Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of May 8, 2026!
This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed this week, including news about the ongoing cruise ship hantavirus outbreak and a deep dive into Carnival's Excel Class versus Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class.
Sign up for our Cruise Blog Newsletter to have this conveniently delivered to your email inbox in the future!
Suspected rare viral outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship in the Atlantic, health officials say
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus infection killed three people on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The WHO said that an investigation was underway. However, at least one case of the hantavirus had been confirmed, with a 69-year-old patient in intensive care in a South African hospital.
The U.N. health agency added that it was working with local authorities to evacuate two ailing crew members with symptoms from the Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ship.
Read more: Suspected rare viral outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship in the Atlantic, health officials say
Carnival passenger who died after falling over balcony argued with family, source claims
The Carnival cruise passenger who fell to her death from her cabin balcony earlier this week had apparently been arguing with her family before the fatal incident, one source claims.
Carnival Firenze, a 135,156 gross-ton ship, was near Catalina Island on a four-night cruise from California when the woman "jumped" off the balcony and landed on the deck below, The Mirror reported.
One source familiar with the case identified the passenger as 24-year-old Briana Miller, adding that she purposefully jumped from her stateroom balcony, according to The Post. This, however, has not been confirmed by authorities.
Read more: Carnival passenger who died after falling over balcony argued with family, source claims
Carnival menus 2026: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
Are you looking forward to your upcoming Carnival cruise but unsure where to find the menus? Perhaps you are debating booking one specialty restaurant over another, but want to base the decision on the menus. You're not alone!
Carnival ships have a variety of complimentary and specialty dining options. While each restaurant has its own menu, some rotate daily, such as the menus in the Main Dining Rooms.
We have gathered as many menus as possible to give you an idea of what your Carnival dining experience will be like.
Read more: Carnival menus 2026: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
11 Cruise Line Private Islands Ranked Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2026
The cruise line private island boom is transforming The Bahamas into a network of exclusive and carefully curated resort-like destinations.
In 2025, for example, many cruise lines made headlines announcing new or upgraded destinations in the coming years, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC. As such, it’s no surprise that Bahamian voyages are becoming more and more popular.
In our recent article, we explored and reviewed the most popular cruise line private destinations of 2026. Our worst-to-best cruise rankings are based on personal experiences, industry news, and online reviews.
Read more: 11 Cruise Line Private Islands Ranked Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2026
Carnival Excel Class vs Royal Caribbean Oasis Class cruise ships: Which is best?
Are you someone who has to sail on the biggest, newest, and flashiest cruise ships?
They generally offer the best technology, entertainment, amenities, staterooms, and dining options within their respective fleets. They also typically have high-energy, theme-park-like atmospheres. Whereas older ships are more itinerary or relaxation-focused, many passengers often see newer vessels as the destination itself.
If this is your style of cruising, then you have likely considered cruising on either Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Carnival's Excel Class.
Read more: Carnival Excel Class vs Royal Caribbean Oasis Class cruise ships: Which is best?
2 U.S. residents monitored after returning home from hantavirus-hit cruise ship, officials say
Two passengers who sailed aboard the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius have returned home to the United States and are being actively monitored by health officials.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the individuals are in good health and aren't showing any signs of infection. They're also adhering to the latest recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CBS News reported.
Reuters added that people in at least two other states who had also been aboard the cruise ship are also being monitored. California is keeping an eye on an undisclosed number of residents who had also been on the ship, while Arizona is monitoring one resident who was a passenger aboard the MV Hondius. So far, none of the individuals has shown any symptoms.
Read more: 2 U.S. residents monitored after returning home from hantavirus-hit cruise ship, officials say
A lot of cruisers argue that drink packages are a waste of money, but I think they're worth it. Here are 4 reasons why
Drink packages are divisive among cruisers. Some love their convenience, while others think they're a waste of money and encourage unruly behavior.
Elizabeth has enjoyed drink packages on lines ranging from Royal Caribbean to Princess, Celebrity, and Margaritaville. Though they aren't created equally, they offer the same convenience that helps make her vacation more relaxing.
While many argue that drink packages are too expensive, the freedom to order whatever she wants helps put her in a vacation mindset — the last thing she wants to worry about on a cruise is finances! Here are four reasons drink packages remain a must-have for her.
Woman punched teen girl in the face on Carnival cruise ship, cops say
A 44-year-old woman who allegedly punched a teen girl on a Carnival cruise ship surrendered to Miami authorities to face charges, reports say.
Jennifer A. Frost, of Collins, Iowa, was taken into custody on Monday and booked at Miami-Dade's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on an aggravated battery charge, NBC 6 reported.
According to the arrest report, the 17-year-old victim, who remains unnamed, said she was on a family vacation on the Carnival Sunrise ship in the Lido buffet restaurant when she claimed that Frost tried to insert herself into her conversation.
Read more: Woman punched teen girl in the face on Carnival cruise ship, cops say
Cruise Passenger Dies Snorkeling at NCL Private Island
An elderly cruise passenger died while snorkeling at a cruise private island in The Bahamas on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The 83-year-old man was visiting Great Strirrup Cay in the Berry Islands when he was discovered unresponsive by his son without his mask around 2:00 p.m., Eyewitness News reported.
A nearby lifeguard and medical personnel immediately responded and attempted to provide assistance on scene. Officers at the Bullocks Harbour Police Station were also alerted by the island's security team, who then accompanied a local doctor to examine the passenger.
Read more: Cruise Passenger Dies Snorkeling at NCL Private Island
Is driving to cruise ports easier than flying? 5 reasons to give it a try
With rising fuel costs, you might be wondering whether to drive or fly to your next cruise.
Many might scoff at the idea of piling into the car instead of taking a short flight. However, plenty of cruisers opt to drive to the port.
Here are four reasons you may want to skip the airport and consider driving to your next cruise.
Read more: Is driving to cruise ports easier than flying? 5 reasons to give it a try
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.
