Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled several entertainment options Norwegian Luna will offer when she debuts in 2026.
Two ground-breaking productions are a celebration of Elton John’s music and a futuristic reality show.
Activities for children include the ocean-inspired “Sea of Discovery” festival.
When Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Luna debuts in March 2026, the Prima Plus-class ship will offer an ambitious roster of entertainment choices, from an ocean-inspired festival for youngsters to thrilling acrobatic performances and Broadway-style productions.
But the premier events, announced by the line on November 19, 2025, will undoubtedly be “Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John” and “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder,” a science fiction reality show.
The Elton John tribute will feature his greatest hits, such as “Tiny Dancer” and the show’s namesake, “Rocket Man,” and archival images of the superstar.
“As a lifelong music fan, I’m especially excited to celebrate the work of Elton John, an icon whose influence spans generations, with a show that is as dynamic and unforgettable as the artist himself,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
“With Norwegian Luna, we’re building on that tradition by delivering spectacular new productions and immersive programming designed to surprise and delight our guests,” added Sommer.
The show “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder” promises to take guests into the future with visuals and costumes by Guy Brassard, a designer for Cirque du Soleil. The production features thrilling acrobatics set to an original musical score.
Rocket Man
Norwegian Luna is under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, and is in the final stages of outfitting. The 3,550-guest ship is the second in the line’s Prima Plus-class, after Norwegian Aqua, which launched in April 2025.
Norwegian Luna was floated out of her construction bay in March 2025, and will sail her inaugural voyage from Rome on March 10, 2026. The ship will arrive at PortMiami on March 23, 2026, her homeport until April 2027.
Entertainment Designed For Youngsters And Adults
In addition to the Elton John and HIKO productions, Norwegian Cruise Line detailed a slew of other entertainment choices that await guests who book a sailing on Norwegian Luna.
Highlights include“Sea of Discovery: An Under-the-Sea Festival” designed for children and inspired by the ocean, featuring an interactive experience seen through the eyes of a fish. Activities include games and costumes.
For adults, another rock and roll production — “Syd Norman’s Presents: A Tribute to Eagles,” will look back on the 1970s band music, while “LunaTique” is an adult-only comedy show.
Other venues for adults are the Luna Theater & Club, a three-story Las Vegas-style nightclub.
Guests of all ages can dance to live music at two new deck parties, Island Nights and Latin LIVE!, with both promising exciting experiences under the stars.
Once homeported at PortMiami, Norwegian Luna will operate 7-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Port calls will feature Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas now undergoing a massive renovation.
Carnival Miracle guests must slightly delay the first terminal arrival appointment on November 22 following the ship’s transatlantic crossing.
This brief delay is for a US Coast Guard inspection, which is common after cruise ships return from international deployments.
There is no mechanical difficulty reported with Carnival Miracle and the ship’s first Western Caribbean itinerary is not impacted.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the November 22, 2025 departure of Carnival Miracle from Tampa, alerting them to a slight delay in the ship’s embarkation for that sailing.
This comes following the ship’s 14-night transatlantic crossing from Rome to Tampa. Carnival Miracle departed Rome on Saturday, November 8 for the one-way trip with plans to stop in Spain, the Azores, and Nassau along the way before arriving in Florida on Saturday, November 22.
While that arrival is not delayed, what is slightly delayed is checking in for the next sailing. Guests with the earliest cruise terminal arrival time need to be prepared for that delay and adjust their plans accordingly.
“Carnival Miracle will be returning from a Transatlantic voyage, and the U.S. Coast Guard will be conducting a routine inspection on board,”the email notification explained.“As a result, the team will need a little extra time to disembark guests and get the ship ready before welcoming you aboard.”
Guests who have selected the 10:30-11 AM terminal arrival appointment in Tampa are now being asked to delay their arrival until the 11-11:30 AM window. This slight shift will permit enough time for the inspection to be finished and guests to be welcomed onboard the ship appropriately.
“All other Terminal Arrival appointments will remain the same,”the email confirmed.“Those who arrive earlier will be asked to return at their designated time.”
Since only the first cruise terminal arrival appointment is impacted, it will be easy enough for those guests to briefly delay heading toward Port Tampa Bay.
