Virgin Voyages, the adults-only cruise line, will begin to announce their winter 2027-28 cruises across their four cruise ships next month.
Virgin will roll out these new cruises on three different dates, and they include sailings from Miami, Barcelona, San Juan and Los Angeles.
Here are the dates for when these new cruises will be announced for each of their ships.
February 19, 2026
On February 19, Virgin will release winter 2027-28 cruises on Scarlet Lady. The ship will homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico and offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean.
The ship will also sail the cruise line’s first ever Barcelona to San Juan Transatlantic cruise.
March 5, 2026
Two ships will have their itineraries released on March 5. Both Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady will sail from Miami and sail to the Caribbean.
A Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami will also open for bookings.
March 19, 2026
Lastly, Brilliant Lady’s winter itineraries will be announced on March 19. The cruise ship will sail an extended season in Los Angeles and sail cruises to the Mexican Riviera.
After a trip through the Panama Canal, the vessel will reposition to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami.
In an email sent out to travel advisors, Virgin Voyages said that more details on these cruises will be coming soon.
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Three Carnival cruise ships will depart on unique cruises this weekend that will be longer than the usual week-long or less sailings that Carnival Cruise Line usually offers.
One of the cruises is adults-only and the other two are Carnival Journeys sailings. Carnival Journeys are a limited number of longer cruises from Carnival, normally around two weeks, that offer unique travel experiences like Throwback Sea Days and enriching onboard lectures.
Here is a look at the three unique Carnival cruises that are departing this weekend from Florida, Alabama and Texas.
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Conquest will depart on a 13-night adults-only cruise from Miami on January 17, 2026. This is one of a few special SEA (Sailings Exclusively for Adults) cruises that Carnival offers each year.
The 13-night cruise will visit St. Thomas, Aruba, Bonaire, St. Lucia and Barbados. It will also have seven sea days.
You can see a list of all the adults-only cruises that Carnival Cruise Line offers here.
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Spirit will depart on a 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise from Mobile, Alabama on January 17, 2026.
The sailing will stop at seven cruise ports in the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Two of the stops are Carnival’s private ports, Celebration Key and Half Moon Cay.
Guests on the cruise will also visit San Juan, St. Thomas, Curacao, Aruba and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream will also depart on a Carnival Journeys sailing on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from Galveston, Texas.
This two-week cruise will have eight ports stops in Florida, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. They are: Key West, Celebration Key, San Juan, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
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Guests sailing with Disney Cruise Line in 2026 will face higher costs if they want to stay connected at sea, after the cruise line raised prices across its onboard internet packages without prior notice.
The increases, which apply from January 2026 sailings, were discovered by guests with existing bookings who noticed higher prices when reviewing onboard offerings. No advance communication was issued, and passengers were not given the chance to lock in the previous rates before the changes took effect.
Under the new pricing structure, the Standard Internet 24-Hour Access plan has risen from $26 to $30 per day, while the Premium Surfing And Streaming package has increased from $42 to $49 per day. That represents price rises of approximately 15 percent and 17 percent respectively.
Both packages apply to a single device only.
Disney Cruise Line does not currently offer discounted rates for multiple devices linked to the same guest or stateroom. While it is possible to log in and out of different devices using one plan, only one device can be connected at a time, making this impractical for families or groups travelling together.
Although the daily increase amounts to only a few dollars, the overall cost can escalate quickly over the course of a cruise, particularly when several guests in the same party wish to connect their own phones, tablets or laptops for social media, work commitments or streaming.
Prices Higher Than Other Cruise Lines
Following the increase, Disney Cruise Line’s internet pricing now sits above that charged by many of its competitors.
Onboard WiFi on ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line typically costs between $20 and $35 per device, per day, depending on the selected speed tier and whether the package is purchased before sailing or after embarkation.
Across the wider cruise industry, daily internet prices generally fall within a range of $19 to $40 per device. While pricing can vary by ship, itinerary and satellite coverage, Disney’s premium streaming plan now exceeds the upper end of that range.
