We are always sharing the latest cruise news, tips, and advice on Cruise.Blog, and this roundup is your chance to catch up on anything you might’ve recently missed.
This week, we covered everything from the arrest of four Carnival cruise passengers in Bermuda to a gastrointestinal outbreak on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas.
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Celebrity Beyond faces technical issues, delays next cruise from Miami
One of Celebrity Cruises’ newest ships, Celebrity Beyond, faced technical issues last week, forcing the ship to sail at a reduced speed and delaying one itinerary's return to Florida.
The following voyage, which was scheduled to depart on July 20, 2025, was also cancelled. Instead, Celebrity Beyond sailed to Freeport for necessary repairs.
Comments about Celebrity Beyond's ongoing technical issues had been circulating for months before the incident.
Read more: Celebrity Beyond faces technical issues, delays next cruise from Miami
4 things I loved and 3 I hated at Carnival's Celebration Key
Carnival Cruise Line just opened Celebration Key, its latest private destination in the Bahamas. On Jenna's recent cruise aboard Carnival Glory, she spent eight hours checking out every nook and cranny of the space.
She didn’t know what to expect before her visit, though. She has visited private destinations like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, but how would Carnival’s latest destination compare?
The private destination was undeniably cool. She felt less like she was on a cruise vacation and more like she had stepped into an upscale land resort. Even still, there were a few things Jenna didn’t love about the experience.
Read more: 4 things I loved and 3 I hated at Carnival's Celebration Key
Cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks hit 18, matching all of 2024 in months
Over 130 passengers recently caught a gastrointestinal bug while sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas.
Among the 3,914 guests onboard, 134 reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, along with 7 crew members. This means that 3.4% of the passengers and 0.6% of the crew reported being sick during the 7-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera.
The incident on Navigator of the Seas marks the 18th cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreak reported to the CDC so far in 2025, equaling the total reported in 2024.
Read more: Cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks hit 18, matching all of 2024 in months
Cruise passengers arrested in Bermuda after smuggling illegal drugs on a Carnival ship
Four cruise passengers on a Carnival cruise ship were arrested after allegedly smuggling illegal drugs onboard with the intent to sell them ashore in Bermuda.
According to local police, the cruisers were detained by Carnival Cruise Line's security team and turned over to the authorities upon the ship's arrival in Bermuda.
The seized items included one package of Carfentanyl, vape pens, and suspected THC gummies. Carfentanyl is roughly 100 times stronger than Fentanyl and was originally used to sedate large animals like elephants.
Read more: Cruise passengers arrested in Bermuda after smuggling illegal drugs on a Carnival ship
The 9 best cruise ship balcony cabins — and one to avoid
Cruise ship balcony cabins are among the most popular accommodations. These staterooms offer a private verandah that makes it easy to enjoy ocean views and fresh air from the comfort of your cabin.
However, not all balconies were created equally. Some have more outdoor space, while others were better designed for larger families. There are even some balconies that don't have a separate outdoor verandah!
Understanding the difference between a cove balcony, an aft-facing balcony, and an infinite verandah is important in ensuring you aren't disappointed. In our recent post, we broke down 9 of the best cruise ship balcony cabins to book for your next voyage — and one to avoid.
Read more: The 9 best cruise ship balcony cabins — and one to avoid
Our flight got delayed so much that we didn't make our connection to Europe. Had we been living in NYC, we could have flown direct and avoided almost missing our cruise
A few years ago, Elizabeth moved from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. As a travel writer, she knew that she needed access to a major airport and thought Charlotte Douglas would be a good fit. Although it has solid regional connections, it doesn't compare to the nonstop flights available from New York City's two international airports.
On a recent trip to Europe, she and her partner experienced just how frustrating it can be to rely on itineraries with connections when their initial flight from Charlotte to JFK was delayed so much that they missed their overnight flight to Amsterdam.
The incident served as a stark warning to those who don't leave wiggle room in their schedules. With their initial flight itinerary having a 3-hour layover, they didn't think they would face any issues. Delays happen, though. That's why it's important to never fly to your cruise embarkation city on the same day your ship sets sail, especially if you can't fly direct.
Who owns Carnival Cruise Line? A look into the history of the "FUN" ship brand
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the leading cruise giants in America.
