Black Friday sales historically cause a frenzy, but Virgin Voyages discovered just how many holiday shoppers were chasing deals after Thanksgiving when it saw its highest booking day in its 10-year history.
The adults-only cruise line announced Black Friday sales, which took place on November 29, 2024, broke its booking records. Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday, December 2 and 3, respectively, further fueled a surge in demand.
In fact, over the three-day period, Virgin Voyages saw bookings and revenue increase by more than 300 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2023, capping off a record-breaking sales event.
“In an environment where value is disappearing and travelers are feeling the pinch of changes from others, we are doubling down on being an incredible value for Sailors with all our inclusions, such as Wi-Fi, soft drinks, still and sparkling water, unlimited fitness classes, no upcharges for specialty dining and more,”said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages.
“We’re committed to stick to our roots and not nickel and diming our Sailors, before, during or after their voyage with us,” he added.
The announcement comes amid the cruise line’s climbing revenue, which is 60 percent higher overall compared to 2023. Virgin projects its revenue will increase another 50 percent in 2025.
The company also reported strong repeat cruiser numbers, with up to 60 percent of passengers returning for additional cruises. That said, 70 percent of Black Friday and Cyber Monday bookings came from first-time passengers.
Said Saverimuttu,“We are so grateful for the support that we’re seeing from our loyal customers and travel advisor community and their passion for the award-winning, kid-free experiences we have created and built from scratch together. Breaking records would not have been possible without our First Mates.”
Expanding Its Horizons
Virgin Voyages is looking ahead to 2025 and beyond with plans to introduce its fourth ship, the 110,000-gross-ton Brilliant Lady.
Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy, the new 2,700-passenger vessel will debut on September 5, 2025, with its maiden voyage departing from New York City.
Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: UrAvgPhoto)
The cruise line will also be reintroducing Scarlet Lady to guests following its two-week drydock at the end of November 2024.
Also, 110,000 gross tons, as is the case for each Virgin Voyages ship, the vessel’s refurbishment included the addition of 24 “Seriously Suite” RockStar Quarters on Deck 11 and dining enhancements such as a Chinese-inspired menu and cocktails in the Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle.
The cruise line is also set to make 2026 a landmark year with the introduction of its vessels to new itineraries, including its first-ever Alaska season. The inaugural Alaska voyages, launching in May from Seattle, will sail to picturesque calls like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway.
Plus, Virgin will offer longer voyages to far-flung destinations such as Iceland, offering guests opportunities for more immersive experiences. And, with Seattle joining the ranks as a new home port, along with New York and Los Angeles, the UK-based fleet is expanding its reach across the United States to expand its audience.
Additionally, Virgin Voyages introduced its Annual Pass product earlier this month, allowing passengers to embark on unlimited voyages for a year. Interest in the pass has been high and the cruise line expects it will sell out by the end of 2024.
A vacationer from Louisiana became the 1.5-millionth cruise guest to transit the Port of Galveston in 2024, as the growing port careens toward welcoming a record 1.6 million cruise guests before the year turns.
On December 6, 2024, the port received Katrular Buchanan and her family, hailing from Amite, Louisiana, at Cruise Terminal 28, where they were ready to board Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic for a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise.
“We’re very happy for the Buchanan family and thank them for sailing from Galveston. We’re also excited to celebrate this milestone with long-time cruise partner, Disney Cruise Line,”said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves.
The 2,700-Disney Magic, which has been seasonally based in Galveston going back as far as 2012, will sail to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, on her current itinerary. The ship is sailing 4- and 6-day cruises from Galveston until April 2025, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale and then Port Canaveral through October 2025.
The Port of Galveston, the fourth-busiest in terms of cruise arrivals, is the largest drive-to port in the south-central US region, with a population of some 30 million within 300 miles.
The port attracts cruise guests from major cities such as Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas, plus Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas.
The fast-growing port in 2025 will open a new cruise complex that will house its fourth terminal. The $156 million project features a 165,000-square-foot terminal and massive parking areas. When completed, the terminal will serve major cruise lines such as MSC Cruises and the brands of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
A recently released financial report shows the facility made significant growth progress in 2023, when nearly 1.5 million cruise guests transited the port, sailing from Galveston on 354 ships.
