One Carnival guest is upset that they haven’t been offered a free stateroom upgrade.
John Heald explains why the upgrade fairy doesn’t really exist at all.
Upsells are available, but full-capacity ships and sold-out sailings mean free upgrades aren’t happening.
It can be a pleasant surprise for cruise travelers if their stateroom is better than expected, perhaps more spacious, with a larger balcony, or having exceptional storage. Sometimes, on rare occasions, the “upgrade fairy” might even visit, spontaneously moving travelers from an interior or oceanview stateroom to a balcony.
But do such upgrades really happen? How often? Is there a way to perhaps encourage a visit from the upgrade fairy?
One Carnival cruise guest is lamenting the lack of such fairy dust on their sailings and reached out to John Heald for clarification.
Heald is Carnival Cruise Line’s official brand ambassador, offering tips and assistance to hundreds of guests every week through his popular Facebook page.
“I keep hearing about the upgrade fairy. In exactly 15 Carnival cruises, we’ve never received an upgrade for free offer,”the guest explained.“I got an upsell offer a few weeks ago for our Alaska cruise on Luminosa in June, from an interior main deck midship to a balcony deck 6.”
To be clear, this writer has been on “exactly” 26 Carnival cruises with #27 booked and has never received (nor expected) a free upgrade.
Other commenters note they’ve been on 47, 49, and even more Carnival cruises and never gotten free upgrades. So this one guest’s lack of upgrade fairy experience isn’t unusual.
Carnival Luminosa in Seattle (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)
“How do I get a free upgrade? Does the upgrade fairy really exist or how are people chosen?”the guest asked.
While Heald makes light of the guest’s inquiry with imagery of Mother Ship employees dancing around with a wand to confer upgrades on a few lucky guests, he does explain that such upgrades aren’t always possible.
The key reason isn’t that Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t value guests or won’t offer freebies, but simply that there are none to offer.
“Our bookings are the strongest in the industry,”Heald noted.“Many of the cruises are already sold out, so please don’t hold out on getting a free upgrade.”
He does acknowledge that upsells are available, but free upgrades are very, very rare and most often don’t happen at all. Even if they are available, Heald himself has no control over that process and no influence on how, when, or why an upgrade might be offered.
Upgrade Tactics That Don’t Work
Heald goes on to note that Carnival Cruise Line is very aware of different tricks and hacks often used in desperate attempts to secure free upgrades.
For example, booking an interior stateroom but claiming to suffer from claustrophobia and asking for an upgrade is neither unique nor successful.
Similarly, claiming to know Micky Arison (son of Carnival Cruise Line founder Ted Arison and current chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc) as a personal friend is another silly and ridiculous approach.
Many different “cruise influencers” and bloggers claim to have tactics that are nearly guaranteed to secure free upgrades, but in reality, those tips are not true and will not be successful at anything except exposing a guest as an entitled hopeful.
The Best Way to Get an Upgrade
There is one trick that is sure to get cruise guests the cabin of their dreams every single time – book the stateroom you want.
“Why can’t people be happy with the cabin that they have chosen?”Heald asked.“You’re going to have a wonderful time, whether you’re staying in an inside cabin, a balcony, a suite, or all the other different cabin categories that we have.”
Many guests do exactly that, book the stateroom they want, whether it is a specific category, in a certain location, or on a particular deck.
If an upsell upgrade is offered, it is usually a deep discount from listed prices and can be a great bargain. On the other hand, guests who book the stateroom they want don’t have to worry about whether or not an upgrade may be offered, free or otherwise.
The first cabins have been lifted onto Icon 4, Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon-class ship under construction in Finland.
The modular cabins were prebuilt and are the first of 2,800 staterooms the ship will feature.
Icon 4 is being built by Meyer Turku and is expected to launch in late 2027.
Royal Caribbean has made a name for itself as the operator of the world’s largest cruise ships — Icon-class vessels, while the Meyer Turku shipyard holds the distinction of being the builder of those ships.
Currently in the process of constructing the fourth ship in the class, temporarily known as Icon 4, the Finnish shipyard celebrated a notable building event on January 9, 2026, when the ship’s first cabins were hoisted onto the vessel.
Meyer Turku proudly updated the ship’s construction progress in a Facebook post on January 13, 2026, describing how the first of 2,800 staterooms was delivered to the shipyard.
“Icon 4’s assembly phase is progressing, and the vessel’s first cabins were lifted into the ship last Friday, January 9,” the post confirmed.
“The modular cabins are fully prebuilt by our daughter company Piikkio Works. They are then delivered to the shipyard, where they are lifted into the ship,” Meyer Turku explained.