For example, the Florida Aquarium is immediately adjacent to the cruise terminals, less than 800 feet from Cruise Terminal 2 where Carnival Miracle will be docking. The American Victory maritime museum ship is also nearby and can be great to explore, or guests can enjoy different eateries and shops in downtown Tampa.
Why Is Carnival Miracle Being Inspected?
To be clear, there is no mechanical difficulty with Carnival Miracle and this is not at all related to the propulsion issues plaguing Carnival Horizon that delayed her return to Miami on her last sailing.
Rather, this very minimal delay is relatively routine for any cruise ship returning from an international deployment.
Different countries have different regulations regarding onboards safety regulations and procedures. As a ship returns to a US homeport, an inspection is necessary to ensure compliance with US regulations.
Carnival Miracle in Europe (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)
“Among other things, these regulations concern structural fire protection, firefighting and lifesaving equipment, watercraft integrity and stability, vessel control, navigation safety, crewing and crew competency, safety management and environmental protection,”the US Department of Transportation explains.
In part, these inspections confirm that ships operating from US homeports are in compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which governs safety regulations and responses for all cruise ships.
Other Reasons for Delays
There are several other reasons why embarkation might be slightly delayed after a ship’s transatlantic cruise.
Because those are longer sailings, guests onboard who are now debarking typically have more luggage. It may take longer to move that luggage into the terminal for pickup as fewer guests would self-assist and carry off all their bags themselves at the end of the voyage.
Supplies are also more likely to be depleted at the end of a transatlantic sailing. Bringing additional cargo onboard to ensure the ship is well-provisioned for the next cruise can take extra time.
There is no expected delay for Carnival Miracle to set sail on her first cruise from her Florida homeport. That 8-night Western Caribbean itinerary is planned to visit Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel.
Carnival Miracle will remain homeported in Tampa through mid-April 2026. At that time, the 85,942-gross-ton, Spirit-class ship will make her way through the Panama Canal to Seattle for the Alaska season.
After spending the summer in Alaska, Carnival Miracle will begin homeporting from Galveston, Texas in October 2026 before returning to Europe in May 2027.
Guests about to set sail on Carnival Liberty and Carnival Venezia received a letter educating them on Carnival’s mobility scooter policies.
Notably, mobility scooters must be safely stored in staterooms when not in use.
The scooters must also be less than 21 inches wide to be accommodated in a standard stateroom.
Mobility scooters are often a source of confusion (and contention) for Carnival Cruise Line guests, so for two upcoming sailings, the cruise line is making sure there are no questions about the policies.
Specifically, Carnival wants guests to know that mobility scooters must be stored in guest cabins. They cannot be left in hallways or unattended elsewhere on the ship for safety reasons.
“As stated in the terms and conditions of the Ticket Contract, due to safety considerations, mobility devices (including strollers) cannot be stored in corridors or public areas,” the letter from the cruise line explains.
“Mobility devices cannot be left unattended. When in public areas, guests must maintain their devices clear of exits or fire doors and make sure they do not obstruct any fire or safety equipment.”
This may also address common etiquette complaints about scooter use onboard Carnival ships, particularly when it comes to blocking walkways and annoying other passengers.
Guests who were issued this update are set to embark on Carnival Liberty or Carnival Venezia on November 30, 2025.
Carnival Liberty is embarking on a 14-night sailing to Panama and the Caribbean from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carnival Venezia will set sail on its own 14-night Southern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
It’s unclear why Carnival decided to educate guests of these specific sailings about mobility scooters, but more likely than not these voyages are at capacity and/or more guests than usual will be bringing scooters.
Size Matters
In addition to proper storage, Carnival confirmed that the size of the mobility scooter does matter and will be checked during the embarkation process.
As is the theme of this notice, this rule is again related to proper storage and other safety reasons.
A scooter that is too large could be difficult to maneuver onboard, leading to problems in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Therefore, scooters must be no more than 21 inches wide for guests sailing in a standard stateroom.
Travel groups with more than one scooter user staying in the same cabin must purchase an accessible stateroom.
“Guests who travel with multiple scooters in the same stateroom must purchase a fully accessible stateroom, or travel with a single scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom (21” or less in width),” Carnival confirmed.
“Guests who travel with a scooter wider than 21” must purchase a fully accessible stateroom, or rent a smaller scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom,”the policy continues.
