Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed its firm stance on luggage drop off policies and which guests are entitled to that popular benefit.
Internet rumors have persisted that any passenger is able to visit their cabin immediately on embarkation day to drop off their luggage without being stopped, but this is not true.
The luggage drop-off benefit is only open to the higher levels of the cruise line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, as well as travelers who have booked suites or those who have purchased the add-on Faster to the Fun program.
This has been confirmed by Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, in response to guest comments and inquiries.
“There’s been somebody on a Facebook page [who] has said that you don’t need to be Platinum, you don’t need to be Diamond, you don’t need to have Faster to the Fun, you don’t need to be staying in a suite in order to put your luggage in your cabin. Anybody can do it and nobody checks,”Heald explained.
“That is absolutely wrong. You cannot put your luggage in your cabin until 1:30 unless you are any of those levels – Diamond, Platinum, if you’re staying in a suite, or have Faster to the Fun.”
Heald goes on to note that the discussion has been ongoing with crew members, hotel directors, and executives within Carnival Cruise Line. While such persistent rumors – outright lies about the policy spread through social media – make more work for onboard crew members, it is important to stop this behavior.
“The crew members will be checking on this,”Heald said.“They will be checking and asking to see that you are Diamond, or Platinum, or have FTTF, they’ll have a list. And of course they’ll know if you’re staying in a suite. If you are not, please do not put your carry-on bags in the cabin because you will cause extra work for the crew member who will come and check and then he [or she] has to turn you away.”
Heald notes that this is not a good first impression on embarkation day and certainly not a fun way to start a cruise vacation.
Unfortunately, different social media sites are full of so-called cruise hacks from posters and commenters who claim to absolutely know how policies work or how to circumvent the rules.
A similar situation was brought to light earlier this year with a video supposedly showing how to cheat on water purchases, which resulted in the individuals responsible for the video being banned from Carnival Cruise Line.
Priority Luggage Delivery Returning
In talking about luggage policies, Heald also noted that the priority luggage delivery is now being returned as a perk for Diamond, Platinum, Faster to the Fun, and suite guests.
This means that those select travelers can drop their larger bags with porters before checking in at the cruise terminal, and that luggage will be among the first bags delivered to staterooms onboard.
“We will be able to get your luggage to you quicker than we have been able to do so,”Heald confirmed.“They will make a concerted effort to do this on every ship starting this coming weekend.”
Stateroom on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Heald does note that there may be certain unforeseen circumstances that do not make priority luggage delivery possible, such as if there is a US Coast Guard inspection on embarkation day or if there are delays with customs processing.
Of course, all guests – regardless of their loyalty status or what type of stateroom they have booked – can always “self assist” all their bags and bring all their luggage onboard, without turning anything over to porters.
If travelers have the cabin access perk – Diamond, Platinum, Faster to the Fun, and suite guests – they can still drop their bags off in their stateroom even if they bring all their luggage aboard themselves. Guests without that perk would still need to manage their bags onboard until staterooms are open to everyone at 1:30 p.m.
A Quantum-class cruise ship will soon be making an appearance in sunny Southern California.
Royal Caribbean is shaking things up and sending Ovation Of The Seas to homeport in Los Angeles, California, in the summer of 2025, from where she will offer 3 to 6-night cruises throughout Mexico.
The 4,905-guest ship will join a fellow Royal Caribbean vessel – Navigator Of The Seas – which has homeported in the port since 2022.
The Voyager-class ship is currently operating 3 to 4 night cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, and Catalina Island, California, out of Ovation Of The Seas’ future homeport.
The duo will operate simultaneously out of the Port of Los Angeles, which is located in the San Pedro Bay about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, for the duration of the summer 2025 cruise season.
“The biggest, boldest Baja getaway begins June 2025, when Ovation of the Seas®joins Navigator of the Seas® as the region’s newest star. This Quantum Class headliner is the first of its kind to sail from Los Angeles — with record-breaking memory-making and revolutionary thrills,” said Royal Caribbean.
“You’ve never done Mexico like this before,” concluded the statement.
Indeed,Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships– which include Ovation Of The Seas, Anthem Of The Seas, Spectrum Of The Seas, Odyssey Of The Seas, and Quantum Of The Seas – do offer some unique, innovative amenities.
For example, the 168,666-gross ton vessel and her sisters are home to the North Star, the tallest viewing decks at sea that offer 360-degree views, indoor skydiving experiences, bumper cars at sea, and cocktails crafted by robots.
New California Itineraries For Quantum-Class Ship
Throughout the summer of 2025, Ovation of the Seas will be alternating between three different itineraries that each offer a unique experience in Mexico.
