Matthew
Matthew presents expert cruise tips, ship reviews and ship tours on No Fluff Cruising. Between the two presenters, more than 40 cruises across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Virgin Voyages and Celebrity.
No line loyalty. Every claim in a video or on this site names its source and its date. Read the editorial standards and how we source.
The channel is YouTube @nofluffcruising. Corrections and questions: portholesandpixiedust@gmail.com.
Reviews by Matthew
Harmony of the Seas Gave Me a Reality Check
A watch-along for the No Fluff Cruising Harmony of the Seas review: a 4-night Port Canaveral sailing after the Royal Amplified refit. Chapters, what changed, which restaurants cost extra, what disappointed, and the verdict on booking Harmony in 2026 and beyond.
Every Royal Caribbean Ship's CDC Health Inspection Score, Ranked (2026)
All 28 Royal Caribbean ships' CDC health inspection scores for 2026, ranked from the fleet's lowest score to a perfect 100, pulled straight from the CDC's own database.
Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady: The Real Cost After the Gratuities Change
What changed on Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady by a fifth sailing: the October 2025 gratuities restructure, the Bar Tab math, and what a Sea Terrace built for two looks like with three people in it.
Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Tiers: What Each One Is Worth in 2026
What each Crown & Anchor tier costs in cruises and what it returns in drinks, internet and priority, with the drink-package math corrected to current pricing.
6 Things Royal Caribbean's CEO Won't Change, and Whether He Is Right
Michael Bayley has said no on the record to six of the most-requested changes on Royal Caribbean. Each refusal, in his own words, checked against current numbers.
Celebrity Beyond Review: An Honest Reality Check
Testing the arrival experience, the design, the cabins and the food on Celebrity Beyond, from a Royal Caribbean regular's point of view.
Guides by Matthew
Royal Caribbean Knows Their Ships Feel Overcrowded
A watch-along for the No Fluff Cruising video on Royal Caribbean's 110.2% load factor: what over 100% means, real headcounts on Star of the Seas, when ships run fullest, why a free third and fourth bed still pays, how other lines compare, and six ways to pick a less crowded sailing.
4 Things Royal Caribbean Is Testing Before Your Ship Gets Them
A watch-along for the No Fluff Cruising video on four Royal Caribbean tests: room service in the app on Star of the Seas, scratch-offs in the app on Utopia, priority digitized tendering for Pinnacle members, and smoke-free casinos. Chapters, the sources behind each test, and which one is likeliest to reach your ship.
6 Things Carnival's Leadership Just Confirmed
Carnival's Sept. 29, 2026 call and this year's filings: 2027 is half booked at record prices, Europe ties the Caribbean at 34 percent, Carnival Rewards pays you for spend, three new ships through 2029 are all Carnival Cruise Line, fuel does not set your fare, and Celebration Key is getting busier.
Royal Caribbean Ticket Contract Fine Print: 7 Things It Lets Them Do
What Royal Caribbean's U.S. ticket contract fine print lets them do: cancel or change your cruise, cap lost bags at $300, add a fuel charge, bill medical evacuation, search your bags, require arbitration, and use your likeness.
7 Royal Caribbean Items Security Takes at the Pier
What Royal Caribbean security pulls at embarkation, from its own prohibited items, alcohol, and food and drink pages: power strips vs. USB cubes, irons and steamers, beer and extra wine, the 12-drink limit, hair dryers, radios, and pepper spray. Plus what comes back and what does not.
5 Things Royal Caribbean Just Confirmed About Sandals
Royal Caribbean Group signed for 50% of Sandals and Beaches for about $3 billion cash, with an early 2027 close target. Bookings and loyalty stay as usual for now. Reciprocal status is a plan, not a published perk. Beaches growth sites are named without open dates.
6 Royal Caribbean Predictions for 2027
Six 2027 forecasts built from what Royal Caribbean has already announced: gratuities still at $18.50/$21 since Nov. 1, 2024, Hero of the Seas cooking venue TBA, Discovery Class for 2029, Icon 5 for summer 2028, Seward terminal economics, and how you may pay. Predictions are graded in the video, not company confirmations.
Is Cruise Line Loyalty Costing You a Better Vacation?
Loyalty pins and lounges keep you booked. Carnival Rewards now requalifies status every two years. Royal Caribbean Group Points Choice and NCLH Status Honoring let status travel across sister brands. Prefer a line when the trip fits. Compare first when it does not.
