Disney Cruise Line has begun its three-day unveiling event for its highly anticipated new ship, Disney Destiny. The event, which runs from today, July 30, through August 1, launched with a sneak-peak at the vessel’s staterooms and suites.
“Every hero needs a place to rest after a day battling villains,” the cruise line teased on its blog about the Disney Destiny’s new heroes and villains-inspired design. “A true hero’s welcome will be waiting for you,” it continued.
Disney Destiny Royal Suite Incredibles (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Details for the new ship, which will draw inspiration from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters in a Heroes and Villains theme, revealed every stateroom and suite on Disney Destiny will showcase custom artwork depicting the adventures of famous Disney legends.
Concierge offerings, which include premium services and exclusive amenities, will feature artwork inspired by Disney Animation’s “Fantasia,” using elegant watercolor-style illustrations to capture the film’s rich color palette.
Additionally, seven VIP special ocean-view rooms will be located directly above the bridge. Adorned with iconography from Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” these will offer floor-to-ceiling views.
Four royal suites will celebrate the powers and heroism depicted in “The Incredibles” in IncrediSuites, as well as the Disney Animation’s “Hercules,” where Hercules’ Hero Suites will incorporate Greco-Roman design elements, colors, and patterns.
Concierge guests will also have exclusive access to a concierge lounge and private sun deck, as well as dedicated crew members. Although more details weren’t revealed, royal suites typically can accommodate up to six guests.
Disney Destiny Verandah Stateroom (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Disney also divulged that most of the staterooms aboard the approximately 144,000-gross-ton vessel, currently under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bath concept, which allows multiple guests to get ready simultaneously.
Additionally, many rooms will offer the option of a connecting door, catering to larger families.
Disney Destiny’s New Reveals
In a stunning plot twist, the cruise line also revealed today that Disney Destiny will call Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale home when it is delivered from the shipyard in December 2025.
The new Triton-class ship, which will accommodate 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew members, will be joining Disney Dream and Disney Magic at the port’s “Finding Nemo”-inspired terminal.
Disney’s presence in Fort Lauderdale is growing following the opening of its dedicated terminal at the port last November, marking its second year-round homeport outside of Port Canaveral in Orlando, where Disney World Resort awaits passengers for pre- and post-cruise vacations.
This is the first time Disney is introducing a new ship in a port outside of its Orlando-area hub.
Disney Destiny Royal Suite Hercules (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Additional reveals today included a new confection shop. Edna A La Mode Sweets, themed around “The Incredibles’” Edna Mode, and a “The Lion King” dining experience.
The latter will feature a savanna-themed venue with live musical performances and special effects in “Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King.”
While an inaugural voyage date has yet to be confirmed, Disney Destiny is expected to operate roundtrip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
These will undoubtedly include plenty of visits to Disney Cruise Line’s original private island destination, Castaway Cay, and its newest destination, Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, both in The Bahamas.
Bookings will open to the general public on August 9, 2024, following an early booking opportunity for Disney Castaway Club members.
Disney Destiny will be the third Triton Class ship following sister ship Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, and the upcoming Disney Treasure, anticipated to debut in December 2024.
TUI Cruises has launched its retail offerings aboard its latest vessel, Mein Schiff 7. The ship’s retail space, spread across two decks and 5,629 square feet, features retail offerings curated by Starboard, a prominent retail curator at sea.
The unique retail experience is debuting a focus heavily inspired by the ship’s maiden season in Northern Europe and a sustainability approach.
As the ship sails between Kiel, Germany, and Norway this summer, The Baltic destination shop is a highlight of the offerings, featuring food, apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, books, drinkware, and souvenirs centered around the Baltic region.
Beauty and Fragrance, Mein Schiff 7 (Photo Credit: Starboard)
Also joining the space is Scandinavian brand Sandqvist, providing functional bags made from recycled materials; Norlender, collaborating with European spinners to create woolen sweaters and accessories; and Omnom Chocolates from Iceland, featuring premium, ethically sourced chocolates.
As the Baltic region is also renowned for its amber, also called “Baltic gold,” Mein Schiff 7 also features a shop dedicated to the fossilized tree resin often found along the shores of the Baltic Sea. A range of jewelry made with the 44-million-year-old amber will be found at Baltic Amber.
Carolin Bauer, head of on-board commerce for TUI Cruises, said, “Mein Schiff 7 is the seventh addition to the Mein Schiff fleet, incorporating new features based on our guests’ feedback, and it was important for our retail offerings to reflect these enhancements.”
She expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with Starboard as our official onboard retail partner and introduce our guests to high-quality, specially curated products.”
Diverse and Sustainable Retail Offerings
Additionally, Starboard’s retail experience includes sustainable brands, including Engrace Diamonds’ lab-grown diamonds, Certified Pre-Owned Rolex watches, and vintage luxury accessories curated by What Goes Around Comes Around.
Certified B Corporations, awarded to companies meeting high social and environmental standards, are also available, including the eco-conscious Rituals Cosmetics.
For beauty, TUI Cruises introduces the AI-driven SkInsight augmented reality skin analysis technology, a first for the cruise line, to provide personalized skincare recommendations.