With several cruise lines continuing to invest in faster satellite technology, it remains to be seen whether Disney’s price increase will prompt similar moves elsewhere, or whether competitors will continue to offer lower-cost connectivity at sea.
Do Guests Need Internet On A Disney Cruise?
Despite the higher pricing, internet access is not essential for most onboard functions. The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app operates without a WiFi package and allows guests to view daily schedules, browse menus, receive activity reminders and communicate onboard.
Many passengers also choose to disconnect entirely during their cruise, viewing the lack of constant connectivity as part of the holiday experience. For others, limited access is still important for checking emails or staying in touch with friends and family at home.
Disney’s basic plan supports popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, along with short-form video apps including TikTok and Snapchat. It also allows for light web browsing and audio or video calls.
Guests who wish to stream full-length films, television programmes or music services will need to purchase the higher-priced Premium Surfing And Streaming package to access the additional bandwidth required.
However, every stateroom is equipped with complimentary on-demand access to a large library of Disney films and television shows.
For many guests, that included entertainment removes the need for a streaming internet package altogether.
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Cruise ships have been sailing out of Tampa, Florida for over 40 years. And while the iconic cruise port is home to smaller ships like Grandeur of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, and Norwegian Star, larger ships can’t visit the city.
One company is hoping to change all that with a new location for a brand-new cruise port.
The biggest reason larger ships can’t visit Tampa is due to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It’s a beautiful bridge, but its 190-foot vertical clearance prevents some ships from calling on Tampa.
Cruise ships from the Icon-class or Oasis-class with Royal Caribbean are too tall to fit under the bridge, and Carnival’s Excel-class in addition to Norwegian’s Prima-class are over the 190-foot limit.
But in part, those limitations could soon be a thing of the past. According to news reports, SSA Marine, a cruise terminal operator in North America, has announced an idea for a modern cruise port facility located on the Knott-Cowen tract.
Because this 328-acre site in Manatee County sits “seaward” (on the Gulf side) of the Skyway Bridge, ships would no longer have to worry about the height of the bridge.
The new site is about 24 nautical miles from the Tampa cruise port, and even though it’s a longer drive for Tampa residents, it’s a lot more accessible for cruise ships.
Currently, navigating the narrow channels near Tampa takes about 2 hours before ships pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. So, the new location would be a timesaver for ship travel as well.
The proposal comes from a partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC. The goal is to make West Central Florida a top-tier destination for modern cruise ships. And allowing larger ships to sail in and out of the Tampa area could do just that.
“Our new port will complement existing cruise activities in the region by being able to service the newer, larger, low-emissions cruise vessels that would otherwise be unable to visit due to the height restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge,” said Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s Cruise Division.
By allowing these “mega-ships” to dock, the project could be huge for the local economy in addition to offering more variety to local cruisers.
Early estimates from the developers suggest the project could generate more than 31,000 jobs in the state and regional economy and boost labor earnings by $1.6 billion.
Conservation In Focus
The new proposal is also tied to Rattlesnake Key, a 700-acre island that has been the topic of conservation issues for years.
In October 2025, SSA Marine bought the island for $18 million just for the purpose of preventing it from being commercialized.
“Our intent in purchasing the property is to remove any possibility of private commercialization and ensure its conservation,” Borzone said. “We recognize Rattlesnake Key is a treasured local community asset.”
The company plans to use the island as a natural buffer and hopes to preserve it while the new port operates nearby.
What’s Next
The project is still in its early stages, so don’t plan on cruising out of the Tampa area on a mega ship any time soon. Construction could take 3-5 years once the permitting process is complete, and that’s without any major snags in the process.
But SSA Marine has committed to a transparent public process, including keeping the community involved and attending formal hearings with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
For cruisers, it’s an exciting time. Another port to access the wonderful world of cruising on the newest and latest ships is something Tampa is well-positioned to offer.
“With cruise ships continuing to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth,” Borzone said.
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Windstar Cruises celebrated the christening of their newest ship, Star Seeker, last night during a ceremony at PortMiami.