9 Royal Caribbean 2027 Announcements Most Cruisers Missed
Terminal G in Miami, Harmony's Amplification, Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a six-ship Europe season, a 13-ship Caribbean map, the Galveston Icon swap, Alaska and Asia-Pacific expansions, and Hero of the Seas. Sourced from Royal Caribbean press releases and trade reporting.
3 Royal Caribbean Menu Changes That Cost You Extra
Second lobster tails, specialty upcharges that survive the dining package, and the included-vs-chargeable line Royal Caribbean now spells out in writing.
Every Royal Caribbean Ship's CDC Health Inspection Score, Ranked (2026)
All 28 Royal Caribbean ships' CDC health inspection scores for 2026, ranked from the fleet's lowest score to a perfect 100, pulled straight from the CDC's own database.
5 Things Royal Caribbean's Leadership Just Confirmed
Two more Icon-class ships, quietly rerouted 2027 itineraries, AI running 90% of pricing, and more. Straight from earnings calls and one CEO interview, not fan speculation.
Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Tiers: What Each One Is Worth in 2026
Six tiers, real math, and one widely repeated beverage package price that turned out to be stale. Diamond is the first tier worth planning around.
Is the Royal Caribbean drink package worth it in 2026?
Current Deluxe Beverage Package pricing, the fleet median, and the number of drinks a day you need to break even.
6 Things Royal Caribbean's CEO Refuses to Change
Free Wi-Fi, all-inclusive pricing, overnight stays at CocoCay and three more requests Michael Bayley has turned down on the record.
3 MORE Royal Caribbean Ships That Made Me Question Everything
Freedom, Grandeur and Independence of the Seas, and the case for booking them over the headline ships.
4 Royal Caribbean Casino Changes That Cost You More
Club Royale changed four things, none of them announced, and every one costs you money.
Royal Caribbean Raised Gratuities Again. Where Does the Money Go?
Automatic gratuities now run $18.50 to $21 per person per day. Over $500 for a family of four on a seven-night cruise.
Icon Class vs Oasis Class: Which Is Right for You?
The two biggest ship classes at sea, and the honest case for picking the older one.
3 Royal Caribbean Ships That Made Me Question Everything
Navigator, Jewel and Adventure of the Seas can beat the newest ships on value, depending on how you cruise.
Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Ships for Families in 2026
Which Royal Caribbean ships actually work for families, and which ones you should skip.
News by Matthew
Carnival opens two adults-only 2027 sailings through 16 Oct
Carnival added two 21-and-over SEA cruises. Paradise leaves Tampa on 12 Feb 2027. Horizon leaves Galveston on 13 May 2027. Bookings close 16 Oct 2026. Both call Cozumel and Isla Tropicale.
Princess opens 2028-29 Americas bookings, with the Amazon back
Princess opened its 2028-29 Americas season on 13 Oct 2026, with more than 250 departures. Amazon cruising returns for the first time since 2014. Coral Princess adds a 64-day Circle South America cruise. The release sets the booking bonus through 16 Feb 2027.
Japan's first Disney cruise ship is named Disney Imagination
Oriental Land named Japan's first Disney cruise ship Disney Imagination. The Wish-class ship is set to sail from Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in spring 2029. The 13 and 14 Oct releases print no fare and no booking date.
Voyager of the Seas drops Puerto Vallarta and calls Cabo a second time
Voyager of the Seas cancels Puerto Vallarta on 13 Oct 2026 for Hurricane Simon and calls Cabo San Lucas again, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Onboard credit is $50 to $250. Los Angeles return stays 16 Oct.
Norwegian is investigating phishing emails that quote real bookings
Norwegian Cruise Line is investigating fake emails that include real names, ships, sail dates, and booking numbers, and that ask for a card check. Do not click the link. Official mail uses @ncl.com, @e.ncl.com, or @nclcorp.com.
Disney Believe maiden fares start at $6,444, and the deposit sticks
Disney Believe's 18 Dec 2027 maiden voyage lists from $6,444 for two inside and $17,074 for two in Concierge. The 10 percent deposit is non-refundable. Platinum booking opened 13 Oct at 8 a.m. ET.
Margaritaville at Sea opens a 2027 Annual Cruise Membership
Margaritaville at Sea replaced Paradise Pass with a 2027 Annual Cruise Membership from $2,499 for two adults. It covers eligible sailings up to 7 nights through 31 Dec 2027, up to a Breezy Balcony. Taxes are extra, and blackout dates apply.
