Corporate & Deployment – The Deck Briefing

Cruise News Roundup: MSC Alaska Change and More

MSC Poesia will skip Endicott Arm on three Alaska sailings, while NCL readies Great Tides Waterpark for its September 4 opening.

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 3, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers MSC Poesia's removal of Endicott Arm scenic cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line's scheduled September 4 Great Tides Waterpark opening, a new accessibility program across Global Ports Holding terminals, SeaDream III's 2029 plans, and Seabourn Quest's 2029 world cruise.

MSC Poesia Drops Endicott Arm Scenic Cruising

MSC Poesia will skip its scheduled scenic cruising through Endicott Arm on the final three Alaska sailings of the 2026 season, Cruise Hive reports. MSC Cruises told booked guests that the change was due to “seasonal operational considerations.”

The affected departures leave Seattle on September 7, 14 and 21. On the September 14 sailing, the ship was scheduled to cruise Endicott Arm on September 18 before reaching Juneau, but it will now arrive in Juneau at 8 a.m. instead of 2 p.m.

The ship's 10 p.m. Juneau departure will remain unchanged, giving guests six additional hours in the port. Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Victoria, British Columbia, are also unchanged on the September 14 sailing.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

NCL Sets September 4 Opening for Great Tides

Norwegian Cruise Line has completed Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas, Cruise Hive reports. The nearly six-acre attraction is scheduled to open to cruise guests on September 4, when Norwegian Luna makes its visit.

The park includes 19 waterslides, the 170-foot Tidal Tower, an over-800-foot Wandering River, 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps, and the children-focused Splash Cay. It also offers lounge chairs, shade umbrellas, rentable private cabanas, a swim-up bar and three food trucks.

Entry requires a separately purchased day pass, with prices varying by sailing. Norwegian Getaway carried officials, guests, travel partners and media to a preview and ribbon-cutting event before the attraction's public opening.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

GPH Expands Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Global Ports Holding is introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program across its network of 35 cruise ports, Cruise Industry News reports. The symbol allows people with non-visible disabilities, chronic illnesses or other conditions to indicate that they may need extra time, understanding or support.

The program follows its introduction at Nassau Cruise Port last year, the first GPH port to adopt it. Teams across the network have received training to recognize the symbol and better assist guests with a range of non-visible conditions.

The Sunflower is recognized in more than 95 countries and is used across travel, tourism, transportation, retail and public-sector organizations. Global Ports Holding said the network-wide launch is intended to make its ports more welcoming and accessible.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

SeaDream Plans 2029 Newbuild SeaDream III

SeaDream Yacht Club has opened reservations for the July 10, 2029, maiden voyage of SeaDream III, The Maritime Executive reports. The ship will be the company's third and larger than its two existing vessels, which are each 4,333 gross tons and accommodate 112 passengers.

SeaDream III is planned at 16,500 gross tons, with space for 230 passengers and a crew of approximately 200. The 151-meter ship is in the engineering phase and is slated to be built by China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding with European engineering and technical suppliers.

Its inaugural deployment is scheduled to begin in Hong Kong and continue through Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, India, Arabia, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The ship is then expected to cross the Atlantic to Canada, the United States and the Caribbean before beginning SeaDream's first world cruise on January 5, 2031, a 180-day voyage scheduled to end in London.

Design plans call for expansive upper decks, a pool deck, indoor and outdoor dining, three watersports marinas, and expanded spa, fitness and wellness facilities. The ship will have 20 staterooms without balconies, while SeaDream says its design will retain an intimate yachting style and personalized service.

Source: maritime-executive.com

Seabourn Quest Opens 2029 World Cruise Bookings

Seabourn has opened bookings for Seabourn Quest's 138-day 2029 World Cruise, Cruise Industry News reports. The “Iconic Islands & Remote Horizons” voyage is scheduled to sail from Miami to Lisbon from January 7 through May 26, 2029.

The itinerary includes 58 destinations in 31 countries and territories across the Americas, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa and Europe. It features 20 extended stays, including overnight calls in Lima, Easter Island, Bora Bora, Bali, Singapore, Sydney, Zanzibar and Cape Town.

Optional Seabourn Journeys will offer visits to destinations including the Galápagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Uluru, the Taj Mahal, African safari locations and Easter Island. Guests booking the full cruise receive benefits including shipboard credit, round-trip Business Class air, a pre-cruise Miami hotel night and a two-day Bali journey; a 10 percent early-booking discount applies through September 17, 2026.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

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Cruise News Roundup: Carnival Breeze Damage and More

Carnival Breeze leaves Cozumel after scraping a pier, Terra Nova Expeditions secures a replacement Antarctic vessel, and Disney Wish plans a 2027 Prince Edward Island call.

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 1, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Carnival Breeze's pier contact in Cozumel, Terra Nova Expeditions' vessel change for upcoming Antarctic seasons, and Disney Wish's 2027 call at Prince Edward Island.

Carnival Breeze Scrapes Pier in Cozumel

Carnival Breeze scraped the corner of a pier while docking in Cozumel on the morning of August 31, Cruise Hive reports. Photos and video posted online show paint scraped from the ship's starboard hull above the waterline, while no injuries have been reported.

The 3,690-guest ship was docking at an adjacent berth to Carnival Jubilee, and the two vessels did not make contact. The cause of the pier contact has not been confirmed, and Carnival Cruise Line had not responded to Cruise Hive by publication.

Carnival Breeze arrived at about 9 a.m. and was scheduled to remain in Cozumel until 5 p.m. AIS tracking showed the ship departed on schedule and continued its five-night Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, which began August 29.

The itinerary called for a September 1 visit to Progreso from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by another sea day and a return to Texas on September 3. No pier damage has been reported or confirmed, and it is not known whether the incident will affect other Cozumel schedules.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Terra Nova Secures Vessel for Antarctic Seasons

Terra Nova Expeditions will use Terra Nova Adventurer for its 2026/27 and 2027/28 Antarctic seasons, according to Seatrade Cruise News. The vessel will replace the chartered St Helena, which cannot safely and promptly reposition from the Arabian Gulf for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The company said the repositioning issue is related to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Terra Nova Expeditions spent several months arranging an alternative vessel before finalizing the agreement for Terra Nova Adventurer.

