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Carnival Cruise Line Opens Sought-After Dining Reservations

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Opens Sought-After Dining Reservations

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line is beginning to release specialty dining reservations for sailings in 2026.
  • Openings may continue to be released through August across the Carnival fleet.
  • Specialty dining venues vary by ship, with different options for all tastes and food preferences.

Dining is a key part of any cruise vacation, and ships offer a range of delicious options from carefully curated Main Dining Room menus to the exclusive tastes of specialty restaurants.

It is those specialty restaurants that are now available for reservations aboard Carnival cruise ships. This is now possible for sailings in 2026, ending the anxiety of many eager (and hungry!) guests.

Many booked guests have reached out to John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, in recent weeks, fearing that they would not be able to dine at their favorite restaurants.

With the bookings closed, the cruise line’s website showed only “sold out” for the specialty dining venues.

They weren’t truly sold out, however, just not yet available. Now, Heald has confirmed that the restaurants are being released for reservations.

“For 2026 we have started to open the following specialty restaurants and events for you to reserve,” he confirmed, sharing the list of outstanding dining options.

The specialty venues now waiting for reservations include:

  • Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse – The cruise line’s signature steakhouse available on 25 ships.
  • Rudi’s Sea Grill – Fresh, outstanding seafood on the three Excel-class ships.
  • Bonsai Teppanyaki – Fun, interactive dinner-and-a-show on seven vessels.
  • Il Viaggio – Comforting Italian fare on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia.
  • Ji Ji’s Asian Restaurant – Authentic Asian cuisine on four Carnival ships.
  • Cucina Del Capitano – Family-style Italian dishes on 11 different vessels.
  • Chef’s Table – An elite and very limited dining experience available fleetwide.
  • Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast – A fun character event soon to be fleetwide.
  • Carnival Kitchen Cooking Classes – Cupcakes, pasta, pizza, sushi and other classes vary by ship.

Heald notes that while reservations are currently being opened, some ships may not have each venue available until the end of August.

“Over the coming days please keep checking and if it says ‘sold out’ it just means they haven’t opened yet,” he explained.

Reservations can fill up quickly, however. Guests interested in specific dining experiences will want to book right away to be sure they aren’t left out on their cruise vacation.

Why Aren’t Bookings Always Open?

Some guests have undoubtedly wondered why reservations for these specialty venues aren’t simply available all the time until fully booked.

After all, if you can book your cruise and even select your exact stateroom, why can’t you already choose where you’d like to dine?

Limiting how early specialty dining reservations can be booked is a way cruise lines try to give everyone an equal chance of enjoying their favorite venues. This way, the reservations don’t fill up more than a year before a ship sets sail.

Carnival Cruise Line's Steakhouse
Carnival Cruise Line’s Steakhouse (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)

Operational changes and dry dock updates might also impact how much seating is available at different restaurants. Rather than cancel reservations due to such changes, cruise lines might wait to permit reservations until details are more clear.

If guests aren’t able to book their preferred specialty dining restaurants, they can continue to check back to see if more reservations are released.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Dining Options Worth Paying For

Already booked guests might also change sailings or cancel their dining reservations as their plans change, creating more space for other cruisers to take advantage of.

Fortunately, guests can now book their favorites for 2026 sailings, putting final touches on their cruise vacation plans and ensuring terrific tastiness for every meal!

Cruise Ship Passengers Brawl Outside Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Ship Passengers Brawl Outside Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Key Aspects:

  • A brawl broke out just outside the Long Beach cruise terminal on Thursday, August 7, as Carnival Firenze was in port.
  • Security officials responded to the incident in less than a minute, but it is unknown if any charges have been filed.
  • Carnival Cruise Line has not yet released a statement about the altercation or confirmed if any consequences have been meted out.

Cruise lines are fighting for their reputations as more and more fights are being recorded on ships and in cruise terminals among unruly and out-of-control guests.

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, a large brawl with at least a dozen participants broke out just outside the terminal doors in Long Beach, California.

Only Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze was in port on Thursday, so it’s fair to suspect that those involved were all prospective Carnival guests.

Video footage of the incident was posted online to X by user @Rororowyaboatz, a self-proclaimed “world traveler” who recorded the altercation.

The 39-second video (which does include some strong language) clearly shows up to three different individual fights between both men and women, with punches, slaps, hair pulls, clothing flying, and more.

