Virgin Voyages has confirmed a significant itinerary change for its upcoming Alaska programme, with Brilliant Lady set to bypass Tracy Arm Fjord entirely during her debut season in the region due to ongoing safety concerns.
The adults-only cruise line has opted to remove the scenic cruising destination from all 2026 sailings following continued geological instability in the area.
The decision comes in the wake of a landslide and resulting tsunami near South Sawyer Glacier on 10th August 2025, which has left the fjord at heightened risk for further incidents.
Guests booked on affected voyages, including the ship’s Alaska MerMaiden sailing departing Seattle on 21st May 2026, have been informed that the vessel will instead visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
“We wanted to inform you about a change to your Sailor’s upcoming voyage,
“Your Sailor’s Brilliant Lady voyage will now visit Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier in place of Tracy Arm Fjord due to ongoing landslide risk in the area.”
Virgin Voyages’ communication to booked passengers and travel advisors.
Endicott Arm, located near Tracy Arm and sharing the same entrance via Holkham Bay roughly 50 miles south of Juneau, offers a comparable glacier viewing experience without the same level of geological risk.
Other major cruise lines have already taken similar action. Earlier in 2026, both Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line confirmed they would also replace Tracy Arm Fjord with Endicott Arm on select Alaska itineraries.
A Historic First Alaska Season
Despite the change, Brilliant Lady’s inaugural Alaska deployment remains a milestone for the brand. The 110,000-gross-ton vessel will become the first in the Virgin Voyages fleet to sail in the region, made possible by its Panama Canal-compliant design.
Following a debut season in Los Angeles, the ship will arrive in Seattle on 21st May 2026 to begin a series of mostly seven-night Alaska sailings. These itineraries will include ports such as Ketchikan, Sitka and Prince Rupert in British Columbia, alongside scenic cruising in Endicott Arm.
“The voyage length, ship, and overall experience remain unchanged, and we look forward to delivering an incredible time in Alaska,” the cruise line confirmed.
Brilliant Lady previously launched with a series of MerMaiden voyages in 2025 from New York and Miami, with another sailing from Los Angeles scheduled for 7th April 2026 ahead of her Alaska debut.
New Excursion Planned For Endicott Arm
To enhance the revised itinerary, Virgin Voyages has revealed plans for a new onboard-only excursion centred on Endicott Arm, though details have yet to be disclosed.
“We’ll be adding an exclusive new shore thing at Endicott that you can book once you’re onboard,” the company stated.
While specifics remain limited, guests are already speculating that the experience could involve smaller boat tours offering closer access to Dawes Glacier and the surrounding ice formations.
Unlike standard shore excursions, which are typically available to book up to 135 days before departure for suite guests and 120 days for others, this new experience will only be sold onboard. Passengers interested in securing a place are expected to head to the shore excursion desk early, as availability is likely to be limited.
MSC Cruises has made a deployment change for one of their largest cruise ships due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
MSC Cruises has announced that MSC World Europa will now sail cruises in the Caribbean for the Winter 2026-2027 season instead of sailing in the Middle East.
MSC World Europa is the cruise line’s first World class ship and their first over 200,000 gross tons in size. It is currently the 10th largest cruise ship in service.
The cruise ship will now offer seven- and 14-day cruises to the Caribbean with embarkation taking place in the following three ports:
FortdeFrance (Martinique)
PointeàPitre (Guadeloupe)
Bridgetown (Barbados)
The cruises will visit Castries (Saint Lucia) and Saint George (Grenada), Philipsburg (St. Maarten/ Netherlands Antilles), St. John (Antigua and Barbuda), Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Roseau (Dominica), and Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Guests booked on MSC World Europa for Winter 2026-2027 and their travel agents are being contacted directly and provided with clear, comprehensive information regarding their options. This includes the possibility to move their booking to another sailing or to choose a full refund.
MSC World Europa will replace MSC Seaview which was originally scheduled to sail in the region.
MSC Seaview will reposition to South American for the winter 2026-2027 season. Guests who were booked on MSC Seaview for the Caribbean sailings will keep their itinerary, but will now sail on MSC World Europa instead.
The cruise line said that MSC World Europa is scheduled to head back to the Middle East for the Winter 2027-2028 season.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Last summer, Carnival Cruise Line opened their newest private port in The Bahamas, Celebration Key. Now, the port has been officially certified as the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s prestigious sensory inclusion certification.