Since they are prebuilt, the stateroom accommodations can be expeditiously and easily transferred into the vessel. Piikkio Works manufactures cabins and bathroom units at its factory in Piikkio, Finland.
When Icon 4’s construction is completed and the ship enters service in late 2027, she will join three sister ships: Icon of the Seas, launched in January 2024, Star of the Seas, which debuted in August 2025, and Legend of the Seas, set to begin operating in July 2026. In fact, Legend of the Seas is being built right next to Icon 4 at the Meyer Turku shipyard.
The Icon class represents the industry’s largest ships, each at 248,663 gross tons and with capacity for 5,610 guests in double occupancy. They can accommodate a staggering 7,600 passengers with all berths occupied.
Royal Caribbean’s 4th Icon Class Cabin Installation (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)
Like her sister ships, Icon 4 will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature advanced alternative energy systems, such as fuel cells that will be used to generate electrical power.
Construction of Icon 4 began in September 2025, when the shipyard and cruise line held a keel-laying event. The maritime tradition calls for good-luck coins to be placed under the first steel block of the ship’s hull.
The next major construction milestone will be the ship’s float-out, when the vessel leaves her construction bay and touches water for the first time. This typically happens about a year before launch.
Royal Caribbean announced it had placed the order for the fourth ship in the class in August 2024. The order included options for a fifth and sixth ship in the class.
What Makes Icon-Class Ships So Popular?
Aside from their immense size, the Icon-class vessels feature pioneering activities and spaces, offering experiences for all ages.
The Category 6 Waterpark, for instance, offers thrill rides that include Frightening Bolt, a water slide with a trap door that opens beneath participants, and Pressure Drop, the industry’s first free-fall slide with a drop of 282 feet.
Crown’s Edge offers a challenging ropes course while Adrenaline Peak tempts guests to try rock climbing. Laser tag and mini golf are featured for guests who don’t need such major thrills.
Like other ship classes at Royal Caribbean, Icon ships feature several neighborhoods and zones designed to appeal to certain demographics.
Surfside is ideal for families, for instance, with a dedicated pool and children’s club, while The Hideaway is for adults seeking serenity. It features an infinity pool and has a beach club atmosphere.
The existing ships in the class, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, are homeported in PortMiami and Port Canaveral, respectively, and sail Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.
When Legend of the Seas enters service in summer 2026, she will spend the season in Europe, sailing from Rome and Barcelona. In October 2026, Legend of the Seas will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for a winter series of Caribbean and Bahamas voyages.
A cruise guest missed Utopia of the Seas because of confusion about the ship’s homeport.
Their application to join the ship in Nassau the next day was also denied.
The guest has shared their experience in the hopes that others can avoid similar mistakes.
Missing the ship at embarkation is a nightmare scenario for any cruise guest, but what options do you have?
One guest mistakenly missed Utopia of the Seas‘ departure on Monday, January 12, 2026 and had hoped to join the ship in Nassau, but was not given the result they’d hoped to hear.
The guest shared their situation on Reddit, immediately owning up to the mistake on their part after arriving at Port Everglades instead of Port Canaveral.
“We pulled a major travel fail today. … We’ve obviously missed the ship’s departure,”they explained.
Given that they were sharing their experience in the Royal Caribbean subreddit and Utopia of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship departing Port Canaveral on Monday and visiting Nassau on Tuesday, it isn’t hard to determine which ship they missed.
The guest did contact Royal Caribbean right away with a request to join the ship in Nassau at their own expense. They then booked refundable flights from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau for early Tuesday morning in the hopes their request would be approved.
While they were waiting, different commenters weighed in, noting that Nassau can be a relatively easy port to fly into. These situations do have to be approved by the Bahamian authorities, however, and not just the cruise line.
Some travelers shared their own similar experiences or those of family members who made such arrangements successfully, as well as tips for how to reach the cruise port from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. The two are roughly 10 miles apart.
Another shared one critical piece of advice for booking flights to the capital of the Bahamas.
“Be sure you actually go to Nassau, Bahamas and not Nassau, New York,”they commented.
Permission Denied
Unfortunately, the impacted guest did hear back from Royal Caribbean, but not with the answer they’d hoped to receive.
“We regret to inform you that your request to embark in Nassau, Bahamas has been denied by port authorities,”the notification read.“The reason provided does not meet the established criteria for authorization to embark at an alternate port of call.”
Utopia of the Seas Docked in Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
No further explanation is given, and there is no option for the guest to appeal the decision.
Because Utopia of the Seas is on a 4-night sailing with visits only to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, it would be very difficult for the guest to work through any further official channels in time to join the vessel before her day at sea and return to Port Canaveral.