The ship was formerly known as Expedition and G Expedition. The agreement covers the company's next three Antarctic seasons and allows its planned expedition program to proceed.

Source: www.seatrade-cruise.com

Disney Wish Sets 2027 Prince Edward Island Call

Disney Wish will make its first call at Port Charlottetown on October 27, 2027, when Disney Cruise Line returns to Prince Edward Island, Cruise Industry News reports. The visit will come nearly 10 years after Disney Magic called at Charlottetown on October 25, 2017.

The seven-night round trip will depart New York City on October 24 and return on October 31, calling at Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax. Disney said the sailing will be the Wish's only seven-night Canadian itinerary from New York.

The voyage will also be the first time a Wish-class ship sails from New York City and the longest round-trip itinerary during Disney Wish's limited fall 2027 New York season. Port Charlottetown, the Province of Prince Edward Island and tourism partners are also using the late-October call to support visitation beyond the traditional peak season.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Cruise News Roundup: Carnival System Outage, Itinerary Changes, Alaska Plans and More

Carnival prepares for another reservations-system outage, updates 11 itineraries and rescues a mariner at sea. Holland America and Oceania also announce major deployment and fleet news.

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 August 28, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Carnival Cruise Line's planned reservations-system outage, itinerary changes across four ships, a Carnival Conquest rescue at sea, Holland America Line's 2028 Alaska deployment and Oceania Sonata's float-out.

Carnival Plans 18-Hour Reservations Outage

Carnival Cruise Line plans to take its reservations system offline for maintenance from 6 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, August 29, until a targeted completion time of noon on Sunday, August 30, Cruise Hive reports. During the planned 18-hour window, guests and travel advisors will be unable to make bookings, submit payments or manage existing reservations.

The outage will also affect Carnival's online check-in, Fun Shops, payment tools and other guest-facing services. The cruise line's Contact Center will not be able to process bookings or payments while the reservations system is unavailable, although parts of the website, including deck plans and frequently asked questions, will remain accessible.

Cruise Hive notes that this is Carnival's third planned reservations-system outage in 2026, following maintenance periods in May and on August 16. Previous downtime has extended beyond the expected end time, including a December 2024 outage that involved failed logins, missing personal information and frozen pages; during a May 2026 maintenance period, Cruise Hive reported glitches that seemed to create erroneous low fares, and those fares were later canceled.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Carnival Revises 11 Sailings Across Four Ships

Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests about relatively minor itinerary changes affecting 11 sailings on Carnival Spirit, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Legend and Carnival Elation, Cruise Hive reports. The revised departures range from November 2026 through April 2028 and involve port swaps or changes to port-call days and times.

Carnival Spirit's six-night sailing departing Mobile on November 8, 2026, will visit RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, instead of Princess Cays. The stop remains scheduled for November 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the sailing's planned Celebration Key visit remains unchanged. Carnival Legend's December 13, 2026, six-night departure from Tampa and Carnival Elation's April 15, 2028, five-night sailing from Jacksonville will instead swap the days for their Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay calls.

Eight Carnival Conquest cruises departing Miami are also being adjusted: November 16, 2026; January 25, February 15 and April 12, 2027; and February 7, March 27, April 3 and April 17, 2028. Most changes alter the day and timing of the RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay visit; the March 27, 2028, four-night Bahamas sailing will reverse the order of its port calls and move that stop to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the original 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Carnival says shore excursions will be adjusted automatically when necessary. Excursions tied to the canceled Princess Cays call on Carnival Spirit will be canceled and refunded to the original form of payment, while the notices do not provide a reason for the broader schedule changes.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Carnival Conquest Rescues Mariner Bound for Grenada

Carnival Conquest rescued the sole occupant of a disabled sailboat on August 26 after receiving a distress relay from rescue authorities, Cruise Hive reports. The ship diverted during a sea day while sailing toward Grenada, brought the mariner aboard and continued toward St. George's as scheduled.

Passengers said the captain used the public-address system to keep them informed during the search-and-rescue response. Video shared from the encounter showed the small sailboat moving heavily in the water as Carnival Conquest approached, with its sails stowed.

Carnival Cruise Line said the rescued individual remained in the care of the ship's team as Carnival Conquest proceeded to Grenada. The 2,980-guest ship reached the port on Thursday, August 27, without a reported delay to the itinerary.

The ship departed Miami on August 21 for a 14-day sailing that includes St. Thomas, St. Croix, Dominica, Antigua and other ports before its scheduled return to Florida on September 4. The voyage is one of Carnival's invitation-only SEA, or Sailings Exclusively for Adults, cruises for eligible guests ages 21 and up.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Holland America Adds Nootka Sound to 2028 Alaska Plans

Holland America Line will include scenic cruising through Nootka Sound on select itineraries during its 2028 Alaska season, Seatrade Cruise News reports. The deployment also includes the Alaska debut of Oosterdam after its Holland America Evolution dry-dock work.

Six ships are scheduled to participate: Oosterdam, Noordam, Eurodam, Koningsdam, Westerdam and Zaandam. Voyages will run from seven to 18 days, with departures roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver, between Vancouver and Whittier, and on a new San Diego-to-Vancouver sailing.

The season includes an 11-day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers voyage. Holland America Line said the program combines familiar Alaska highlights with less-traveled waterways and new onboard experiences.

Source: www.seatrade-cruise.com

Oceania Sonata Floats Out Ahead of 2027 Debut

Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises marked the float-out of Oceania Sonata at the Marghera shipyard in Italy, The Maritime Executive reports. The ship was moved from the assembly dry dock to a fitting-out berth, where work on the interior spaces will continue ahead of its scheduled 2027 entry into service.

Oceania Sonata is the first ship in Oceania's new Sonata Class. At 86,000 gross tons, it will be about 30 percent larger than the 68,000-gross-ton Allura and Vista class, while passenger capacity will rise 15 percent, from 1,200 to 1,390, through the addition of 90 staterooms.