One of the fights was right at the doors of the cruise terminal dome where passengers enter to check-in for their sailings.

Given the proximity of the fights and how they all happened simultaneously, this is likely a larger group conflict and not three completely separate incidents.

As security approached the brawlers, several individuals who appeared to have been involved were seen running away from the terminal.

Cruise Hive has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line but has not yet received a statement on the incident. It is unknown if there were any injuries as a result of the obviously ferocious activity.

It is possible that the involved guests could have been detained by authorities, and they may face different charges depending on the circumstances.

Passengers Fight at Long Beach Cruise Terminal Entrance
Passengers Fight at Long Beach Cruise Terminal Entrance (Credit: @Rororowyaboatz)

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Jails? Here’s the Truth!

The cruise line could also impose its own penalties, such as not permitting the guests to set sail or even banning them from future cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Code of Conduct specifically notes that such behavior is not tolerated.

“Consistent with our commitment to safety, disruptive behavior is not tolerated and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future,” the policy states.

Because the guests have not technically boarded the ship yet, it is unclear whether or not the cruise line can implement its own disciplinary action, including a $500 fine and removal from the ship.

Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California
Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California

Carnival Firenze was not delayed in her departure for the 5-night getaway. The ship is spending Friday at sea before a visit to Cabo San Lucas on Saturday and Ensenada on Monday, before returning to Long Beach on Tuesday morning.

The vessel joined the Carnival fleet in April 2024 and can welcome 4,208 guests aboard – but only if they behave.

Not the First Cruise Terminal Fight

This week’s incident isn’t the first fight in a cruise terminal rather than on a vessel.

In April 2025, a large group of guests had a fight in the Galveston cruise terminal luggage pickup area after debarking from Carnival Jubilee.

Following that incident, Carnival Cruise Line banned 24 people from ever sailing with the company again.

Fights don’t just happen on (or around) Carnival ships, however. Just days ago, on Sunday, August 3, a large brawl broke out in the Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool on CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

In recent months, brawls have also been recorded on both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean ships. Onboard, security teams respond to such incidents and guests may be confined to their staterooms, taken to the ship’s brig, or even debarked at the next opportunity.

Celebrity Chef’s Venue Expanding to More Princess Cruises’ Ships

Donna Tunney
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Celebrity Chef’s Venue Expanding to More Princess Cruises’ Ships

Key Aspects

  • The Japan-inspired specialty dining venue Makoto Ocean will soon expand to Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess.
  • Both ships are slated to sail a long season in the Tokyo region in 2027.
  • The line’s new-build, Star Princess, due to launch in October 2025, also will feature the restaurant.

Truffle salmon, snow crab temaki, and toro tartare are just a few of the Edomae-style sushi dishes Princess Cruises’ guests can look forward to enjoying on two more of the line’s ships, Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess.

The acclaimed sushi venue Makoto Ocean debuted onboard the line’s new-build Sun Princess in 2024 and will be a venue aboard Star Princess, entering service in October 2025. 

On August 8, 2025, Princess Cruises revealed the dining option will soon expand to the additional two ships — both of which are destined to sail East Asia in 2027, marking the line’s biggest-ever Japan deployment.

The venue is a partnership between Princess Cruises and celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa, who is famous for his Edomae-style sushi and owns six restaurants in the US, Brazil, Spain, and Panama.

“It’s a true honor to bring Makoto Ocean to Diamond and Sapphire Princess as they sail through the waters of my homeland and beyond,” said Chef Makoto Okuwa. 

“Sharing the spirit, tradition, and flavors of Japan with Princess guests is a deeply personal and meaningful opportunity for me,” Okuwa added.

Edomae-style sushi dates back to 1820s Tokyo, and blends various fish with vinegared rice. Makoto Ocean has emerged as a guest favorite on Sun Princess, which began sailing in April 2024 following her christening in Barcelona.

Makoto Ocean will open on Diamond Princess, replacing the Kai Sushi venue, and Sapphire Princess in fall 2025. 

Princess Cruises just days ago announced that it would double its capacity in East Asia in 2027 with the deployment of Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess to the Tokyo region.

Makoto Ocean
Makoto Ocean

Diamond Princess has been a fixture in the Japan market for years, and now the two ships will offer a combined 78 cruise departures between March and December 2027.

