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P&O Cruises Ends Adults-Only Policy on Select Sailings for Two Ships

Lissa Poirot
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P&O Cruises Ends Adults-Only Policy on Select Sailings for Two Ships

Key Aspects: 

  • P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Aurora, traditionally adults-only ships, will allow families on select itineraries beginning in December 2026.
  • The itineraries range from short 3- and 4-night European breaks to extended journeys of up to 24 nights, all roundtrip from Southampton.
  • Passengers already booked on affected sailings have until December 1, 2025, to change to a different cruise without penalty.

In a move that will certainly cause a stir with passengers, both thankful and hateful of the change, P&O Cruises has announced its Arcadia and Aurora ships will welcome families on a limited number of sailings beginning in December 2026.

The two ships are traditionally adults-only, but the cruise is opening the ships to children in response to passengers requesting more options for holiday sailings with P&O Cruises.

“Following guest feedback, we’ll be welcoming all ages on a small number of cruise holidays on Acadia and Aurora from December 2026,” said the cruise line.

“This means families of all generations will now be able to enjoy holidays together on these two beautiful ships.”

The 83,781-gross-ton Arcadia and 76,152-gross-ton Aurora will add family sailings on both short European journeys and longer voyages through destinations such as Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.

These selected itineraries will open the ships to children, teens, parents, and grandparents for the first time in years.

It also means passengers already booked on adult-only voyages will now be sailing with children.

While P&O Cruises confirmed that current reservations will remain unchanged, some guests looking for an adults-only cruise may want to inquire about swapping their bookings to a kid-free itinerary and have until December 1 to do so without penalty.

The cruise line added, “If you’d like to discuss your booking with us following these changes, you have until 1 December 2025. After that, your booking will be subject to standard terms and conditions.”

Despite the decision to open certain voyages to all ages, Arcadia and Aurora cruises will remain largely adult-only.

Limited Sailings Open to Families

The 1,874-passenger Aurora’s first family sailing will depart from Southampton, England, to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on December 11, 2026.

This four-night short sailing will be followed by a 14-night Christmas Scandinavian cruise leaving December 15, 2026.

A 5-night itinerary to Hamburg for New Year’s Eve on December 29, 2026, will complete the year, but Aurora will also include multiple Northern Europe and Mediterranean sailings through the summer of 2027, such as a 21-night Western Mediterranean voyage on August 11, 2027, also from Southampton.

P&O Aurora Cruise Ship
P&O Aurora Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

Meanwhile, the 2,094-guest Arcadia will begin its family sailings with a 16-night Spain, Portugal, and Canary Islands Christmas cruise departing on December 21, 2026, from Southampton.

Read Also: Who Owns P&O Cruises and Why People Get Confused

Other voyages include a 3-night short break to Zeebrugge from Southampton on May 10, 2027, and a 24-night Eastern Mediterranean adventure to Sicily, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, and Gibraltar on August 3, 2027.

The vessel has added one restriction for Arcadia’s Norway and Iceland sailing, which requires children to be at least 12 months old. That journey departs from Southampton on July 20, 2027.

The full list of cruises includes 12 itineraries for Aurora and eight for Arcadia spread across 2026 and 2027.

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The ships will not be offering children’s clubs or babysitting services but the cruise line noted there will be a variety of activities, entertainment, and games for all ages onboard. Children’s menus will also be provided.

P&O Cruises says more sailings could be added after October 14, when new winter cruises are released.

Typhoon Delays Royal Caribbean Ship’s Return for Two Days

Melissa Mayntz
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Typhoon Delays Royal Caribbean Ship’s Return for Two Days

Key Aspects:

  • Typhoon Halong is delaying Ovation of the Seas by two days as the ship heads for Tokyo, Japan.
  • The current sailing is extended while the next cruise will be shortened to stay safely away from the storm.
  • Guests on both sailings will receive compensation and assistance to adjust their travel plans.

