Planning a cruise months or even years in advance is second nature to loyal cruise passengers. But many looking ahead to 2026 cruises with Carnival Cruise Line have been met with a confusing surprise.
When attempting to book reservations at popular specialty dining options like the Chef’s Table, the steakhouse, or the Seuss at Sea character breakfast, they are met with “Sold Out” messages.
The frustration has led many to reach out to the cruise line’s personable Brand Ambassador, John Heald, who took to his weekly video post on June 3, 2025, to address the concerns.
“A lot of you have written trying to book the specialty restaurants and it’s saying sold out on every single ship,”Heald said in his address. “It isn’t sold out.”
Apparently, the confusion stems from Carnival Cruise Line’s website. When a reservation cannot be made, it simply states a restaurant is “sold out.”
This applies across the fleet, including key venues such as Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and the exclusive Chef’s Table Experience.
The Suess at Sea Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, a family favorite, is also affected by the issue. The event is offered on select sea days and usually costs an extra fee.
These options are typically in high demand and often booking quickly. However, in this case, the cruise line’s system isn’t showing availability because the reservations haven’t been activated yet, not because they are already full.
“I don’t think we’ve done a very good job of this – in my opinion,” said Heald. “Apparently it’s very complicated to change the website to come up with a good algorithm.”
Carnival Cruise Line hasn’t shared an exact timeline for when the specialty dining booking window will open for 2026 cruises, but Heald said that once reservations become available, he will inform followers.
In the meantime, he’s pushing internally for the wording on the booking platform to be corrected.
“You’re not going to miss out on the steakhouse or teppanyaki,” Heald said. “As soon as they are open for bookings, I will let you know.”
Dining Demand Remains High
Carnival Cruise Line’s loyal passengers are no strangers to early planning, with many already booking 2026 sailings “Like Krispy Kreme hot donuts,” as Heald put it.
The cruise line’s 2026 cruise calendar is already drawing strong interest, with ships deploying to top destinations from ports across the US, including Florida, Texas, California, and beyond.
Specialty dining venues aboard these sailings are some of the most sought-after experiences onboard, with each ship offering its own mix of restaurants.
Among the most in-demand is the Chef’s Table, an intimate multi-course dinner hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Limited to just a handful of guests, the culinary experience typically includes a galley tour, and plated dishes not served elsewhere on board.
Also popular is Fahrenheit 555, Carnival Cruise Line’s signature steakhouse, which features prime cuts, lamb chops, seafood, and a robust wine list in an upscale setting.
Bonsai Teppanyaki offers a Japanese-style hibachi experience, complete with knife tricks and flame-seared entrees. Spots here are especially limited due to the small group setting, making early reservations crucial once open.
Other favorites include Cucina del Capitano for hearty Italian fare, Rudi’s Seagrill on new ships like Mardi Gras, and Seafood Shack and JiJi Asian Kitchen, depending on ship class.
Until the dining reservations actually open, guests need to sit tight, ignore the error messages, and check back for specialty dining availability.
Confident in the allure of Northern Europe destinations, Holland America Line will expand its presence in the region by deploying three, rather than its usual two, cruise ships for the 2027 summer season.
With a wide array of itinerary options visiting ports in the British Isles, the Baltics, Scandinavia, Iceland, and Greenland, the premium line, a Carnival Corporation brand, hopes to fill all berths onboard Zuiderdam, Rotterdam, and Nieuw Statendam.
Typically the line sends Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, each accommodating 2,600 guests, to the region, and in 2027 the 1,900-guest Zuiderdam will join them.
It’s a big change for Zuiderdam, which for the last few years has spent her summers sailing Canada/New England itineraries between Boston and Quebec City.
No word from the line yet about which ship, if any, will replace her on that routing during summer 2027, so stay tuned for that.
Zuiderdam will be primarily based in Amsterdam while Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will be homeported in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
However, some itineraries aboard Zuiderdam and Rotterdam will depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Nieuw Statendam will spend part of the season sailing roundtrip from Dover, England, a growing port just over an hour’s train ride from London.
The Dover departures represent an opportunity for the line to continue courting the British market, as Nieuw Statendam will split her time between Rotterdam and Dover in summer 2025 and 2026, as well as in 2027.
The ship’s 14-night Wild British Isles cruise departing April 30, 2027, for instance, calls at Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, and Glasgow, Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Dublin and Cork, Ireland.
“Northern Europe is extremely popular with our guests — for the ports of call and stunning scenery. As a cruise line rooted in European heritage, we’re uniquely positioned to offer them one-of-a-kind explorations with an onboard experience that matches the region,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line.
“The destinations in the region are some of our highest-rated — from standout ports in Norway like Eidfjord and Bergen and scenic cruising in Eyjafjörður, Iceland, to the UK’s Liverpool and Ireland’s Killybegs — this season provides guests more chances to experience everything Northern Europe has to offer,” Grigsby added.