Navigator of the Seas ends its year-round Los Angeles run
Navigator of the Seas has ended five years of year-round Los Angeles cruises and is repositioning to Asia. A 4-night Penang and Phuket cruise leaves Singapore on 29 Oct 2026. Ovation stays in Los Angeles.
Celebrity Constellation swaps Dubrovnik for Brindisi on the 12 Oct sailing
Celebrity Constellation's 12 Oct 2026 Rome to Ravenna cruise drops Dubrovnik for a berth conflict. Brindisi is 20 Oct, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Line-booked Dubrovnik tours refund automatically.
Brilliant Lady trades its whole Mexican Riviera week for California
Virgin dropped Cabo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta from Brilliant Lady's 10 Oct 2026 Los Angeles sailing for Rachel and Simon. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ensenada replace them.
Norwegian Aura arrives early and adds two Mediterranean sailings
NCL expects Norwegian Aura early, so it opened two new inaugural sailings: Trieste to Athens on 2 May 2027 and Athens to Trieste on 12 May 2027. Miami cruises start in June.
Disney Believe will sail from Port Everglades. Booking opens Oct. 19.
Disney Believe sails its maiden voyage from Port Everglades on 18 Dec 2027, then runs four- and five-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. Public booking opens 19 Oct 2026.
Royal Caribbean's CEO Says Comedy Isn't Going Anywhere. The Comedy Clubs Might Disagree.
At the President's Cruise Q&A, loyalists asked Michael Bayley why adult comedy keeps disappearing. His answer, per Royal Caribbean Blog: more comedy is coming. They just took the venue away. Plus: the Pinnacle $25 credit is safe, and Tampa still can't fit the new ships.
Holland America's 80th Alaska season: six ships, a new Vancouver loop, 72 more Denali rooms
Holland America's 5 Oct 2026 release sets six ships in Alaska from April to September 2027 for its 80th year there. It adds an eight-day Inside Passage loop from Vancouver, brings back the 28-day Solstice cruise on 6 Jun, and adds 72 rooms at Denali Lodge. No fares.
MSC and Royal Caribbean break ground on a shared Naha terminal for March 2028
MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group, through their joint venture Cruise Port Naha, have started building a new cruise terminal at Naha, Okinawa. The release targets completion and the start of operations for March 2028. It prints no cost and no ship list.
Norwegian prices NCL fares earlier in the booking curve
NCL is setting more competitive fares earlier in the booking curve on select 2027 sailings and on new 2028 inventory. The 30 Sep filing says third-quarter results should beat July's guide.
Disney Believe's keel is down. Homeport and itineraries come Oct. 7.
Disney laid Disney Believe's keel at Meyer Werft on 29 Sep 2026 with a Tinker Bell coin, and told media aboard Disney Wish on 5 Oct. The homeport and first itineraries are due in a livestream on Wednesday 7 Oct at 4:30pm ET.
Carnival requires full muster drills on six October sailings
Carnival is running full in-person safety drills, instead of e-muster, on six sailings that depart 8-12 Oct 2026. Spirit's boarding has since moved to 9 Oct.
Carnival Spirit boards a day late and drops Cabo
Carnival Spirit's Seattle-to-Mobile cruise now boards Friday 9 Oct 2026 and runs 15 nights. Cabo San Lucas on 13 Oct is cancelled. Puntarenas and the 19 Oct canal transit stay.
Bayley: Labadee Return Still Uncertain
Michael Bayley told a Q&A on Icon of the Seas that Labadee stays closed until Royal Caribbean is confident it is safe. Royal Caribbean Blog is the only source for his words, and it says visits are off through June 2027.
Hero of the Seas Just Got Two Head Starts
Top-tier guests on the President's Cruise heard it first: Royal Caribbean is sliding two sailings in before Hero's Aug. 11, 2027 inaugural. Here's what's confirmed, and the one detail that still doesn't line up.
Celebrity Millennium replaces Kumamoto with Fukuoka
Celebrity's letter for Millennium's 5 Oct 2026 Seoul sailing replaces Kumamoto with Fukuoka on 8 Oct, 7:00am to 4:00pm. The line says the port is closed after earthquake damage. Kumamoto tours refund to the original payment.