It is unclear whether or not the guest had any travel insurance, and different insurance policies do not necessarily cover this type of mistaken scenario.
How Did the Guest Confuse the Port?
Refreshingly, the guest is not blaming the cruise line or otherwise attempting to shift responsibility to anyone else for this unfortunate and disappointing mishap.
“We flew into Fort Lauderdale yesterday, the night before the cruise,”the guest explained.“I had been on one Royal cruise previously that left from the port here in Fort Lauderdale.”
The guest does not indicate when they previously sailed from Port Everglades. At the moment, Liberty of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas are all homeported from Fort Lauderdale.
“For whatever reason I was sure Port Canaveral was the one in Fort Lauderdale that I left from last time,”the guest noted.“Only at noon today did we figure out that the port here in FLL is Port Everglades. Obviously a very dumb mistake in hindsight.”
Once the guest realized the critical error, it was already too late to shift plans to attempt to reach Utopia of the Seas.
Even in minimal traffic, driving time from Port Everglades to Port Canaveral is at least three hours, and that assumes being able to arrange transportation right away.
Because Utopia of the Seas departs at 4 p.m., it would have been impossible for the guest to drive to Port Canaveral, check in at the cruise terminal, and board the ship before the all aboard time.
Nevertheless, the guest is very magnanimous in wanting to help others avoid the same issues and they do take a good lesson from the experience, and not just to double (and triple!) check their embarkation port in the future.
“Good to know that Royal won’t just green light you to join at a different port,”they said.
It’s clear that cruise lines and port authorities take security precautions and identification clearances seriously, whether at the homeport or a port of call, and every traveler should do the same.
A powerful storm in the UK delayed P&O fly-cruise passengers from on-time embarkation.
Passengers were issued an apology and compensation for a missed cruise day.
However, delayed guests of the previous voyage say they didn’t receive the same courtesy.
A powerful winter storm that swept across the United Kingdom on January 9, 2026, caused widespread travel disruptions for P&O Cruises’ fly-cruise program
The storm, known as Goretti, brought extreme winds, snow, and icy conditions that grounded aircraft, delated departures, and forced airlines to reshuffle planes across multiple airports.
According to the Met Office, the system carried wind gusts nearing 100 miles per hour.
Those conditions directly impacted passengers scheduled to fly from the UK to Barbados to board Britannia’s January 9, 2026, Caribbean cruise.
Flights out of Manchester and other UK airports were delayed by nearly 24 hours, leaving passengers unable to reach the ship on embarkation day.
As a result, some guests did not arrive in Barbados until January 10, missing the ship’s scheduled overnight stay in port and a full day of onboard activities and excursions.
In a letter sent to those inbound passengers, P&O Cruises acknowledged the disruption and offered a pro-rated future cruise credit to cover the missed day.
P&O Britannia in the UK (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
“Whilst the delay to the start of your cruise will have been very disappointing, we do hope that you have had a pleasant flight to Barbados and look forward to welcoming you on board Britannia and being able to give you a wonderful holiday during your time with us,” the cruise line wrote.
The letter also reminded the guests that the cruise line was not responsible for refunds or compensation for the flights and directed passengers to contact the airline, Norse Atlantic, directly to file a claim.
Stormy Seas
While passengers flying to Britannia received apologies and compensation, a different experience awaited those flying home after the previous cruise concluded.
Passengers disembarking from the 143,000-gross-ton vessel’s December 26, 2025, sailing also found themselves delayed by Storm Goretti as they attempted to return to the UK.
But one passenger, aware of the letter received by incoming guests, said no such letter was received.
“My mom was on the delayed flight out from Manchester on Friday (the one we were flying BACK on) and we were also delayed by 24 hours, yet she has already received an apology from P&O with a future cruise refund for the 24-hour delay,” a passenger shared.
While she was glad her mother’s issue was addressed quickly, she expressed concern that after multiple disruptions onboard Britannia and the delayed return flight from Barbados, she had received no similar outreach.
The response has fueled frustration among some passengers as Britannia experienced technical issues that forced the ship to miss scheduled port calls in Aruba and St. Lucia and return to homeport for repairs.
Following the voyage, P&O Cruises confirmed that no compensationwould be offered for the missed ports or itinerary changes tied to the technical breakdown.
Meanwhile, Britannia is now sailing its subsequent journey through January 23, 2026. She will visit the ABC Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and Antigua, barring no further issues.
MSC Poesia‘s February 13, 2026 departure from Southampton is now cancelled.
Guests will receive a full refund and a 50% cruise fare credit for a future sailing.
The cancelled cruise is the last sailing before the ship’s planned dry dock.
Guests booked on the last sailing of MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia before the planned February dry dock have been notified that their cruise is now cancelled.