One-third of the accommodations will be suites, including four Owner's Suites and two new suite categories. The ship will also have 13 dining venues, with Oceania describing the class as focused on more space, upgraded accommodations and enhanced culinary experiences.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has expanded the Sonata order to five ships. Oceania Arietta is beginning construction for delivery in 2029, while three additional sister ships are scheduled for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037.

The float-out coincided with Oceania Regatta's final cruise for the line on August 27 in Istanbul. Regatta is beginning a two-year charter with Australia's My Cruises for 365-day world cruises, while Oceania Sirena is slated for delivery to new owners in spring 2028 and Oceania Nautica is planned to become Oceania Aurelia after a 2027 reworking that will reduce its cabins from 340 to 238 and create 179 suites.

Source: maritime-executive.com

Cruise News Roundup: Disney Wish New York Sailings, Margaritaville Texas Launch and More

Disney Wish will offer a 2027 New York season, while Margaritaville at Sea prepares to launch weekly Galveston cruises. Carnival, Oceania and Tianjin Oriental also announced updates.

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 August 26, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Disney Wish's 2027 New York deployment, Margaritaville at Sea's planned Galveston service, a Carnival Paradise itinerary change, Regatta's departure from Oceania Cruises and new cruises to nowhere from Tianjin.

Disney Wish Adds New York Sailings for 2027

Disney Wish will sail from New York City for seven departures between September 29 and October 31, 2027, Cruise Hive reports. The 4,000-guest ship will offer cruises of four to seven nights, with itineraries visiting Bermuda, Canada and New England.

The opening voyage is a four-night cruise to King’s Wharf in Bermuda. Other sailings include a Canada and New England itinerary with calls at Saint John and Boston, a six-night Bermuda-and-Canada cruise visiting Halifax, and a seven-night Canada voyage stopping at Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.

Disney Wish will leave New York on October 31 for a five-night, one-way sailing to San Juan that includes Bermuda. Two Puerto Rico departures follow: a seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise calling at Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica and St. Maarten, followed by a four-night Bahamas sailing to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay before returning to Port Canaveral. The reservations were listed as “Coming Soon” on Disney Cruise Line’s website on August 25, and bookings are not yet open.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Margaritaville at Sea Plans Weekly Galveston Cruises

Margaritaville at Sea will begin weekly Friday departures from Galveston, Texas, in October 2027, according to Cruise Hive. The service will operate from Cruise Terminal 28 and visit destinations in the Caribbean and Central America, making the cruise line Galveston’s seventh cruise operator.

The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees unanimously approved the agreement on August 25, 2026. The initial term is one year, with options to renew for two additional five-year terms, while the specific ports and itineraries have not yet been announced.

Margaritaville at Sea also has not identified the ship that will be based in Texas. The line currently operates Paradise and Islander, and Beachcomber is scheduled to debut from PortMiami in January 2027 after a transformation of the former Costa Fortuna. Ship and itinerary details are expected at a Port of Galveston event in September.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Carnival Paradise Replaces Princess Cays Call

Carnival Paradise will visit RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay instead of Princess Cays on its November 9, 2026 sailing from Tampa, Cruise Hive says. The six-night cruise will still call at Celebration Key and Nassau, with no other itinerary changes reported.

The replacement visit is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the same day and time originally assigned to Princess Cays. The two private destinations are about 15 miles apart, and Carnival Paradise will retain the same planned time in port.

Prepaid Princess Cays shore excursions will be canceled and refunded to the original form of payment. Guests can arrange excursions for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay before sailing or onboard through the Carnival Adventures desk. Carnival has not given a reason for the change, and there is no indication that technical problems with the ship prompted it.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Regatta Completes Final Oceania Cruise

Regatta is completing its final cruise for Oceania Cruises before moving to Explorations by Norwegian, Cruise Industry News reports. The 684-passenger ship left Dubrovnik on August 17, 2026, and is scheduled to finish the ten-night voyage in Istanbul on August 27 after visiting ports in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Turkey.

The farewell itinerary includes Kotor, Igoumenitsa, Katakolon, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Kusadasi and Bozcaada. Regatta, which was built in 1998 and was among the first ships to sail for Oceania, is completing a 23-year career with the brand.

Under a charter deal with My Cruises, Regatta is scheduled to begin a 368-night world cruise from Civitavecchia, Italy, on September 1. The voyage is planned to visit 220 ports across seven continents, including destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, Alaska, the West Coast, Central America, the Caribbean, the Amazon, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles and Ireland. A second year-long world cruise is scheduled to begin in late 2027 after the charter contract was renewed for another 365 days.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Tianjin Oriental Adds Three-Day Cruises to Nowhere

Tianjin Oriental Cruises’ Visio will operate two three-day round-trip cruises without port calls from Tianjin on August 29 and August 31, Cruise Industry News reports. Both sailings will depart Tianjin International Cruise Homeport at 3 p.m., with pre-sale fares ranging from RMB 500 to RMB 1,200 per person depending on the stateroom category.

The cruises follow China’s pilot launch of the “nowhere cruise” model. The Ministry of Transport classifies the route as a special international voyage, allowing exit-entry procedures for staff and crew to follow international-sailing rules and permitting travelers to board with either a passport or an entry-exit permit based on a resident identity card.

The two sailings have been added to Visio’s regular schedule of six-day round trips to Busan, Jeju and Incheon. The Tianjin pilot is the first commercial deployment of the model in northern China, while the port said the weekend cruises would be benchmarked against international standards.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Cruise News Roundup: Astoria Grande Homeport Change, MSC Arrest and Disney Attraction Closure

Astoria Grande is moving its homeport to Antalya, while an MSC World America crew member faces an arrest involving a teenage passenger. Disney has also temporarily closed Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay.

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 August 25, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Astoria Grande's homeport change to Turkey, an arrest involving an MSC World America lifeguard, the temporary closure of Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay, Hurtigruten's new Arctic voyage and Holland America Line's planned poolside bandstands.

Astoria Grande Moves Homeport to Antalya

Astoria Grande will move its homeport from Russia to Turkey, with future cruises departing from Antalya, Cruise Industry News reports. The shipowner said the change was made in the interests of passenger and crew safety.

