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The Best Hotels Near Newcastle Cruise Terminal With Parking

by Cruise NewsMoney saving tips

Newcastle’s cruise terminal is a good few miles from the city centre – you’re going to need somewhere to leave the car.

Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal

There is parking at the Port of Tyne, but you might get better prices if you choose a hotel with cruise parking – plus you might prefer to drive to the city the day before, so you aren’t rushing on departure day.

And if you don’t need parking then you might still want a hotel for the night before – I’ve found some good options for those too, including one right across the road!

A lot of Newcastle hotels don’t offer cruise parking

The Port of Tyne is still a relatively small port for cruise departures, and so cruise parking at hotels isn’t widely available or advertised by most hotels.

You can often negotiate directly with a hotel, or look for hotels that have airport parking – it’s the same thing. Even then, most of those are closer to the airport, on the other side of Newcastle.

In this guide, I’ll cover some of the best Newcastle hotels with cruise parking deals.

And then to give you more options, I’ll tell you about a couple of hotels that are a good choice for a stay the night before a cruise, although you may still need to park at the terminal for your cruise, or another car park nearby.

Newcastle hotels with cruise parking

The following hotels offer either cruise parking or airport parking deals where you can leave your car for the duration of your cruise holiday.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 4
  • Breakfast included: Extra cost
  • Distance from port: 9.4 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 18 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi 

The Grand Hotel in Gosforth Park is a large hotel just off the A1. The decor of the hotel is a little more retro in style, but if you like the idea of a large hotel outside the city centre with cruise parking available, it’s a good choice at a reasonable price.

It has its own swimming pool and restaurant onsite too so you can relax the night before your cruise. In terms of getting to the port, if you’re leaving the car at the hotel you’ll need to book a taxi as transfers aren’t included in the parking price. Nor is breakfast, just so you know.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 2
  • Breakfast included: Extra cost
  • Distance from port: 11 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 18 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi 

The Travelodge at Newcastle Airport is a pleasant enough hotel on the outskirts of Newcastle. It’s pretty small and rooms – especially family rooms – are limited in availability so make sure you book in advance if you’re interested.

It’s attached to a carvery pub where you can enjoy breakfast at an additional cost. There’s a Metro station nearby but it’s a 10-minute walk, and then you’ve got a 15-20 minute walk from Percy Main to the port on the other side. A taxi would be much easier from here.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 4
  • Breakfast included: Yes
  • Distance from port: 14.5 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 22 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi 

The DoubleTree by Hilton is situated right at the airport, but you can use it for port parking too. It’s a slightly longer drive to the cruise port, but the main roads mean it doesn’t take you too long to get to the cruise terminal, even on a busy morning. There’s also the Newcastle Airport Metro station, but again the walk from Percy Main in North Shields may put you off.

The hotel is beautifully appointed and it has its own restaurant, bar and fitness centre. Breakfast here is the best of the hotels with cruise parking near the port, so if you want a good spread to set you up for embarkation day, this premium hotel is a good choice.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 4
  • Breakfast included: Extra cost
  • Distance from port: 10.2 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 16 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi 

The Holiday Inn at Gosforth Park is a light, modern hotel that is typically targeted at businesses, but many people choose to stay here for airport parking and so it’s a good choice for port parking as well.

The hotel has its own lounge and restaurant for relaxing the night before you sail, plus a large gym if you fancy getting a quick workout in before you start revelling in all that cruise food. A taxi to the port is your best bet if you’ve booked a parking package.

More Newcastle hotels near the Port of Tyne

These hotels don’t offer cruise parking as standard, but you might be able to negotiate with them.

Even if you can’t agree a cruise parking deal, they’re great options for an overnight stay before you sail – and then you can park at the terminal or find a nearby car park using Just Park or Your Parking Space.

Premier Inn North Shields
  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 3
  • Breakfast included: Extra cost
  • Distance from port: 0.6 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 2 minutes by car, 10 minutes on foot
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Walking distance

The Premier Inn at North Shields is adjacent to the Port of Tyne – that half-a-mile walk is just to get to the terminal once you pass through the gate to the port.

It’s a great location and it has its own very large car park, though you’d need to speak to the hotel to check about leaving your car there since it’s only free for guests.

I’ve stayed here and it’s a nice location, very quiet, with an outdoor shopping mall across the road that has some unique stores which are fun to explore before you set sail. There’s a pub next door for breakfast, and a bowling alley across the road if you want to keep busy the night before you sail.

  • Type: B&B
  • Star rating: TBC – new hotel
  • Breakfast included: Yes
  • Distance from port: 4.7 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 12 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi or drive yourself

The Dorset Arms Hotel is a smaller B&B-style hotel in Wallsend, just a short drive from North Shields and the Port of Tyne. It only opened in 2023, so the rooms are very modern and stylish, and the restaurant serves a good range of options for all diets.

There’s free parking for guests staying at the hotel, and they may be able to arrange cruise parking for you, otherwise, you’ll need to park at the port or a nearby car park instead.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 3
  • Breakfast included: Extra cost
  • Distance from port: 5.1 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 14 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Taxi or drive yourself

Many of the hotels near the Port of Tyne are Premier Inns – there are more I could’ve added, but I didn’t want to flood the list with the same chain. I’ve included this one though because it’s an easy drive from the port, and it’s a good choice for families thanks to the location.