Over two million guests have visited the new cruise port since it opened last July. Carnival Cruise Line is trying to make the guest experience at the port inclusive and fun, including families with sensory needs.
Carnival has had a partnership with KultureCity for the last six years. They are a leading nonprofit organization that creates sensory-inclusive spaces for individuals with invisible disabilities such as autism, dementia, PTSD, and sensory processing disorders.
Over 400 team members who work at Celebration Key are now trained to help guests with sensory needs navigate the unique experience they will have at the port.
Complimentary guest sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, and glasses with filters to block-out strobe and bright lights are also now available.
The bags also include a VIP lanyard featuring a headphone logo and light bulb symbol to discreetly signal to Carnival team members that the guest may require additional support or accommodations as well as a feelings thermometer that allows non-verbal guests to point and communicate their emotions.
On Friday, Carnival Cruise Line is holding a sensory pop-up at Celebration Key to celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:
“This milestone demonstrates Carnival’s dedication to making vacations accessible and enjoyable for all, including families with sensory processing needs. By training our team members and offering tailored resources both on board and at Celebration Key, we ensure every guest feels supported, understood, and welcome.”
Uma Srivastava, executive director of KultureCity, added:
“Creating truly inclusive experiences means anticipating the needs of every guest before they arrive—and meeting them with empathy, understanding, and thoughtful support. By certifying Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line is setting a new standard for the travel industry, ensuring that individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities can fully participate in and enjoy every moment of their journey.”
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Princess Cruises will be adding staggered embarkation times to cruise ships that are sailing to Alaska for the 2026 season.
Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess. Photo: Cruise Fever
Starting on April 3, 2026, guests who are cruising to Alaska on Star Princess and Royal Princess out of Seattle will receive an email from the cruise line regarding arrival groups.
Arrival groups will determine what time guests can head to the port, check in, and board their ships.
Guests will receive an email approximately 30 days prior to their cruise with information about arrival groups.
Guest who book their airfare through Princess Cruises (EZair) or who enter in their flights in the cruise line’s app will have an arrival time automatically assigned. This includes guests who have a hotel package booked with Princess Cruise Plus.
For all other guests, they will be able to manually select the time of their arrival group.
Discovery Princess, a sister ship to Royal Princess, in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo: Cruise Fever
If a guest does not select an arrival group, they will automatically be assigned one 24 hours before embarkation.
This new boarding process from Princess Cruises is only for cruises out of Seattle to Alaska on Star Princess and Royal Princess.
Royal Princess will kick off its Alaskan cruise season on May 2, 2026. The ship will sail week-long cruises to the 49th state with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria.
Star Princess, the newest ship from Princess Cruises, will sail seven-night cruises to Alaska starting on May 3, 2026. The sailings will visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria.
Both ships sail sail to Alaska from Seattle through the middle/late September 2026.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Carnival Cruise Line is making waves this World Autism Acceptance Month by announcing that Celebration Key—its exclusive destination in Grand Bahama—has been officially certified as the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s prestigious sensory inclusion certification. With more than two million guests visiting Celebration Key, this groundbreaking achievement highlights Carnival’s commitment to making every guest’s experience inclusive and fun, including families with sensory needs.
For the last six years, Carnival has partnered with KultureCity, a leading nonprofit organization that creates sensory-inclusive spaces for individuals with invisible disabilities such as autism, dementia, PTSD, and sensory processing disorders. KultureCity is recognized worldwide for certifying venues to better serve individuals with sensory sensitivities.
At Celebration Key, more than 400 guest-facing team members are now trained to help guests with sensory needs navigate the unique vacation environment and have fun. Complimentary guest sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, and glasses with filters to block-out strobe and bright lights are also now available. The bags also include a VIP lanyard featuring a headphone logo and light bulb symbol to discreetly signal to Carnival team members that the guest may require additional support or accommodations as well as a feelings thermometer that allows non-verbal guests to point and communicate their emotions.
“This milestone demonstrates Carnival’s dedication to making vacations accessible and enjoyable for all, including families with sensory processing needs. By training our team members and offering tailored resources both on board and at Celebration Key, we ensure every guest feels supported, understood, and welcome,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Celebration Key’s certification adds to the fleetwide efforts Carnival has implemented through its partnership with KultureCity, which include training of shipboard staff and shoreside call center representatives who interact with guests during the booking process.
