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, including a tour of a controversial balcony cabin on the world's largest cruise ship and a major drink package change coming to Princess Cruises.
For busy bees who want to stay updated on all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest overview of our recent articles.
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I paid $3,800 for a controversial balcony on the world's largest cruise ship. The space was larger than expected but didn't have an ocean view and lacked privacy
Icon of the Seas is one of the most expensive mainstream cruise ships at sea, and during her inaugural year, it wasn't uncommon to see rates as high as $2,000 per person for an interior cabin.
Elizabeth couldn't justify paying those prices for a windowless cabin, so she booked a weeklong cruise over a year in advance for July 2025. However, due to scheduling conflicts, she changed her sail date twice and ended up on a 7-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in April.
In total, she paid $3,802.46, including taxes, port fees, gratuities, and change fees, for a balcony cabin. The catch? It faced the interior part of the ship, rather than having an unobstructed ocean view.
I just sailed from the biggest cruise terminal in the world, and I boarded faster than ever before
The biggest isn’t always the best, but in this case, it just might be.
Ashley sailed from MSC Cruises’ brand-new terminal at PortMiami, and it offered the fastest embarkation she had ever experienced. In fact, it rivaled even those of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, which are known for having some of the most efficient check-in procedures in the industry.
So, what makes the new terminal and its process so great? Here’s what you need to know if you plan to cruise with MSC from Miami.
Read more: I just sailed from the biggest cruise terminal in the world, and I boarded faster than ever before
Tip your Alaska tour guide $200? Internet debates how much you should tip
One curious cruiser took to Facebook to ask what others typically tip their tour guides in Alaska, sparking a heated discussion.
Tipping is a controversial topic, whether in a restaurant, bar, or cruise shore excursion. At the end of the day, there’s no universal rule. The right amount depends on the service received, tour length, and budget.
Tours in Alaska tend to be pricier than excursions in the Bahamas and Caribbean. It's not uncommon for helicopter rides, for example, to cost over $500 per person. With the high price tag, some may wonder what an appropriate tip for the tour operators is.
Read more: Tip your Alaska tour guide $200? Internet debates how much you should tip
5 cruise passengers got banned by Carnival for life (and how you can avoid a similar fate)
Recently, two dozen passengers were banned from sailing with Carnival after participating in a massive brawl in the line's Galveston terminal.
Carnival's Brand Ambassador spoke out about the incident, claiming that cruise passengers these days act like "a pack of starving hyenas."
While the average guest likely wouldn't start an unruly fight, there are other ways to get banned from cruising with Carnival. Here are the stories of five other guests who suffered a similar fate and can't sail with Carnival again.
Read more: 5 cruise passengers got banned by Carnival for life (and how you can avoid a similar fate)
Can you bring a vape on a cruise ship?
While smoking is permitted on cruise ships, there are strict rules about where you can smoke.
For instance, you can't pull out your vape in the dining room during dinner or in the middle of a production show in the theater.
Typically, smoking, whether a cigarette or vape, is only permitted in designated smoking areas, including specific outdoor areas and indoor venues like the casino. Vaping elsewhere, including in your stateroom, isn't allowed and can result in major fines.
Read more: Can you bring a vape on a cruise ship?
Carnival is experimenting with a big change to shore excursions
Historically, shore excursion tickets served as a great souvenir from your cruise vacation, especially to remember the fun activities you've done ashore.
However, Carnival Cruise Line is making it easier for guests to check in for excursions with the use of their Sail & Sign card and cell phone. Instead of providing passengers with tickets, Carnival is streamlining the process by integrating shore excursion check-ins directly into a mobile app.
Before checking in, the new mobile feature will link with the HUB App and give guests their digital confirmation with important details like meeting times and locations.
Read more: Carnival is experimenting with a big change to shore excursions
Guests on an overbooked cruise could get up to two sailings for free — here’s how
Royal Caribbean is offering guests aboard an upcoming cruise on Allure of the Seas some amazing compensation if they downgrade their stateroom or change sailings.
Passengers booked on the May 15, 2025, sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, received an email asking if anyone had flexible travel plans.
While they didn't explicitly state that the cruise is overbooked, they're looking for passengers to either move to a "cozy interior stateroom" or Odyssey of the Seas' May 18 sailing from Civitavecchia.
Read more: Guests on an overbooked cruise could get up to two sailings for free — here’s how
One major travel deadline is here, but you don't need a REAL ID to take a cruise
The U.S. REAL ID deadline has officially arrived, but what does it mean for your summer cruise plans?
Effective May 7, 2025, travelers with a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable form of identification, like a valid passport, will have shorter screening times when flying within the United States. However, the rules for boarding a cruise are unchanged.
Though many cruisers prefer using passports, certain itineraries have more relaxed requirements.
Read more: One major travel deadline is here, but you don't need a REAL ID to take a cruise
Cruisers outraged after cruise line quietly removes inclusion from drink packages
Princess Cruises made a controversial change to its drink packages by removing canned soda from its list of included beverages.
According to posts circulating on Facebook, Princess began charging for canned soda sometime around mid- to late-April. Previously, unlimited soda was part of the Plus and Premier drink packages.
Now, however, guests who want canned soda instead of fountain beverages must pay extra, though they'll receive a 25% discount.
Read more: Cruisers outraged after cruise line quietly removes inclusion from drink packages
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