“The port’s continued growth as a home port is great news for avid cruise travelers, for local people who work in cruise-related jobs, and for the entities that benefit economically, including suppliers, maritime services, hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses,” said Rees.
1.5-millionth cruise guest at Galveston
When the final numbers from 2024 are revealed, it is expected the port will have set a record of 380-plus cruises. In 2025, the port expects 400-plus cruises and 1.75 million cruise guest arrivals.
The predictions bode well for the local population, since the port’s cruise and cargo operations help to support more than 4,500 jobs. Those positions represented, in 2023, $291 million in personal income.
Popularity of Galveston Promises Continued Growth
All of the major cruise lines have a seasonal or year-round presence at Galveston. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, currently has four ships based there — Carnival Dream, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Miracle, while Royal Caribbean has Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape will begin sailing from Galveston when the new terminal opens in fall of 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently announced a major, long-term pact with the port, under which ships from all three of its brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — will be based at Galveston.
The 10-year agreement, which will begin when the port’s new terminal is open and has renewal options, was announced in October 2024.
Norwegian Cruise Line will homeport two ships at Galveston, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, beginning in November 2025, and sail Western Caribbean voyages.
Two popular cruise destinations have received updated travel advisories from the US Government – and guests who will be sailing here will want to pay extra attention to staying safe in these ports.
The first of these destinations is Honduras, which is a country in Central America that is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
While the US State Department kept Honduras at a Level 3 travel advisory – which means tourists should reconsider travel – the government adjusted the reasons behind the advisory on December 10, 2024.
Previously, the advisory was set due to crime and kidnapping, but now crime is listed as the only reason.
“Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, remains common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking, is widespread. Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents,”reads the advisory.
“Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed,”continues the advisory.
Cruise ships most commonly dock in the Port of Roatan, which is located in the town center of Coxen Hole in the capital city of Roatan – and is usually the port of choice for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Mahogany Bay Cruise Port, which is located on the south side of Roatan, is also one of the largest cruise port in the Caribbean. This port is mainly called upon by Carnival-owned ships.
Between the two ports, Honduras welcomed 1.4 million passengers in 2023– which was an increase of 47.6% – with continued growth expected for the tourism sector.
But while Roatan is listed as a safer part of the country, the US Government still recommends that cruisers keep safety top-of-mind – such as by staying aware of their surroundings, avoiding the demonstrations that occur frequently throughout the country, and not using public transportation (including white car taxis).
This would likely be a good port to book private excursions directly through the cruise line – as the cruise brand would have already vetted vendors for safety and quality.
Costa Rica Travel Advisory Updated
As another Central American country that is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica can pop up on cruises sailing to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Panama Canal, and the US Pacific Coast.
While Costa Rica isn’t quite as popular as Honduras among the major cruise lines, the main cruise ports (Puerto Caldera, Puntarenas, and Puerto Limon) are visited by mainstream brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.
That said, the hundreds of thousands of cruisers who sail to this destination annually should be aware that the US Government also updated the travel advisory for Costa Rica on December 10, 2024.
Costa Rica is on a Level 2 travel advisory, which means that tourists should exercise increased caution while traveling here. Like Honduras, the level of the advisory didn’t change, but rather the reason behind it.
The advisory was and still is in place due to crime, but the explanation behind what type of crime and what resources are available has been edited.
“Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault, also affects tourists,” reads the current advisory.
But before the update, the explanation included an additional sentence that read “the Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.”
It’s unclear why that sentence was removed and if security resources are still in place.
But like in Honduras, guests who sail here should practice caution – such as by being aware of their surroundings, avoiding walking alone on poorly lit beaches or streets, and to avoid displaying signs of wealth to deter potential robbers.
Following an incident onboard Carnival Breeze and in response to guest inquiries, Carnival Cruise Line may soon be adding a seemingly innocuous item to their prohibited items list.
Confetti “cannons” – the party-popper type used in gender reveal parties or for other celebratory moments, may not be brought onboard Carnival cruise ships.