Their fleet of 29 fun ships sails to popular destinations across the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and more. However, Carnival is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Carnival Cruise Line is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise operator with a combined fleet of over 90 ships across 8 brands. They're followed by Royal Caribbean Group.
Read more: Who owns Carnival Cruise Line? A look into the history of the "FUN" ship brand
"Don't get sick": Cruise passenger gets stuck with $9,000 bill from medical center
Although it might not seem important, travel insurance is a must when embarking on a cruise vacation. A good insurance plan provides peace of mind in case of unexpected medical emergencies at sea.
One guest learned just how expensive cruise ship medical centers can be on a recent voyage aboard Norwegian Escape.
In a Reddit post titled, "Don't get sick on a cruise ship," ultranothing shared the breakdown of their $9,756.86 medical bill they were slapped with.
Read more: "Don't get sick": Cruise passenger gets stuck with $9,000 bill from medical center
4 cruise ships to book right now instead of Royal Caribbean's expensive Star of the Seas
The next edition of the record-breaking Icon Class is on the horizon, just over one year after Royal Caribbean welcomed its largest cruise ship ever to its fleet. Star of the Seas will welcome paying passengers aboard on August 16, setting sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas.
As exciting as Star of the Seas' debut is, sailing aboard one of the newest cruise ships at sea isn't cheap. Fares for its inaugural sailings were pricey, though not as offensive as Icon of the Seas' inaugural fares, which often exceeded $2,500 per person for a windowless interior stateroom.
Still, while it's cheaper to cruise on Star of the Seas during its first year in operation, other ships offer fun-filled vacations for a fraction of the cost. We found some comparable ships that deliver exciting amenities and great value.
Read more: 4 cruise ships to book right now instead of Royal Caribbean's expensive Star of the Seas
The worst months to cruise the Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of the most popular year-round cruising destinations, but that doesn't mean the weather is consistent. Additionally, certain months are more expensive than others.
Whether you're looking to avoid the risky hurricane season or want the best bang for your buck, it's important to know the pros and cons of cruising to the Caribbean during each time of year.
Some months fall within the region's wet season, while others are more crowded. However, there are times known for milder temperatures and better deals as well.
Read more: The worst months to cruise the Caribbean
I've been on 53 cruises. Here are the itineraries I would sail again in a heartbeat and the ones I would skip
As a destination-focused cruiser, Allie prefers to spend her time and money on cruises that take her somewhere new. She's not the type who wants to visit the same beach, island, or country over and over again. Instead, she would rather experience something entirely new each time she cruises.
That said, not every itinerary is one she feels the need to repeat. Some cruises are meant to be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Just because she wouldn’t sail the same route again doesn’t mean that she isn't grateful for the memories and unique experiences.
On the other hand, there are a few itineraries she would rebook in a heartbeat. In her recent post, she talks about the cruises she'd happily sail on again, and a few she's fine leaving as a one-time trip.
Best rooms on a cruise ship: Deck, location, & category
Picking the right cruise cabin is almost as important as selecting the right cruise line and ship. If you aren't comfortable where you sleep, relax, and recharge, your entire vacation could be affected. Thankfully, there are options to fit every budget, from windowless inside staterooms to massive suites.
Once you've selected your ideal cabin category, you must decide on your stateroom's location. Cabins are available throughout the ship, from the lower decks near the gangway to steps from the lively pool deck.
Other factors to consider include how sensitive you are to motion and how far you want to be from the nearest stairwell. Ultimately, the best room on a cruise ship is the one that meets your needs and preferences.
Read more: Best rooms on a cruise ship: Deck, location, & category
Carnival addresses outrageous rumor about charging $20 for luggage
Carnival’s new (and unpopular) loyalty program has sparked concerns that other big changes might be on the horizon — one such rumor is that they are going to start charging for luggage like major airlines.
Whenever you travel domestically on an airline like American, Delta, United, or Spirit, you must pay to check your luggage, unless you plan on carrying it onboard with you.
John Heald, Carnival’s witty Brand Ambassador, addressed the luggage rumor on his Facebook page, calling it "nonsense."
Read more: Carnival addresses outrageous rumor about charging $20 for luggage
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!
