Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its Australian presence with 201 sailings for the 2026-27 season, marking a 99% increase in offerings. With four ships—Carnival Adventure, Encounter, Splendor, and Luminosa—Carnival will offer year-round and seasonal voyages from Sydney and Brisbane to destinations including the South Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, and Fiji.
Norwegian Cruise Line's new **'More at Sea'** package enhances guest experiences with expanded premium beverages, additional specialty dining, and faster Wi-Fi through Starlink. Launching in 2025, it also offers perks like a $50 shore excursion credit and free airfare for the second guest, promising even more value for travelers across NCL’s vast itineraries.
Carnival Cruise Line celebrated a milestone with its seven millionth guest from the Port of New Orleans, the Litteral family from Georgia, who boarded the Carnival Valor on September 30. Loyal Carnival cruisers, the family was welcomed by Captain Antonio Modaffari and the crew with a special celebration. The Litteral’s son, Zachary, also achieved Diamond VIFP status during this voyage. Carnival operates year-round from New Orleans, carrying 400,000 passengers annually.
That’s one ship delivery in 2025, none in 2026, and one ship in each of 2027 and 2028. This limited orderbook should also position us well to continue to create demand in excess of capacity growth,” he noted.
Those orders include the Star Princess in 2025, followed by newbuilds for Carnival Cruise Line in 2027 and 2028.
Starting in 2025, Haines, Alaska will introduce a new fee of $9 per cruise passenger, with increases scheduled for 2027 and 2029. The fee will help cover port maintenance and other local needs as the town prepares to welcome more ships each year. Haines, a quieter port compared to Juneau or Skagway, expects 100,000 visitors in 2024.
Royal Caribbean is sending two of its largest ships, Symphony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, to dry dock for simultaneous refurbishments. Both mega-ships will undergo significant updates to enhance guest experiences and maintain their status as industry leaders. These changes promise fresh amenities, new technology, and upgrades for future sailings.
Norwegian Cruise Line is ditching à la carte pricing at its specialty restaurants, opting for a flat fee instead. Starting October 1, 2024, cruisers will pay a set price for dining experiences at popular venues like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. This move simplifies dining costs and enhances the premium, all-inclusive feel of NCL’s offerings.
Carnival Cruise Line is gearing up for the grand opening of **Celebration Key**, its exclusive Caribbean destination, launching in July 2025. This exciting new stop will feature over 30 diverse food and beverage venues, from full-service restaurants and food trucks to snack shacks and swim-up bars. With offerings like Bahamian specialties, BBQ, seafood, and the new **"Island Eats"** program offering complimentary meals, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Whether you're seeking a casual snack or a full dining experience, Celebration Key promises to elevate your cruise vacation!
Royal Caribbean has updated its prohibited items list to include multi-plug outlets, classifying them as "flammable items." The change aims to prevent overloading outlets, which can lead to fire hazards. With limited power outlets onboard, passengers should plan ahead for charging devices and review the cruise line’s restrictions to avoid having items confiscated.
A YouTuber’s attempt to boost his internet connection aboard Carnival Miracle using a Starlink Mini led to the device being confiscated by security. Frustrated by the slow ship Wi-Fi, he compared the speeds and shared his experience in a video. As cruise lines adopt Starlink technology, policies regarding personal devices remain strict and evolving.
