Welcome to The Deck Briefing — your quick daily read for everyone who loves ships, sea days, and stories from the decks. Here’s what’s making waves on September 9, 2026.
Today’s cruise news roundup covers Serenade of the Seas returning to service after a cancelled sailing, restrictions on cruise ducks, Celebrity Cruises’ double-points promotion, Hero of the Seas’ float-out and Hurtigruten’s 2027 Norway offer.
Serenade of the Seas Resumes Alaska Sailings
Serenade of the Seas has resumed scheduled operations after a technical problem forced Royal Caribbean to cancel its previous Alaska cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog reports. The Radiance Class ship was scheduled to leave Vancouver, British Columbia, at 4 p.m. on September 6 for a seven-night, round-trip Alaska voyage.
The sailing is the ship’s first departure since maintenance work kept it in Vancouver the previous week. Royal Caribbean initially delayed the earlier cruise by two days and planned a shortened five-night itinerary, but cancelled it after repairs could not be completed in time for a safe departure.
The current itinerary includes Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, with a return to Vancouver scheduled for September 13. Serenade of the Seas is expected to continue Alaska sailings through September before repositioning to San Diego, California, in October.
Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com
Three Cruise Lines Restrict Cruise-Duck Hiding
Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Marella Cruises have introduced restrictions on hiding cruise ducks, Cruise Hive reports. None of the three lines lists ducks or duck toys among its official prohibited items, but each has asked guests to follow limits on where or whether they leave them.
Disney Cruise Line asks passengers not to hide rubber ducks or similar items in public areas or staterooms. Crew members may collect and discard ducks found around the ships, while guests can continue the activity through mailbox trades on stateroom doors, fish extenders or “pixie dust” gifting.
Royal Caribbean has designated Central Park on its Oasis- and Icon-class ships as a duck-free zone because of the area’s tens of thousands of real plants and trees. Marella Cruises’ notices on Marella Voyager and Marella Discovery ask guests not to leave or hide toys, novelty items or other personal objects around the ship or destinations, warning that crew members usually dispose of items they find.
Source: www.cruisehive.com
Celebrity Offers Double Captain’s Club Points
Celebrity Cruises is offering double Captain’s Club points on eligible new bookings made from September 8 through September 21, 2026, Royal Caribbean Blog reports. The offer applies to select sailings departing from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
A seven-night Veranda booking, for example, would earn 42 points instead of 21, while eligible suite bookings could earn more than 330 points on a weeklong voyage. Solo travelers will earn three times the standard points, and the promotion applies only to the first two eligible sailings departing within the promotional window.
The promotion cannot be added to existing bookings, and MoveUp bids, Transatlantic sailings and Transpacific sailings do not qualify. Promotional bonus points also cannot be transferred to Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society through the Points Choice program.
Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com
Hero of the Seas Floats Out in Finland
Hero of the Seas was floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on September 4, 2026, marking the first time water touched the completed hull, Cruise Hive reports. The fourth Icon-class ship has since moved to the outfitting pier, where construction will continue.
More than 90 million gallons of water filled the dry dock overnight for the milestone, which was attended by hundreds of construction workers. A ceremonial cannon firing marked the start of the float-out, and Meyer Turku and Royal Caribbean shared photos and video from the event.
Work ahead includes installing waterslides, decking, interior venues and artwork. The ship will later undergo sea trials covering navigation, steering, propulsion and emergency responses before delivery to Royal Caribbean.
Hero of the Seas is scheduled to enter service with a three-night inaugural sailing from Miami, Florida, on August 11, 2027, visiting Perfect Day CocoCay. It is then planned to operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Source: www.cruisehive.com
Hurtigruten Offers 15% Off 2027 Norway Fly Cruises
Hurtigruten is offering savings of at least 15% on select 2027 fly cruises in Norway, Cruise Industry News reports. The promotion covers selected Signature and Original Voyages booked between September 7 and November 9, 2026.
The offer applies to more than 200 departure dates and includes sailings across all seasons, from winter Northern Lights voyages to summer trips featuring the Midnight Sun. Flights can depart from London Gatwick, London Heathrow or Manchester Airport, and the package includes airport transfers and onboard Wi-Fi.
Signature Voyages include longer port stays, all-inclusive meals and unlimited selected drinks, while Original Voyages include full-board dining and visits to 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes. The offer is limited to fly cruises, can be combined with the Ambassador loyalty discount and selected third-party discounts, and is subject to availability.
Source: cruiseindustrynews.com
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