adventure.

Now, sailing as a guest with the perspective of a crew member - and a knowledge of the inner workings of ships - definitely impacted my experience.

https://www.the-sun.com/travel/7584923/ex-cruise-ship-worker-sail-as-guest-tips/

Get the most out of your sea day by avoiding these common mistakes

J. Souza - June 2, 2023

A sea day can be one of the best parts of a cruise. But if you want to make the most of it you should try to avoid a few of these pitfalls.

Just because your cruises ship isn’t pulling into an exotic port during a particular day of your cruise doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing time on your cruise vacation. In fact, a sea day is one of the best times to indulge in all the ship has to offer.

I love sea days on a cruise. Even without the excitement of a port day full of excursions and exploration, a sea day allows you to really enjoy the cruise ship itself. Both the design of the ship and the energy of the crew help to make a sea day one of the most memorable days on a cruise.

Here are some of the most common mistakes cruisers make on a sea day.

https://cruisefever.net/12-top-mistakes-cruisers-make-on-cruise-ship-sea-days/

7 Outdated Cruise Tips You Should Really Just Ignore

Some cruise advice has had a short shelf-life. It may have been a great cruise tip 10 years ago but in today’s era of cruising it could be an ancient artifact that is better left ignored.

J. Souza - June 9, 2023

In this article we will look at some of the most outdated cruise tips that have long expired. While some of them will still have some validity on certain ships, for the most par these pieces of cruise advice went out with the old era of cruising.

The technology alone on today’s cruise ships are leaps and bounds ahead of ships that were built even 10 years ago. Along with changes in tech the culture of cruising has changed as well, as the maritime method of exploring the world has become more mainstream.

https://cruisefever.net/7-outdated-cruise-tips-that-can-mostly-be-ignored/

Kristi Sellers - June 13, 2023

It shouldn’t be necessary to write this article at all–yet here we are.

The majority of cruisers are well-aware of standard etiquette on a cruise ship, yet there will always be that 1%. There will be that small percentage who have the desire to push the envelope wherever they go.

These rule-breakers might be your neighbor or even your work ‘bestie’. Worse case scenario, they are your spouse or family member. In their regular, day-to-day lives, they act like civilized people, yet when they set foot on a cruise ship, they forget everything their mama taught them.

If you’ve found yourself guilty of the following crimes, there is hope for you. With a little patience from your family and support from your fellow cruisers, you’ll be rehabilitated by the time you board your next cruise ship.

https://cruisefever.net/10-worst-violations-of-cruise-ship-etiquette/

Jenna DeLaurentis - 05 Jul 2023

I cruise to Alaska every summer, and I always see passengers making the same few rookie mistakes.

After five cruises to the 49th state, I’m familiar with the ins and outs of Alaska cruises. I know exactly what I should pack, which excursions I should book, and what to do in each cruise port.

For most first time cruisers to Alaska, however, this is not the case. Many of these passengers make rookie mistakes that can easily be avoided, whether packing incorrectly or unintentionally missing out on breathtaking views.

As someone who sails to Alaska often, I wanted to share the most common mistakes I see cruisers making on Alaska cruises so that you know what to expect.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/07/05/alaska-cruise-mistakes-to-avoid

Lauren Corona - May 22, 2023 2:31 pm EST

If you're anything like us, food is among the most exciting things about going on a cruise. You have plenty of dining options, from buffet meals and room service breakfasts to the main dining room and high-end specialty restaurants. This is enough to keep even the most hardened foodies happy between ports.

But, before you pack your bags and set sail, it's good to get acquainted with some common mistakes most people make when eating on a cruise. Dining on a cruise ship isn't the same as eating at a typical restaurant, so you might not know what to expect.

Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a frequent passenger, there are rules (both written and unwritten) to get your head around that can seem baffling at first. Once you learn what not to do, it'll all be smooth sailing. Then, you can relax and enjoy your vacation, especially one of the most enjoyable aspects — the meals.

https://www.mashed.com/1269269/mistakes-everyone-makes-eating-on-cruise/

25 Aug 2023 - Jenna DeLaurentis

No one likes making mistakes, but it’s bound to happen while traveling, especially over the course of twenty cruises.

In the past two years, I’ve spent 106 nights on cruise ships, sailing everywhere from the sunny Mediterranean to the tropical Caribbean and chilly Alaska. Even though cruising so often has taught me to avoid plenty of rookie cruising mistakes, I still have a few regrets from my time onboard.

Whether booking one itinerary over another, wishing I packed more efficiently, or booking a risky flight schedule, there are a few things I wish I did differently.

If you have an upcoming cruise, it’s helpful to know what to avoid during the entire process so that you can avoid stress and hassle later on.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/08/25/cruise-ship-regrets-avoid

28 Aug 2023 - Matt Hochberg

You might want to think twice before trying to win a cruise cabin upgrade.

I think it's fair to say a lot of people dream about being able to move up to a bigger and more lavish cabin. Whether it's from an inside to a balcony cabin, or all the way up to a spacious suite, who wouldn't want to pay less and get a nicer room?

The saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is” sometimes holds up when it comes to bidding for a cabin upgrade.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to place a bid for a nicer room, potentially at a cheaper price than booking that cabin outright. While the bidding program is definitely a legitimate option you can consider, there are downsides to Royal Up you should know about before placing a bid.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/08/28/6-reasons-refuse-upgrade-your-cruise-ship-cabin

7 Things to Do in Your Cruise Cabin Before You Leave for the Day

J. Souza - October 7, 2023

You just had a great night of sleep on a cruise ship, and now you’re ready to get out there and enjoy an amazing sea day or port day on your vacation. Or maybe you just really want to eat a great breakfast before meandering about the ship.

Having a great cruise is all about the details and following a few of these tips will help ensure a smoother cruising experience.

https://cruisefever.net/7-things-to-do-in-your-cruise-cabin-before-you-leave-for-the-day/

Published Wed, Nov 8 20233:27 PM EST - Celia Fernandez

When it comes to a cruise vacation, it’s all aboard. An October survey from Condé Nast Traveler revealed that 47% of people said they would be interested in setting sail on a ship.

A study by the Cruise Lines International Association also found that traveling by cruise is becoming one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors.

In October, U.S. News and World Report published its 2023 ranking of the best cruises for the money. The report ranked the top ships out of 17 of the most popular ocean cruise lines and gave them a rating of one through five.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/08/us-news-and-world-report-best-cruise-line-for-money.html

J. Souza - November 10, 2023

People believe some crazy things about cruises.

There are some myths and rumors about cruise ships that still get circulated online even though some are hard to believe.

Usually it’s people who have never been on a cruise who spread these falsehoods about what it’s actually like being at sea.

No, today’s cruise ships are not like the Titanic and no, people are not just constantly falling into the sea.

