Regardless of where you are in planning for your Royal Caribbean cruise, one thing you should know is that the cruise line does not include alcoholic beverages in its cruise fare. As a result, one of the most popular add-ons is a drink package.

Please keep in mind that certain beverages, such as tea, water, and coffee are automatically included in your fare. However, you should expect to pay extra for alcoholic and select non-alcoholic beverages, either separately throughout your sailing or pay for an unlimited drink package.

Whether you want to try your luck at a slot machine, play a round of roulette, or test your Blackjack skills, the casino on Carnival ships has always been a central entertainment hub for many guests. 

However, Carnival Cruise Line decided to ban a common onboard activity that had been a favorite for some cruisers: cash games outside the casino. 

The cruise industry is preparing for another record-breaking year. Following the success of 2024, industry experts are predicting that 2025 will see even greater growth, with booking numbers surpassing previous highs. 

Already, Carnival Corporation said that all eight brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line, were almost 75% booked for 2025. 

We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including Royal Caribbean's new beverage policy, Trinidad and Tobago's state of emergency, and how to find the best Carnival cruise deals. 

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at our recent articles. 

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One angry parent expressed frustration over Carnival Cruise Line's prohibited items policy when a Christmas present was confiscated during their boarding process. 

The anonymous parent wrote to John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, explaining the port's security team took the special toy. They also expressed dissatisfaction with Carnival's policies as they believed the toy posed no threat. 

Cruises are one of the safest vacations you can take. However, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down onboard or ashore. 

An increase in deadly gang violence resulted in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago declaring a country-wide state of emergency on Monday. 

Tipping on a cruise ship is a controversial topic. Most mainstream cruise lines will automatically add a daily gratuity to your onboard account. However, you also have the option to prepay them. 

Carnival Cruise Line is not only one of the most popular cruise lines in the industry, but it’s also one of the most affordable. With plenty of complimentary dining options, exciting entertainment each evening, and onboard thrills for the whole family, the fun begins the moment you step onboard.

With Royal Caribbean's singular alcoholic drink package costing anywhere from $65 to $110 per day, some cruisers like to cheat the system to save money. However, the popular cruise line's new beverage policy aims to prevent guests from sharing drinks with passengers. 

However, sharing drinks with other passengers is against the Deluxe Beverage Package's rules. The same rules apply to free casino drinks, which were sometimes shared with non-gamblers.