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Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas Drops Overnight Call in Mexico

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas Drops Overnight Call in Mexico

Key Aspects:

  • At least two upcoming sailings on Quantum of the Seas are dropping the overnight Cabo visit.
  • Instead, the ship will spend one day in Cabo San Lucas and will also have a visit to Ensenada.
  • There is no reported mechanical trouble with the ship and all systems are fully functional.

Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular Mexican Riviera ports, and for good reason. The vibrant destination is beautiful and offers great dining and entertainment for cruise guests, even into the wee hours.

Overnight calls are especially popular to give guests plenty of time to enjoy Cabo San Lucas, but guests onboard two upcoming sailings of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will not be getting the overnight visits they had hoped.

The cruise line has reached out to booked guests on both the December 5 and December 10 departures to alert them to the change.

Instead of remaining at the popular Baja Mexico port of call for a full 24 hours overnight as originally planned, Quantum of the Seas will now be departing late on the first night, and a second port visit has been arranged.

“To maintain smooth sailing and comply with safe speed restrictions during our cruise, Day 4, will now be a Sea Day, replacing the scheduled overnight visit. As a result of this change, we’ll now depart Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Day 3 at 11:00 PM,” the email explained.

“Additionally, we’ll now enjoy a visit to Ensenada, Mexico, on Day 5 arriving at 11:00 AM and departing at 6:30 PM.”

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

The December 5 sailing was to have visited Cabo San Lucas from 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 7 until 1 p.m. on December 8, but that visit will now be just on December 7 from 1-11 p.m.

The same change applies to the ship’s December 10 departure, with the new visit to Cabo planned for Friday, December 12, from 1-11 p.m.

The ship will visit Ensenada on both sailings from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 and Sunday, December 14, respectively.

Shore Tours to Be Automatically Refunded

Any shore tours booked for the second day in Cabo San Lucas will be automatically cancelled and refunded to the original form of payment.

Guests can also investigate new tour options for Ensenada in the Royal Caribbean app, on the website, or onboard at the Shore Excursions desk midship on Deck 5, portside.

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Venturelli Luca / Shutterstock

The 168,700-gross-ton Quantum of the Seas is homeported from Los Angeles, offering cruises from 2-7 nights. Depending on departure date and cruise length, the ship visits not only Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, but also Catalina Island.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Cancels Overnight Port Call Due to High Winds and Swells

Quantum of the Seas can welcome 4,180 guests aboard at double occupancy or as many as 4,905 guests when fully booked. Also onboard are 1,500 international crew members to ensure spectacular service wherever and whenever the ship is sailing.

Why the Itinerary Change?

Royal Caribbean has not provided further details for the reasoning behind the itinerary change other than to “comply with safe speed restrictions.”

It is possible that local restrictions are tied to seasonal whale migrations or other conservation efforts to safeguard marine life in the waters along the southern California and Baja coasts.

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To be clear, there are no reported mechanical problems with Quantum of the Seas and the change in itinerary is not a result of propulsion problems or other difficulties.

Guests booked on upcoming sailings on Quantum of the Seas will want to stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean for updates in case their sailings are similarly impacted.

Loyalty Perks Removed for Another Carnival Cruise

Catie Kovelman
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Loyalty Perks Removed for Another Carnival Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Spirit will not be able to offer certain elite loyalty member perks on its next sailing.
  • The voyage in question is an 8-night cruise to the Bahamas that embarks on December 6, 2025.
  • Removed benefits include priority embarkation and debarkation as well as early luggage drop-off privileges.

Elite guests planning to embark on Carnival Spirit on December 6, 2025, won’t be getting to enjoy all of the VIP perks they may have been looking forward to due to a high number of Diamond and Platinum guests that will be onboard.

The cruise in question is an 8-night sailing out of Mobile, Alabama, to the Bahamas that visits Celebration Key, Princess Cays, and Nassau.

And if you’re feeling a sense of deja vu, it’s because this has happened before.

Just days ago, top-tier members of Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Loyalty Program were told that they would also lose some of their benefits during Carnival Miracle’s November 30th sailing.

“Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide the following benefits,” Carnival wrote to impacted guests.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

Similar adjustments have been made on several other Carnival cruises over the past year or so, but most of these were longer Carnival Journeys sailings.

Carnival Journeys are cruises that last for nine days or longer and typically attract a larger number of elite VIFP passengers.

What Benefits are Going Away?