“Creating truly inclusive experiences means anticipating the needs of every guest before they arrive—and meeting them with empathy, understanding, and thoughtful support,” said Uma Srivastava, executive director of KultureCity. “By certifying Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line is setting a new standard for the travel industry, ensuring that individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities can fully participate in and enjoy every moment of their journey.”
To celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month and Celebration Key’s certification, Carnival is offering a sensory room pop-up at Celebration Key on Friday, April 3, where guests can experience a calm, controlled environment designed to help with sensory regulation.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
Welcome back to an all new trip report as we are once again sampling a new offering from Miami as we set sail on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady for a 4-Night Bahamian Fire and Sunset Soiree cruise to The Bahamas. During this extended weekend voyage, we will be sailing to Key West, Florida and Virgin Voyages’ signature Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas.
I hope you enjoy this non-Disney Cruise trip report, as we continue to expand our cruise experiences seeing what other lines and ships offer to get a better perspective on the cruise industry. This trip report will range from what we did each day to direct comparisons to our Disney cruising experiences, obviously from an adults only perspective, which is not uncommon on DCL. Again, no hard feelings if this is not the content you are seeking by visiting a blog primarily focused on Disney Cruise Line. For those of you remaining, thank you for following along! Now, let’s embark on this trip report.
According to the cruise line, Virgin Voyages’ first fleet is known as the “Lady Ships,” a play on the term ‘your ladyship,’ giving a nod to Virgin’s British heritage. The fleet includes Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady. Scarlet Lady, the line’s first ship, was delivered on February 14, 2020, and entered service in August 2021. The Virgin Voyages fleet is exclusively adults only (18 and up). Scarlet Lady is a little smaller than the Dream-class ships coming in at 110,000 GT with 2,770 passengers based on double occupancy with 1,100 crew members.
Virgin Voyages was founded with seasoned leadership expertise sourced from Disney Cruise Line as well as The Walt Disney Company. At the top is Tom McAlpin, a founding member of Disney Cruise Line’s original management team who served as Vice President of Finance and Business Development, Senior Vice President of Operations, and for his final 5 years with Disney Cruise Line, served as President. In 2015, McAlpin joined Virgin Group as the founding CEO of Virgin Voyages, leading the brand through ship design, construction, and launch. He retried from the role of CEO in 2023 and now serves as Board Chairman for Virgin Voyages.
Up next from Disney is Michelle Bentubo, Virgin Voyages’ Chief Operating Officer (appointed in 2023) originally joining the line in 2016. Bentubo previously held executive roles at Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. Upon her start with Virgin Voyages, Bentubo established a technology vision from startup through launch, creating a digital-first experience with a focus on customer-centric design through technology.
Time to level up on technology with Andy Schwalb who serves as Chief Information Officer & Chief Technology Officer. Schwalb was Senior Vice President and head of technology initiatives at The Walt Disney Company where he worked on bringing the MagicBand experience to life before joining Virgin Voyages in 2015.
Batting cleanup, is Anders Karlsson the Vice President of Hotel Operations (since June 2021). He started at Disney Cruise Line in 1998 and progressed through key hospitality roles, including Restaurant Manager, Dining Manager, and Senior Manager of Hotel Operations, before joining Virgin Voyages in 2016 as Director of Hotel Services.
Not a bad lineup, right? These executives brought their Disney honed expertise in finance/operations, guest experience, technology, and hotel/dining operations to help shape Virgin Voyages’ innovative, adults-only approach. According to their respective LinkedIn profiles, they bring over 60 years of combined experience from The Walt Disney Company.
PortMiami is minutes from the Miami Brightline station and we simply requested a Lyft as it was cheaper than Uber. In our recent trips, it seems that Lyft is cheaper in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Boarding for Virgin Voyages generally starts in the afternoon after 2 o’clock. We selected a 2:30PM arrival time when checking in online and arrived at the terminal at 2:50PM. At this time, the wave of 2:30PM arrivals subsided and the exterior queue was holding guests for the 3PM window. This allowed us to walk right in the front door without a wait!
Between the Lyft and the check in area, the handle on a well traveled carry-on bag broke. Thanks for the memories, your Disney Fantasy inspired and easy to find design will be missed.