Itineraries will attract passengers from Japan and other East Asia countries, along with guests from farther afield. The ships each accommodate 2,670 guests and together will sail 50 unique itineraries, some of which will feature Japan’s summer festivals.

Also, several “Cherry Blossom Voyages” that follow the blooming season will visit Japan’s four largest islands.

Guests can dine at Makoto Ocean while experiencing explorations of several UNESCO World Heritage sites on the 2027 cruises, including Mount Fuji, the Itsukushima Shrine & Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the Ancient Kyoto Monuments, and the Jomon Prehistoric Sites.

It isn’t just guests sailing in East Asia who will be able to enjoy the new Japanese venue.

Star Princess, the line’s second Sphere-class ship due to launch in October 2025, will also feature Makoto Ocean. She is slated to operate a short series of Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona before deploying to Fort Lauderdale in November 2025 and beginning a winter series of Caribbean voyages.

Read Also: How Not to Overeat on a Cruise – And Why It Matters

“The expansion of Makoto Ocean is exceptionally meaningful as we bring a guest favorite to those sailing to other regions around the world,” said Sami Kohen, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Princess Cruises. 

Along with Makoto’s special brand of Edomae-style sushi, the venue will serve Japan-inspired cocktails such as Genmai Negroni, made from Japanese ingredients, and Kodai No Hana, featuring a traditional sake.

The Makoto Ocean venue is a specialty restaurant and carries an up-charge of $60 per person. The venue will accommodate 80 guests. Passengers who purchase the Princess Cruises’ Premier Package receive complimentary admission to all specialty venues.

Guests Have New Way to Cast Off Their Cares at Castaway Cay

Melissa Mayntz
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Guests Have New Way to Cast Off Their Cares at Castaway Cay

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Cruise Line has added new Mickey & Minnie Cove Cabanas for rental on Castaway Cay.
  • Reservations for the new cabanas are available for sailings visiting from December 5, 2025 and beyond.
  • Cabana rentals include a variety of exclusive perks such as snorkel gear, fresh fruit, and more.

There’s nothing quite like casting one’s cares away to truly relax on a cruise, whether that might mean lounging on the beach, sipping a cool beverage, or floating away on calm ocean waves.

Now, guests to Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay will be able to do all three at the new Mickey & Minnie Cove Cabanas. The just-revealed rentals are available for booking for all Castaway Cay port visits beginning December 5, 2025.

As with all private villa and family cabana rentals, the numbers of these new attractions are limited. In fact, there are only 30 of the new cabanas opening, but they include such prime features that they’re sure to sell out quickly.

Each cabana includes comfortable seating: chaise loungers, a hammock, and other cozy seating. To stay cool, a sailcloth shade provides expansive cover, while a ceiling fan ensures a balmy breeze.

More active guests can enjoy some exclusive features with these new cabanas. Snorkel equipment, float and tube rentals, and an hour-long bike rental for each person is included with the rental, ensuring great family fun when visiting the private island.

Furthermore, no need to worry about valuables while cycling around the island or exploring beneath the waves. Each cabana has a small private safe for guests’ exclusive use.

After so much fun, it will be nice to rejuvenate with chilled face cloths, fresh fruit and snacks, complimentary bottled water, and soft drinks. To really cool off, the freshwater shower will get rid of gritty sand or seawater.

For guests who want to raise a toast to their private piece of island paradise, alcoholic drinks can be purchased at an additional cost. Dedicated beverage service is part of the cabana experience, so no need to head to a bar!

Guests will be able to book the new cabanas during their individual Castaway Club booking windows, which depend on sailing date.

Prices have not yet been revealed but are likely to vary depending on sailing date and the exact date of a Castaway Cay visit. The size of the ship will also impact the cabana cost, as well as just how quickly they are sure to sell out.

Why Spend So Much on Cabanas?

Every private island in the Bahamas features some sort of villa or cabana rental, whether it is on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, or Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key.

They all have different features and amenities, but one thing they all have in common are extraordinary price tags.

Think hundreds of dollars, even $1,000 or higher, for a one-day rental. Who would ever pay such extraordinary prices when they can visit the beach for free?

Walking Around Castaway Cay
Walking Around Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)

First of all, the guarantee of a cabana rental can be priceless. With cruise ships such as Disney Wish and Disney Treasure welcoming as many as 4,000 guests, the individual hammocks and beach chairs provided free on Castaway Cay can fill up quickly.

