Star of the Seas, which will be slightly bigger than her older sister at an estimated 250,800-gross tons, will feature some fan favorites from Icon of the Seas – many of which have been improved upon since Icon’s launch in January – as well as some exciting new additions.
Perhaps at the top of the list of new and improved offerings are the Lincoln Park Supper Club, a restaurant inspired by 1930s Chicago that pairs dining with live entertainment, six waterslides at the Category 6 waterpark that will get the adrenaline flowing, and the second of the only two suspended infinity pools at sea in the adults-only Hideaway Pool.
The first Hideaway pool can be found onboard the first Icon-class ship, and provides a unique experience and views as guests float mid-air eight stories above the ocean.
“Star of the Seas is the second bold act of this exciting, new era of vacations first introduced with Icon of the Seas, and it’s putting the world’s best vacation on the map at yet another top travel destination,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
While Star of the Seas expands on the success Icon of the Seas has already experienced throughout her first year in service, she will still feature many of the immediate favorites from the world’s largest cruise ship (for now).
One of the tried-and-true favorites that is being reimagined on the new ship include the Royal Promenade neighborhood, with floor-to-ceiling views, as well as bars, restaurants, the spa, and other entertainment venues.
Central Park, which is named for the famous New York park and first debuted on the Oasis-class ships, will also be making an appearance on the new ship – this time featuring more than 30,500 real plants.
Of course, the exclusive suite neighborhood from Iconwill also be available on Star of the Seas. As the name implies, this is where the ship’s most luxurious cabins will be found – and if she sails in the footsteps of Icon of the Seas, there will also be an extra sundeck for only these passengers to enjoy.
Star of the Seas Infographic
Reimagined Neighborhoods Onboard Star of the Seas
Like the world’s current largest cruise ship, Star of the Seas will be able to accommodate 5,610 passengers, who will spend their days soaking in the fun across eight different themed neighborhoods.
Also like her older sister, Star of the Seas will be home to 2,350 crew members to make sure the neighborhoods are running at peak performance.
While some of these names may sound familiar to Royal Caribbean cruisers, the neighborhoods have been reimagined for an enhanced experience – and five are now completely unique to the new ship.
First, Thrill Island debuted the world’s largest waterpark at sea – Category 6 – onboard Icon of the Seas. This neighborhood will be back with even more adrenaline-pumping action, including six record-breaking waterslides, with one thrill ride reaching 154 feet above sea level, as well as fan favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator.
Surfside is a neighborhood designed for young families – who may prefer wholesome quality time spent as a family instead of the more intense thrills.
This portion of the ship will feature Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay to allow kids to splash and swim safely based on their ages, as well as the Surfside Eatery and the Lemon Post Bar, which are perfect for family-friendly snacks.
Icon Class Central Park
Chill island is a more adult venue that will feature seven pools across three decks – each of which offers a unique vibe and experience. Highlights of this neighborhood include live bands and DJs, a swim-up bar called Swim & Tonic, and Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea.
Meanwhile, Aquadome will be a tranquil oasis by day, but a party hotspot by night, featuring wraparound ocean views and jaw-dropping shows at the AquaTheater, with performances by skilled high divers, aerialists, dancers, and even robots.
When guests get hungry or need a break from the action, they can then mosey on over to the AquaDome Market food hall, which will be home to eateries like the Rye & Bean Bar, Hooked, and The Overlook Bar.
Star of the Seas Will Begin Career In Florida
The newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet is currently under construction in Turku, Finland, where she has been in dry dock since the end of 2023.
Star of the Seas is expected to enter service in August of 2025, with her maiden voyage – a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing out of Port Canaveral, Florida – scheduled for embarkation on August 31, 2025.
The inaugural voyage will call on Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.
While it won’t be ready before the new vessel enters service, Royal Caribbean is also building a second private island destination via a beach club on Cozumel – which is expected to open in 2026 and is something the mega-ship’s guests will be able to enjoy in the future.
Indeed, the cruise ship will continue to homeport in Port Canaveral long-term, and will alterate between weeklong Caribbean vacations, and 3 and 4-night weekend getaways to the Bahamas.
It’s also worth noting that mega-cruise ships offering mini cruises is a fairly new concept – which was only recently pioneered by Utopia of the Seas– another new addition to the fleet.
In the past, shorter sailings were typically reserved for smaller vessels – as less than a week doesn’t really give passengers ample time to explore all the amenities and experiences onboard a larger ship.
When you’re on a cruise, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not truly an all-inclusive experience. You’ll still pay for specialty dining, spa or beauty treatments, excursions and the like.
That said, while there are plenty of ways to upgrade your cruise experience, you don’t have to. You can enjoy a cruise to the fullest without paying a penny more than your cruise fare.
If you go this route, it’ll mean dining at only your ship’s free, complimentary restaurants — and, on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, your options will be both plentiful and delicious. These are the free Carnival cruise dining options that you’ll want to check out during your next Carnival cruise. Go on. Dig in — it’s free!
Every cruise ship has a main dining room (or two or three!) and every cruise line includes dining in the main dining room in the price of your cruise fare. It’s a classic cruising experience and it’s open to everyone.
On Carnival, the main dining rooms serve both breakfast and dinner. The dinner is three courses, but don’t let that make you think the experience will be stuffy.
The dining rooms are “cruise casual,” so while you won’t wear your bathing suit to the dinner table, you also don’t need to dress to the nines either. (Unless, of course, you’re attending one of Carnival’s Cruise Elegant evenings, during which cruisers typically gussy up for the fun of it.)
Carnival Luminosa Dining Room
During breakfast, expect all your classics: pastries, pancakes, waffles, eggs and cereals. During dinner, you’ll have your pick of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Options might include roasted duck rolls or shrimp cocktail for the appetizer, short rib or Cornish game hen for the entrée and then cheesecake or chocolate cake for dessert.
The dining room is also home to special dining events, such as the seaday brunches (free!) and Dr. Seuss-themed family breakfasts (which come with a small fee).
The main dining rooms will typically have some sort of “fancy”-sounding name, like Carnivale and Festivale, which are the main dining rooms on Carnival Celebration. They’re also typically located on Decks 3 and 4.
Lido Restaurant
Like main dining rooms, buffets are a staple on cruise ships. You’ll find a Lido Restaurant on every single Carnival cruise ship and typically on, as the name suggests, the Lido Deck.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
This is arguably your most casual dining option, and it’s also open well into the evening, so you can nearly always find a bite.
The Lido Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet from 7:30 a.m. until noon, a lunch buffet and specialty stations from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Then, there are smaller “stations” within the Lido Restaurant that have their own hours (we’ll get to those in a bit).
You can find just about anything here. There’s a deli counter, salad bar, Asian station, pasta station, barbecue, pizza and more.
Carnival Deli
The Carnival Deli is considered a separate entity from the Lido buffet, but it’s still sometimes located inside or near the buffet. Expect a pretty standard sandwich or sub shop experience here, with hot and cold sandwiches piled high with all your typical toppings.