Guests onboard Ovation of the Seas are getting a significantly longer cruise than they had planned. Typhoon Halong, which currently has sustained winds of 115 knots (135 miles per hour) and a track close to Japan for the next few days is forcing a change to the ship’s schedule.

The ship’s 16-night transpacific cruise that departed Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 was due to arrive in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, October 9. Because of the storm’s strength and track, however, that arrival will not be possible.

“As previously announced by our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we have been tracking the progress of Typhoon Halong, which will pass very close to southern Japan,” the cruise line informed guests aboard. “As a result, the Port of Tokyo will be closed, and we’ll have to delay our return to our homeport.”

This means Ovation of the Seas will now remain at sea for on Thursday and Friday, October 9 and 10, with an anticipated arrival to Tokyo on Saturday, October 11 at approximately 6:30 a.m.

Royal Caribbean is providing 60 minutes of complimentary internet access for each stateroom so guests can contact their family members or friends to alert them to the delay. Guests can also use this time to rearrange their post-cruise travel plans, including airlines, rail, or hotels.

If guests booked flights through the cruise line, no rearranging is necessary as the Royal Caribbean Air2Sea Team will make those changes automatically. Individual details will be provided to guests as they are confirmed.

Anyone who booked independent airfare can email change receipts and booking information to the cruise line for reimbursement up to $200 (USD) for domestic changes and $400 for international changes.

Compensation is also being provided onboard. Guests have the option to extend their drink and wi-fi packages for the extra two days at reduced rates: $35 per person, per day for the deluxe drink package and $14 per person, per day for the refreshment package. Soda packages are being extended for no cost.

Guests will also receive two extra loyalty points for Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society for the extra two days of the sailing, a nice bonus on top of their now longer cruise.

Next Sailing Delayed

Because Ovation of the Seas is unable to return to Tokyo on time, the next sailing is also understandably delayed.

Royal Caribbean has reached out to guests booked on the October 9, 2025 departure to alert them to the change. The 11-night sailing to Singapore will now be a 9-night cruise instead, with two port cancellations to make up for the loss of time.

“Our sailing will now embark on Saturday, 11 October,” the email notification confirmed. “Because of this, we’ll have to skip our visit to Nagasaki, Japan, and Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea, and enjoy two Sea Days instead.

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Zilcheqs)

The ship was to have visited Nagasaki on Saturday, October 11, which is now embarkation day in Tokyo. The visit to Jeju was to have been on Sunday, October 12, which the ship now needs to make up for lost time on the way to Singapore.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Ships by Size – Smallest to Largest

The visits to Hong Kong on Wednesday, October 15 and Saigon on Saturday, October 18 are unchanged at this time. Ovation of the Seas should arrive in Singapore on schedule on Monday, October 20.

Guests are advised to delay their arrival to the cruise terminal in Tokyo by 30 minutes to ensure a smooth embarkation due to possible immigration delays. All guests must, however, be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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Because of the shortened cruise, Royal Caribbean is refunding two pro-rated days of cruise fare to guests’ onboard accounts, as well as a two-day refund of any pre-purchased daily packages, including dining, drinks, internet, and gratuities.

The cruise line will also reimburse guests for airfare changes or provide up to $250 (USD) per night for two hotel nights for pre-cruise stays.

Guests on the now-shortened sailing will still receive full loyalty points for the original 11-night cruise.

Margaritaville at Sea Reveals First Look at New Beachcomber Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Margaritaville at Sea Reveals First Look at New Beachcomber Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Margaritaville at Sea has revealed a first look at the new Margaritaville Beachcomber, including the world’s largest 5 o’Clock Somewhere space with a mix of vibrant venues to enjoy.
  • Located on the aft of the ship, the poolside space will span across four decks and include both dining and bars as well as entertainment and lounge space.
  • Margaritaville Beachcomber will debut in January 2027 from PortMiami, offering a mix of 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries to world-famous beaches.

Margaritaville at Sea is no stranger to fun, tropical theming with its signature Jimmy Buffet vibes. One iconic venue will be taken to the next level on the cruise line’s upcoming third ship, however, as Margaritaville at Sea has revealed a first look at what the new ship will feature.