A full lifestyle presentation of women’s apparel and accessories from globally recognized brand Karl Lagerfeld and Danish jewelry brand Pandora are available in the Mein Stil boutique.
The retail curator, which also partners with leading cruise lines like Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages, also worked with TUI Cruises to offer Mein Schiff branded collections and destination-inspired products, including German-based Lamy Writing Instruments and Junghan watches in the ship’s Neuer Wall Shops.
Lisa Bauer, Starboard’s president and CEO, said,“This new venture positions us to continue demonstrating our expertise in delivering exceptional curated retail experiences, uniquely tailored to the German cruise market.”
Exploring Northern Europe, the 115,000-gross-ton Mein Schiff 7 officially entered service on June 10, 2024, when it was handed over to the cruise line from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The 2,896-passenger vessel’s official christening ceremony took place on June 22, 2024, and it is currently sailing its inaugural season in the Baltic, visiting destinations like the Norwegian Fjords, Artic Circle, and various of Scandinavian ports.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Mein Schiff 7 is equipped with low-emission marine diesel engines and catalytic converters, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 75 percent.
The ship also features shore power connectivity and is built to potentially run on green methanol, aiming for almost CO2-neutral propulsion.
TUI Cruises is expanding its fleet with two additional ships under construction in Finland. Mein Schiff Relaxand Mein Schiff 9, are expected to debut in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that Disney Destiny, the line’s third Wish-class ship set to debut in 2025, will be based at Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The line also unveiled several onboard features, including a unique dining venue inspired by the Disney classic “The Lion King.”
The announcement on July 30, 2024 followed the cruise line’s pledge a week earlier to reveal certain amenities, venues, and accommodations the 4,000-guest ship will offer.
The line’s 3-day “reveal event” will continue through August 1, 2024, introducing more insights and plans for the ship’s “Heroes and Villains” theme.
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King on Disney Destiny
Along with the new eatery, called Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, the cruise line revealed that Disney Destiny will feature a sweet shop, two cafes, four “royal suites,” and high-end finishes and services across the ship’s accommodation choices.
“For the Disney Destiny, we will introduce brand-new cruise experiences inspired by the legends and legacies of some of Disney’s most iconic heroes and villains,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line.
“From the dining rooms to the staterooms and everywhere in between, guests aboard our new ship will be surrounded by extraordinary storytelling paired with the signature service and family-fun adventures that are hallmarks of a Disney Cruise vacation,” Siskie added.
The 144,000-gross ton Disney Destiny is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where her keel laying ceremony was held in March 2024, the same time the ship’s name and theme were revealed.
The Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King restaurant, an experience that the cruise line dubbed “the mane event,” will sport a savanna theme that will use lighting and special effects to bring animal depictions to life. A window across the venue’s back wall will change from sunrises to sunsets during meals.
Musicians and storytellers will perform songs from “The Lion King” at a central stage in the restaurant, offering renditions of favorites such as “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” A themed menu will round out the experience.
Dessert lovers will want to try out the goodies at a confectionary called Edna Á La Mode Sweets, a venue inspired by Disney’s “Auntie Edna” short film. In her efforts to entertain baby Jack-Jack, Auntie Edna comes up with various indulgences such as gelato, ice cream, cookies, and candy.
Two new cafes, Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida, will serve coffee, tea, and other beverages, plus snacks. The venues are named for the heroine of Disney Animation’s “Hercules” and the heroine of Pixar’s “Brave,” respectively.
Stateroom Designs Aim to Meet Needs of Families
Disney Cruise Line detailed some of the special qualities that Disney Destiny’s staterooms will offer guests, including artwork from popular Disney stories and the ability to meet the needs of families.
For instance, many cabins will offer the line’s split-bath design and connecting doors so that families can stay together in more spacious settings. Concierge-level staterooms will provide enhanced services and entry to exclusive areas such as a private lounge and sun deck.
Concierge cabins and suites all will feature artwork from Disney Animation’s classic “Fantasia,” while seven oceanview staterooms immediately above the bridge will offer designs inspired by Pixar’s “The Incredibles.”
The cruise line also offered a few details about four royal suites — indicating they will be of “heroic proportions” but providing no square footage or design elements yet — called Hero Suites and IncrediSuites. The high-end accommodations will be designed using Greco-Roman architecture.
Disney Destiny is the third Wish-class ship in the fleet. The first, Disney Wish, entered service in 2022 and the second, Disney Treasure, is slated to launch in December 2024. Disney Wish is based in Port Canaveral, and Disney Treasure will also be homeported there.
If you’ve ever woken up to be startled by a crew member working right outside your balcony or porthole, you’re not alone. It’s not overly uncommon for guests to get an surprise wake-up call from a squeegee-armed crew member cleaning your window, especially on longer sailings.
Of course, the cruise lines do typically notify their guests of the impending cleaning service. In the past Carnival Cruise Line has done so by leaving a letter in all impacted staterooms.
Butthe 27-ship fleet has changed things up by rolling out a new system utilizing labeled door cards instead of paper memos, which read “window cleaning tomorrow” or “balcony cleaning tomorrow.”