Charter flights from Russian airports and land transfers will be arranged in advance. Passengers who keep their bookings for the new departures will receive cabin upgrades, airport and port assistance in Antalya, and support for documented expenses linked to the change in departure and arrival ports.

The revised itineraries will add destinations in Greece, Italy and Egypt, including Piraeus, Heraklion, Corfu, Thessaloniki and Port Said. The ship will also continue visiting regional ports such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Kusadasi, Izmir, Çeşme, Bozcaada Island and Alexandria.

Russian passengers will receive Schengen visas at no charge, with Astoria Grande handling the process. Passengers who do not want to continue with their reservations can request a full refund or receive a future cruise credit worth 120 percent of the original fare for use in 2026 or 2027.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

MSC World America Lifeguard Arrested in Miami

A lifeguard from MSC World America was arrested in Miami after allegations involving a 17-year-old passenger, Cruise Hive reports. Rafael Cayetano Blanco, 38, faces a charge of unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor, and his bond was set at $7,500.

Investigators allege that Blanco exchanged numbers with the passenger on August 16 and later met her in his cabin, where the alleged sexual activity occurred twice. He was detained when the ship returned to PortMiami on August 22, then booked into Miami's Metro West Detention Center; he remains in custody on an immigration hold.

MSC Cruises said it contacted law enforcement after discovering the alleged conduct, assisted the passenger and dismissed Blanco from his position. The case remains pending, no court date had been publicly released, and no attorney was listed in the booking records.

MSC World America had departed PortMiami on August 15 for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise calling at Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Ocean Cay. The ship departed again on August 22 for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas sailing scheduled to visit Puerto Plata, San Juan and Ocean Cay before returning August 29.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Disney Closes Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay

Pelican Plunge at Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay is temporarily closed for refurbishment, Cruise Hive reports. Disney has not announced when the floating platform and its two waterslides will reopen.

The platform's attractions include one open and one enclosed slide, a water dump bucket and water guns. Guests must be at least 38 inches tall to use the slides and must swim to the platform, which is located off the island's northern family beach.

Disney has told guests that the water-play structure in the swimming lagoon and Spring-A-Leak remain open. Visitors can also use the island's swimming areas and book activities including snorkeling, banana boat rides and other water sports.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Hurtigruten Adds Six-Day Arctic Voyage

Hurtigruten has introduced a six-day offering called “Northern Delights: Svalbard and Arctic Norway,” Cruise Industry News reports. The itinerary is available to book for the 2026-27 season and starts in Longyearbyen.

The land program includes a wilderness evening at Camp Barentz with reindeer stew and a husky safari. Travelers then fly from Spitsbergen to Tromso, with time for independent exploration before boarding in the evening of the fourth day.

The sea portion visits Skjervoy and Hammerfest before continuing to Honningsvag and the North Cape. The route also passes Finnkirka and the northernmost mainland lighthouse before ending in Kirkenes on day six, where guests can extend their stay at the Kirkenes Snowhotel.

Prices start at £1,655 per person and include the flight from Longyearbyen to Tromsø, transfers, hotel accommodation, ship passage and selected activities.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Oosterdam and Zuiderdam to Get Poolside Bandstands

Holland America Line will add permanent bandstands beside the Lido Pools aboard Oosterdam and Zuiderdam, Cruise Hive reports. The venues will host solo performers and full bands, as well as sailaway parties, special events and the cruise line's Orange Party.

The Lido Pools have retractable glass roofs, allowing the performance spaces to be used in poor weather. Oosterdam is scheduled to debut its bandstand in fall 2027 after its Evolution transformation, while Zuiderdam's updated sailings begin on April 2, 2028.

The bandstands are part of Holland America's Evolution program, a fleet update costing more than $500 million and covering six ships: Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam, Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam. The project will also add staterooms, expand dining options and introduce some experiences from the Pinnacle-class ships.

Both Oosterdam and Zuiderdam will receive a Grand Dutch Café. Zuiderdam is also set to gain one reimagined Pinnacle Suite, two Bridgeview Suites, 14 enhanced Vista Suites and 32 Solo Verandah rooms, while other existing spaces will be refreshed.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Cruise News Roundup: Mexico Passenger Fees, Asia-Pacific Deployments, Alaska 2028 and More

Mexico has doubled its cruise passenger fee, while Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises outline major future deployments. The roundup also covers eclipse cruises and Seabourn’s 2028-29 Caribbean season.

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 August 13, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Mexico's higher passenger fee, Royal Caribbean's 2027-28 Asia-Pacific reshuffle, Princess Cruises' 2028 Alaska season, eclipse-positioned ships in Iceland and Greenland, and Seabourn's 2028-29 Caribbean voyages.

Mexico Doubles Cruise Passenger Fee

Mexico's cruise passenger fee doubled to $10 per person on Aug. 1, 2026, and Cruise Hive reports that it is scheduled to rise again. The charge applies at cruise ports throughout the country, including Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta and Costa Maya.

The fee is collected once per itinerary, even when a sailing calls at several Mexican ports. It will increase to $15 per guest on July 1, 2027, before reaching $21 on Aug. 1, 2028; that rate is scheduled to remain in place through at least Sept. 30, 2030.

Mexico recorded 4.8 million cruise visitors from January through April 2026, a 14.8% year-over-year increase, according to Cruise Hive. Cruise lines are adding the charge to the cruise fare rather than moving away from Mexican ports, the report says.

Mexico initially proposed a $42 passenger tax before reducing it after pushback from the cruise industry. Other destinations cited in the report with cruise-related tourism charges include Greece, where seasonal fees apply at Santorini, Mykonos and other ports, and Amsterdam, where the 2026 charge is €15 per person per day.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Royal Caribbean Expands Asia-Pacific Deployment

Royal Caribbean is reshuffling ships for its 2027-28 season, with three vessels scheduled to sail from Australia and expanded operations planned for Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, according to Royal Caribbean Blog. Ovation of the Seas will be based in Brisbane, while Anthem of the Seas will sail from Sydney.

Ovation will offer three- to eight-night cruises beginning in Brisbane in November 2027, including two four-night voyages to Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays. The ship's recently added features include a revamped pool deck, Splashaway Bay, private casitas and restaurants such as Izumi Teppanyaki and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen.