Due to the high number of elite guests onboard, it is simply impossible to provide priority services at the level they would expect.

“These operational changes are consistent with other voyages where we have a very large number of Diamond and Platinum Guests,” Carnival explained.

“We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding,” the cruise line continued.

In the case of this Bahamas sailing, Diamond and Platinum members will be saying goodbye to priority embarkation and debarkation, including at ports of call.

Carnival Spirit in Mobile, Alabama
Carnival Spirit in Mobile, Alabama (Photo Credit: Carmen K. Sisson)

This perk will be especially missed while visiting Princess Cays, which is a tender port.

Additionally, early stateroom access to drop off bags and priority luggage delivery will not be possible.

Even the top-tier guests will need to wait until 1:30 p.m. to visit their staterooms like the rest of the passengers.

It’s also worth noting that the priority line and phone assistance for the onboard guest services team may not be available, and that main dining room dinner seating requests made by Diamond guests cannot be guaranteed.

But on the bright side, special elite perks like complimentary beverages, priority spa reservations, welcome treats (provided upon request), and VIFP logo gifts will still be offered.

New Rewards Program Overhauls Overwhelmed VIFP Program

Though Carnival’s new Carnival Rewards program is highly controversial, particularly in how it does away with lifetime loyalty status, it is necessary because the current VIFP program has become unsustainable.

There are simply too many elite Diamond and Platinum guests cruising, which means Carnival has had to take away the benefits they have earned on more and more sailings.

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The new plan will work on a system where status is awarded by earning points and stars.

Loyalty status will then reset every two years to avoid accumulating too many top-tier members, which allows Carnival to better reward its most active and loyal passengers.

But following ongoing criticism of the new program, the launch date was recently pushed back from June 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026.

Meat Loaf Tribute Cruise to Return on MSC Virtuosa

Donna Tunney
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Meat Loaf Tribute Cruise to Return on MSC Virtuosa

Key Aspects:

  • A rock music cruise, “Anything For Love – The Meat Loaf Story,” will set sail in 2026.
  • The 7-night voyage will operate roundtrip from Southampton aboard MSC Virtuosa.
  • UK show producer Steve Steinman will host the cruise as lead singer.

It’ll be a hot summer night when a music-themed cruise, “Anything For Love – The Meat Loaf Story,” departs from Southampton on September 5, 2026 onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa.

Organized by UK singer and touring show producer Steve Steinman, the 7-night rock cruise will recreate the music of “Meat Loaf” for fans of the popular American band. Lead singer Michael Lee Aday was the frontman for the group and known by the stage name of Meat Loaf.

He died in 2022, but the band’s bass player, Kasim Sulton, who performed on the top-selling 1977 album “Bat Out Of Hell,” will join the cruise and perform with Steinman, a Facebook post promises.

The cruise’s title is taken from the hit song “I’d Do Anything For Love,” from the band’s “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell” album.

The 2026 Meat Loaf tribute cruise is the second that Steinman has produced; the first was in 2024.

The “Anything For Love” itinerary is roundtrip from Southampton with port calls to La Rochelle and Cherbourg, France, and La Coruna and Bilbao, Spain.

The music-themed voyage is not a full charter, so those who book the Meat Loaf-focused cruise will share MSC Virtuosa with other guests. The Meraviglia-Plus-class ship accommodates 4,842 guests in double occupancy and entered service in 2019.

Bookings Must Be Made Through the UK Agency

The Meat Loaf cruise, which will showcase Steinman in the lead singer role, can be booked only through Not Just Travel/SeaKing Adventures, a UK-based booking agent. Reservations cannot be made on the MSC Cruises website or on any third-party booking site.

This is likely because special rates are in effect for the themed voyage. For instance, all bookings through the authorized agent include the cruise line’s Premium Drinks package, which covers wine, beer, and spirits, plus non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, soda, smoothies, and water.

MSC Virtuosa, Le Grand Theater
MSC Virtuosa, Le Grand Theater

Sample rates are €1,109 per person ($1,475 USD) for an inside cabin; €1,349 ($1,795 USD) for a balcony stateroom; and €3,029 ($4,030 USD) for accommodation in MSC Yacht Club, the restricted luxury section of the ship.

Aside from the performances and events tied to the Meat Loaf tribute experience, guests onboard MSC Virtuosa will enjoy the ship’s four pools, a waterpark, 11 dining venues and more than 20 bars and lounges, and additional entertainment, including concerts featuring the music of ABBA and songs from the hit movie “Dirty Dancing.”