While the party item is not yet officially banned by the cruise line, one concerned guest has brought the matter to the attention of brand ambassador John Heald via his popular Facebook page.
“We just came off the Breeze. My daughter was having a gender reveal party for her and her significant other. They had planned to use the confetti cannons to show the rest of the family if she was having a boy or a girl,”the guest explained.
“The confetti cannons were confiscated. We were told that they are not allowed. There is nowhere that this is written! The party was ruined and nobody would help us. Why are they not allowed?”
The guest does not clarify the exact sailing of Carnival Breeze when they had planned the gender reveal party, but the ship is currently homeported from Galveston and offering 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries.
It is true that as of this writing, confetti cannons are not officially prohibited by Carnival Cruise Line. Nevertheless, Heald addressed the guest’s concerns and explained why they are not permitted.
“I can imagine the disappointment,”Heald began.“The biggest reason is that had you done this outdoors and some of the confetti had gone overboard we would be in breech of environmental rules and regulations.”
Many types of confetti use microplastics or may have dyes that are not environmentally safe. Cruise lines must follow strict regulations for the discharge of any items overboard, including anything that might accidentally be released.
Heald goes go on to explain that some confetti is used onboard Carnival cruise ships, but it is only used indoors and in a controlled manner where it does not pose a marine contamination hazard.
“We do use confetti in some of the show finales in the theatres but not outside. And indeed it is not something easy for housekeeping to clean up,”he explained.“We do allow confetti at the organized weddings we have on board but again only indoors.”
Heald is also planning to reach out to the appropriate executives at Carnival Cruise Line to see about getting confetti cannons specifically added to the prohibited items list. The wording of any new item ban has to be done carefully to ensure there is no confusion.
“Carnival conducts security scanning of all luggage and reserves the right to confiscate any item, which in Carnival’s sole discretion, is deemed dangerous or can pose a risk to the vessel or its guests.”
Carnival Cruise Ships in Mexico (Photo Credit: Marathon Media)
While party-popper-style confetti cannons may not seem “dangerous” per se, they can certainly be hazardous to the marine environment every cruise ship relies on. Furthermore, if a party cannon were aimed inappropriately, it could potentially cause injuries to those nearby.
Other Recent Prohibited Items on Carnival Cruise Line
Cruise lines can and do frequently update their prohibited items lists as new concerns may arise. At times, it can be confusing about why certain items are not permitted onboard, but there is always a reason.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line recently banned Bluetooth speakers, citing safety reasons as well as overall guest enjoyment. If speakers are too loud, onboard safety announcements or alarms might not be audible, and furthermore, loud speakers can disrupt other guests’ enjoyment of their cruise vacation.
Even small items with heating elements, such as clothes irons and steamers, immersion heaters, and heated blankets are not permitted as they can pose a fire hazard.
With respect to items going overboard and potentially contaminating the marine environment, Carnival Cruise Line already bans helium-filled balloons. Small single-use plastics, such as straws and coffee stirrers, have not been offered aboard Carnival ships for several years.
There is always a risk of gastrointestinal illness spreading among guests on a cruise ship and it has happened again, this time onboard Ruby Princess, currently in the middle of a Hawaiian Islands voyage.
The 3,080-guest ship operated by Princess Cruises is sailing a 16-day Hawaii cruise roundtrip from San Francisco. The vessel departed on December 2, 2024 and is due back to her homeport on December 18, 2024.
In an alert to passengers on December 10, 2024, the ship’s captain indicated that an illness had developed and would impact a planned onboard party.
“During this cruise, you have already been informed that few of our guests have reported to the Medical Center with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. I appreciate your understanding and co-operation with our proactive actions and would like to take opportunity to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” Captain Peter Lesic wrote in a message to guests.
“Due to these circumstances unfortunately, we will not be able to host the Captain Circle Party at this time. I understand that this might be disappointing however, the health and safety of you, our guests, and our crew are my top priorities,” added Captain Lesic.
A social media post, also on December 10, 2024, from a guest onboard Ruby Princess reported that a deep cleaning of the ship was under way, and that there was no longer a self-service option in the ship’s buffet.