Choose from hot sandwiches like meatball subs or a grilled ham and cheese, or cold sandwiches like tuna salad or BLTs. You can choose sides like fries or cole slaw, and there’s even a hot dog and veggie burger, as well as a wrap, on the menu.
Carnival Deli Menu
The Carnival Deli is located on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Vista.
Other ships may have sandwich shops, but these ships are the ones that specifically have the Carnival Deli.
Swirls
Similarly, Swirls is considered its own thing, but it’s typically located inside the Lido buffet. It’s a self-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt stand that’s open until midnight. The options are limited, and include your basic chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
Swirl Ice Cream on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Barbara Kalbfleisch)
Swirls ice cream is available on all Carnival cruise ships.
The Sweet Spot
Likewise, The Sweet Spot is typically located within the buffet, and is your place to go for all the other desserts (beyond the ice cream at Swirls) that your heart could desire. There’s pie, cakes, cookies, fruit and more, and it’s all available nearly all day, and on all ships.
Piazza Panini
This new addition to the Carnival lineup only currently appears aboard Mardi Gras, on Deck 8, and is open for lunch and dinner. The counter-order restaurant tries to offer a bit of an Italian street food vibe, mixed with what you could typically find at The Carnival Deli. (Note that The Carnival Deli is not on Mardi Gras.)
Piazza on Mardi Gras
So, you can get some of the same sandwiches you’d normally get at The Carnival Deli, here, like the tuna salad and grilled ham and cheese, but you also can get pressed paninis like a caprese panini or a Sicilia panini with eggplant parm, mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce on ciabatta.
The menu also offers specialty Italian desserts after 8 p.m. The eatery closes at 10 p.m.
Deco Deli
Similarly, Deco Deli is only on Carnival Celebration, and offers some Carnival Deli fare, but this is the ship’s main sandwich spot. Deco Deli is also open for lunch and dinner, and is situated in the 820 Biscayne zone on the ship. It channels the ship’s overall Miami vibes, offering Cuban-style eats.
So, again, expect those same deli sandwiches you can get on most other Carnival ships, but also some extra-specific options like a Cubano sandwich, with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and mustard, or Pan Con Lechon, with pulled pork, onion and mojo sauce.
Il Mercato
Only on Carnival Firenze, this is a deli also offering a lot of Carnival Deli menu items, but also a build-your-own meatball plate, where you can choose between beef or chicken meatballs and three types of sauce. There’s also a build-a-hot-dog option.
Il Mercato
The eatery is located on Deck 11 and is open for both lunch and dinner, until 10 p.m.
Beach Buns
Yes, yet another sandwich concept from Carnival, and this one is likewise just on one ship: Carnival Jubilee. Open for lunch and dinner until 10 p.m., it’s a casual counter-service restaurant located on Deck 8.
Whereas Deco Deli offers deli sandwiches and Cuban eats, and Piazza Panini offers deli sandwiches and paninis, Beach Buns offers deli sandwiches plus brats and hot dogs. It also has some soups, salads and desserts on offer. The hot dog selection allows you to choose from four sausage styles, five bun styles and five toppings.
Pizza Pirate
Whether you’re looking for a slice of pizza to soak up the many drinks you’ve had over the course of a sea day, or you’re searching for a casual, late-night bite after most of the other restaurants aboard the ship have closed, Pizza Pirate delivers.
Pizza Pirate Menu
Pizza Pirate is a buffet that’s typically found near the ship’s pools, and it serves up pizza until 4 a.m. each day. It’s located on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride and Carnival Valor.
Expect more than your mere pepperoni and cheese here. Margherita pizzas and pies topped with fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, roasted garlic, prosciutto and more await.
Pizzeria del Capitano
Pizzeria del Capitano is extremely similar, but just found on different ships.
You can find this small pizza buffet with late hours and a handful of tasty pizza options on Carnival Dream, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.
Pizzeria del Capitano
The menus at both pizzerias are the exact same, so don’t worry if you’ve only been to one and not the other. You’re not missing anything! Pizzeria del Capitano is also open 9 a.m.–4 a.m.
(It’s worth noting that there are two other pizza restaurants with the exact same concept, on Carnival cruise ships, but with different names: Miami Slice on Carnival Celebration and Coastal Slice on Carnival Jubilee.)
Pasta Bella
Similarly to the two different pizza options on Carnival’s ships, which are basically the same concept but with a different name, there are also two pasta bars that you’ll find on select ships. They likewise have two different names, but they’re pretty much the same, and both only serve lunch.
Pasta Bella Menu
The first is Pasta Bella, which you’ll only exclusively find on Carnival Dream, above the Lido deck. The eatery is basically a make-your-own pasta counter, with your choice of three pastas, five sauces and then 12 vegetable and protein add-ons. You can also order lasagna, Caesar salads and bread.
The Captain’s Pasta Bar
The Captain’s Pasta Bar is basically the same thing as Pasta Bella, but on more ships. It’s also only open for lunch, and can be found on Carnival Breeze, Horizon, Magic, Panorama, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista. It’s typically located on one of the higher decks.
The Captain’s Pasta Bar Menu
Like Pasta Bella, The Captain’s Pasta Bar serves your choice of three pastas, five sauces and then 12 vegetable and protein add-ons. Unlike Pasta Bella, though, The Captain’s Pasta Bar transforms into a specialty Italian restaurant for dinner: Cucina del Capitano.
Fresh Creations
Fresh Creations is only on a limited number of Carnival cruise ships and situated within the Serenity adults-only retreat. Serving lunch, it’s basically a salad bar.
You can pick from nine different kinds of greens, add on your pick of six proteins and then go all out with your choice of toppings — there’s more than three dozen topping options to pick from.
Fresh Creations
If you’re having a bit of a problem picking, the restaurant does offer a few salads that are made for you, with a specific combination of ingredients.
Fresh Creations is on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista.
Chibang!
This unique restaurant is found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras. It offers both lunch and dinner and is considered an alternative to the main dining room.
Chibang on Carnival Jubilee
Unfortunately, Carnival has put some odd parameters around the dining here. While it is technically free, you’ll be charged $8 per guest per visit if you go to the restaurant more than once during your cruise (this rule only applies to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, not Jubilee).
Regardless, if you go, you’ll find menus that combine Chinese and Mexican flavors. From the very same lunch menu, you can order both a noodle bowl and a burrito bowl.
Chibang Menu
At dinner, you can order appetizers like egg drop soup and pot stickers, but also nachos and quesadillas, before digging into entrees like sweet and sour shrimp and kung pao chicken or steak ranchero and pollo en mole.
BlueIguana Cantina
BlueIguana Cantina was added to the Carnival dining lineup in 2011, as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 series of ship refurbishments, and the eatery has been a fan favorite ever since.
BlueIguana Cantina on Mardi Gras (Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Typically located on ships’ Lido Decks, near the main pool, the restaurants feature an automated tortilla-making machine, and those tortillas then go on to appear in the various Mexican-inspired menu items.