Music-Themed Itineraries: A Growing Cruise Trend

Music-themed cruises are becoming more common on some cruise lines, as production companies increasingly look to the fast-growing vacation-at-sea option as a platform for live performances.

One of the more well-known music cruises is The Monsters of Rock Cruise, produced by On the Blue Cruises. The 2026 voyage is set for April 12 onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s 3,852-guest Norwegian Joy.

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Featured performers include Night Ranger, The Darkness, Stryper, and Lita Ford, plus Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses and Great White. The 5-night sailing from PortMiami calls at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.

Country music also holds a coveted place in the music-cruise space. The Country Music Cruise 2026 will be held aboard Holland America Line’s Eurodam, sailing from Fort Everglades on January 25, 2026.

Dry Dock Enhancements Coming for Two NCL Cruise Ships

Catie Kovelman
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Dry Dock Enhancements Coming for Two NCL Cruise Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem will be entering dry dock in the spring of next year.
  • During this time, both ships will be getting the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club.
  • Norwegian Jade will also be getting its very own Starbucks.

Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem are heading to dry dock early next year, and will be re-entering service with some exciting enhancements.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewel-class ships will both be getting the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club, which will replace the additional sundeck that is currently located on deck 14.

This news comes after the Beach Club was recently added to Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl earlier this fall.

The beach club will feature luxurious amenities like 54 premium lounge chairs, an additional hot tub, and a full service private bar.

“On both ships, guests will enjoy the addition of the popular, adults-only outdoor oasis Vibe Beach Club, which will replace the additional sundeck on deck 14 (separate from the main pool) and offer an additional hot tub, as well as 54 premium lounge chairs and seven new private cabanas equipped for two guests to soak up the sun,” Norwegian Cruise Line told Cruise Hive.

“Guests can escape to a quiet, serene atmosphere at Vibe Beach Club with expansive views of the ocean; a full-service private bar; and personalized services including water spritzers, chilled towels and fruit skewers,” the cruise line continued.

Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship
Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)

Read Also: The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line: Worth It or Not?

The work will be completed onboard Norwegian Jade from April 19 to May 4, 2026, and onboard Norwegian Gem from April 24 to May 11, 2026.

After this point, Norwegian Jade will operate 7-night Alaska sailings from Vancouver, Canada, and Whittier, Alaska.

Norwegian Gem will be based in Europe and will offer Mediterranean and Greek Isles sailings out of Venice and Rome in Italy.

Starbucks Coming to Norwegian Jade

As an added bonus, Norwegian Cruise Line is also adding Starbucks to Deck 7 of the 2,352-guest Norwegian Jade.

“For the coffee connoisseurs, Norwegian Jade will also boast a brand-new Starbucks on deck 7 designed by the boutique interior design firm and longtime partners of NCL, Studio DADO,” NCL also told Cruise Hive.

Norwegian Jewel Starbucks
Norwegian Jewel Starbucks

This change further aligns the 2006-launched ship with other NCL ships, including Norwegian Gem, that already feature the popular coffee joint.

How to Enjoy the Vibe Beach Club

First, keep in mind that the Vibe Beach Club is only for adult cruisers over the age of 18, which is a rule that is strictly enforced.

If you are of age and interested in being among the first to check out the new onboard oasis, make sure to snag a reservation early.

Day passes, which vary in price depending on the length of the voyage, are required for entry.

A limited number of day passes are offered each sailing, and they are already available for pre-booking online through the NCL website or app.

“As the guest-favorite venue sells out quickly, future cruisers can now pre-book a cabana or access pass to the exclusive retreat on board Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade,” the cruise line advised.

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Guests looking for an extra luxurious experience can also reserve a private cabana, which includes beach club admission for two guests.

However, keep in mind that the cabana must be rented for the entirety of the sailing and there is a limit of one cabana rental per stateroom to keep things fair to all passengers.

This venue has already been very well received on other ships in the fleet, and the newest renditions of the Vibe Beach Club will surely be just as great.

Royal Caribbean Responds Quickly to “Code Brown” Incident

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Responds Quickly to “Code Brown” Incident

Key Aspects:

  • A “code brown” unfolded onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas after somebody pooped in the swimming pool.
  • Royal Caribbean crew members jumped into action, clearing the pool and starting sanitation procedures.
  • The incident has resurfaced a debate on how safe it really is to swim in cruise ship pools, even in adults-only areas.