“Apparently a bunch of people sick, but unknown how many. Lots of non hand washers and coughers all over the place. Bring your hand sanitizer,” the guest posted.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms are fever, headache, and body aches.
The illness is spread by having contact with someone with norovirus, eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, and touching contaminated objects and then putting unwashed fingers in your mouth, the CDC states.
The Crown-class Ruby Princess had called at Kailua Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, on December 10, 2024 and was sailing to her final port call of Ensenada, Mexico. The ship had already visited Oahu, Kauai, and Hilo, Hawaii.
Outbreaks Impacted Earlier Princess Itineraries
While gastrointestinal illnesses can and do affect virtually all cruise lines, Princess Cruises’ ships have been impacted multiple times in recent months.
The most recent case was reported in mid-November 2024 aboard Coral Princess, as the ship sailed a 31-night transpacific cruise from Singapore to Long Beach, California.
Ruby Princess in San Francisco (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Seventy cases of norovirus were reported to the CDC, which requires notification when 3% or more of guests and crew members experience symptoms. In those cases, the CDC publishes details of the outbreak on its website.
In April 2024, an outbreak happened onboard Sapphire Princess as she sailed a 32-day cruise to the South Pacific from Los Angeles. The CDC was informed that 94 guests and 20 crew members were taken ill.
While the captain of Ruby Princess indicated that the illness was gastrointestinal, the CDC has not yet announced the outbreak or provided details on its website.
Other cruise lines also have been dealing with the fall-out of onboard illnesses. P&O Cruises, a UK brand, is currently being sued by former passengers who became ill while sailing aboard Ventura earlier in 2024.
That same ship in early December experienced yet another outbreak during a 12-night Canary Islands cruise roundtrip from Southampton.
So you’re in the process of booking your first cruise with Carnival Cruise Line. You have an idea of what ship and itinerary you’d like to sail on, but what cabin or suite is right for you and your family? Here’s a complete guide to all of Carnival’s cabins and suites, so you can choose the best room for your needs.
Small Interior Cruise Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Interior cabins are featured on all of Carnival’s ships and are exactly what they sound like: cabins in the ship’s interior, without an exterior wall.
Interior cabins are typically on the small side, with less than 200 square feet of space. While some interior cabins can technically fit up to five cruisers, they’re really most comfortable with just two cruisers (and possibly a child). There’s not a lot of floor or storage space and the bathrooms are small, too, with just a shower, no tub.
If the thought of an interior cabin makes you a bit claustrophobic, there are some special interior cabins that do have windows and that you might prefer. The windows just don’t look out over the ocean. Instead, they look out at a walkway. These cabins are sometimes classified as an “interior cabin with picture window.”
Other interior cabin options include upper/lower interior staterooms that feature a twin bed and upper pullman. There are also porthole interior cabins that provide very small windows, for technically an ocean view but without the ocean view cabin price.
All Carnival staterooms, including interior staterooms, come with amenities including an in-room safe, television, individual climate control, a dedicated room steward and bathrobes upon request.
Ocean View Cabins
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Ocean view cabins are, on average, larger than interior cabins, with more floor space and storage space, as well as usually some sort of sitting area. Expect most ocean view cabins to be under 250 square feet.
Sometimes, ocean view cabins are split into categories like deluxe and standard ocean view cabins. You get more floor space with a deluxe cabin, as well as, in some instances, an extra half-bathroom. There are also scenic ocean view rooms, which offer the best views via floor-to-ceiling windows.
Like interior cabins, ocean view cabins can hold up to five people.
Before getting into suites, balcony cabins are your largest options on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Like an ocean view cabin, balcony cabins have a seating area and greater floor space than an interior cabin, but there’s also a furnished balcony, usually with seating for two people.
Balcony cabins can sleep up to five guests, but do note that while you get overall more space with a balcony cabin, that doesn’t mean the interior of the room is larger.
Your balcony cabin’s interior could be the same size as that of an ocean view cabin, but you get the added space from the balcony, which is usually around 35 square feet.
Balcony cabins come in a few different variants, including aft balcony staterooms at the ship’s rear, premium vista balcony cabins with better views and wrap-around balconies, extended balcony staterooms on higher decks and cove balcony staterooms on select ships and that offer more privacy.
