Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]
Archives for 15/10/2025
Matt reviews Oasis of the Seas
While onboard Oasis of the Seas, Matt and Beci Mahnken talk about what it's like on Oasis of the Seas when comparing it to newer ships.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS. Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]
Why Wichita is the Air Capital of the World
Wichita is often billed as the “Air Capital of the World” and, after spending a aviation-filled day on the ground there, it’s hard to argue. The claim isn’t exaggerated but rather an accumulation of facts — decades of aircraft manufacture, test and restoration; a dense cluster of suppliers and OEMs; and a university research engine that feeds industry with innovation and qualified hands. Walk the … [Read more...]
Amex Canada to Limit Lounge Access for Platinum Cardholders Starting 2027
American Express Canada has quietly updated the Terms and Conditions for The Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card®, outlining a major shake-up to their airport lounge benefits. Starting January 1, 2027, cardholders will no longer enjoy automatic unlimited access to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges. Instead, lounge visits will be capped each year, unless you spend enough to … [Read more...]
Carnival Clarifies Why One Cruise Will Have the Old-Style Muster Drill
Key Aspects: The upcoming October 18, 2025 departure of Carnival Sunshine will have the traditional, in-person muster drill before the ship sets sail from Norfolk, Virginia. This is not a complete return to the old-style safety briefing, but rather is a necessary drill to comply with regulations from the US Coast Guard. Every Carnival ship must complete an in-person muster drill twice a … [Read more...]
What I Wish I Knew Before I Sailed My First Carnival Cruise
I sailed my first Carnival cruise years ago, but it seems like it was yesterday when I took that trip aboard Carnival Valor. My first cruise ever with Carnival was aboard Carnival Valor. Today, I’ve sailed many times and learned quite a few things about cruising with the line. Since then, I’ve taken more trips on the cruise line, including the absolute first cruise back after the pause … [Read more...]
Disney Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Hero-and-Villain-Themed Ship
Key Aspects: Disney Destiny was officially delivered to Disney Cruise Line during a ceremony in Eemshaven, Netherlands, on October 15, 2025. The vessel will now prepare for its transatlantic crossing to Florida ahead of its November 20, 2025, maiden voyage from Port Everglades. The delivery is the sixth ship built by Meyer Werft for Disney Cruise Line. The countdown … [Read more...]
Aqua Expeditions Opens Bookings For Svalbard & The Arctic Circle Itineraries
Launching 30 May 2026, icebreaker-superyacht Aqua Lares—the region’s only ship offering both private charters and individual cabins for just 30 guests—will sail 5- to 14-night expeditions in Svalbard and the Arctic Circle. Small-ship expedition leader Aqua Expeditions unveils full details of its new summer Arctic season, with bookings now open for 2026 voyages in Svalbard and the Arctic Circle. … [Read more...]
Celebrity Xcel to Debut All-New Entertainment Experiences
Julie Bouchner Julie Bouchner is the Marketing Lead for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie. Appeared first on: Porthole.com … [Read more...]
Disney takes delivery of new Disney Destiny ahead of November 2025 debut
Disney Cruise Line has taken delivery of its newest ship, Disney Destiny, during a ceremony in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, marking the completion of construction and the formal handover from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft. Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences, accepted the ship on behalf of Disney Cruise Line, joined by Sharon Siskie, Senior Vice President and General … [Read more...]
Forget FOMO—Cruisers Are Choosing JOMO, Says Norwegian Cruise Line Survey
Key Aspects: A new survey from Norwegian Cruise Line points out how cruising matches the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) philosophy, which embraces a slower, restorative vacation. More than 70% of travelers surveyed said they are no longer as interested in vacations packed with sightseeing and nonstop activities. The change in attitude follows the post-pandemic world of revenge travel, when … [Read more...]
When does Royal Caribbean Bahamas beach club open? The opening date was just moved up
Royal Caribbean's new Bahamas beach club is opening earlier than previously announced. The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau will welcome guests on December 23, 2025, just two days before Christmas. Earlier, Royal Caribbean claimed the beach club would open on the 27th. Passengers aboard holiday sailings on Radiance of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas will be among the first … [Read more...]
MSC Cruises highlights Ocean Cay restoration work at IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi
The MSC Foundation, part of MSC Cruises, has shared insights from its marine restoration initiatives in The Bahamas at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. The organisation joined leaders from government, science, and philanthropy to discuss collaboration on biodiversity protection and sustainable development during the global forum. Representatives from … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Expands Latin American Cruises with Serenade of the Seas
Key Aspects: Serenade of the Seas began its inaugural Latin America season in October 2025, marking Royal Caribbean’s expanded presence in the region. The launch was commemorated with official plaque ceremonies in Colón, Panama, and Cartagena, Colombia. The vessel will sail 7-night Caribbean voyages from Cartagena and Colón to Aruba and Curaçao. Royal Caribbean is strengthening … [Read more...]
Advantage to strengthen cruise division after 10% sales growth
The Advantage Travel Partnership is set to reinvest in its cruise division after overall cruise sales leapt 10 per cent year-on-year during the first eight months of 2025. Revealed today (15 October) at the agency group’s annual Latitude Cruise Conference aboard Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess, Advantage said performance reflected growing consumer confidence in the sector and demonstrates the … [Read more...]