Voyager of the Seas will move through five homeports during the deployment: Brisbane, Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. It is scheduled to offer seven Brisbane sailings from October through December 2027, followed by five cruises from Sydney and later voyages timed around Chinese New Year and Japan's cherry blossom season.

Voyager's Asia-Pacific program includes Hong Kong round trips, calls at Ishigaki and Okinawa, and itineraries visiting Taipei and Hue/Danang. In February 2028, four 10- to 12-night cruises from Tokyo will visit destinations around Japan.

Navigator of the Seas will also remain in Singapore longer than previously planned. After debuting in Asia in October 2026, it is now scheduled to stay through October 2027, offering mainly two- to five-night cruises to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, along with a 12-night sailing from Tokyo to Singapore.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

Princess Opens 2028 Alaska Season

Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, with eight ships offering 185 departures from late April through late September, Cruise Hive reports. The program includes 14 itineraries ranging from four to 16 days, with departures from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The fleet will include Star Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Royal Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Island Princess and Ruby Princess. The ships will visit 16 destinations, including Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, along with the Canadian ports of Prince Rupert and Victoria on selected sailings.

Itineraries include round-trip and one-way cruises, as well as options to combine voyages into 14-day trips. Emerald Princess is scheduled to offer a 16-day Inside Passage round trip from Los Angeles, while Ruby Princess will operate 10-day round trips from San Francisco.

Planned scenic cruising includes Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and Endicott Arm, although itineraries may change because of weather and safety conditions. Princess will also offer land-based cruisetour extensions featuring places such as Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, with stays at Princess-owned wilderness lodges.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Cruise Ships Line Up for Iceland-Greenland Eclipse

Multiple cruise ships have positioned across Icelandic and Greenlandic waters for the total solar eclipse on Aug. 13, Seatrade Cruise News reports. The eclipse is scheduled to begin in Reykjavik at 4:47 p.m. local time, with totality at 5:48 p.m. lasting just over one minute.

In Iceland's Westfjords near Isafjörður, totality is expected at 5:44 p.m. and will last one minute and 31 seconds. Some locations in Greenland will reach totality earlier, around 5:18 p.m.

Virgin Voyages has positioned Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady for eclipse viewing. Valiant Lady is on a 15-night round trip from Portsmouth, while Scarlet Lady is sailing from Barcelona to Rome; the ships are offering approximately two minutes of totality from open ocean, along with programming involving astronauts, astrophysicists and scientists.

Ponant has positioned Le Lyrial near Isafjörður and Le Lapérouse west of Heimaey Island, while Queen Mary 2 is positioned in Reykjavik during a Southampton-to-New York crossing. Expedition operators including HX Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions have also placed ships along the viewing path, with Scoresby Sund in Greenland hosting the largest concentration cited in the report.

Prices vary across the eclipse cruise market. Virgin Voyages' voyages start at £2,016 per person, while expedition sailings cited by Seatrade Cruise News range from $8,550 to more than $28,000 per passenger.

Source: www.seatrade-cruise.com

Seabourn Opens 2028-29 Caribbean Voyages

Seabourn has opened bookings for its winter 2028-29 Caribbean season aboard Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Quest, Cruise Industry News reports. The voyages run from Dec. 28, 2028, through March 29, 2029, with 10 itineraries lasting seven to 12 days.

The ships will visit 21 ports across 20 countries and island territories, including St. Barts, Bequia and Little Bay in Montserrat. The schedule includes late departures in St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, Aruba and Curaçao, while Ovation will sail between Bridgetown and Philipsburg and Quest will offer round trips from Miami.

Selected holiday voyages include New Year's Day celebrations at Carambola Beach, along with Christmas Eve at Carambola Beach and Christmas Day in Jost Van Dyke on certain 10-day sailings. Seabourn also plans its Caviar in the Surf experience at Carambola Beach in St. Kitts, and guests aboard Quest will see what the company describes as one of its most extensive interior updates.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Cruise News Roundup: European River Drought, Labadee Closure and 2028-29 Deployments

Severe drought is disrupting European river cruises, while Royal Caribbean extends its Labadee suspension and reports a second missed Naples call. Viking and Celebrity also open details of their 2028-29 programs.

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 August 11, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers drought-related changes on Europe's rivers, Royal Caribbean's extended Labadee closure, repeated Naples omissions for Legend of the Seas, Viking's 2028-29 ocean program and Celebrity Cruises' 2028-29 deployment.

Drought Disrupts European River Cruises

Severely low water levels on the Danube and Rhine are forcing river cruise lines to consider itinerary changes, ship swaps and cancellations, Cruise Hive reports. Heat waves and a drought that began early in the summer have contributed to historically low levels on major European rivers, making some routes difficult for ships to navigate safely.

Viking is monitoring conditions and says its use of identical sister ships on the same itinerary can allow guests and luggage to move around an affected section of river while keeping the same stateroom assignment. Saga Cruises is also reviewing conditions and plans to contact affected guests in departure-date order.

Uniworld has changed the first four days of its August 9, 2026, itinerary and plans to transfer guests from SS Elisabeth to SS Antoinette on August 13. The ship swap will not affect onboard programming and activities, while Uniworld says its team will handle the transfer and luggage.

Avalon Waterways has cancelled selected Danube Dreams cruises because of low water levels and is contacting affected guests individually. The cruise lines are warning that changes may occur close to departure because river conditions can shift if sufficient rainfall arrives.

Low water can prevent ships from completing planned routes and may create risks including running aground, which could result in damage or injuries. Cruise lines are continuing to monitor the Danube and Rhine and will update guests if their sailings are affected.

Source: www.cruisehive.com

Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Closure Through June 2027

Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of ship calls at Labadee, Haiti, through June 2027, Royal Caribbean Blog reports. Ships with scheduled Haitian calls have been rerouted to ports including Costa Maya in Mexico and Nassau in the Bahamas, or have received an additional sea day.

The destination is not completely inactive. Royal Caribbean continues to send ships on brief supply visits and maintains a small staff at the private resort, while the company says it remains committed to its operations and community support in the area.