Suites
Carnival Ocean Suite
Carnival offers a range of suites on its ships, starting with very basic suites that merely offer more living space but no separation of spaces, up to huge suites with multiple bedrooms and separate dining and living areas.
Whatever type of suite you book, though, your stay will come with extra suite-guest-only amenities like VIP check-in, priority main dining room time assignments, bathrobes, a better mattress than what you’d get in a non-suite stateroom and priority boarding and debarkation.
Junior and grand suites are the most basic of Carnival’s suite options, with under 350 square feet of space and overall more living space, but no separation between the bedroom and living area, like what you’d expect from a typical hotel suite.
Captain’s suites sit above the bridge for unique views.
Presidential suites offer the most space of all, with some, like those on the newest Carnival ships, exceeding a thousand square feet of space.
Other Types of Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites
Some cabins and suites fall into other categories beyond just interior, balcony, suite, etc.
Family Harbor Cabins and Suites
Carnival Family Harbor
You can find Family Harbor cabins in variants, starting from interior cabins and going up to suites.
Whatever the size or sleeping arrangements, though, you can expect family-friendly amenities and spaces designed for traveling with kiddos.
Exclusive perks available to Family Harbor guests include access to the Family Harbor Lounge, with its free breakfast and snacks, as well as free dining for kids at specialty restaurants, and one free evening of babysitting services during your cruise.
Family Harbor cabins and suites aren’t available on every Carnival ship, however. You’ll find them on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panoramaand Carnival Vista.
Like the idea of keeping the family all together (or as close as possible), but don’t want to spring for a Family Harbor cabin, or maybe don’t think you’ll use all the amenities? Consider booking a more affordable stateroom or suite option, but connecting rooms that share a common door.
Cloud 9 Spa Cabins and Suites
Stateroom on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Similarly, you can find cabins of all sizes and layouts that fit within the Cloud 9 category. What sets these staterooms and suites apart are the extra amenities.
In your stateroom, you’ll enjoy upgraded toiletries, robes and slippers. You’ll also enjoy priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites and hydrotherapy pools and exclusive discounts on treatments during port days.
Cloud 9 Spa cabins and suites are available on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Vista.
Havana Cabins and Suites
Many cruise lines have now begun adding specialty areas to their ships wherein a small number of guests enjoy extra amenities and private spots away from all the other cruisers, such as private restaurants and pools. Carnival’s take on this concept is the Havana area.
Havana guests enjoy exclusive access to the Havana pool and bar, and if you book a suite, you’ll enjoy extra features like a huge outdoor deck and rain showers. Havana guests must all be 12 years old or older.
The Havana space and its staterooms and suites are only available on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista.
Terrazza Cabins and Suites
The Terrazza space is very similar to the Havana space, but it’s only on two Carnival ships: Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia (the cruise line’s two ships that have a distinctly more European feel, due to the ships’ past lives sailing under another cruise line).
Terrazza staterooms offer larger outdoor spaces and access to a private deck with lounging, drinks and a whirlpool. Guests in these staterooms must all be age 12 or older.
Excel Suites
Carnival Excel-Class Suite
There are several different types of Excel suites that you can book, but whichever you choose, you can expect an excel-lant experience. A new addition to the cruise line, Excel suites are featured on some of Carnival’s newest ships, like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.
Perks of staying in these suites include access to Loft 19, an Excel suite guest-only area with its own pool, bar and cabanas; guaranteed specialty dining times; upgraded toiletries; complimentary room service; a complimentary drinks package; and more.
Accessible Cabins
Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line does outfit each ship with a handful of “accessible” cabins intended for cruisers with mobility restrictions and wheelchair users. These cabins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you think you need one, book it as soon as you can.
Accessible cabins come in two types: modified and fully accessible. The modified cabins have wider doors, so 29-inch doorways at the cabin entrance and then 22-inch or larger doorways for the bathroom.
Fully accessible cabins have 32-inch doorways at both the cabin entrance and the cabin bathrooms. The bathrooms feature roll-in showers with fold-down seats and there’s no bathroom lip to get up and over. There’s also greater floor space for easier maneuverability in the cabin with a wheelchair or scooter.