The arrival and check-in process was a breeze. While there was a line inside the terminal, there were plenty of staff available to check in the arriving parties.
Each guest, or in Virgin’s world, SAILOR is provided with The Band – a simple wearable rope bracelet with an RFID tag to use across the ship. Think of this like a DisneyBand+ (MagicBands) or a Key to the World Card. Now, I very much dislike wearing MagicBands on ships or at the theme parks. I am perfectly content using the plastic card which always works. Anyway, this rope bracelet was forgettable in a good way and I did not mind it at all. You can even remove the RFID section and have a nice little anchor bracelet as a souvenir.
The security line moved extremely fast and they didn’t even question our (2) allotted wine bottles in our broken carry-on bag. We were sailing in calm water between waves of arriving guests, which meant there was a clear path to the ship, but there is a nice little waiting area with plenty of outlets to charge your devices in the terminal.
In about 25 minutes after walking into the Terminal, we were boarding the ship! The first order of business was to complete the muster drill. However, I failed and didn’t pre-watch the required video assuming that it was required at the stateroom level.
Once the video completed, we checked in at our assigned muster station and now we are officially free to enjoy the ship.
From what I’ve read, staterooms are normally ready when you board the ship and this was indeed true today. We dropped off our stuff and one suitcase was already waiting outside the door. Let that sink in… Ok, maybe not the best word to use on ship, but we dropped our luggage with a ported outside roughly 40 minutes ago and it beat us to the stateroom. Efficiency at it’s best!!!
We initially booked an inside stateroom, but we submitted a bid in the Level Upgrade program at the lowest bid for a balcony stateroom and it was accepted! Inside the room, we found a bunch of informational documents on the desk such as a copy of the Your Day at a Glance printed schedule and times guide!
There was also a letter welcoming us back as part of the line’s loyalty program Virgin Voyages Sailing Club. But isn’t this your first Virgin Voyages cruise? Yes, it is our first Virgin Voyages cruise, but we took advantage of the Sailing Club Status Match available for Platinum and Pearl level Castaway Club members when we booked back in December of 2024 as well as other eligible loyalty programs giving us Blue Extras status. While this is awesome, the Status Match promotion window ended at the end of February 2026. However, it may be worth keeping an eye out on that linked page if they open it back up again (which they frequently do).
We weren’t alone on this cruise. We had friends sailing in other staterooms. One of them, whom we’ve cruised with several times, including with our kids (who are back on campus during this time), was sailing solo and received an invitation to a solo sailors meet-up. The letter also provided information on solo dining opportunities.
The room was also adorned with some fun accessories such as a sextant bottle opener and wine corkscrew, an octopus, and information on beach towels when going ashore.
We unpacked our carry-on and suitcase, although we were still on the lookout for my suitcase – which seems to be a common occurrence regardless of cruise line.
The staterooms are smart with a tablet available to control the lights, TV, curtains, look up ship information, order room service, and make stateroom requests such as more towels. There is a dedicated charging stand on a shelf above the desk.
I am perfectly content in an inside stateroom, but my favorite part of this stateroom is not even inside the stateroom; it’s the chair hammock on the balcony which can be purchased onboard pending availability, directly from Yellow Leaf Hammocks or from our Amazon affiliate link.
Once our luggage was unpacked and we gave up on waiting for my suitcase, we set out to explore the ship. Starting with an afternoon stop for caffeine at The Grounds, which had a stack of Your Day at a Glance printouts available. We discovered these were available in a few places around the ship to supplement the information available from the Virgin Voyages app. If you are a regular reader, you already know I prefer a printed schedule and only use the app when absolutely necessary. Well, at the time of our check-in for the cruise, the app was required. I attempted to check-in on my computer and the option was not available, however, I am now seeing it can be done on a computer… Will report back next time (because yes, we didi book another sailing).
Regular Disney Cruiser, Chris and his wife were sailing in the Mega Rock Star Suite, and invited us for a tour, conversation, and pre-sail away drinks.
The room is cool, but there is only 1 shower, which has a glass wall into the master bedroom. I guess this is the rockstar life, but if you are sharing the room with others, or your adult children, this requires scheduling for privacy.
We made our way to the upper decks for the sail away from PortMiami which offers an amazing view as you depart compared to Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.