Margaritaville Beachcomber will debut the world’s largest 5 o’Clock Somewhere, an expansive, multi-use, poolside venue at the aft of the ship. At 50 feet tall, it will span four decks and serve as the vibrant heart of the ship with multiple gathering spaces at a scale unseen on any other vessel.

The unique space isn’t just one distinct venue, but rather is a central focal point that encompasses the main pool and multiple attractions including live music, signature cocktails, and decadent tropical bites.

“Poolside experiences on Beachcomber are the main event, and we’ve taken the signature fun up to an entirely new level,” said Christopher Ivy, Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea.

“The sheer scale of 5 o’Clock Somewhere gives guests a place to linger longer over great food, better drinks, delivering that unmistakable Margaritaville at Sea energy in an elevated way.”

Beachcomber Clock
Beachcomber Clock

Of course, the most visible feature of the space is the namesake 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar offering classic cocktails, draft beers, and fun boat drinks for lively libations at sea.

For poolside eats, guests can grab the traditional burger with their choice of toppings from the Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar, or choose customizable street tacos or rice bowls from the Mexican Cutie Cantina. House-made margaritas are also a must-try – what else from a cruise line styled after Margaritaville?

For guests who want to be in the midst of vacation vibes but still relax in luxury, the adults-only cabanas offer private views and luxurious seating, along with dedicated bar service.

The entire space is set beneath the iconic lime slice clock, naturally set to permanently be 5 o’clock somewhere – right here, that is!

The 5 o’Clock Somewhere space is not the only option for hanging out and meeting up onboard Beachcomber.

The License to Chill Pool Deck offers a waterslide, hot tubs, big-screen movies, and private cabanas on multiple stadium-style tiers with live music throughout the day at the Six Strings Stage, as well as a dedicated bar offering various signature drinks.

Beachcomber Shack
Beachcomber Shack

Guests can stop by the new quick-service Daiquiri Shack for their favorite frozen cocktails, in flavors ranging from classic strawberry and banana to blended pina colada, blue lagoon, and more. Stay awhile with the fun “key lime pie” and surfboard seating!

Read Also: What Cruise Lines Does Carnival Own?

Of course, guests won’t want to miss the Flip Flop Atrium as an amazing meetup spot perfect for selfies and group shots that showcase the cruise line’s inimitable beachy vibe.

The 102,587-gross-ton Margaritaville Beachcomber can welcome 2,702 guests onboard at double occupancy, with more than 1,000 crew members to provide truly relaxing and memorable service.

Sailing Aboard Margaritaville Beachcomber

Formerly Costa Fortuna, the new Margaritaville Beachcomber will debut in January 2027, homeported from Miami, Florida.

She will be the flagship of Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet, joining her sisters Margaritaville Paradise, homeported from Palm Beach, and Margaritaville Islander, homeported from Tampa.

Margaritaville Beachcomber will offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries with various destinations, including Grand Cayman, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and more, depending on cruise length and departure date.

Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber Cruise Ship
Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber Cruise Ship

At the moment, Costa Fortuna is the oldest ship in the Costa Cruises fleet. She was built in 2003 and is a sister ship to former Carnival vessels Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory.

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Prior to debuting for the tropically-themed, relaxed-vibe line, the ship will enter dry dock in late 2026 for extensive refitting and rebranding.

Additional details about her features and amenities are sure to be announced in the months to come as her inaugural Margaritaville sailing draws closer.

Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Already Impacted by Tropical Storm Jerry

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Already Impacted by Tropical Storm Jerry

Key Aspects: 

  • Royal Caribbean’s brand new Star of the Seas has made a last-minute change to avoid the newly formed Tropical Storm Jerry.
  • Instead of calling on Philipsburg, St. Maarten, the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship will turn its planned call to San Juan, Puerto Rico, into an overnight visit.
  • Tropical Storm Jerry formed in the Atlantic Ocean on October 7 and is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane in the coming days.