Some of the things people believe about cruise travel are just based on what they’ve heard or what movies they’ve seen. In this article we will look at some of the biggest misconceptions so we can put these rumors to bed.

https://cruisefever.net/15-dumb-things-people-still-believe-about-cruise-ships/

News.com.au - Dec. 27, 2023, 10:28 a.m. ET

From his no.1 tip for avoiding seasickness, to the ridiculously small joystick that controls the 110,000 tonne cruise ship he is in charge of (plus: where to get the best coffee on board), I recently got a chance to explore the Bridge (the control centre of the ship) of Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady with captain Hannu Haaponiemi, and picked his brain along the way.

Some of his insights were helpful, while others were simply mind boggling. Have at them, below.

https://nypost.com/2023/12/27/lifestyle/captain-reveals-mind-boggling-secrets-every-cruise-ship-passenger-should-know/

Take a typical Alaska cruise and see the damage in its wake. The evidence is clear: the industry needs an overhaul.

Andrew Engelson - March 21, 2023

After a one-year pandemic pause and a limited season in 2021, cruises to Alaska resumed and surged in popularity in 2022.

This year, an estimated 700,000 passengers will depart Seattle, Washington, on hundreds of different cruises. These travelers voyage on increasingly massive ships—some about three sport fields in length—that can house, feed, and process the waste of upward of 4,000 human beings.

Touted as inexpensive, all-inclusive vacations, cruises deliver thousands of people to the glaciers, fjords, and small towns of southeast Alaska. They are an integral part of the Pacific Northwest’s tourism economy, but they come with environmental and human costs.

Carbon emissions, wastewater discharges, engine and propeller noise, mountains of trash, and an influx of visitors have a cumulative impact on ecosystems and tiny communities.

https://hakaimagazine.com/features/cruise-ship-invasion/

19 Mar 2024 - Allie Hubers

Would you ever consider pulling your cruise ship cabin's mattress out to the balcony for some elevated relaxation?

A recent post on social media shows two Royal Caribbean guests lying on a mattress while enjoying their balcony. Supposedly, the guests were onboard Allure of the Seas while docked in Perfect Day at CocoCay when they decided to move their cabin’s mattresses out to their balcony for some light reading.

In the photo, two guests can be seen on their mattresses reading books with their balcony door open. The photo was apparently taken while Allure of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas were both docked at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on March 13.

The original photo was shared by one cruiser to the Facebook group called Royal Caribbean Cruises. She captioned the post, “Omg really? Wondering if this guy got in trouble? Allure of the Seas looking from Anthem on 3/13 docked @ Coco Cay.”

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/03/19/internet-cant-decide-if-cruise-ship-passenger-genius-or-dumb

Who is responsible for cell phone charges at sea? One traveler thinks Carnival Cruise Line should pay, but why?

Melissa Mayntz - Updated Jan 13, 2024

With cruise line apps and text message alerts being more and more useful for many travelers, it is essential that guests understand how to use their devices without adding up international roaming charges or other fees.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has recently addressed this concern after an irate guest was upset by cell phone charges during a recent sailing.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-guest-infuriated-over-phone-bill/120894

The cruise line wants to keep its customers healthy, and a key dining rule that some passengers ignore helps make that happen.

Daniel Kline - 29 October 2023

Carnival and Royal Caribbean often confuse their customers because some written rules get enforced while others seem like suggestions, not actual rules. It can also be confusing as both cruise lines seem to have different policies on different ships and maybe even on different sailings of the same ship.

Main Dining Room (MDR) dress codes can be one source of passenger confusion. Both cruise lines, for example, technically (in their written policies) do not allow men to wear shorts in MDR and both require adult men to wear a collared shirt.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-shares-key-dining-rule-some-passengers-ignore

Kristeen Cherney - Feb 27, 2024, 12:17 PM PST

My family of three loves cruising, and we try going on one Royal Caribbean cruise each summer.

But there's one typical sailing experience we always skip: visiting the main dining room — even on formal nights.

This is much to the chagrin of our cabin stewards, who probably prefer to have a set time when we'll be out of the room each night. Relatives and friends also tell us that we're missing out.

Still, we insist on skipping the main dining and formal nights. Here's why.

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-eating-main-dining-room-not-worth-it-royal-caribbean

An interesting setup is not permitted onboard Carnival Cruise Lines, no matter how innovative it may be. But why not?

Melissa Mayntz - Updated Apr 16, 2024

In response to a social media post showing an elaborate arrangement of cords, hooks, and fans on a cruise ship ceiling, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has clarified what can – and can’t – be done in guest staterooms. This is similar to a previous incident also involving items suspended from the ceiling that were not permitted.

No Items Dangling From the Ceiling

A social media photo has been circulating recently showing an elaborate setup to jury rig ceiling fans in a cruise ship cabin. The photo shows two fans, seemingly held in place by a pulley system or other hardware, with magnetic hooks holding up the cords across the stateroom.

It is not possible to identify which cruise line or cruise ship is in the photo, but the photo has drawn the attention of Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald, who has confirmed that such installations are not permitted.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-notes-something-guests-should-never-do/128948

Brittany Chang - Dec 2, 2023, 3:58 AM PST

A serious issue for travelers could be quietly brewing amid the booming demand for cruises: oversold ships.

Like hotels and airlines, cruise lines may overbook itineraries in anticipation of last-minute cancellations. Compared to other industries, oversold cruises are as rare as winning the lottery, Patrick Scholes, an analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider.

But when it happens, the fallout could be more severe. Because cruises are almost always a multi-day affair, travelers facing an involuntary reservation cancellation could be left to figure out a logistical nightmare of refunds, new flights, accommodations, and replacement vacation days.

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-when-a-cruise-is-overbooked-2023-12

Craig Johnson - October 3rd, 2022

Are you thinking about booking a cruise soon? If so, you may be told that using a particular payment method will save you money.

A listener of money expert Clark Howard’s podcast recently asked whether it makes sense to book a cruise with an e-check, an electronic payment that pulls funds from your checking account.

https://clark.com/travel/best-cruise-payment-option/

Not exactly value for money, some are saying

Tom Earnshaw - Mar 5, 2024, 10:26:52 GMT / Updated Mar 5, 2024, 10:26:50 GMT

The cost of a cruise ship holiday certainly ain't cheap.

Expect to spend thousands for the luxury of a room with a window and then even more once you're on board, whether that's drinks packages, premium menus or shopping.

But life is very, very different if you are one hundreds that make a cruise ship run. Some vessels even have more than 1,000 crew members, with an average of one for every three to four passengers.

https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/cruise-ship-jobs-cost-of-living-wifi-230642-20240305

Crew are given free food every day they're on board, but what exactly are they eating?

Tom Earnshaw - Mar 7, 2024, 12:58:28 GMT / Last updated Mar 7, 2024, 12:58:52 GMT

One of the biggest perks of working on a cruise ship is the freebies, according to those who take up the jobs.

For the ordinary passenger, it usually costs you thousands to truly enjoy everything a cruise ship has to offer.