The main highlight here is lunch, with menu items including, tacos, a salsa bar and build-your-own burritos. However, BlueIguana Cantina also serves breakfast. Avoid the crowds at the buffet and come here to enjoy breakfast tacos, arepas and huevos rancheros.
Near BlueIguana Cantina, there’s typically also the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, serving tequila-based libations.
BlueIguana Cantina Menu
BlueIguana Cantina can be found on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Mardi Gras, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor and Carnival Vista.
Tacos & Burritos
Carnival Luminosa does not, sadly, have its own BlueIguana Cantina outpost, but for those on the ship, they don’t have to forgo their taco and burrito cravings.
The ship has its own complimentary dining venue near the pool that’s very nearly the same, offering both breakfast and lunch and, as the name suggests, primarily tacos and burritos.
Tomodoro
Tomodoro is a unique restaurant featured just on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia. It’s near the main pool and open for both breakfast and lunch, and it does offer Mexican eats, just like BlueIguana Cantina and Tacos & Burritos. However, this restaurant gives that concept a spin, with an Italian fusion take.
Tomodoro
As such, the menu includes not just tacos and burritos, but also Italian-inspired sandwiches and wraps. At breakfast, you can build your own burrito, choosing your tortilla, protein and other fillings.
Chicken Shack
Another limited restaurant, Chicken Shack is only on Carnival Firenze. Chicken Shack offers lunch only, and fried chicken sandwiches. The restaurant is a bit of a spiff off of the Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant that you’ll find on some other Carnival ships.
Choose from an array of chicken-based sandwiches topped with a variety of sauces, cheeses and similar, and then pick a side, like potato salad or slaw.
Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s Burger Joint may arguably be the most beloved Carnival restaurant of them all. Like, BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint first came about in 2011, as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 series of ship renovations, and now you can find this eatery on every single Carnival ship except Carnival Luminosa.
With a menu crafted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, this restaurant has big road trip vibes (a la Fieri’s hit show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and offers larger than life burgers and tasty hand-cut fries. There are multiple condiment and topping stations, and walls are covered with road trip paraphernalia.
Guy’s Burger Joint
The menu includes a handful of burger options, whether you want something a little basic (like “The Plain Jane”) or something loaded down with chili, onion rings, bacon and more.
Burgers can also come topped with “super melty cheese” and a “secret” Donkey Sauce that’s really just a mix of mayo, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.
If you pay a visit to Guy’s Burger Joint during your next cruise, make sure to go on a port day. The restaurant is quite popular so lines can get long, especially on sea days. Or, try to go to the restaurant a little later than typical lunchtime.
On some ships, Guy’s Burger Joint offers breakfast as well, and also special menu items. For example, on Carnival’s Italian-style ships, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, the eatery offers some Italian-style burgers with pepperoni and mozzarella. Breakfast is available on newer ships, with menu items like breakfast sandwiches and breakfast-inspired burgers.
Regardless of the ship, you can typically find Guy’s Burger Joint on the Lido decks, mid-ship, near the main pool.
Off the Grill
As mentioned, Carnival Luminosa is the sole ship that does not include a Guy’s Burger Joint. However, Carnival has tried to make up for this a bit by installing a somewhat different poolside burger joint, Off the Grill.
There, you can find burgers and fries, during the lunchtime and late afternoon. The specialty is the garlic butter buns, and otherwise you can find basic burgers like a classic beef, cheeseburger, veggie burger and chicken burger.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
Seeing all the success that the cruise line had with Guy’s Burger Joint, it’s just natural that Carnival Cruise Line would go on to partner with Guy Fieri again, to craft a new restaurant. This time, they went the way of a barbecue restaurant, with Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse.
Now, you can find this eatery on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Vista. It’s located on the Promenade Deck.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
So, what’s the menu look like? Choose from a selection of in-house smoked meats, such as pork butt, chicken, beef and sausage, and add on classic barbecue sides like potato salad, slaw, collard greens or mac ‘n cheese.
Do note that there is another part of this restaurant concept that is not fully complimentary, and that’s Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse.
Announced in 2017, this concept is an expansion of the former, offering full-service dining at dinner and a brewery located within the restaurant. This eatery also offers a broader menu, with items like smoked salmon and desserts. This restaurant is on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Carnival Panorama.
That said, while this isn’t a fully complimentary restaurant, if you’re sailing on one of these ships, that doesn’t mean that you have to give up your dreams of trying Guy Fieri’s barbecue.
On sea days, the restaurant does offer a complimentary buffet for lunch. Additionally, on Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee, you can eat dinner at this restaurant for free, as it’s considered an alternative to the main dining room.
Ol’ Fashioned BBQ
Other Carnival ships do have barbecue concepts on offer, even if they’re not Guy Fieri-approved. Ol’ Fashioned BBQ is located in the Lido Marketplace on Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Valor.
Ol’ Fashioned BBQ Menu
There, you’ll find a limited menu of barbecue — your choice of pork butt, chicken or smoked beef — and sides that include mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, slaw, baked beans and bread.
La Strada Grill
Another complimentary restaurant that only shows up on Carnival’s Italian-themed ships, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia, La Strada Grill is situated on Deck 5 and has been compared to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, but with an Italian twist.
The menu offers smoked pulled pork and Italian sausage, as well as roast beef and chicken heroes, alongside sides dishes like mac ‘n cheese and various Italian salads, such as a Caesar and panzanella salad.
The restaurant is only open for lunch on embarkation days and sea days.
Big Chicken
Big Chicken is among the newest complimentary restaurants that can be found on Carnival cruise ships. It’s only found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Carnival Radiance. It serves both breakfast and lunch, with lunch available until 5 p.m. and all-day breakfast available from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
This restaurant is the result of another celebrity partnership, this time with Shaquille O’Neal. The partnership was announced in 2018. However, you won’t just find this restaurant on Carnival ships; it also has some land-based locations, such as in Las Vegas.
What’s the menu look like? Your chicken options include a traditional fried chicken basket, chicken strip sand chicken sandwiches with toppings like various cheeses, slaws, bacon, sauces and more. Sides include potato salad, slaw and pickles. For breakfast, choose between an omelet, biscuit sandwich or fried chicken and biscuits.
Masala Tiger
Masala Tiger is an Indian restaurant that you’ll only find on Carnival Splendor, on Deck 9. Only open for lunch, the restaurant offers Indian signature menu items cooked in a traditional clay oven, as well as vegetarian options.
Compared to a lot of lunch-only complimentary restaurants that you’ll find across Carnival’s fleet, you’ll actually see quite a few meal options here.
In addition to the chaat buffet and various bread options, there’s typically eight entrée options that range from chicken reshmi kabab to vegetable biryani to chicken malai tikka. Depending on when you sail, the menu items may vary.
Street Eats
Another newer addition to Carnival Cruise Line’s complimentary restaurants, Street Eats is only found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras. With a food truck-style approach, the restaurant is open for lunch and offers three food stalls that change up what they serve, depending on the day.