Holland America’s Zuiderdam Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Miro Vrlik Photography)
The cruise line’s decision to boost its capacity with a third ship stems partly from guest feedback derived from surveys. Almost half of those surveyed, which included current and potential guests, indicated that Northern Europe destinations are among the most desirable regions to visit.
The Northern Europe itineraries will feature local entertainment, and given Holland America’s ties to Holland, where it was founded in 1873, Dutch history will play a role in onboard activities, too. For instance, each ship will offer a “Dutch Day,” celebrating the food and culture of the Netherlands.
Oosterdam to Offer Mediterranean Voyages in 2027
Holland America Line will, of course, have a presence in the Mediterranean during summer 2027, with the deployment of the 1,960-guest Oosterdam. The ship will offer departures from Athens, Barcelona, and Rome, offering 7- to 28-day voyages.
A 14-day Rivieras, Malta & Greek Isles from Rome to Athens on July 10, 2027 calls at ports including Barcelona; Gibraltar; Valletta, Malta; Portofino, Italy; and Crete and Santorini, Greece, for instance.
This particular voyage is one created in partnership with The History Channel, a series of cruises where the itineraries and shore tours are focused on historical elements of the region.
The summer 2027 roster of Europe cruises also includes two that will offer total solar eclipse viewings on August 2, 2027.
Nieuw Statendam’s 28-night itinerary sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam on July 27, 2027 will be positioned in the line of totality. Ditto for Oosterdam’s 14-night voyage from Athens departing on July 31, 2027.
Carnival cruisers are very familiar with the Sail & Sign card, the personal card that serves as one’s room key, onboard identification, and personal charge card during the voyage.
Recent rumors have spread the word that Carnival Cruise Line will soon eliminate cash completely from its ships, but the cruise line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has repeatedly denied this accusation.
“No more cash!!! Why have you not informed anyone about this big shift John?”one commenter recently asked.“We prefer to pay the workers with cash if they provide top service. How are we supposed to do that now? What if we need to get change? Cashless is a game changer and not in a good way.”
It is true that some popular vacation and entertainment options, such as sporting events and amusement parks, have moved to a cashless operation. Depending on the venue, visitors might be able to use cash to pre-load a card for use, otherwise they must rely on a credit or debit card.
This is not the case aboard Carnival cruise ships, however. While guests are not permitted to use cash for individual transactions onboard, they can still set up their Sail & Sign card with cash on embarkation day.
“We have not made any changes,”Heald confirmed.“You can still use cash as a deposit for your Sail & Sign card. You can still use cash to tip our brilliant crew.”
While it might seem inconvenient to some guests to need to use cash for their onboard account, other travelers prefer it as a way to ensure a firm budget and avoid expensive surprises after they get home.
But how did Sail & Sign cards first begin, and why? Heald has offered some interesting insights from his decades of experience with Carnival Cruise Line.
Before Carnival Had Sail & Sign Cards
When Carnival Cruise Line first set sail in 1972 with the original Mardi Gras, cash was certainly king onboard. This system continued for many years, even into the early 1990s.
Heald noted that cash was required for every onboard purchase.
“I am old enough to remember working on board as a bar waiter and wine steward before the invention of the Sail and Sign card when everything was cash, I mean everything,”he said.
From cocktails and shore tours to bingo cards, souvenirs, bottles of wine, casino chips, and more, guests had to pay cash.
This created a lot of work for crew members from various departments, as all the cash had to be properly tallied and secured every day.
“Every night all the department heads would count the cash, bag it, and take it to the highly top-secret cash counting office (Deck 2 starboard side crew area with a sign on the door that said ‘accounting’),”Heald explained.
While the system did operate as efficiently as possible, Heald noted that it wasn’t perfect.
“Some people make ask why we stopped using cash on board. And I am here to admit that it was probably my fault,”he said.
Cash in Wallet (Photo Credit: brajianni)
“This comes from when I was a wine steward and when I was brought before the Carnival Head of Security – who we will call Joe Field because that was his name. This was before the days of CCTV, photos taken at embarkation etc.”
Of course, today’s Carnival guests are very familiar with so many photos and security precautions onboard, but decades ago, it was a bit easier to slip something past a younger, less experienced wine steward.
“The conversation went like this: Joe – Head of Security: ‘John Heald, you have taken $200 from passengers for bottles of wine and champagne, and it is all in fake $50 dollar bills. What did they look like?'”Heald reminisced.
Unfortunately, his answer might not have been what the security manager was hoping for, but it does explain why cash isn’t so widely circulated onboard today.
“John –Wine Steward ‘Ummm………..$50 bills,'”Heald recalled.“And that is why we have Sail & Sign today.”