But for those heading on board for work, a lot of what you'd have to pay for as a customer comes with the job.

Accommodation? Free with the job. Food? Also free, it you stick to the crew mess. Not everything comes without a cost, mind, with some left open-mouthed at the cost of one particular expense.

https://www.ladbible.com/lifestyle/travel/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-worker-food-travel-182737-20240307

Sarah Al-Arshani,Abby Narishkin,Steve Cameron,Victoria Barranco,Kuwilileni Hauwanga - Sun, January 29, 2023 9:08 AM PST

The workers at the Aliağa ship breaking yards in western Turkey usually demolished only a few dozen cargo ships a year. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the cruise-line industry, the demolition site was inundated with ships.

The industry lost billions of dollars by the end of 2020, with Carnival Cruise Line losing more than $4 billion in the second quarter of 2020.

The pandemic caused Carnival, Costa, and Pullmantur Cruise Lines to send ships to be broken down in Turkey.

Carnival Cruise Line sold six ships for scrap, which were taken to the Aliağa ship breaking yards. The job of breaking down these large ships is one of the most dangerous and the added load has only made it harder.

“The owners could not find customers so they sent their ships to Aliağa,” Emre Aras, a project manager at Avsar Gemi Sokum told Insider.

The process starts with captains coordinating with harbormasters to beach the ships in Turkey.

https://news.yahoo.com/cruise-line-companies-sold-massive-151147470.html

Hannah Towey - Feb 9, 2023, 9:44 AM

If you don't work on a cruise ship, “no rice, no power” and “don't get a banana” may sound like an alien language. That's because crew members have dozens of secret code words and sayings they use to communicate while keeping passengers in the dark.

A single cruise ship may employ people from over 40 countries, resulting in industry slang that combines words and sayings from several different languages. Insider compiled a dictionary of cruise ship language based on interviews with cruise workers, previous reporting, and industry blogs. Alert codes and crew slang often vary by cruise line.

https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ship-secret-terms-code-words-used-by-crew-2023-2

Ranked by the average CDC health inspection scores in the last 2 years for all ships that were inspected

J. Souza - September 30, 2023

Cruise ships that stop at U.S. ports are scored on a 100-point scale according to the VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) which is run by the CDC. These health and sanitation inspections are unannounced and can occur two times a year.

The CDC posts the results of these USPH (United States Public Health) inspections on their website.

We looked at ship inspection scores from January of 2022 and onward. This data has been compiled by calculating the average score of all the ships within a cruise line’s fleet that were inspected during this time frame.

*I should note that this data is not a perfect measurement since some cruise lines have many more vessels than others, which could skew the results to either side of the spectrum. However, only cruise lines that had at least 5 or more inspections were included in this article.

The results below are ordered by the average score, and other data is provided as well, like the lowest and highest scores achieved with specific ships.

Only cruise lines with ships that frequent U.S. cruise ports were included in this list.

https://cruisefever.net/top-8-cruise-lines-with-the-cleanest-ships-2022-2023/

Posted by msmash on Thursday September 14, 2023 11:00AM

A luxury cruise ship that had been stuck for three days after running aground off the coast of Greenland was pulled free on Thursday morning, the authorities said. From a report:

The ship, the Ocean Explorer, had been carrying 206 passenger and crew members and was headed toward Alpefjord, in a remote corner of Greenland. The ship's destination was the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's northernmost national park, which is home to icebergs, glaciers and high mountains. The Joint Arctic Command, which is part of Denmark's defense forces, and SunStone Maritime Group, the coordinators of the rescue operation, said in statements on Thursday that the ship had been pulled free by a vessel named Tarajoq.

https://news.slashdot.org/story/23/09/14/1624239/a-luxury-cruise-ship-stuck-off-greenlands-coast-for-3-days-is-pulled-free

Published on July 29, 2020 By Doug Parker

Carnival Fantasy is officially on the rocks. The 30-year-old Carnival Cruise Line vessel was beached in Aliaga, Turkey on Wednesday morning and now awaits the deconstruction process.

The ship will be cut up into pieces with the raw materials recycled.

The cruise ship arrived at the breaking yard on Tuesday morning where she sat in anchorage until boarded by a pilot to run the ship on shore.

https://cruiseradio.net/carnival-fantasy-cruise-ship-ran-aground-video/

Carnival Celebration's coins have been moved, marking another milestone in her construction, but what does it mean?

Melissa Mayntz - Jun 15, 2022

The much-anticipated Carnival Celebration has reached another milestone toward the completion of her construction, as the ship’s coin ceremony was held today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Scheduled to debut in November, this brings the fleet’s second LNG-powered vessel one step closer to welcoming guests.

https://www.cruisehive.com/new-carnival-cruise-ship-reaches-another-milestone/74176

Staffing shortages are easing, allowing Carnival Cruise Line to bring back a popular event for loyal guests on sailings 5 nights or longer.

Melissa Mayntz - Jun 24, 2022

In a sign that crew shortages are easing a bit, Carnival Cruise Line is now able to bring back the popular loyalty parties for its Diamond and Platinum “Very Important Fun Person” (VIFP) guests. This is sure to be a welcome announcement for many passengers, as the parties are a highlight of the cruise for many past guests.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-brings-back-popular-loyalty-event/74981

The Carnival cruise line very quietly has made a major onboard improvement that customers will love.

Daniel Kline - Aug 3, 2022 9:59 AM EDT

Taking a cruise means leaving the real world behind. Once your ship sails away, you can put your phone away and simply be on vacation for the duration of your trip.

That's certainly how some people approach their trips, but many simply can't do that. You may want to use a cruise to escape reality, but work and family concerns don't disappear simply because you are on vacation.

Some people can't leave the world behind on a cruise and others simply don't want to. For some passengers, keeping in touch with those left behind on land is essential, and others simply don't want to disconnect.

If you want (or need) to stay connected to your land life while you are at sea, you have to buy an internet package. Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Carnival Corporation Report sells three internet plans on its namesake cruise line:

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-cruise-lines-fixes-a-key-passenger-pain-point

New operating hours, menu limitations, and other cutback are revealed for a number of dining venues aboard Carnival cruise ships.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Aug 5, 2022

In communications sent to travel partners, Carnival Cruise Line has announced some permanent changes to onboard dining venues across the fleet.

Many of these changes, which have been in place for some time already due to crew staffing shortages, will not have dramatic impacts for guests’ experiences, while others will be sorely missed.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-announces-permanent-cutbacks/78094

Carnival Cruise Line is implementing a new onboard curfew fleetwide, and guests could be banned from cruising in the future.

Melissa Mayntz - Sep 2, 2022

In a surprising change to its Minor Guest Policy that applies to passengers under 21 years of age, Carnival Cruise Line has instituted an onboard youth curfew for all its vessels.

The curfew will only apply to travelers 17 years of age and younger, and goes into effect immediately across the entire fleet.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-implements-onboard-curfew-fleetwide/80363

The cruise line has added something unique that Royal Caribbean and Norwegian don't (and can't) offer.