Mad Sizzle at Street Eats
The three counter-service food stalls are themed, and dubbed Mad Sizzle, Steam Dream and Time Fries. Mad Sizzle specializes in Asian and Middle Eastern bites, Steam Dream specializes in bao buns and pot stickers and Time Fries specializes in gourmet french fries.
At any given time, you might find kebabs or chicken satay at Mad Sizzle, pork dumplings or beef bao at Steam Dream and chimichurri or poutine fries at Time Fries. The offerings change up frequently, so consider stopping by multiple times during your cruise!
Street Eats is located on Deck 16.
Lucky Bowl
Only found on Carnival Sunrise, Lucky Bowl offers Asian-style bowls, whether you opt for a brothy pho, a rice bowl topped with Hainanese chicken or a bowl of rice noodles topped with bulgogi beef. The offerings change daily, with usually three options available at lunch. Breakfast options are also available.
Lucky Bowl can be found behind BlueIguana, near the deli.
Room Service
Lastly, while Carnival does offer 24/7 room service, it’s worth noting that not all of the room service is complimentary. In many cases, extra charges do apply.
You can get complimentary continental breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., every day of your cruise except for on the last morning of the cruise. You will need to pay a delivery fee, though, even if it’s pretty small.
The menu includes fresh fruit and cereal, baked items, yogurt and beverages. You can order breakfast sandwiches from the same menu, but, again, those are not free.
You can only get the continental breakfast items for free. The rest of the day, room service comes with a fee. Also, beverages ordered through room service will not be covered by your beverage package. An extra fee will apply.
With a groundbreaking ceremony stimulated with great fanfare and excitement, construction is now officially underway on the fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston.
The upcoming Cruise Terminal 16 officially began construction on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, and is slated to welcome MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape in November 2025.
When complete, the terminal will welcome guests with lush landscaping, digital screens at the entryway, a spacious check-in area, and a dedicated lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests.
Cruise Terminal 16 Large Digital Screens
The groundbreaking ceremony for the $151 million complex was attended by more than 100 executives and local VIPs, as well as elected officials, port partners, and community leaders.
A large-scale rendering of the new 165,000-square-foot terminal was revealed, complete with landscaping details, parking garage, and MSC Seascape docked and ready to welcome guests.
Cruise Terminal 16 MSC Yacht Club Lounge
“We have so much to celebrate today with this milestone and what it means to our community, cruise guests and port partners,”said Rodger Reese, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO.“This beautiful new terminal will generate jobs and economic growth for the region, an exciting new cruise choice for our market, and growth opportunities for our port partners.”
Reese also extended a welcome to MSC Cruises. Europe’s top cruise line is continuing its expansion into the North American market, and homeporting the 170,400-gross-ton, Seaside EVO-class MSC Seascape from Texas will be great progress with that effort.
“Having a cruise line of this stature homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about our position in the U.S. and global cruise markets,”said Reese.
“Adding Galveston as our fourth homeport will make it even easier for travelers from the central and western parts of the country to enjoy our distinctive mix of European style and American comfort,”agreed Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises US Chairman.
“This state-of-the-art terminal will set the tone for a memorable cruise experience. We are thrilled to work closely with the Galveston Wharves to shape the future of cruising in Texas, delivering extraordinary vacations and unforgettable moments aboard the beautiful and modern MSC Seascape.”
The new cruise terminal is expected to open in late 2025. With its first full year of operation in 2026, the port is expected to welcome more than 2 million travelers annually, a new record for Galveston’s operation as a passenger cruise port.
Port of Galveston is already homeport to ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises. Adding more diversity to the cruise lineup from the Texas homeport is sure to bring even more interest to the Lone Star State as a top cruising hub.
Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 16 Check-In
When MSC Seascape joins the Galveston ship lineup, she will be offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries visiting three top destinations: Roatan Island in Honduras as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico. The ship can welcome 4,540 guests at double occupancy, or up to 5,877 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Cruise Terminal Galveston Impact
It isn’t just cruises that will be impacted by the new Cruise Terminal 16 and the presence of MSC Cruises in Galveston.
In 2022, the Port of Galveston supported 3,500 local jobs and generated $568 million in local business revenue from retailers, restaurants, transportation, hotels, and sightseeing. An additional $73.5 million was generated from local purchases by passengers and crew.
The opening of the fourth cruise terminal next year is expected to add another 925 jobs and $177 million in annual local revenue. Even the city of Galveston will benefit from passenger fees and sales tax revenues from the onsite cruise parking.
Port of Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise port in the US and also services cargo operations through Galveston Harbor. The 840-acre port is well positioned for future growth and has the facilities to expand as cruise, cargo, and commercial businesses continue to grow.
Have you set sail from Galveston? Share your favorite cruises and Port of Galveston tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
Oasis of the Seas was the record-setting world’s largest cruise ship when it debuted in 2009. However, since then, the ship has been surpassed several times over, both by other cruise ships in the Oasis class, as well as other Royal Caribbean International ships overall.
That said, the ship is still among the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world. Want to see how it stacks up? Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about Oasis of the Seas’ mammoth size.
Built in Turku, Finland, Oasis of the Seas is an impressive 226,838 gross tons and is 1,187 feet long. This means that the ship is one of the largest in the world, with the top largest cruise ship in the world currently being Icon of the Seas at 250,800 gross tons.
If you’re not up to date with your cruise ship lingo, basically, gross tons is a measurement of the internal volume of the ship’s interior. The larger the cruise ship by gross tons, the larger the ship is on the inside.
As such, gross tonnage can definitely impact passenger capacity, which is also impacted by the number of staterooms and suites aboard the ship. As for Oasis of the Seas, the ship can fit 5,602 guests at double occupancy, and 6,771 passengers total.
Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Palephotography)
Oasis of the Seas Length
Oasis of the Seas measures in at 1,187 feet long. But what does that number really mean?
Well, a regulation NFL football field is 360 feet. That means, end to end, you could fit more than three full NFL football fields onto Oasis of the Seas. (That’s a lot of football.) Furthermore, a mile is 5,280 feet, so the ship is a nearly a quarter of a mile long.
However, when comparing Oasis of the Seas’ length to other mammoth cruise ships’ length, it’s worth noting that, as ships get bigger and bigger, many are doing so by gross tons, not necessarily length. As such, the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, is just 11 feet longer than the Oasis of the Seas.
Oasis of the Seas Width
Oasis of the Seas is 215 feet wide. Cruise ship width is measured at the outermost sides of the hull. Compared to the largest-ship Icon of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas is about 10 feet thinner.
Oasis of the Seas Height
Oasis of the Seas has 18 total decks, of which 16 are open to guests. It all adds up to a height of 213 feet above the waterline. That’s about the same size as a 20-story building.
Oasis of the Seas Weight
As mentioned, when deciding which cruise ships are bigger than all the rest, cruise ships are generally measured by gross tons. Oasis of the Seas weighs in at 226,838 gross tons.
When the ship debuted in 2009, this size made it the largest in the world, putting it far above Royal Caribbean’s prior ships. For example, in 2008, just a year before, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas had debuted at just a relatively paltry 155,889 GT.