Okay, so this may be another of Heald’s fun (FFS) stories, there is no doubt that counterfeit bills may have been a concern when cash was used so extensively onboard.
Making correct change, securing payments properly, the time to count each day’s intake, and other factors were undoubtedly additional considerations and potential problems with a cash-based cruise ship.
The Sail & Sign card is certainly a more secure option, as well as more convenient for guests who no longer need to tote along fistfuls of cash for their onboard spending.
Yet to be clear once more – and hopefully put “PAID” on these rumors – Carnival cruise guests can still set up their onboard accounts with cash, no problems at all. Just make sure the bills are legitimate!
Here we go again! Another Royal Caribbean sailing – this time for the 3,807-guest Adventure of the Seas – has been overbooked.
The sailing in question is a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. It will embark from Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 7, 2025.
As with previous overbooked sailings that have come to light earlier in 2025, Royal Caribbean is once again making some irresistible offers to tempt guests to change their travel plans.
The first option is to transfer to a different pre-selected sailing in exchange for a partial refund and an onboard credit.
“Option 1: Transfer to one of our below 2025 sailings and receive a 50% refund of the cruise fare, PLUS a $300 USD non-refundable Onboard Credit,” reads the letter from the cruise line.
The cruises that guests can switch to will set sail later in June or in July, and three of the four options are actually longer than the oversold voyage – so guests will get more bang for their buck.
Indeed, passengers can pivot to one of two 8-night Western Caribbean sailings that will also be operated by Adventure of the Seas or switch to a 7-nightEastern Caribbean itinerarythat will be hosted onboard Wonder of the Seas in July 2025.
The final option is an identical 6-night Western Caribbean cruise onboard Adventure of the Seas that will depart from Port Canaveral on July 19, 2025.
Alternatively, guests can cancel their booking entirely to receive a full refund and a future cruise credit.
“Option 2: Cancel your booking and receive a 100% refund, PLUS a 100% Future Cruise Credit to book an alternative Royal Caribbean sailing,” the notice continued.
This option is good for guests looking for flexibility, as they aren’t limited to choosing between four specific sailings. However, they must book a new cruise that embarks on or before June 7, 2026, to take advantage of the future cruise credit.
And if guests’ travel plans are set in stone, they do not need to worry or respond to the letter. Enough passengers usually volunteer when the offers are this good that overcrowding is no longer an issue.
How and Why Do Overbookings Happen?
Even just in the past few months, there have been quite a few Royal Caribbean sailings that have been accidentally oversold – leading to growing curiosity about how this keeps happening.
Additionally, similar attempts to tempt guests away from overbooked cruises have popped up for sailings operated by Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seasin May and early June.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas (Photo Credit: Microfile)
But while many are happy to reap the benefits of these last-minute deals, others are worried about changes to their travel plans and don’t think overbooking should even be possible.
However, overbooking is a very common practice in the travel industry because it allows the cruise lines to protect their profits – even when booked guests cancel at the last minute or “no show” on embarkation day.
In the cruise industry, this happens through the sale of guaranteed cabins – in which guests select a stateroom category but not specific accommodations.
These cabins are often sold at a lower price because it allows the cruise line the flexibility to assign staterooms based on availability closer to the sailing – and also enables the brand to sell more cabins than they have onboard based on expected cancellations.
If you select a specific cabin during the booking process, rest assured that your stateroom is assigned to you and cannot be snagged by another passenger.
If Disney cruises are about bringing magic to the high seas, Castaway Cay is all about bringing magic to the Bahamas.
Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s original private island in the Bahamas, and for many DCL guests – myself included – this shipwreck-themed destination is the highlight of every sailing it’s a part of.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit the island three times now during my adventures at sea, and this is what you really need to know to make the most of your visit.
Castaway Cay is an island in the Bahamas that used to be known as Gorda Cay. But in 1997 – just two years after Disney Cruise Line was founded in 1995 – Disney signed a 99-year lease with the Bahamian government and renamed the destination accordingly.
Once a safe haven for bootleggers and drug runners, the company invested $25 million to transform the island into the ultimate family-friendly oasis.
The cruise brand also dredged 50,000 truckloads of sand to build a new channel and deep-water dock to accommodate its fleet. The first official ship call took place on July 30, 1998,when Disney Magic docked at the new pier for the first time.
Photo Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line
As part of the island’s transformation, the destination was also given its own story – just like the rides and lands in Disney’s amusement parks around the world. In this case, the island is supposed to tell a fictional story about three explorers who were shipwrecked on its shores.
If you look closely, you’ll notice that the buildings and decorations are meant to look like they were improvised by the castaways following their maritime mishap – as well as plenty of nods to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and Captain Jack Sparrow himself.
Speaking of which, parts of “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)” were filmed on the island – as was “Splash (1984).”
Where is Castaway Cay Located?