Daniel Kline - Sep 2, 2022 1:35 PM EDT

Cruise fans often have favored food and beverage items you can only get at sea. That might be a main dining room staple like the escargot on Royal Caribbean International's (RCL) ships, the smoked prime rib on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) , or Carnival Cruise Line's (CCL) famed Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.

Then, of course, there are also unique indulgences only available on specific ships in each company's fleet, like a Guy Fieri burger on certain Carnival ships, a hot dog from Boardwalk Dog House on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, or a decadent “Mad Milkshake” from Coco's on Norwegian ships.

And, when it comes to drinks, every cruise line has its signature cocktails. Royal Caribbean has CocoCay's signature Coco Loco on its private island, while Carnival has its Fun Ship Cocktail, and Norwegian has the BBC, a mix of banana liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream, and piña colada mix.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-cruise-line-makes-a-big-beverage-move

One TikToker documented a cruise gone wrong when water began to rise in hallways near guest quarters.

Emily Rella - September 7, 2022

There are a lot of things that can go wrong when cruising the open seas, from fires to Covid to engine trouble. But the No. 1 fear everyone has when on a boat? Taking on water.

Travelers on a recent Carnival Vista cruise experienced that fear first-hand when water began to flood hallways in the middle of their voyage.

“Woke to water rushing into our cabin … our lives flashed before our eyes,” captioned TikToker @adriennemarie1 alongside a video that's received over 13.7 million views.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/carnival-cruise-ship-floods-with-guests-on-board/434888

Carnival Cruise took a number of ships out of its fleet during the the pandemic, and it plans to replace them in a truly novel way.

Daniel Kline - Sep 6, 2022 10:09 AM EDT

The covid pandemic forced Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) to make some tough decisions about its fleet. Ships including Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy – its two oldest, built in the early 1990s – were retired.

That made sense because older cruise ships cost more to operate than more modern ones.

The cruise line has a number of additions coming to its fleet to make up for the losses.

First, Carnival will soon put its newest flagship, Carnival Celebration, into operation, giving it a sister ship to its current standard bearer, Mardi Gras. That ship will rival the newest offerings from rival Royal Caribbean (RCL) . And it won't be the only addition to the company's fleet.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-cruise-line-making-a-surprising-fleet-move-costa-luminosa

Carnival Cruise has made many changes since it closed due to covid. Now, it's changing a popular dining option and bringing back another.

Daniel Kline - Sep 9, 2022 1:04 PM EDT

Cruises may not be entirely about eating, but meals, snacks, and ill-advised late-night food choices play a key role in many passengers' trips.

When you cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) ship, you get a lot of dining options.

Your choices vary by ship, of course, but your basic cruise fare entitles you to eat three meals a day in the main dining room or the buffet, as well as free venues that can include Guy Fieri's Burger Bar, a Mexican restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, a deli, soft-serve ice cream, various snack spots, and 24-7 pizza.

In short, you won't go hungry on a cruise and can eat with a lot of variety without ever paying for an added-fee option.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-cruise-line-makes-a-big-dining-change

The Carnival Splendor cruise ship crosses the international dateline while sailing a transpacific voyage to Sydney, Australia.

Robert McGillivray - Modified Date: Sep 22, 2022

Sailors first created the line-crossing ceremony as a way to see if their shipmates were worth their salt on long voyages. Nowadays, the tradition is still celebrated onboard cruise ships and cargo vessels when they cross the equator and the international date line.

As Carnival Splendor crossed the international date line on Wednesday, guests onboard celebrated the special occasion for themselves. As she crossed, the Carnival cruise ship skipped a full day, turning Wednesday to Friday.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-ship-crosses-a-line-that-not-many-often-get-to-experience/82268

The cruise line has an answer to Royal Caribbean and something you may not have expected.

Michael Tedder - Sep 23, 2022 7:28 PM EDT

As the cruise industry has continued to recover from the pandemic, all three of the major lines, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) , Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) , and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) , have begun adding new ships to their fleets and making other big moves.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently announced its 2024-2025 sailing schedule for its Regent Seven Seas line, as well as its line Away in Wonder, a luxurious cruise that will sail for 150 days, visiting five continents and 25 countries, all for customers who just want to completely get away from it all and lose themselves at sea.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-close-to-adding-two-new-high-end-ships

Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Virgin Voyages face the same issue and that could be very good for people looking to take a cruise.

Daniel Kline - 2 October 2022

After the pandemic devastated the cruise industry, a lot of questions remained as to how long it would take for the major cruise lines to get back to normal. The answer is kind of split as Royal Caribbean International (RCL) and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) got their fleets up and running very quickly from ports in the United States.

Those ships started coming back into service in July 2021 sailing with limited passenger capacity and a lot of covid-related rules. Over time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped those rules, then stopped tracking covid on cruise lines at all.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/carnival-cruise-line-has-a-problem-thats-great-for-passengers

Carnival Cruise Line guests may be charged $500 plus related costs if they violate the cruise line's code of conduct.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Oct 3, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line has further updated its Code of Conduct for travelers by adding a $500 fine and language about reimbursing the cruise line for detainment or disembarkation expenses.

This heightened policy shows the cruise line’s commitment to providing a safe, enjoyable onboard environment for all guests.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-adds-fine-costs-to-guest-code-of-conduct/83348

Ben Souza - October 8, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line’s oldest cruise ship, Carnival Ecstasy, will set sail on her final cruise in two days on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Carnival Ecstasy went into service with Carnival Cruise Line in 1991 and is currently the oldest and smallest cruise ship in their fleet. The cruise line announced earlier this year that the ship would be taken out of their fleet and sold after 31 years in service.

The ship’s final cruise will leave from Mobile on Monday, October 10. The five day cruise will visit two ports in Mexico (Cozumel and Progeso) before returning to Mobile on October 15, 2022.

https://cruisefever.net/carnival-cruise-lines-oldest-ship-sailing-final-cruise/

Oct. 13, 2022

Cruise giant Carnival has slashed rates this week for more fall sailings to just $26 a day — an unusually low level.

As of Thursday morning, the world's second biggest cruise line had five soon-to-depart, four-night fall voyages of its Miami-based Carnival Conquest and Port Canaveral, Florida-based Carnival Liberty listed for sale on its website for just $104 — or $26 a day.

Six more four-night fall sailings of the ships were listed for sale starting at just $109 to $144 — or $27.25 to $36 a day.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/carnival-cruise-more-fall-deals/

The cruise line has followed Royal Caribbean in making major changes to its main dining room menus, but it does seem willing to listen to feedback.

Daniel Kline - Jun 25, 2023 11:24 AM EDT

When Royal Caribbean changed its main dining room menus earlier this year it greatly reduced the number of choices offered to passengers. Each night has been given a theme like “Mexican,” “Italian,” “Welcome Aboard,” and more with many of the dishes offered following that genre.