The 10-night sailing was to have departed Southampton, UK on Friday, February 13, 2026, with visits to Lisbon, Cadiz, Barcelona, Marseille, and Rome before arriving in Malta on Monday, February 23.
Now, however, that voyage is cancelled, along with all embarkation points along the way as the ship heads for dry dock.
“Regrettably, due to operational reasons affecting the deployment of MSC Poesia, we have had to cancel the scheduled cruise departing on 2/13/2026 from Southampton/London, United Kingdom,”the notification email confirmed.
MSC Cruises is offering compensation to guests whose cruise plans are now unfortunately cancelled.
First, all impacted travelers will receive a full refund back to their original form of payment. Furthermore, guests are also being offered a credit they can use toward a future MSC Cruises vacation.
“As a gesture of goodwill, we are pleased to offer a Future Cruise Credit equal to 50% of the cruise fare paid for the cancelled sailing,”the email explained.“This credit may be applied toward any future MSC Cruises sailing of your choice.”
If guests have cruise-related expenses such as flights or other pre- or post-travel arrangements, they can submit proof of purchase claims to the cruise line for reimbursement consideration as well.
It may take a week or two for refunds to be fully processed, depending on individual banking institution policies. Considering MSC Poesia can welcome 2,550 guests at double occupancy or up to 3,605 travelers when fully booked, it can take some time to process all the necessary refunds.
Why the Last Minute Cancellation?
While MSC Cruises has not definitively stated why the sailing has been cancelled, it is possible the ship’s upcoming dry dock at the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta needs to be adjusted.
MSC Poesia is slated for dry dock refreshment from February 23 through April 5, with her next cruise scheduled to depart from Rome on April 6.
It is possible that the shipyard’s schedule has shifted somewhat and the 92,627-gross-ton, Musica-class ship can now be accommodated earlier than expected.
Poesia Upgrade With Yacht Club
The scheduling change could relate to labor expectations and the amount of work required, which could take more time than initially expected.
It is also possible that because the ship can enter dry dock sooner than planned, she may be finished with her refurbishment sooner than expected. If this is the case, MSC Cruises might schedule new last-minute sailings as the ship reenters service, though this has not been confirmed.
Because shipyard schedules are often set months, if not years, ahead of planned ship renovations, it is not unusual for timing to be tweaked as dry dock dates approach.
For example, in April 2025, MSC Seashore had a similar cancellation for dry dock scheduling. That impacted cruise was due to depart on April 5, 2026 – giving travelers a year to adjust their travel plans to a different cruise.
What Work Will Be Done?
The dry dock for MSC Poesia is one of the largest the cruise line has ever planned for an older ship. The exclusive MSC Yacht Club will be added to the ship, as well as two specialty restaurants – the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and Kaito Sushi Bar. The new All-Stars Sports Bar will also be added to the ship.
The MSC Aurea Spa will be updated with new equipment for the very latest in fitness trends, with expansive ocean views for workouts with an ocean vibe.
Other refreshments to public areas, such as updated flooring or upholstery, updated lighting, and new paint, are also likely. The ship’s hull may be painted, and pools or whirlpools could be refinished.
Technical updates to the ship’s systems are also likely to ensure she keeps operating as smoothly and safely as possible, incomplete compliance with the most current environmental and safety regulations.
Noordam was forced to skip a visit to Townsville on January 9 due to a tropical cyclone.
The Australian cyclone season runs from November 1 through April 30.
Noordam was able to remain safely at sea and has continued her 42-night itinerary.
January isn’t typically the month that cruise travelers expect hurricanes to impact their sailings, but it that is just what happened to Noordam recently when the Holland America Line ship skipped a planned visit to Townsville, Australia on Friday, January 9.
For cruisers accustomed to the Atlantic hurricane season running from June 1 through November 30, it can be a rough lesson to learn that the Australian cyclone season runs from November 1 through April 30.
Therefore, it isn’t surprising that Noordam, offering a 42-night Sydney to Auckland itinerary that first departed on December 21, 2025, is sure to run into some cyclone-influenced weather changes on the lengthy sailing.
On Friday, January 9, 2026 the ship was to have visited Townsville in northeastern Queensland. Due to the influence of Cyclone Koji, however, the visit was not possible and the port stop was cancelled.
“Due to weather this cruise arrival has been cancelled and the Noordam will no longer be arriving,”the city’s economic board confirmed two days before the planned visit.
When a strong storm has a confirmed track toward a port, it’s not unusual for itinerary adjustments to be made even a few days ahead of schedule. This gives ample time for the ship to make alternative plans and steer well clear of rough seas.
