Cruise week report: Guest overboard, cruise lines ranked, broken rules, and more!

Happy New Year and welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of January 2, 2026!

This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed from this week, including a guest who went overboard from a Holland America Line ship on New Year's Day and a 5-year-old who became the youngest cruiser to reach Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty tier. 

Sign up for our Cruise Blog Newsletter if you want this conveniently delivered to your email inbox in the future!

Guest Overboard From Nieuw Statendam as Search Continues North of Cuba

Image

A passenger reportedly went overboard from Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of January 1, 2026, while the cruise ship was sailing off the coast of Cuba, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation by the crew. 

Passengers aboard Nieuw Statendam reported emergency announcements beginning around 4:30 a.m. Originally, passengers claimed the captain informed guests that a woman was missing and asked her to report to Guest Services. Later, the captain confirmed that the passenger was no longer onboard and that a search operation was underway.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today," the cruise line said in a statement. "The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and are searching the area working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, which has deployed a cutter and helicopter to assist."

Read more: Guest Overboard From Nieuw Statendam as Search Continues North of Cuba

10 Cruise Lines Ranked Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2026

Image

The cruise industry is constantly evolving, with brand-new ships, private destinations, and exciting onboard experiences debuting each year. In 2025, for example, many cruise lines made headlines with new ship launches, private destinations, and expanded itineraries.

As such, choosing the right cruise line is important. Travelers have different styles, budgets, and preferences, and selecting the wrong line can lead to a disappointing experience.

In our recent article, we explored and reviewed the most popular cruise lines of 2026. Our worst-to-best cruise rankings are based on personal experiences and industry news.

Read more: 10 Cruise Lines Ranked Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2026

5-year-old boy from Atlanta is the youngest cruiser to achieve Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty status

Image

A five-year-old just earned their spot as one of Royal Caribbean's most loyal passengers. Aydin Derakhshan of Atlanta, Georgia, was recognized for their newfound Pinnacle Club status while sailing on Star of the Seas over Christmas.

It takes most cruisers decades to reach the cruise line's coveted Pinnacle Club status. Derakhshan, however, did it in less than four years. During his Pinnacle Club award ceremony, it was announced that he had begun cruising with Royal Caribbean in 2022. 

Although minors share their parents' Crown & Anchor Society loyalty status, Pinnacle Club status cannot be shared. This makes Derakhshan's accomplishment even more noteworthy, as he cruised enough to earn 702 points under his own account. 

Read more: 5-year-old boy from Atlanta is the youngest cruiser to achieve Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty status

6 Rules Tourists Break That Scream "This Is My First Time on a Cruise"

Image

If you are planning your first cruise, whether a 3-night getaway to The Bahamas or a weeklong Caribbean voyage, you may be confused about the rules of cruising.

Cruises are unlike land vacations in many ways, and from the moment you arrive at the terminal, you're subject to the policies of the cruise line. 

There are specific rules that, if broken, can ruin your entire vacation. From embarkation to disembarkation, understanding what to expect can help you avoid surprises. Here are 6 rules that tourists commonly break on their first-ever cruise. 

Read more: 6 Rules Tourists Break That Scream "This Is My First Time on a Cruise"