Photo Credit: Windstar Cruises
Star Seeker is the first in a new class of ships from Windstar Cruises. Libby Anschutz, daughter of Windstar’s owner Phil Anschutz, served as the ship’s godmother by offering the traditional blessing on the new ship.
Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog kicked off the event with a reminder about what makes Windstar special and brings guests back.
“It’s the way you feel when you are on board a Windstar ship. The smiles from the crew, the genuine conversation, the kindness and caring that flows through the ship every day. This is the Windstar culture that’s been part of the company since it began with two small sailing ships, and it continues today.”
After the christening ceremony, Star Seeker departed on an eight-night cruise to the Caribbean that will stop in the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands before ending in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The new ship will offer cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Japan and Southeast Asia that includes immersive travel in Thailand and Vietnam.
The 224 guest ship is the first in a new Star class from Windstar Cruises. The second, Star Explorer, will debut in December 2026 and offer cruises around Europe.
The small ships have only 112 cabins, with most having a private veranda or floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Cruising without the right travel insurance is taking a big risk. But paying for that extra peace of mind also means a higher final bill.
Some have noticed higher premiums for cruise travel insurance lately and a recent report reveals why.
Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
A new report released today by Squaremouth explains why cruise vacation insurance is on the rise.
But not every insurance plan is the same. Some cruisers are paying over 400% more than others depending on how they choose to protect their trip.
Here is the breakdown of why premiums are rising and what the data says about the current state of things.
The Price Gap
The biggest takeaway from the Squaremouth data is the difference between “just being safe” and “being fully covered.” After all, everyone has a different risk-tolerance.
Those who only want medical coverage pay an average of $101. This can include an onboard doctor visit or a helicopter evacuation. A medical evacuation can be one of the biggest expenses you can face while on a cruise, so this is a bare minimum for some travelers.
However, most cruisers prefer “comprehensive” plans that include trip cancellation (for covered reasons). This type of protection costs an average of $538, which is a 433% jump over medical-only plans.
For those who want the ultimate package in travel insurance, adding a “Cancel For Any Reason” upgrade pushes the average cost to $807. As the name suggests, you can cancel the trip over the slightest inconvenience, with the only inconvenient part being the cost.
Why the Price Hike?
It isn’t just insurance companies raising rates. It’s that cruises themselves are getting more expensive, equal to the current demand. Squaremouth found that the average cruiser is now spending $7,706 on their cruise.
Because insurance is usually calculated as a percentage of your total trip cost, your premium is rising simply because the cruises themselves are getting a tad pricier.
Since comprehensive insurance usually costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip price, as cruise fares go up, insurance premiums must also go up. In fact, for luxury sailings over $9,000, insurance premiums are now averaging more than $1,100.
This is from looking at the data of over 25,000 cruise vacations.
How Cruise Duration Impacted Insurance Rates
The length of a cruise was also a big factor in the final cost of cruise insurance. Squaremouth broke down these average prices by the length of a cruise.
4-7 day cruise: $224
8-14 day cruise: $462
15-30 day cruise: $876
The Age Factor
Age continues to be the biggest reason for insurance costs going up. If you are under 50, you can expect to pay between $188 and $255 for the average policy.
But once you reach 70 and above, those prices pop to an average of $874. This is due to the higher medical risks associated with seniors, yes. But it’s also in the data that this demographic often takes longer, more expensive cruises.
Bottom Line
Cruise travel insurance isn’t something most seasoned cruisers simply ignore when booking a cruise. About 2 out of 3 cruise travelers are now choosing comprehensive plans. Sure, the costs are rising alongside trip prices, but the risk of an uninsured medical evacuation (which can cost $100,000 or more) makes that $500 premium a little easier to swallow.
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Luxury cruise ships aren’t usually known for budget-friendly bar tabs. On most ships, a cocktail will cost upwards of $15, with $20 or $25 being the norm for many drinks. And that’s before they add on an automatic 18% gratuity.
So when I took a Star Clippers cruise, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the drinks were even cheaper than my local pub! I have no idea why they price the drinks so cheaply, but I’m not complaining!
