Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in service, aced a recent health inspection by scoring a perfect 100.
Icon of the Seas at CocoCay, Bahamas
The unannounced health inspection took place while the ship was docked in St. Thomas during a seven-night cruise to the Caribbean. Surprise health inspections are carried out by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program and the ship does not know when they will take place.
Icon of the Seas became the 15th cruise ship and second Royal Caribbean ship in 2025 to score a perfect 100. Adventure of the Seas also aced its health inspection a day before Icon of the Seas did.
This is the third time that Icon of the Seas has had a health inspection since the ship debuted in January 2024. The two other scores were a 97 and 96.
Each cruise ship that visits or sails from a U.S. port are inspected twice a year. During the inspections, the following eight areas of the ship are inspected:
Medical centers
Drinking water
Galley and dining rooms
Swimming pools and hot tubs
Housekeeping
Pest and insect management
Child activity centers
HVAC
A few weeks after ships are inspected, results are posted on the CDC’s website. You can see which cruise lines had the cleanest ships in the 1st quarter of 2025 here.
A passing score is 86 and above. If a cruise ship fails, the ship is reinspected soon after to make sure that corrective measures have been taken.
Icon of the Seas homeports in Miami sailing week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. All cruises visit the cruise line’s award-winning private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. You can view prices and itineraries on Icon of the Seas here.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
A crew member of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Icon of the Seas has died after going overboard on Thursday evening, July 24, 2025, according to news reports. The incident took place about 200 miles off the coast of the Bahamas.
According to WSVN 7News, a “man overboard” call was issued around 7:00 p.m. Cellphone footage captured rescue efforts, and the crew member was located and pulled onto a boat but ultimately, they did not survive.
Other passengers, who were also on Icon, reported on Reddit that life preservers were immediately dropped into the water after the overboard incident
The online reports stated that an “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” announcement was made around 7:18 PM and that security personnel closed blinds and discouraged passengers from congregating near the ship’s edges.
Royal Caribbean issued the following statement about the incident:
“Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately the crew member passed away. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones. To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share.”
Social media users praised the crew’s “phenomenal job” and quick recovery efforts.
With some recent stories of passengers going overboard from cruise ships it’s important to note that in these situations people don’t just fall off the ship. In almost every case either someone jumped or had to deliberately climb over a barrier or railing, which is against any cruise line’s policy.
While this story is still being investigated, initial reports from “cruise ship gossip” chains in social media groups are saying that it appears the individual in this case jumped, but we cannot verify those claims right now.
Icon of the Seas was on its way to Perfect Dat at CocoCay at the time of the incident. The trip is expected to continue as planned and return to PortMiami on Saturday.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Celebrity Cruises has released their new deployment opening schedule for sailings that will take place in 2027-2028.
Celebrity Summit departing from Vancouver for a seven-night cruise to Alaska. Photo: Cruise Fever
While exact details of these new cruises is still unknown, Celebrity Cruises said that they will visit than 280 ports in 70 countries on all seven continents.
Celebrity will announce their 2027-2028 season in five segments, starting with cruises to Canada/New England, Europe, Japan and Spring Transatlantic sailings being announced the week of August 4, 2025.
The entire opening deployment schedule can be seen below:
Week of August 4, 2025: Canada/New England, Europe, Japan, Spring Transatlantics
Week of September 8, 2025: Alaska and Hawaii
Week of September 29. 2025: Australia
November 2025: Caribbean, Fall Transatlantics
December 2025: Winter Asia
In a trade email to travel advisors, Celebrity said the following about the their 2027-2028 season:
“Our 2027 and 2028 season completely redefines the way your clients explore. Get ready for a season of sailings that brings the world to them like no one else can. Our thoughtfully designed itineraries have everything your clients could want in a vacation.”