Guests with scooters that are found to be too large for their chosen accommodations may be denied boarding if they can’t travel without the device or don’t come up with a suitable alternative.
To avoid disappointment at the cruise port, renting a scooter to guarantee proper dimensions may be the way to go.
While Carnival doesn’t directly rent out scooters, the brand does have a partnership with Scootaround for North American sailings.
And as one final step, guests are strongly encouraged to notify Carnival if they are bringing a mobility scooter or wheelchair in advance by submitting a mobility questionnaire.
This enables the cruise line to double check that guests have booked appropriate accommodations that are well suited to their needs.
Her death occurred during the Vista-class ship’s 6-night Western Caribbean sailing that embarked in Miami, Florida, on November 2, 2025.
The death was reported on November 8, 2025, but it’s believed that the teen died at 11:17 a.m. on November 7.
Unfortunately, the latest update in the case will be another heart breaking blow for Kepner’s loved ones.
According to a new court filing, Kepner’s step-sibling may face criminal charges related to the Florida cheerleader’s untimely death – though it’s unclear at this time when charges against the minor may officially be filed.
In an emergency motion filed on Monday, November 17, in Brevard County, Kepner’s stepmom, Shauntel Hudson, requested to delay divorce proceedings from her ex-husband because of the “extremely sensitive and severe circumstance.”
“The Respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action,” the filing states.
At this time, the step-sibling’s identity has not been publicly released, as is standard. Juvenile court typically protects the privacy of accused minors.
But depending on the nature of the charges and/or if the minor is tried as an adult, their identity may be released in the future.
No Cause of Death Revealed Yet
According to several news outlets and members of the family who have spoken out, Kepner was found dead in her cruise cabin by a room steward, wrapped in a blanket and hidden under the bed.
But while this doesn’t sound good, it’s important to remember that the investigation is still ongoingand Kepner’s official cause of death has not been revealed.
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Suspicious death investigations can take several weeks to months, and Kepner’s situation is even more complicated because it occurred while sailing in international waters.
It’s important to let the authorities do their job and not jump to conclusions or spread rumors, if only out of respect for the family.
The family has requested privacy as they pay their respects to their loved one and grieve, and have shared that being thrust into the spotlight has been overwhelming.
In the meantime, Carnival Cruise Line is doing everything it can to support the family through this difficult situation and is cooperating with the investigation.
“Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI,”the cruise line said in a recent statement.
Samsung Electronics outfitted Star of the Seas with more than 6,000 televisions and smart displays.
The screens can be found in all 2,805 guest cabins as well as in crew quarters and public venues onboard.
This undertaking shows how strong the partnership is between Royal Caribbean and Samsung, even after more than 20 years of collaboration.
Have you ever wondered who is responsible for supplying the thousands of TVs and displays onboard Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas? Well, we just got our answer.
Samsung Electronics is the proud supplier behind the more than 6,000 displays and TVs onboard the second Icon-class ship, which is tied with her older sister for earning the title of world’s largest cruise ship.
The screens and Smart Signage displays can be spotted all over the 248,663-gross ton ship, including in all guest cabins, crew quarters, and public spaces like bars, lounges, and theaters.
Getting into the nitty gritty, Star of the Seas has 2,805 guest cabins, all of which have been equipped with Samsung’s Crystal UHD Hospitality TVs.
These commercial-grade devices are renowned for their use of Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Color technology, which is capable of displaying over one billion colors. This capability allows the TVs deliver content in 4K UHD resolution.
And I don’t know about you, but this quality is far superior to anything I experienced when I first started cruising over a decade ago.
Elsewhere on the ship, Samsung’s smaller HF8000F models are in use, which are well-suited for more compact spaces like crew cabins.
They also are top choices for public spaces like bars and to provide Smart Signage in the buffet.
These models feature Samsung’s full 2025 hospitality lineup, including Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, and LYNK Cloud for remote display management.
Cruisers who are interested in checking out these top-notch screens for themselves will find the massive 7,600-guest ship based in Port Canaveral, Florida.
She is currently alternating between 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
An Ongoing Partnership
While furnishing Star of the Seas with enough TVs is a massive accomplishment on its own, Samsung has already supplied Royal Caribbean with more than 200,000 screens for ships across the fleet.
