We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, 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 our recent articles.
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Carnival Cruise Line brings back a beloved free menu item
After removing a popular appetizer from its Main Dining Room menus in 2023, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that escargot will return on cruises 6 nights or longer.
Carnival's Brand Ambassador shared the news on his Facebook page, and more than 8,000 people responded positively. However, over 16,000 users said they wouldn't order escargot, though many mentioned they had no issue with it being on the menu if it made other guests happy.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line brings back a beloved free menu item
Carnival cruise ship delayed by propulsion issue following unexpected diversion
Carnival Liberty's 14-night Panama Canal cruise was delayed after the ship was diverted because of a medical emergency and then developed propulsion issues.
Instead of arriving between 10:00am and 2:00pm, guests were welcomed onboard between 8:45pm and 11:45pm, with boarding finally concluded around midnight.
Read more: Carnival cruise ship delayed by propulsion issue following unexpected diversion
I went on one of the world’s largest cruise ships for only 4 nights. It was jam-packed, but I would do it again
Recently, Elizabeth returned from a 4-night getaway on Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship currently ranked 7th among the largest cruise ships in the world. Though she had sailed on Oasis Class vessels before, she was worried a short cruise would feel rushed.
Surprisingly, she found the shorter itinerary to be a refreshing change. Instead of feeling pressure to cross every activity off her list, she did whatever she was in the mood for, from lounging in the Solarium to watching an AquaTheater show and splurging on specialty meals.
These are the worst times to take a cruise in 2025 if you're looking for a deal
While cruise fares have increased over the last few years, you can still find low fares by choosing less popular travel dates.
Avoid times like spring break, peak summer months, and winter holidays if you're looking for a great cruise deal in 2025. Instead, consider booking during other parts of the year when prices are lower.
Read more: These are the worst times to take a cruise in 2025 if you're looking for a deal
I’ve been on cruises all over the world. Here’s the bizarre equator tradition you’ve probably never heard of
One of the most unique and memorable cruise experiences you can have at sea is crossing the equator. Often referred to as a line-crossing ceremony or King Neptune Day, this nautical tradition has a longstanding maritime history.
Allie recently celebrated Neptune Day while sailing aboard Celebrity Solstice from Australia to Singapore. Celebrity Cruises hosted a playful and celebratory line-crossing ceremony on the pool deck as the ship crossed the equator.
Carnival Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (2025)
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most popular lines at sea! Its newest ships have an amazing array of amenities, from an increased number of dining venues and bars to one-of-a-kind attractions at sea like the roller coaster BOLT. However, its older ships have a more intimate feel and often visit destinations that cannot accommodate the larger mega-ships.
Carnival's fleet of 27 (soon to be 29 once the cruise line successfully acquires two ships from P&O Cruises Australia) has a vessel that will satisfy every type of traveler.
Read more: Carnival Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (2025)
I sailed on Brilliance of the Seas to the Caribbean. I loved it, but it was filled with a mixed bag of surprises
Most of Calista's cruises have been on Royal Caribbean's mega-Oasis Class ships. However, to see what passengers love about the cruise line's less well-known vessels, she booked a cruise on Brilliance of the Seas.
She enjoyed the 7-night Western Caribbean cruise way more than expected. The sailing visited Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayaman; and Yucatán, Mexico, and was filled with adventure and community—despite a few surprises along the way.
Man went overboard from cruise ship but they never found him
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for a man believed to have gone overboard from a Princess cruise ship.
The 72-year-old American man is thought to have fallen off the Ruby Princess ahead of its arrival in San Francisco on Monday, December 2. According to a statement by the cruise line, officials searched the ship and sourced security videos. However, the passenger, who was traveling alone, was not found.
Read more: Man went overboard from cruise ship but they never found him
Will Carnival ever offer a loyalty match between its cruise lines? Here’s what they just said
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador addressed an inquiry from one cruiser about whether the company would adopt a similar loyalty-matching program to Royal Caribbean’s.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely, as each of the cruise lines is independently run with a completely separate loyalty program.
Read more: Will Carnival ever offer a loyalty match between its cruise lines?
The best Bahamas cruises you should try (2025)
Many cruise lines offer cruises to the Bahamas year-round, so choosing the perfect one can be difficult. Most are either 3- or 4-night cruises that depart out of Florida. You can, however, opt to take a longer Bahamas cruise that leaves from a port further north, like New York or Baltimore.
Here's our roundup of the best Bahamas cruises in 2025, ranging from 3 to 8 nights!
Read more: The best Bahamas cruises you should try (2025)
Four cruise ship sailings changed because of essential engine maintenance
Four sailings aboard Regal Princess have been adjusted allowing for engine repairs. The December 8, January 5, January 12, and January 19 departures have been modified to include an overnight stay in Roatán, Honduras.
The adjustments follow a string of canceled cruises resulting from a small engine fire in late September. The power generator issues required Regal Princess to be removed from service for repairs.
Read more: Four cruise ship sailings changed because of essential engine maintenance
I took my first cruise to Australia. Here are 13 lessons learned, including 4 mistakes I won't make again
Allie recently took her first cruise to Australia. She and her family excitedly boarded a 15-night repositioning cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Singapore with stops along the northeastern coast of Australia.
Read about the interesting lessons she learned during her cruise in the southern hemisphere, from boarding the ship too early to being surprised by the pricey excursions.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
