We are always sharing the latest cruise news, tips, and advice on Cruise.Blog, and this roundup is your chance to catch up on anything you might’ve recently missed.
This week, we covered everything from Carnival's new 2027-2028 deployment to how to book cruise add-ons through Royal Caribbean's online Cruise Planner.
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I tried the most overlooked restaurant on a Celebrity cruise. The tableside preparation made it worth the extra $90
Elizabeth recently embarked on a weeklong voyage aboard Celebrity Eclipse from the Netherlands to Norway. While onboard, she dined at two extra-cost restaurants: Tuscan Grille and Murano.
She had previously eaten at Tuscan Grille while sailing on Celebrity Reflection and was impressed by the aft views, perfectly cooked steaks, and hearty Italian fare. Although the experience was just as memorable the second time around, she thought the highlight was Murano, which is only found on five ships in Celebrity's fleet.
According to Elizabeth, the upscale French-inspired restaurant is easily one of the most elegant at sea, and she would argue that it's hard for any real foodie to not enjoy the meal.
Carnival’s new private island will only offer one free meal instead of a buffet
Carnival cruise fans are fuming over a major change to the dining experience at the line's brand-new private destination in the Bahamas.
Carnival offers unlimited dining onboard, so guests can order as many poolside tacos and burgers as they want. Naturally, passengers would expect the same freedom and variety at Carnival-branded destinations, including Celebration Key.
However, instead of the traditional all-you-can-eat beachside buffet, Carnival has allotted everyone just one complimentary meal that can be redeemed at one of 14 quick-service locations.
Read more: Carnival’s new private island will only offer one free meal instead of a buffet
Celebrity eliminates paper shore excursions tickets with new app update
Shore excursion tickets are usually a great souvenir to remember the fun activities you've done ashore during your cruise vacation.
However, Celebrity Cruises is making it easier for guests to access their excursion information through their cell phones and SeaPass cards.
Instead of providing passengers with physical tickets, Celebrity is streamlining the process by integrating shore excursions directly into its popular mobile app.
Read more: Celebrity eliminates paper shore excursions tickets with new app update
I'm a seasoned cruiser who visited Northern Europe for the first time. 8 things surprised me about my cruise to Norway
In her adulthood, Elizabeth has become a more destination-focused cruiser. So, she and her partner traded in their summer dresses and flip-flops for jeans and sneakers and headed north to Norway.
This cruise was unlike any other she had been on before. With it being her first trip to Northern Europe, she didn't quite know what to expect. Although she had previously cruised with Celebrity in Europe, she called at bustling ports like Santorini and Mykonos. Norway was the complete opposite.
It's definitely a country she would love to visit again, but there were a few things she wished she had known beforehand. Here are 8 tips that would have helped Elizabeth prepare for her first Norway cruise.
"Just not sustainable": Carnival President talks about loyalty program overhaul
Carnival cruise fans were initally excited to hear that the popular cruise line was going to overhaul its outdated loyalty program. However, excitement quickly turned into frustration and disappointment after they announced the revamped program would be a point-based system.
In the weeks after making the changes public, Carnvial received a wave of backlash from cruisers who feel the new system devalues their loyalty to the cruise line. But Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line's President, said they had no other choice.
Although more details will be announced closer to the end of the year, Duffy reassured cruisers that it's not their intention for guests to not maintain their status if they choose. However, "...lifetime status is just not feasible given the number of people and the growth that we had in the highest tiers."
Read more: "Just not sustainable": Carnival President talks about loyalty program overhaul
Who owns MSC Cruises? A brief overview of the third-largest cruise company in the world
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most well-known names in the cruise industry. However, MSC Cruises, a European line based in Geneva, Switzerland, has infiltrated the global market.
MSC Cruises was founded in Naples, Italy, in 1988 as part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which has grown into the world’s largest container shipping business, operating a fleet of over 800 vessels.
Building on that success, MSC's founder, Gianluigi Aponte, entered the cruise industry to expand the company's portfolio to include leisure travel.
Read more: Who owns MSC Cruises? A brief overview of the third-largest cruise company in the world
How to book Royal Caribbean add-ons through the RCCL Cruise Planner
Once you have placed the deposit on your cruise, you will gain access to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the go-to website for pre-cruise planning. It's where you can purchase add-ons like drink packages, specialty restaurants, internet, shore excursions, and spa treatments.
Although Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner is relatively easy to use and understand, some tips can help you get the most value out of it and make your onboard experience even better.
In our recent article, we explore how to navigate Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and how to make wise booking decisions.
Read more: How to book Royal Caribbean add-ons through the RCCL Cruise Planner
I stayed in two cruise cabins on identical ships: one in a windowless interior stateroom and another in a balcony. Despite a $2,000 difference, the cabins felt surprisingly similar
Within the past year, Elizabeth has sailed on identical cruise ships in different cabin categories. Although there was a $2,000 price difference between the two, she found the staterooms had more in common than expected.
Her first experience aboard one of Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class ships was on a 5-night sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Then, she cruised from the Netherlands to Norway on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords voyage on Celebrity Eclipse in a balcony cabin.
Read on to see how her experiences in an interior and balcony stateroom on Celebrity's Solstice Class ships compared — and why the windowless stateroom was ultimately the best value.
Carnival's new deployment sends ship back to the Big Easy
Carnival Cruise Line recently revealed the first installment of its 2027-2028 cruise schedule, and one of the most surprising announcements was the return of Carnival Dream to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carnival Dream, a Dream Class ship with a passenger capacity of more than 4,600, will return to the Big Easy in 2027, ending her 8-year absence.
This move marks a shift in deployment strategy, as Carnival is bringing back a larger vessel to a market that's been served by smaller Conquest Class ships for years.
Read more: Carnival's new deployment sends ship back to the Big Easy
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