Noordam was to have been in port from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but instead spent the day at sea staying in calmer waters as much as possible.
“Such is life on the high seas, so for now we’re just relaxing and enjoying the ship going round in circles!”one guest onboard Noordam reported.“Fortunately the ocean is surprisingly calm so no real impacts on us.”
At no time was the ship in any danger and onboard services continued without interruption.
Noordam is celebrating her 20th anniversary of joining the Holland America Line fleet this year. The 82,500-gross-ton, Vista-class ship can welcome 1,916 guests aboard with 800 international crew members to provide superior service.
The next ship scheduled to visit Townsville will be Crown Princess on Saturday, January 17, as part of an 8-night Great Barrier Reef sailing from Brisbane.
Cyclone Koji Landfall
Cyclone Koji was downgraded to a Category 1 cyclone just before making landfall on Sunday, January 11, between Townsville and Airlie Beach.
Localized flooding, heavy rains, swells, and other impacts were common along the coast as the storm impacted the region.
Noordam Cruise Ship in Asia (Photo Credit: Satoshi Mizushima)
Because Noordam was able to divert away from the impacted area of the coast well ahead of the storm’s arrival, the ship enjoyed a much calmer day than would have been had in port.
Koji formed as a depression on January 7. As it was clear the storm was approaching Townsville, city authorities conducted several controlled releases from the Ross River Dam to mitigate expected flood risks. Significant power losses were reported after landfall, with over 14 inches of rain recorded in just 24 hours.
Noordam Continues Journey
Fortunately, Noordam‘s diversion for the cyclone has been relatively minor and the ship has continued on her epic journey. Having already visited nearly a dozen ports in Australia, including Adelaide, Hobart, and Melbourne, the ship has turned her bow toward Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Fiji.
Upcoming port visits include Kiriwina Island, Port Vila, Mystery Island, and Suva, among others. Noordam will continue on toward New Zealand as well, visiting the Bay of Islands and Tauranga before arriving in Auckland for debarkation on Sunday, February 1.
The ship will offer several more lengthy sailings in Australia and New Zealand over the next few weeks, before departing Sydney on March 15 for a one-way 35-night transpacific cruise to Seattle, visiting 17 ports along the way. Highlights include destinations in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, French Polynesia, and Hawaii.
Noordam will spend the northern summer sailing in Alaska before returning Down Under in October 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new brand identity and national campaign.
The campaign revives the cruise line’s 1990s tagline, “It’s Different Out Here.”
A new “For All Maritime” television commercial will reposition the cruise line as it sails into 2026.
When Norwegian Cruise Line quietly swapped its familiar blue logo for black across its website and social media channels earlier this month, cruisers noticed immediately.
The change, rolled out on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X, sparked a wave of online speculation about what the cruise line was planning for 2026.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that the visual changes were not a tease for a new product but the start of a refreshed brand identity and national advertising campaign.
The “new” campaign is built around its 1990s tagline, “It’s Different Out Here,” with various promotional materials that say, “Out Here, the Memories Make Themselves,” “A Vacation Shouldn’t Be Able to Tell Time,” and “Restore Your Factory Settings,” all with blue skies and blue ocean as a backdrop.
Norwegian Cruise Line linked the refreshed messaging to its introduction of Freestyle Cruising in 2000, which removed fixed dining times and formal schedules and gave guests more control over how they spend their time on board.
The cruise line said the updated branding is intended to reflect that original focus on flexibility and guest choice rather than emphasizing ship size or onboard attractions.
“This is a pivotal moment for Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Kiran Smith, chief marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We’re not just launching a campaign – we’re re-anchoring our brand in the values that have always set us apart: freedom and flexibility.”
Smith said the new branding has been developed with Arnold Worldwide, a global advertising firm. The refreshed identity will be introduced to the masses in a nationwide television and social media campaign, “For All Maritime.”
The cinematic commercials trace the idea of flexibility at sea through different periods of maritime history, focusing on passengers who rejected strict traditions and formal rules.
According to the cruise line, the campaign is designed to show cruising from the guest’s point of view, rather than highlight individual onboard amenities.
Fleet Growth Meets Rebrand
The timing of the brand refresh comes as cruise lines continue to compete heavily on ship size, onboard attractions, and headline-making features.
Norwegian Cruise Line has continued to expand its own fleet, including the launch of Norwegian Aqua in March 2025, the first ship in its Prima Plus class, adding capacity while introducing updated public spaces and accommodations.
The debut followed earlier fleet modernization efforts and marked a step up in size from the original Prima-class ships.
The launch was paired with additional newbuild orders, with the cruise line preparing for the March 2026 launch of Norwegian Luna, which will become the 21st ship in its fleet.