Cruise Fever will have all the details of these exciting new cruises from Celebrity when they are announced.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Norwegian Cruise Line® Unveils Over 500 Voyages Worldwide During Peak 2027 Travel Season
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed its spring/summer 2027 deployment – allowing to get ahead on planning their spring and summer holidays. The season features over 500 individual voyages across 20 ships, departing from nearly 30 of the world’s top homeports, including Miami; Seattle; New York City; Southampton, England, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
From April through October 2027, NCL’s award-winning fleet will call to over 150 unique ports across 59 countries delivering immersive itineraries with MORE time in port, including over 170 overnight stays in the most sought-after destinations such as Istanbul; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. Whether planning a quick escape or longer adventure, the newly opened deployment delivers MORE opportunities for guests to make the most out of their spring and summer breaks.
“We’re proud to be the cruise line of choice for travellers who want MORE out of their holiday – MORE freedom, MORE destinations and MORE unforgettable experiences,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our spring and summer 2027 deployment clearly brings our promise to life, offering something for everyone. Whether guests are hopping between European cities nearly every day, taking in Alaska’s natural beauty from ships custom-built to bring the outdoors in, or kicking back on the beach with family and friends at one of our two resort-style destinations, there’s no shortage of ways to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories. I’m especially excited about the all-new experiences coming to Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in the Bahamas, that will truly provide guests with a variety of options —it’s all about giving guests MORE of what they love.”
Itinerary highlights from NCL’s spring/summer 2027 deployment include:
MORE SHORT ESCAPES AND ISLAND-FILLED ADVENTURES WITH THREE- TO 11-DAY CRUISES TO THE CARIBBEAN, BAHAMAS & BERMUDA
A standout feature of NCL’s Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries is a visit to the company’s private island destinations Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s top-rated port in the Bahamas, and Harvest Caye in Belize. Both islands are featured on nearly every voyage during the spring/summer 2027 season. These destinations deliver a picture-perfect beach experience, complete with pristine shores and turquoise waters, while offering guests even MORE ways to create lasting memories through unique shore excursions and curated island offerings. Beginning in late 2025, Great Stirrup Cay will debut a series of enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience, including a new multi-ship pier that ensures guaranteed access to the island; a convenient tram service for ease; an oversized heated pool perfect for relaxing under the sun; as well as the extension of popular onboard experiences ashore, such as an adult-only retreat with private cabanas, and Horizon Park, a family-friendly recreation area with lawn games and gathering spaces.
These updates to NCL’s private island come as it’s expanding its Caribbean and Bahamas deployment for the spring/summer 2027 season. Guests will have eight ships to choose from including some of the Company’s newest, Norwegian AquaTM® and Norwegian Viva®, as well as easy access with embarkation ports across Florida. Norwegian Viva will offer select Caribbean voyages from 18th April, 2027 through 16th May, 2027 from Miami calling to both Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay. From April through October 2027, Norwegian Aqua will sail week-long Caribbean itineraries with Sunday departures from Miami followed by Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla. and will debut in Falmouth, Jamaica as well as George Town, Cayman Islands. During the same timeframe, Norwegian Getaway® and Norwegian Escape® will offer three- to five-day sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami and Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla. respectively that are perfect for a short cruise holiday.
Another popular island destination best enjoyed during the spring and summer is Bermuda, with voyages departing from Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. In 2027, three NCL ships will sail to Bermuda as part of the cruise line’s seven-month season. Running from April through October, guests will have MORE opportunities than ever to experience the island’s pink sand beaches, historical sites, and lush green golf courses through overnights at the Royal Naval Dockyard on each sailing.
Norwegian LunaTM® will make her grand debut in New York City on April 6, 2027, and become the newest ship in the contemporary segment to sail from this iconic port. For the first time, the ship will offer five- to seven-day Bermuda voyages. Following her Boston debut in 2026 as the largest NCL ship to sail from the port, Norwegian Breakaway® will return to her seasonal homeport starting April 18, 2027, and will sail seven-day Bermuda voyages with Sunday embarkations and call to Halifax (Nova Scotia), Canada, one of the highest-rated ports in Northeast Canada.After reviving cruise operations from Philadelphia in April 2026, Norwegian Pearl® will extend her stay at the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex. Kicking off NCL’s third season of sailings from this homeport, guests can choose from seven-day Bermuda sailings from 8th April, 2027 through 2nd September, 2027 with visits to Norfolk, Virginia.