After Oasis of the Seas set the cruise ship size record, though, it was very quickly surpassed by sister ships Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas,Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.
How Does the Oasis of the Seas Measure Up to Other Major Cruise Ships?
While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed by a handful of other major cruise ships since its debut more than a decade ago, it still holds its own as one of the biggest.
Here’s how the ship stacks up against two of the largest of them all, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. As of 2024, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the top two largest cruise ships in the world.
Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison
Stats
Icon of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas
Gross Tonnage
250,800
226,838
236,473
Length
1,198 feet
1,187 feet
1,188 feet
Passenger Decks
18
16
16
Total Decks
20
18
18
Guest Capacity (double occupancy)
5,610
5,602
5,668
Total Cabins
2,805
2,801
2,834
Crew Capacity
2,350
2,109
2,290
Interestingly, as you can see from the above, while Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are both dramatically larger than Oasis of the Seas, in terms of gross tonnage, they’re still pretty comparable in terms of length, total decks, total cabins and even guest capacity at double capacity.
Is Oasis of the Seas Really That Much Bigger Than Other Cruise Ships?
To understand just how big Oasis of the Seas is in terms of other cruise ships, it’s also valuable to look at how Oasis of the Seas — and the entire Oasis class as a whole — measures up when compared to the next-biggest cruise ships in the world.
Oasis of the Seas Dry Dock
After the Oasis class ships, the next-biggest cruise ship is from MSC Cruises, with the cruise line’s MSC World Europa. That ship measures in at 215,863 GT, or nearly 11,000 GT smaller than Oasis of the Seas. It’s also nearly 100 feet shorter, too, with capacity for more than a hundred fewer guests.
So, while Oasis of the Seas might not be the biggest of them all, it’s still a pretty big ship.
Oasis of the Seas Capacity – Passengers and Crew
When the Royal Caribbean vessel debuted, it set a world record for its passenger capacity.
Oasis of the Seas boasts a maximum passenger capacity of 6,771 passengers. If the ship is carrying this maximum number of passengers, plus a full crew of 2,109, that brings the total number of people on the ship to 8,880 people.
What About Accommodations on Oasis of the Seas?
With all of those passengers, they’re going to need ample places to stay. Luckily, Oasis of the Seas does offer a wealth of accommodation options.
There are more than 2,800 staterooms on Oasis of the Seas and options really range, from compact interior cabins to larger-than-life luxury suites. You’ll find that there are 21 different types of rooms that you could potentially book on this cruise ship.
Breakdown of the Accommodations on the Oasis of the Seas
So, how do all of these accommodation options break down? The 2,800-plus guest rooms include:
193 ocean view rooms
1,800 balcony rooms
176 suites
529 basic interior cabins
However, beyond just these larger, overarching types of rooms, you’ll find other sub-categories of rooms that offer specific benefits (or drawbacks, depending on your preferences).
For example, there are spacious interior family cabins, which differ from your basic interior cabins. These cabins offer, in some cases, an extra more than 100 square feet of space, with multiple beds and a separate bedroom, for a suite-like feel.
Promenade Stateroom
There are also interior cabins that come with windows that overlook an interior space such as the Promenade, Boardwalk or Central Park. Likewise, there are interior cabins that come with balconies that overlook these interior spaces, too.
Beyond just ocean view cabins, there are two-bedroom family ocean view cabins. Likewise, beyond just balcony cabins, there also spacious and ultra-spacious family balcony cabins that can fit four and six passengers, respectively.
Then, you get into suites and your options range further, from pretty basic and simple junior suites to posh, multi-level loft suites. Here are how the suites break down on Oasis of the Seas, and how many suites of each type are available on the ship:
Junior suites (86)
One-bedroom grand suites (30)
Two-bedroom family grand suites (6)
One-bedroom owners suites (10)
Ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows (2)
One-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
Two-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
Crown loft suites (25)
Star loft suites (2)
Grand loft suites (1)
Owners loft suite (1)
Royal loft suite (1)
Some of these suites were added during the Royal Amplified fleet modernization effort that Royal Caribbean launched in 2019, for $1 billion. This is the case with the ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows.
The Royal Loft Suite
However, if you want the best of the best, you’re going to go for the largest suite of them all, the royal loft suite, which measures in at 1,530 square feet.
This huge suite features a master bathroom, master bathroom with a tub and double vanity, second bedroom, dining room with a dry bar, living room with a grand piano, second bathroom with a shower, and a huge balcony with another sitting area, bar, dining area and jacuzzi
How Is the Interior of the Ship Divided?
Oasis of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to introduce the seven-neighborhood concept that the cruise line has since rolled out across the rest of the Royal Caribbean fleet, slowly but surely. It was also the first ship to feature the AquaTheater entertainment venue.
Photo By: Royal Caribbean
While the ship has received refurbishments over its life — most notably the $165 million amplification in 2019 as part of the Royal Amplified initiative — it still boasts these seven neighborhoods that it debuted in 2009.
Each neighborhood has its own distinct vibes and purpose, these include:
Central Park
The Boardwalk
The Royal Promenade
The Pool and Sports Zone
The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
Entertainment Place
The Youth Zone
Some of these neighborhoods are pretty self-explanatory, but others are a little more inventive.
Oasis of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown
While this seven-neighborhood concept has become commonplace on Royal Caribbean’s ships, if you’ve never sailed with the cruise line in the past, here’s what you can expect.
1. Central Park
The Central Park neighborhood is a lush, garden-esque setting with an open air feel thanks to the lack of any roof overhead. With trees, flowers, vine plants and a mix of retail, entertainment and dining, the neighborhood blends plenty of action with a refreshing environment that feels worlds away from the standard cruise ship experience.
The neighborhood sits over several decks, and you’ll find that there are cabins available that overlook Central Park, either via a window, or a balcony (there are more than 300 inward-facing balcony cabins here!).
Central Park on Oasis of the Seas
Staple venues within this neighborhood include Restaurant 150 Central Park, the three-deck Dazzles dance lounge, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Vintages, Trellis Bar, and Park Café.
Central Park is also home to retail outlets like Coach; when the ship debuted, this particular Coach outlet was the brand’s largest store at sea. During the ship’s 2019 renovations, The Music Hall was also added to this neighborhood.
Central Park was designed to have a piazza feel, so expect “al fresco” dining, wandering musicians and very much an experience you might expect if you were walking through a bustling, lively urban green space. Central Park starts on Deck 8.
2. The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is a bit more whimsical, with a carnival-like atmosphere that brings together restaurants, retail and, yes, of course, carnival games.
The Boardwalk (at least on this ship) is home to the AquaTheater. As mentioned, Oasis of the Seas introduced the AquaTheater entertainment venue to the Royal Caribbean line, and now it’s a staple on many cruise ships.
The AquaTheater is literally what it sounds like: an aqua theater. At this amphitheater with a pool, you can catch aquatic acrobatic shows in the aquatheater pool.
Boardwalk
The Boardwalk also introduced the first carousel at sea, and now you’ll find carousels on a handful of other Royal Caribbean ships.
