After being stranded for four days following engine and navigation issues, MSC Cruises canceled three sailings aboard MSC Bellissima, one of the largest cruise ships in Asia. 

The 171,598 gross registered ton ship was slated to depart from Naha, Japan, on December 6 for a 4-night sailing. However, guests awoke on Dec. 7 to find they were still docked in Naha rather than Ishigaki, Japan. Consequently, MSC Bellissima's Dec. 8 departure from Keelung and Dec. 10 departure from Naha were also canceled. 

With so many different options to choose for your next vacation, you might be considering whether a cruise is the right option for you. After all, no one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a vacation that isn’t the right fit for their budget or travel style.

A fire broke out shortly after MSC Seashore departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Sunday. 

According to Doug Parker from Cruise News Today, the fire was reported in the emergency generator room on Deck 18. 

The fire was quickly put out, and no passengers were harmed. However, a few guests reported smoke and limited power because the ship could only operate on generator power. As a result, the elevators were shut down, and dining rooms were closed. 

2024 was an exciting year for Cruise.Blog writers and editors! Between eight staff members, over 250 days were spent onboard cruise ships that sailed to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, and Asia. 

We also tried different cruise lines, ranging from Princess Cruises to Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean—all in the name of research, of course. 

Passengers sailing aboard a Carnival cruise ship now have to pay more to stay connected with friends and family back home. The popular cruise line has quietly increased the cost of all three internet plans by as much as 22%.

One popular cruise line increased the price of its drink package without warning. Passengers sailing on Carnival cruises 6 nights or longer now have to pay more for their CHEERS! beverage package. 

You don't have to be retired or ultra-wealthy to live on a cruise ship. In fact, more and more younger couples are opting for life at sea. Who wouldn't want to wake up to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet before exploring a new destination or lounging by the pool? You don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning, either, and no, it isn't too good to be true. 

If you are sailing on a Carnival cruise soon, whether it is to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, or elsewhere, you might be debating on purchasing a drink package.

Carnival's drink package offers guests the option to enjoy up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day, as well as unlimited sodas and other applicable non-alcoholic beverages, on their cruise for a fixed daily rate, rather than worrying about paying for each drink individually. 

Like on land, you can't walk up to a cruise ship bar at 17 and expect to be served a cocktail. There are other age restrictions when it comes to cruises to help keep all passengers safe. 

For example, most cruise lines don't let 18-year-olds sail by themselves. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, have stricter policies that say if there's anyone under the age of 21 in the cabin, there must be an adult 25 or older staying in the same room. 

Wondering about the casino cruise age limit and other key age-related policies? Keep on reading!