Every night has a meat, chicken, fish, pasta, and vegetarian option, but the cruise line got rid of its “classics” section of the menu. On the previous menus, that section offered some basics including New York strip steak, spaghetti bolognese, salmon ,and a simple chicken that were offered every night. In addition, the “classics” offering included some popular appetizers with escargot, shrimp cocktail, and French onion soup being offered each night.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-faces-pushback-over-unpopular-menu-changes

‘Rachel Ray enchiladas.’

Beau Paul - Jul 18, 2023

A Carnival Cruise guest went viral after she posted a video of a very questionable-looking dish of enchiladas with green sauce.

The five-second long video, posted by user Jazzy Cheatham (@mrscheatham20), has gained over 1 million views as of press time and will have you reconsidering your dinner order if you ever take a Carnaval Cruise.

azzy might have been hoping for some high-end cuisine during her cruise, but the dish shown in her video looked to be anything but. In the short clip, two obviously burnt tortillas float in a green, oily sauce, which could possibly be an approximation of salsa verde.

But Jazzy refers to the real sticking point in her caption, which reads, “Not the 2 slices of cheese on top.” To begin with, the cheese is sliced as opposed to freshly grated, and more glaringly, it has the plastic cling film appearance of highly processed American cheese.

Commenters were equally horrified by the Carnival Cruise dish.

https://www.dailydot.com/news/carnival-cruise-enchiladas/

Melissa Mayntz - August 15, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line has noted a change in assigned dining times for one upcoming cruise, but the adjustment is only for two particular sailings of Carnival Legend – the current sailing to Greenland as well as the second Greenland cruise in mid-September. Guests have been surprised to see the main dining times adjusted to earlier hours for those two cruises.

Carnival Adjusts Assigned Dining Times

Carnival cruise ships offer both designated early and late dining times on all their ships. The early seating generally begins from 5:45-6:15 p.m. depending on the exact ship and dining room, while the late seating typically begins from 7:45-8:15 p.m.

On Carnival Legend‘s two Greenland cruises, however, the set dining times have been slightly adjusted for even earlier mealtimes. The early dinner will now begin at 5 p.m., while the late seating will begin at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-clarifies-dining-time-adjustment/108713

Melissa Mayntz -22 August 2023

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has addressed the distinction between crew member gratuities and paid salaries in response to social media chatter about how the cruise line distributes tips to team members. This should help clarify how gratuities are given to team members and whether the extra monies do in fact count as extra appreciation.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-addresses-gratuity-nonsense/109106

Carnival and Royal Caribbean have similar policies when it comes to the daily tips added to your fare.

Daniel Kline - Aug 26, 2023 7:44 AM EDT

Tipping has long been controversial in fields where tips comprise a portion of a worker's wage.

Waiters, for example, can often be paid well below a state's minimum wage because tips are expected to make that up.

That, however, does not account for slow nights or customers who opt not to tip even though it's customary. In some cases, restaurants will mandate tips when a group exceeds a certain size while others have raised prices in order to pay workers a higher wage.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-makes-a-clear-statement-on-mandatory-tips

In light of continued propulsion problems for all three of Carnival's Vista-class ships, we delve into fixes and their propulsion systems.

Robert McGillivray - Modified Nov 10, 2023

Carnival Panorama suffered significant technical issues this week, resulting in Carnival Cruise Line canceling four cruises onboard the vessel in the coming month. However, this is not an issue that stands alone.

All of Carnival Cruise Line’s Vista-class ships, Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Horizon, have faced significant technical challenges in the past few years, primarily with their propulsion systems.

These issues have led to itinerary changes and cruise cancellations, impacting guest experiences and the company’s operational schedule. The issues come down mainly to the type of propulsion systems built into these cruise ships, the Azipod drive system. Although it has been a system that has brought increased fuel efficiency and maneuverability, it has come at a cost.

https://www.cruisehive.com/what-is-wrong-with-carnivals-vista-class-ships/115438

Melissa Mayntz - August 25, 2023

Popular premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises has begun notifying guests booked in the AquaClass of staterooms that some of their benefits are being trimmed, and others will no longer be automatic but will be made available upon request.

This will be a disappointing development for cruisers who appreciate the “extras” that will no longer be part of their Celebrity Cruises experience.

https://www.cruisehive.com/popular-cruise-line-cutting-suite-benefits-for-passengers/109412

Celebrity Cruises is rolling back some menu changes and bringing back guest favorites in the main dining rooms this month.

Melissa Mayntz - Updated Nov 2, 2023

Celebrity Cruises is making more tweaks to its onboard menus and bringing back fan favorites to the main dining rooms, including nightly chocolate dessert options.

These changes are in response to Captain’s Club guest feedback as well as intense research that shows a desire for more diversity in the menus.

https://www.cruisehive.com/celebrity-cruises-makes-dining-changes-after-guest-feeback/114720

A major global cruise line has big plans for the United States and that involves competing with the biggest players in the game.

Daniel Kline - Sep 5, 2022 9:33 AM EDT

Royal Caribbean International (RCL) and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) dominate the family cruise market in the United States by building bigger, fancier ships with activities that nobody would expect at sea. Carnival has added roller coasters to its latest ships while Royal Caribbean has ice skating rinks, bumper cars, skydiving simulators, and its signature Flowrider surf simulators.

Both cruise lines have decided that their newest ships will pack in the activities, restaurants, bars, and shows to make their ships more of a draw than wherever they might be going. The two companies have been in an arms race trying to make each ship newer and better.

That makes it a challenge for any cruise line to compete with Royal Caribbean and Carnival for family customers. New rivals like Virgin Voyages have emerged, but that cruise line has decided to compete by doing something completely different – going adults-only and forging the family business entirely.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/mscs-new-u-s-flagship-targets-royal-caribbean-carnival

An upstart (at least in the U.S.) cruise line wants to take a piece of market share from the big three cruise lines (and that's really great for consumers).

Daniel Kline - Sep 22, 2022 12:12 PM EDT

MSC wants to force its way into the top tier of the family-friendly cruise lines alongside Royal Caribbean (RCL) , Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) , and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) .

At the moment, the cruise line has been operating out of both Miami and Port Canaveral using low prices as a way to get consumers onto its ships.

At least part of the problem is that MSC's current U.S. fleet does not compare favorably with the newer Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian ships.

It's not that its offerings are that far behind; it's just that MSC Divina compares with older ships from its rivals and MSC Meraviglia does not quite equal the other line's top offerings.

MSC's two ships currently sailing from Florida have lots of positives, but nothing that specifically equals Royal Caribbean's latest Oasis and Quantum-class ships or Carnival's Mardi Gras and (upcoming) Celebration flagships.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/msc-offers-more-detail-on-its-flagship-rivaling-royal-caribbean-carnival

Melissa Mayntz - August 8, 2023

Guests aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside have noticed a new addition to the main dining room menu – a surcharge for additional entrees.