Carnival Cruise Line Door Hangers
“I wanted to show you the new door cards that have already been placed across the fleet. These are for balcony cabins and for Oceanview cabins,”John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, wrote on his Facebook page.
“Remember, we used to put a letter in your cabin to let you know when the wonderful crew were going to wash the balconies or clean the windows and portholes? These have been replaced now with these door hangers,”continued the post.
Heald did not specify why the change – which was implemented fleet-wide – was made. Although, it wouldn’t be surprising if the popular cruise brand made this call due to environmental impact and pricing.
The biggest Carnival ship, Carnival Jubilee, has 2,687 cabins onboard, while the smallest operational ship, Carnival Paradise, still offers more than 950 staterooms.
Considering hundreds to thousands of letters are needed every time there is a window or balcony cleaning fleet-wide, which can happen weekly (or even daily) depending on the cruise line, that is a LOT of paper.
Switching to reusable door hangers is both a greener and more cost efficient alternative.
How Do Cruisers Feel About the New Notifications?
In less than a week, John Heald’s Facebook post earned over 900 likes and more than 100 comments.
Generally, the reception to the new door handles were quite positive, with some avid cruisers already spotting the hangers on their recent 2024 sailings.
“I like these more than the letters. These I won’t miss!,” commented one person.
“Less paper, reusable, and easily noticed – a good change,” wrote another fan.
“Just saw this on last cruise. Can’t miss it! Just have to remember to close curtains if we’re planning to sleep in a bit,” added a recent passenger.
That said, some other recent Carnival guests suggested that this system may still have a few kinks to work out.
“I think they should be placed on our cabin doors. I had one placed on my balcony door last night. If I hadn’t opened the curtains, I wouldn’t have known about the cleaning today,” commented a current cruiser.
“Sometimes these get knocked to the ground, especially if the seas are rough,” advised another.
As the new system is still young, this is certainly good feedback for Heald to take back to the crew members.
So, how much maintenance truly takes place during a cruise? Aside from window washing, crew members are constantly busy making sure the ship is operating at peak performance.
In addition to window washing, this includes ongoing inspections, applying fresh coats of paint, keeping all common areas clean and sanitized, engine oil changes, and standard pool maintenance, which often means draining and deep cleaning the pools overnight.
Oftentimes, guests won’t even know that these tasks are being completed – and bigger overhauls take place in dry dock every three years outside of revenue sailings, so no guests would be onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line will be returning to the original, hand-cut French fries for Guy’s Burger Joint across the fleet, much to the great delight of many fans of the dining venue. The announcement was recently confirmed by John Heald, the cruise line’s official Brand Ambassador.
Heald responds to hundreds of guest comments, questions, and requests nearly every day. Recently, several guests have noted a change in the fries offered, and asked whether this was a standard change or just a fleeting option.
“[For] those of you commenting about the fries, you may have noticed that on some ships we have returned to the original recipe hand-cut fries and will be doing this throughout the fleet in the days and weeks ahead,”Heald confirmed.“Cheers to Richard our SVP of food and beverage for listening to you!”
Buy’s Burger and Fries
Richard Morse is the Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage at Carnival Cruise Line. He joined the cruise line in January 2016, following more than 35 years’ experience in hotel and property management. Heald often passes guest comments and requests on to the appropriate cruise line executives for further attention.
Guy’s Burger Joint was first introduced aboard Carnival Liberty in 2011 in partnership with renowned chef Guy Fieri. The fast-service venue quickly rocketed to high popularity with both novice and experienced Carnival guests.
The casual restaurant served up more than 10.5 million burgers in 2023 across the fleet and has frequently been voted as the best burgers at sea. Guests can choose from a small menu of different burger types, each served with hot, seasoned fries, and can customize their order at the nearby toppings bar.
It is the fries that have had some controversy over the years, however. While the hand-cut fries first offered were a quick favorite among guests, the fries were later changed to a thicker processed cut with what appeared to be somewhat different seasoning.
Now, however, the hand-cut fries are back as the perfect accompaniment to the hot, fresh-off-the-grill smash burgers, with a very enthusiastic response from guests.
“So happy they are going back to the original hand cut fries. They were awesome!”
“Thank you. Those hand cut fries are the best!”
“That is great! The original ones were way better.”
Few guests know that while the fries are typically seasoned – which can range from heavy to mild – they can also ask for unseasoned fries if preferred, or if the spiciness doesn’t agree with them. It may take a few minutes for a new batch, but it can be well worth the wait.
More Carnival Food Requests Granted
Carnival Cruise Line does listen to guest comments and make adjustments to menus and operational guidelines where possible. For example, just days ago the cruise line confirmed that the popular Funfetti Cheesecake will now be offered fleetwide as an embarkation day dessert at the Lido Marketplace, a treat that was missing from the Excel-class ships.
Over the past two years, Carnival Cruise Line has also responded to guest interest in more vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu options, revamping dining room menus to offer even more healthy selections to travelers.
Still, there is no lack of dining options aboard any Carnival ship, and furthermore, the dining team will always do what they can to honor special orders and requests. While not every request may be possible, there are always delicious things to enjoy when sailing with Carnival.