In fact, the famous electronics company and the family-friendly cruise line have experienced a fruitful partnership over the past two decades that is only expected to strengthen in the future.
Star of the Seas Suite
“What we’ve achieved with Royal Caribbean over the past 20 years is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and delivering world-class experiences to guests,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
“As demand for richer entertainment experiences rise, we’re proud to deliver our most dynamic commercial displays to Star of the Seas and look forward to expanding our collaboration in the years ahead,” Chung continued.
Before Star of the Seas, Samsung also had the opportunity to provide over 6,000 displays for Icon of the Seas, which is the first Icon-class ship that launched in 2024.
Carnival Cruise Line is offering up to $200 per person for air travel changes related to Carnival Horizon‘s late return on November 16.
The email is signed by Christine Duffy and was sent two days after the ship returned to her homeport with propulsion trouble.
Guests on the next sailing were prorated a one-day refund of their cruise fare and add-on package costs.
Two days after the ship’s extremely late return to PortMiami caused many guests to miss their post-cruise flights or other travel arrangements, Carnival Cruise Line is correcting course and offering reimbursement to Carnival Horizon‘s guests.
Guests who were onboard the November 8, 2025 sailing of Carnival Horizon have received an email from Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, apologizing for the incident and offering limited reimbursement for the difficulty.
“On behalf of the entire Carnival team, I am extending sincere apologies for Carnival Horizon’s delayed return to Miami Sunday, November 16,”the letter said.“Certainly, none of us expected your cruise to end later than scheduled and I hope that, this issue aside, you enjoyed a wonderful time onboard.”
Carnival Horizon developed propulsion difficulties toward the end of the 8-night Southern Caribbean “ABC” cruise. This resulted in reduced sailing speeds and ultimately arriving in Miami more than eight hours later than expected.
This significant delay caused plenty of difficulty for travelers, even those who booked late afternoon or evening flights.
The frustration level was high onboard and debarkation confusion added even more delays to what was already a stress-filled day.
While an hour or two of a delay would have been manageable for most guests, the length of the delay meant that many travelers missed flights and had to rebook post-cruise travel plans at significant expense.
Now, Carnival Cruise Line is offering some reimbursement for those expenses.
“If you had to make revisions, we will reimburse up to US$200, per person, for expenses associated with independent, non-refundable air costs/change fees,”the email explained.“Reimbursement will take a few weeks, and we ask for your patience as our team works through the process.”
Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
Guests must submit their receipts via email to be considered for the reimbursement.
In the meantime, guests embarking on the ship’s next sailing that left Miami later that night were notified up front that they would receive a pro-rated one-day refund of their cruise fare and add-on packages such as drink packages and internet access.
Compensation Not Offered Earlier
Interestingly, this type of reimbursement is often offered to guests even as the situation is evolving and they are in the process of changing their air travel plans. That immediate response can help ease tensions during what is already a confusing and frustrating situation.
That this offer is only now being extended to guests two days after the sailing, and that it is coming directly from Duffy, shows the cruise line is aware of the customer service error it created by not offering this reimbursement to guests right away.
Many guests are relieved at the assistance and feel it is a nice gesture by the cruise line, but is it enough?
Is Only Airfare Covered?
With the extent of the delay, some guests found themselves needing more than airfare changes as Carnival Horizon finally docked on Sunday.
For example, different shuttle companies were unable to accommodate debarking guests with such late arrivals because of other commitments, which meant extra costs for ride-sharing or taxis.
If travelers could not get a return flight out that same evening, they may have either spent the night in the airport or had to purchase an unexpected hotel room for Sunday night.
Then there are costs for meals on Sunday evening, when guests might have expected to already be home by dinnertime.
The email only states that “expenses associated with independent, non-refundable air costs/change fees” are included in reimbursement consideration. One could argue, however, that all these types of expenses are “associated” with dramatically missed flights.
Carnival Cruise Line will undoubtedly consider each guest’s reimbursement claim on a case-by-case basis. Providing the most complete (and politely worded!) details is the best option for guests to claim the maximum reimbursement.
Guests who had travel insurance for the trip will also want to investigate if their policy will offer any coverage for the delay and associated changes.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new Cheers! Zero Proof package can now be booked for cruises in early 2026.
