Cruise week report: Carnival drink hack, best cruise lines, passenger overboard, and more!

Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of December 5, 2025!

This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed from this week, including the best cruise lines of 2025 and what our team likes better about Carnival than Royal Caribbean. 

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6 things I liked better about Carnival cruises than Royal Caribbean

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Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are two of the biggest names in the cruise industry, yet they couldn't be more different. 

Throughout Elizabeth's cruising career, she has sailed on both cruise lines and has come to appreciate what each one does best. Royal Caribbean shines when you're looking for jaw-dropping amenities and cutting-edge entertainment. Carnival, on the other hand, offers better fast-casual dining options and a fun, easygoing vibe. 

In short, Royal Caribbean and Carnival excel in different areas, and choosing between them ultimately depends on the kind of vacation experience you're seeking. That said, here are six reasons she would book a Carnival cruise over a Royal Caribbean one. 

Read more: 6 things I liked better about Carnival cruises than Royal Caribbean

Cruise line ends search for missing overboard passenger

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The search for a missing cruise passenger, 76, who went overboard from a European ship on Thanksgiving has been called off, authorities confirmed. 

Guests sailing on the Marella Explorer 2 were startled when they heard the secret emergency announcement for man overboard shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 28. 

The 30-year-old cruise ship was roughly 19 miles from Punta de Teno on the coast of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. 

Read more: Cruise line ends search for missing overboard passenger

Carnival cruiser shares hack to avoid paying for drinks at private destination

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Not only does Carnival have one of the most expensive cruise drink packages at sea, but guests are expected to pay extra for beverages at the line's private ports. 

That's right — the Carnival's $80-per-day package doesn’t cover alcoholic beverages at Half Moon Cay or Celebration Key. It's one of the most frustrating limitations of the package, on top of the 15 daily drink cap. 

Rather than shelling out $9 for a Corona Extra on the beach, one clever cruiser came up with a hack to maximize the benefits of Carnival's drink package while ashore. 

Read more: Carnival cruiser shares hack to avoid paying for drinks at private destination

Why MSC's latest giant cruise ship is my new favorite

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A relatively new player in the North American cruise market, MSC Cruises has turned heads — and for good reason. 

The line's newest ship, MSC World America, is a beaut, and after sailing on some of the world's largest ships, including Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, Elizabeth knew she had to see if MSC's mega-ship could hold its own. 

She thought she knew what to expect after sailing with MSC Cruises in Europe. However, everything about Elizabeth's experience on MSC World America blew her away. 

Read more: Why MSC's latest giant cruise ship is my new favorite

The best cruise lines for money, dining, and more, according to Cruise Critic's editors

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When planning a cruise, choosing the right line is as important as the destination. 

Each cruise line has its own style, atmosphere, and amenities. Some of the big names — including Royal Caribbean and Carnival — cater to families, offering waterparks, kid-friendly activities, and more, while others focus on adult-oriented experiences. So how do you pick the best cruise line?

Cruise Critic's 17th Best in Cruise Awards rankings are a good place to start.

Read more: The best cruise lines for money, dining, and more, according to Cruise Critic's editors