Celebrity Reflection drops Bimini for a Friday at CocoCay
Celebrity's letter for Reflection's 4 Oct 2026 Fort Lauderdale sailing drops Bimini after a berth conflict. Friday 9 Oct is Perfect Day at CocoCay, 7:00am to 5:00pm. Bimini tours refund to the original payment.
Brilliant Lady swaps Cabo for Ensenada after Rachel's swell
Virgin's 2 Oct 2026 notice swaps Cabo San Lucas for Ensenada on Brilliant Lady's 3 Oct Los Angeles sailing. Mazatlán shifts to 11:00am to 8:00pm on 6 Oct. Cabo Shore Things refund in full. Puerto Vallarta stays.
They Expected a Gripe Session. They Got Greece.
On Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley's no-filter 'Common Ground' Q&A took on Sandals, permits and Pinnacle perks, then pointed loyalists toward Rome. Here's what's confirmed, what's secondhand, and the question nobody has reported hearing.
Carnival Festivale floated at Meyer Werft ahead of a 2027 debut
Cruise Industry News reported on 4 Oct 2026 that Carnival Festivale floated at Meyer Werft in late September. May 2027 Port Canaveral service is the shared debut window. The outlets do not agree on guest count or the first sailing's length.
Holland America puts a pro pickleball match on Half Moon Cay
Holland America's Private Island Invitational is a pro pickleball day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on 13 Mar 2027, during Nieuw Statendam's 7 Mar cruise. A ticket is still listed as available soon. Four earlier Caribbean cruises add pro meetups.
Norwegian Joy held Seattle boarding for a face-to-face customs check
KIRO 7 reported Norwegian Joy guests waiting hours at the Seattle cruise terminal on 2 Oct 2026 for an immigration and customs check after leaving Vancouver. The Oct 1 daily had already flagged a face-to-face inspection.
Royal's booking page lists the Odyssey week Bayley named for 2027.
Royal Caribbean's booking page lists Odyssey of the Seas from Rome on Sep 19 to 26, 2027, with Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Naples/Capri. The Crown & Anchor page still does not call it a President's Cruise. Two passenger recordings paraphrase Bayley on group brands, including Sandals, keeping their own identities. Verbatim Q&A quotes are still not in.
Disney lists dry dock changes on Wonder, Fantasy, and Magic
Disney Experiences, published 30 Sep 2026, lists dry dock changes on Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Magic, including new Wonder carpet, Ramone's Cantina, and a refreshed Edge.
Margaritaville opens 2028 bookings, with first calls in Costa Rica and Panama
Margaritaville at Sea opened 30 itineraries for 2028 on 1 Oct 2026. Islander adds first calls in Limón and Colón on eight-night Tampa cruises. Beachcomber adds Galveston combinations.
Hero of the Seas will stage The SpongeBob Musical in the Royal Theater
Royal Caribbean will stage The SpongeBob Musical in the Royal Theater on Hero of the Seas. The CNW release, 10:07 ET on 2 Oct 2026, sets the debut from Miami in August 2027.
Voyager of the Seas adds Japan cruises for spring 2028
Voyager of the Seas has Japan and Asia cruises in spring 2028. Cruise Industry News describes the routes. TRAICY prints March and April dates. This is separate from Alaska.
Holland America opens 2028 Canada and New England on Volendam and Zuiderdam
Holland America opened May to October 2028 Canada and New England bookings on 1 Oct 2026 aboard Volendam and post-Evolution Zuiderdam. Cruises run 7 to 14 days.
Carnival opens 2028-29 West Coast bookings on Adventure, Legend, and Spirit
Carnival opened 2028-29 West Coast bookings on 1 Oct 2026 for Adventure, Legend, and Spirit. Seattle and San Francisco cover Alaska. Spirit moves to Long Beach for Hawaii and Mexico.
MSC World Atlantic floats out, bound for Port Canaveral in Nov 2027
MSC World Atlantic floated out at Saint-Nazaire and stays at the yard for fitting out. Sales releases put the ship in Port Canaveral from November 2027, with a 13 Nov start in the US release. Delivery is still 2027.
Carnival Corp's 2027 cruises are half booked at record prices
Carnival Corp says 2027 occupancy and pricing are at records, and half the year is already booked. Q4 yields are still guided up. Europe ties the Caribbean at 34 percent of 2027 capacity.
Grand Princess cancels the 2 Oct Cabo call for Rachel
Cabo on 2 Oct is off Grand Princess's 25 Sep Los Angeles cruise for Rachel. The Cruise Hive update names no new refund or onboard credit.