Sailings later in the year still have to wait before the popular package is available for purchase.
Exact drink availability can vary based on supply and demand as well as restocking opportunities.
Ever since the announcement of the new Cheers! Zero Proof package in September, Carnival cruise guests have rejoiced at the long-dreamed-for non-alcoholic drink package. Bookings for the package have been outstanding, but only for a few months.
Some guests were understandably concerned that they could not find the package for their upcoming sailings, including popular spring break and summer 2026 voyages.
This was not because the package would not be offered, but because it was not open for bookings right away.
Now, the package is available for purchase for cruises in the first few months of 2026, as confirmed by Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald.
“Cheers Zero Proof is now available for the first quarter of 2026 cruises,”he said.“I will let you know when we open for the rest of 2026.”
The current price of the premium non-alcoholic package is $29.99 (USD) per person, per day. It must be purchased for the full length of one’s cruise and is not available on a day-by-day option.
An 18% gratuity is also automatically added to the purchase price. Of course prices are always subject to change.
Guests should be aware that the package (and other drink packages as well) does not apply to any private destinations, including Celebration Key and Princess Cays.
Carnival Cruise Line has not offered any explanation about why the package simply isn’t available for all future bookings.
The limited future availability may be related to supply pricing. If the most popular beverages were to increase in price significantly in the next few months, for example, the profitability of the package could plummet unless prices are adjusted.
By only permitting purchases for limited periods, Carnival Cruise Line can more carefully plan for any possible supply price increases (or decreases!) to deliver the best deal to guests while still keeping the bottom line in mind.
Additional non-alcoholic beverages in the package include juices, bottled water, coconut water, premium coffee and teas, mocktails, smoothies, bottled protein shakes, milkshakes, energy drinks, and more.
Heald also noted that bottles of Fairlife Milk (plain, strawberry, and chocolate) are also included and now available.
Carnival Zero Proof Drink Package
“Previously due to some delivery issues, we did not have these on some of the ships,”he explained.“But for all of the ships sailing from our North American Home ports we have them back in stock.”
He is checking whether or not the milk or a similar equivalent brand is available on sailings from Australia.
What If Your Favorite Drink Runs Out?
Experienced Carnival cruisers have a very important tip for guests who have a favorite drink.
“Be aware that even if they stock them at the beginning of a cruise they may run out of popular drinks part way through the cruise,”one guest noted from their recent transatlantic sailing.
Admittedly, transatlantic sailings are generally 14-15 nights without any chance to bring additional supplies onboard, making it impossible to restock any very popular items.
General passenger preferences on different sailings can make it challenging at times to keep popular drinks in stock as well. For example, if a group of whiskey aficionados set sail as friends on one cruise, they could deplete their favorite top shelf spirits that might not be replenished for a couple of sailings.
If a guest’s cruise experience might be diminished if a specific drink is missing, it may be best to bring a limited quantity onboard themselves to be sure of the correct supply.
“On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage,”Carnival’s Liquor & Beverage Policy reads.
“A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.”
Heald has previously confirmed that guests can also restock their supply in ports of call, which can be a handy trick for longer sailings.
Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-class ship, Star Princess, officially entered service in the US with her naming ceremony on November 6, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This was followed by a 3-day inaugural voyage to the Bahamas, and I was lucky enough to be onboard for it all. After four days onboard the 4,300-guest ship, I returned to life on land with a very positive impression of the ship.
Design & Layout of the Ship
Star Princess is a sizable ship. She comes in at 1,133-feet long, 200 feet tall, and 177,800 gross tons.
She has 21 decks (just like her older sister, Sun Princess), 17 of which are accessible to guests.
One of my favorite parts of Princess ships is their elegant atmosphere and decor, as well as their traditional light color palettes and extensive use of marble.
Star Princess emanates the elegance I’ve come to expect from this brand, while also expanding upon it in innovative and modern ways.
The Piazza
For example, the main atrium, or Piazza, is three decks tall and features a big, interactive screen in the center that features cool images and graphics. One night, I even saw Star Princess sailing through the stars as the background to a musical act.
Atrium on Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
The Piazza also offers 360-degree views, which will be perfect for staying warm while taking in the views duringthe ship’s inaugural Alaska seasonin 2026.