It’s the day that you’ve been waiting for, maybe for months or even for more than a year. You’ve planned, plotted and packed with precision. It’s the first day of your cruise.
However, after you’ve waited in that long line to get onto the cruise ship and you’re actually there, what do you do? As the ship leaves port and sets out onto the open ocean, where should you turn your attention first? Here’s how to make your first day on a cruise ship count.
Head to the pool deck, which is where many cruise ships host their sail away parties, a celebration to kick off the beginning of a great vacation and that starts as soon as the ship sets sail.
While long-time cruisers may be disenchanted with the classic sail away party, and may prefer to fill their first day of a cruise in another way, newer cruisers won’t want to miss this novel experience.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Carnival Cruise Line is definitely known for throwing some of the best sail away parties in the industry, with lots of music, dancing and drinks.
However, other cruise lines host notable sail away parties as well, such as the family-friendly sail away party offered by Disney Cruise Line and the Champagne-centric sail away party on Virgin Voyages.
Take in the Receding Shoreline from a Different Angle
If you don’t prefer the loud crowds of the sail away party, you can enjoy a sail away experience of your own creation. Find a quieter spot to watch the shoreline fade into the distance.
Good options for stellar views include the promenade deck, the bow of the ship or the highest public point on your ship (which is sometimes a lounge or bar). If you’re lucky, though, you can watch the ship set sail from the comfort of your very own balcony!
Get Your Lay of the Land
You may have diligently studied your cruise ship’s layout and deck plans online, before your arrival, but it’s entirely different seeing it all in person. So, take a moment to walk around the ship and really get a feel for where everything is and how you need to get around.
Odyssey of the Seas Elevators (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Determine need-to-know information such as where the nearest elevator is, relevant to your stateroom (and not just the nearest elevator, but also the most convenient elevator — you may find that it’s worth walking a bit further to get to another elevator with fewer crowds).
Make Dining Reservations, if Needed
Some cruise lines will allow you to make some dining reservations in advance of your cruise, but in other instances, you’ll need to make your dining reservations once you’re aboard the ship. If you really have certain restaurants in mind for your trip, do this ASAP.
Dining on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
However, if you have a dining package, with preferred dining times, if you want to make any changes to your reservations or make reservations at specialty restaurants, Royal Caribbean requires you to wait to do so until you’re on the ship.
Dine at One of the Specialty Restaurants
Along these lines, you may want to make plans to dine at one of the ship’s specialty restaurants during the first day of your cruise. This is because there’s one place in particular that everyone seems to want to eat, on Day 1: the buffet.
Specialty Blu Restaurant on Celebrity Beyond (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Yes, there’s a lot to love about a cruise ship buffet. All the options! The casual atmosphere! However, a crowded cruise ship buffet can be on the annoying side. You’ll find yourself waiting in line at the carving station or weaving around groups or kids as you’re just trying to grab another slice of pizza.
So, to avoid the headache, save the buffet for later in your cruise.
Get the Party Started with a Vacation-Worthy Drink
Of course, you have to kick off your vacation with a tropical drink, particularly if you’re sailing to a popular tropical locale. You’ll easily be able to find a drink at the sail away party, but if that’s not your scene, head to one of the bars for your boozy beverage of choice.
Better yet, opt for a bar that offers a great view, so you can watch the water and waves as you sip.
Start Taking Lots of Pictures
You want lots of memories of your vacation, all captured on camera. However, it can be easy during any vacation to take fewer and fewer photos, the longer the trip goes on. You’re too busy enjoying yourself to stop and savor the moment with a snapshot or two.
Cruise Ship Passenger Taking in the View (Photo Credit: Kirk Fisher)
So, the first day of your cruise, start taking lots of pictures of everything you and your fellow cruisers are doing.
Grab that photo by the deck railing. Grab photos of your suite or stateroom (before it becomes covered in all your stuff). Take photos while you’re out at dinner or having drinks, or by the pool or enjoying one of the cruise ship’s cool features, whether that’s a surfing simulator, a ropes course or a rollercoaster at sea.
Book your Spa Treatments
Just as is the case with restaurant reservations on a cruise ship, spa treatments also book up quickly. You can book spa treatments in advance of your cruise, but if you didn’t, do so on your first day of the cruise.
Mandara Spa (Photo Copyright: Robert McGillivray / Cruise Hive)
You can book these appointments through your concierge, if you have one, but you can also just stop by the spa and check it out, along with all the spa’s offerings.
Go to the Pool
While certain areas of a ship are super-busy during the first day of a cruise, like the buffet, there’s one area of the ship that you’d probably expect to be crowded, but that actually isn’t. That place is the main pool.
Symphony of the Seas Pools (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Everyone’s getting their lay of the land, unpacking, attending the sail away party, etc., and most are probably thinking that everyone else is going to the pool, so no one does.
You, however, can be one of the lucky few to head there first, enjoying the pool and other water attractions before they do truly become crowded, on the second day of the cruise.