Adventure of the Seas made a short stop at Labadee on August 9 during a nine-night cruise from Port Canaveral to CocoCay and the Southern Caribbean. Photos shared from the visit showed an otherwise nearly empty resort, with only a few staff members present.

Royal Caribbean began leasing the northern coastal property from the Haitian government in 1986, later developing attractions including the Dragon's Breath Flight Line, Arawak Aqua Park and Dragon's Tail Coaster. The company has suspended calls since April 2025 amid security concerns in Haiti, while continuing initiatives that include a school, community infrastructure projects and a soccer field partnership.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

Legend of the Seas Skips Naples Again

Legend of the Seas has missed its scheduled Naples call on two consecutive cruises, according to guest reports cited by Cruise Industry News. The second cancellation involved the August 7, 2026, sailing, with Marseille substituted on the same day.

The first reported omission was on the ship's July 25 cruise between Civitavecchia and Barcelona. Naples was removed the night before the planned visit, and Marseille was added instead.

Royal Caribbean reportedly attributed the changes to port restrictions following a dock assessment by the Italian Port Authority, saying conditions at a Naples pier currently prevent the ship from calling as scheduled. The 5,610-passenger ship is listed for weekly Naples visits through October before repositioning to Florida in early November for winter cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Viking Opens 2028-29 Ocean Program

Viking has opened bookings for its 2028-29 ocean program, with more than 700 departures across 80 itineraries, Seatrade Cruise News reports. The deployment covers 301 ports in 84 countries on six continents.

Two new ships are scheduled to join the fleet: Viking Vega in 2028 and Viking Leda in 2029. Each vessel will measure 54,300 gross tons and have 499 staterooms for 998 passengers.

The program adds departures of the Japan Discovery itinerary and introduces Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage and Mediterranean, Malta & North Africa. Itineraries range from eight-day cruises to extended world voyages across regions including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America and the Panama Canal.

Source: www.seatrade-cruise.com

Celebrity Details Expanded 2028-29 Deployment

Celebrity Cruises has announced a 2028-29 program featuring an expanded Europe season and itineraries across all seven continents. Celebrity said four Edge Series ships will sail in Europe for the first time, with additional programs planned for Alaska, Asia, Australia, New England and South America; the announcement was also reported by Cruise Hive.

Celebrity Beyond will return to Europe for the first time since 2023 with seven- to 14-night cruises from Southampton to Norway, Iceland and Scandinavia. Celebrity Summit will offer roundtrip Iceland sailings from Reykjavik, while Celebrity Apex will operate 12-night Scandinavia cruises and new 12-night British Isles itineraries that include the line's first visit to Galway, Ireland.

Other European plans include seven- to 11-night cruises to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Greece and Turkey, plus 10- and 11-night Celebrity Constellation sailings focused on Italy and Croatia. Celebrity Infinity will again operate year-round in Europe, including the company's first Egypt sailings since 2023 and overnight calls in Alexandria.

Three Celebrity ships are scheduled to sail in Alaska in 2028. Celebrity Edge will return for a fifth season, Celebrity Equinox will make its first Alaska season with seven-night open-jaw cruises between Vancouver and Seward, and Celebrity Millennium will offer roundtrip sailings from Vancouver; Equinox will also operate new roundtrip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles.

The deployment includes Australia and New Zealand sailings on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice, with 23 departures from Sydney and Auckland ranging from four to 14 nights. Further plans cover South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Japan and South America, including Antarctica itineraries and a 16-night holiday sailing timed for New Year's in the region.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com (also reported by www.cruisehive.com)

Cruise News Roundup: Grandeur Itinerary Change, Celebrity Gratuity Increase, Explora III and More

Royal Caribbean has replaced a port on a 2027 Grandeur of the Seas sailing, while Celebrity raises gratuities and Explora III begins its inaugural season. The roundup also covers Greek cruise taxes and a new Port Tampa Bay terminal.

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 August 4, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers a Royal Caribbean itinerary change for the Grandeur of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises' new gratuity rates, Explora III's maiden voyage, AIDA Cruises' Greek tourist tax policy and early work on Port Tampa Bay's next cruise terminal.

Grandeur of the Seas Replaces Bonaire With Santa Marta

Royal Caribbean is changing the itinerary for the Grandeur of the Seas sailing scheduled to depart on January 23, 2027, Cruise Industry News reports. The ship will no longer call at Kralendijk, Bonaire, and is instead scheduled for a seven-hour visit to Santa Marta, Colombia.

The sailing is part of the ship's 2026-27 Southern Caribbean season and is planned as a seven-night cruise from Colombia and Panama. Its other listed ports are Cartagena de Indias, Colón, Willemstad in Curaçao and Oranjestad in Aruba.

Royal Caribbean said shore excursions purchased through the company for Bonaire will be canceled automatically and refunded to the original forms of payment. Excursions for the replacement destinations are available through the company's booking channels.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Celebrity Raises Daily Gratuities

Celebrity Cruises has increased its discretionary onboard gratuities, with the new rates taking effect July 29, 2026, according to Cruise Industry News. Guests in inside, oceanview and balcony cabins now pay $19.50 per person per day, while Concierge Class and AquaClass rates are $20.50.

The daily charge for guests in The Retreat suites is now $24.50 per person. The increase is $1.50 per guest per day across all stateroom categories.

Passengers can prepay the gratuities at the former rates before sailing, Celebrity said. Otherwise, the new amount will be added daily to onboard accounts beginning July 29.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Explora III Begins Maiden Voyage

Explora III has departed Barcelona on its maiden voyage, beginning Explora Journeys' inaugural season on August 3, 2026, in a report from Cruise Industry News. Delivered by Fincantieri in late July, the 922-passenger ship is operating a seven-night itinerary through Portugal, Morocco and Spain.

The voyage includes calls at Portimão, Puerto Banús, Palma de Mallorca, Cádiz and Tangier, along with a full day at sea in the Western Mediterranean. It is scheduled to end in Lisbon.

A second seven-night cruise will take the ship to Southampton, with visits to Porto, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and St. Jean de Luz. The two voyages can also be combined into a 14-night sailing from Barcelona to Southampton.