This follows similar policies implemented onboard both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International ships in the past year, and is part of a growing trend on cruise ships.

Guests currently sailing on MSC Seaside have reported a new charge in the ship’s two main dining rooms – a $5 (USD) surcharge. The notation is listed on the menu and is only listed for entrees: “a surcharge of $5 for second entree or more applies.”

This new charge is an unwelcome surprise to many cruise travelers who are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the perceived “nickel and diming” on cruises, when a seemingly inexpensive base fare is augmented by multiple extra fees.

https://www.cruisehive.com/another-cruise-line-adds-main-dining-room-charges/108281

By Catey Hill Published: Nov 13, 2019 9:39 a.m. ET

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-no-1-cruise-line-for-your-money-2019-11-12

https://www.thetravel.com/20-sketchy-facts-about-norwegian-cruise-line/

Popular Venue on Norwegian Cruise Ship Unavailable Due to Charter

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Oct 5, 2022

Guests aboard the October 30 departure of Norwegian Bliss will not be able to access one of the ship’s exclusive spaces, as it has been booked for a charter group.

Impacted guests have been notified that their prepaid reservations for Vibe have been canceled and refunds will be processed.

https://www.cruisehive.com/popular-venue-on-norwegian-cruise-ship-unavailable-due-to-charter/83652

Oct 04, 2022

Ahead of Norwegian Cruise Line Holding’s investor day on Thursday October 6 in New York City on the new Norwegian Prima, the company is allowing shareholders to submit questions via on online platform.

The questions can then be upvoted and could be answered by company executives.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28418-here-are-the-top-questions-for-norwegian-cruise-line-s-investor-day.html

The cruise line very quietly made a change and that might lead some customers to pick a fourth cruise line, which offers the cheapest drink packages of them all.

Daniel Kline - Oct 8, 2022 10:48 AM EDT

While cruises offer an all-inclusive vacation experience, the “all” part does not include drinks on most Royal Caribbean International (RCL) , Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) , and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) cruises. Your basic cruise fare includes meals in a variety of restaurants, but if you want anything other than very basic drinks (water, milk, coffee, tea, and some not-juice juices) you end up paying extra,

You can pay as you go on an a la carte basis, but many customers opt for an all-inclusive drink package which means something different on each cruise line.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/norwegian-drops-drink-package-edge-it-held-over-royal-caribbean-carnival

Robert McGillivray - Sep 26, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) recently sent a letter to guests, alerting them to a significant hike in costs for sailings in Spanish waters or departure from Spanish ports.

This move will affect all boutique purchases, now with a Value Added Tax (VAT) added to the onboard pricing. All food and beverage purchases, including unlimited open bar and specialty dining packages, will also incur VAT.

What does it all mean? Those who have spent hundreds of dollars or euros on all-inclusive beverage and dining packages will still be handed a bill at the end of the cruise.

https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-warns-guests-of-additional-charges/111583

Norwegian Cruise Line makes some changes to its Latitudes Rewards loyalty program, which recently went into effect.

Robert McGillivray - Modified Date: Sep 19, 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line has implemented several changes to its Lattitudes Rewards loyalty program and built-in flexibility regarding where guests may use their dinner vouchers.

The cruise line has removed the need to go to certain restaurants to enjoy their free dinner with a bottle of wine and made this option apply to more specialty restaurants.

The restrictions to where dinner coupons can be used have been an eyesore for many guests, making the Freestyle cruising that Norwegian offers somewhat restrictive.

https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-makes-changes-to-loyalty-program/81902

Nicole Pomarico - 6 June 2023

No matter how thorough you are in planning a vacation, the unexpected can still happen at anytime. Even on a cruise where you're involved in all the details, including picking your own state room.

Unfortunately, this couple on TikTok learned this lesson the hard way. As we can see in this video from @lolavibe23, you just don't know if you picked the right cabin 'til you're in it…

It wasn't until these people sailing with Princess Cruise Line went to their suite on the Discovery Princess at the beginning of their cruise to Alaska that they realized a major flaw in their room. With the wind blowing just the right way, it created a whistle in the door as long as it was closed, and it was impossible to get it to stop without slamming the door several times.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/couple-gets-unwelcome-surprise-in-their-suite-on-princess-cruise-lines/ar-AA1ccFZJ

Melissa Mayntz - Updated August 7, 2023

The Queen Mary 2 broke free of her moorings while docked in Civitavecchia, Italy on Friday, August 4, 2023. Both forward and aft gangways collapsed during the incident, but the ship was quickly secured with the assistance of tugboats and no injuries were reported. The ship was able to continue sailing as planned, with no significant damage.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ship-breaks-free-and-drifts-from-pier-losing-gangways/108201

04 Jan 2021 - Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has no shortage of fun things to do on a cruise, and a few them I have no intention of ever doing again.

Don't get me wrong, more often than not, I find some really enjoyable things to try on a cruise. But just like anything in life, some things do not jive with me.

Some are not to my liking, and other plans backfired after giving it a try. The good news, is I have since learned from these experiences and wanted to share what I came up against to help you decide what to do on your sailing.

Here are the top things I will never do again on a Royal Caribbean cruise in hopes it may save you the trouble as well.

• Skip buying travel insurance
• Cruise without the drink package
• Skip pre-paying gratuities
• Ripcord by iFly
• Plan to be the first person off the ship when the cruise is over
• Stay in the same cabin as my kids
• Try to “wing it” in St. Thomas
• Sleep in when visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Not bring cash with me to private islands

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/01/04/things-ive-done-ill-never-do-again-royal-caribbean-cruise

Michelle Couch-Friedman, Executive Director - April 8, 2022 / Last Updated: April 10, 2022

Royal Caribbean offered Stan Fernald and his wife the opportunity to bid on an upgraded cabin for their upcoming cruise. So they did. Then just days before the Liberty of the Seas set sail, the cruise line accepted their $4,200 RoyalUp bid. But this wasn’t welcome news for the couple. Not at all. By that time, they had paid Royal Caribbean thousands of dollars to switch to one of the largest suites onboard the ship.

The cabin Royal Caribbean awarded the couple through RoyalUp was actually a RoyalDown.

The Fernalds rejected the smaller cabin assigned to them through the auction. And Royal Caribbean just as quickly rejected their refund request of the $4,200 bid.

Now with RCCL standing firm on the nonrefundable nature of RoyalUp bids, Fernald is asking for our help. He hopes we can convince the cruise line they’ve made a mistake and get his money back.

Can we do it?

https://www.elliott.org/cruises/royal-caribbean-new-what-if-royalup-cabin-downgrade/

The cruise line has a solution for a major passenger pain point and its biggest rivals have to follow.

Daniel Kline - Aug 31, 2022 2:25 PM EDT

Being on vacation used to mean disconnecting from the world. Back in the 1980s into the 90s, that happened because travelers had very limited options when it came to keeping in touch. Domestic phone calls came with a hefty fee and international calling was even more price prohibitive.