Just a couple of weeks after Hurricane Imelda derailed an Eastern Caribbean sailing for Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship has had another weather-related itinerary change.

This time, the second Icon-class vessel has been forced to steer clear of Tropical Storm Jerry, which officially formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on October 7, 2025.

Unfortunately, the path of the storm conflicts with the 5,610-guest vessel’s current 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which embarked in Port Canaveral, Florida, on October 5, 2025.

The first two port calls of the sailing, which are on Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico, will still be able to take place as planned.

However, the final port call on the itinerary, which was scheduled to be at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on October 9, 2025, will no longer be possible for safety reasons.

“Due to the expected path of Tropical Storm Jerry, The A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities wishes to inform the public of the following ship cancellation: Star of the Seas. Thursday, October 9th, 2025,” the Port St. Maarten Group announced.

In an effort to make the most of an unfortunate situation, the world’s largest cruise ship extended Star of the Seas’ visit to San Juan on October 8 into an overnight stay.

“Change of itinerary for the remaining trip for the oct 5th-12th cruise. Skipping the St. Maarten port and having 2 days in Puerto Rico due to the tropical storm,” a current passenger confirmed.

The 248,663-gross ton vessel is then expected to return to Port Canaveral on time for disembarkation on the morning of October 12.

Where is Tropical Storm Jerry?

At the rate things are going, Star of the Seas is likely among the first of several cruise ships sailing through the Caribbean that will alter course to avoid the worst of the weather.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s (NOAA) 5 p.m. EST advisory on October 7, Jerry is still a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour.

At the time of this publication, the storm is approximately 1,190 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is moving west at speeds of 23 miles per hour.

Tropical Storm Jerry
Tropical Storm Jerry

Tropical storm conditions, including heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding, are expected in the northern Leeward Islands on Thursday, October 9.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of the northern Leeward Islands, including popular cruise destinations like St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Barbuda.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess are supposed to visit Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis on October 9 and 10 – and I would not be surprised if they announced their own itinerary changes very soon.

Jerry, which is the 10th named storm of the current Atlantic Hurricane Season, is also expected to strengthen into a fully fledged hurricane over the next couple days.

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Models predict that it will likely become a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of up to 90 miles per hour at its strongest point, although stormy weather can be unpredictable.

After wreaking havoc on the Leeward Islands, the storm is expected to turn north into the open Atlantic Ocean.

It is not expected to impact the US East Coast or the major cruise ports that can be found there.

Carnival Cruise Line Releases 2025 Holiday Decorating Schedule

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Releases 2025 Holiday Decorating Schedule

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has released its confirmed schedule of 2025 holiday sailings, showing when each ship in the fleet will be decorated for the season.
  • Every ship will offer at least three holiday-decorated cruises as well as a New Year’s Eve cruise, depending on itinerary lengths and sailing departure dates.
  • Decorations are typically removed shortly after January 1, even if ships are sailing longer cruises.

A holiday cruise can be a fantastic way to enjoy the season without the stresses of shopping, baking, gifts, and more. Instead, many travelers brave the stresses of packing, embarkation, and proper documents to ensure they can have an amazing holiday getaway.

But will your November or December Carnival cruise be a holiday sailing? The exact schedule can vary from year-to-year and depends on the scheduling availability of the professional decorators hired to bedeck each ship in its holiday finest.

Carnival Cruise Line has now released its schedule of 2025 Christmas and New Year’s cruises, beginning as early as November 21 with Carnival Adventure and with halls fully decked aboard the final ship, Carnival Sunshine, by December 7.