Beyond ships, the company has also invested in its destinations, including upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in the Bahamas. Those improvements include the addition of Great Tides Waterpark, which is scheduled to open later this year.
As the cruise line continues to grow, Norwegian Cruise Line said the refreshed brand identity is meant to show how it plans to compete in the crowded cruise market.
While adding ships and capacity, the company said it wants to place greater emphasis on how guests experience time onboard rather than focusing only on size.
Cruise Hive asked our readers what cruise trends need to stop in 2026.
Unsupervised and unruly children, especially in hot tubs, were seen as the most annoying.
Bad behavior related to chair hogging and poor hygiene also needs to be checked.
It’s officially a new year, and the cruise community is hoping that some guests will make resolutions to be better behaved onboard.
Cruise Hive asked our readers what cruise trends need to stop in 2026 and received nearly 1,000 comments on our Facebook, and some annoying behaviors are clearly despised more than others.
Unsupervised children running rampant unsurprisingly dominated the list of grievances, but complaints related to chair hogging and poor hygiene also came up frequently.
Out-Of-Control Children
Of all the trends to stop in 2026, unsupervised and unruly children came up the most.
Poolside behavior was a source of contention, with kids taking over hot tubs so adults couldn’t enjoy them, coming up as a sore spot for many.
Main Pool on Carnival Cruise Line (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
“Def has to be kids in the hot tub. They just sit there forever. Go away, go get a ice cream,” one cruise fan said.
“It’s not even the sitting that’s the problem! It’s the swimming and splashing, and sometimes bringing food in there,” another replied to his comment.
This also includes excessive splashing and jumping or diving into hot tubs or parts of the pool where this activity is not appropriate, or even dangerous.
Annoyance Extends Beyond the Pool Deck
Others complained that kids were disturbing the peaceful atmosphere in adult-only relaxation spaces, or ruining the vibe in specialty fine dining venues and the casino.
Carnival Valor Promenade Deck (Photo Credit: gary yim / Shutterstock)
“Kids in adult areas, kids in hot tubs, and don’t walk through casinos! No brainer! Take kids on a Disney Cruise,” one cruiser asserted.
Finally, passengers want kids to stop seeing cruise ships as their personal playgrounds. They want behaviors like running in hallways, slamming doors, banging on walls and doors, and excessive screaming to stop, especially at night.
Parents Need to Step It Up
Many felt that the solution to these issues is some tough love for the parents, with some saying that parents don’t get a break from supervising their kids just because they are on a ship.
“Parents not parenting just because they’re on vacation,”was another trend that one cruiser said needed to stop.
One cruiser insisted:“Kids need to stay with THEIR parents!!!”
If parents do need a break, family-friendly cruise ships have kids’ clubs and teen clubs where their children can have fun without disturbing the peace.
Chair Hogging
The next top cruise trend that needs to stop, chair hogging, is annoying, whether the perpetrator is 9 years old or 99.
This is the act of reserving prime loungers or chairs on the pool deck, usually first thing in the morning, and keeping them for an extended period of time for your travel party, even when they aren’t actively needed.
Royal Caribbean Chair Hogging (Credit: @jesstravel7)
“People putting towels on chairs to save them and not showing up for 4 more hours to use the chair,”one person complained.
Guests started calling for more policing from the crew members or setting time limits on reserving chairs, which brands like Carnival have already started to do by setting a 40-minute limit before belongings are removed from unoccupied chairs.
However, many feel that there is still not enough being done to enforce these rules, with some saying they simply remove towels or belongings themselves on occasion.
Poor Hygiene
Hygiene on cruise ships is often a source of controversy, especially when outbreaks are reported.
We are not even a full two weeks into the new year, and already a gastrointestinal outbreak was reported for a 12-night Panama Canal sailing onboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam.
With this latest outbreak top-of-mind, people want a quick end to trends like guests not washing their hands before entering the buffet and people boarding cruises while sick and then coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths.
And coming back to kids, many felt that kids who can’t keep their hands to themselves helped to spread germs by touching lots of things in the buffets and other high-touch surfaces onboard.
More Annoyances
Of course, these aren’t the only trends that annoy cruisers. They were simply the top three.
More topics of controversy that came up included smoking onboard, a sentiment that cruise lines are nickel-and-diming guests, hunting for cruising ducks, and not following dress codes, among other behavioral annoyances.
Hopefully in 2026 cruisers can remember to practice good onboard etiquette and show consideration for the enjoyment of their fellow passengers.
Wave season takes place each year between January and March.
During wave season, many cruise lines offer their steepest discounts and best promotions of the year.