In those days, texting wasn't a thing, social media hadn't been created yet, and the idea of taking a photo on your cellphone – if you even had one of those – didn't really exist yet. Now, however, expectations have changed. Everyone has a smartphone and, at least in the United States, connectivity issues are relatively rare, and many phone plans work around the world (albeit with an extra charge).

Some people, of course, may still choose to disconnect while on vacation, but many want to take pictures, share them on social media, or via text, while also keeping in touch with people back home. And, in this new “work anywhere” environment many people find themselves in, some of us mix vacation and travel – something which requires decent internet connectivity.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-internet-move-puts-carnival-norwegian-on-notice

If you don't want any surprises on your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, it's important to understand these three things before you book.

Daniel Kline - 3 September 2022

No other type of vacation prepares you for a cruise and every cruise line has slightly different policies as to what's included, what costs extra, and in comes cases, what's even offered.

A cruise on Royal Caribbean International's (RCL) namesake cruise line offers a sort of all-inclusive experience but few people end up not spending additional money beyond their cruise fare, taxes, port fees, and (more or less) mandatory gratuities.

Before you book a cruise with Royal Caribbean, it's important to understand exactly what you're getting for your money. That means understanding three big things. These, of course, aren't the only factors to consider, but you make a bad call on the first things, and don't go into your cruise understanding the second two, you may have a poor experience (or at least not the experience you hoped for.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/3-things-to-know-before-booking-a-royal-caribbean-cruise

Mariner of the Seas has changed its itinerary due to a diversion for a medical emergency Monday night, and will now visit Cococay twice.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Aug 30, 2022

Guests aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas will not be visiting the cruise line’s private resort destination of Labadee, Haiti, as originally scheduled, due to an onboard medical emergency that required the ship to make a significant route diversion. Instead, the ship will enjoy two days at a different popular private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-diverts-cancels-port-of-call/80106

Ben Souza - September 5, 2022

tarting with cruises on or after November 3, 2022, My Royal Cruise will be available for Spectrum of the Seas. Two days later, it will be available for sailings on Brilliance of the Seas. All existing bookings on these two cruise ships will be seamlessly and automatically transferred.

My Royal Cruise makes it easy for those who have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked to add on extras that include:

• Shore excursions
• Beverage packages
• Internet packages
• Dining reservations
• Spa treatments
• Onboard activities and more

Other great features of My Royal Cruise include securely stored credit card information for faster purchasing, plus a weekly planner view to easily glance at your daily schedule on your cruise.

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-adding-2-more-cruise-ships-to-new-platform/

Royal Caribbean is making a big change to the cruise line's drink package and doing something else its customers should really like.

Daniel Kline - Sep 20, 2022 11:10 AM EDT

Every major cruise line seems to want to outdo its rivals by adding some new major feature to its next ship.

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) added an actual roller coaster to Mardi Gras and the upcoming Celebration, while MSC plans a virtual roller coaster for its next flagship.

Both Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) and Royal Caribbean (RCL) offer bumper cars on select ships and escape rooms have become common on many cruise lines.

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-advances-two-huge-passenger-friendly-changes

I think there's a lot of good reasons to sail on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships, but there are at least a few nuances that you'll quickly notice if you're used to a newer ships.

14 Oct 2022 - Matt Hochberg

Older cruise ships is a relative term, as all ships age. Depending on your definition, this could include ships that are 5, 10, or 20 years old.
Regardless of a ship's age, Royal Caribbean does a good job of maintaining its fleet with regular updates and even upgrades to some vessels.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/10/14/things-youll-notice-when-cruising-older-cruise-ship

This issue has also impacted Carnival, Norwegian, and likely all, or at least most, cruise lines.

Daniel Kline - Dec 10, 2022 9:00 AM EST

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) - Get Free Report and Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) - Get Free Report have faced staffing issues since the pandemic began. Part of that can be blamed on logistics. It's not easy to staff dozens of ships that had been operating with skeleton crews after a roughly 18-month shutdown at a time when acquiring visas for workers has taken longer than usual.

In addition, the industry lost some workers to other fields during the pandemic. Most crew members come from outside the United States, with the Philippines and Ukraine being major sources of cruise line workers. Obviously, the unlawful Russian occupation of Ukraine has impacted the ability of cruise lines to source workers from that country (because able-bodied men are not allowed to leave the country), but Royal Caribbean and Carnival have other problems.

I sail about once a month and have built friendships with a lot of Royal Caribbean employees, from waiters, bartenders, and entertainers to the people who swab the pool deck – pretty much every class of non-officer working onboard. In normal times, cruise ship life is hard with tight living conditions, long days, limited time off, and long months away from home.

The early days of the pandemic compounded those problems as crews faced mandatory quarantines, no shore leave, strict mask-wearing rules, and, in some cases, extended contracts that kept them away from home longer. And while those added restrictions have largely been relaxed, some crew members have opted out of returning while others are being pushed to their breaking point due to ships being short-staffed.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/how-royal-caribbean-can-solve-its-biggest-problem

The cruise line has been listening to what some of its best customers want.

Daniel Kline - Dec 16, 2022 2:33 PM EST

When you are on vacation, time works a little differently than it does at home. You don't have to wake up to get the kids to school or to be at the office (or your remote office) at any specific time.

When you're on a cruise, time becomes even more squishy since the ship you're on may move into different time zones. A time of day that might be considered late during your working life becomes a time when you consider whether to go to the casino, head to the late comedy show, or opt for the silent disco.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, planned activities generally run until 2 a.m. while the casino operates later than that. The day doesn't end at midnight, which has actually created a confusing situation for some passengers.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-makes-beverage-changes-passengers-will-like

Melissa Mayntz - Updated August 8, 2023

Royal Caribbean International has begun reaching out to guests booked on Panama Canal cruises aboard Rhapsody of the Seas to inform them that the sailings have been adjusted to an alternate itinerary.

While the ship will still begin from Colon, Panama, no canal transit is part of what are now Southern Caribbean cruises. Panama Canal Transits Cancelled

Rhapsody of the Seas will no longer be making a series of shorter Panama Canal sailings during the winter 2023-2024 season, unique itineraries that attracted many guests to this bucket-list experience of transiting one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders.

Instead, Royal Caribbean has been notifying guests that the sailings have been “adjusted” to a new itinerary, with no Panama Canal transit at all.

https://www.cruisehive.com/entire-panama-canal-season-cancelled-for-royal-caribbean-ship/108335

'You can't convince me that this isn't a social experiment.'

Grace Fowler - Jan 4, 2024 / Updated on Jan 4, 2024, 5:44 pm CST

After embarking on their journey on Dec. 10, passengers on Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise have flooded TikTok with videos during the first month of their stay. Viewers have been eagerly following along, hoping for drama, and it seems they’ve finally gotten it. In a now-viral video, one woman says tensions are high aboard the ship because some passengers feel they’re being treated unfairly.

