This is a helpful roundup of everything you may have missed from this week on Cruise Blog, including Carnival's new non-alcoholic drink package and an in-depth photo tour of Norwegian Aqua.
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Carnival introduces its first non-alcoholic drink package
After months of disappointing changes and updates, Carnival Cruise Line finally caved and announced a new non-alcoholic drink package for guests.
In the past, Carnival only offered two drink packages: CHEERS! and Bottomless Bubbles. Although Bottomless Bubbles technically is a non-alcoholic option, it's limited to soda and juices. If cruisers wanted a mocktail or energy drink, they'd have to purchase it individually.
With the launch of CHEERS! Zero Proof passengers can now enjoy a wider variety of non-alcoholic beverages for a set price, starting at $29.99 per day.
Read more: Carnival introduces its first non-alcoholic drink package
I'm a budget traveler who splurged on a $7,000 cruise ship suite. Sometimes, money really can buy happiness
Elizabeth is no stranger to cruising. Within the past two years, she has sailed on over 20 cruises. However, it wasn't until a recent cruise aboard MSC World America that she finally splurged on a luxury suite experience.
As someone who cruises for work, she can't always justify expensive cabins. As such, she will typically book windowless interior staterooms to save money.
When she found a somewhat reasonably priced suite on MSC's newest cruise ship, she decided it was the best way to fully experience everything MSC World America had to offer.
Cruise ship changes course to avoid Tropical Storm Lorena
Hurricane Lorena has forced at least one cruise ship to change its itinerary to avoid the storm.
Guests aboard Carnival Firenze were informed that, although no ports of call have been cancelled, they will now be visiting the ports in a different order.
Carnival Firenze departed from Long Beach, California, on Thursday, September 4, on a 5-night cruise to the Mexican Riviera.
Read more: Cruise ship changes course to avoid Tropical Storm Lorena
The 5 important Carnival email addresses you should know about
There are numerous ways you can contact Carnival for assistance regarding your upcoming cruise. However, if you don't want to sit on hold for a Personal Vacation Planner, there are a few email addresses that can help streamline your request.
Perhaps, for example, you have certain dietary restrictions, and you want to make sure the dining room can accommodate your needs. Or maybe you're traveling with a large group and want to arrange a special event for everyone on board.
Here are five email addresses that you should know about, so your concerns are addressed before embarkation.
Read more: The 5 important Carnival email addresses you should know about
Photos show what it's like aboard the Norwegian Aqua cruise ship, from fun activities to delicious food
Elizabeth took her first Norwegian cruise on the line's newest ship out of New York City, and after four short days aboard Norwegian Aqua, she is already itching to go back.
Although the vessel isn't the largest in NCL's fleet, she's one of the most modern, with high-tech mini-golf, a hybrid water slide-roller coaster, upscale restaurants, and more.
Here's what it was like onboard Norwegian Aqua.
I tried MSC's drink package. At $70 per day, I think it's a good value
Elizabeth tried MSC Cruises' alcoholic drink package for the first time and loved it so much that she thinks it would be hard to cruise without it in the future.
Drink packages are one of the most popular add-ons to purchase before a cruise, and MSC Cruises has a few packages to choose from. Recently, however, they decreased the number of available alcoholic packages to just one.
Still, Elizabeth was excited to try MSC's drink package while sailing aboard MSC World America, especially as she didn't buy a package on her last MSC cruise.
Read more: I tried MSC's drink package. At $70 per day, I think it's a good value
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