Moreover, both Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Pearl will sail Canada & New England itineraries from 29th August, 2027 to 17th October, 2027 calling to the most picturesque ports, including Charlottetown, Canada and Quebec City. Onboard these voyages, guests can savor the picturesque scenery of the Northeast tinted with the changing fall foliage, feast on fresh, local seafood delicacies and enjoy wine tastings at regional wineries and estates.
EXPLORE EUROPE WITH MORE SEVEN-DAY VOYAGES, OVERNIGHTS & LATE DEPARTURES
NCL will deploy eight ships, including some of the brand’s newest and recently renovated vessels, across Europe. Offering mostly seven-day itineraries that begin and end on weekends, guests have the option to sail from 10 popular embarkation ports, including Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Reykjavik, Iceland. These port-intensive voyages spend over 90% of their time in port with an average stay of nearly 11 hours and feature multiple overnight stays in cities like Istanbul; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Hamburg, Germany, as well as late-night departures from favorites like Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Ibiza, Spain, giving guests MORE time to explore Europe’s most captivating destinations.
In spring/summer 2027, Norwegian Prima® and Norwegian Viva will return to European waters offering a variety of nine-to-11-day voyages across the continent. Norwegian Viva will sail Western Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries from June through October from four different homeports: Istanbul; Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), and Venice (Ravenna), Italy. Meanwhile, Norwegian Prima will offer Mediterranean voyages, featuring maiden calls to Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, and Kotor, Montenegro. For the majority of the summer, she will make her return to Northern Europe to operate guest-favorite open-jaw voyages to Iceland and Norway, departing from Southampton, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. In September and October 2027, Norwegian Prima will close out her Europe season with three Baltic open-jaw sailings, which will also mark her inaugural turnaround in Helsinki and her maiden call in Riga, Latvia.
In addition to its newer and larger ships, NCL strategically deploys its mid-size ships to the region to deliver more intimate, destination-focused voyages allowing guests to explore must-see and lesser-known ports with ease. Aboard Norwegian Sun®, travellers can sail on seven-day, port-intensive Mediterranean itineraries with no sea days between May and August 2027 departing for the first time from Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna), Italy. These open-jaw sailings include maiden calls to historic ports in the Adriatic Sea, including Corfu, Greece. Moreover, during the same timeframe, Norwegian Jewel will return to Europe for a full season for the first time in over a decade, offering seven- and nine-day Baltic voyages between Copenhagen, Denmark and Helsinki featuring first-time visits to Klaipeda, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Gdynia, Poland – ideal for guests seeking to dive into cities that boast Medieval architecture and history as well as modern art, design and culture in Northern Europe.
Rounding out the season, Norwegian Epic®will offer NCL’s ever-popular seven-day Western Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, Spain and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy from May through October 2027, providing travellers the opportunity to explore each destination pre- or post-cruise for an extended vacation. Norwegian Dawn® will also offer scenic open-jaw sailings from May through October 2027 between Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, providing even more ways to experience the best of Southern Europe by sea.
MORE WAYS TO ENJOY ALASKA ABOARD SHIPS CUSTOM-BUILT FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS
With the global rise of “coolcations,” vacations to cooler climates, Alaska is the prime destination to escape the peak summertime heat. Commencing in late April, NCL’s Alaska season sets sail from Seattle; Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia aboard Norwegian Encore®, Norwegian Bliss® and Norwegian Joy®, each of which were custom-built for the destination with expansive outdoor and indoor spaces to marvel at the natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and the area’s rich wildlife, and Norwegian Jade®. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy will sail seven-day voyages departing each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Seattle’s Pier 66. Furthermore, Norwegian Joy will offer longer and more immersive nine- and 10-day voyages from mid-May to mid-June as well as end of August to end of September.
Beginning 10th May, 2027 through 20th September, 2027, Norwegian Jade® will cruise a series of seven-day open-jaw sailings between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska and feature iconic scenic cruising along Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay on each voyage. Guests aiming to immerse themselves even more in the “Last Frontier” can add an NCL Cruise tour to their reservation and explore the majestic Denali National Park, take a scenic ride on the historic tracks of the Alaska Railroad or fish halibut and salmon in the cold waters of Kachemak Bay.