Whitley Bay is a pleasant seaside resort with a nice promenade and traditional amusements. While family cruises from Newcastle are limited, if you are travelling with kids, this can be a fun place to stay before you sail. Parking is free while you stay and you may be able to negotiate cruise parking.

  • Type: Chain hotel
  • Star rating: 4
  • Breakfast included: Yes
  • Distance from port: 7.2 miles
  • Average travel time to port: 16 minutes by car
  • Family rooms available: Yes
  • Transfer options: Drive yourself

The Malmaison in Newcastle is one of the biggest hotels with access to parking in the city centre. It’s very modern, has amazing views and features a spa and its own restaurant and bar.

To be clear, this isn’t the best choice for cruise parking – you won’t be able to leave your car here, and your pre-cruise stay parking isn’t free – it costs you £10.

I’ve included it though because if you want to explore Newcastle before you sail, there are few better choices. The Malmaison is right on the Quayside, so you can spend the day before enjoying the bars, restaurants and sights of Newcastle itself.

My recommendations

Cheap – Travelodge Newcastle Airport

The Travelodge rooms are basic but they’re great if you’re on a budget, and with airport and cruise parking packages available, you can just leave your car there and get yourself a taxi or Metro to the port.

Best – Premier Inn North Shields

The Premier Inn couldn’t be in a better location for the port – within 2 minutes you’re on the property of the port and the walk down to the terminal is really easy. Plus there are plenty of good facilities nearby. Just be aware you’ll need to call them to ask about cruise parking since it isn’t offered as standard.

Final word

There are loads of hotels around Newcastle, although the city centre options with parking are a little more limited. So a hotel outside the city centre is a better choice.

I’d recommend the hotels with airport parking, even if they’re a little further away, since they’ll also offer cruise parking.

However the Premier Inn at North Shields couldn’t be better placed, so if you can arrange parking there or you don’t mind paying for the port parking, then you will be right at the port ready to begin your cruise on the morning of embarkation.

So why not check out the best cruises from Newcastle that are available to book?

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Why Your Fitness Tracker Gets Wonky on a Cruise Ship Run

by Diplomacy

As the cruise industry grows, it’s clear that there isn’t just one type of traveler who enjoys a vacation at sea.  While some would rather lounge in a deck chair on lido deck for 8 hours a day, others prefer to enjoy a more active sailing.  But fitness trackers could cause issues.

Using Fitness trackers on a cruise ship with jogging track
ID 16458826 | Cruise © Brett Critchley | Dreamstime.com

If you’re the type of cruiser who wonders why there’s even a gym and running track on a cruise ship, this story might not make much sense.

But active runners want to keep up their conditioning even while getting a break from work.  Plus, with all the amazing food on a cruise ship, it helps to burn off at least a few calories before debarkation day arrives.

Why Trackers Are a Runner’s Best Friend—Until They’re Not

Fitness trackers are practically a must for serious runners.  Not only do they keep a close eye on the heart rate, but a tracker with GPS enabled can provide all kinds of information about pace, altitude, and overall performance.

There’s only one problem when you combine these two ideas: cruise ships are on the move. 

Sure, you can get the GPS to connect to a Garmin fitness tracker, but once you start running on the onboard track on a moving ship, it throws all the data into chaos.

In fact, it’s a little hilarious to check out the map of a run on a cruise ship.  It’s usually a straight line with some pretty ridiculous speeds that change when you’re running towards the back (stern) of the ship.

It’s even weirder if you start your run while the ship is turning or positioning to move out of port.

Social Media Weighs In: ‘A Fun Mess’

A user on Reddit recently asked about this after saying they were in the middle of a 10k training block. 

Once the ship is out at sea it might look like you’re running the fastest pace of your life, but the data is really just way off.

“It does not work well. Like at all. The ships moving, you’re moving, it’s a fun mess. I recommend doing it once with GPS on just to look at how goofy the map is then delete the workout,” one user replied.

Gym on Carnival Celebration with ellipticals and treadmills
Gym on Carnival Celebration

Track or Treadmill?

Another commenter recommended using the treadmill in the gym instead.  Of course, the GPS would ideally be turned off and the run logged as an “indoor run” in this case.

Most modern cruise ships do clearly mark the distances on their tracks, but not all tracks are created equal.

I’ve been on some cruise ships where a runner has to almost turn into a hurdler, on top of being a bobber and weaver, as an obstacle course of objects and crowds would make it more like a “fun run”.

I don’t recommend trying to run at full speed on a cruise ship.  It’s great for a light job, but if you want to push yourself hard, hit the treadmill in the gym as previously mentioned.

So, if getting the best possible time is important to a runner, it’s not so ideal.  Some tracks, like on Celebrity’s Edge-Class ships are multi-level and add some interest to the work out, but an occasional cruiser passing by could always be an issue.

In the social media post, user Meeshkim129 mentioned an interesting experience while running on a cruise, with quite an impressive performance.

“I ran 7 miles on the jogging track on the cruise and the regular outdoor mode was fine. 3 laps was one mile, I knew my easy pace, and 21 laps later, it logged the correct mileage at the right pace. I have a Forerunner 245. It was a great experience every time I hit the track because I had beautiful views of Canada/Alaska and the ocean, and even spotted some whales while I ran,” the user stated.

Sky Princess pool deck
A little lido deck etiquette goes a long way. Image of Sky Princess. (Photo Credit: Cruise Fever)

Another user mentioned training for a marathon when they took a cruise.  After trying to do an 8-mile run on the jogging track, they ended up switching to the treadmill. 