Beyond lower cruise fares, cruisers can also get lots of freebies and perks from wave season promotions, such as free drink packages or onboard credits.
Wave season is the annual period when cruise lines roll out lots of sales and promotions, and when many travelers book their cruises hoping to snag a deal. Here’s what you need to know about whether or not wave season will truly help you save, and how to get the most out of wave season.
Wave season refers to the annual time of year when most cruise lines offer a range of promotional deals and savings. Wave season occurs at the beginning of each year, starting in January and lasting for typically a few months, through March or April.
Historically, travelers didn’t really book cruises right after the holidays, so wave season was a way for the industry to lure travelers in, when they otherwise wouldn’t think of booking.
Now, wave season has become an expected, industry-wide tradition and it’s one of the overall busiest cruise-booking periods. Think of it as the Black Friday or Cyber Monday for cruising.
Cruise Ships at PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: 4kclips)
In fact, many cruise lines have broken booking records over the past few years, including Cunard, P&O Cruises and Virgin Voyages, due to the sheer number of people booking cruises during this timeframe. Cruisers eagerly await the promotions and it’s not uncommon for promoted sailings to sell out.
Additionally, cruise lines are even trying to extend wave season beyond its normal January–April bounds, with some starting to promote their wave season deals as early as November.
Who is Wave Season For?
Wave season is for absolutely everyone, but it’s especially ideal for newer cruisers who are booking their first cruise or are hesitant about booking a cruise. The lower price makes the perceived “risk” a little more palatable.
Additionally, wave season will allow new cruisers to maybe enjoy experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise.
For example, they might be normally reluctant to buy that drink package or spend a lot aboard the ship, in the name of cost. However, if they get a free or discounted drink package or lots of onboard credits to spend, they may have an overall better time — making it more likely for them to book a future cruise.
The Martini Bar, Atrium (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Plus, wave season gives new cruisers access to some perks that may normally only be reserved to avid cruisers that have built up their loyalty status with a certain line. While top-tier loyalty members may be accustomed to receiving free drinks or onboard credits, wave season makes many of these perks accessible to everyone.
That said, wave season is still going to be a beloved occasion for those long-time, frequent cruisers as well. After all, if you can save money doing what you love, why wouldn’t you?
What Kind of Deals Can You Expect During Wave Season?
In addition to wave season being the best time for low fares, many cruise lines will also run promotions that throw in some freebies.
For instance, you might be able to get some onboard credits that you can then redeem for dining, drinks and similar, you might get prepaid gratuity, or your kids might be able to cruise for free. You might be able to get a discount on a drink package or WiFi package.
Types of Wave Season Discounts
A large percentage off your cruise fare (30–50%)
Discounted cruise deposits (as low as $25)
Kids sail free discounts
Free fare for third, fourth, fifth, or sixth passengers in a cabin
Types of Wave Season Freebies and Bonuses
Free drink packages
Free Wi-Fi
Free gratuities
Free shore excursions
Free hotel stays before or after your cruise
Free airfare to your cruise port
On-board credits to pay for your on-board expenses
Cabin upgrades
Examples of Real Wave Season Promotions
Here are a few examples of past wave season promotions.
40% Off Cruise Fares from Princess Cruises
For 2026’s wave season, Princess Cruises launched a Come Aboard Sale that offered up to 40% off cruise fares, 50% off cruise deposits and free sailings for third and fourth guests.
30% Savings from Explora Journeys
Also for 2026’s wave season, Explora Journeys offered its A Suite Invitation promotion, giving cruisers up to 30% savings, 10% savings on deposits and complimentary one-category suite upgrades.
EXPLORA I Leaving Miami (Photo Credit: Explora Journeys)
$25 Deposits from Holland America
Holland America, meanwhile, offered multiple 2026 wave season promotions, several including $25 deposits, plus other perks ranging from free balcony upgrades to 50% off fares.
$159 Cruises from MSC Cruises
Similarly, MSC Cruises offered multiple deals for 2026’s wave season, with cruise fares starting at just $159, and perks including free sailings for kids and up to $500 in onboard credits.
Will You Always Get the Best Cruise Deals During Wave Season?
No, you won’t necessarily always get the best cruise deals during wave season, though booking during wave season does increase the likelihood of scoring a lower fare.
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, Caribbean (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Other factors influence your overall cruise travel cost, including:
How far in advance you’re booking your cruise
The time of year you’re cruising
Itinerary (including destinations and length)
Chosen stateroom
The best way to know whether or not you’re truly getting a good wave season deal is to really do your research beforehand. Get a feel for what cruise pricing typically is, on your preferred line or on a preferred itinerary.