Even if there is seating available, it may be in less desirable locations. Sitting in the beating sun, too far from activities, or in some of the noisiest spots, is never ideal for island relaxation.

Read Also: What Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?

The included extras in a cabana rental, such as the tubes, floats, snorkel gear, and bikes, are nice bonuses without adding on even more fees.

Finally, many families enjoy using their private cabana as a home base. This ensures they have a dedicated spot to meet and relax despite different activities throughout the day.

After all, you’re on vacation – isn’t splurging for those once-in-a-lifetime memories worthwhile?

New Magic Underway With Steel Cutting for Next Disney Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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New Magic Underway With Steel Cutting for Next Disney Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Steel was cut for the fourth Wish-class ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Friday, August 8, 2025.
  • The as-yet-unnamed ship is set to debut in 2027, but an exact date has not been confirmed.
  • Disney Cruise Line has orders in for seven new ships from Disney Destiny in November 2025 through a brand new class that will debut in 2029, 2030, and 2031.

Disney cruise fans awaiting their destiny who are wishing for a new treasure of a ship to enjoy will be thrilled that steel has now been cut for the cruise line’s next Wish-class vessel.

The momentous event, marking the beginning of the actual physical construction of the ship, took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on Friday, August 8, 2025.

While the ship does not yet have a name, as it is only identified as hull number s723 for shipyard purposes, this will be the fourth Wish-class ship to join Disney Cruise Line.

“Today we celebrate the launch of the fourth Wish-class ship – a significant moment that marks the official start of construction,” the shipyard posted on social media. “We are very happy to start directly with the next project for the Disney Cruise Line.”

Of course, it takes many months to build a 144,000-gross ton cruise ship with 15 decks and the capacity to welcome 4,000 guests.

The keel must be laid, at which time the very special coin ceremony will be held as a good luck tradition as the ship begins to take shape.

Throughout the vessel’s construction, different milestones will be met as the hull is completed, the ship is floated out, the funnels raised, the characters mounted on the stern, and more. With each step, the new ship will look more and more like her fleetmates with her signature Disney Cruise Line colors and profile.

“Delivery is scheduled for 2027 – we’re motivated and ready for the next milestones!” Meyer Werft said.

Of course, the vessel’s name must still be revealed, as well as any theme she may have, what characters will guide her way, where she will homeport, what itineraries she will sail, and more.

A Busy Time for Expansion for Disney Cruise Line

While the new ship will be the fourth Wish-class ship, the third vessel in the class is still under construction. Disney Destiny will debut in November 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Disney Cruise Line has a new ship coming nearly every year for at least the next six years. In addition to Disney Destiny in just a few months, Disney Adventure, the largest ship ever built for the cruise line, will join the fleet in December from the Port of Singapore.

No new ship is scheduled to debut in 2026, but this fourth Wish-class ship will set sail in 2027. Likewise, there is no new ship scheduled for 2028, but two vessels will join the fleet in 2029.

Disney Adventure Cruise Ship
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships by Size – Largest to Smallest

The fifth Wish-class ship will be homeported from Tokyo, Japan, beginning in 2029. Three additional new ships in a whole new class are planned for 2029, 2030, and 2031 respectively, but little is known about that project at this time.

With so many new ships planned for Disney Cruise Line, it’s an exciting time to be a Castaway Club member or even to plan a first Disney cruise with so much to look forward to!

How about the new summer 2026 lineup with both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailing in Alaska or Disney Dream in Europe?

Each voyage is sure to be a phenomenal getaway with all of Disney’s magic and spectacular service, regardless of which ship, itinerary, or sailing region guests choose.

Icon of the Seas Waterslide Closed After Glass Breaks Off, Causing Injury

Catie Kovelman
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Icon of the Seas Waterslide Closed After Glass Breaks Off, Causing Injury

Part of the fun of a cruise ship water slide is that the thrills are contained to a tube while the passengers on the pool decks below can relax and enjoy the sunshine. The slides come with an adrenaline rush, but guests are never supposed to be in any real danger.

But for one unidentified guest onboard the 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, a fun ride on the Frightening Bolt Waterslide quickly turned scary after a hole appeared in a glass portion of the slide while it was in use on the evening of August 7, 2025.

Notably, the water slide boasts the biggest drop at sea at 46 feet tall, and is famous for its trapdoor launch and the inclusion of a full 360° loop.

