Having taken over 30 cruises, there have been times when I've felt ripped off while onboard. Sometimes, it's my fault. For example, forgetting to purchase shore excursions in advance means I'll inevitably pay more for the same product on the ship. 

This happened a few years ago when I waited until the last minute to plan my day ashore at Royal Caribbean's private island. Although cruisers have reported scoring epic deals to Thrill Waterpark, I shelled out $149 for a full-day pass. 

When you first start cruising, it's easy to assume that your base cruise fare is all you need for a fun and relaxing vacation. And for the most part, this can be true! Cruising is a fairly inclusive vacation with dining, entertainment, transportation, and accommodations all bundled into your cruise fare. 

Solo cruises aren't as scary as you might think. They're a great way to explore at your own pace and meet new people, making them surprisingly peaceful and social. 

I've sailed alone to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and — most recently — Alaska. However, my solo trip to The Last Frontier was unexpected, as my partner woke up feeling ill the day before our flight to Seattle. 

We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise.Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including a social media mistake that got someone banned from Carnival Cruise Line and multi-million dollar upgrades coming to Celebrity's Solstice Class. 

For busy bees who want to stay updated on all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest overview of our recent articles. 

Celebrity is investing $250 million in some of its oldest ships to make them better than ever. 

The Solstice Class initially debuted in 2008, when Celebrity Solstice hit the high seas for the first time. Over the next four years, Celebrity added four more ships to the new beloved class, including Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection. 

The internet is full of videos and posts about how to smuggle alcohol on cruise ships to save money. Although concealing liquor in hidden flasks might seem easy enough, the consequences can be dire if caught. Recently, one unlucky cruiser learned this the hard way. 

Courtney Murley, a passenger who sailed aboard Carnival Conquest at the end of March 2025, posted a now-viral TikTok, revealing that she had successfully smuggled alcohol on their Bahamian voyage. 

Compared to established lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, Margaritaville at Sea is a relatively new player in the cruise industry. 

However, the brand has quickly gained attention for its Jimmy Buffett-inspired vibe and affordable sailings, setting itself apart from mainstream cruise offerings. 

Margaritaville at Sea shows no signs of slowing down, either. Recently, they announced they're expanding their fleet with their third ship since their debut in 2022. 

A former Carnival crew member pleaded guilty to Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors in a federal district court last week.

Reza Heta Pratama, 28, of the Republic of Indonesia, was arrested last July after being found in possession of child pornography at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Weeks after canceling numerous cruises aboard two ships, Carnival Cruise Line announced more cancellations on Carnival Conquest due to dry dock rescheduling. 

The impacted 3 and 4-night itineraries include Conquest's January 5, 2026, departure from Miami, Florida, through and including the January 26, 2026, sailing. The cruises were scheduled to call at ports like Celebration Key, Princess Cays, and Half Moon Cay — all private destinations within Carnival Corporation's portfolio.