The first voyage, which embarks from San Pedro on June 3, 2025, is a 3-night getaway cruise that calls on Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to port.
The next itinerary is a 5-night cruise that includes an overnightstay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which gives cruisers more time to enjoy the popular port.
The final itinerary takes this a step further. The 6-night sailing includes the overnight call on Cabo San Lucas, as well as a standard, single-day visit to Ensenada, Mexico.
Ovation of the Seas in New Zealand (Photo Credit: Photos BrianScantlebury / Shutterstock)
Each itinerary is offered eight times between June and September of 2025, giving Californians plenty of opportunities to check out the innovative mega-ship while she’s in town. And of course, all sailings are round-trip out of the San Pedro-based port.
The 1,300-crew vessel will officially conclude her season in Los Angeles on September 23, 2024. She will then take a break from operating revenue sailings until she arrives in Asia in early October.
Indeed, the Royal Caribbean ship is set to homeport in Singapore from October 2025 through March of 2026, from where she will mostly operate shorter 3 to 4-night sailings to destinations throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, China.
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles next year, the 8-year-old vessel will make her way around the world.
She’s currently operating 7-night Alaska cruises out of Seattle, Washington, but will make her way through Hawaii and French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, China, and South Korea before visiting SoCal.
Notably, the large cruise ship has a nearly one-month break between her final China-based sailing, which disembarks on May 6, 2025 in Tianjin, and her arrival in Los Angeles.
This provides enough time to sail to her new homeport, but also may be an opportunity for the ship to pay a visit to dry dock for routine maintenance and inspections.
Cruise ships must have their bottom inspected once per year, and two of these inspections must be done in dry dock within a five-year period.
Royal Caribbean International has announced a reduction in the single supplement rate for solo cruisers beginning August 1, 2024, but only for a very select group of travelers and only on some voyages.
While this will be welcome news for those few who may qualify for the savings, it is important to note the conditions so other solo travelers are not hit with unexpected fees.
The new reduced single supplement is a benefit for the cruise line’s loyalty club, the Crown and Anchor Society, and is only available for members at the highest tiers. You can check all the reduced rates right here.
Royal Caribbean Owner’s Suite
“Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings,”the announcement read.
The current single supplement rate is 200% for all cruise guests, meaning that anyone booking a solo trip is expected to pay twice what the published fare is listed as.
This is standard practice for many cruise lines, as published prices are based on double occupancy with the expectation that there will be two travelers (or more) in each stateroom.
Previously, guests who have achieved 340+ cruise points already received the benefit of a reduced solo rate to 150%. Now, the further 25% reduction on the highly-coveted transatlantic, transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings is an additional discount. For all other voyages, the discount remains at the 150% rate.
To be clear, while the announcement notes that the new discount is available to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members, it is the overall loyalty points earned that determines who is eligible.
To reach Diamond Plus, for example, travelers only need 175 points – but they will not receive the select 125% fare until they have accrued 340 or more points.
It should also be noted that Royal Caribbean can modify the loyalty program and benefits available at any time, without notice. Travelers interested in taking advantage of this new discount benefit should first confirm that it will apply to their preferred sailing.
Nevertheless, this new discount will be welcome by frequent travelers who may prefer to sail on their own or who may no longer have a partner to share their travels with.
The impacted sailings are infrequent offerings based on ship operational calendars and fleet movements, and often command higher prices due to their popularity and exclusivity.
Other Loyalty Discounts Available
Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society member benefits do include a wide range of other discounts, from reduced beverage costs to discounted internet costs to savings on photos, Royal Caribbean logo products, and spa services.
Royal Caribbean Logo on Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Many discounts are also available to travelers who have achieved lower levels of loyalty status, though the more points a traveler earns and the higher they advance in the program, the bigger the discounts and the more options that may be available.
With the recent announcement that all three of Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises – will now share a loyalty status match program, this new discount may further entice travelers to move between the lines to try different types of cruise travel.
The solo discount, however, only applies to voyages through Royal Caribbean International, and is not transferrable to either Celebrity Cruises or Silversea Cruises. Those programs have their own benefits, and while travelers will have a status match, the perks available on each cruise line remain distinct.
If you think of dining on cruise ships and think of stuffy, three-course meals with food reminiscent of bad catered wedding buffets, think again.
In recent years, cruise lines have really revamped their dining options and now, foodie travelers can’t get enough of some of the award-winning, celebrity chef-approved eats offered on some of your favorite cruise lines.