It is located in the Category 6 Waterpark, which is also the largest park at sea, in Icon’s Thrill Island neighborhood.

Luckily, nobody fell through the unexpected hole, but other passengers reported that the unidentified male rider suffered “skin laceration injuries from his legs to his hands.”

When the clear portion of the tube shattered, water gushed to the deck below, soaking guests who were trying to relax and also creating slip hazards. Thankfully, no other injuries have been reported.

Worth Reading: Navigator of the Seas Waterslides Closed Amid Fleet-Wide Safety Fix

A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean told Cruise Hive the following:

“Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide. The guest is being treated for his injuries. The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation.”

The surrounding area on Deck 15 was also temporarily closed following the unusual incident.

Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide
Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide (Credits: Sunny Side Soul & GlobalNovel4508)

The 248,663 gross ton vessel is coming to the end of a 7-night eastern Caribbean cruise, which first departed from PortMiami on August 2.

The itinerary included calls at St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and a final call at the cruise line’s private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas on August 8.

Should Guests Be Worried About Using Cruise Ship Waterslides?

Believe it or not, incidents related to cruise ship waterslides are very rare. I personally have enjoyed the waterslides on every single cruise ship I’ve sailed on, and I’ve never had an issue after more than a dozen cruises.

But considering the 7,600-guest mega-vessel only just entered service in early 2024, some are concerned about potential manufacturing or installation problems that are lurking under the surface.

It’s important to keep in mind that cruise ships are held to strict safety standards, which includes maintaining all attractions onboard and completing routine and thorough inspections.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean will not reopen the slide until repairs are made and experts confirm that it is absolutely safe to do so.

This means that the slide could also remain closed for Icon’s next sailing, which is another 7-night eastern Caribbean cruise that embarks in Miami on August 9.

Slides and Fun on Icon of the Seas
Slides and Fun on Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents

But again, these types of slide mishaps are rare. One of the most well-known incidents occurred three years ago on a Breakaway-Plus class ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line.

In this case, a female passenger got trapped on the ship’s Ocean Loops waterslide, which extends out from the side of the ship above the water.

The unnamed woman was seen going back and forward and eventually coming to a halt in the middle of the slide. She had to wait for the crew to come to her aid via a safety hatch.

This is also not the first time this summer that an important panel has broken on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, although it’s the first time it’s occurred on a water slide.

On June 8, 2025, one of the large glass panels at Coastal Kitchen on Symphony of the Seas shattered and fell to the deck below. In this case, guests in the area were lucky that crew member Nitin Kumar was there to warn them to get out of the way just in time.

Then, on June 29, another glass panel on the roof of the ship’s solarium shattered, as Symphony of the Seas was docking back in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Holland America Celebrates 80 Years in Alaska With Big 2027 Season

Lissa Poirot
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Holland America Celebrates 80 Years in Alaska With Big 2027 Season

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line will offer more than 100 Alaska cruises during its 80th anniversary season in 2027.
  • Six ships will sail between April and September, with routes from Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier.
  • A newly enhanced Cruisetour program will pair cruises with inland Alaska adventures, including Denali.

Holland America Line is preparing to experience a major milestone in 2027: 80 years of sailing in Alaska.

And to celebrate, the cruise line has revealed it will offer more than 100 cruises in the Last Frontier.

The cruise line’s 2027 season will also feature a number of enhancements to its Cruisetour offerings that combine cruising with inland exploration in Alaska.

The 2027 season will run from April through September and will feature six ships and a variety of routes and durations, including a new 8-day itinerary and the return of a month-long Arctic Circle voyage.

“As we approach our 80th year exploring the Great Land, we’re proud to offer cruises and Cruisetours that deepen our legacy of expertise and enrich every guest’s experience,” said Dan Rough, vice president of revenue management for Holland America Line.

With excitement, Rough said these will include tasting locally sourced seafood, engaging with park rangers, and watching bears roam.

“Our Alaska cruises and Cruisetours are crafted to be unforgettable,” he added.

Holland America Line’s 2027 Alaska deployment will include six ships: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zaandam.

The sailings include roundtrip voyages from Seattle and Vancouver, as well as northbound and southbound cruises between Whittier and Vancouver taking place on Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam from May through September.

The season kicks off on three April 24, 2027, sailings, with Eurodam and Koningsdam bringing guests on 7-day voyages from Seattle and Vancouver, respectively, and Zaandam launching an 18-day exploration from Vancouver. Noordam will join the season from Seattle.