One Royal Caribbean sailing turned into its own version of a poop cruise – at least temporarily.

Two guests were relaxing on the upper decks onboard Harmony of the Seas when every cruiser’s worst nightmare unfolded: a child pooped in the pool.

“We’re just sitting here on Deck 16 above the pool area. Deck 15 below us. Sun is out. Having a good time. Then we hear a whistle blow,” the guest ominously began in a social media post.

“My sister’s like ‘oh I think somebody pooped in the pool,’” the cruiser continued.

Pooping in the pool is a big sanitary “no no” that ruins the fun for everyone.

Read Also: Cruise Guests Debate Peeing in Pools and the Safety of Swimming

When a “code brown” unfolds, everyone must evacuate the swimming pool and already busy crew members now have the extra task of draining and sanitizing.

Code Brown on Harmony of the Seas
Code Brown on Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Evelyn Havlik)

This is in addition to standard cleaning, chemical and filtration treatments, and sanitation checks that crew members must complete daily to ensure the pools and spas remain safe.

Crew Members Launch Prompt Response

While this situation is understandably very annoying for cruise guests trying to enjoy some water-filled fun, the Royal Caribbean crew members should be commended for their prompt response.

The lifeguards wasted no time in blowing the whistle to get everyone out of the pool and begin the sanitization process.

“Sure enough – lifeguards on duty blow the whistle. Scoop whatever it was out with the net. Then the rest of the staff shows up with gloves. Everybody out of the pool. Rope it off,” the cruise guest continued.

The response onboard appears to be faster than what other guests have experienced when similar incidents occurred while sailing with other cruise lines.

Code Brown on Harmony of the Seas
Code Brown on Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Evelyn Havlik)

“At least they closed the pool…once on Carnival Sunrise we saw a dad pull his 3 yr old out of the pool w liquid poop dripping everywhere and they took their sweet time closing the pool. We left the area due to the smell! Just gross!!”, another cruise fan reacted.

As all the cruise lines do, Royal Caribbean also has rules in place to try to prevent accidents in the pools in the first place.

For example, children who need swim diapers or are not 100% toilet trained can only use the designated “Baby Splash” areas onboard select ships.

“Due to public health regulations, children who are in diapers or not 100% toilet trained may only use Baby Splash facilities on board,” Royal Caribbean’s website states.

They are not allowed in any of the main pools, jacuzzis, or H20 Zone Water Parks.

Are Adults-Only Pools Safer?

The safety of swimming onboard is often a hot topic among cruisers, and incidents like these just add fuel to the fire.

The poster and cruise guest said that while she was grossed out by swimming with kids, she would be more willing to take her chances in the jacuzzis in the adults-only Solarium.

“A bunch of people. A bunch of kids. All sharing the same water. No thanks lol. The hot tub at the Solarium? Sure. Adults only. I’ll take my chances there,” she quipped.

That said, accidents are sometimes inevitable onboard, even from adults. Many said they would never go in a public pool or jacuzzi on a cruise ship because of this.

“Sold hot tubs for years…I NEVER GO IN PUBLIC HOT TUBS. The bacteria from bodies and yes many adults (especially when drinking) pee in the hot tubs and excreted from their pores. Hot water speeds up the bacteria growth,” one person noted in the comments.

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Last year, another story went viral in which a passenger was so afraid of losing her “premium lounger” that was partially submerged in the pool that she peed in her seat instead of going to the bathroom.

Crew members once again quickly intervened, and the woman was removed by security.

But as disconcerting as stories like these are, keep in mind that cruise lines are held to strict safety and sanitation protocols. Ultimately, it is up to each cruiser to decide how they want to spend their time onboard and if they feel safe going for a swim.

Weather Conditions Force P&O Iona to Return Home Early

Melissa Mayntz
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Weather Conditions Force P&O Iona to Return Home Early

Key Aspects:

  • Iona will now be returning to Southampton on Friday afternoon instead of Saturday morning.
  • This faster homeport return is due to poor weather expected in the region on Saturday.
  • Guests are not permitted to debark the ship early, but onboard activities will continue.

Guests aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona will be arriving back to their Southampton homeport earlier than expected to conclude their 14-night voyage, but their cruise experience will sail on even if the ship is not moving.