Carnival Miracle drops Cabo on the way to Galveston
Cabo on 1 Oct is off Miracle's 26 Sep Seattle sailing for Rachel. Galveston arrival stays 12 Oct. No replacement port or credit is named.
Carnival Panorama drops La Paz and Cabo for Rachel
La Paz and Cabo are off Panorama's 26 Sep Long Beach sailing for Rachel. Ensenada is back on 1 Oct. $300 Sail & Sign credit. Long Beach return on 4 Oct.
Royal Caribbean opens 2028 Alaska on four ships. Public sale is 1 Oct.
Royal Caribbean's 2028 Alaska season is Anthem, Ovation, Serenade, and Voyager of the Seas from Seattle, Seward, and Vancouver. Crown & Anchor can book now. The public opening is Thursday 1 Oct 2026.
Coral Princess drops a Puerto Vallarta call as Hurricane Rachel nears
Cruise Fever says Coral Princess cancelled Puerto Vallarta because of Hurricane Rachel. Quadratín Jalisco says the port calendar dropped the Friday 2 Oct 2026 arrival. Neither report names a replacement port or a refund.
Brilliant Lady's 3 Oct sailing still lists Mexico while Virgin watches Hurricane Rachel
Virgin has not changed Brilliant Lady's 3 Oct 2026 Los Angeles sailing. Cabo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta stay on the schedule. A backup itinerary exists, and Virgin has not named those ports. Pack a light jacket.
MSC breaks ground on Sandy Cay for a 2028 opening
MSC broke ground on Sandy Cay on 28 Sep 2026 with Pierfrancesco Vago and Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis. Construction is underway. The island, next to Ocean Cay, opens in 2028 for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests. Booking rules are not out.
Princess launches a ChatGPT app for cruise planning
Princess says it is the first global cruise line with a native ChatGPT planning app, launched 28 Sep 2026. Tag @princesscruises after you install the plugin. You can search more than 330 destinations and 17 ships.
Celebration Key expects 3.5 million guests in 2027 as Princess, AIDA, and Costa call
Carnival Corp says Celebration Key expects about 3.5 million guests in 2027, up from about 2.7 million in 2026. Princess starts in October 2026. Select AIDA and Costa calls follow late in 2027.
Warm water floods a Deck 10 hallway on Harmony of the Seas
A suspected line flooded a Deck 10 hallway on Harmony of the Seas shortly before 7am on 29 Sep 2026, outside cabins 10319 and 10321. The account is one passenger's Facebook posts. Royal Caribbean has not commented. No itinerary change is reported.
Virgin swaps Tracy Arm and Prince Rupert on Brilliant Lady's 2027 Alaska sailings
Virgin is fine-tuning 16 Brilliant Lady departures in 2027. Endicott Arm replaces Tracy Arm on 13 sailings. Victoria replaces Prince Rupert on 12. The 10 Sep sailing drops Astoria and refunds $33 per person.
Princess Plus, Premier, and WiFi prices rise for 13 Oct sailings
Princess Plus and Premier rise $5 per person per day on sailings that depart on or after 13 Oct 2026. Fleet Plus is $70 pre-cruise and $75 onboard. Premier is $105 and $110. Sun and Star are $5 higher. Standalone four-device WiFi ends.
Carnival Spirit reorders Hawaii ports for Hurricane Nolo
Carnival Spirit's 23 Sep 2026 Seattle Hawaii cruise still visits every planned Hawaii port. The order is now Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu, then Nawiliwili. Hours stay the same. Victoria on 7 Oct and the Seattle return on 8 Oct stay.
Royal Caribbean cancellation penalties change on 11 Oct 2026
Royal Caribbean's North America cancellation bands become 1–4, 5–9, and 10+ nights on 11 Oct 2026. The 25% tier goes away. Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, and Transpacific 2028 sailings opening 29 Sep are already on the new structure.
Independence of the Seas holds at Cape Liberty and cuts Bermuda to one day
Independence of the Seas stayed at Cape Liberty overnight on 26 Sep 2026 after harbor pilots stopped work. The working plan is a noon sail Sunday and a Tuesday Bermuda day call. No compensation amount is published.
Brilliant Lady drops Mexico ports for a California week after Polo
Virgin rerouted Brilliant Lady's 26 Sep 2026 Los Angeles sailing for Hurricane Polo. Cabo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta are off. San Francisco, San Diego, Catalina, and Ensenada are on. Shore Things for the cut ports refund in full.