The Bahamian island is part of the South Abaco district, near Great Abaco Island. For context, this is about 73 miles north of Nassau – the capital of the Bahamas.
This is also 167 miles east of Miami, Florida – “the Cruise Capital of the World”– and 120 miles north of Disney’s second private island, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (on Eleuthera), which opened in the summer of 2024.
How Do You Get Ashore?
Thanks to Disney’s foresight of building a deep water dock when it first acquired the island, the brand’s fleet is able to dock alongside the pier – with no tendering required.
But even though the island is owned and operated by Disney, cruise passengers should be prepared to still go through standard security protocols as if this were any other port of call.
“Key to the World” cards will be scanned upon disembarkation and embarkation for safety reasons, and bags will be screened during the re-boarding process.
Navigating the Island Destination
Castaway Cay Map
Castaway Cay is about 1,000 acres in size, which translates to approximately three miles long and two miles wide. However, only about 55 acres have been developed and are in use today – making it very walkable and easy to navigate.
It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from the cruise ship to the beaches, but there are also courtesy trams that run continuously for guests with limited mobility, families traveling with small children, or passengers who would simply prefer to take a seat and enjoy the ride.
Tram stops are easy to spot thanks to clear signage, but when I visited there was always a tram that ran from the end of the pier to Scuttle’s Cove (where you get off to access the family beaches) and Pelican Point that worked on a first come, first served basis.
Adults traveling solo or parents looking for a break from the kids can also transfer to a new tram at the Pelican Point Tram Stop that will take them the rest of the way to Serenity Bay, which is a beach that is exclusively for adult cruisers.
Last but not least, many guests enjoy renting bicycles as a means of exploring and getting around the beach-front destination. Currently, bike rentals start at $22 a person and are available for all visitors above the age of three.
Dining Ashore
Dining at Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Zahit Sozen)
Just like there are buffets on the cruise ship, there are buffets on the island as well – which are already included in the price of your vacation.
A BBQ buffet with American favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, rotisserie chicken, fish, and shockingly good ribs (my favorite!) can be found at Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too BBQ – both of which are family friendly.
There is also a third BBQ buffet location near Serenity Bay – which is only for guests above the age of 18.
Soft drinks and water are free at the dining locations – though you will need to charge your “Key to the World” card to indulge in alcoholic refreshments, which can be found at various bars around the island.
If you’re craving a sweet dessert during a warm Bahamian day, keep an eye out for the thatched pavilions with tables and umbrellas – as we’ve encountered some nice crew members handing out free ice cream here.
And of course, you have to check out Olaf’s Summertime Freeze, which is named after the beloved Snowman from the “Frozen” movies. This venue is located near the Pelican Point Tram Stop and sells refreshing frozen drinks that will keep you from melting in the heat.
What is the Best Beach for You?
Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay
Grab your beach towel (which will be provided for free) and get ready for the ultimate beach day – with the different beaches truly featuring something for every type of cruiser.
Right by the ship, there is already a Spring-a-Leak Splash Pad for playing in the water, which is a great way to cool offfor younger kids and toddlers.
The family beaches can all be found on the southwest side of the island. They have the calmest waters because of an offshore reef and a rocky breakwater at Pelican Point, making conditions safer for young swimmers and offering the perfect opportunity to snorkel.
In fact, there is actually a snorkeling lagoon near the family area – where snorkelers can get up close to marine life and potentially even spot a secret hidden Mickey or a former submarine from the now-closed “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage” ride at Walt Disney World.
Snorkel gear can be rented for $38 per person, as of the time of this writing.
The furthest part of the family beach, which can be accessed from the Pelican Point Tram Stop, also has a very unique water feature: a 2,400 square feet water park that you can swim to, called Pelican Plunge.
Pelican Plunge is known for its two big, twisting water slides and a floating play area that is fun for cruisers of all ages. The minimum height to experience this attraction is 38 inches and those under 48 inches must wear a life vest (provided).
Adults looking for a more mature, relaxing experience can head over to Serenity Bay, which is only for patrons over 18-years-old.
The water can get more choppy here, as it is not protected by a breakwater like the Family Beach, but my husband and I have swam here many times and found conditions to be calm and peaceful.
All the beaches also provide convenient locations from where you can rent floats and lifejackets – which come in sizes for both children and adults. Lifeguards are also always present, including in the adults-only areas.
Character Meet & Greets
Disney Characters at Castaway Cay
While all the cruise line-owned private islands offer something special, there is nothing quite like meeting your favorite Disney characters on the island.
As a Disney fan, it’s always particularly exciting to run into Mickey and the gang because they wear beach daycostumes on the island that you won’t see anywhere else.
One story my mom loves to tell is that when I was a kid, I once spotted Jack Sparrow on Castaway Cay and screamed that it was Johnny Depp, because the character on the island looked identical to the actor.