If you are the kind of cruiser who enjoys a cocktail at sunset, a glass of wine with dinner and maybe a nightcap under the stars, then you’re sure to love the drinks menus on Star Clippers.
What makes Star Clippers different
Star Clippers operates traditional tall sailing ships rather than floating resorys. These are elegant, old-world style vessels with polished wood, billowing sails and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. There are no casinos, no waterslides and no loud bars. Instead, you get quiet lounges, open decks, live music and a level of service that feels genuinely personal.
This style of cruising carries through to the bar experience too. Drinks are well made, served properly and never rushed. The friendly bar tenders remember your name, your room number and whether you like ice or not.
The drinks are just as good as they are on the big ships, but a whole lot cheaper.
Take a look at the menu…
Star Clippers keeps things simple with just one drinks menu. The prices are in Euros and includes service charge.
On Star Clippers a glass of wine costs €4, a beer is €4.50 and a cocktail is just €8. (Euros and US dollars are usually roughly equivalent)
Wines By The Bottle
The house wine is very nice, especially for only €4 per glass! However, for those of you who like to enjoy a nice bottle of wine with dinner, there is a large list of wines to choose from. Bottles of wine start at just €16!
When you consider that most cruise lines will charge you $15 corkage for a bottle of wine that you bring yourself, the wine prices on Star Clippers sound too good to be true. But it is true – take a look at the wine list…
Special Offers
Each day, there is a cocktail of the day. It will be a little cheaper than ususal and a great excuse to try something that you might not usually order. And save a bit of money too.
Depending on your itinerary, there may also be regional drinks for you to enjoy. For example on our Caribbean itinerary, you could get bottles of Carib caribbean lager for €4.50.
Star Clippers does not offer drink packages
That might sound like a negative if you are used to cruising on lines where you feel safer pre-paying, but on Star Clippers it works in your favour. The prices are so low that most people end up spending far less than they would on a package elsewhere.
There is also something refreshing about not having to think about whether you are “getting your money’s worth.” You simply order what you want, when you want, and pay a fair price for it.
Where you can get drinks onboard
The Tropical Bar and Piano Bar are the social heart of the ship. It’s actaully one bar, with half of it on the inside of the ship and half outside.
Royal Clipper also has another bar on the Sun Deck. She’s a little larger than the other ships, with a few extra features. There is also table service in the dining room.
Some itineraries include a beach barbeque. Here, they crew members will set up a bar on the beach so you can enjoy many of the same drinks you would on the ship, for the same price.
Complimentary drinks
There are some occasions where drinks are complimentary.
You’ll be welcomed onboard with a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. If it’s your second cruise or more, you’ll also get an invite to the ‘Repeaters Party’, where the complimentary champagne will be flowing.
You can help yourself to a selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate at any time of the day or night.
There’s a water dispenser where you can help yourself to cold, filtered water, which is great! I love it when cruise ships make it hard for you to refill your bottle and want you to buy plastic bottles of water instead.
At breakfast time, you can also enjoy a selection of fruit juices and flavoured water at no cost.
Final thoughts
Star Clippers proves that luxury does not have to mean expensive drinks. With bar prices that feel more than fair, generous pours and a beautiful setting to enjoy them in, it is one of the best cruise lines at sea for anyone who likes to enjoy a drink without running up a huge bill.
If you love the idea of sipping a cocktail on a quiet deck, watching the sails fill with wind as the sun sets, Star Clippers might just be your perfect match.
To see what its like onboard, I recommend that you take a look at my video…
Viking once again won multiple awards, this time in USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards that were announced this week.
Viking was ranked #1 in seven categories in USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, including Best Ocean and River Cruise Line.
USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards are nominated by a panel of travel experts, including Cruise Fever, and then voted on by readers.
Viking was named #1 in the following seven categories:
Best River Cruise Line
Best Ocean Cruise Line
Best Alaska Cruise
Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions
Best Adults-Only Cruise (Viking Mars)
Best Cruise Ship for Dining (Viking Star)
Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said the following:
“We are honored to be recognized by USA TODAY readers for both our river and ocean voyages,”.
