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. 

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.