Explora III's inaugural season will also include Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America. Caribbean cruises from San Juan and Miami are scheduled to begin in December 2026.

The ship was christened at Barcelona on August 1, with marine educator and National Geographic Educator Cristina Ozores serving as godmother. The ceremony marked the debut of Explora Journeys' first LNG-powered vessel; a five-night pre-inaugural cruise had departed Genoa on July 24 and visited Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Livorno and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

AIDA to Add Greek Tourist Taxes to 2027 Cruises

AIDA Cruises will collect Greece's tourist tax directly from passengers on eligible 2027 cruises, Cruise Industry News reports. The mandatory charge will be added automatically to onboard accounts, with the amount determined by the port and travel period.

The fees apply to adults and children, although passengers who remain onboard during a Greek port visit will be exempt. Reservations made from August 1, 2026, are subject to the policy, while bookings made before that date remain exempt under AIDA's booking terms.

For Mykonos and Santorini, the charge is €4 per person per port from November 1 through March 31, €12 from April 1 through May 31 and in October, and up to €20 from June 1 through September 30. Other Greek ports carry charges of €1 in the winter period, €3 during the shoulder seasons and €5 during the summer months.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Port Tampa Bay Begins Work on New Cruise Terminal Site

Port Tampa Bay has begun restoring more than five acres of land for a new cruise terminal, Cruise Industry News says. The work is the first visible stage of the port's first new cruise terminal in more than 25 years, with completion planned for 2029.

Kimmins Contracting Corporation is leading the site preparation, including filling the former Metroport area and moving stormwater infrastructure. This phase is expected to continue through late 2026, followed by a settlement period before terminal construction proceeds.

The facility is expected to become Port Tampa Bay's fourth cruise terminal and handle more than 200 additional ship calls each year. The port projects that its cruise operations could reach more than 2 million passengers annually and produce an estimated $100 million in additional yearly economic impact; HDR and BEA Architects are designing the terminal and parking garage.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Cruise News Roundup: Ponant’s Antarctic Expansion, Greenland Voyages, Royal Caribbean’s Europe Plans and More

Ponant is adding more than 30 Antarctic departures for 2028-29, while AIDAluna begins a 21-night Greenland voyage. Royal Caribbean also details its 2027 European deployment and more.

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 August 1, 2026.

Today's cruise news roundup covers Ponant's expanded Antarctic programme, AIDAluna's 21-night Iceland and Greenland sailing, Royal Caribbean's 2027 European deployment, the work behind AquaTheater shows, advice on choosing an inside cabin, and Carnival Vista's 10-year milestone.

Ponant Plans More Than 30 Antarctic Departures

Ponant will operate more than 30 Antarctic departures during the 2028-2029 season, including its first full circumnavigation of Antarctica, Seatrade Cruise News reports. The programme will use four ships: Le Boréal, Le Lyrial, Le Soléal and Le Commandant Charcot.

The operator's signature 10-night exploration voyages are scheduled from November 2028 through February 2029. The package includes a pre-cruise night in Buenos Aires, flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, transfers, Drake Passage crossings and exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula with Zodiac landings guided by naturalist teams.

Wildlife on the programme may include humpback whales, several penguin species, seals and seabirds. Two departures are planned around Christmas and New Year in Antarctica, while other voyages will combine the Antarctic Peninsula with the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Valdés Peninsula.

Three departures will leave from Timaru for New Zealand's Subantarctic islands and the Ross Sea.

Source: www.seatrade-cruise.com

AIDAluna Begins 21-Night Iceland and Greenland Cruise

AIDAluna has departed Hamburg on a 21-night cruise to Iceland and Greenland, Cruise Industry News reports. The itinerary includes eight destinations in the region and an overnight call in Ilulissat.

After leaving Germany on July 26, the 2009-built ship spent two days at sea before visiting Seydisfjordur and Akureyri in Iceland. Following three more sea days, the vessel is scheduled to reach Greenland in early August, with calls planned at Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut and Nanortalik.

The voyage also includes Isafjord and Reykjavik before AIDAluna returns to Hamburg. The ship is scheduled to operate another Iceland and Greenland cruise in late August, followed by a 43-night Caribbean and Bermuda voyage later in the year.

AIDAluna carries 2,030 passengers and underwent a seven-week drydock in 2023 through the AIDA Evolution modernization programme. The work added new features and restaurant concepts, updated public areas and staterooms, and created six family-friendly suites with private sun decks at the stern.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Royal Caribbean Sets Seven-Ship Europe Deployment for 2027

Royal Caribbean's 2027 Southern Europe programme will include seven ships and 50 itineraries, according to Cruise Industry News. The season will include the return of Legend of the Seas to the Western Mediterranean, where it is scheduled to sail to Spain, Italy and France.

Legend of the Seas will be joined in the Western Mediterranean by Mariner of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. Their itineraries will include Italian destinations such as Rome, Florence, Capri and the Amalfi Coast.

Four ships are scheduled for Eastern Mediterranean cruises: Odyssey of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas. Their Greek Islands itineraries include Mykonos and Royal Beach Club Santorini, which is available through the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion with transportation to and around Oia and Fira.

Odyssey of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas are also scheduled to visit Alexandria, Porto and Casablanca. Royal Caribbean's wider European programme includes Freedom of the Seas in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom, with the company redeploying both Freedom and Mariner to increase European capacity.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

How Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater Shows Come Together

AquaTheater performances combine diving, acrobatics, aerial stunts and water effects, but Royal Caribbean Blog reports that each show also depends on professional divers, performers, stage technicians and other crew members working behind the scenes. Their preparations include adjusting underwater lighting, coordinating the movable floor and cleaning the pool.

A former crew member said the pool may be drained on sea days so technicians and support divers can clean it, inspect equipment and test that everything is operating correctly. The water's chlorine level is also checked to help prevent discomfort for divers and dancers.

Safety divers support performers who jump from three, 10 and 17 meters into water that can reach nearly 18 feet deep. In an emergency drill shown in a video, divers secured a performer to a rescue board before the stage floor was raised to remove her from the pool.