Check out the Kids Club Introductory Activities
If you’re traveling with kids in tow, then you should consider visiting the kids clubs on the first day of the cruise. However, do note that not all cruise lines open up their kids clubs on embarkation day, so check your cruise line’s kids clubs’ hours beforehand (for example, Disney Cruise Line kids clubs usually are open, but Carnival’s kids clubs may have limited hours on embarkation day).
Kids Area on Anthem of the Seas
The first day is a great time for you all, as a family, to get acquainted with the offerings and Mom and/or Dad can meet the crew working in the kids’ clubs, which can sometimes put their minds at ease.
Some cruise lines, like Disney and Royal Caribbean, also offer special introductory sessions on embarkation day, specifically for this purpose.
Book or Change Your Excursions
If you didn’t book shore excursions before your cruise, then, just as is the case with booking spa treatments and reserving dinner times, the first day of your cruise is the time to do it. Head to your cruise ship’s guest services’ desk and make sure you’re on the list for those in-demand excursions.
Likewise, if you did book excursions in advance, but you now have questions or need to make some changes, you can do that as well.
Get to Know Your Cabin Steward or Butler
If you have a cabin steward or are lucky enough to be staying in a cruise ship suite with butler service, then make a point to get to know that individual on the first day of your cruise. Let them know if you need any special accommodations or if you have any particular requests.
Photo Copyright: Emrys Thakkar
This will help ensure that the rest of your sailing is as smooth as possible, and that you have everything you need for a great time. You don’t want to spend precious vacation hours chasing down your butler for this or that request!
Before all the fun can go down, though, you do need to make sure that you participate in one mandatory cruise ship Day 1 activity: the muster drill. This is basically a safety briefing, but every cruise passenger must participate in it, before the cruise ship sets sail, by law.
In years past, cruise passengers would have to show up in person to watch a safety demonstration given by the crew members. However, many cruise lines have upgraded the experience to make it more convenient for the huge number of cruisers that they’re accommodating.
For example, if you’re sailing on Royal Caribbean, you can watch a life jacket instruction video and become acquainted with the sound of the ship’s emergency horn either in the cruise line’s app or on your stateroom television.
Then, the only thing you have to do in person is visit your assigned muster station (found in the app and on your Seapass card) to confirm that you’ve done both.
Pack a Small Bag to Get you Through the First Day
Another must that you should keep in mind for your first day at sea, and that’s a little more practical than fun (but still necessary!)? Bring a small bag to get you through your first day.
Unless you have special privileges on the ship, such as a Carnival Faster to the Fun pass, which fast-tracks your luggage to your stateroom, you’ll likely be waiting a while to get your checked luggage.
Royal Caribbean Luggage in Port (Photo Credit: Jennifer Jessica Peck / Shutterstock)
Similar to airlines, cruise ships check larger luggage at the cruise terminal, and then deliver your bags to you once everyone’s on board and past security. Having a smaller bag with necessary items in it can make your first day easier and fun.
This small bag should contain any “must have” items like medication, but also think of what you want to do during your first day and pack accordingly. Maybe you want a change of clothes before dinner.
Maybe you want your swimsuit and sunscreen so you can hit the pool immediately. Whatever the case may be, pack this bag with everything you’ll need.
You can expect to usually receive your larger luggage within a few hours of boarding.
Make Entertainment Reservations, if you Haven’t Yet
Yes, even more reservations!
If you haven’t made them yet, check out what’s playing in the ship’s theater (or theaters) during your cruise, and see if you can reserve your spot.
While many cruisers do snag their tickets well in advance of the first day of the cruise, you may still be able to get a seat if you address this during your first cruise day.
Theater (Photo Copyright: Robert McGillivray / Cruise Hive)
Otherwise, if you can’t, don’t worry. Not all hope is lost. While it’s not ideal, you can still show up to the shows at show time and wait for any available seats.
It’s very often the case that some cruisers with show tickets simply won’t show up, and those newly free seats go to the waiting cruisers who didn’t book in advance.
More than Anything, Have Fun!
The first day of a cruise can, admittedly, be pretty hectic, especially if you’re a newer cruiser who hasn’t figured out your preferred boarding time or your ideal itinerary for the day.
However, once you take care of all the “must haves,” like visiting the muster station and making any last-minute reservations, it’s really just time to have a great time! So, whatever you’re looking most forward to doing during your cruise, do it! There’s no reason to wait for the fun to begin!
Carnival Cruise Line has announced expanded partnerships and new scholarships to two Philippine colleges in an effort to hire thousands of new Filipino workers over the next few years.
This will help create the larger workforce necessary as the cruise line brings new and larger ships into its fleet, ensuring adequate staffing for every vessel.
According to ABS-CBN News, the cruise line’s president, Christine Duffy, is currently in the Philippines to advance these initiatives that will create more opportunities for interested workers to get the training necessary to join one of the world’s largest cruise lines.
“We’re visiting STI and we’re awarding some scholarships,”Duffy confirmed.“We’re also expanding the work that we’re doing with PMMA [Philippine Merchant Marine Academy] because these really create even better opportunities for Filipino employees that join us where historically, perhaps they’ve come in more entry-level roles, by providing an expanded curriculum.”
