Cruise week report: Drink package change, banned cruise passenger, Margaritaville at Sea review, and more!

Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of October 10, 2025! 

This is a helpful post of everything you may have missed from this week, including Norwegian's unpopular drink package change and a Carnival cruiser who got banned after smuggling alcohol onboard. 

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Carnival bans passenger after caught smuggling alcohol on bachelorette cruise

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Alcohol on cruise ships is expensive, which is why some brave travelers try to smuggle their own liquor onboard. However, one cruiser's bachelorette party was ruined after she was caught with liquor in a fake tampon flask.

TikTok user Maddie (@madisonwest2000) of Fort Worth, Texas, shared a video explaining how her poor decision resulted in a lifetime ban from Carnival Cruise Line.

The TikTok received over 1.7 million views and 880 comments in less than four days, with many criticizing Maddie for posting the video of the prohibited alcohol on the cruise.

Read more: Carnival bans passenger after caught smuggling alcohol on bachelorette cruise

Norwegian just made an unpopular drink package change at its private island

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Norwegian Cruise Line is investing $150 million to enhance its private island and take it to the next level. However, not all of the upgrades coming to Great Stirrup Cay have been well-received by guests.

Effective March 1, 2026, Norwegian's popular "More at Sea" drink package won't work on Great Stirrup Cay. Instead, the cruise line plans on releasing a new package specifically for use on the island for an additional cost.

Cruisers have taken to social media to express their frustration over Norwegian’s drink package change at the private island.

Read more: Norwegian just made an unpopular drink package change at its private island

8 Things I Love About Margaritaville at Sea (And 6 I Don’t)

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Whether you’re an avid cruiser or a first-timer who’s in search of a taster voyage, Margaritaville at Sea is likely to be a solid fit if you’re looking for unpretentious, affordable fun.

Ashley recently sailed aboard Margaritaville’s Islander for the third time. So far, each voyage has been better than the last. 

Here’s what she absolutely loved about this budget-friendly cruise brand and its ships, along with a few things that aren’t her favorite.

Read more: 8 Things I Love About Margaritaville at Sea (And 6 I Don’t)

Royal Caribbean's most underrated drink package is even more valuable than you think. Here's why

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Cruise drink packages are often synonymous with free-flowing alcohol — think morning mimosas, poolside piña coladas, and pre-dinner cocktails. However, the alcoholic packages are expensive and can only be used on the sailing for which they were purchased.

There's one drink package that is often overlooked, as it doesn't include soda, non-alcoholic energy drinks, bottled water, or cocktails. However, it's easily one of the most valuable for frequent cruisers.

Even better? Royal Caribbean recently confirmed that the Specialty Coffee Card can be used on more than one sailing.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's most underrated drink package is even more valuable than you think. Here's why

How much does it cost to build a cruise ship? (2025)

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With modern-day cruise ships serving as fully-functional floating cities, it should come as no surprise that the most expensive cost millions (if not billions) to build.

The largest cruise ships have up to 20 decks and are over 1,000 feet long. Still, the size isn't the only factor contributing to the cost. 

While yes, the world's largest cruise ships are the most expensive to build, even the smallest ships afloat come with hefty price tags.

Read more: How much does it cost to build a cruise ship? (2025)