 While it’s notable for a runner to want to keep up their conditioning on a cruise, just know that the track around the lido deck or above it is more like a jogging or walking track than a “running” track.

Plan B: Run When the Ship Stops

If you don’t wan to use the treadmill, just wait for the ship to arrive in port and have a nice early morning run while the ship is stationary.  Then you can use the GPS as normal. 

Just be careful of any groggy passengers with plates from the buffet that could stumble across your path. 

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Carnival Ship Almost Fails Health Inspection With Cockroachs & Fruit Flies

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

A popular Carnival ship has been hit with a less-than-stellar inspection health inspection score and, while the ship has passed, it must take immediate action to rectify some serious issues.

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine underwent an inspection on 8th March as part of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) – a system designed to monitor the sanitation and hygiene practices aboard cruise ships calling on U.S. ports.

Sunshine received a score of 89 out of 100, just barely above the program’s passing threshold of 86.

26 violations noted onboard

According to the CDC’s official report, 26 separate violations were found during the inspection, including several serious infractions that raised immediate concern.

Among the most troubling:

  • A crew member continued working while experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, a clear violation of standard health protocols.
  • Cockroaches and fruit flies were found in various food service areas, including around dishwashing stations, under equipment, and even in the crew galley near rolling flour bins.
  • Several refrigeration units were malfunctioning, allowing potentially hazardous foods like raw meatballs and sandwiches to rise above the required safe temperatures.
  • Inspectors also cited worn and cracked gaskets on ice machines, leaking water lines, damaged flooring, and food-contact surfaces in visible disrepair.

While the ship technically passed the inspection with its 89 score, Carnival is required to submit a corrective action plan to address the issues found onboard.

The Carnival Sunshine inspection comes just weeks after Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas was also flagged during a VSP inspection.

Symphony received a lower score of 86 in February, with inspectors noting 57 violations, prompting Royal Caribbean to review its illness protocols and sanitation procedures fleetwide.

Cruise lines must implement corrective measures after inspections fall below expectations or result in widespread concerns. If problems persist, the CDC can conduct follow-up visits, which can impact public perception and even sailing schedules.

Carnival Sunshine had just returned to service in mid-February 2025 following a two-week dry dock in Marseille, France, where the ship received general maintenance and upgrades.

Despite her refresh, the 102,853-gross-ton vessel – originally launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996 and rebranded as Carnival Sunshine in 2013 – is clearly still facing operational challenges behind the scenes.

Currently homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Sunshine is offering a series of Bermuda and Bahamas cruises, with the spring and summer 2025 season expected to be a busy one.

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Poop Deck Meaning (And Why It’s Called That!)

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsOther

Ever wondered where the term ‘poop deck’ came from, and why it’s given that name? After all, if you’re not familiar with it, it sounds a bit funny, doesn’t it?

And yet, we’ve all probably heard the name before, usually from movies.

An old pirate ship sailing in the sunset

So if you’re interested in knowing what the poop deck is, what it means to swab it, and whether ships still have a poop deck, then read on – this is everything you could want to know about poop decks.

Understading The Poop Deck

A poop deck is a small deck situated at the aft (rear) of a ship. It’s not a full deck, but instead extends up from the main deck by a few feet, with steps leading up to it. It was used to help with navigation and to monitor the crew of the ship working on the main deck.

So no, it doesn’t have anything to do with ‘poop’. Sorry if that’s disappointing! These shorter, raised deck spaces were just used to make sure that senior crew were better placed to see the surrounding waters, and for officers to make sure the crew weren’t slacking from their work.

poop deck
Poop Deck on HMS Surprise
BrokenSphere, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Etiology Of ‘Poop Deck’

The name ‘poop deck’ originally derives from the Latin “puppis” which meant the stern of the ship. The French adapted this to “la pouppe”, which ultimately became “poop deck” when it was translated into English in the 15th Century.

It’s not got anything to do with the modern use of the word “poop”, so it’s not where sailors would relieve themselves. It’s just called the poop deck because back when Latin was created, the term “puppis” was devised for the same part of the ship, and language has of course evolved over the years.

Poop Deck Actually Has Latin Origins

A lot of our language comes from Latin, with words being adapted to fit the language we’re using. So while a lot of people think that the term “poop deck” originates in the French “la pouppe”, you can go further back to the Latin word “puppis” since the French word would’ve been taken from the Latin. And with “puppis” meaning stern of a ship, it’s clear that’s where the word was taken from.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first use of the term was a 1489 translation of a book written by French author Christine de Pisan in 1410. In her book “The Book of Fayttes of Armes and Chyualrye”, she states “The pouppe whiche is the hindermost partye of the shippe.”

The first recorded use of it being simplified to the “poop deck” was in the early 17th Century, and the term has stuck since (source).

Location Of The Poop Deck

The poop deck is situated towards the aft (rear) of the ship. The reason for this was so that the officers could not just see where the ship was going, but monitor the weather on either side and also keep an eye on the crew to ensure they were working.

There’s no set size for a poop deck but it would typically take up between a quarter and a third of the main deck. It’d be extended upwards, with a few steps from the main deck. It wouldn’t necessarily be full height – it might be, and could contain extra rooms, but it was often just raised a few feet instead.