Filipino workers serve in a variety of roles with Carnival Cruise Line, including deck and engine roles as well as part of the hotel and hospitality programs.
From general deck hands to engineers to cabin attendants, bartenders, and wait staff, the cruise line employs roughly 12,000 Filipino crew members.
When all the cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation and plc umbrella are combined, there are around 50,000 Filipino crew members across the eight brands, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and P&O Cruises.
STI is an extensive group of colleges in the Philippines, offering a wide range of programs useful to future cruise employees, including Hospitality Management, Culinary Management, Business Administration, Tourism Management, Marine Engineering, and Naval Architecture.
The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy is a public maritime school that offers programs and certifications in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering, along with training courses in Fire Fighting, Handling a Free-Fall Lifeboat, and more.
More Workers Needed for Growing Fleet
Carnival Cruise Line just announced on July 23 that a new class of ships measuring almost 230,000 gross tons per vessel was being ordered, with three ships to join the fleet in 2029, 2031, and 2033. This follows the two additional Excel class ships already ordered for 2027 and 2028.
Furthermore, the P&O Cruises Australia brand is being dissolved early in 2025, with two of the ships – Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter – to be renovated and join the Carnival fleet for continued operations.
When these seven new ships are considered, Carnival Cruise Line could need as many as 10,000 or more new workers over the next nine years, even if all the crew members from Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter remain with the company.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Of course, the company will also need to account for retiring crew members in that time period, as well as those who choose different career paths and do not renew their contracts with Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival has regularly been recognized as an excellent employer for many different career options. Just days ago, the cruise line was recognized as the highest-ranked cruise line of America’s Best Employers for Women by Forbes.
Carnival Cruise Line also prides itself on the diversity of its workforce, celebrating unique cultures and all they can contribute to the global company.
“At Carnival Corporation, we proudly support a workforce of over 160,000 team members representing 150 countries, and it is imperative that we cultivate a positive environment that celebrates the diversity of our people and empower all walks of life,”said Bettina Deynes, global chief human resources officer for Carnival Corporation.
The cruise line has earned similar accolades for diversity, LGBTQ+ equality, a top company for Latinos, and being an overall excellent employer.
Holland America Line is launching a new series of cruises to give guests front-row seats to extraordinary celestial events across Europe.
Starting July 31, 2024, travelers can book these special Celestial Cruises to witness events like the Northern Lights, a total solar eclipse, and the summer solstice above the Arctic Circle.
“After the excitement and success around of 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of the world’s most special natural spectacles,”said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.
Total Eclipse (Photo Credit: Orlowski Designs LLC)
The new itineraries follow on the heels of the cruise line’s popular 2024 Solar Eclipse at Sea itineraries. Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and Zaandam were able to experience the totality of April 8’s total solar eclipse as it traveled off the coast of Mexico, to the delight of its 2,650 and 1,432 passengers, respectively.
Koningsdam departed San Diego and headed to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, before spending a day at sea for the eclipse as Zaandam traveled from San Diego to Mazatlan, Mexico, for the rare celestial event.
“We’re positioning our ships in the perfect location for guest to see the eclipse,”said Bill Prince, vice president for Holland America Line ahead of the cruises. “For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re known for creating immersive programing, and this will be an unforgettable live event.”
To keep the celestial spirit going, the new 2026 cruises will feature three Solar Eclipse Cruises, positioning ships in the fleet under the path of totality for the August 12, 2026, solar eclipse.
Guests on the solar eclipse cruises can look forward to lectures from scientific experts, themed activities, and proper eclipse glasses to ensure the safety of all guests.
In addition, the cruise line is offering inaugural Northern Lights Cruises in 2026. With an active aurora forecast, passengers can enjoy extensive explorations of Norway, featuring overnight stays in Alta and multiple days above the Arctic Circle.
Guests on Northern Light voyages will have the option to sign up for wake-up calls whenever the aurora borealis is visible.
Unique Itineraries Witnessing Celestial Events
Three Solar Eclipse Cruises are scheduled to take place in 2026, with Oosterdam bringing guests to witness the eclipse off the coast of Spain while the Nieuw Statendam does the same off the coast of Iceland. Zuiderdam will also be in position for the eclipse during its Voyage of the Vikings.
The first solar eclipse cruise, the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings, is a roundtrip voyage from Boston, Massachusetts. Departing on July 18, 2026, with up to 1,964 passengers, the 82,318–gross-ton ship the cruise will be in the path of totality off the western coast of Iceland.
The itinerary includes calls at various ports in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, as it follows the path of ancient Viking sailors.
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam
The second option is a 28-Day Legendary Voyage aboard the 99,500–gross-ton Nieuw Statendam. Departing July 25, 2026, from Dover, England, or Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the ship’s roundtrip journey will also bring passengers into the path of totality at sea off the northwest coast of Iceland.
The itinerary includes stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland.
Finally, 1,964-guests on Oosterdam can get a glimpse of total darkness on a 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse option. Sailing from Lisbon, Portugal, on August 9, 2026, the cruise will be at sea during the eclipse as it sails to Piraeus, Greece, via stops in Spain, France, Italy, and Montenegro.