MORE EXOTIC VOYAGES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN
Following her Australia and New Zealand winter season, Norwegian Spirit® will remain in the Pacific through December 2027, offering a diverse range of open-jaw voyages from South to North. The ship will homeport in Sydney, Australia; Lautoka, Fiji; Papeete, French Polynesia, and Honolulu, sailing a total of 11 immersive itineraries across the region.
For most of the season, Norwegian Spirit will operate 11- to 13-day Southern Pacific voyages, calling to exotic destinations such as New Caledonia, Fiji, the Samoan Islands, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands.
In addition to the newly opened spring/summer 2027 deployment, NCL cruises to nearly 350 destinations worldwide giving guests the chance to plan and book their upcoming cruise vacation well in advance.
For guests looking to elevate their cruise experience, NCL’s brand-new More At Sea™ program provides travellers more value with unlimited open bar featuring premium beverage brands such as Casamigos Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Grey Goose Vodka and more; as well as specialty dining meals; high-speed Wi-Fi minutes; and $50 shore excursion credits at every port of call. More At Sea delivers guests an incredible value with savings of over 75%. For more details on NCL’s new More At Sea offering, visit www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/more-at-sea.
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line’s award-winning 20-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 03332412319 or visit www.ncl.com.
Get some awesome CRUISE MERCH: Check out our CRUISE NICE TO HAVES LIST:
👦A little about us!👧
Hi! We are Jason and Kellie! We’ve been married 25 years. We have four awesome children! We were both Army officers! We love Jesus! And, we love life! Traveling the world is what we do! One of the best ways to do that is by ship! Our passion is to give you all of the cruise news and information you need in a concise way that values your time. We hope you will subscribe and take the journey with us!
We just visited Carnival’s new Celebration Key in Grand Bahama! Before you go, there’s a lot you need to know about Carnval’s new exclusive island destination! In today’s video I’m sharing my first impressions & answering your questions, so you can plan & make the most of your time on Celebration Key!
If you’re planning a cruise with a stop in Carnival cruises Celebration Key, this is the latest Carnival cruise news. You’ll learn what is included & what is not included, how the included free food works on the island, as well as answers to questions like, is Celebration Key accessible & are there enough lounge chairs.
This video will help you plan your day in port, whether you want to have an all inclusive afteroon at Pearl Cove Beach Club or a family fun day at the splash park or waterslides. You’ll even find out how to go to Celebration Key on a budget, as it is definitely possible if you like.
Since we were among the first guests onboard, I also share my honest thoughts & review of this new cruise line destination. If you’re heading to Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, or have been recently please let me know your thoughts & tips.
The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you.
As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
More Items we LOVE @ Life Well Cruised Amazon Store:
FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE – Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Getting away from it all is the best part of taking a vacation in my opinion. The cooking, the cleaning, the traffic—all of it.
But for cruisers, that same ship that lets them get away from life’s responsibilities for a while, also takes them away from things like convenient and affordable medical care.
For one recent cruise passenger, the trip apparently turned into a big financial headache. A Reddit post quickly went viral, after revealing a picture of a medical bill that totaled $9,759.86.
The social media post racked up over 500 comments after just one hour of being posted. But besides being a sounding board for some, it’s also helping to draw attention to a very important aspect of travel: getting cruise travel insurance.
Sticker Shock at Sea: What Was On the Bill?
The bill, originating from the “Norwegian Escape Medical Center,” detailed various services that quickly added up.
While the image shared was a bit blurry for some, and the original poster didn’t specify the exact nature of their illness, the itemized charges on the give a glimpse of the medical procedures and tests performed.
Key charges on the bill shown:
“Professional Service” Fee: $8,761.00 formed the base of the charges, before any additions of medications and supplies.
Viral Respiratory Test – PCR (SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, RSV): A single test for these common respiratory illnesses came in at $274.00.