The Dome
The Dome is also a very impressive space. For context, this is a multi-level glass enclosed structure that is a versatile entertainment and relaxation space.
Star Princess Dome (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
Our favorite pool was in The Dome because it was less crowded and more shaded, but this venue really came alive at night during events like candlelight concerts.
The candlelight reflected off the glass tiles of The Dome and it was absolutely stunning, and really almost ethereal.
How are the Guest Cabins?
Star Princess has 2,157 guest cabins onboard, including 80 suites, 123 mini suites, and more than 1,000 balcony staterooms.
I was lucky enough to stay in a balcony stateroom on Deck 16, and very much enjoyed my stay.
What I Liked About My Balcony Stateroom
Using Princess’s innovative medallion technology, your cabin door senses you as you walk up and automatically unlocks. This means you never have to fumble for your key card.
Although the stateroom was small and narrow, as cruise cabins always are, they made good use of the limited space and there was ample storage between the closet and drawers.
There was also room to fit my monolith of a suitcase under the bed. I am NOT a light packer, so this was impressive.
The shower in the bathroom was also probably the nicest I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship, and the beds (and the pillows and comforters!) were extremely comfortable.
Additionally, I appreciated that there were reading lights attached to the bed headboards and floor lights that would automatically come on in the bedroom and bathroom upon sensing a person, which was a great safety feature.
Minor Issues in my Stateroom
I only had two complaints after my stay. The first is that the clothing rack in our closet was rather high.
Clothing Rack & Another View of the Cabin (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
My mom, who came along for the sailing as my plus one, had to stand on her tip-toes or jump to reach the rack. For context, she is 5’1”, so she is a rather petite human.
The walls were also rather thin. On multiple nights in a row, we were woken up because we could hear someone in the cabin next door to us snoring through the wall as if they were in the same room.
How is the Onboard Dining?
Speaking generally, one thing I’ve noticed after more than a dozen cruises is that dining onboard can be hit or miss. This is not the case on Star Princess.
From the room service and buffet dining in The Eatery to specialty dining meals, we enjoyed everything we ate.
We even went back to The International Cafe, which is a complimentary 24-hour casual dining spot, multiple times because we craved their snacks.
Especially at The Butcher’s Block by Dario and Umai Teppanyaki, believe me when I say these were experiences rather than dinners.
Dinner at Butcher’s Block starts with a presentation from the chef about the cuts of meat and ingredients that are used, before you are shown to a table.
Rather than ordering off a menu, you are brought different cuts of meats that use nearly every part of the cow and side dishes to sample – and nobody leaves hungry!
It was also some of the tastiest, juiciest meat I have ever tried in my life. I am not kidding when I say my teeth are tingling and I’m starting to salivate typing this.
But while The Butcher’s Block by Dario reminded me of my big Italian family, Umai Teppanyaki had me laughing and smiling for the entire dinner.
In fact, I think I laughed so hard that I broke the sound barrier on more than one occasion.
As our chefs prepared our dinners on the table-top stove in front of us, they never ceased singing, joking, and performing tricks with the cutlery, which is an especially impressive ability on a moving cruise ship.
The food was also delicious, and I liked that the menu lets every guest create their own combination of hibachi delights, so I didn’t have to choose just one item.
But ultimately, our favorite meal in terms of food quality and flavor was from The Catch by Rudi, which is a more traditional fine dining experience that has stunning views of the ocean if you’re lucky enough to get a window seat.
The Catch by Rudi (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
Not only was the food too incredible to describe, but the menu also has unique dishes. For example, my chocolate dessert was called Rudi’s Artistic Face to Face and it actually looked like a face.
The only specialty dining venue we didn’t love was Makoto Ocean. We had really high expectations for the sushi joint, but found the menu to be rather limiting and the portions to be small.
Crew Members Spread Joy
One thing that stood out to me about this voyage was just how happy the 1,600 crew members were.
Not only was the service top-notch, but every single crew member we interacted with was always laughing and smiling.
In the Princess shops, we wanted specific shirts but couldn’t find our sizes, so a crew member offered to pick it up after closing during her limited time off and make sure it was on hold for us the next day. She did as she said and also remembered our names.