The full schedule of holiday sailing departure dates for the Carnival fleet is as follows:

  • Adventure: November 21, 24; December 2, 5, 9, 13, 16
  • Breeze: December 1, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24
  • Celebration: November 30; December 7, 14, 21
  • Conquest: November 28; December 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22
  • Dream: November 29; December 7, 13, 19
  • Elation: November 30; December 4, 8, 13, 18, 22
  • Encounter: November 22, 25, 29; December 2, 6, 12, 15, 19
  • Firenze: December 1, 4, 11, 15, 21
  • Freedom: December 1, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24
  • Glory: November 29; December 1, 5, 9, 12, 15, 19, 22
  • Horizon: November 30; December 6, 14, 20
  • Jubilee: November 29; December 6, 13, 20
  • Legend: December 4, 8, 18
  • Liberty: November 30; December 14, 20
  • Luminosa: November 23; December 4, 7, 14, 18
  • Magic: November 29; December 7, 13, 19
  • Mardi Gras: November 29; December 6, 13, 20
  • Miracle: November 30; December 7, 14, 20
  • Panorama: November 30; December 6, 14, 20
  • Paradise: November 29; December 4, 8, 13, 18, 22
  • Pride: November 30; December 7, 14, 21
  • Radiance: November 29; December 13, 18, 22
  • Spirit: November 30; December 6, 14, 20
  • Splendor: November 24; December 4, 8, 18
  • Sunrise: December 4, 8, 13, 18, 22
  • Sunshine: December 7, 13, 19
  • Valor: December 4, 8, 13, 18, 22
  • Venezia: November 30, December 14, 21
  • Vista: November 29, December 7, 13, 19

Read Also: What to Expect on a Christmas Cruise

With this schedule, three Carnival ships will be offering the most holiday sailings this year: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Encounter, and Carnival Glory will all be fully decorated for eight cruises.

Meanwhile, four ships will be offering just three holiday cruises each: Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sunshine, and Carnival Venezia.

New Year’s Eve Cruises

There is one bonus cruise for each ship that should still be decorated for the season. Each Carnival ship’s New Year’s Eve cruise will begin the sailing with the seasonal decorations intact.

Holiday decorations are usually removed shortly after January 1, even if the cruise is a longer sailing. The decorations are then packaged and stored, ready for offloading when the ship returns to its homeport.

Carnival Cruise Line Christmas
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz

Across the Carnival fleet, this means that sailings departing from December 26 (Carnival Legend) through December 31 (Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise, and Carnival Sunrise) will still enjoy holiday decorations as well as all the New Year’s Eve festivities.

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To be clear, all ships in the fleet will have New Year’s Eve events, such as balloon drops, midnight countdowns, and special parties. Those are the last sailings of the season that ought to showcase holiday decor.

Exactly when decorations will be removed will vary for onboard operations, and guests who miss out will need to wait until the 2026 holiday sailing season to enjoy the garlands, baubles, trees, Santa mailboxes, twinkle lights, and other adornments of the season.

Carnival Cruisers Scramble After Their Age Nearly Cancels Cruise

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Cruisers Scramble After Their Age Nearly Cancels Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • A couple from Canada booked a cruise onboard Carnival Radiance without realizing that they needed a guardian in order to sail.
  • The duo will be ages 20 and 21 on embarkation day, and Carnival Cruise Line requires that guests be 21 or older in order to cruise without a guardian.
  • With their voyage less than a month away, the couple scrambled to find a guardian to avoid cancelling their vacation.

In January of this year, Carnival Cruise Line quietly changed its age restriction policies, and two young adults had to scramble for solutions after missing that memo.

The couple was looking forward to setting sail onboard Carnival Radiance for a 5-night Mexican Riviera sailing on November 1, 2025, in Long Beach, California.

As of February 1, 2025, guests have to be 21 years of age or older on embarkation day to travel without a guardian who is at least 25 years old.

But unfortunately for these hopeful cruisers, only one of them will be old enough to travel without a guardian as of embarkation day.

“HELP, 21 and 20 year old booked, no guardian. I’m technically still 20 but I will be turning 21 this month (before the cruise). My boyfriend is 20,” one of the future guests lamented on Reddit.

“I just got an email saying we are not able to go without a “guardian” and that anyone that is under 21 must be accompanied by a guardian over age of 25,” they continued.

The cruisers, who are from Canada, did not suspect that there would be an issue with their romantic getaway because they are legal adults.

In Canada, the legal adult age is 18 or 19, depending on the province.