Our Captain Jack was quickly swarmed after I drew attention to him – making for a funny story and a laughter-filled photo opportunity.
While the characters make their way around the island, I tend to see them the most around the family centric areas, during a dance party that takes place at Cookie’s BBQ, and near photogenic backgrounds like Mount Rustmore (a playful twist on the real Mount Rushmore).
I also usually find my favorite pirate characters near the post office – from where you can also mail postcards to loved ones (or a message in a bottle), which are sent with special stamps and a postmark that is unique to the island.
Staying Active on the Island
On Castaway Cay, (Kent Phillips, photographer)
While renting bikes is one way guests like to stay active on Castaway Cay, there are other ways to explore the destination that do not come with an additional fee.
For example, the last time my husband and I visited the islandwe completed the Castaway Cay 5K – which is a three mile run (or walk) that goes deep into the island and up to the Castaway Cay Airport before taking participants back to the beaches.
The starting line for the 5K can be found next to the Bike Rental stand (near the Buy the Seashore Shop) – with clear signage guiding you along the way.
We walked the entire path in less than an hour and left with a special medal for completing the challenge – which makes for a very unique souvenir.
Disney’s Castaway Cay Island (Photo Credits: Eric Glenn * Catie Kovelman)
The race is run on your own time and functions on the honor system, so you can stop and start as you like, and the medal can be picked up from the Bike Rental stand when you’re done.
Avid hikers will also likely appreciate the trails on the island, such as the Serenity Beach Forest loop, that are stunning with the natural foliage and offer some peace and quite from the excitement on the beaches.
Meanwhile, athletes onboard may want to check out the Sports Beach – which is a section of the family beaches that is meant for games in the sand, such as volleyball and tetherball.
Add-ons and Shore Excursions
Photo Credit: T. Chaudhury Production / SHutterstock
While most of what we’ve explored so far has been free, there are additional add-ons and shore excursions you can invest in if you’re willing to pay the additional fees.
For example, adventurous guests might want to swim with Stingrays; or rent a kayak, stand up paddle board, or an aqua trike (which from experience, is really fun but requires more endurance than you would expect).
Thrill seekers, meanwhile, might want to pre-book a banana boat ride, a jet ski tour, or a parasailing adventure – where they can get a bird’s eye view of the fun below.
On the other end of the spectrum, guests looking for a more relaxing experience might want to book a fishing expedition or a scenic glass bottom boat voyage.
While there is a lot to choose from, it’s often possible to book more than one excursion during your visit if you time it right. The Disney Cruise Line website is very helpful because it shows the duration of the excursion and the recommended minimum age for the activity.
For example, the centrally located In Da Shade Game Pavilion offers a shaded area to play games like table tennis, foosball, and basketball.
However, there are also designated, supervised hang out spots for kids and teens – allowing younger cruisers to have fun independently while their parents perhaps enjoy a more romantic beach dayas a couple.
I’ve been sailing to Castaway Cay for so many years that I actually remember playing in Scuttle’s Cove as a child – which is a supervised play area that is meant for kids between the ages of 3 and 12.
This club offers the same type of fun as in the Oceaneer Club and Lab onboard – and is supervised by the same qualified counselors.
One of my fondest memories from visiting the island as a kid was going on a daring archeological mission in the dig site (known as Monstro Point) with my favorite counselor.
Teenagers, meanwhile, also get to enjoy their own slice of paradise at the Teen Hideout, which is a club that can be found near the Sports Beach and is meant just for cruisers between the ages of 14 and 17.
Shop Until You Drop
Walking Around Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
As my husband and pretty much all my friends will tell you, I can’t go anywhere without going on a side quest into at least one shop. I often don’t feel like my vacation is complete until I’ve found the perfect souvenir.
I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I spent around $100 in about 15 minutes of looking in the stores during my last visit to the island paradise – but I am an unashamed Disney fan who loved the opportunity to buy merchandise I can’t find at home or in the theme parks.
If you’re looking to spend some dough, the main stores are She Sells Sea Shells…and Everything Else! and Buy the Sea Shore – where you can find beachwear, exclusive Disney merchandise, and limited edition collectible Castaway Cay pins.
More authentic Bahamian souvenirs and handmade crafts can be found at Bahamian Retail near the Pelican Point Tram Stop.
Note that the island is currently cashless, so you’ll need your “Key to the World Card” handy if you’d like to make any purchases.
Relaxing in Paradise
Beach on Castaway Cay
A day of swimming, exploring, watersports, and shopping certainly sounds like a blast, but it can also be exhausting.
While Disney offers plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas for free, you might want to take your relaxation a step further by reserving a cabana – though they can be pricey. As of the time of writing, Serenity Bay cabanas can cost over $500 for up to four guests, while family cabanas can cost over $1,000.
But as there are only 25 cabanas on Castaway Cay, make sure to book early if you want to invest in your relaxation in this way.