Show-Stopping Entertainment
There is no shortage of entertainment onboard. One would have to try if they wanted to be bored on this ship.
Notably, the theatrical productions in the Princess Arena are not to be missed.
“Meridian” is a nautical-themed love story filled with pop-culture hits, while “Illuminate” is a high-energy circus-themed spectacular with epic acrobatics.
Illuminate in the Princess Arena (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
These shows were perhaps a bit light on story, but they were packed to the brim with fun and entertainment value.
What impressed me most was the elaborate sets (including interactive and digital backdrops I’m used to seeing at Broadway-caliber theaters), the fact that the full stage was always used, and the unique lightning effects (especially in “Illuminate”).
The stage also spins, rises, and has trap doors, which all add to the dramatic effects.
More Entertainment Onboard
Elsewhere around the ship there is no shortage of live music in a variety of genres.
I was personally partial to the Irish duo, Kind Ears, that kept the party going into the wee hours of the morning in O’Malley’s Irish Pub.
There is also typical (but always fun) cruise entertainment like comedy and karaoke happening in Princess Live.
My Favorite Hidden Retreats Onboard
If you don’t do your research in advance, there are a couple experiences onboard that you could miss that might just be some of your favorites – as they were for me.
First, Star Princess and Sun Princess are the first vessels in the fleet to have the Sanctuary Collection, which comes with access to the private Sanctuary Deck that is exclusive to guests staying in Sanctuary suites, mini suites, and balcony staterooms.
The Sanctuary on Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
This was an oasis with its own pool, jacuzzis, loungers, and a bar that offered a great escape from the hustle and bustle elsewhere on the ship.
My favorite feature of this area was a living wall, where you could ring a bell and a hand would magically pop through the shrubbery with a drink for the guest who rang the bell a few seconds later.
Don’t Miss Spellbound by Magic Castle
Next up is Spellbound by Magic Castle, which is one of only three Magic Castle experiences in the world.
The original is in Hollywood, California, and the other Magic Castle at Sea experience is onboard Sun Princess.
While I won’t give away too many of the secrets inside, the specialty cocktails, unique atmosphere, and Cardini-inspired magical performancesmake this an experience not to be missed.
However, the entrance is a bit subtle and could be missed by unsuspecting guests who are not in the know.
How Bad are the Crowds?
As the maiden voyage was a sold-out sailing, I had been mentally preparing myself for crowds and lines.
I am happy to report, however, that crowding was never really an issue onboard. Even during major events like the sail away party on embarkation day, I never felt like I was stuck in a crush of people.
We also never had to wait in long lines to get on and off the ship in our two ports of call, one of which was a tender port (Princess Cays).
Where Crowds Do Happen
The only issue I really saw was that the Princess Arena could run out of room for the popular theatrical performances, so guests who want to see these shows should arrive early and consider investingin the Princess Premier package – which comes with reserved seating.
For context, the Princess Arena is two decks high and has a capacity for up to 990 guests at every performance.
Open Deck on Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
The main buffets, such as The Eatery, could also get a bit crowded during peak dining hours.
We had trouble finding seats during the breakfast rush the one morning we tried out this venue, but did discover that there was additional seating in the attached Americana diner.
The Pros & Cons of Smart Elevators
As many modern ships do, Star Princess uses smart elevators onboard.
This means that guests hit their desired floor on a touch screen and are assigned an elevator that corresponds to a letter.
This system mostly worked well onboard, but I did see examples of guests getting confused and simply getting in open elevators or not knowing how to input the total number in their travel party – which led to longer waits and capacity issues.
One of the Smart Elevator Panels (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
For reference, you are supposed to hit the desired deck multiple times until everyone in your travel party is accounted for. So, since I was traveling with my mom as a party of two, I would hit my desired deck twice.
Sometimes, the system also glitched and would give me error messages instead of calling the elevators. In this case, I would take the stairs up one floor to try again, and that usually worked.
How is the Wi-Fi?
Despite using the latest and greatest internet that Starlink has to offer, I found that the MedallionNet Wi-Fi could be hit or miss. I had trouble getting all of my texts to go through, especially when trying to send pictures or short videos to my loved ones at home.
I also noticed that my phone battery drained much faster onboard than it does at home.