In the US, the legal adult age is also 18, but privileges like drinking alcohol come at 21, and renting a car is as old as 25, depending on the state.

What Are the Possible Solutions?

Carnival must strictly enforce its age restrictions policy to enhance onboard safety and ensure compliance with its code of conduct. The cruise line can’t set a precedent of making exceptions.

“Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation,” Carnival’s policy states.

The only real options here were for the cruisers to find a guardian to sail with them, or to cancel their voyage.

If they chose to cancel, the couple would normally lose 75% of their cruise fare because they are within 15 to 29 days of their voyage.

That said, the poster did say that Carnival had graciously agreed to issue a full refund for them.

Carnival Radiance Cruise Ship
Carnival Radiance Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: jejim)

With the boyfriend less than a year away from turning 21, the couple would not have to wait too long to reschedule.

Read Also: I’ve Sailed on Princess and Carnival Cruise Ships: How Do They Compare?

But instead of cancelling, the couple chose not to give up on their plans. They instead took to social media to find strangers booked on their sailing who would agree to be the guardian for the underage boyfriend.

“THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE, WE FOUND A COUPLE ATTENDING THE CRUISE THAT WAS WILLING TO REGISTER AS OUR COMPANIONS. YIPPPIEEEEE!!” the poster wrote in an enthusiastic update.

The guardian is really supposed to be a friend or relative who personally knows their ward, but the person does not need to be a legal guardian or stay in the same cruise cabin. They just must be 25 years of age or older.

While I appreciate that someone was kind enough to step up for the couple, this decision is risky because it potentially involves sharing reservation details and personal information with virtual strangers in order to link the reservations.

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Guests 18 – 20 years of age “must be linked as ‘Travel With’ a relative or guardian 25 years of age or older. Reservation must be noted and cross referenced,” Carnival’s policy notes.

Additionally, the guests who agreed to be the stand-in guardians could also be held liable and suffer consequences if the couple behaves badly while onboard.

Carnival Cruise Line Has Disappointing Answer for Hopeful Guests

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Has Disappointing Answer for Hopeful Guests

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line does not typically have open staterooms available on embarkation day and there is no way to upgrade at the Guest Services desk.
  • Social media is full of hacks, tips, and tricks to secure cruise vacation upgrades, but experienced cruisers share very different stories.
  • The best advice is for guests to budget for and book the stateroom they are most interested in and consider any upgrade offer a bonus.

Every cruise traveler has heard of the “upgrade fairy” and different tips, tricks, and hacks to secure a stateroom upgrade. These are prevalent through social media and seem so simple as to be foolproof.

Unfortunately, “fool” is the operative word, as it is very unlikely that guests can secure upgrades just by asking, even if they are willing to pay an upgrade price.

One guest reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, explaining the tips they had heard and asking about any possibilities for upgrades on their next cruise. They did not, however, get the answers they’d hoped for either from Heald or other guests.

“I was reading on [social media] that sometimes it’s possible to upgrade your cabin if there are some still available and it can be done for a reasonable fee the day of embarkation at guest services? Is this true?” the guest asked.

“How much is a ‘reasonable fee’ so I can get an idea of what an upgrade may cost? Hopefully Carnival is not being greedy here. … I can only afford to cruise three times a year and always in an inside room.”

The guest shares that their next cruise is the October 10 departure of Carnival Radiance, a 3-night Baja Mexico itinerary from Long Beach with a visit to Ensenada.

Heald quickly responded to the incorrect information because upgrades, in fact, are not typically possible.

“Everyday I am answering questions people ask me for upgrades, every day. And I always have to say the same thing. And that is that I am sorry I cannot help and that most of the time there are none because the cruise is sold out,” he explained.

“We do not offer upgrades from the Guest Services Desk. In fact, we used to have a sign there that used to say ‘No Upgrades Available.'”

Heald says that if any upgrades are available, they are “few and far between” and are offered to select guests based on a very complicated algorithm.