Adults may also want to take advantage of the open-air cabana massages in Serenity Bay – which have a much more reasonable price tag – or the free yoga classes (also in Serenity Bay).
Make sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app in advance to see the schedule of daily events and class times.
Many people are surprised to learn that they can get married on a Disney cruise ship – but did you know you can also say “I Do” on Castaway Cay?
My husband and I got married at the Disneyland Resort in California, but before we chose our venue, we considered eloping at Castaway Cay.
Disney offers private ceremonies on the island set against a stunning backdrop that features the ship and the beautiful blue waves – which is perfect for romance and leads to some amazing photos.
The wedding package starts at $6,000 for 16 guests, and includes a keyboardist and a Cake & Champagne celebration. That said, the Castaway Cay location can accommodate up to 75 guests.
How to Visit Castaway Cay
Disney’s Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
The only way to visit Castaway Cay is by embarking on a Disney Cruise that includes Castaway Cay on the itinerary – which can be booked directly through the cruise line or a reputable travel agent.
As of 2025, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, and the newly launched Disney Treasure all operate cruises that sail to the Bahamian island.
Notably, some sailings feature calls on both of Disney’s private islands – Castaway Cay and the newly opened Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – which may be particularly exciting for big DCL fans.
Final Thoughts: Pro-Tips
Disney Wish Cruise Ship at Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
While there is so much to know about Castaway Cay, the best advice I can give you is to relax and have fun in the popular cruise port. Do some research in advance to make the most out of your visit, and then don’t get too bogged down in the details.
There is simply too much to do to cram everything into one day, so pick your favorite must-do activities and save the rest for when you can hopefully sail back another time.
Pre-book any essential excursions and check the schedule in advance so you know when and where to find your favorite characters or events that caught your eye. But at the same time, don’t be afraid to be spontaneous and allow your plans to shift as you explore.
Stay hydrated, take lots of pictures and videos, and as Disney cast members say, “have a magical day.”
One of the best perks of luxury cruising is having free room service, any time of day. Slept in and missed breakfast? Just call room service. Hungry after a long afternoon excursion? Pick up the phone. Need a late-night snack? It’s a cinch.
But that has changed for cruisers staying in a Britannia stateroom on Cunard’s fleet of four ships.
In a notice sent to passengers and confirmed by Cunard’s customer service, the cruise line is rolling out charges for room service delivered after 10 a.m. aboard its ships.
While breakfast ordered before 10 a.m. will remain free of charge, all other room service requests will now be priced individually, according to Cunard’s signature supplement pricing structure.
That means guests ordering from the Day Menu or Late-Night Menu can expect charges ranging between $2.50 and $6.50 per item.
In addition, there will be a new cover charge for brunch and afternoon tea items ordered through room service.
“Yes, that is correct for Britannia stateroom guests,” a Cunard representative confirmed in a direct message shared on social media. “We’ll be extending the signature supplement pricing structure for all room service dishes available after 10 a.m.”
The change applies to Britannia-class staterooms, which include the cruise line’s standard cabins category and the slightly elevated Britannia Club. These encompass inside cabins, oceanview cabins, and balcony cabins.
Passengers booked in higher-tier accommodations, such as Princess Grill or Queens Grill, will continue to receive complimentary 24-hour room service, including the newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth.
However, the new service policy has created confusion for some passengers.
As of June 2, 2025, Cunard’s website still states that 24-hour room service is included for all stateroom categories: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill.
Despite that, some guests have received notices directly from Cunard detailing the change.
“We are writing to inform you of a change in our room service on board,” the letter begins. “Across the fleet, we are introducing new charges that will apply to room service dishes after 10.00am in Britannia grade staterooms.”
The letter reminds passengers booked in Britannia that “breakfast, lunch, and dinner in your main dining room” are included.
“And of course, you’re welcome to dine at the buffet where you’ll find a selection of dishes through the day and into the night, all included in your fare.”
The buffet is also included in the cruise fare, so passengers aren’t losing out dining. They’ll just have to pay more if they want it delivered to their cabin.
By contrast, guests in Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites receive additional in-suite dining services and access to exclusive Grills venues on board.
Amenity Levels by Cabin Tier
The change isn’t a surprise, especially as more and more travel benefits are being stripped from standard services across the industry, such as the case on flights.
All Cunard guests, no matter the stateroom category, receive in-room refrigerators, tea and coffee making, Satellite TV, and embarkation welcome, and dining.
However, Britannia guests do not get additional perks like a pillow menu, or priority embarkation and disembarkation.
For a slightly higher price, passengers can book a Britannia Club stateroom, which provides an elevated version of amenities, including open-seat dining versus the set table and time Britannia guests receive.
It’s the Grill staterooms that get even more. The top-tier, Queens Grill cabins, for example, gives its guests a complimentary mini bar, Champagne, and priority tender services.