So out of all of these options, how do you pick the best cabin or suite for you, when cruising with Carnival Cruise Line? Here are a few things to consider.
The Ship’s Age
Ship age really plays into your cruising experience. While there are plenty of older ships within the Carnival fleet that will provide you with an excellent vacation, do note that the cabins can be a little lackluster. Cabins may feel dated and furnishings could be on the older side.
As such, you may find that you want to upgrade your stay on an older ship, and book a cabin that’s in a higher tier than what you might normally book. In general, the suites on Carnival’s older ships are in better condition than the interior cabins on those same ships.
However, the reverse also applies. If you’re sailing on one of Carnival’s brand-new ships, you may find that the interior and ocean view cabins are in such great shape, and feel so luxurious, that you can downgrade from the type of cabin you might normally book, and still love your stay.
Location on the Ship
Carnival Cruise Line Balconies (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Suites are generally higher up on the ship, while other cabin types are scattered throughout the ship. Where your cabin is located, though, can impact your cruise.
For example, if you have a tendency to get seasick, you’ll want a cabin toward the middle of the ship (where the ship’s movement is less noticeable) and ideally with a window or balcony, for views of the horizon (which some report helps alleviate symptoms of seasickness).
Cabins on the lower decks are often more affordable, with lots of lower deck interior cabin options. Upper deck cabins are close to all of the action (though do note that action often comes with noise).
Who You’re Cruising With
Don’t just take into consideration the number of cruisers in your party whenchoosing a cruise ship cabin. Also, think about everyone’s habits and needs.
For example, you could just be cruising with two other people, but if those people tend to spend a lot of time getting ready every day, it might be worth getting a cabin with two bathrooms, so as to avoid time-consuming turn-taking in front of the vanity.
Similarly, if you have young kids, you might value having a tub in your stateroom instead of just the normal, small, stand-up shower that you’d get in an interior stateroom.
Other Things to Look Out for as You’re Booking Your Carnival Cruise Line Cabin
Cruise Cabin on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Have a good idea of which cabin you’d like to book for your cruise? Before you book, make sure you’re checking for a few things.
Is the View Obstructed?
If you’re paying good money for an ocean view or balcony stateroom, you don’t want an obstructed view. Typically, obstructed views come from parts of the ship or things like life rafts being positioned right in front of a window or balcony.
While these cabins can come with a lower price point, they also come with less of a view. If this will bother you, check all the cabin’s details before booking.
Where is the cabin in relation to elevators and stairwells?
These spots are notoriously noisy on cruise ships. There’s a lot of foot traffic and activity. While you might think that being next to the elevator will make your cruise experience more convenient, keep the noise factor in mind.
Is Carnival Cruise Line the best cruise line for your cabin needs?
Lastly, if you’re not finding exactly the cabin or suite you think you need for your cruise, it might just be that Carnival isn’t the best option for you.
For example, if you want a singles stateroom, for one traveler without paying a single’s supplement, you won’t find it on Carnival — but you will find singles staterooms on cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line.
Want an even bigger suite than what you’ll get with Carnival’s Excel presidential suite (the current largest suite in the Carnival fleet)? Look to Royal Caribbean, where the suites are even bigger.
According to witnesses onboard the 6,780-guest ship, the unidentified yacht lost power and drifted into the ship’s stern – thankfully at a low speed.
“This boat apparently lost power, or something, and drifted into the back of our ship,” one current passenger shared.
Thankfully, it appears that the impact did not cause any significant damage to the mega-ship, with some onboard not even aware it happened.
“Didn’t feel a thing,”one passenger wrote on Facebook in response to a video of the incident.
“We didn’t either and my son was standing up surfing,” another current guest chimed in.
That said, the yacht wasn’t so lucky – with videos of the incident showing damage to its top portion.
“A yacht just slammed into the Allure of the Seas while in port at Nassau. Don’t know if the Allure was damaged. The yacht’s mast was broken,” a current passenger shared on X.
You can watch a video of the accident here:
The full extent of the damage to the yacht is unclear – and it’s not known if there were any injuries to the people operating the smaller craft. So far, their identities have been kept confidential.