Other venues and attractions you’ll find here include Sugar Beach, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar, The Boardwalk Dog House and The Seafood Shack.
There are also a few Boardwalk-view and Boardwalk balcony staterooms here, and the AquaTheater suites. The Boardwalk is on Deck 6.
3. The Royal Promenade
Royal Caribbean has become known for its Royal Promenades, which first appeared on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager and Freedom-class ships.
However, some changes were made when adding the Royal Promenade to Oasis of the Seas. For example, a new configuration means that guests enter the Promenade when boarding the ship, right away.
Oasis of the Seas Promenade
The multi-level Promenade is the heart of the ship in many ways, with lots of action and activities, as well as venues and entertainment.
Here, you’ll find the Rising Tide Bar (which, on Oasis of the Seas, was the world’s first moving bar at sea, spanning three decks), the Diamond Club (an exclusive lounge for loyalty club members), Schooner Bar, Globe and Atlas Pub, the Champagne Bar, Boleros, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, Starbucks, Spotlight Karaoke and more. Royal Caribbean also added the Bionic Bar to the Promenade during the ship’s 2019 renovations.
There are also 18 Promenade-view staterooms in this neighborhood. The Royal Promenade starts on Deck 5.
4. The Pool and Sports Zone
The Pool and Sports Zone received new life during the ship’s 2019 renovations.
Now, it features two FlowRider surfing simulators, a nine-deck-high zip line (the first at sea when it premiered), the Ultimate Abyss slide (the tallest slide at sea when it debuted, at 10 stories), the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Splashaway Bay, The Lime & Coconut resort-style bar and pool deck, new hot tubs and more. The ship’s 43-feet-tall rock-climbing walls (there are two) are also located in this neighborhood.
The Pool and Sports Zone
When Oasis of the Seas first set sail, the Pool and Sports Zone likewise was home to the first beach pool at sea, with a sloped entry and gentle waves. There’s also, of course, a main pool and multiple hot tubs here.
As for the “sports” aspect of the Pool and Sports Zone, there’s a sports pool with activities like water polo, and a sports deck with mini golf, basketball court, volleyball and soccer.
The adults-only Solarium and Solarium Bistro are also situated within this neighborhood, as are the Windjammer Café buffet, Izumi Cafe, Portside BBQ (a new specialty restaurant added during the 2019 renovations, as Royal Caribbean’s first barbecue eatery), El Loco Fresh, Coastal Kitchen and multiple bars.
The Pool and Sports Zone starts on Deck 15.
5. Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
Possibly the most straightforward and aptly named neighborhood on this ship, this neighborhood is simply home to the spa and fitness center.
Vitality Spa Entrance
The spa offers 29 treatment rooms and a thermal suite, while the fitness center can accommodate more than 150 exercise machines. This neighborhood is spread over Decks 5 and 6.
6. Entertainment Place
Entertainment Place houses the ship’s Opal Theater, Casino Royale, ice rink, laser tag, and then smaller entertainment venues for music and comedy like Studio B. Blaze Nightclub is also situated here, along with Jazz on 4.
Jazz on 4 Venue
Entertainment Place is technically the lowest neighborhood on the ship, with much of the neighborhood situated on Deck 4. One of the main dining rooms is also accessible here.
7. The Youth Zone
Much like the Pool and Sports Zone, the Youth Zone received a bit of an overhaul during the 2019 renovations, too. Originally home to the Adventure Ocean program, with offerings for kids as young as six months, the Youth Zone stretched over nearly 30,000 square feet at debut.
Adventure Ocean Venue
Refurbishments remade the neighborhood from head to toe and added a new outdoor deck to the teen space, as well as new tech amenities.
The Youth Zone is centered around Deck 16, and you’ll find certain kid and family-friendly amenities nearby, such as the arcade and Royal Escape Room.
Final Words on the Size of Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas was an absolutely ground-breaking ship when it first debuted in 2009. It was not only the biggest ship in the world, capable of carrying the most passengers, but it also brought so many unique features and amenities to the cruising industry.
Truly, the ship seemed to set off a chain reaction, with both Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines alike constantly trying to outdo themselves and one another, with the biggest, best and most impressive cruising experiences possible.
While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed in both size and flashy appeal by its Royal Caribbean siblings, it’s still a ship worthy of any traveler’s attention. It’s still one of the world’s largest, and recent refurbishments have ensured that the ship stays competitive among the highly competitive cruising industry.
If you’ve ever considered taking an Oasis of the Seas cruise, there’s no reason to hesitate. This mammoth ship still has a lot to love.
Porcelain plates and plastic wrap will soon be a thing of the past when it comes to room service breakfasts onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, thanks to a new partnership with a reusable plastics company.
The 19-ship Norwegian Cruise Line fleet will begin using bento-box style serveware made from 50% recycled materials for room service breakfast orders. The new serveware is already in use onboard Norwegian Viva, the line’s newest ship, and Norwegian Prima.
The serveware, a product of the company Drinique, will roll out across the remainder of the fleet before the end of 2024. Drinique, which manufactures unbreakable, BPS-free drink-ware and dish-ware, is a supplier to many in the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, casinos, and nightclubs, among others.
Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, the serveware will eliminate not only porcelain plates but also the plastic wrap that is used to protect breakfast items. It is made with a durable plastic called Eastman Tritan Renew.
The decision to start using Drinique products is part of the line’s Sail & Sustain environmental policy, which, among other initiatives, made Norwegian Cruise Line the first in the industry to end the use of single-use plastic straws and single-use plastic water bottles in 2020.
The elimination of the two products has so far reduced the use of straws by 77 million and of water bottles by 27 million, the line said.
“As part of our commitment to reduce the use of single plastic on board, we continuously search for opportunities to implement new environmentally friendly practices, while keeping our mission of delivering more experiences so our guests can vacation better with us top of mind,” said Mark Kansley, senior vice president of hotel operations at Norwegian Cruise Line.
“We’re excited to continue to work with Drinique to introduce these new reusable bento boxes across our fleet and continue doing our part to protect and preserve the environment,” added Kansley.
Other projects that are part of the cruise line’s sustainability program include a fleet-wide recycling policy, a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, and the meeting of a target goal of installing shore power technology on half of its fleet by 2024.
Drinique is a family-owned business created by mother and son team Anita and Andrew Elliott. It started with the marketing of one tumbler in 2007 and now provides a variety of serveware styles.
Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
“We are excited to help companies like NCL drive change to meet their environmental goals,” said Andrew Elliott, president of Drinique.
“By leveraging the sustainability and durability of Tritan Renew, we aim to help our partners innovate and continue to provide guests with an effortless dining experience while reducing single-use plastic waste across the globe,” added Elliott.
Like some other cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line charges guests a fee for room service breakfast, $4.95. Other room service orders carry a delivery fee of $9.95. These fees do not apply to guests booked in the line’s luxury level called The Haven.
More Ships on Order Means More Drinique Products
In the coming years, Norwegian Cruise Line’s use of Drinique’s products is likely to increase substantially, since the brand is set to expand by four mega-ships by 2036.