Modern Cruise Ships No Longer Have A Poop Deck

Modern cruise ships don’t have a poop deck because they don’t need them – navigation is done from the bridge, which is situated at the front of the ship. Cameras and other tech make it easy to see in all directions from the ship too, so the poop deck is redundant.

Remember that the three reasons for needing a poop deck were to see where the ship was going, to monitor the surrounding weather, and to watch over the crew.

The first two can easily be taken care of from the bridge on the ship, especially with all the tech that cruise ships use to monitor the surrounding waters. There’s no need for a poop deck or a crow’s nest or any other special vantage point – the bridge has everything covered.

Suggested read: Where Is The Bridge On A Cruise Ship & What Does It Look Like?

Me on the bridge of Ambassador Ambition
I visited the bridge onboard Ambassador Ambition

And as for monitoring the crew – well considering how modern ships often have 1,000+ crew anyway, can you imagine the officers trying to watch them manually?

Instead, crews aren’t constantly watched by officers, and each part of the ship has suitable managers to make sure everyone is doing their job.

Some cruise ships may have something which resembles a poop deck – a raised deck at the aft of the ship. But it’s not a poop deck, nor is it used for that purpose. It’s usually just extra space for some features, and it often isn’t the full width of the ship – it definitely doesn’t overhang like some poop decks may do.

For example, the Quantum-class ships on Royal Caribbean have a partial deck at the aft of the ships for Deck 16, which is where you’ll find the upper area of the SeaPlex, the FlowRider and RipCord by iFly.

Quantum of the Seas flowrider

But it’s not a real poop deck. You don’t get them on cruise ships these days.

There is one sort-of exception though – not an actual poop deck, but a deck space where some guests on the ship actually go to poop!

But I don’t mean humans – I’m talking about animals travelling on the ship. While all ships will have discreet areas where assistance dogs can go to the toilet, only Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 welcomes cats and dogs onboard in a special area of the ship, including an outdoor space used as a toilet.

It even has a traditional British lamp post and an American fire hydrant to make dogs feel more at home!

Dog on Cunard

The Last Poop Deck

It’s believed that the last major ship to have a poop deck was the Titanic, which sank in 1912. Her sister ship, Britannic, was under construction when Titanic sank, and she wasn’t built with a poop deck.

Of course, there may have been other ships built since with a poop deck, but in terms of well-known vessels, and those large enough to be notable, the last record of a ship to have a poop deck is the Titanic.

Titanic

Ever since then, ship design has changed to move all of the navigation into a bridge, and that bridge was always extended on every ship after the Titanic, to make sure that it was easier for the crew to spot hazards in the waters.

About The Titanic’s Poop Deck

The Titanic’s poop deck was situated on Deck B and was used not by the ship’s officers for navigation, but instead as a recreational space for guests in third-class accommodation.

So while it was in the typical space for a poop deck, and may have been named so, it wasn’t used for the same purpose as a poop deck would’ve been.

Because of where it was situated on the ship, the poop deck on the Titanic was one of the last parts of the ship to sink. The ship broke in half at around 2.18am as the stern had been rising, and while it resettled, it then rose vertically. Around two minutes later the last part of the stern, including the poop deck, passed below the water line.

Pooping On Deck

Despite the name, sailors definitely did not poop off the poop deck. Because it was primarily used for navigation and to supervise the crew, the poop deck would typically be manned by senior officers – hardly the place to want to go to the toilet out in the open!

The poop deck has absolutely nothing to do with poop as we know the word.

A dog smelling a pile of poop

Where The Sailors Actually Went To Poop

While it could vary depending on the ship, sailors would often use a toilet in the ship’s head – situated in the bow (front) of the ship. It’d be an area just above the waterline that the spray of the ocean would help to keep clean.

Because the rear of the ship was reserved for the officers to work, or for the cabins of those senior officers, the toilet was usually as far from that as possible, and the splashing of the water at the front of the ship helped to keep the area clean.

Some crew may also have used buckets and then dumped the waste over the side of the ship. So in actual fact, in terms of the ship’s layout, the poop deck couldn’t be further from the poop.

Nowadays, of course, cruise ships have thousands of bathrooms onboard.

Suggested read: What Cruise Ships Do With Sewage

The Use Of The Poop Deck

The purpose of a poop deck on a ship was to help the senior crew keep an eye on the stars for navigation, the surrounding waters to steer the ship safely, and the crew to ensure they were doing the work that was asked of them.

The poop deck was typically a part of the quarterdeck, which was the main deck area behind the central mast. Usually, the wheel would’ve been situated on the quarterdeck, but further forward than the poop deck, so that the officers could command the helmsman on where to steer.

Now that ships navigate and steer all from the bridge towards the front of the ship, there’s no need for a poop deck anymore.

Swabbing The Poop Deck

The phrase ‘swab the poop deck’ meant wetting the poop deck at the rear of the ship using something like a mop. While it may have been done for cleaning purposes, it was also to prevent the ship from rotting and to help seal the deck to prevent water leaking to the inner decks. 

A sailor mopping the deck

Whether it’s a movie or a cartoon, you may have seen someone swabbing the decks of a ship by cleaning them with a mop. And that’s pretty accurate, since ships would get a build-up of salt deposits and seaweed from the ocean. Keeping them clean was important to make sure the salt didn’t damage the wood, and that the seaweed didn’t make the surface slippery.

But swabbing the poop deck also had other purposes. By keeping the wood constantly wet, instead of just damp, it would help prevent mold infestations causing the wood to become damaged.