Celebrity drops Concierge Class canapés and waives the room-service fee
Celebrity's Concierge Class list, checked 28 Sep 2026, drops afternoon canapés. You get two welcome waters and room service with the delivery fee waived. A 20 percent gratuity may still apply. Cruise Hive dates it to sailings after 21 Sep.
Valiant Lady boards New York late and cuts Bermuda to one day
Virgin delayed Valiant Lady into New York to about 4pm on 27 Sep 2026. Bermuda becomes a 9am to 4pm day call. Joining sailors get $200 Sailor Loot and $200 future voyage credit.
Oasis of the Seas boards Cape Liberty late and skips Port Canaveral
A nor'easter delayed Oasis of the Seas into Cape Liberty by 10 hours on 27 Sep 2026. The next cruise boards from 8pm, drops Port Canaveral on 29 Sep, and reaches Nassau at 7:30am.
Grand Princess drops La Paz, Guaymas, and Puerto Vallarta for Polo
Princess cancelled La Paz, Guaymas, and Puerto Vallarta on Grand Princess's 25 Sep 2026 Los Angeles cruise for Hurricane Polo. San Diego and Mazatlán are added. Cabo is shortened.
Virgin extends Sailing Club perks through 2028 and reopens Status Match
Virgin Voyages says Sailing Club and its VIP perks now run through 31 Dec 2028. Status Match applications are open 24 Sep through 31 Oct 2026 for airline, hotel, or other cruise status, with Blue Extras on the next new booking.
Norwegian Escape leaves Halifax early and docks in New York overnight
Norwegian Escape left Halifax at 5pm on 24 Sep 2026, five hours early, to stay ahead of the nor'easter. New York was due just after midnight on 26 Sep. Halifax tours that could not move were refunded onboard.
Allure of the Seas offers selected 27 Sep guests a move or a cancel
Selected guests on Allure of the Seas' 27 Sep 2026 Fort Lauderdale cruise can move to 11 Oct or cancel. A move refunds the fare. A cancel adds a 100 percent future cruise credit.
Carnival Panorama drops Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán for Polo
Carnival cancelled Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán on Panorama's 26 Sep 2026 Long Beach cruise for Hurricane Polo. Ensenada is added 28 Sep. La Paz and Cabo stay.
Carnival Sunshine delays Norfolk return and skips Bimini
A nor'easter pushed Carnival Sunshine into Norfolk on Monday 28 Sep 2026. The next Bahamas cruise leaves that day, drops Bimini, and shifts Nassau later on 30 Sep.
Pride of America boarding slips to 28 Sep as Hurricane Nolo hits Hawaii
Norwegian delayed Pride of America’s 26 Sep 2026 Honolulu embarkation to Monday 28 Sep for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nolo. The usual seven-night Hawaii cruise shortens to five nights with Hilo, Kona, Nawiliwili, and Kahului. Guests get sail-or-cancel compensation options.
Vision of the Seas swaps Canada/New England for Bahamas after nor’easter
Royal Caribbean replaced Vision of the Seas’ 24 Sep 2026 Baltimore Canada/New England cruise with Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Grand Bahama for a nor’easter. The ship holds overnight and sails 3pm Friday 25 Sep. Prepaid Canada/New England shore tours refund as onboard credit.
Azamara opens 195-night 2029 World Cruise bookings on Quest
Azamara opened bookings 23 Sep 2026 for a 195-night 2029 World Cruise on Azamara Quest from San Diego to Copenhagen, 3 Jan–17 Jul 2029. Shorter 179- and 139-night options open 14 Oct. Loyalty discounts 6–12% apply early. Deposits start at $7,000 per person.
Holland America adds paid Beach Club at Half Moon Cay. Day passes in early October.
Holland America unveiled a paid Beach Club at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on 22 Sep 2026. Day passes open early October with priority tendering, waiter service, all-inclusive drinks, and specialty food. A new complimentary barbecue pavilion and upgraded cabanas are free to every island guest. Price not published.
Navigator of the Seas drops Ensenada and Cabo for Hurricane Polo
Royal Caribbean cut Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas on Navigator of the Seas’ 25 Sep 2026 Los Angeles Mexican Riviera cruise for Category 5 Hurricane Polo. Mazatlán moves earlier. Puerto Vallarta is added 29 Sep. Royal Caribbean shore tours for the dropped ports refund as onboard credit.