In April 2024, cruise line parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced it would build four 200,000-gross ton ships for the brand, each accommodating upward of 5,000 guests. The ships are slated for delivery in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036.
Sister brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also each receive two new builds in that same order. The use of the new serveware is limited to Norwegian Cruise Line, but it is possible that the new high-tech plastic could be expanded to the sister brands.
Carnival Cruise Line is taking advantage of travelers’ interest in unique sailings with the line’s first ever special solar eclipse cruise.
This announcement comes as the first wave of 2026 sailings has also been opened for bookings, permitting cruisers to begin planning amazing summer sailings in Europe and Alaska.
The special solar eclipse cruise will be a first for Carnival Cruise Line, and the legendary opportunity is being offered, appropriately enough, aboard Carnival Legend.
The 11-night Journeys sailing will depart Dover, England on August 9, 2026, with port calls planned in Spain, Portugal, and France, including Le Havre (Paris), Vigo, Lisbon, Zebrugge, and more.
Of special interest will be the sea day on August 12, 2026 – the day of a total solar eclipse just when Carnival Legend will be in the path of totality. This will give passengers a stunning opportunity to observe the astronomical phenomenon without any distractions or obstructions (weather permitting, of course!).
“The chance to see a total solar eclipse while having fun exploring the cultural richness of Spain, Portugal and France aboard Carnival Legend, is a truly special opportunity – among a lineup of many phenomenal cruises,”said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
While Carnival has not yet announced any special activities onboard the solar eclipse cruise, it is likely there will be expert astronomers on hand as well as eclipse-themed fun not only on the day of the event, but also throughout the sailing. Informational lectures, space-themed trivia, themed drinks and desserts, and other fun options may all be part of the special cruise.
Carnival Legend will remain homeported in Europe for the 2026 summer season, following her 14-night transatlantic repositioning cruise from Miami to Dover. The ship will depart Florida on May 24, 2026.
From Dover, the 85,942-gross-ton, Spirit-class ship will offer nine sailings with diverse northern European destinations, including Ireland, Scotland, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Scandinavia, and even Iceland. Itineraries range from 9-12 nights.
After her time in Dover, the ship will move to Civitavecchia (Rome) to offer an additional 6 European sailings focusing on top Mediterranean ports of call. These 9-12 night cruises will include stops in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and more.
Guests looking to end the European season in style can also now book Carnival Legend‘s return transatlantic sailing from Civitavecchia to Tampa, with stops in Cartagena, Malaga, Gibraltar and Bermuda along the way. That 14-night crossing will depart Rome on November 1, 2026.
Carnival Legend‘s 2026 European summer getaways are now available for booking. While these sailings are two years away, now is the time to make reservations to guarantee the greatest choice in stateroom options, departure dates, and more.
“As the popularity of Carnival Legend’s 2024 Europe sailings prove, it’s never too soon for our loyal guests to start planning their next summer vacation,”said Duffy.
2026 Alaska Cruises Now Open on Two Ships
In addition to the 2026 European season available on Carnival Legend, sailings are also now open for Alaska in the summer of 2026 aboard Carnival Spirit and Carnival Miracle. Both ships will offer departures from Seattle, with those sailings now available to book.
Carnival Miracle will depart on Thursdays for her 7-night Alaska sailings, visiting Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Along with these top Last Frontier destinations, classic scenic cruising along Tracy Arm Fjord makes these itineraries the best of any Alaskan cruise.
Carnival Miracle in Alaska (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)
The ship will also offer two special Carnival Journeys Alaska sailings, one of 9 nights and the other of 10. Extra ports and more scenic cruising are part of both of these longer sailings.
It should be noted that Carnival Miracle will also offer Alaska cruises departing from San Francisco in 2026, though those itineraries are not available for booking at this time.
Meanwhile, Carnival Spirit will also offer 7-night Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle beginning April 28, 2026 and continuing through September 15, 2026.
Both ships will offer select Carnival Journeys sailings on either end of their Alaska seasons as they reposition from other homeports. These include full Panama Canal transits as Carnival Spirit moves between Mobile and Seattle in April and back to Mobile in October. Carnival Miracle will reposition from Tampa to Seattle in April and then from Seattle to Galveston in September.
These repositioning cruises, which are often top bucket-list options for cruise travelers, are also available for booking. As with any one-of-a-kind sailing, they are likely to fill up quickly, and interested travelers should be planning early to make the most of their summer 2026 sailings.
Disney Cruise Line has revealed some truly unique design details of Disney Imagination Garden, a sprawling space that will serve as the entertainment hub onboard Disney Adventure, set to debut in 2025.
The garden will be anchored at one end by a three-deck-high castle artwork and at the other by a performance stage where favorite Disney characters will be brought to life. The themed area, one of seven planned for the ship, will have two dining venues, a bar, and a new category of garden-view cabins.
Disney Adventure is under construction at a Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Disney Cruise Line bought the vessel in 2022 from Genting Hong Kong, which went bankrupt when the ship was about 70% complete.
Since the acquisition, Disney has been renovating Disney Adventure to its standards and will deploy the ship to Singapore.
“Disney Imagination Garden is the heart and soul of the Disney Adventure, where our guests will interact with our Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories in a whole new way,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio executive creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering.
“The size and scale of this space provided us with so many opportunities to dream big and try new things with our experiential design, creating first-of-a-kind experiences for our guests, from all-new entertainment to delicious dining and lots of magical surprises sprinkled throughout,” added Cabo.
Disney Adventure is a 208,000-gross ton ship, making her among the largest in the industry, with capacity for up to 6,700 guests. The ship is slated to sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Singapore, with no port calls, making her public spaces and staterooms the sole focus of these vacations at sea.
Disney Cruise Line in June 2024 announced the names of all seven of the ship’s themed areas: In addition to Disney Imagination Garden, the ship will offer Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Wayfinder Bay, Town Square, Marvel Landing, and Toy Story Place.
Here’s What Disney Imagination Garden Will Offer
The Disney Imagination Garden is described as a space that will make guests think they are in a pop-up storybook, with features that look like paper cut-outs. These will be shaped like flowers, trees, vines, trellises, and lanterns.
The Garden Stage will have an amphitheater design, using a large staircase for seating. At the top of the staircase, guests will find a garden courtyard and bar, where a topiary of a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse stands with his magic wand at the ready.
Two eateries will be featured in the garden area, each taken from Disney’s animated films “The Jungle Book” and “Moana.” Indoor and outdoor seating will be available at both venues, with outdoor tables providing views of the Garden Stage.
Mowgli’s Eatery, which will serve Indian dishes, is inspired by Mowgli’s journey in “The Jungle Book,” while Gramma Tala’s Kitchen is taken from the tropical atmosphere in “Moana.”
Disney Adventure Mowgli’s Eatery
While most entertainment details tied to the Garden Stage are yet to come, Disney Cruise Line has unveiled one of the main performances guests can look forward to.