Also, when wood gets wet it expands. And old ships didn’t have the same modern sealants that we have today to bond materials together. Swabbing the poop deck helped to make the outer decks swell so that the wood formed more of a watertight bond. Essentially, sailors were wetting the top deck so that the inner decks stayed dry.

Finally, the job of swabbing the poop deck might’ve just been given to the crew to keep them busy, if no other work was needed. The crew were expected to work for most of the day on a ship and when the waters were calm, officers helped keep them in line with busywork such as swabbing the decks.

‘Poop Deck’ Is Also A Game!

Here’s how to play it…

Poop Deck is a fun game for kids (although adults could definitely play too) that only needs an outdoor space with three clearly-defined areas. Basketball courts work well, but you can make anything work.

All you need to do is line up everyone along the sidelines, and make sure each of the areas you’ve chosen has a name – one is the Main Deck, one is the Quarterdeck, and one is the Poop Deck.

The leader of the game shouts out one of the locations, and everyone runs to it. The last person to cross the line to get to the deck is out.

Kids running together

It’s simple, but it can cause a bit of confusion as people forget which area is which, and can run to the wrong place.

You may also know the name ‘Poop Deck’ from a fast food restaurant that appeared in one episode of Spongebob Squarepants. It was owned by Mr. Pirateson and is shown as a live-action location, staffed by Patchy the Pirate and Potty the Parrot. 

And in other media, if you’re a little old for Spongebob, you might instead remember that in the Popeye comic books and cartoons, his father was named Poopdeck Pappy.

Final Word

I didn’t necessarily think that the term ‘poop deck’ had anything to do with poop (although it did cross my mind), but I’m a little surprised it’s as simple as being taken from a Latin word for the stern of a ship. Still, sometimes the answer is just easy.

And while the poop deck isn’t really a thing anymore, I’m much happier knowing that cruise ships are operated safely from the bridge with all that tech making sure sailings are stress-free for all guests on board. So much safer than crew trying to just use the stars and watch out from a raised deck at the back of a ship!

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

I’m ALWAYS looking for cruise bargains! These are the best deals I found this week…

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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12 Vital Things To Know

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsMoney saving tips

Sometimes – rarely – something can go wrong with a cruise ship, or there might be a wider issue in the world (here’s looking at you, 2020), which means your cruise might have to be cancelled.

When this happens, cruise lines will often offer Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to entice you to rebook your cruise for a future date.

This guide to Future Cruise Credit will tell you everything you need to know about cruise credit so that you can decide whether it’s for you or not, and what to expect when it comes to rebooking your cruise.

cruise ships docked at cruise terminal

Understanding Future Cruise Credit (FCC)

Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is a voucher that can be used to book another cruise with the same cruise line. This means that your money stays with the cruise line, and can be used to book another cruise within a specified time period.

Future Cruise Credit (FCC) is not to be confused with On Board Credit (OBC). On Board Credit is money that can be used to pay for things on-board the ship, such as drinks, spa services and souvenirs. OBC is often given as part of a promotion or booking incentive.

When Future Cruise Credit Is offered

Cruise lines offer Future Cruise Credit when cruises have been cancelled or have had their itinerary significantly changed.

If a cruise has been cancelled, you may get a credit note that is equal to or greater than what you paid originally.

When cruises have been cancelled and the cruise line is partly at fault (such as a mechanical fault with a ship), then you may receive a full refund back to your original payment method and also an additional amount of FCC as a gesture of goodwill.

Road sign against a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds reads 'CRUISE CANCELLED' in bold white letters, conveying a clear message about a change in travel plans.

How Much You Are Likely To Receive

The amount of Future Cruise Credit varies depending on the cruise line and the circumstances. Cruise lines usually give between 100% and 200% of the booking value as credit. (100% would mean that you get the full amount as a voucher, 200% would mean that you get a voucher worth double what you paid).

As a guide, most cruise lines offered 125% FCC for cancelled cruises in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused cruising to essentially shut down.

See all Future Cruise Credit Policies:

How Future Cruise Credit Is Calculated

The calculation method used to work out the Future Cruise Credit varies by cruise line and also depends on the country you live in.

Some cruise lines convert everything you’ve paid into FCC. Others may refund taxes, fees, upgrades and other purchases back into your bank account and only apply the base cruise fare as Future Cruise Credit.

To know exactly how FCC is calculated in your individual case, you should ask your cruise line or travel agent.

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Accepting Future Cruise Credit Is Not Mandatory

You’re under no obligation to accept Future Cruise Credit. When your cruise is cancelled, you have the option to receive a full refund back to your original payment method or to choose to rebook your cruise using FCC.

If you can’t decide, there’s no rush. You can keep the FCC until you decide that you’re ready to rebook or apply for a refund.

Future Cruise Credit vs. Getting A Refund

If your cruise is cancelled, it’s entirely your decision whether to take Future Cruise Credit or to ask for a full refund. There are pros and cons to each option.

Some reasons you might want to take Future Cruise Credit:

  • You can get a great deal with 125% or more FCC
  • Taking FCC helps to support the cruise lines
  • If you booked using a gift card or other credit, you can’t get a refund

Some reasons you might want to take a refund:

  • The terms of the FCC don’t suit your future plans
  • You want or need the cash for other things
  • You’re not sure that you want to cruise again

How To Apply For FCC

You don’t need to do anything to apply for Future Cruise Credit. Your cruise line will have a record of your booking, and if it’s cancelled, they will automatically place the credit on your account. It can take a couple of weeks for this to happen, so look out for emails from your cruise line.