However, really getting the most out of your dining experience on a major cruise line will take a little extra effort on your end. Don’t expect to just show up on the ship and have a stellar, rave-worthy meal, three times a day. You’ll need to plan, purchase the right drink and meal packages and go to the right restaurants, at the right times.
Here’s everything you need to know to truly enjoy dining on Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian offers a bevy of delicious restaurants, with lots of options that are free-of-charge, as well as specialty options that come with a la carte fees.
The offerings are diverse, providing no shortage of unique dishes, so you can try something new, every day of your cruise. Dining on Norwegian is also extra-easy, thanks to the cruise line’s “Freestyle” dining approach.
Here’s how you can make the most of it.
Make a Reservation (when you need one!)
While some cruise lines may require you to pick a set time and place to dine every day, with reservations galore, Norwegian makes things simple and streamlined. Freestyle dining allows you to eat where you want, when you want.
That said, freestyle dining does come with some downsides. You may end up waiting in line on occasion, if you try to eat at certain, busy times of day.
So, if you do want to make a reservation at one of the main dining rooms, so you can be assured that you’ll get that table, as soon as you walk up to the host’s stand, you can.
You should also make reservations at specialty restaurants, which book up quickly. Plan to make reservations for your specialty restaurant dining experiences before your cruise sets sail, in the Norwegian app or on the website.
Avoid the Crowds
Sometimes, during a cruising experience, crowds are unavoidable. However, if you can avoid them, especially while dining, why wouldn’t you?
It’s a given that most cruise ship buffets will be extra-busy on embarkation day, but NCL’s buffets are also often busy during breakfast. As such, consider dining elsewhere.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Ship (Photo Credit: AlexKuznetsov)
You can get room service on Norwegian, 24/7, but also check out the breakfast options at O’Sheehan’s, the line’s pub, or those at the suite guest-only restaurants, Haven Restaurant. The Observation Lounge also offers some breakfast options on select ships.
Similarly, Norwegian’s specialty restaurants are usually busiest in the evening, as most cruisers save their more formal meals until dinner, so consider visiting the specialty restaurants for lunch instead. This is when you can often find more affordable prices as well.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Just the Complimentary Dining Options
NCL’s ships typically have around five or so complimentary dining options, including the buffet and the main dining room (some ships have up to three main dining rooms).
While this is enough to give you something new to try, each day of most cruises, definitely don’t miss out on the specialty dining options, if you really want to get the most out of your cruise.
Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian’s fleet boasts nearly 30 specialty dining options, so plan to visit at least one or two during your cruise. The extra expense will be well worth it, when you visit some of the line’s most acclaimed restaurants, like Ocean Blue, Cagney’s Steakhouse or Onda by Scarpetta.
If you want to save a little cash, and plan on going to multiple specialty restaurants during your cruise, consider investing in a specialty dining package, which allows you to pre-pay a flat fee for a set number of meals at select specialty restaurants ahead of your cruise. The bigger the package you buy (in terms of number of meals), the less you’ll pay per meal.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival is known as a fun, family-friendly cruise line where you can cruise for a relatively modest price and have an amazing party, every single day. However, while the focus may be on the fun, don’t overlook the food.
Carnival offers some really spectacular dining options that you won’t want to miss. Here’s how to make the most of them.
Make Tracks for One of the celebrity-endorsed restaurants (at the right time!)
Carnival has done an awesome job of partnering with celebrity chefs and celebrities to create unique restaurant concepts that cruisers have come to love.
There’s Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, Emeril’s Bistros at Sea and Shaq’s Big Chicken, to name the most popular. You’ll find Guy’s Burger Joint on every Carnival ship, while the other restaurants are found on select ships.
Emeril’s Bistro on Carnival Cruise Line (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Since these restaurants have gained quite a fan following, they can be busy, so make plans to go to them during, ideally, port days, when other cruisers are off the ship and you won’t have the long wait to get into some of them.
Additionally, take note of these restaurants’ hours. Some close earlier in the day, as is the case with Guy’s Burger Joint, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
If You Like to Party, Buy a Drink Package
Carnival cruise ships definitely have a party-like atmosphere, and if you plan to party each day away, save yourself some money by investing in a drink package.
Not only will it make your long afternoons by the pool more enjoyable (and more affordable), but it will also do the same for each and every dining experience.
Carnival Liberty Alchemy Bar
Carnival’s Cheers beverage package will give you 15 alcoholic beverages per person per day, and you’ll have your choice of any and all beer, wine and spirits that come at less than $20 per drink. The package starts at $70 per person per day.
Take Advantage of All the Freebies
There are certain food freebies that you can find on Carnival, beyond just what’s on offer at the many complimentary restaurants (which includes favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint!).