Poor weather expected in Southampton on Saturday morning, December 6, has prompted the ship’s master, Captain Martin Allen, to accelerate the return to the UK so the 184,100-gross-ton vessel can dock safely.

“Due to the predicted weather forecasts for our arrival into Southampton on Saturday morning being less than favourable, we have made the decision to bring our arrival into Southampton forward to Friday, where we intend to be alongside by early afternoon,” Allen explained.

“This will ensure that we are docked in front of the current weather system moving across the UK providing a more comfortable final approach.”

The weather forecast for Southampton on Saturday morning is rain and winds at 10-20 miles per hour.

Conditions directly on the coast are likely to be even more severe, which could make it challenging for the ship to maneuver to the dock.

Cruise lines always keep the safety of the ship, guests, and crew members their topmost priority. While docking early may not be the vacation guests had hoped for, it is the safest option to ensure the ship is as comfortable as possible and there are no delays as she returns to Southampton.

In fact, this adjustment is almost one year to the day when Iona remained in Southampton for extra time instead of departing on schedule due to stormy winter weather. That change was also for safety.

Iona in Southampton
P&O Cruises’ Iona in Southampton, UK. (Photo Credit: Martin Augustus)

Iona joined the P&O Cruises fleet in 2021. The Excel-class ship can welcome up to 6,685 guests onboard and is also home to approximately 1,700 international crew members.

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

The ship is completing a two-week cruise that departed Southampton on Saturday, November 22, with ports in Spain and the Canary Islands to enjoy.

Iona was to have visited Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday, December 3, as the final destination of the sailing, but that stop was unfortunately cancelled due to ongoing labor issues impacting the port.

Early Debarkation Not Permitted

While Iona will be arriving back to Southampton the day before her planned debarkation, guests will not have the option to depart the ship early.

“While we will be alongside on Friday, Border Force will not be clearing the ship for disembarkation,” Allen confirmed. “Therefore, guests will not be permitted to disembark the vessel on Friday.”

This may be disappointing to travelers who might have hoped to start for home earlier than planned to beat the worst of the weather, or for anyone who could have enjoyed some extra time enjoying all Southampton has to offer.

Fortunately, a full schedule of entertainment and activities will still be available onboard Iona on Friday evening as planned and guests will be able to enjoy the last few hours of their cruise vacation in comfort and style.

To be clear, there are no mechanical problems with Iona, and her early return to Southampton is not related to any onboard systems or other difficulties.

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Furthermore, the ship’s next sailing, another 14-night Spain, Portugal, and Canary Islands itinerary, should not be impacted.

The weather forecast for Saturday evening is smoother than the morning hours and the ship should be able to depart Southampton as planned. Guests will be informed if any delays are necessary.

Guests booked on Iona‘s December 6 sailing will still want to stay in close contact with P&O Cruises in case there do need to be any adjustments to their departure or itinerary.

Holland America Smashes Record During Black Friday Promotion (Again!)

Donna Tunney
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Holland America Smashes Record During Black Friday Promotion (Again!)

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line’s Black Friday weekend sale saw a major jump in bookings.
  • The premium cruise brand beat its best record by 19%, set in 2023.
  • Value-added perks include fare discounts, low deposits, and other perks.

Holland America Line has done it again, posting double-digit gains in advance bookings during its 2025 Black Friday weekend sale. 

The 11-ship line shattered its all-time record-high set in 2023, recording a robust 19% jump in reservations during the Black Friday weekend promotion, which ran from November 28, 2025 to Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. The sale continues through December 4, 2025.

Offered on most voyages now through October 2027, the special deals include significant fare savings and perks, including up to 30% off base fares, crew gratuities, 50% reduced deposits starting at $25, and free or discounted fares for the third and fourth guests sharing a stateroom.

“This holiday season, we are seeing guests prioritize the experience itself in booking travel, looking for leisurely vacations that build connections and create shared memories,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. 

“Breaking Black Friday records again tells us people value the carefully crafted journeys we create and the award-winning ‘best service’ at sea we deliver,” Bodensteiner added.

Smashing the 2023 record is an accomplishment, but looking back, that year, too, was a record-breaker, with a Black Friday-to-Cyber Monday booking blitz that was 23% higher than 2022. 

Equally as impressive, the line in 2022 exceeded pre-pandemic booking levels for Black Friday promotions, receiving 20% more reservations than the same promotion period in 2019.