If you wish to have a refund instead of Future Cruise Credit, you will need to apply for this either with the cruise line, if you booked directly with them, or with your travel agent. Refunds can take much longer than FCC to process, and it may be a few weeks until you get your money back in your bank account/on your credit card.

What Can Future Cruise Credit Be Used For?

Future Cruise Credit can always be used to book a new cruise. Policies about what else Future Cruise Credit can be used for vary depending on the cruise line.

Many, but not all, cruise lines are also allowing passengers to apply their FCC to existing bookings where a balance is outstanding. In this case, you may be able to spread your FCC across two or more future bookings if there is a remaining balance after its initial use. Some cruise lines may also allow you to use FCC to upgrade your cabin on an existing cruise, or for extras such as excursions.

Some cruise lines allow you to transfer FCC between passengers or to gift it to other people, whereas other cruise lines fix it to each passenger’s name and do not allow it to be transferred.

You won’t be able to use your FCC on a different brand. For example, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises are both part of the Carnival Corporation, but you can’t use your FCC interchangeably between Princess and P&O Cruises.

How To Book A Cruise Using Future Cruise Credit

To book your cruise with Future Cruise Credit, just call the cruise line or your preferred travel agent.

FCC is linked to your account with the cruise line, not your travel agent. This means that you could switch your booking to a different travel agent and use your FCC. Some travel agents offer extra discounts for people who are booking with FCC to encourage this.

What To Do If Your New Cruise Is A Different Price

If your new cruise is more expensive, you will have to pay the difference. In this case, if you’d rather not pay any more money, try to look for alternative ships or itineraries with the same cruise line, which may be cheaper.

If your new cruise is cheaper, you can retain the excess credit for another cruise. Alternatively, you could upgrade to a better cabin with the excess credit.

Future Cruise Credit If You Cancel The Cruise

If you have a cruise booked and know that you won’t want to travel, you may be wondering if you should cancel your cruise and receive Future Cruise Credit.

If you cancel the cruise, your options may be a refund (with loss of deposit) or 100% Future Cruise Credit. But you’ll need to check your cruise line’s policy.

If you’re looking to cancel close to your sailing date, you might not get a full refund and the cruise line might not offer FCC either, because they’ll have more difficulty re-selling the room. This is why it’s also good to have travel insurance, in case something outside your control means you can no longer sail.

My Recommendation

My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.

These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.

Future Cruise Credit Validity

The expiry date on cruise credit notes varies. There will often be a date when you have to use it on a booking as well as a date you have to cruise by. Make a note of both of these. Whilst you don’t need to be in a rush to spend your FCC voucher, you definitely won’t want to let it expire.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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56 Amazing Examples of Royal Caribbean Customer Service ()

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsRoyal Caribbean

One thing that Royal Caribbean is known for is its outstanding customer service. Many cruisers claim to be ‘loyal to Royal’, choosing Royal Caribbean above other cruise lines for this very reason.

When we cruised on Mariner of the Seas, Leonie asked for Nutella or chocolate spread for breakfast in the main dining room. Our waiter apologised that they didn’t have any, but said that he would go and check. Five minutes later, he returned with a bowl of melted chocolate which he had made especially for her!

Leonie with chocolate spread in the mai9n dining room on Mariner of the Seas

We were so blown away by this lovely gesture, that I decided to gather some more examples of times that Royal Caribbean staff have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service.

These reviews, submitted by Royal Caribbean cruisers, have melted my heart…

Royal Caribbean Staff Are Great With Kids

We had the most amazing servers on the Harmony this past September! They remembered the kids names after the first night and would have their favorite appetizers waiting when we arrived. They cut my sons steak and my daughters chicken. They even taught them to fold animals with their napkins. They truly went above and beyond!

Kelly Clancy Williams

kids with waiters on Harmony of the Seas
Photo Credit: Kelly Clancy Williams

We had a waiter Leonardo, and met him in the MDR on a cruise. 9 months later, we cruised again. We turned the corner to get on the ship from the gangway and THERE HE WAS!!! OMG. He dropped his clipboard and my kids dropped their backpacks so fast. They all ran to each other and cue hugest hug in the history of hugs. I cried. He got us at his table for my time that week. All the love, dances with the kids and best memories!

Sarah Samantha Goodman

We took our daughter on her first cruise in October at 14 months old. One of the waiters (who wasn’t even our assigned waiter), chose to be her personal assistant. He got her food, cut her food, fed it to her, made her napkin hats, danced with her, got her buckled in her high chair, etc.

He was our hero!! Dinners are usually stressful for us with a toddler, especially one who likes to scream in the middle of restaurants and throw her food. But he made it so much more enjoyable for all of us!

Jennifer McLachlan

Royal Caribbean waiter entertaining baby
Photo Credit: Jennifer McLachlan

Our waiter cut her meat for her. This was the last evening and we teased her that she would have to cut her own meat now. He posed for this silly picture with her. She is so spoiled by Royal that we don’t even book specialty dining because she forms such a bond with our servers in the MDR.

Christine DelRossi

girl with Royal Caribbean waiter
Photo Credit: Christine DelRossi

We cruised Mariner last weekend, our 3 boys first cruise. The assistant waiter formed a bond and kept them entertained throughout dinner with riddles. They went well over and above with our youngest. He has a brain injury and eats a special diet. Every evening they always delivered what he was wishing for.