In September, Koningsdam and Eurodam will close out the season with the last sailings departing on September 25, 2027.

Expanded Itineraries and Wildlife Programs

New for 2027 is an 8-day roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver aboard Koningsdam or Zaandam. The journey includes Glacier Bay, Skagway, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, and a late-night call in Juneau.

For guests seeking longer exploration, the 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice cruise returns for a third year, visiting 11 Alaska ports and crossing into the Arctic Circle around the summer solstice.

The roundtrip voyage departs on June 6, 2027, from Seattle and includes visits to Kodiak, Nome, and Dutch Harbor.

Holland America Cruisetour
Holland America Cruisetour (Photo Credit: Andy Newman)

Holland America Line also announced it will unveil a more robust Cruisetour program that will be rolled out in 2026 with the cruise line’s popular “Ultimate Alaska & Denali” Cruisetour.

The tour combines a 7-day Glacier Discovery cruise with multi-day inland visits, including a 2-night stay at Holland America’s Denali Lodge, and will be a preview of what guests can expect in 2027.

Read Also: What is the Best Time of Year to Cruise Alaska?

All Cruisetours will include a new complimentary stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a dedicated Tour Director.

Every cruise in Alaska with Holland America Line includes glacier viewings with itineraries that include visits to Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, or College Fjord.

The cruise line’s “We Love Alaska” program will also return, bringing cultural enrichment to the ships through local lectures, hands-on workshops, and regional cuisine. On shore, there will be over 175 shore excursions with an emphasis on Alaska’s wildlife.

Bookings are now open for the 2027 season with associated Cruisetours available for booking later this fall. Mariner Society members are being offered early booking bonuses of up to $400 per stateroom.

Guests who book the 2027 season early will receive the “Have It All” package with perks like free prepaid crew appreciation and upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.

Norwegian Cruise Line Warns Guests of Onboard VAT Charges

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Line Warns Guests of Onboard VAT Charges

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian reminds guests about onboard taxes based on where cruises start and sail, including VAT and sales tax.
  • Spain and Italy have strict tax rules, with up to 22% VAT on retail and 10% on food and drinks.
  • Passengers have reported surprise charges, prompting the cruise line to post reminders on ships.

Passengers setting sail with Norwegian Cruise Line in Spain and Italy in the coming months may want to take a closer look at their onboard purchases.

The cruise line has issued a notice reminding guests and travel advisors that Value Added Tax (VAT) and sales tax may apply to some items during sailings, depending on where a ship is located and where the cruise begins.

The tax charges will primarily affect food, beverage, and retail purchases made onboard in countries like Spain and Italy, but the reminder also includes sailings in US ports.

The cruise line noted that VAT is not added to the total cost of pre-purchased beverage or dining packages. Instead, it’s charged per item consumed – but only when required by local laws.

“VAT is something you might see applied during your cruise, but only when you enjoy food or drinks on board in specific destinations,” Norwegian Cruise Line stated in a letter dated August 5, 2025.

The cruise line is asking travel partners to communicate this information to guests so they aren’t caught off guard by added charges.

The notice follows complaints from passengers who didn’t know a VAT was in place until it was time to settle their accounts.

Said one passenger, “Just came off mine, Barcelona to Barcelona. $511 tax bill. We weren’t informed until boarding.”

How VAT and Taxes Apply

Value Added Tax is a consumption tax and unlike a single sales tax is collected as the product moves through the supply chain, with customers paying the final cost.

VAT is governed by national tax authorities, which is why Spain and Italy have different rules than say, France. Spain, for example, is known to have some of the strictest VAT rules.

This is why tax rates and rules for VAT and certain taxes vary based on embarkation port, destination countries, and whether a sailing remains within the European Union (EU) or leaves its boundaries.

Norwegian Cruise Line Funnel
Norwegian Cruise Line Funnel (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

If a cruise starts in Spain, for example, and includes at least one port outside of the EU, a 10 percent VAT applies to food and beverage purchases while the ship in in Spanish ports or sailing within Spanish territorial waters.

However, if the cruise begins in Spain and does not leave the EU, two different VAT charges apply throughout the entire voyage: a 21 percent VAT is added to all retail purchases made onboard, and a 10 percent VAT applies to food and drink orders and remain in place for the full cruise.