Liberty of the Seas boards Horizon. Returns to City Terminal.
Liberty of the Seas departs Southampton Horizon Cruise Terminal on 25 Sep 2026 and returns to City Cruise Terminal on 3 Oct. Royal Caribbean requested the split for shore power. Boat Show traffic through 27 Sep may slow the drive in.
Icon of the Seas stays overnight in Miami. Costa Maya cancelled.
Royal Caribbean delayed Icon of the Seas departure from Miami to 4pm Sunday 27 Sep 2026 for required maintenance. Guests still board Saturday 26 Sep. Costa Maya on 28 Sep is cancelled. Roatan, Cozumel, and CocoCay stay. Refundable onboard credit offered.
Royal Caribbean Group confirms 50% Sandals and Beaches stake for about $3 billion
Royal Caribbean Group signed a deal for a 50% equity stake in Sandals and Beaches for about $3 billion. Close targeted early 2027. Existing resort stays and cruise bookings continue as usual.
Cunard Queen Elizabeth drops Juneau and Endicott Arm after Seattle delay
Queen Elizabeth left Seattle a day late for essential maintenance on its 17–24 Sep 2026 Alaska cruise. Juneau and Endicott Arm scenic cruising are gone. Ketchikan, Victoria, and the 24 Sep Seattle return stay.
Silversea Silver Moon holds in Tokyo for Typhoon Dujuan. Hiroshima cancelled.
Silver Moon stayed in Tokyo until about 9pm on 21 Sep 2026 for Typhoon Dujuan. Hiroshima is cancelled. Osaka is a day call on 23 Sep. Kochi moves to 24 Sep. No published compensation package in the sources reviewed.
Royal Caribbean in reported talks for a Sandals stake. No deal yet.
Financial Times and CNBC say Royal Caribbean Group is in talks for a large Sandals stake valuing the resort company around $6 billion. No agreement is signed. Your booked cruise does not change.
Carnival brings back full muster drills on 5 ships this week
Carnival is running full in-person safety drills on five ships departing Sept 26-28, 2026, replacing self-muster check-in for over 18,700 guests.
Carnival Panorama guest overboard triggers cabin lockdown at sea
A male guest jumped overboard from Carnival Panorama on 19 Sep 2026 while sailing Puerto Vallarta to Long Beach. Guests returned to cabins for a shipwide search. US and Mexican Coast Guards continued search and rescue.
Carnival Sunrise Halloween cruise swaps Princess Cays for Half Moon Cay
Carnival Sunrise's 31 Oct 2026 Miami Halloween cruise drops Princess Cays. Same Monday window now goes to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Nassau and Celebration Key stay. Princess Cays tours refund to original payment.
Norwegian drops Daniel's Head Bermuda private destination plans
NCL Holdings will not build a day destination at Daniel's Head in western Bermuda. Exploratory talks with BLMC ended. Booked Bermuda calls, including Norwegian Aqua's 25-26 Sep overnight at King's Wharf, still stand.
Legend of the Seas names Gen. Robinson godmother for Fort Lauderdale debut
Royal Caribbean named Gen. Lori J. Robinson godmother of Legend of the Seas. Veterans Day naming is 11 Nov 2026 in Fort Lauderdale before Caribbean Icon-class sailings.
MSC Poesia cuts Endicott Arm, arrives Juneau six hours early
MSC dropped Endicott Arm scenic cruising on Poesia's last Alaska sailings. Juneau now starts at 8am instead of 2pm. The 21 Sep Seattle departure is the season closer.
Norwegian Sun stays in Copenhagen, Oslo cancelled for maintenance
Norwegian Sun's 23 Sep 2026 Copenhagen sailing keeps you docked for two overnights for required maintenance. Oslo and a sea day are gone. Warnemünde still follows.
Carnival Freedom gets its whale-tail funnel back in drydock
Carnival Freedom is swapping its shortened, straight funnel for a new whale-tail design during a French drydock that keeps the ship out of service until October 9.
Celebrity Constellation replaces Kotor with Bar on 21 Sep cruise
Celebrity Constellation's 21 Sep 2026 Rome Best of Italy and Croatia cruise keeps Dubrovnik Monday and swaps Kotor for Bar, Montenegro, on Tuesday. Line-sold Kotor tours still run with new timing.