Tiffany Tatro

Our server was beyond amazing! He cared so much for our entire group but paid special attention to my little sister! She struggles with some behavioral needs along with having some other special needs but Jeffrey made sure Piper had everything she needed at all our meals!

He also gave her an opportunity, that most servers don’t, and let her order for herself. She took some time to get her words out but he was so patient and made sure she had what she needed! The last night they had a celebration for all the guests and servers and Jeffrey danced with my sister during this time! Truly helped make the experience AMAZING!

Kaitlyn Wanamaker

My son loved our head waiter so much that he became his “best friend”.

Sarah Bradshaw

boy with Royal Caribbean waiter
Photo Credit: Sarah Bradshaw

Aboard Harmony of the Seas last month, My Grandsons (8 & 3) were bored with the long wait at the Main dining room dinners. Our head waiter preformed tricks and told jokes to them to keep them entertained.

The 2 final nights we had 3 head waiters trying to outdo each other to entertain the boys. We were eternally grateful to the Wait staff for keeping the boys from fussing and not disturbing the other cruise diners. The last night, our head waiter bought the boys a nice mylar balloon and brought it out to them. That is above and beyond service in my estimation.

Deborah Elrod

My baby girl who was disappointed that she wasn’t old enough to do bumper cars received a personal, solo ride.

Tiffany Spooner-Banks

girl being pushed in bumper cars
Photo Credit: Tiffany Spooner-Banks

When my daughter was 8 years old (she’s now in her 20s) we were on the Grandeur and she was rushing through dinner so she could return to Adventure Ocean. The waiter asked her what she wanted for dessert and she said “Nothing”. He insisted she have dessert, asked her what she wanted and once again she replied “Nothing”.

When the waiter returned to the table with the desserts everyone else had ordered he stopped in front my daughter and placed a covered plate in front of her, telling her it was her dessert. He lifted the lid on the plate to reveal the word ‘NOTHING’ written in fancy blue letters with gel icing. Many years later it is still one of her favorite memories of her first cruise.

Sharon Sosa

A Royal Caribbean Cruise Is The Perfect Place To Celebrate Your Birthday

My daughter’s 7th birthday was the last day of our last cruise on Oasis. Our wait staff had been phenomenal all week anyway, but we arrived to our table to find a gorgeous balloon flower for her to celebrate. Then at the end of dinner they brought out a piece of cake for her, and serenaded her while our waiter PLAYED THE VIOLIN! It was so over and above, we were blown away.

Jana Solomon Hennessy

birthday girl with balloon on Oasis of the Seas
Photo Credit: Jana Solomon Hennessy

We were on Anthem last month and is was my son’s Birthday on day 2. Well every night we were in the MDR he got a piece of cake and they sang to him. Oh he loved it!!

Pattyanne Langston

birthday boy with singing waiters
Photo Credit: Pattyanne Langston

Earlier this year I developed issues with gluten. No longer can consume. Went on Freedom first week in Nov. Hubby secretly ordered a birthday cake. It was chocolate and in our room when we arrived. I was excited for 2 min. Then realized I could not eat.

When we hit the Windjammer on our first night I asked the head baker if I could bring it back. He asked why, I mentioned the allergy. He told me to bring it to my dinner table and let others eat it. Was a great idea. Next day, BAM, totally unexpected, there was a gluten free, much larger, chocolate cake and it was super moist.

Jeaninne Roy Singleton

The person who cleans your room – for my son’s birthday she decorated our room for him. And no we didn’t pay for that package or anything. So sweet.

Esperanza Dodge

Or Any Other Special Occasion

My husband and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary. A cake was brought out to us at dinner & room steward set out room up for a romantic night. He even put our wine on ice.

Tina Watson-Green

Royal Caribbean made a gender reveal cake for us! The cruise had already been booked when my husband and I found out, “suprise”, we’re adding to our family again! My fingers were crossed when the doctor revealed our due date, because I knew it was going to be close to the 6 month cut off date. I turned 6 months pregnant a day AFTER the cruise. Talk about cutting it close. As soon as we found out that I would still be able to travel, we knew right away we wanted to do the gender reveal on the ship as all of our immediate family was going as well.

On the second night on the Liberty of the Seas, we spoke to our head waiter, Banzil. He was a little baffled as to what we were asking. He explained, in India, it is illegal to find out a babies gender before they are born but he would see what he could do. The next night at dinner he said he “googled it” and now knew what we were talking about. He had a cake prepared and even videotaped the gender reveal! We were so thankful to have such an amazing head waiter.

Ashley Garcia

Royal Caribbean gender reveal cake
Photo Credit: Ashley Garcia

Fussy Eaters Are No Problem At All For The Royal Caribbean Team

Dining with an 8yo picky eater, I mentioned to the head waiter that she was a picky eater and joked that she would always eat French fries and cheese. Every night there were cheese platers on the table and a side of fries with her meal, even if she ordered pizza.

Ian Willis

When my son was little he was super picky about what he would eat. He ordered off the kids meal but decided he only wanted the grapes from the fruit salad. When they asked what was wrong why he wouldn’t eat we just told him that he was picky and it was fine. After that they would have this waiting for him every night when we got in.