I was a bit worried when I saw the beach towels in the stateroom, as I cannot stand the checking out/in of towels on cruise ships. However, I was happy to see Virgin just like Disney offers grab and go towels near The Aquatic Club which is also near the gym.
Complimentary sail away prosecco? Please and thank you!
Above the Aquatic Club, you can spot the Fincantieri 6287 hull plaque noting the ship’s origin from the Genoa Sestri Ponente Shipyard in Italy. Meyer Werft gets all the headlines nowadays with Disney Cruise Line, but Fincantieri was Disney’s first shipbuilder, constructing both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
An interesting feature about the Scarlet Lady, it does not feature a dedicated main dining room or rotational where you are assigned a place each night. There are multiple restaurants and quick service locations available, but we did schedule times each night before the sailing. For our first night, we are heading to Gunbae for a Korean BBQ inspired dinner.
A social, hands-on, interactive, fun dining experience, Gunbae features specially engineered flameless grills built into each table so Sailors can grill meats to their desire paired with their favorite banchan. Arguably the most energetic eatery on-board, each meal begins with a complimentary round of soju for the table and throughout the evening, Sailors are encouraged to take part in lively Korean drinking games.
Below is a sample of the menu from Virgin Voyage’s website, it is slightly different from the menu we had at our table, but it provides a good overview of what you might expect during a future cruise.
Our server was quite energetic welcoming us to the restaurant, and providing an overview of the menu. We ordered cocktails and essentially went with his recommendation to bring a little of everything for the table to share while still being attentive to the allergy issues at the table.
He proceeded to teach us the drinking game printed in the menu. It was fun once you got the hang of it.
Dinner is included in the price of the cruise, but cocktails are a separate fee.
The food began to arrive in multiple mini-course and overall everything was well seasoned and enjoyable.
After dinner, we walked around more of the interior spaces we did not get to earlier and for the early evening we were pleasantly surprised by the abundance of seating in the various venues and bars.
The Social Club is a central venue for group events and activities and there is a large selection of games, cards, and even puzzles available!
The Social Club also features some light bites and sweet treats, all included in the cruise fare.
Nearby, tucked in a corner is The Loose Cannon, a nautical bar with ample seating.
I noticed a limited edition Powder Keg souvenir shot glass listed on the menu, and eventually spotted one behind the bar in bubble wrap. I guess not all ships can print money with souvenir vessels.
While it is not uncommon to find a ship-exclusive beer, I do love when the beer is available in cans, which, if you are careful, you can bring home as a bonus souvenir to add to a growing collection of cruise ship beer cans.
Tonight in The Social Club was a Know-it-All session of Salty Trivia with random questions, think of it like the Potpourri category on Jeopardy.
After doing so-so in trivia, we meandered around stopping by the pizza shop which offers grab and go salads and a selection of pizzas. Plus, there is a spot where you can quickly grab a beverage and pay for it at the counter! The estimated wait for a pizza was running about 30-minutes as each is made to order, so grabbing a quick slice is not really an option.
Down a deck on 6 is the shopping district, High Street, with a mix of offerings from clothing, cosmetics, jewelry, a tattoo parlor, and a dedicated cruise line shop where we picked up a new carry-on bag to replace the suitcase that broke on arrival. You know how some designers have different sizes to make you feel better about your size… Well, I am now the proud owner of medium Virgin Voyages hooded sweatshirt.
Down on deck 5 is Sailor Services (guest services), where we found a stack of printed schedules as well as a deck plan brochure that ended up being extremely helpful to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the ship. The stairwells/elevator lobby also provide a good deck by deck venue summary. One of the first recommendations I have for anyone heading out on a cruise is to look over and study the deck plan. However, in practice I never do this as I like to play the game of how long will it take me to figure it out on my own as a test of sorts to see how the ship is set up. Moving around the ship was easy, deck 7 became the most visited spot, specifically area around The Social Club and The Grounds which became my North Star for navigating the ship.
I was relieved to see my suitcase waiting outside our stateroom as we turned in for the night. I have no idea when it arrived at our room and was not really worried after seeing the AirTag inside showing up on the ship when I looked right before dinner.
All sailors get a basic Wi-Fi package included with the cruise fare, and for included (free) it was good enough to do simple tasks such as email and social media apps. I did not put it to the test, but it felt like if I needed to do some real work online, I would need to upgrade to a different plan.