The Ultimate World Cruise is Royal Caribbean’s longest voyage thus far. The cruise began on Dec. 1, leaving from Miami, and is set to travel through more than 60 countries by its end on Sep. 10.

TikTok creator UK Secret Travel (@uksecrettravel), otherwise referred to as “Tea Captain,” has posted a series of viral videos following along with the passengers of the Ultimate World Cruise.

In a recent viral video, the TikToker shared supposed “intel” that some guests are receiving preferential treatment. The clip—captioned “Ultimate world cruise guests are not happy!”—has received over 2.1 million views and 128,900 likes by the publication of this story.

The content creator starts her video by saying, “It’s tea time on the cruise, so I have got some gossip for you.”

https://www.dailydot.com/news/royal-caribbean-9-month-cruise-special-treatment/

Quantum of the Seas was overbooked for a sailing but guests weren't notified until they reached the terminal on embarkation day.

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Nov 29, 2023

A number of guests booked aboard Quantum of the Seas were denied boarding in Brisbane, Australia through no fault of their own.

The cruise line had overbooked guarantee staterooms, and without available cabins, several guests were denied boarding and left behind as the ship set sail on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-ship-overbooked-guests-left-behind/116935

How would you react if you were accidentally charged almost $100K for an Italian dinner on a cruise ship? This really happened to one couple!

Melissa Mayntz - Modified Date: Sep 11, 2022

In a one-of-a-kind error, a passenger aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas was accidentally charged almost $100,000 for a meal at the ship’s specialty eatery, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. While the charge was quickly reversed, financial holds and poor communication created a sour taste about the incident.

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-line-accidentally-charges-couple-almost-100k-for-dinner/81263

Royal Caribbean cruise line made an unforced error and passengers won't be happy.

Daniel Kline - Mar 14, 2023 12:15 PM EDT

Cruise passengers understand that things go wrong, but some folks handle that better than others.

Sometimes, for example, a cruise ship can change its itinerary well before the ship sails, which might disappoint people who had been excited to make a certain stop.

In other cases, Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Get Free Report or Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) - Get Free Report might have to make a last-minute itinerary change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Both cruise lines have sometimes had to drop a stop at their private islands because rough seas prevent their ships from docking.

In other cases, a change might affect only a few people. Perhaps you booked an excursion that gets canceled, or your specialty dining meal gets moved due to booking mistakes.

When it's a weather-related issue or some other act-of-God reason that something has changed, the cruise line generally owes passengers nothing.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-made-an-embarrassing-mistake-and-people-are-angry

Melissa Mayntz - August 17, 2023

In the wake of tremendous outrage over the prospect of a charge for Sorrento’s pizza, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley has confirmed that the cruise line will not be charging for pizza.

The announcement follows a piping hot and spicy-as-pepperoni debate after recent post-cruise guest surveys mentioned the possibility of a pizza fee.

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-ceo-addresses-pizza-fee-controversy/108893

Devin Coldewey - 2:02 PM PDT August 30, 2022

After SpaceX announced its Starlink Maritime service last month, it was only a matter of time before some household name in boat world went all-in on the satellite service. Sure enough, today Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines announced it will be adding the service to its whole fleet, after a pilot service on one of its ships got rave reviews.

It should come as no surprise that commercial marine endeavors like this one are embracing Starlink. The test deployment aboard the Freedom of the Seas “received tremendous positive feedback,” and if you’ve ever been on one of these boats, you can probably guess why. Current satellite at sea options aren’t great: expensive and slow, having enjoyed a market with little competition or innovation for the last couple decades.

https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/30/royal-caribbean-will-equip-all-its-cruise-ships-with-starlink-internet/

Posted by BeauHD on Friday September 02, 2022 12:00AM

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines announced it will be adding Starlink to its whole fleet, “after a pilot service on one of its ships got rave reviews,” reports TechCrunch. From the report:

The test deployment aboard the Freedom of the Seas “received tremendous positive feedback,” and if you've ever been on one of these boats, you can probably guess why. Current satellite at sea options aren't great: expensive and slow, having enjoyed a market with little competition or innovation for the last couple decades. Starlink Maritime will be a real kick in the pants for existing providers, considering how quickly a huge customer like Royal Caribbean decided to buy in to the new satellite on the block. Even though its coverage is limited to coastal waters for now, the speed is way better and will probably pay for itself with onboard “premium Wi-Fi” charges in the first month.

https://tech.slashdot.org/story/22/09/01/230240/royal-caribbean-will-equip-all-its-cruise-ships-with-starlink-internet

Daniel Kline - January 21, 2024 2 p.m.

Cruise ships, especially the newest ones from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line have become massive floating cities. They're a lot like Las Vegas Strip resort casinos as they're filled with restaurants, entertainment options, pools, a spa, and of course a hotel.

These giant cruise ships welcome 5-6,000 passengers (or even more) and that creates some logistics problems. That's why cruise lines stagger people getting on the ship. You don't want 6,000 people showing up at the same time to boarding gets spread out over 5-6 hours to prevent logjams.

There are a handful of other times on a cruise ship when you notice the crowds and things might get a little backed up. Most of them, like entering the theater or another show venue are expected and understandable.

Waiting at elevators, however, also creates a pain point because traditionally they operate seemingly randomly. If you are on a busy floor, it's not uncommon for it to take a few minutes for an elevator to show up, and when it does, it might already be full of people.

https://www.dcourier.com/news/2024/jan/21/royal-caribbean-quietly-fixes-a-massive-passenger-/

Brittany Chang - Jan 27, 2024, 3:58 AM PST

I was one of the first guests to sail on Royal Caribbean's newest vessel: The $2 billion Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship.

Yes, it was giant. Yes, I've never seen anything like it. And yes, it was a sensory overload. (I think I need a vacation from this vacation.)

The Icon of the Seas ship is unlike any existing floating resort. As the first ship in Royal Caribbean's new Icon class, the 250,800-gross-ton vessel overshadows virtually all of its predecessors — in size and in the number of water slides, pools, dining venues, and stateroom options.

https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-icon-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-top-tips-2024-1

I'm an avid cruiser who has spent more than 100 weeks at sea on various lines. But until this past summer, I hadn't tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages.

Lori A. May - Jan 7, 2023, 2:31 AM

I'm a seasoned cruiser and have sailed on many different lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.

But it wasn't until this past summer that I sailed on the adults-only Virgin Voyages for the first time.

Their focus on wellness appealed to me, and I couldn't resist their fun, relaxed vibe. So I paid $2,711, inclusive of taxes and port fees, for a 5-night sailing on the Scarlet Lady.

I booked an XL Sea Terrace balcony cabin and the price included gratuities, Wi-Fi, beverages like soda, and specialty dining.

https://www.insider.com/virgin-voyages-cruise-line-adults-only-surprising-things-photos-2023-1