Cruise Line Says Alaska Is In High-Demand

As the trend toward holiday promotions grows, cruisers in 2025 definitely took full advantage of what Holland America Line, a premium-level Carnival Corporation brand, offered. The cruise line pointed to robust guest enthusiasm for Alaska cruises and cruisetours in 2026.

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

The popular cruisetours combine a sailing with a land stay in Denali National Park.

Holland America Cruise Ships
Holland America Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Ute Sonja Medley)

Looking at some of the Black Friday offerings, a 7-day Alaska Explorer cruise onboard Eurodam offers a starting fare of $1,429 per person for an inside cabin. Departing at the height of the season, on July 11, 2026, the ship sails roundtrip from Seattle and calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point.

Additionally, Black Friday bookings saw gains in Caribbean reservations along with other destinations.

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In the line’s 2026 Europe cruise series, for instance, a September 12, 2026 departure onboard Nieuw Statendam offers a 7-day Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia voyage roundtrip from Rotterdam. Port calls include Stavanger, Oslo, and Skjolden, Norway, and Skagen, Denmark. Fares start at $1,319.

Other cruise lines flooded the market with Black Friday sales, too. Another premium brand, Virgin Voyages, offered an 80% reduced fare for the second guest in a stateroom and a bar tab credit up to $400.

Mainstream lines also tempted cruisers with major discounts. Norwegian Cruise Line offered a 50% fare cut on all itineraries, while Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale provided free fares for the third and fourth guests in a cabin, plus other savings on cruise extras.

Carnival Cruise Line Makes Pajama Exception for Christmas Brunch

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Carnival Cruise Line Makes Pajama Exception for Christmas Brunch

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line will permit guests to wear pajamas to Christmas breakfast or brunch.
  • All holiday pajamas must still be family-friendly and suitable for everyone.
  • Each ship’s maître d’ has the discretion to turn guests away if they are inappropriately dressed.

A Christmas cruise can be an amazing experience, but celebrations onboard are often very different from the traditions guests may have at home.

Carnival Cruise Line, however, is permitting a unique exception to onboard guidelines so guests can still enjoy one holiday tradition: pajamas.

Many families enjoy Christmas morning with fun matching pajamas, and they can still do so onboard a Carnival cruise ship, so long as their festive attire meets family-friendly guidelines.

The clarification comes from John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador. Heald answers hundreds of guest questions every week, on all types of unique subjects. During this time of year, pajamas can be a topic of contention.

Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship – What to Expect

“I’ve also had some guests asking about whether holiday pajamas are going to be allowed in the dining room for Christmas brunch,” he noted.

“Here’s my guidance: if you have a family tradition of having breakfast (or brunch) in your holiday pajamas, the ships are advised to make a one-time exception on Christmas morning to the ‘no pajamas’ rule.”

Typically, no sleepwear is permitted in the Main Dining Room restaurants. While Carnival’s “What to Wear” FAQ does not specifically prohibit pajamas, it does state that clothing that is sheer, see-through, or sexually suggestive is not appropriate.

Christmas on a Carnival Cruise
Christmas on a Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)

Heald reiterates that those guidelines still apply even for the one-time holiday pajamas exception on Christmas morning.

“Please note: they must be family friendly (and should be long pants/sleeves),” he said. “Ultimately the maître d has discretion to ask you to change if they don’t pass family friendly guidelines. Don’t get on the naughty list by trying to slip by in something that crosses the line.”

So, guests should be sure to leave the “unwrap me” skimpy holiday-themed pjs at home!

Where Will Carnival Ships Be on Christmas Day?

Depending on the itinerary, several Carnival cruise ships will be at sea on December 25, ensuring guests can enjoy the fabulous Seaday Brunch in their festive pajamas.

More than half the fleet, however, will be having port visits on Christmas Day, including:

  • Celebration – Grand Turk
  • Conquest – Nassau
  • Elation – Princess Cays
  • Freedom – Celebration Key
  • Glory – Celebration Key
  • Horizon – Willemstad
  • Liberty – Nassau
  • Mardi Gras – Nassau
  • Miracle – Belize City
  • Panorama – La Paz
  • Paradise – Cozumel
  • Pride – Nassau
  • Spirit – Half Moon Cay
  • Sunrise – Montego Bay
  • Valor – Progreso
  • Venezia – Charlotte Amalie

Guests should still be able to enjoy breakfast wearing their holiday pjs if they prefer, but they will also want to ensure they’re dressed appropriately for any shore tours or exploring ashore, where pajamas may not be the best choice.

