This year's exciting summer cruise season is in full swing. Ahead of the highly anticipated launch of Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, Star of the Seas, is the opening of Carnival Cruise Line's private destination in the Bahamas.

Interior staterooms on a cruise are the most affordable, but I prefer staying in balcony cabins. Not only are they typically more spacious, but nothing beats stepping outside onto your private veranda. This luxury comes at a price, though. 

On my recent voyage to Norway, my partner and I splurged on a balcony stateroom, which allowed us to take in the stunning views of the fjords from the comfort of our cabin. 

We are always sharing the latest cruise news, tips, and advice on Cruise.Blog, and this roundup is your chance to catch up on anything you might’ve missed.

This week, we covered everything from Netflix's new documentary about the infamous Carnival "poop cruise" to which cruise line is starting to charge parents for reservations to the kids' club. 

Want it sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for our convenient Cruise.Blog Newsletter to never miss an update!

Carnival Cruise Line has faced intense backlash this week after making unpopular changes to its loyalty program. However, with the release of Netflix's new documentary on June 24, 2025, the criticism shows no signs of slowing down.

Trainwreck: Poop Cruise recounts the infamous disaster aboard Carnival Triumph in 2013. What was supposed to be a short 4-night sailing from Galveston, Texas, to Cozumel, Mexico, turned into a nightmare after guests were awoken one morning by an emergency alert for the "alpha team." 

As a remote worker, reliable Wi-Fi is a must for any sailing on cruise ships. However, I recently decided to disconnect for the week and save money, purchasing the cheapest internet package on my 7-night Celebrity cruise. 

When my partner and I booked our cruise to Norway, Celebrity's basic wi-fi package was included in the bundled fare pricing, along with the line's classic drink package. Because we prefer handcrafted cocktails and premium wines over bottom-shelf liquor, we decided to splurge on the drink package upgrade. 

With everything from accommodations to food and even childcare included in the cost of a cruise vacation, they're a popular choice for families. However, one cruise line plans to start charging for reservations to its youth club. 

P&O Cruises, a British cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation, will require parents to pay a nominal fee to guarantee their child's spot at the onboard kids' club, "The Reef," for children 12 and under.

Passengers sailing aboard Carnival Liberty's July 6, 2025, cruise out of New Orleans, Louisiana, were informed that the voyage has been canceled — but not for bad weather or maintenance issues. 

Just 13 days before the cruise was scheduled to begin, guests received an email notifying them that their 7-night cruise to the Bahamas would no longer be happening as expected. 

Between being in a different environment and external stimuli like creaking walls and a rocking ship, it can be tough to unwind in a cruise cabin. 

If you're like me, you might struggle with getting a good night's rest on vacation. Even after 30 cruises, I find it challenging to sleep as well on a cruise as I do at home.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to improve your sleep on a ship. One simple trick I've recently become a fan of is removing the hangers from my closet. 

Tensions in the Middle East remain high after the uncertainty of the ceasefire declared by President Trump. Travelers are understandably worried, especially as several countries have closed their airspace, leading to disrupted flight plans. 

With the conflict far enough away from ports in countries like Italy, Greece, and Turkey, cruisers likely don't have much to worry about. That said, cruise operators are remaining vigilant and will make any necessary changes as the geopolitical situation continues to unfold to ensure passenger and crew safety.