We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including Carnival's unexpected ban, the worst and best cruise lines of 2025, and plans for Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Xcel!
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's unexpected ban catches passengers off guard
Carnival Cruise Line recently left many passengers stunned with an unexpected ban on a common household item.
The family-family cruise line shared an update to its prohibited items list. Though not technically a new ban, guests were shocked to learn that aerosol cleaning products aren't allowed onboard.
Banning aerosol cans might seem odd; however, the reasoning is rooted in safety concerns.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line's unexpected ban catches passengers off guard
I was scared to go on another cruise line, but I tried Celebrity Cruises. The upscale dining and spacious cabins won me over
Being in her mid-20s and sailing primarily with Royal Caribbean, Elizabeth was scared to take the plunge and book her first Celebrity cruise.
However, the experience was far better than she could have imagined, and it's now her top choice for a cruise vacation. She's now been on three Celebrity cruises, including two aboard the brand-new Celebrity Ascent, and has another to Norway in a few months!
Suffice it to say, she fell in love with Celebrity Cruises.
Man wins a free cruise but gets hit with an unexpected $47,000 medical bill
An unlucky cruiser thought he hit the jackpot after winning a free cruise, only to receive an unexpected medical bill.
Mike Cameron and his girlfriend, Tamra Masterman, of Braham, Minn., set sail on a free Norwegian cruise that departed out of Miami, Florida, on January 5, FOX 9 reported.
However, their dream vacation aboard Norweigan Encore quickly took a turn for the worse when Cameron came down with the flu. Before disembarking, Cameron was hit with a hefty $47,000 medical bill, even with travel insurance.
Read more: Man wins a free cruise but gets hit with an unexpected $47,000 medical bill
I went on an ultra-luxury cruise on MSC’s upscale brand for $820 per night. Was it worth the splurge?
Chantal just returned home to the frigid cold after a weeklong cruise aboard Explora Journeys, an offshoot of the well-known MSC Cruises, the fast-growing, budget-friendly European brand.
With so many great reviews of Explora Joureys, she had high hopes for this cruise but also wondered if the experience could actually live up to all the hype.
After a week on this new cruise line, here are her thoughts on this small ship experience and whether it's worth the splurge.
Celebrity Cruises Replaces Popular Venue On New Ship
Celebrity Cruises teased exciting new additions coming to Celebrity Xcel.
Fans of the award-winning Edge Class series have plenty of familiar favorites to look forward to. However, one spot that is receiving a major upgrade is Eden.
The popular venue is being transformed into The Bazaar, a new multi-level, multi-sensory space that is unlike anything at sea and will be an epicenter of excitement onboard. Unique festivals, entertainment, culinary offers, and non-stop activities will transform The Bazaar throughout the voyage to introduce guests to experiences inspired by the ports they visit.
Read more: Celebrity Cruises Replaces Popular Venue On New Ship
Ranking Cruise Lines from Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2025
With brand-new cruise ships launching each year and cruise fares increasing substantially, the cruising landscape has shifted in the last few years.
Cruises are also more popular than ever before, with millions of passengers setting sail each year. With increasing demand comes an increase in pricing. Even with increased travel costs, you can still find great value in cruising if you choose the right line.
Our worst-to-best cruise line rankings of 2025 are strictly based on opinion and personal experiences.
Read more: Ranking Cruise Lines from Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2025
I went on my first cruise to Europe. I had fun, but there are 6 things I wish I would have done differently
There's nothing quite like a European cruise. However, they differ from tropical getaways to the Caribbean or the Bahamas.
Although Elizabeth had previously taken a 7-night Mediterranean voyage with MSC, her fiancée cruised to Europe for the first time last summer, embarking on a weeklong cruise aboard Celebrity Ascent to Greece, Italy, and Turkey in July.
During her time on board, she noted a few mistakes that made her trip less enjoyable, including underestimating the heat and staying up too late.
Carnival Cruise Line Refuses to Replace Popular Free Activity With Adult-Only Sun Deck
Carnival Cruise Line responded to one guest asking if the family-friendly cruise line would get rid of a popular amenity to make way for another adult-only deck.
Cruise lines like Carnival appeal to a wide range of travelers, from couples to families with young children and elderly guests. As such, their ships are outfitted with various amenities designed to meet the needs of all passengers, including waterparks, mini-golf courses, arcades, spas, and adult-only sun decks.
Still, it's hard to please everyone. One irate guest took to social media to suggest that Carnival get rid of the miniature golf courses in favor of another adult-only sun deck for passengers ages 55 and up.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line Refuses to Replace Popular Free Activity With Adult-Only Sun Deck
5 Rookie Cruise Mistakes That Scream "This Is My First Cruise"
Planning a cruise vacation is a long and thorough process, and it's easy to make mistakes that make you look like a rookie.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of tips you need to know about to plan the best cruise. If you are trying to avoid looking like a first-time cruiser, don't make these 5 mistakes.
Read more: 5 Rookie Cruise Mistakes That Scream "This Is My First Cruise"
How to link Carnival cruise reservations together
Carnival is a popular cruise line for family gatherings and large groups. As such, you might wonder how to link your reservations together for a seamless cruise experience.
While not required, linking Carnival cruise reservations can help make dining arrangements easier and let the cruise line know you're traveling with a large group.
Each stateroom and travel party has a specific reservation number, so Carnival doesn't know which cabins belong to the same group unless they’re linked.
Read more: How to link Carnival cruise reservations together
MSC Cruises Adds New Benefits To Make Its Suite Program Better Than Other Cruise Lines
MSC Cruises is adding elevated suite benefits and amenities to guests with an Aurea Experience.
The European cruise line offers four distinct experiences that cater to different preferences and budgets: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club.
With the Aurea Experience being one of the highest tiers, MSC Cruises is aiming to upgrade the overall guest suite experience by offering more luxury, comfort, and personalized service.
Read more: MSC Cruises Adds New Benefits To Make Its Suite Program Better Than Other Cruise Lines
What does stateroom guarantee (GTY) mean and are they worth the risk?
One of the easiest ways to save money on your cruise fare is to book a guarantee or GTY stateroom. This means that instead of selecting your cabin, you let the cruise line do it for you at a lower price.
Guarantee cabins can be great options for flexible cruisers who want to save money on their cruise cabin. As the name implies, a guarantee stateroom guarantees you a room on the ship within your chosen category, whether interior, ocean view, balcony, or suite.
However, it doesn't guarantee you a specific cabin or location. Typically, you will be assigned a stateroom closer to your departure date.
Read more: What does stateroom guarantee (GTY) mean and are they worth the risk?
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.