MISCELLANEOUS PROCEDURES Injection – IV (Push/Infusion): These charges appear multiple times at $131.00 each (shown at least 8 times on the first page)
Oximetry 24HR: This monitoring service was billed at $109.00.
Other costs included various lab tests (e.g., “COMP. METABOLIC PANEL,” “BLOOD COUNT”) and additional IV administrations.
These itemized expenses shown in the blurry photo illustrate how quickly even routine medical attention can lead to a bill like this when you’re miles from shore.
Why So Pricey?
So, why are these bills so high? Many Redditors chimed in with a viewpoint of their own, highlighting an important thing to remember: cruise ship medical centers operate outside your regular health insurance network.
Unlike visiting your local doctor or emergency room back home, where your insurance typically covers a good chunk of the cost, you might be expected to pay the entire bill upfront on a cruise.
Getting reimbursed by your primary insurance later can be a complicated, drawn-out process, and some policies simply don’t offer international coverage at all, as one user noted, “That’s if they cover internationally, some insurance don’t unfortunately (mine doesn’t).”
This reality led several commenters to suggest that the true lesson isn’t “Don’t get sick on a cruise,” but rather, “Don’t get sick without insurance!“
Is It Worse Than a US Emergency Room?
The conversation in the thread quickly moved to a comparison of healthcare costs on land.
Many users, clearly familiar with American medical bills, argued that the nearly $10,000 cruise bill was “not outrageous” or even “still cheaper than an ER visit in the US.”
One person commented, “My wife got 5 stitches and it was 8k. In and out in under an hour.” Another shared the dread of dealing with a typical U.S. bill, suggesting endless calls to insurance companies.
Others, though, did point out specific charges that felt odd, like the $109 for a pulse oximeter, leading to jokes about bringing your own $4 device from Walmart.
Why Insurance is Key and NOT Just a Good Idea
Beyond the cost, many comments focused on the risk of having health issues on a cruise ship.
As one commenter put it, “Why I never leave the country without travel insurance that covers healthcare.” Another user shared a positive experience: “My son actually fell and sliced open his forehead on the pool deck and had to get stitches. We were not billed a penny because we had the insurance. I’m sure that would’ve been outrageous.”
Travel insurance isn’t just for covering the onboard medical bills though; it’s also important for emergency evacuations (med evacs), which can cost tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Bottom Line
While the idea of a cruise is to relax and escape, this cruiser’s almost $10,000 medical bill is a good reminder that it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. A small investment in a good travel insurance policy can give you peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying your getaway instead of worrying about any issues that come up.
Because when you’re far from home, getting sick without proper coverage really is the worst kind of souvenir.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
When Star Princess, the next new ship from Princess Cruises, makes its debut in October, it will have the first-at-sea Chanel beauty shop-in-shop.
The Chanel shop is part of Starboard’s retail offerings that will be on Star Princess. It will also be the first Princess cruise ship to feature a destination retail boutique that brings the regional itinerary to life onboard for guests.
The Caribbean destination boutique will offer locally sourced, destination-inspired and artisanal products spanning food, apparel, accessories, fashion jewelry, kitchenware, books, drinkware and souvenirs for adults and kids.
The first-at-sea Chanel shop will introduce unique luxury retail offerings on the cruise ship.
Star Princess will have an offering of vintage and pre-owned luxury handbags onboard as well as a range of men’s, women’s and kids’ fashion and apparel.
Star Princess will also feature a dedicated space for a series of rotating brand activations with brand designers and ambassadors.
Alfredo Jimenez, Vice President Hotel Operations, Princess Cruises, gave the following statement:
“Princess Cruises is committed to offering unforgettable guest experiences and partnering with Starboard will elevate our retail offering for Star Princess guests.
As our newest partner, Starboard will enable us to introduce a carefully curated shopping experience that feels holistic and true to the Princess Cruises brand, while offering something unique and memorable for each and every guest.”
