Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of May 1, 2026!
This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed this week, including a cruise crew overboard incident and breaking news about Royal Caribbean's upcoming Discovery Class.
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FBI investigates Carnival cruise death after passenger falls from balcony
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation after a passenger died Monday morning after falling from the balcony of her stateroom aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
NBC News initially reported that the guest fell from the balcony of her stateroom while the 135,156 gross-ton ship was near Catalina Island on a four-night cruise.
The article stated that the cruise line had alerted the appropriate authorities, who boarded the ship in Catalina Island to begin their investigation. However, the FBI later confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is also actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Read more: FBI investigates Carnival cruise death after passenger falls from balcony
"So disappointed in this": Passengers upset by size of new Royal Caribbean ship class
Royal Caribbean quietly revealed one key fact about its new ship class — and many cruisers aren't happy about it.
Although the cruise line has not made any official announcements about details regarding its new Discovery Class vessels, its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission reveal that they'll have an approximate passenger count (berths) of 4,300, as first reported by Royal Caribbean Blog.
When Discovery Class was first announced, many loyal fans were excited about the prospect of newer, smaller ships, as Vision and Radiance Class vessels are undoubtedly dated and showing their age. However, the newly revealed capacity figure suggests the line may not be trying to replace those ships as some had hoped.
Read more: "So disappointed in this": Passengers upset by size of new Royal Caribbean ship class
Norwegian is raising its drink package price for people who book short cruises
One popular cruise line increased the price of its drink package on certain sailings. Passengers embarking on 2-5 night voyages with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will now have to pay more for their Free at Sea drink package.
Now, those going on shorter cruises will pay $32 per day for the NCL drink package, up from $28.50, if booked in advance. This means that, for a five-night cruise, you can expect to pay $160, compared to $142.50.
The hike was revealed to travel agents shortly before it went into effect on May 1, 2026, who were asked not to inform their clients about the change. Booked guests were given no time to lock in the lower fare before prices were suddenly raised. It's now indicated on their website under "Terms and Conditions."
Read more: Norwegian is raising its drink package price for people who book short cruises
I've been on over 30 cruises, and my favorite cruise port is the most underrated stop in the Caribbean — here's why
Today, cruise line private islands are all the rage, with companies investing millions into exclusive, resort-style destinations. Although Elizabeth loves visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay or Celebration Key, one of her favorite Caribbean cruise ports is one that often gets overlooked because it isn't a private destination.
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, is an easily accessible beach-front cruise port that's nestled along 18 acres of landscaped grounds, complete with a complimentary beach, massive pool, and more.
After three visits to the Grand Turk cruise port, she can confidently say that it's one of her favorite destinations in the Caribbean — even if it lacks the same appeal that cruise line private islands have.
Crew member reported overboard from 4,000-passenger cruise ship, Norwegian confirms
The search for a missing crew member who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of New England late Saturday night has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed.
Security camera footage captured the unidentified crew member, who had been working aboard the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship, falling into the freezing ocean about 12 miles from Cape Cod.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England then received the report about the overboard incident, deploying a search helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Station Provincetown, CBS News reported.
Read more: Crew member reported overboard from 4,000-passenger cruise ship, Norwegian confirms
The extra step you should take so you aren't delayed getting onboard a Carnival cruise
If you have sailed with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Disney and are planning on boarding your first Carnival cruise, you'll find some differences, starting with the boarding pass.
Thankfully, you are able to complete most of the Carnival check-in online process similarly to how you do so when you're boarding a flight; however, there are some extra steps, as you are boarding a ship for an extended period of time, versus a flight for a couple of hours!
When you finish the online check-in process for a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can save the SetSail pass to your mobile phone. Carnival Cruise Line, however, requests that you print your boarding pass ahead of time.
Read more: The extra step you should take so you aren't delayed getting onboard a Carnival cruise
The one thing we all hate about cruises that no one talks about
Cruising is a popular vacation choice, with over 37 million passengers embarking on ocean-going voyages in 2025. From all-you-can-eat buffets and included entertainment to exciting itineraries and more, there’s a lot to love about going on a cruise.
However, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows at sea. Cruise ship crowds can be overwhelming, and unrealistic expectations of Caribbean islands can lead to disappointment once travelers arrive. Many travelers find that the food isn't always the best, either.
There are even more universal travel realities that catch people off guard on cruises — including the crummy toilet paper.
Read more: The one thing we all hate about cruises that no one talks about
I went on the Carnival Mardi Gras ship because I thought it would buck the bad stereotypes about the cruise line — Here's my full review
Elizabeth recently disembarked from a weeklong Carnival cruise aboard one of the line's newest and biggest ships. From the long lines to the underwhelming service and packed venues, it lived up to all the usual stereotypes. However, it wasn't all bad.
She's no stranger to Carnival, having sailed on ships like Carnival Elation, Carnival Vista, and Carnival Luminosa. However, some of her experiences have been memorable in all the wrong ways. When on Carnival Elation, for example, the grimy showerhead broke and fell on her partner's head. The entertainment was also hit-or-miss at best, and the adult-only deck was covered in soot.
So, when she saw a spring break sailing on Mardi Gras, an Excel Class ship from Port Canaveral, Florida, she decided to give the line another try. In reality, the experience was better than she had hoped, but it still didn't completely change her mind about Carnival Cruise Line as a whole.
PHOTOS: New Carnival cruise ship construction progress revealed
Carnival Cruise Line's next-gen ship is around one year from officially welcoming guests, and the vessel is quickly taking form ahead of her maiden voyage.
Carnival Festivale isn't just another new ship. She's the highly anticipated follow-up to the jaw-dropping Excel Class ships, which set a new standard for the line with ships like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
The 182,015-gross-ton ship is still under construction at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. However, the cruise line shared photos of her progress online.
Read more: PHOTOS: New Carnival cruise ship construction progress revealed
Angry cruise passengers say Royal Caribbean failed to disclose frustrating issue before booking
Royal Caribbean is facing major backlash from cruise passengers after reportedly closing some ships’ main attractions and failing to notify guests before embarkation.
One of the biggest draws on Icon Class vessels is the Category 6 Waterpark, home to some of the tallest waterslides at sea.
However, according to recent reports, passengers have complained that most slides in the water park were closed without advance notice.
Read more: Angry cruise passengers say Royal Caribbean failed to disclose frustrating issue before booking
Identity of Norwegian cruise crew member who went overboard confirmed
The missing crew member who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of New England over the weekend has been confirmed.
On Saturday, April 25, the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Breakway was en route to Boston from Bermuda when security footage captured someone going overboard about 12 miles from Cape Cod, which prompted an immediate search-and-rescue response.
Initially, the crew member's identity had not been released by the cruise line or authorities. However, the Seafarers Association of Rajasthan has since confirmed the identity of the crew member, though further details about the situation have not been publicly shared.
Read more: Identity of Norwegian cruise crew member who went overboard confirmed
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.