The AquaTheater pool has three sections: stage right, a center lift and stage left. Performances can take place in water only a few inches deep or in the pool's deepest section, while the adjustable lifts move throughout the show.

Royal Caribbean introduced the AquaTheater on Oasis of the Seas in 2009. The feature is now present on nine ships in the fleet, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

When an Inside Cruise Cabin May Be the Better Choice

Choosing an inside cabin instead of a balcony can make sense when keeping the cruise within budget is the priority, Royal Caribbean Blog says. Money saved on the room could instead be used for shore excursions, specialty dining and souvenirs.

Inside rooms may also suit light sleepers because they can become completely dark when the lights are off. The lack of direct sunlight can help keep the cabin cooler as well, particularly for travelers who prefer a cold room.

A cabin with no outside view may be less important on a ship with a long list of activities, including shows, laser tag, restaurants, water slides, pools, music and mini-golf. The source also suggests considering an inside room for port-intensive cruises, such as itineraries in Alaska or Europe, where passengers may spend much of their time ashore.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

Carnival Vista Marks 10 Years in Service

Carnival Vista has completed its 10th year of service with Carnival Cruise Line after being delivered on April 28, 2016, Cruise Industry News reports. Built at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the ship was the first in Carnival's Vista class.

The 135,000-ton vessel introduced several features for the line, including the suspended SkyRide cycling experience, Family Harbor staterooms, Carnival's first at-sea IMAX Theater and an expanded WaterWorks park with the company's first inner-tube slide.

Carnival Vista began its service with eight- to 10-night Mediterranean itineraries and a 13-night inaugural voyage from Trieste to Barcelona. The ship later crossed the Atlantic to New York, moved to Miami for the 2016-17 winter season and began year-round Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.

Now sailing from Port Canaveral, the 4,000-passenger ship operates six- and eight-night cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. Current calls include Celebration Key, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, San Juan, Amber Cove, Oranjestad and Willemstad.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Cruise News Roundup: Norwegian Pricing Changes, Royal Caribbean Deals, Short Cruises and More

Norwegian is changing how it prices future sailings, while Royal Caribbean offers new family savings and continues expanding its short-cruise strategy. The roundup also covers first-cruise packing advice and a canceled Cape Canaveral space operations notice.

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 July 31, 2026.

Today’s cruise news roundup covers Norwegian Cruise Line’s shift to earlier pricing, Royal Caribbean’s Kids & Teens Sail Free promotions, first-time cruise packing essentials, the growing short-cruise market and a canceled Cape Canaveral space operations notice.

Norwegian Changes Its Cruise Pricing Strategy

Norwegian Cruise Line is changing how it prices and sells cruises to build demand earlier and reduce its reliance on discounts close to departure, Cruise Industry News reports. CEO John Chidsey said the company is moving to a base-loading revenue management approach after finding that prices had been held too high too far in advance in some areas.

The new method will introduce more competitive pricing earlier in the booking window while aiming to protect prices as sailing dates approach. Norwegian has already applied pricing changes to select 2027 sailings and newly opened 2028 inventory, with the greatest opportunity identified on voyages farther out in the booking curve.

All Norwegian sailings for new 2028 inventory and later will use the methodology from the outset. Chidsey said the rollout is taking place market by market and sailing by sailing, and described the change as a long-term adjustment in revenue management rather than a broad price cut.

Source: cruiseindustrynews.com

Royal Caribbean Opens Family Cruise Promotions

Royal Caribbean is offering two family promotions beginning July 31, Royal Caribbean Blog reports. The Kids & Teens Sail Free promotion covers free cruise fare for eligible third and fourth guests in a stateroom, while the separate Kids Sail Free offer applies to children 12 and younger.

Bookings must be made between July 31 and September 14, 2026, for qualifying sailings departing from August 26, 2026, through August 20, 2027. The offers include summer 2027 sailings and have limited blackout dates, although Alaska Cruise Tours are excluded from the summer availability described in the report.

The free-fare offers do not cover taxes, fees, port expenses or gratuities. The Kids Sail Free promotion requires the child to share a stateroom with two full-fare-paying guests, while the Free 3rd and 4th Guests promotion also requires two full-fare-paying passengers in the same cabin; the deals may be combined with each other and with several other listed discounts and benefits.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

First-Time Cruisers Get a Practical Packing Checklist

First-time cruisers should pack for the practical challenges of shipboard cabins and shore days, according to Royal Caribbean Blog. The suggested essentials include a second bathing suit, allowing one suit to dry while the other is being used.

A suitable USB charging extender can help when cabin outlets are limited, but Royal Caribbean’s rules matter: the acceptable device described in the report is a single electrical plug with up to four USB outlets. Guests are also advised not to leave clothing unattended on balconies because wind could send items overboard.

The checklist also recommends a travel-size air freshener for cabins with limited bathroom ventilation and a small, packable beach bag or backpack for towels, drinks, sunscreen, books and electronics. The bag can also be used for pool visits and shore excursions.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

Royal Caribbean Expands Its Short-Cruise Strategy

Royal Caribbean says demand for shorter getaways is growing, with guests using three- and four-night cruises to sail more often, Royal Caribbean Blog reports. Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty said these travelers may spend about as much on a short vacation as they would on a longer one.

In 2027, more than 10 Royal Caribbean ships are expected to offer three- and four-night sailings, including Freedom of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Short itineraries will also be available in Asia on Navigator of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas, while Freedom of the Seas will offer a three-night European option to Belgium or France.

The company said passengers on shorter sailings are still spending on specialty restaurants, shore excursions, drink packages and other onboard experiences. Royal Caribbean also sees its Bahamian destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, as part of the appeal of short getaways.

Source: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com

Cape Canaveral Space Operations Notice Canceled

A government notice canceled a Cape Canaveral space operations advisory for the Atlantic Ocean off Florida, according to the notice posted on content.govdelivery.com.

The canceled notice is identified as CGD-SE BNM 9068-26. Its cancellation message references an advisory issued at 0227Z on July 28, 2026.

The notice states that NROL-95 had a successful launch. No additional operational details were provided in the supplied material.

Source: content.govdelivery.com