For example, cookies and milk before bed? Free via room service. Room service breakfast is also free. You can also order a cheese plate in the main dining room to take back to your room for free, for later noshing.
If you don’t want to buy a drinks package, you can bring a bottle of wine onto the ship (one bottle per person) for free. During afternoons, you can find free sandwiches, pastries and similar light bites at the Javablue Café.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Mardi Gras
Additionally, do keep in mind that, if you’re dining in the main dining room, you’re not limited to just ordering one appetizer, one entrée and one dessert. You can order multiple appetizers and desserts, as well as two entrées per person.
It’s a great way to try a few different menu items and all for free (if you do order more than two entrées, there’s a $5 fee per each extra after the first two).
You can also ask for smaller portions of these multiple menu items, if you’re positive you won’t eat everything you’re ordering and you don’t want to waste food.
Check Out the Special Dining Experiences (that, yes, you can sometimes get for free!)
Carnival offers a bevy of specialty dining experiences for a fee, like The Chef’s Table experience, wherein a select group of cruisers enjoy a chef-led dinner, and the Green Eggs and Ham breakfast for families, with visits from Dr. Seuss characters.
These are enjoyable experiences worth a splurge, but don’t overlook the free special dining experiences that you can find in the main dining rooms.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Most cruise itineraries include a special Brunch at Sea meal, on sea days, and others also include an afternoon tea, also on sea days. Carnival also hosts either one or two Cruise Elegant dinners in the main dining room, each cruise, during which a slightly fancier menu is offered and cruisers are asked to wear their nicest attire. If you’ve never attended such an event on a cruise ship before, these are a can’t-miss.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s dining options get a lot of love from the cruising industry, especially on the cruise line’s newer ships that offer a jaw-dropping number of restaurants, both complimentary and specialty.
In fact, some of these newer ships might have so many restaurants that you could never experience them all in just one cruise (as is the case with Icon of the Seas, with more than 40 restaurants and bars, or Utopia of the Seas, with more than 20 restaurants alone).
With so many options, how do you make sure you have the best time possible?
Get Those Reservations and Dining Packages ahead of Time
Royal Caribbean has several dining programs and packages, unlike some other cruise lines that may just give you an option between reserved dining and non-reserved dining. Whichever you pick, though, you need to do it in advance.
There’s My Time Dining, which allows you to reserve your table, but you can pick a different reservation time every day. That way, you’re not stuck making your way to the main dining room, every single day at the same time, leaving you more flexibility in your plans.
Then, there’s My Family Time Dining, which allows families with small children to get into the dining room first, so the kids can eat quickly. Then, after they’re done, parents stick around for a longer meal while Adventure Ocean staff take the kiddos away for an evening of play.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wagner Santos de Almeida)
For specialty restaurants, though, you will need specific reservations, and you can make those starting 90 days ahead of your sail date. (You can make reservations once you’ve boarded the ship, too, but you might not have as many options.)
If you want a specialty restaurant package, to pay a flat fee for a set number of meals, you can purchase either a three-restaurant package that allows you to dine at three different restaurants, three times during your cruise, or you can purchase an unlimited specialty dining package that allows you to eat at a specialty restaurant every night of your trip.
You’ll also be able to eat at any specialty restaurant during lunch on sea days, and you’ll get discounts on bottles of wine at meals.
Additionally, if you want to save a little cash, look for specialty dining specials, like reduced menu prices. Royal Caribbean sometimes offers these on embarkation day.
Go to the Right Restaurants, at the Right Times
If you want to avoid the crowds that flock to the buffet and the main dining rooms, consider eating in the main dining rooms for breakfast or lunch, and then eating at the buffet during sea days or at dinnertime. These are the times when both are the least crowded.
Cruise Ship Buffet on Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
If you want an uncrowded breakfast and don’t fancy the main dining room, consider stopping into the Solarium Bistro. It also has a buffet, but it’s adults-only, so may be preferrable to the actual buffet. If you’re a suite guest, you can likewise grab breakfast at Coastal Kitchen. Johnny Rockets also serves breakfast on select ships.
Make Reservations Based on the Main Dining Room’s Menus
There’s a little bit of overlap between what’s served in the main dining room for dinner, and what’s served in the buffet for dinner.
Spectrum of the Seas Dining Room (Photo Credit: I Love Drones)
With that in mind, if there are certain days that the main dining room’s menu doesn’t look quite so appetizing to you (because the main dining room menus change every day!), opt to make your specialty restaurant reservations for those nights.
Otherwise, you could end up looking for another meal elsewhere and not really liking your options. You can find main dining room menus in Royal Caribbean’s app or online.
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.
