We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.
If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared
1. Teen abandons parents on island to return to cruise on time
One of the most important aspects of cruising is making sure that you make it back to the ship on time when in port.
One teenager’s family recently did not take this rule seriously and suffered the consequences. Posting on Reddit, the user named ProfessionalTax7753 asked for advice on the subreddit titled “Am I The ***? (AITA)” regarding the recent incident: “AITA for abandoning my parents on an island in the Caribbean so I could get back to our cruise in time?” After urging their family to head back to the ship for the all-aboard time and meeting resistance, the teen decided to head back to the ship themselves. Their family missed the departure by 45 minutes.
Read on to see what happened, and decide for yourself if they were in the wrong or not.
2. See the magical private destination Disney just opened in the Bahamas
Disney Cruise Line officially welcomed guests this week to their second private destination!
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is located on the island of Eleuthera. While not a private island, this private destination is only available to DCL guests, and welcomed its first ship, Disney Magic, on June 7.
From the beaches to the food, water play areas, and more, here is a look at what Lookout Cay has to offer!
Read more: See the magical private destination Disney just opened in the Bahamas
3. Carnival is building a $600 million private destination to compete with Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay — here's what to expect
Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay has become the ultimate destination for cruisers.
After reopening after an extensive multi-million dollar renovation in 2019, CocoCay has won the Cruise Hive Awards Best Cruise Line Private Island Award for three years in a row. However, Carnival Cruises will be challenging that title with its newest private destination, Celebration Key. Located in the Bahamas, this will be Carnival’s second private destination there.
Opening in 2025, Celebration Key will be unlike anything Carnival has done before, and here is everything you need to know about it.
4. Hilarious TikTok shows it's never too late to take a girls' cruise
When it comes to taking a girls’ trip, a cruise could be the right way to do it.
A viral TikTok from Leah Aikens (@healthandleah) shared a hilarious account of her mother and her mother’s best friend on a sailing excursion while sailing on an 80s cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. The video recaps their antics while onboard and shows that you can never be too old to take a vacation with your friends.
Read on to see more of how this girls' cruise went!
Read more: Hilarious TikTok shows it's never too late to take a girls' cruise
5. Carnival banned a cruise passenger who tried a hack to tamper with water bottles
A viral video shared to TikTok has ended in a Carnival cruise passenger being banned.
In this video, TikTok user CHRISSY 🆚 KRISSY (@krissy.kross) showed her “hack” of swapping out the water bottles for tap water. The 1.5L water bottles in the room are priced at $4.50, and the video explains how she gets away with swapping the water. Unfortunately for her, the video went viral and made its way back to corporate.
Here is what John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line's Brand Ambassador, had to say about the incident.
Read more: Carnival banned a cruise passenger who tried a hack to tamper with water bottles
6. Do you need a passport to cruise? The answer explained
With so many cruises leaving from and returning to the United States, it has many guests wondering if they need a passport to sail.
The short answer is: maybe. For instance, if you are a U.S. citizen sailing on a roundtrip cruise to The Bahamas from Florida, a government-issued photo ID and a certified copy of your birth certificate will suffice. However, if you are starting your sailing from another country, or are cruising on a one-way sailing departing in another country, you will need to have a valid passport. Regardless of which itinerary you select, there are compelling reasons why you may want a passport on your cruise.
In this guide, we'll explore how to determine if you need a passport for your cruise and tips for smooth sailing.
Read more: Do you need a passport to cruise? The answer explained
7. After taking over 45 cruises, here are 6 of the best cruise ships for adults
With so many cruise lines and ships to choose from, it can be an overwhelming choice for even the most seasoned of cruisers!
Cruise.Blog writer Allie has sailed on over 45 cruises across various cruise lines and ships. When she is choosing her next itinerary, it often comes down to price and itinerary, ending with her cruising on multiple vessels offering different experiences. If you are looking for an adult-geared ship, you are not alone.
She shares with us her top 6 cruise ship choices for an adult-focused cruise vacation.
Read more: After taking over 45 cruises, here are 6 of the best cruise ships for adults
8. How much does a 3 day cruise cost?
If you are looking to cruise on a budget, you may want to consider taking a 3-day cruise.
Popular cruise lines often offer 3-day cruises for an affordable price, with Carnival Cruise Line charging as little as $174 per person. While these vacations can lack days, they do not lack experiences. Not only is the overall price more affordable, but due to spending fewer days onboard, the cost for add-ons such as internet, drink packages and dining will be significantly less as well.
Here is a breakdown of what the cost looks like when sailing on a 3-night cruise.
Read more: How much does a 3 day cruise cost?
9. Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship is officially here
Royal Caribbean has been turning its focus to its new ships.
Following on the heels of the Icon of the Seas' launch, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship is close to setting sail. The company took delivery of Utopia of the Seas during a ceremony held at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Utopia will be the second-largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 236,860 gross registered tons.
Here is everything you need to know about Utopia of the Seas before she sets sail!
Read more: Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship is officially here
10. MSC crew member goes overboard on cruise ship
Search is underway for a crew member who jumped off an MSC cruise ship on June 10 after departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
While en route to Genoa Italy on a 7-day Western Mediterranean cruise, a crew member jumped off MSC Musica. After searching for three hours, the ship’s navigational team and local Coast Guard were not able to locate the body.
Here is everything we know about the situation.
Nicole Feist
Nicole first fell in love with cruising as a teenager on a family vacation. Since then she's gone on to become a frequent cruiser, and even marrying her husband on a sailing. Living on the Gulf Coast of Florida, you'll find her cruising on the weekends whenever she can.