“We have always done things differently in the travel industry—we focus on the destination, and we do not try to be all things to all people. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Viking family across our fleet.”
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Azamara Cruises has announced a new fleetwide enhancement program called Azamara Forward that will update all ships in their fleet.
Azamara Pursuit in Kotor, Montenegro. Photo: Cruise Fever
Azamara Forward will usher in a new era of fleet enhancements for the cruise line starting with Azamara Quest on December 18, 2026.
The enhancements include a new Penthouse Deck (only on Azamara Quest), a brand new Chef’s Table experience, a reimagined cocktail lounge, refreshed staterooms and suites, and upgraded public spaces.
The new Penthouse Deck on Azamara Quest will add 10 Grandview and two Panorama Suites to the ships.
The new Panorama Suites will be the ship’s most expansive and luxurious accommodations. Located on both forward corners of the Penthouse Deck, these top-tier suites offer spectacular 270-degree panoramic ocean views, separate living, dining, and bedroom spaces, a walk-in closet, and an oversized spa-inspired bathroom.
The new Grandview Suites offer a refined, contemporary retreat designed for guests seeking elevated comfort and privacy. Grandview Suites feature a new and elegant design, including refined, modern finishes, and beautifully spacious bathrooms with dual sinks and walk-in showers.
Other updates that will be added to all ships include a dedicated Chef’s Table restaurant, a reimagined Discoveries Restaurant, debut of a recrafted Atlas Bar across all four ships, a full transformation of The Cabaret Lounge, thoughtfully curated updates to every stateroom and suite, and much more.
Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises, said the following about Azamara Forward:
“Azamara Forward is Azamara Cruises’ vision for thoughtfully elevating the onboard experience while honoring the hallmarks that have long defined the brand.
“This transformation reflects years of listening to our guests and travel partners and an extraordinary amount of creativity and collaboration across our teams.
From the new Panorama and Grandview Suites aboard Azamara Quest to reimagined dining and ship-wide enhancements across our fleet, Azamara Forward is designed to deepen destination immersion, elevate comfort, and create even more meaningful moments at sea. It’s celebrating our heritage while introducing new experiences to take us into the future.”
Azamara Forward will roll out to all four ships in Azamara’s fleet starting with Azamara Quest on December 18, 2026.
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Disney Cruise Line’s newest and largest cruise ship, Disney Adventure, arrived in Florida for the first time this week when the vessel stopped at Port Canaveral.
Disney Adventure is the cruise line’s first ship over 200,000 gross tons in size. Although the ship is currently in Florida, it will not offer cruises from the state or region.
The new cruise ship’s final destination is Asia, where Disney Adventure will sail three- and four-night cruises from Singapore starting on March 10, 2026.
Disney Adventure draws on over 100 years of Disney storytelling from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar to bring to life the first Disney Cruise Line ship for families in Asia.
The ship has the longest roller coaster at sea spanning over 820 feet. It’s part of Marvel Landing, a fun-filled adventure zone on the top deck.
Marvel Landing is one of seven themed areas on Disney Adventure. They are:
Disney Imagination Garden – The heart of the ship with 100 years of Disney storytelling
Disney Discovery Reef – Expansive open-air retreat with tales from The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Lilo & Stitch and Luca
Toy Story Place – Water park for families
Marvel Landing – Fun-filled adventure zone
Wayfinder Bay – A Moana themed aft pool deck
San Fransokyo Street – Where San Francisco meets Tokyo
Town Square – Dining, cafes and shops
It’s a one-of-a-kind ship for Disney Cruise Line and the only one in its class. The vessel was originally going to sail as Global Dream until the parent company when bankrupt and Disney purchased the partially completed ship in 2022.
Disney has spent the last several years completing the ship and turning it into the ultimate Disney ship. The ship is now complete and will sail its maiden voyage in seven weeks.
Disney Adventure is part of Disney Cruise Line’s multi-year expansion plan, which will introduce Disney cruises to new audiences around the world, further establishing the brand as a global ambassador for Disney stories.
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