But if guests are on a cruise to Spain that originated from a port outside of Spain, a 10 percent VAT is applied on food and drink while in Spanish waters or docked at Spanish ports.

Read Also: How to Save Money on a Cruise: Cash-Savvy Spending Tips

In Italy, guests on cruises that stay within the EU will be charged a 22 percent VAT on retail purchases for the duration of the sailing.

Meanwhile, in the US, standard sales tax will be applied to food and beverage purchases made while the ship is in US ports or territorial waters.

For passengers with purchased packages such as the “More at Sea Beverage Package,” the taxes aren’t added upfront.

Instead, VAT is applied individually to each drink or meal item consumed during times and locations when the applicable tax is in effect.

If this sounds extremely confusing, it is. Which is why Norwegian Cruise will now display signage and daily reminders when taxes are being added.

Princess Cruises Doubling Ship Deployment to Japan in 2027

Donna Tunney
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Princess Cruises Doubling Ship Deployment to Japan in 2027

Key Aspects

  • Sapphire Princess will join Diamond Princess in East Asia for the 2027 season.
  • The addition of the second ship doubles Princess Cruises’ guest capacity in the region.
  • Bookings for sailings on both ships will open on August 20, 2025.

For the first time, Princess Cruises will deploy two ships rather than its traditional one to East Asia in 2027, offering 78 cruise departures from the Tokyo region.

Sister ships Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess, both Japanese-built, will operate 50 unique itineraries between March and December 2027. The cruise line typically deploys Diamond Princess to the region, and the addition of the sister ship means the line is doubling capacity.

Both ships accommodate 2,670 guests; the Gem-class vessels entered service in 2004.

The wide range of itineraries will allow guests to celebrate Japan’s summer festivals as well as its famous spring cherry blossom season. In fact, specific “Cherry Blossom Voyages” are timed to coincide with the blooming season, as ships travel south to north, calling at Japan’s four largest islands.

The addition of Sapphire Princess augments Princess Cruises’ already-expanding presence in East Asia.

In 2025, the line deployed Diamond Princess from March to August with 35 departures. In 2026, it lengthened the season to February through November and scheduled 50 departures. Now, with the 2027 changes, departures climb to 78, and the season runs from through December.

“This upcoming 2027 season is more than an expansion – it’s a homecoming,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises. 

“Our story in Japan has deepened over time and experience and in 2027, we return promising unforgettable experiences, including the renowned Cherry Blossoms, seven spectacular festivals and journeys that immerse you in the awe and wonder of this destination,” Antorcha added.

Highlights of the 2027 season in East Asia include 9- to 24-day “Cherry Blossom Voyages” and 8- to 24-day “Festival Cruises,” all held in August.

Among them are the Aomori Nebuta Festival, with its illuminated floats, traditional music, and dancers, the Hakodate Minato Festival, a maritime event, and the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, where 10,000 local dancers perform.

The final event, the Kumano Fireworks Festival, provides a spectacular pyrotechnic display.

Itineraries Feature UNESCO Sites, Late-Night Port Stays

Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand, has designed the 2027 itineraries to provide a greater opportunity for local cultural immersion by scheduling more than a dozen late-night departures from ports of call. The longer stays are planned in Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakodate, Sakata, and Halong Bay, among other places.

Itineraries offer visits to 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mount Fuji, the Itsukushima Shrine & Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the Ancient Kyoto Monuments, and the Jomon Prehistoric Sites.

Princess Cruise Ships in Japan
Princess Cruise Ships in Japan

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Bookings for all sailings will open on August 20, 2025, and those who reserve by August 27, 2025 are eligible for Captain’s Circle Savings up to $200 per stateroom.

Sapphire Princess will arrive in East Asia following her 33-night “Hawaii, Japan & Southeast Asia Grand Adventure” cruise, which departs Los Angeles on November 22, 2026. That sailing, with multiple calls in the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, ends in Singapore.

Before her transpacific crossing, the ship will have sailed a short series of Canada/New England cruises between Boston and Quebec City earlier in the fall of 2026, along with a Panama Canal transit from Fort Lauderdale that positions her on the US West Coast.

Diamond Princess, meanwhile, will already be in East Asia in fall of 2026, concluding her season there with cruises sailing between Yokohama, Japan, and Singapore, and roundtrip from Singapore.

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