That said, it would be pretty surprising if the yacht and its passengers made it out completely unscathed considering the massive size of Allure of the Seas.
The Royal Caribbean cruise shipweighs in at a heavy 225,282-gross tons and is 1,180 feet long. Meanwhile, the average yacht is anywhere from 20 to 45 feet long.
So far, Royal Caribbean has not issued an official statement about the allision – which is the official term for when one ship is hit by another vessel while moored.
Yacht Hits Allure of the Seas (Credit: Dayanni Devi Bhagwandin)
Will the Crash Impact the Current Sailing?
Luckily, Wednesday’s allision shouldn’t have any significant impact to Allure of the Seas’ current sailing – which is a 4-night Bahamas sailing that embarked from Miami, Florida, on December 9, 2024.
The ship had already called on Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is the cruise line’s original private island destination in the Bahamas – with Nassau as its second and final stop of the sailing.
According to current guests, the only related change is the scheduled departure – which was supposed to be at 5 p.m. – was delayed by just under an hour.
“Our departure was delayed almost an hour due to this incident,”one passenger wrote on Reddit.
Presumably, that time would have been spent assessing any potential damage and communicating with the owners of the yacht about what happened and the next steps.
Regardless, a short delay like this would be easy to make up for a modern cruise ship – and shouldn’t impact the scheduled disembarkation in Miami on December 13, 2024. Cruise tracking data also shows that the ship is already back at sea, sailing at speeds of 16 knots per hour.
While these types of collisions (or allisions) are rare, they do happen from time to time as a risk of operating in busy cruise ports.
About two years ago, another Royal Caribbean ship – Mariner of the Seas – was also hit by a cargo ship while docked in Freeport, Bahamas.
In this case, the smaller vessel lodged itself into the cruise ship – but the Voyager-class vessel only sustained minimal damage and no injuries were reported.
Royal Caribbean has set the opening of its Royal Beach Club Paradise Island for December 2025 and unveiled a bevy of experiences that guests can expect to enjoy at the new landslide destination.
Guests booking itineraries that call at the private Bahamas retreat can begin buying day passes to the venue in the spring of 2025. The cost of the pass has not yet been revealed.
In a December 12, 2024 announcement, the cruise line revealed that Royal Beach Club, located just 10 minutes from the Port of Nassau, will be split into three zones — Chill Beach, Party Cove, and Family Beach.
Pool at Royal Beach Club
Chill Beach will provide a relaxing atmosphere, where guests can de-stress at The Deep End pool or choose a beachfront spot. Artisan huts selling locally made goods will be available as will various eateries.
Party Cove will have a distinct party vibe, with music by a DJ and the world’s largest swim-up bar, called The Floating Flamingo. Guests also can opt for the Party Cove VIP area, with poolside service.
The world’s largest swim-up bar
Family Beach will feature various games for youngsters such as paddle ball and tug-of-war, plus The Shallow End, a zero-entry pool appropriate for little ones. An exclusive, luxury experience, the Ultimate Family Cabana, will be located at Family Beach.
Guests will pay a fee to rent the two-story cabana that accommodates up to 12 people, although the daily rental price has not yet been disclosed. The venue will likely be in great demand, since the development will feature just one Ultimate Family Cabana.
The cabana will have a private whirlpool, a water slide, a private bathroom, a frozen drink machine, and a dedicated attendant.
Ultimate Family Cabana
All told, there will be 40 private cabanas that guests can rent, but just one Ultimate Family Cabana. Like the day passes, guests can begin reserving cabanas in spring 2025.
The 17-acre Royal Beach Club will offer multiple pools and swim-up bars, beach bars, and eateries. The day pass will cover short water taxi ride to the destination from the cruise pier at Nassau, and all amenities at the retreat, except for cabana rentals.
The development is the result of a partnership between Royal Caribbean Group and the Bahamian government. Construction began in April 2024.
“The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day – no matter the vibe they’re looking for,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
“With the first-of-its-kind Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, we continue to super-serve our guests with a tailored experience at one of our most highly visited destinations, building on nearly five decades of collaboration with the community and government of The Bahamas,” Bayley added.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Fast Facts
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first of three new destinations Royal Caribbean Group has in the works. Royal Beach Club Cozumel will open in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027. Royal Caribbean already offers Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas, and Labadee, in Haiti.