And oddly enough, my phone kept getting confused and thinking that we were in Western Europe instead of the Bahamas, which meant it was showing me the wrong time.
When I went down to guest services to ask for possible solutions, the crew member informed me that this is a common glitch.
In order to fix it, I had to manually set my phone’s time and date instead of allowing it to adjust automatically.
Communication Fumbles
Some of this may be part of working out the kinks of a new ship and a new crew, but I noticed a fair amount of confusion among other passengers during port calls.
For example, I saw many people get confused about if they should bring beach towels when they disembarked for the day and where they should meet for shore excursions.
View of Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
For the day in Princess Cays, which is a tender port, the crew members also employed a system where you picked up a boarding group number and made your way to the tenders once your number was called.
This was a very efficient system that I loved, but it was also confusing at first because I heard no announcements explaining when and where to get your boarding group number and didn’t see anything about the process in the daily Princess Patter newsletter.
Would I Sail on Star Princess Again?
While no cruise ship is perfect, Star Princess is about as close as they come.
When my husband asked how I would describe the new Princess ship when he picked me up at the airport, the first thing that came to mind is that she is a star among stars.
Not only would I sail on this ship again, but my family and I have already started looking into getting back onboard for her inaugural Alaska season next year.
My mom and I loved our experiences so much that we now want our husbands to experience it, too!
Princess Cruises is swapping out two port calls on a 2026 Caribbean cruise.
Regal Princess will visit Puerto Rico and St. Maarten rather than Amber Cove and Grand Turk on her August 1, 2026 cruise.
The cruise line attributes the change to enhancing the guest experience.
Guests booked to sail on a 2026 Princess Cruises voyage to the Caribbean will have to rethink some of their shore experience plans after the line revealed two major itinerary changes.
In an alert to passengers on Regal Princess’s August 1, 2026 sailing from Fort Lauderdale, the cruise line explained it has removed two of the itinerary’s three port calls — Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos.
“Please be advised that to enhance the guest experience, Regal Princess will now call to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 and St. Maarten on Wednesday, August 5,” states Princess Cruises’ notice to booked guests.
“As a result, we will no longer visit Amber Cove, Dominican Republic or Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos on these dates,” it adds.
The notice does not provide a specific reason for the change, but it could be something as simple as port congestion, which can impact guests’ land-side experiences. Amber Cove, for example, is a popular port owned by Carnival Corporation and visited by several cruise brands.
The 30-acre tropical paradise can berth two ships at a time and accommodate up to 8,000 guests per day. The 3,560-guest Regal Princess is a Royal-class ship that entered service in 2014.
Guests who have already booked shore excursions for Amber Cove and Grand Turk through the cruise line will automatically be refunded to their original form of payment.
The ship’s third scheduled call, to Princess Cays, will go forward. However, that visit, on August 2, 2026, will conclude at 4 p.m. rather than the originally scheduled 5 p.m., giving guests an hour less time in port.
Regal Princess sails roundtrip from the Florida port and offers 7- and 14-night Caribbean voyages to multiple islands. Following the impacted itinerary on August 1, 2026, the ship’s next scheduled calls to Amber Cove and Grand Turk are set for September 1 and 2, respectively, on a 14-night cruise.
The line has not indicated any port changes yet for the “Eastern/Western Caribbean Adventurer” sailing, which also calls at Belize, Honduras, and Princess Cays.
Plenty of Local Color on Island Shore Excursions
In its notice to booked guests, Princess Cruises pledges that updated shore excursion details will soon be available on each passenger’s “Manage Booking” page of its website.
Several exciting shore tour options are offered in both San Juan and St. Maarten. In San Juan, for instance, guests can book the El Yunque National Rainforest Scenic Drive, the Beach Escape at Vivo Beach Club, or the History & Cuisine of San Juan on Foot tour.
On St. Maarten, choices include the Trail & Beach Horseback Ride & Scenic Drive, the Toppers Rhum Tasting & Cooking Class, and the Lagoon Kayaking Adventure, among several others.
While private island destinations such as Princess Cays are guest favorites, Princess Cruises will soon expand its land-side options to include Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private island in the Bahamas.
Starting in 2026, several Princess Cruises’ ships, including Regal Princess, will be allowed to call at the destination, which opened in July 2025.