The show, called “Avengers Assemble!,” will delight guests with stunts and special effects featuring characters such as Deadpool, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, The Scarlet Witch, and others.
Disney Adventure Gramma Tala’s Kitchen
Under an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board, Disney Adventure will sail from the country’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre for at least five years.
When she debuts in 2025, Disney Adventure will join a six-ship Disney Cruise Line fleet. The cruise line has five ships currently sailing, with the new-build Disney Treasure set to debut in December 2024. Disney Treasure recently marked her float-out from her Meyer Werft construction bay, and the shipyard is completing her interior design.
Another ship set to launch in 2025 is Disney Destiny, also under construction at Meyer Werft. Disney Cruise Line is a growing brand, with an order for four additional ships announced on August 10, 2024.
Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests on several sailings of the new Norwegian Viva with notice that the ship’s itinerary has been changed and the port of Kralendijk, Bonaire has been removed.
While no alternative port has been added, the times in other ports of call on each itinerary have been extended to compensate.
The impacted sailings include the ship’s February 16 and February 23 departures, both in 2025. These 7-night itineraries are identical, now with identical changes.
The ship will set sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico as planned on Sunday, with no change in the 7 p.m. planned departure. On Monday, the visit to Punta Cana (La Romana) in the Dominican Republic will now be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., rather than the original 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This gives guests an extra hour to explore the beautiful tropical destination.
Tuesday’s call to Oranjestad, Aruba will be from 11 am. to 9 p.m., a total of 10 hours in port. The original itinerary had Norwegian Viva visiting just from 1-9 p.m., only eight hours. Wednesday, the ship will be in Willemstad, Curacao from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., a one-hour gain from the original itinerary of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday was to have been the visit to Kralendijk, Bonaire, but instead, that day will now be a day at sea. As the ship was to have been docked from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., this is a loss of 7 hours of port time.
Friday, the ship’s call to Castries, St. Lucia will be significantly expanded. Instead of the original itinerary of 1:30-7:30 p.m. (6 hours), the ship will now visit the port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 hours).
Likewise, the Saturday visit to Basseterre, St. Kitts, is now from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 hours) instead of just 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (8.5 hours).
All pre-purchased shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for Bonaire on these impacted itineraries will be automatically cancelled, with full refunds returned to guests’ original form of payment. If necessary, shore tour times for the other ports of call will be adjusted accordingly.
The 142,500-gross-ton, Prima-class Norwegian Viva can welcome 3,215 guests at each sailing. She is currently spending the summer and autumn seasons in the Mediterranean, before she will move to San Juan in December.
Why the Changes?
The reasoning for the changes to every single port on each of Norwegian Viva‘s impacted itineraries, as well as dropping Bonaire completely, has not been detailed other than a relatively generic explanation Norwegian Cruise Line has frequently used with such changes.
“As we continue to optimize itineraries for enhanced port and shore excursion availability for the ultimate vacation experience, fuel optimization as a part of our commitment to the environment and sustainability efforts, as well as global maritime regulations, we have adjusted the original itinerary,”the email notification said.
Norwegian Viva (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
The idea of dropping Bonaire as a port visit for “shore excursion availability” is interesting as Norwegian Viva was the only ship scheduled in the port on Thursday, February 20 as well as the following week on February 27.
It is possible that the other ports of call will have more crowding, and extending the times in port will permit more shore tour opportunities for passengers.
Regardless of the reason, travelers will be understandably disappointed in the change, particularly if this may be their first cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Bonaire is part of the unique “ABC” cruise itinerary – Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao – that many travelers note as a bucket-list sailing.
As Norwegian Viva is offering a number of identical itineraries while she is homeported from San Juan from mid-December 2024 through early April 2025, it is possible that other sailing dates may be similarly impacted.
Guests booked on sailings during that time period should stay in close contact with Norwegian Cruise Line in case of updates or adjustments.
There is simply no way to make everyone happy – and the latest controversy to anger cruise passengers is the price of bottled water on Carnival cruise ships.
According to Brand Ambassador John Heald, who spoke out about the issue in avideo on his Facebook page, a lot of cruisers have been expressing their frustration with the cost of the beverage.
Currently, guests can pre-order a 12-pack of bottled water prior to embarkation day to be delivered to their staterooms for $17.64 (USD).
This equates to a value of $1.47 per water bottle – although it is the fourth time the price of this item has been raised in about a two year span.
There was also outrage when the price was raised to $14.95 per 12-pack in April of 2024 – which equals out to about $1.25 per bottle. Initially, the 12-pack was priced at $4.95 ($0.42 per bottle).
But as Heald stated in his video, these are still some of the best prices in the travel industry – and the cruise lines do need to adjust for the current economy and inflation.
“We’ve been talking a lot about water because people have been rather, I guess, adamant, that we charge too much for bottled water,” began Heald.“But it’s just over $1 a bottle. It’s the most affordable in the industry compared to airports, resorts, etc. It’s still a great, affordable deal.”
Some of the pushback may be related to the fact that guests have not been allowed to bring their own plastic water bottles onboard since 2015.
“You’ve got a pretty short memory! When Carnival stopped letting people bring water on board, you stated on your Facebook page that Carnival would keep it very affordable to purchase on the ship, and it was at first. What happened? It is not ‘an affordable deal’ at all,”argued one Facebook user in the comments.
Indeed, Carnival guests are only currently permitted to carry on a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages – meaning a maximum of 12 sealed cans or cartons – such as soda, energy drinks, milk, or juice. Plastic containers are not allowed.
Affordable Water Options Onboard
Of course, no one is forced to pay for the bottled water if they don’t want to or don’t agree that it’s a good deal.
“You don’t need it, because, like me, you can drink ship water,”said Heald in the video, as a waiteronboard Carnival Mardi Grasrefilled his glass with ice water. “So, there you go. I’m drinking ship water and so can you.”
The “ship water” is free and included with meals and 24/7 at beverage stations on all 27 Carnival ships. Many cruisers opt to bring a refillable water bottle or Hydroflask and refill as needed with free water from the stations onboard.
But some commenters on Heald’s post expressed that they couldn’t drink non-bottled water, either due to physical side effects or not being able to stomach the taste.
Photo Credit: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock
“I find the ship’s water makes me swell up like crazy. I need to drink bottled,”replied one Facebook user.
“I’m sorry but usually when I cruise the water does not taste good. It’s been a while so maybe something has changed,”someone else chimed in.
Another alternative for cruisers who want bottled water, but not the 12-pack, is to invest in the Cheers! drink package. The Cheers! package starts at $70.74 per person, per day, but might still feel like a better deal because it allows guests to consume up to 15 drinks a dayat no additional cost.
In addition to water bottles, this inclusive option features spirits (cocktails, beer, and wine), soda, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
But whatever guests do to get their daily dose of H20, they shouldn’t try to cheat the system. A TikToker, who went viral after tampering with the water bottles in her stateroom, was banned from cruising with Carnivalearlier this year.
The female guest recorded herself refilling and resealing water bottles she drank to make it look like they were untouched in a failed attempt to avoid paying for them.
