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. 

When most people think of cruises, they picture massive vessels sailing through the warm Caribbean. However, two lines are expanding their fleets to tap into the growing popularity of river cruises. 

River cruises are smaller ships that navigate iconic rivers like the Danube, Rhine, and Seine, offering guests a more immersive way to explore historic cities and villages.

For example, cruise ships can't dock in Paris. The closest they can get is Le Havre, a major port city in the Normandy region of France, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. 

Cruise lines will be charged more to dock in Alaska's capital city starting in 2026.

On May 19, 2025, the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved an increase in docking fees to align public port rates with those charged by privately operated docks throughout Southeast Alaska. Although they're virtually double, city officials claim cruise lines are still getting a good deal. 

Cruise ship drink packages are pricey add-ons that make your onboard experience feel more inclusive. However, the convenience comes at a cost. Sometimes, paying $80 per day for drinks isn't economical, especially if you're a light drinker or on a port-intensive cruise. 

Having been on over 30 cruises, I've learned savvy ways to keep my onboard spending to a minimum while still indulging in fun cocktails — vacation is no fun if you're constantly stressing about every dollar!

Here are five things I always do to save money on drinks while on a cruise. 

Would you live on a cruise ship?

Some may dream of setting sail on an endless vacation, while others can't fathom being stuck at sea for more than a week or two.

However, for Laura, a traveler in her mid-50s, the idea of living full-time on a cruise ship wasn’t just a fantasy — it became her reality in January 2025 after she left the "corporate grind" behind. 

Cruisers have a range of options to start their day, from the buffet to the main dining room and other grab-and-go options. However, one complimentary option that frequently gets overlooked is room service. 

Room service is one of my favorite ways to treat myself to a relaxing morning on any cruise vacation, whether leisurely sipping coffee on a sea day or avoiding the buffet on a busy port day. 

A cruise ship carrying over 3,000 passengers was turned away from a Caribbean port after a large number of gastrointestinal illnesses were reported onboard. 

Enchanted Princess wasn't able to call at Grand Turk on Thursday, May 23, after local authorities denied the ship entry due to public health concerns. 

Grand Turk was the last scheduled port of call on the 145,000-gross-ton ship's 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Enchanted Princess had already visited Princess Cays, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.