Royal Caribbean ships sailing from several homeports will include calls at the Paradise Island destination, including PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral, in Florida, plus Galveston, New York, and Baltimore.
Royal Beach Club
Project to Meet Top Environmental Standards
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be operated as a partnership between Royal Caribbean and the Bahamian government, and will have a heavy Bahamian influence in terms of architecture, culture, and cuisine choices.
The club is being developed as an eco-friendly retreat, with the Bahamian environmental firm SEV Consulting Group overseeing its ecologically sensitive elements. During construction and future operation, the SEV collaboration will ensure that the destination conforms to key environmental standards.
It is, for example, making sure that turtle nesting sites are protected and that invasive species are being removed. The site will have an advanced wastewater treatment facility, and a zero waste-to-landfill policy.
MSC Cruises wants its passengers to drink responsibly when sailing with the cruise line, which is why it announced limitations on alcoholic drink packages will begin on voyages taking place on April 1, 2025, and beyond.
Effective for package purchases made after December 18, 2024, the changes include a new daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per person on all-inclusive packages, making the packages less inclusive and more restrictive.
“There’ll be plenty of time to savor all our delicious cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits, while also promoting a healthy and balanced approach to indulgence, allowing us to maintain high-quality service whilst creating an enjoyable and responsible atmosphere for all our guests,”said the cruise line in an announcement shared by passengers on social media.
Despite the daily restriction, which resets daily at 6 a.m., most guests had a positive response to the news with comments suggesting 15 alcoholic drinks a day is plenty.
Also, MSC Cruises is not cutting passengers off at 15 alcoholic beverages. Guests who exceed the package limit are allowed to purchase additional beverages at full price.
Non-alcoholic beverages on the packages, including Easy, Easy Plus, Premium Extra, Non-Alcoholic, and Minors Drink packages, will remain unlimited, which includes soft drinks and hot beverages.
Guests embarking on Grand Voyages or World Cruises will find different package offerings. While World Cruises include a Dine & Drink Package covering beverages during meals, upgrades to broader packages like Easy Plus or Premium Extra are available.
Drink packages can also be used at the cruise line’s private destinations, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas and Sir Bani Yas Island in the U.A.E.
Guests in MSC Yacht Club’s ship-within-a-ship concept will continue to receive unlimited alcoholic beverages.
Despite the changes, prepaid drink packages remain the most cost-effective option, with discounts of up to 15 percent compared to onboard rates. Additionally, all packages now include gratuities.
Drink Package in Line with Industry Standards
MSC Cruises features three packages that include alcoholic drinks. The most basic package is its Easy Package with selected cocktails, spirits, house wines, draft or bottled Heineken, non-alcoholic cocktails, soft drinks, mineral water, espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot tea, and hot chocolate.
The Easy Plus Package includes a variety of frozen and fruit cocktails, well spirits, a variety of draught and bottled bears, protein shakes, a selection of wines by the glass, and a 10 percent discount on bottles of wine purchased on board.
Selecting the Premium Extra Package includes premium cocktails and spirits, champagne by the glass, and a greater selection of wine and beers. Guests with this package also receive 25 percent off bottled wine and champagne.
The cruise line is not the first to put limitations on its drink packages. Carnival Cruise Line, which just quietly increased its package prices, also stopped alcoholic beverages at 15 drinks per day. However, it does not permit passengers to purchase alcoholic beverages after hitting this limit.
As a company beneath Carnival Corporation, many of its sister cruise lines also have similar limitations, including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard. Although P&O Cruises has a 15-drink cap in its packages, it allows additional drink purchases after reaching the limit.
Still, other cruise lines do not cap the number of drinks guests can have, including Carnival Corporation’s luxury line, Seabourn, which always offers complimentary premium spirits and fine wines on its ships.
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line also don’t limit drinks. Instead, they cut off guests if they are visibly intoxicated, with Royal Caribbean permitting passengers one drink at a time while Norwegian allows two at a time – one for each hand.