Onboard SpeedTest Result – Docked in Key West, Florida
There was a nice selection of free on demand movies in the stateroom all browsable from the tablet. With the tap of a button The Hangover was playing on the stateroom TV! We called it a night and plan for a relaxing day at sea tomorrow!
Viking celebrated the float out for two new cruise ships that are being custom built for the Nile River in Egypt.
Photo: Viking
The float out of Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhment marks a significant construction milestones for the new ships. The float out took place at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt and the ships will now move to the final stage of construction, the interior build-out.
Both Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhment will be sister ships to Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton, the Viking Sobek, the Viking Hathor, the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth. All eight are custom built to sail on the Nile River.
Each ship has 41 staterooms that carry up to 82 passengers. They have the Scandinavian design that Viking is known for and are the most modern ships sailing on the Nile.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said the following:
“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the singular power of the Nile. With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travelers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”
Photo: Viking
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
A mom’s story about her son’s injury on a Disney cruise ship has led to real safety improvements in one of the ship’s popular toddler splash pads.
Photo credit: Cruise Fever
According to Courtney Livingston, her young son was playing in the Finding Nemo splash pad on the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream when he fell from a “coral-shaped structure” and broke his leg (his femur to be exact).
It all happened on a previous sailing. But after being back on the ship again she took to Instagram and posted a reel with this caption:
“After my son fell and broke his leg on the Finding Nemo Splash pad on the Disney Dream, they made it safer!”
Courtney’s reel shows her son being transported off the ship and in the medical facility after the accident. Then the video goes to the changes at the splash pad.
Disney reportedly gave the family a complimentary future cruise after the incident.
When they returned to the same Disney cruise ship, Courtney noticed some safety changes when she went back to the deck 11 splash pad at Nemo’s Reef.
The coral fixture her son fell from is now completely gone. The flooring, which some parents in the comments had called slippery when wet, has also been replaced with a different look and feel.
What Other Parents Said
Other families left comments in the reel and shared their own experiences:
“Sorry to hear about your son! We went last month and my daughter slipped and fell. Luckily she was ok but I was shocked the floor was very slippery. Especially since it’s an area for little kids,” one commenter said.
Another parent wrote:
“We were onboard 2-3 years ago and yes, it was slick. So happy to see they improved it.”
And yet another had the same experience with that slippery floor: “I had the same thing happen with my daughter a couple years ago on the Dream. She slipped and hit her head pretty hard. So glad they finally changed it!” another comment reiterated.
A Positive Update
Accidents like this can happen in any busy play area both on a cruise ship and on land. But this story shows that Disney Cruise Line listened to a family’s experience and made changes so the same thing can’t happen again.
Nemo’s Reef is mainly for children under 4. The recent changes keep the fun while removing at least one potential issue. Disney has not made an official public statement, but the updates were noticeable to Courtey right away, which makes sense after such a serious injury.
Splash pads can be a bit chaotic on any cruise ship. It’s important for parents to keep a close eye on their children and understand that these spaces are in fact slippery. Water shoes can help, but also enjoying these areas during the less busy times can help avoid injury as well.
In this case, I’m glad the little guy is back on his feet and running around again, and I hope he knows how lucky he is to have a mom that takes him on cruises.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
$90,000 a week for a cruise ship cabin sounds ridiculous at first.
But that’s almost what Royal Caribbean is charging for its brand-new Ultimate Family Treehouse on Hero of the Seas – a three-storey suite that’s unlike anything else at sea.
It’s part luxury villa, part over-the-top family playground, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about cruise suites ever announced. The real question is… will anyone actually book it?
Because once you look at what’s included, it starts to feel a little less straightforward.
This Isn’t Just A Cabin – It’s A Three-Storey Treehouse At Sea
Royal Caribbean isn’t known for doing things by halves, and the Ultimate Family Treehouse is no exception. Set to debut on Hero of the Seas in 2027, this is one of the most ambitious suites the cruise line has ever created.
This isn’t just a bigger cabin with a theme. It’s a full three-level space designed to feel like its own private world onboard. It sleeps up to 12 guests, has four bathrooms, and includes everything from a games room to a rooftop terrace with a whirlpool.
It also says a lot about where cruise ships are heading. On Icon-class vessels, where you stay is becoming just as important as what you do.
