Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of December 12, 2025!
This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed this week, including Carnival's plans to upgrade an unpopular port in Mexico and breaking news about a cruise passenger who died in custody after being served 33 drinks.
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MSC Cruises' unexpected ban angers passengers
MSC Cruises recently confused many passengers with an unexpected ban.
According to the cruise line's website, "devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) are not allowed in [the ship's] public areas."
What's confusing is that smart glasses are listed under "items forbidden onboard"; however, the restriction specifically applies to public areas, such as pools, lounges, and restaurants.
Read more: MSC Cruises' unexpected ban angers passengers
American grandmother arrested for bringing loaded gun on Royal Caribbean cruise
An American grandmother was arrested on a Royal Caribbean cruise and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Somehow, the weapon bypassed the security team at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and wasn't found until the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas, on December 2.
As a result, Mary Robinson, 69, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, spent about five days in Nassau's Fox Hill Prison.
Read more: American grandmother arrested for bringing loaded gun on Royal Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean cruise passenger detained, died in custody after being served 33 drinks
A family is suing Royal Caribbean after the wrongful death of their loved one, alleging that he was served over 30 drinks before he died.
In December 2024, Michael Virgil, 35, was detained after causing a dangerous scene aboard Navigator of the Seas in which he assaulted crew members and threatened other cruisers in a drunken, violent rage.
Virgil's family claims that the incident was caused by excessive alcohol consumption, with the crew failing to properly monitor their safety.
Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise passenger detained, died in custody after being served 33 drinks
How old is too old to go on a cruise? Cruise age requirements debunked
At what age should you throw in the lido deck towel and stop cruising?
Cruising continues to be a popular choice for seniors because of the overall convenience. Retirees, especially, can enjoy longer voyages to off-the-beaten-path destinations while taking advantage of the ship's amenities, rather than coordinating their own transportation.
Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, shared his advice on what anyone over 60 years old should be doing before they go on a cruise ship.
Read more: How old is too old to go on a cruise? Cruise age requirements debunked
Passport card vs passport book: What's the difference?
If you are preparing for a cruise vacation, you may be wondering: What is a passport card vs book? Although both are official U.S. travel documents issued by the Department of State, they serve different purposes.
For starters, passport books are more widely accepted and can be used for all domestic and international travel, including flights, cruises, and border crossings.
Passport cards, on the other hand, are valid only for land and sea travel to specific locations, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — they are not valid for international air travel because they lack visa pages.
Read more: Passport card vs passport book: What's the difference?
Carnival announces bold plans to upgrade cruise port in Mexico
Carnival Cruise Line is building a first-of-its-kind destination concept in the Mexican Riviera.
The cruise giant, in partnership with ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV, announced plans to construct a new shoreside destination in Ensenada, Mexico, on December 5, 2025.
Dubbed Ensenada Bay Village, the $26-million project will focus on celebrating the culture, community, and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico.
Read more: Carnival announces bold plans to upgrade cruise port in Mexico
5 reasons why cruise ships aren't "floating petri dishes"
With thousands of people crammed into confined spaces at sea, cruise ships often get a bad rap as a breeding ground for sicknesses.
Although the occasional gastrointestinal (GI) illness does occur, these cases are exaggerated by the media, making outbreaks seem more common than they actually are.
In reality, cruise ships maintain strict sanitation protocols to ensure that their passengers and crew members stay healthy and safe.
Read more: 5 reasons why cruise ships aren't "floating petri dishes"
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.