Carnival Encounter loses Cairns overnight, adds Townsville
Carnival Encounter's 26 Sep 2026 Brisbane Great Barrier Reef cruise keeps Cairns on 29 Sep but ends the overnight. Townsville fills 30 Sep. Sep 30 Cairns tours move or refund.
Ruby Princess skips Kauai, adds Honolulu overnight
Princess cancelled Ruby Princess Nawiliwili on 22 Sep 2026 after Hurricane Lowell damage on Kauai. The ship reaches Honolulu early for an overnight stay. Kauai Princess tours refund to the original card.
Oasis of the Seas delayed into Cape Liberty, Port Canaveral cancelled
Two medical evacuations pushed Oasis about eight hours late into Cape Liberty on 20 Sep 2026. Port Canaveral on 22 Sep is gone. Royal is paying OBC, internet, and flight change help.
Costa Fortuna is already sailing as Margaritaville Beachcomber
AIS shows the former Costa Fortuna sailing as Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber under the Portuguese flag, bound for Gibraltar on 21 Sep 2026 before a Belfast refit and a January 2027 Miami debut.
Disney Believe's first gigablock floats out at Meyer Werft
Meyer Werft floated out Disney Believe's first midship gigablock in Papenburg the week of 19 Sep 2026. Delivery remains late calendar 2027 with no homeport or itineraries yet.
Celebrity Millennium skips Shimizu, stays longer in Kagoshima
Celebrity Millennium cut Mt Fuji (Shimizu) on its 11 Sep 2026 Japan cruise and kept an extra day in Kagoshima through 20 Sep to route around Typhoon Dujuan.
Celebrity Beyond swaps Grand Cayman and Cozumel order
Celebrity Beyond's 20 Sep 2026 Miami cruise puts Grand Cayman on Day 4 by tender and Cozumel on Day 5 with longer hours. CocoCay and Nassau times shift. Prepaid Celebrity tours get rescheduled or refunded.
Carnival Jubilee adds 4- and 5-day Galveston cruises
Carnival opened 2028-29 Galveston bookings on 17 Sep 2026 with Jubilee's first regular four- and five-day Excel-class sailings. Cozumel and Progreso headline the short loops, plus longer Paradise Collection trips.
Virgin Voyages sets first four-ship Sisters at Sea for February 2027
Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady meet on 16 Feb 2027 north of Cuba. Virgin published the meetup as its first four-ship Sisters at Sea.
Royal Princess cancels Juneau and Ketchikan, issues 50 percent refund
Engine limits forced Royal Princess to skip Juneau and Ketchikan on its 12 Sep 2026 Alaska cruise from Seattle. Princess is refunding 50 percent of cruise fare.
Royal Caribbean sets 2028-2029 itinerary release weeks
Royal Caribbean told agents and Facebook followers when 2028 Alaska, Europe Part 1, and seven-night summer Caribbean open for booking across late Sep through early Nov 2026.
Norwegian Joy docks late in Sitka after whale found on bow
Norwegian Joy arrived late in Sitka on 17 Sep 2026 after a deceased juvenile male fin whale was found on the bulbous bow. Removal and an extra hour in port followed.
Norwegian Jade moves off Whittier dock after terminal fire
A 14 Sep 2026 fire at Whittier's Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal destroyed the dock. Norwegian Jade moved away safely with no ship damage. Embarkation shifted to Whittier's existing Cruise Ship Terminal 1.
MSC World Asia clears sea trials ahead of December 2026 debut
MSC World Asia finished final Atlantic sea trials off France. Delivery is set for 25 Nov 2026, naming in Le Havre on 28 Nov, and a Barcelona maiden on 4 Dec 2026.
Disney Wish swaps Port Canaveral terminals for Halloween weekend
Disney Wish left Terminal 10 on Friday 11 Sep 2026 and returned to Terminal 8 on Monday 14 Sep. Guests dropped bags at 10, parked at 8, and shuttled for check-in.
Carnival warns Venezia guests not to arrive early in Manhattan
Carnival told Venezia guests for 14 Sep 2026 at Manhattan Cruise Terminal to keep appointment windows. Pier 88 was shared with Oceania Vista while Pier 90 stayed out of service.
Brilliant Lady wraps Virgin Voyages first Alaska season
Brilliant Lady finished its inaugural Alaska and British Columbia season in early Sep 2026 after more than 15 sailings from Seattle. The ship now repositions toward Los Angeles and Mexican Riviera runs.