In this case, it might end up being the main attraction.
Inside The Ultimate Family Treehouse
Step inside and the first thing you notice is just how liveable the space feels.
The main living area is designed as the heart of the suite, with big, comfortable sofas, a TV area for relaxing together, and a dining space where everyone can actually sit down at the same time. It feels much closer to a holiday apartment than a cruise cabin.
Upstairs is where things quieten down a bit. This is where you’ll find the two main bedrooms, each with their own private balcony and en-suite bathroom. They feel properly separated from the main social space, which makes a big difference on a busy family trip.
It’s not a complicated layout, but it’s a smart one. Everything has its place, and nothing feels like an afterthought.
But across both levels, there’s something else that really stands out.
The Teen Hideout Might Be The Smartest Feature
Rather than squeezing kids into spare corners, Royal Caribbean has given them a space that runs across two levels of its own.
It starts downstairs, where the games room connects directly to a twin bedroom. With table football and a gaming setup, it feels more like a hangout than somewhere you’re sent to sleep.
From there, a spiral staircase leads up to a second twin bedroom, along with a chill-out space and nearby bathrooms.
Put together, it’s basically a two-storey mini apartment within the suite.
And it even has its own staircase, separate from the main one. That might sound like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference. Teens can do their own thing without constantly drifting through the main living space.
If you’ve ever cruised with teenagers, you’ll know how big a win that is!
A Rooftop Terrace That Feels Like A Private Villa
At the very top of the treehouse is what might end up being the standout feature.
The rooftop terrace is a proper outdoor living space, not just a token balcony. There’s a private whirlpool, an outdoor dining area, and even a big-screen TV for evenings outside.
There’s also a mix of shaded areas and open sun loungers, which sounds simple but is actually a big deal on a cruise. You can use the space at any time of day without feeling like you’re baking or hiding.
It’s easy to imagine this becoming the spot where everyone naturally ends up – especially on sea days.
It Sleeps 12 – But Who Is It Really For?
Sleeping up to 12 guests sounds very kid-focused at first glance.
But it makes a lot more sense when you think about how people actually travel now.
Multi-generational trips are more popular than ever – grandparents, parents and kids all travelling together. Or even two families sharing one space. This layout works for that in a way most cruise accommodation doesn’t.
You can spend time together when you want to, but you’re not all on top of each other by day three.
That’s harder to achieve than it sounds.
The Design Is Completely Different To Anything Else Onboard
If you’ve seen Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Townhouse on other Icon-class ships (and on Hero of the Seas – the Treehouse and the Townhouse are both on the same ship), you might be expecting something bold and theme park-like.
This isn’t that.
The Treehouse leans much more into natural, earthy design. There are wood-style finishes throughout, softer colours, and a calmer overall feel.
There are still playful touches – monkeys and other primates pop up here and there – but it doesn’t feel over the top.
It’s somewhere you could actually relax, which isn’t always the case with heavily themed spaces.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
So… Why Is It So Expensive?
Let’s not pretend otherwise – around $87,500 per week is an eye-watering price.
Even in luxury travel terms, that’s right at the top end. For most people, it’s not even a consideration.
But this kind of suite isn’t really about mass appeal.
It’s something Royal Caribbean knows will get people talking. It’s headline-grabbing, it’s different, and it adds another layer to the whole “Icon Class is bigger and better” story.
And there will be people who book it.
High earners, big family groups celebrating something special, and those who just want to try something no one else has. Add in a few influencers and celebrities, and you’ve got exactly the kind of buzz this suite is designed to create.
It doesn’t need to be full every week to do its job.
Is It Actually Worth $87,500 A Week?
For most people, probably not.
But that’s not really how this level of travel works.
At this end of the market, it’s about the experience. You’re paying for something unusual, something exclusive, something that stands out from every other holiday you’ve taken.
And that’s exactly what this is.
There’s a certain appeal in being able to say you stayed here. In having that space, that privacy, and that slightly surreal feeling of being in your own three-storey “treehouse” while sailing across the Caribbean.
It’s not about value in the traditional sense. It’s about how it feels.
How It Compares To Royal Caribbean’s Other Ultimate Suites
Royal Caribbean has been pushing the boundaries of cruise accommodation for a while now, and it didn’t start with Icon Class.