Various Northern Lights options are also available, with the first departing from Rotterdam on October 4, 2026, aboard the 114,044-gross-ton Rotterdam. The 14-day journey will travel to various Norwegian ports and Lerwick in the Shetland Islands before concluding in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Additionally, Nieuw Statendam will travel from Dover, England, to Rotterdam and back, to provide a 15- and a 14-day journey to see the Northern Lights at numerous Norwegian calls.
For those wanting to experience the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, Nieuw Statendam will travel above the Arctic Circle for the June 21, 2026, event.
With roundtrip departures available from Rotterdam or Dover, the 2,666–passenger ship will provide a 14-day excursion on its North Cape Solstice cruise.
If you think of cruising as just the same thing every single trip… well, you couldn’t be more wrong. Cruising can always be an exciting adventure, with something new and fresh every cruise!
That said, it is easy for some cruisers to fall into a routine of doing the same thing every single trip. Without thinking about it, they end up taking the same cruises, with the same lines, on the same ships, to the same places and spending their days doing the same things.
While this is all well and good for some travelers who do enjoy a familiar, stress-free routine, to others, it can feel like a bit of snore fest. If this is you, we have a solution.
You can avoid even a hint of boredom by actively trying to make each cruise you take, a unique experience. Here are our best tips for how to go about it.
While many cruisers may book their cruise well in advance, planning out their shore excursions and dinner reservations up to a year ahead of time, you don’t have to do this. In fact, taking a spur-of-the-moment cruise can make your cruise far more exciting, as well as even more affordable.
The key to having a great experience booking a spur-of-the-moment cruise, though, is to remain flexible and to have an open mind. When you’re booking last minute, you won’t have a wealth of options to choose from, so you’ll have to take what you can get.
Cruise Ships in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
Again, though, this can be part of the fun and excitement, as you may find yourself trying things you normally wouldn’t, when you have an array of options to choose from. You may find yourself in a cabin you’d never book, or on a ship or itinerary you’ve never considered before.
You can book last-minute cruises that sail in as little as a few days to a few weeks from booking, and find deals starting at under $350 per person through cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival (Carnival refers to its last-minute cruise deals as “Pack & Go” cruise deals). In some cases, you can save as much as 80% on your cruise fare!
Leave From a New-to-you Cruise Port (and consider staying there a few days!)
If you’re lucky enough to live close to a particular, large cruise port in Florida, such as PortMiami or Port Canaveral, then you probably just cruise from that port every time, for convenience’s sake.
However, if you’re hoping to shake things up a bit and make your next cruise a brand-new experience, consider sailing from a new-to-you port.
Utopia of the Seas Docked in Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
Not only will sailing from a new port give you access to cruise itineraries you might not have considered otherwise. It can also add a new travel experience to your itinerary, especially if you stick around in the port city for a few days before or after your cruise (which will come with the added bonus of leaving you some wiggle room between your cruise dates and your flights, if you’re flying in).
There are some truly cool port cities that are worth vacations all on their own, such as New Orleans and New York City. So, arrive early, enjoy a few days of fun, then head out onto your cruise, come back, enjoy a few more fun days and then head home.
Seek out Cruises to off-the-Beaten-Path Places
There are some destinations that it seems like every single cruise line visits and that, if you’ve taken a few cruises in your life, you’ve probably been to at least once, if not more. Cozumel, Nassau, St. Thomas, Jamaica — they’re among some of the busiest cruise ports by passenger volume in the entire world.
So, to make your next cruise far from ordinary, make an effort to seek out cruises to off-the-beaten-path places. No, you don’t necessarily have to spend big bucks to go to far-flung destinations.
For example, if you want a Caribbean cruise, opt to bypass Jamaica and St. Thomas and, instead, try St. Maarten, which is served by major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Carnival. Or, try the Grenadines, accessible via Silversea.
Want to cruise around Europe? Forget the Nordic fjords and the Greek Isles. Head for the coast of Turkey instead, with cruise lines like Oceania or MSC Cruises.
Look for Cruises of Differing Lengths
While you can often expect a cruise to last about five days to a week, consider taking a cruise that’s either far shorter or far longer than what you might normally book.
For shorter cruises, you may find that just being on the cruise ship for two or three nights (like the cruises that Royal Caribbean offers out of Florida, with stops at CocoCay) gives you enough time to have a fun time, without getting bored.
Royal Caribbean Ships Docked at CocoCay (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
On the flip side, taking a longer cruise may allow you to really slow down and relax, and truly enjoy the cruise experience. Sometimes, especially when you’re on mega cruise ships with potentially dozens of things to do and enjoy (and that’s just the restaurants and bars!), it can feel overwhelming.
You might feel stressed and pressured to pack as much into your days as possible. With a longer cruise, you can slow down and go at a more enjoyable pace.
There are cruise lines — like Princess Cruises — that offer world cruises that last over three months, but you don’t need to be gone from home that long if you don’t want to be. Many cruise lines offer multi-week cruises, including Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Go on a Themed or Specialty Cruise
Themed and specialty cruises are sure to offer you a unique time, and if you’ve never been on a themed cruise before, it’s definitely one of the types of cruises you must experience at least once in your life.