In early 2024, Cunard informed guests it would be raising gratuities automatically included for dining and hotel services, including room service.
While free room service aboard ships is becoming more difficult to find, Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Oceania Cruises are still offering 100-percent complimentary room service included in fares.
One of the oldest cruise lines in the world is going to explore a host of new destinations in the coming years, giving its passengers a chance to visit smaller cruise ports during a just-announced new season.
Cunard, which operates four ships all with British Royal Family monikers and has been in operation since 1840, just dropped its 2027-2028 lineup. Each ship will go to places never-before visited in 115 destinations in 32 countries.
The season, which will run from April 2027 and January 2028, will feature nearly 200 voyages for passengers to choose from.
The new deployment includes 93 UNESCO locations, 18 overnight calls, and 33 departures scheduled late in the evening.
Among the season’s highlights are Queen Anne’s maiden visits to Sorrento, Italy, and La Rochelle, France; Queen Mary 2’s debut in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Queen Victoria’s first arrival in Riga, Latvia;and Queen Elizabeth’s maiden calls in Calvi, France, and Trieste, Italy.
“This new program is all about giving our guests more choice and more unforgettable voyages,”said Kate McAlister, president of Cunard.
“Whether it’s Queen Anne visiting new destinations, Queen Elizabeth returning to favorite ports in the Med, or Queen Mary 2 sailing iconic routes with her usual style, there’s something to suit every kind of traveler,” she added.
McAlister says she and the cruise line are proud of the new offerings.
Fleet Highlights
In 2027-2028, Queen Elizabeth will return to Europe for the first time in years, carrying up to 2,000 passengers as she sails 65 voyages between May and October.
The 113,000-gross-ton ship, which completed a 3-week retrofit in March 2025 that gave the vessel a refresh in both its exterior and interior spaces, will call in 22 ports she hasn’t visited in over a decade, including stops in Istanbul and Palermo, Italy.
Sailings range from 1-week journeys to longer 28-night Mediterranean routes.
Cunard Line Queen Elizabeth (Photo Credit: City of Port Lincoln)
Meanwhile, Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s 81,237-gross-ton flagship, will continue her signature Transatlantic Crossings in 2027, following her own yet-to-be-detailed but massive renovations scheduled to take place in early 2027, according to the cruise line.
In addition to the New York to Southampton, England, route, the ship will take 2,139 passengers on seasonal sailings to Canada, New England, and the Caribbean.
Itineraries include an Independence Day call in Boston on July 4 and holiday voyages to the Caribbean over Christmas and New Year.
Newer ship, Queen Anne, which debuted in 2024 and made her first arrival in the US and Australia at the start of 2025, will also sail from Southampton, providing shorter roundtrip voyages to mostly UK-based cruisers.
These include extended stays in key cities like Barcelona and Copenhagen, as well as a late-night call in Madeira on New Year’s Eve timed to coincide with the island’s renowned fireworks display.
As part of her 2027-2028 season, the 113,000-gross-ton Queen Anne will also call at new ports for the cruise line, including bringing 2,996 passengers to Sorrento and La Rochelle.
Queen Victoria’s 25 voyages will also take her 2,061 guests from Southampton during the season and cover Iceland, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean. During the season, the 90,049-gross-ton vessel will return to Grundarfjorur, Iceland, for the first time since 2009.
For cruisers looking to sail aboard multiple Cunard ships, the line is also promoting “Queen-to-Queen” voyages that allow passengers to link sailings across two or three vessels within a single booking.
Cunard World Club members receive early booking access on June 11, 2025, with sales for the new itineraries opening to the general public on June 12, 2025.
As summer cruising season begins in North America, Carnival Cruise Line, which operates “the Fun Ships,” is reminding guests of its shipboard rules.
The “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines reinforce policies on curfews, noise, smoking, and illegal drugs.
The cruise line shared a letter with passengers boarding new cruises on June 1, 2025, outlining several safety and conduct-related expectations.
Among them is a curfew that requires guests 17 and under to be out of public areas by 1 a.m. unless they’re with an adult over 21 from their cruise group.
Carnival states the curfew will be “strictly enforced.”
Guests are also asked to keep noise to a minimum in guest corridors. That includes refraining from running or shouting in hallways, as this may disturb others in their staterooms.
For safety reasons, the cruise line also bans handheld fans on dance floors and in nightclubs, along with any beverages.
Public spaces require earphones when using personal devices, and all speakers or radios are prohibited and will be confiscated if found, since the cruise line officially banned Bluetooth, portable, and wireless speakers in November 2024.
Carnival Cruise line also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on illegal narcotics, including marijuana and its derivatives.
“Do not attempt to purchase or use any illegal substances ashore, as you may be arrested and not allowed back on board,” the letter from the cruise line states.