Celebrity Reveals Entertainment Line-Up Aboard New Edge-Class Ship
Key Aspects: Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel will enter service in November 2025 with a series of new entertainment experiences, including three major theater productions. Music events in The Club venue will include a throwback to the 1980s and a cabaret-style mystery story. Once launched, Celebrity Xcel will be based at Port Everglades until May 2026, when she repositions to the … [Read more...]
Trafalgar will build river ships, hires executive to lead the project
Trafalgar has hired Damien O’Connor to lead its river cruise venture, and he will oversee the development of new ships coming in 2028. The tour operator will begin river cruising next year on the Danube and Rhine, chartering older ships from sister brand Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Trafalgar plans to add a third Uniworld ship in 2027. The new ship class will “embody Trafalgar’s signature … [Read more...]
Criterion Travel Announces Mississippi River Voyage for 2026
Criterion Travel, a leader in expert-led, customized educational travel for affinity groups, is now accepting reservations for “A Mississippi River Voyage,” March 3–11, 2026. This rare departure, open to independent travelers, offers an extraordinary cruise along one of America’s great waterways aboard the American Splendor, a classic paddle-wheeler that blends 19th-century riverboat opulence … [Read more...]
Over 70% Of Travelers Are Embracing the “Joy Of Missing Out” as the New Way to Vacation
After years of “revenge travel” and jam-packed holidays, a new mindset is taking hold and reshaping how people think about vacation: the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Unlike tightly packed trips driven by the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), where travelers raced to check off bucket-list destinations and capture every moment for social media, JOMO embraces a slower, more intentional approach. … [Read more...]
Disney Destiny Delivered to Disney Cruise Line by Meyer Werft
Today, Disney Cruise Line officially took possession of the Disney Destiny during a special onboard delivery ceremony in Eemshaven, Netherlands. The delivery ceremony is a maritime tradition that marks the completion of construction and the transfer of ownership from the shipbuilder, Meyer Werft, to Disney Cruise Line. Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, accepted … [Read more...]
Electric Seaplanes Take Flight
19 Regent Craft and UrbanLink Air Mobility have just built a more convenient and connected future for coastal communities by launching a fleet of all-electric seagliders. Urban Link, the Florida-based air and maritime mobility company, has upped its orders of seagliders from 27 to 47 from the manufacturer, Regent Craft. By 2027, the versatile air-and-sea vehicles could be able to carry up to 4.3 … [Read more...]
Ambassador Cruise Line announced that its new 2027/28 season will be the first where every no-fly sailing will be adult-only
In June 2025, Ambassador Cruise Line announced that its new 2027/28 season will be the first where every no-fly sailing will be adult-only. With only one multigenerational sailing currently available (sailing in August 2026), the decision to revert to ‘child-free’ cruises ensures we, Ambassador, are able to create an adult-focussed community at sea across all no-fly sailings, even during school … [Read more...]
Aurora Expeditions Launches New Ocean Regeneration Program to Replace Carbon Offsetting
Aurora Expeditions today (Oct. 14, 2025) announced a significant shift in its sustainability journey, moving away from traditional carbon offsetting toward a circular impact model focused on decarbonization and regeneration. Instead of simply compensating for emissions after they occur, this new approach prioritizes: ◉ Reducing emissions at the source through smarter operations, cleaner … [Read more...]
“Not Going Back”: Carnival’s Heald Explains Why Ship Is Requiring Old School Muster Drill
Ever since cruise lines started doing e-muster or virtual muster drills after the shutdown, the practice has become so popular it’s hard to imagine going back. But a recent email stating the requirement of the old-style muster drill on Carnival Sunshine caused some confusion. One of the biggest pain points of cruising in years past was the drawn-out process of going to the muster … [Read more...]
Princess Cruises Limits Refundable Deposits on New Bookings
Key Aspects: In the past, many bookings for Princess Cruises have automatically defaulted to offering refundable deposits. But as of October 15, 2025, the default will switch to non-refundable deposits for new bookings. In some circumstances, refundable deposits may still be offered through promotions or upgrades that come with an extra cost. Something that has made Princess … [Read more...]
The 5 best rooms on a cruise ship after trying them all
I've cruised on dozens of Royal Caribbean ships, and it's clear there are a few kinds of cruise rooms that are the better than others.I've had my fair share of bad staterooms, from noisy cabins near crew access doors to hard-to-find interior staterooms. When planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise, it's important to pick the right cabin. Otherwise, you could be kept awake by the late-night … [Read more...]
Princess Cruises Makes Changes to Deposits and Final Payments
Princess Cruises has made two changes that affect non-refundable deposits and the final payment schedule for some of their cruises. Non-Refundable Deposits Starting today, Princess Cruises has expanded the types of cruise fares that default to non-refundable deposits. Deposits that are paid within three days are non-refundable, unless upgraded to a refundable deposit at the time of booking. … [Read more...]
Travelers Can Now Explore Colombia By Train For First Time In Over 50 Years
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This Sunny Lesser Known Coastal City Is The ‘Venice’ Of Portugal
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These Are The 10 Safest Countries To Visit In Western Europe Right Now
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