Guests Share Their Upgrade Stories and Warnings

After more than 25 Carnival cruises, I have never been offered an upgrade. I have, however, seen the “No Upgrades Available” and similar signs, such as “Ship Is Fully Booked” and “No Cabins Available” signs, at the Guest Services desk on embarkation day.

Other guests were quick to jump on the original commenter’s post and note that a very easy way to have a better stateroom. Instead of booking three cruises each year, take two and use the extra money for a balcony cabin.

“Pick what cabin you want at the time of the booking,” one guest replied, a sentiment echoed by many others.

Carnival Cruise Ship Cabin
Carnival Cruise Ship Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Other guests shared their own stories of less-than-desirable upgrades. Many times, the “upgraded” staterooms might be in less desirable locations, such as right underneath the gym or galley. These staterooms can be much noisier, especially through the nighttime hours.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites – What Are the Options?

“I got an upgrade offer yesterday from a balcony to an extended balcony three floors down and at the opposite end of the ship. Not an upgrade if you ask me,” one guest said.

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Upgrade offers might arrive either by email or a phone call. Interested guests should act quickly if they do get such an offer, as the deals are often very limited and first-come, first-served.

Costs for upgrades vary depending on the nature of the offer, the ship’s capacity, and how close the sailing date may be. Upgrading and switching staterooms might also cancel any other offers a guest booked with, so it is important to be careful when taking advantage of such deals.

Holland America Rolling Out Unique Beauty Experience Across Fleet

Donna Tunney
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Holland America Rolling Out Unique Beauty Experience Across Fleet

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line debuted its Blend Bar on seven ships, where cruisers can create a personalized lipstick from a wide choice of colors and flavors.
  • The beauty experience, which includes guidance from an onboard consultant, will be available fleetwide starting in mid-November 2025.
  • The Blend Bar carries a charge: Guests pay $65 for a custom lipstick or liquid matte, and $60 for lip gloss.

The use of lipstick dates back some 5,000 years, and while the practice is still embraced by millions, how many can say they have created their own personal formula and color?

Probably not too many, but Holland America Line is out to change that, with a new guest experience that invites cruisers to design a signature lipstick for themselves at the line’s new Blend Bar.

With assistance from a beauty consultant, guests can devise a lipstick or gloss from a choice of 30-plus pigments and 20 flavors, resulting in what the line calls a wearable memory of their cruise vacation.

“Today’s travelers are looking for more than just a vacation — they want exclusive experiences like Blend Bar that feel personal, immersive and meaningful,” said Carole Biencourt, vice president of onboard revenue for Holland America Line. 

“We’re excited to launch the first lipstick blending bar at sea, where our beauty-loving guests can express themselves and create a unique souvenir of their time on board,” Biencourt added.

The Blend Bar, the first of its kind in the cruise industry, is operating aboard seven ships — Nieuw Statendam, Eurodam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, and Zaandam.

The ships are operating itineraries across the globe, making the Blend Bar accessible to cruisers from various countries. Westerdam, for instance, will begin a series of Far East cruises on October 12, 2025, while Zuiderdam is wrapping up her Canada/New England itineraries and will begin sailing seasonal cruises from PortMiami on November 8, 2025.

Blend Bar will be available on the line’s remaining four ships — Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Noordam, and Nieuw Amsterdam, by mid-November 2025.

Here’s How the Blend Bar Works

Holland America Line’s new Blend Bar is sure to appeal to cruisers who appreciate the glamour that comes with matching a lipstick to a special outfit, or for whom the choice of a particular color is a personal statement.

Read Also: Holland America Ships by Size: Largest to Smallest

At the Blend Bar, a beauty consultant helps guests choose pigments and decide on a finish of either butter, creme, matte, or gloss. Once the colors are selected, guests can add flavors and other elements that can result in a frost, shimmer, or iridescent look.

Blend Bar
Blend Bar

After the elements are blended, they are melted and poured into a glass tube mold. Each guest is invited to name their creation and will receive a formula card detailing the specific ingredients they used. All pigments contain antioxidants and SPF (Sun Protection Factor).