How to Get the Best Wave Season Deals
There are a few things that you can do to get the best wave season deals, including booking in advance, booking earlier in wave season, thinking about your individual travel needs, being flexible and staying up to date on available deals.
Book as Far in Advance as Possible
While it’s not always easy to know your travel plans a year or more in advance, if you can book a cruise for next year, during this year’s wave season, you’ll likely see some bigger savings.
Cruise Booking
When booking any cruise vacation, booking further out is typically better, not only give you potentially a lower fare, but also more choice in terms of cabins and itineraries.
But what if you book your next vacation well in advance, and then the cruise fare drops after you’ve booked? Keep in mind that you can sometimes contact the cruise line and get a refund in this instance, or they may reimburse you through some on-board credits.
Book Earlier Rather Than Later During Wave Season
Remember how I mentioned that wave season has become one of the busiest cruise-booking times of the year? And how, as such, promoted sailings can sell out?
Well, because of this, you really want to try to book earlier rather than later during wave season. You don’t necessarily need to be ready to book on January 1, but don’t push off booking until the end of March or April, either.
What’s Going to Be Most Valuable to You?
Then, keep in mind that the best deal for you isn’t going to necessarily be just the cheapest fare. As cruise wave season promotions really vary in terms of what they offer, think about your individual travel needs and what will ultimately give you the best value, beyond the price tag.
For example, if you’re not going to use those onboard credits, a promotion that gives you a lot of them probably isn’t a good fit. However, if you spend a lot while aboard the ship (and onboard spending can really add up fast!), then the credits could come in handy.
Arendelle Dining Room, Disney Wish (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Similarly, if you’re sailing with multiple people, you might want to specifically look for special offers that allow for a second or more guests to sail for free.
Additionally, some cruisers use wave season as an excuse to splurge. If you can save in certain pricey areas of your cruise — like on shore excursions or beverage packages — you might find that you have extra in your budget to spend on nice-to-haves like specialty dining.
Ultimately, you might not technically save money if you go this route, but you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Be Flexible
There are so many wave season sales out there. You really want to explore all of your options, if your goal is to get a great value.
Sure, you might have your heart set on a certain itinerary or destination, but if you can save significantly by adjusting your plans, and, say, cruising the Mediterranean instead of to Alaska… it might just be worth it.
Stay Up to Date on Deals
Don’t wait until you’re ready to book to sit down and start researching all of the available wave season deals. Let those deals come to you.
If you know you’re going to be likely booking a wave season cruise, then, in the preceding fall, go ahead and sign up for a few of your favorite cruise lines’ email lists.
Carnival Cruise Passengers With Luggage (Photo Credit: denbaim)
Already missed the boat? Cruise lines are still pushing out promotions throughout the entirety of wave season, so go ahead and still sign up, so that you’re getting those special promotions right in your inbox.
Travel Agent or No Travel Agent?
One question that newbie cruisers might be asking is if they should work with a travel agent to book their wave season cruise. Will they get even better deals if they book through a professional versus going it on their own?
Cruise Ships in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: YES Market Media)
On one hand, if you’re a complete cruise newbie, and you don’t want to do any research whatsoever, just want to say, “here’s my budget, here’s where I want to go, please book it for me,” then a travel agent might be able to help you out.
On the other hand, if you’re booking during wave season specifically, you may find that the deals and perks that a travel agent might be able to get you are readily available to the public during this timeframe anyway. You don’t necessarily need their connections to get those during wave season.
Should You Get Travel Insurance for a Wave Season Cruise?
Whether or not you should buy travel insurance for the cruise you’re booking during wave season all depends on how risk-averse you are.
Some travelers never purchase travel insurance policies and are fine with risking it and maybe losing a little money if something unexpected happens. Other travelers don’t like to chance it.
Cruise in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
It’s important, though, to consider that, if you’re booking a wave season cruise, you may be booking a cruise that’s a year-plus out. A lot can happen over the course of a year and you may very well need to cancel the cruise due to unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance can reimburse your lost deposits.
Otherwise, travel insurance comes in handy in a few key cruise-related situations:
If the cruise itself is interrupted
If you miss your embarkation
You have medical needs during the cruise
Do note, though, that most travel insurance policies won’t cover pandemics and you need to purchase your coverage well in advance for full protection.
Always Read the Fine Print
Lastly, before booking any wave season cruise, make sure that you read the deal’s fine print.
Are there exclusions? If you’re getting $500 of on-board credits, are you only able to use them in certain situations, on certain things? If you get a free shore excursion, is it limited to shore excursions you actually don’t want to take?
Taking the time to read all of the fine print before you buy can ensure you actually book the amazing wave season cruise that you wanted, for a price that you feel good about.