Themed cruises really range in theme. If there’s a fandom or something similar you’re passionate about, you can find a themed cruise for you.
Have a favorite sports team? There are themed cruises for sports fans. Can’t get enough of Taylor Swift? There’s a themed cruise for that. A beloved television show like The Golden Girls? Yeah, there’s a themed cruise for that, too.
Themed cruises are often overseen by a production company that puts all the activities together, from parties to expert-led seminars and beyond. However, they typically take place on just an average cruise ship, so you can expect all the normal cruise ship amenities.
Holland America Line Christmas Decorations (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
If you don’t want to take a themed cruise that’s hyper-focused on one specific thing, you can also find specialty cruises that occur around the holidays. Cruise lines like Disney deck out their ships for Halloween and Christmas, with themed activities that are sure to get you into the seasonal spirit.
And if you can’t find an upcoming themed or specialty cruise that catches your eye or works for your schedule, there’s nothing stopping you from crafting your own themed cruise.
Plan a cruise that’s all about relaxation and wellness, all the time, with a packed schedule of spa treatments, fitness classes and dining at the healthiest on-board eateries.
Plan a cruise that’s romance-focused by booking a luxe suite with a private hot tub, planning some couples’ spa experiences and spending every moment possible indulging in fine dining and date night-worthy fun.
Try a New Cruise Line Altogether
If you frequently cruise with the same one or two cruise lines, you may find that just trying a new-to-you cruise line will make your experience more unique and enjoyable.
Sometimes, you might find that switching things up from Carnival to Norwegian Cruise Line is enough to sate your craving for something new. However, other times, you might want to try something even more different.
Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
For example, if you normally cruise with the entire family on multi-generational-friendly cruise lines like Norwegian, consider going on a cruise with just your significant other or some friends, on an adults-only cruise line like Virgin Voyages.
If you typically go for a budget cruise line like Carnival, try upgrading the experience and spring for something slightly more luxurious.
Change Who You Cruise With
Along these lines, consider changing who you cruise with. If your normal cruise experiences include lots of family-friendly fun, days by the pool with the kiddos and mini golf tournaments, you’ll find that your cruising experience changes drastically when you leave the kids behind and go on a couples or girls/guys trip.
Carnival Cruise Line Passengers (Photo Credit: GagliardiPhotography)
Yes, you’ll still be soaking up the sun by the pool, but you might do so with a few more drinks in hand, and you won’t need to worry about staying out too late at the ship’s live music venues. Spa days take the place of character breakfasts and you’ll be attending the adults-only comedy sets instead of the family-friendly shows.
In short, sometimes, making a cruise unique is as simple as choosing new cruising companions!
Make a Point to Book Different Excursions
There are all sorts of excursions you could book to enjoy during your cruise’s port days. However, some are pretty par for the course. Everyone wants to go swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas, or they want to go for an ATV tour in Aruba.
If you’ve been there, done that, choose something a little different during your next cruise. Fill your port days with excursions that take you away from the crowds. Go for a submarine excursion, like those offered by Scenic Luxury Cruises. Take a behind-the-scenes museum tour, like those offered by Viking.
Alaska Cruise Tour
You can go about finding really interesting or out-of-the-ordinary cruise ship excursions a few ways. You can book a cruise with a cruise line known for its excursions (for example, luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer unlimited shore excursions).
You could book a cruise that travels to destinations where there’s more to do than just the average snorkeling or hiking excursions. Aim to also book a cruise that stops in destinations where it’s easy to find interesting private tours, allowing you to bypass the cruise line’s offerings.
Go on a Bucket List Cruise
None of us are getting any younger. If you’ve thought about taking a bucket list cruise — whether that’s an ultra-luxury cruise, a round-the-world cruise or just a cruise to a difficult-to-reach destination — now’s the time.
Crossing something monumental like this off your bucket list can be just the thing to breathe new life into your stale travel routine.
Go on a River Cruise
If you’ve only ever cruised on the ocean, consider trying a river cruise on for size. These smaller, more intimate cruises won’t give you everything that a mega cruise ship will (there are no rollercoasters at sea here!), but they will, as a result, give you things that you’d never find on a mega ship, in return.
River cruises offer stellar views of passing cities, with the shore never far away. Because of this, river cruises can stop more often, and you may find that your cruise itinerary includes up to multiple stops every single day.
River Cruise Open Deck (Photo Credit: Reel creative)
For example, a Grand European Tour cruise from Viking stops in more than a dozen ports over 15 days, as you travel the Rhine and Danube.
River cruises often offer loads of excursions and some cruise lines include those excursions in the price of your cruise fare, automatically, as is the case with Scenic Cruises.
Plus, a river cruise can take you to tons of places you’d never get to go on a mega-ship. Think small European villages, rural America via the Mississippi, to the jungles of the Amazon or to the pyramids along the Nile. It’s altogether a different experience than ocean cruising. The only thing that’s the same is that you’re on the water!