The original Ultimate Family Suite on Oasis-class ships introduced the slides, bold colours and that full-on, theme park-style energy.
Then Icon Class took things further with the Ultimate Family Townhouse – bigger again, with more levels and even a private outdoor yard connecting directly to the Surfside neighbourhood.
Hero of the Seas will have that too.
The Treehouse sits alongside it (not literally!), but it takes things in a slightly different direction.
It’s still family-focused, but it feels more relaxed. Less about big visual moments, more about how the space actually works day to day.
When You Can Book It (And How Fast It’ll Sell Out)
Bookings for Hero of the Seas opened first to Crown & Anchor Society members on 1st April 2026, giving past Royal Caribbean cruisers early access. General sale followed on 2nd April.
There’s only one Ultimate Family Treehouse on the ship, which immediately makes it a bit of a talking point.
It probably won’t sell out every single sailing at this price point. But the first few cruises are a different story.
There will be plenty of loyal Royal Caribbean fans – and people with the budget for it – who want to be among the first to try it.
That “first to stay” factor is hard to resist.
So while you might see availability later on, those early sailings are likely to disappear quickly.
The One Thing People Might Not Expect
For all the talk of treehouses, games rooms and playful design, the biggest surprise is this.
It’s not really about the kids.
Yes, they’ll love it. Of course they will. But the layout, the separate spaces, and especially that rooftop terrace all point in a slightly different direction.
This has been designed to make family travel easier.
Everyone gets their own space. There’s room to spread out. And you’re not constantly negotiating who gets the sofa or the bathroom.
On a ship carrying thousands of people, that kind of breathing room is worth more than you might think.
Final Word
Will most people ever book the Ultimate Family Treehouse? No.
Will I ever get to sail it in? Probably not! Maybe after a lottery win…
Will a lot of people be curious about it? Absolutely.
And that’s what makes it interesting.
It’s not just another suite – it’s a glimpse at how far cruise ships are willing to go when it comes to creating experiences people can’t get anywhere else.
Whether you see it as over the top or completely brilliant probably comes down to one thing.
If you had the money… would you try it?
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Finding a free sun lounger on a busy sea day can feel like a bit of a lottery – and it’s not because there aren’t enough of them. It’s the…
Ordering two main courses at dinner used to be one of those little cruise perks nobody thought twice about. Fancy the steak and the lobster? Go for it. Curious about…
The unfolding situation in the Middle East is causing more cruises to be cancelled for one cruise line, while another has decided in advance to make changes over the uncertainty…
Royal Caribbean has confirmed plans for its next record-setting cruise ship, revealing that its fourth Icon-class vessel will be named Hero of the Seas and will debut in August 2027…
A Holland America Line cruise ship returned to service this past weekend after spending two weeks in dry dock in The Bahamas.
Koningsdam returned to service on March 29, 2026 with new accommodations for families, refreshed entertainment spaces, an expanded casino, upgraded dining experiences and refreshed retail spaces.
The cruise ship has five new, larger ocean view staterooms that are perfect for families or groups traveling together. Each one accommodates up to four guests. Four of them are connecting, allowing larger groups to book together.
The cruise line also upgraded 22 Vista Suites with new sofa beds, giving families more options than ever before.
The casino was expanded creating a more spacious and comfortable gaming experience. It also has a new layout making it easier for guests to move throughout the ship.
Additional seating was added to Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. There’s a new lounge between the two venues that will allow guests to enjoy the shows from both sides of it.
Holland America Line said that the new layout creates a more open, connected environment where guests can gather and enjoy live music throughout the evening.
During the two-eek dry dock, carpets were replaced in staterooms and public areas.
Several specialty dining venues, including Pinnacle Grill, Sel de Mer and Club Orange, also received updates to support a more adaptable dining experience. Some fixed tables were converted to movable table arrangements, allowing greater flexibility in seating configurations to better accommodate different group sizes and guest preferences.
Koningsdam’s Effy jewelry shop received a full refresh and the same updated design that was added to Westerdam and Zuiderdam.
The ship’s fitness center now has new, modern equipment.
Connecting cabin on Koningsdam
Koningsdam will reposition to the West Coast from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on April 10, 2026. The ship will arrive in Vancouver on May 2 where the vessel will sail cruises to Alaska.
The ship will offer seven-night cruises to Alaska from Vancouver through the end of September 2026.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