Lisa Bauer, Starboard’s President and CEO, added:
“Starboard is extremely pleased to continue our global expansion by launching this partnership with Princess Cruises and its newest ship, Star Princess. This collaboration underscores our authority as the leading curator of vacation retail experiences and we look forward to leveraging our deep expertise to create custom assortments and one-of-a-kind activations that will delight Star Princess’s guests.”
Star Princess is scheduled to debut in October 2025. After a short season in Europe, the ship will head to Port Everglades where it will be christened on November 6, 2025.
The ship will spend the winter 2025-2026 season offering cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Seattle for cruises to Alaska for the summer of 2026.
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Holland America Line is rolling out more live music on their ships in addition to new entertainment and activities.
The enhancements include a new ‘Welcome Aboard’ show, fresh World Stage production shows, a wider variety of live music in more venues, and added cultural and regional activities.
The rollout has already started on six ships: Nieuw Statendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam. The cruise line has brought back classical music with a new string duo or trio on all cruises on these ships.
Non-stop entertainment is now available on these six ships every single night of the cruise. The World Stage has expanded show schedules and there are surprise cabaret performances and more live music in venues around the ship like the Crow’s Nest, Lido Pool and in the Ocean Bar.
The Welcome Aboard show takes place the first night of the cruise and gives guests a sample of the different entertainment that will be offered throughout their sailing.
Travel Guides will be re-added later this year offering destination talks on the World Stage.
The Cruise Director on each ship will be more visible and dynamic. Guests can expect a lively onboard atmosphere filled with hands-on classes, cooking demonstrations, tastings, game shows and themed parties, all brought to life by the Cruise Director’s energy and personality.
Michael Smith, senior vice president of guest experience and product development for Holland America Line, said the following:
“Our live music is second to none, and guests have asked for more, so we’re delivering on this with higher energy, more authentic local music and more variety in entertainment on every sailing. It’s all about enriching the journey and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, no matter where they sail.”
These changes showcase Holland America Line’s commitment to providing the best possible experience for their guests when they cruise on one of their ships.
Live music will continued to be offered every night at Billboard Onboard, the Rolling Stone Lounge and B.B. King’s Blues Club (Pinnacle class ships).
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
Carnival Cruise Line has released their 2027 deployment for cruises to Alaska that include more than 50 itineraries on three ships.
Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend and Carnival Luminosa will all sail to Alaska in 2027 from Seattle and San Francisco.
The cruise line also announced a few unique Carnival Journeys cruises that will range from nine- to 23-days in length.
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Spirit will offer 20 week-long cruises to Alaska starting on April 29, 2027. The sailings will depart from Seattle and visit Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and Victoria.
The ship will also sail back-to-back Carnival Journeys cruises. The first is a nine-day cruise from Mobile on March 20, 2027 that will visit Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Montego Bay, and Isla Tropicale.
The second is a 16-day cruise through the Panama Canal that departs on March 29, 2027 and visits Cartagena, Colombia, Cabo San Lucas, and Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
A third 15-day Carnival Journeys cruise will visit all four major Hawaiian Islands. This unique cruise to Hawaii departs on April 14, 2027.
Carnival Legend
Carnival Legend will reposition from Tampa to Seattle on April 4, 2027. During this 16-day cruise, the ship will stop in Acapulco, Mexico. This will mark the first time that Carnival Cruise Line has visited the port in 17 years.
Once the ship is in Alaska, it will sail 22 seven-night cruises to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and Victoria.
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa will sail a 23-day Transpacific cruise that will take the ship from Sydney to San Francisco. On the way over, the vessel will stop in Fiji, the French Polynesia and Hawaii.
On May 3, 2027, the ship will begin offering 10-day cruises to Alaska with a several four night cruises to Mexico.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement about these new cruises to Alaska:
“At Carnival, our three-ship deployment continues to serve up the perfect blend of the Alaskan landscape’s breathtaking natural beauty and our signature Carnival fun. Cruising is truly the best way to see Alaska, which is why these itineraries remain extremely popular each year – and all-the-more reason why travelers plan Alaska cruises far in advance.”
Get the latest cruise news, tips, and deals sent straight to your inbox with our free newsletter: Sign Up Now