More Holiday Festivities on Carnival Ships

Guests onboard any of Carnival’s holiday sailings, whether they are cruising on Christmas Day or not, will be able to enjoy a wide range of fun and festive happenings.

This includes visits from Santa and the Grinch, tree-lighting ceremonies, “snow” in the ship’s atrium, themed trivia, a special holiday entertainment show, and more.

In terms of festive attire, guests also have more options. In addition to holiday-themed pajamas, they will want to pack along sweaters for the ugly sweater contest, as well as elegant attire for formal night.

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Heald also noted that regardless of a ship’s cruise length or itinerary, the planned Elegant Night on most sailings will be on Christmas evening, December 25. This may vary on select ships, however.

Guests should check the Carnival Hub app for their specific onboard schedule to be sure they don’t miss out on any of the holiday fun!

Massive Dragon Revealed as MSC World Asia Is Just One Year Away

Donna Tunney
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0
Massive Dragon Revealed as MSC World Asia Is Just One Year Away

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises will launch its next World-class ship in exactly 12 months.
  • The line revealed more details about MSC World Asia’s design and public spaces.
  • Despite her name, the ship will be initially deployed to Europe.

Precisely 12 months from today, December 4, 2025, MSC World Asia, the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World class, will set sail on her first revenue cruise following construction at a French shipyard.

The 215,863-gross-ton ship that will accommodate 5,400 guests will embark passengers on the inaugural voyage, a 7-night Mediterranean itinerary roundtrip from Barcelona, which departs on December 4, 2026.

With the official one-year countdown to her launch now underway, MSC Cruises is revealing some new details guests can look forward to, and highlighting amenities in the ship’s public spaces.

They include areas designed for families, such as a newly designed destination called The Harbour, an outdoor park in the Family Aventura district, and The Clubhouse, where kids and parents can enjoy everything from the cruise line’s popular LEGO® Family Zone, to bumper cars and roller skating, plus traditional table games.

Read Also: Here’s What I Thought After Three Days on MSC World America

For those looking for thrills, the family district will be home to Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride that debuted onboard sister ship MSC World America when she entered service in 2025.

A new thrill ride, The Spiral @ Tree of Life, will set a record as the longest dry slide at sea. At a full 266 feet high, the ride spans 12 decks and is modeled on Singapore’s famous destination, Gardens by the Bay.

The Spiral @ Tree of Life
The Spiral @ Tree of Life

Other new venues include Pan-Asian Street Food, an indoor-outdoor restaurant featuring Southeast Asian specialities.

A major design highlight has been unveiled, too — Dragon Sculpture, a massive 39 by 29 foot stainless steel dragon that will hang from the ceiling, sparkling with 700 mirrors and thousands of LED lights.

While the ship will sport Asian-inspired designs and motifs, MSC World Asia is not initially bound for deployment in Asia. At least through the fall of 2027, the ship will sail in the Mediterranean.

Bookings opened nearly a year ago, in January 2025. Like other MSC Cruises’ ships in the Mediterranean, MSC World Asia will offer departures from multiple ports, including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Rome, Messina, Sicily, and Valetta, Malta.

Dragon Sculpture
Dragon Sculpture

Itineraries will typically call at several of those ports, and guests can embark at the destination of their choice.

The new-build was floated out of her construction bay at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France in November 2025, marking the first time the ship’s hull touched water. Following the float-out, work is continuing on interior and exterior spaces. 

In the fall of 2026, the ship’s construction will be near completion, and she will enter the sea trial phase, when key operational systems are tested.

More World-Class Ships Will Follow MSC World Asia

MSC World Asia will follow two earlier World-class ships: MSC World Europa, which debuted in 2022, and MSC World America. More are on the way. MSC World Atlantic is also under construction at the French shipyard and slated to debut in 2027.

Two additional ships, still unnamed and currently referred to as World Class 5 and 6, are on order and due to enter service in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

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Meanwhile, the cruise line in November 2025 announced the order of two more World-class ships. They are known as World Class 7 and 8. Construction is scheduled to begin on both in 2029.

Like her sister ships, MSC World Asia will feature seven themed districts, 40-plus restaurants and bars, seven pools, dedicated spaces for supervised children’s programs, a full spa, and the exclusive luxury accommodations area, MSC Yacht Club, which will have 144 suites.

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