Guests can rest assured that all of the ingredients are vegan and gluten-free, and contain no parabens, sulfates, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), or other harmful elements.

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There is a cost to experience the Blend Bar. Guests pay $65 to create their custom lipstick or liquid matte, and slightly less, $60 per tube, for lip gloss.

Holland America Line, a premium brand of Carnival Corporation, is known for offering unique experiences onboard its ships. In 2024, for example, it partnered with Lindt & Sprüngli, the creators of Lindor truffles and chocolates, to bring exclusive desserts onto its ships.

That same year, the line arranged for one barrel of specially brewed Kentucky bourbon, from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, to be served in the ship’s Ocean Bars while supplies lasted.

MSC Cruises Can’t Get Enough of Alaska — Adds 2027 Season With Upgraded Ship

Lissa Poirot
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MSC Cruises Can’t Get Enough of Alaska — Adds 2027 Season With Upgraded Ship

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises has opened bookings for MSC Poesia’s second Alaska season, which will run from April 26 through September 28, 2027.
  • Itineraries will include stops at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm.
  • The season will feature the 92,627-gross-ton ship’s refurbishment, which includes the addition of the MSC Yacht Club.

MSC Cruises can’t wait to start sailing in Alaska, which it will do for the first time in 2026 when MSC Poesia arrives in Seattle in April to kick off cruises to the Last Frontier.

It’s so eager to bring passengers up close and personal to glaciers, wildlife, and Indigenous culture that the cruise line just opened sales for a second season.

Starting October 8, 2025, guests looking for upcoming journeys into Alaska’s icy waters can book one of MSC Poesia’s 7-night roundtrip sailings from Seattle. The 2027 season will begin on April 26, 2027, and continue through September 2027.

Even better? The 92,627-gross-ton MSC Poesia will be on the heels of one of MSC Cruises’ largest ship upgrades in its history. When the ship sails into Seattle in 2027, it will feature the MSC Yacht Club as well as a host of new restaurants, additions, and amenities.

The upgrade will bring 63 Yacht Club suites, and a private restaurant, lounge, and sundeck to the ship-within-a-ship concept. It will also add the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, a redesigned Kaito Sushi Bar, a new All-Star Sports Bar, enhancements to the Aurea Spa, and expanded ocean-facing gym space equipped with new Technogym gear.

Read Also: What is the Best Time of Year to Cruise Alaska?

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said the expansion comes after passengers demanded it.

“We are delighted to offer a second season in Alaska following the high demand and enthusiasm we have seen since the launch of our first Alaska in 2026,” Onorato said.

He continued to express his pride in offering passengers an “unparalleled choice” of destinations around the world.

“Expanding in this region allows us to offer our guests even more opportunities to explore this remarkable destination while enjoying the world-class experiences that MSC Cruises is known for,” he said.

Ahead of the 2027 Alaska season, MSC Poesia will reposition from Miami to Seattle on April 8, 2027, with an 18-night sailing that includes a Panama Canal transit.

What’s Planned for 2027

The 2027 season in Alaska will see MSC Poesia operating weekly departure from Seattle between April 26 and September 28. The ship will follow a 7-night itinerary that combines Alaska’s major cruise ports with scenic sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord.

Ketchikan, known for its totem poles and salmon runs, will be a primary stop, along with Icy Strait Point, which will feature cultural programs, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities.

MSC Poesia in Alaska
MSC Poesia in Alaska

Itineraries will include a day of scenic sailing in Tracy Arm, where the ship will pass waterfalls, steep cliffs, and glaciers. Juneau, Alaska’s capital, will also be featured, offering access to gold rush history and the surrounding wilderness.

The sailings end with a call at Victoria, British Columbia, where passengers can visit the city’s Parliament Buildings and take advantage of whale watching opportunities.

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The last voyage of the season will depart on September 21, concluding on September 28, 2027, just before the ship repositions back to Miami.

The 2027 season follows the ship’s 2026 debut in Alaska, which still has limited availability, according to MSC Cruises.

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