Carnival also emphasized that smoking, including vaping, is only allowed in designated areas. Smoking in cabins or on balconies is banned and could result in fines or removal from the ship.
“Additionally, reimbursement costs for damages or destroyed Carnival property will be posted to the guest’s Sail & Sign account,” the company reiterated.
The letter ends with a reminder that “Any guest who violates these policies or whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of others will be disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
Cruise Line Crack Down
Carnival Cruise Line already details these policies on its website, including costs of violations, such as a $500 fee for breaking its smoking policy.
The letter follows a number of inquiries made to the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, who often receives complaints and concerns about the topics and addresses them on his social media.
For instance, last month, Heald discussed passengers smoking on balconies and told guests it is more than okay to report when they smoke violations, as it could lead to a fire, which is extremely dangerous on a ship at sea with limited firefighting capabilities.
In fact, in February 2025, a small balcony fire broke out on Carnival Glory, when a chair became engulfed in flames.
The cruise line isn’t messing around when it comes to violations, keeping true to its word of kicking passengers off a sailing when catching someone in an illegal act.
One passenger learned his lesson last month when he was arrested in Galveston for possession of marijuana, fentanyl, and heroin.
Another shared by posting on TikTok that she had gotten away with smuggling alcohol onboard, but Carnival was watching! The cruise line banned her for life for breaking the rules and attempting to teach others her trick.
The cruise line even employs drug-sniffing dogs and reminds passengers it follows federal laws, meaning what may be legal in one state may not be legal aboard its fleet.
The majority of guests sharing the letter across social media channels are in favor of the reminder and just want the cruise line to enforce its policies and fellow passengers to follow the rules so that everyone can enjoy their voyages.
There’s trouble in paradise at MSC Ocean Cay – MSC Cruises’ private island and marine reserve in the Bahamas.
Stormy weather rolled in during MSC Seascape’s visit to the exclusive destination on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with high winds causing the 170,412-gross ton vessel to break free from its moorings.
“Our ship the MSC Seascape just broke away from the dock. We are safe, but Wi-fi is spotty. Will update when I can,”one current guest shared with a video on Facebook.
She further explained what happened in the video clip:“So we are docked, it is not near the time for us to depart yet. So, the wind came and broke the tether lines right here, and the ship started moving.”
Another current passenger also shared that the gangway had actually fallen into the water as well. But thankfully, no injuries to crew members or guests have been reported.
“Wicked storm blew into Ocean Cay. Gangway in the ocean, snapped ropes, and station keeping off the pier. All good and some grade A pool entertainment,” he said.
Local weather forecasts do call for chances of low wind and rain showers, but the footage makes the storm look more severe than what was predicted.
Video and photographs from witnesses also show that the gate to the pier – where cruise guests would normally embark and disembark from the ship – had been closed for the time being for safety reasons.
A large crowd can be seen huddled under a couple awnings to escape the wind and the rain. It’s unclear how long they may be waiting, as it can take several hours – or even days – to fix broken mooring lines.
Weather Forces MSc Seascape to Break From Moorings (Credit: Cherlyn Beatty)
It’s also unclear if the 5,877-guest ship will be delayed leaving the private island at the end of the day – with cruise tracking data showing that the vessel is supposed to set sail again at 8 p.m. EST.
Ocean Cay was the second and final stop on a 3-night getaway sailing to the Bahamas, with the cruise ship expected to return to Miami, Florida,on the morning of June 1, 2025.
Do Moorings Break Often?
People often say things happen in threes, and now we’ve officially had three unusual occurrences with mooring lines in 2025.
Just one day before this event, Norwegian Epic broke free from its mooringsin Catania, Italy, also due to strong winds. But in this case, guests using the gangway were thrown into the water below – with a married couple who fell into the harbor, requiring a trip to the hospital.
Ocean Cay is not currently under a wind advisory, while the Italian port was under a moderate warning for sustained wind speeds of 26 to 39 miles per hour and bigger gusts reaching up to 57 miles per hour.
And in March of 2025, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam actually had to skip a port call after rough seas and swells caused the mooring lines to snap while the 99,935-gross-ton vessel was attempting to dock.
While cruise ship moorings can break in certain circumstances or when under extreme stress, it’s not exactly common.
Cruise ship moorings are designed to be quite tough to stand up to strong currents, inclement weather, and to keep extremely heavy vessels safely tethered to the pier.
However, it’s worth noting that weather patterns have become weirder and more extreme – with some scientists coining the term “global weirding.”
This means that storms are also becoming more intense, which feels ominous with the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning on June 1, 2025 – especially as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)has predicted a stormy year.
But while stronger or unpredictable weather might lead to more mooring mishaps in port, rest assured that cruise ships are equipped with the latest and greatest weather tracking technology – making them one of the safest places to be during a storm.