Jessica Chambers

boy with grapes in main dining room on Royal Caribbean cruise
Photo Credit: Jessica Chambers

My husband is a very picky eater and ate the same thing for dinner every night- Caesar salad, steak and French fries. By the third night our waiter knew what he wanted and just brought it right out. He also remembered what we were drinking and had our drinks waiting for us every night when we got to dinner. Not that exciting compared to some other stories but still excellent service and very impressive!

Sam Markiewicz

My 8 year old couldn’t decide on a dessert, so was served all of them!

Melina Mims Anderson

Boy with three desserts on cruise ship
Photo Credit: Melina Mims Anderson

When we went our kids always ordered fruit cocktail at dinner but only ever ate the strawberries and grapes out of them. Our waiter must have taken notice because everyday went they ordered it he would bring out just strawberries and grapes for them!

Tiffany Bosley

Our waiter always remembered my son, had our drinks as soon as we sat down and brought my son new things to try the chef even came out to see what he thought. This was on Mariner and my picky kid rarely tries anything new but if our waiter gave it to him he tried it.

Jennifer Vukicevic

boy with waiter and chef on Mariner of the Seas
Photo Credit: Jennifer Vukicevic

I have one very picky eater and my sons first cruise he was almost 4 and wasn’t the greatest eater either, but required yogurt every evening to take medications. That cruise on Freedom the staff went out of their way to make sure we had yogurt on the table when we sat down in order to give my son his meds with dinner and hunted down pizzeria style (from Sorrentos) parm cheese for my oldest to put on her pasta (very picky eater). They’ve always gone above and beyond. We’re going on cruise #7 in a couple months on RCCL.

Marina Morritt

In Fact, Royal Caribbean Chefs Will Make Whatever You Fancy

My friend complained one night that there was no Caribbean food. Next night our waiter said ‘Jerk chicken for four is ready for you’. Our first cruise on Navigator of the Seas and an unforgettable moment.

Sue Greaves

We were having drinks in Boleros, and my wife wanted a drink she had enjoyed in the Schooner bar. Our bartender friend at Boleros didn’t know this drink, and when he called Schooner bar he didn’t get an answer. So he ran across the ship to the Schooner bar to get the recipe and needed ingredients. That was truly amazing service.

Nicholas Puila

Wife and I were in San Francisco, on Explorer of the Seas. Our head waiter asked us how our day went and we said we went to Boudin and had chocolate raisin sourdough bread, which was amazing. The next night and every night after when we arrived for dinner, we had warm chocolate raisin sourdough rolls waiting for us

Duke Spiker

sourdough bread on Explorer of the Seas
Photo Credit: Duke Spiker

An offhand comment about M&M’s, and there was a bowl of them waiting for us in the MDR each night. Thoughtful and very much appreciated. Love RCL!

Nancy Rideout

I had a 3-day dining plan and became addicted to the brownie with vanilla ice cream. Fast forward to my last day in the Windjammer and I was craving it… I saw the manager and said how I wished they had that there. He stopped what he was doing and called up to Chops to order one for me. Then was about to send the assistant manager to go get it for me.

I was so excited I said thank you SOOOOOO much I will get it myself. I went up there and they had TWO of them waiting for me. I took them to my cabin and ate them both on my balcony. Best memory. Maybe a little glutinous, but when a girl craves chocolate and someone indulges it… it’s magic.

Lorraine Weil

One night I was so stuffed I declined dessert! My husband said to me you are going to wish you had some later! After a late night of dancing and casino we returned to our stateroom to a plate of delicious desserts!

Diane Murray Flores

My daughter asked for watermelon and chocolate milk with a straw the first night and we got it every night after without asking.

Sue Moriarty Caro

girl with watermelon on cruise ship
Photo Credit: Sue Moriarty Caro

We went on the Freedom of the Seas on October 2019. I ask for the strawberry cold soup. They told me that they take out from the menu. But the next day they prepared us the soup, had two for my husband and two for me. On Saturday, the day before we finish the cruise, they prepared us the soup again. I’m in love with Royal Caribbean.

Julissa Martinez

On Majesty, I really wanted orange sherbet and they only had lemon on 3rd Floor MDR. Our waiter Lambok went all the way to Windjammer to get me orange.

Amy Schmidt

We were on a New England cruise with friends and we asked if they had French onion soup. We were told that they did not have it on this particular itinerary. The next night our waiter brought us the best French onion soup we have ever had.

We requested to see the chef and thanked him personally for his efforts. Our waiter said he had to make it on his own time because the regular menu was already set. We ordered the soup every night until there wasn’t any left. He probably had to make a pot big enough to feed an army.

Bonnie VanGorder Parks

My daughter asked for a fruit plate as her appetizer the first night. She had one waiting for her every night after that. They also remembered her doll’s name and would ask about her if we didn’t bring her to dinner!

Keri Evans Marlar

girl with doll and plate of fruit
Photo Credit: Keri Evans Marlar

In the MDR of Majesty 2 yrs ago, I asked my waiter for a glass of milk and told him that I like milk with my meals. Everytime I sat down at the table even when I did lunch. I always had my milk there without even having to ask. I love that kind of remembrance

Pete Riva

On my last cruise they made me a special dish that I had on one of my very first cruises but have not been able to find it again. I described it and the chef made it special just for me

Nancy White

On the second night, the MDR was out of chocolate milk, so the waiter made some for my daughter – and put extra chocolate syrup to decorate the glass. She told him she liked his much better! Each night he had one waiting for her more and more chocolate. The head waiter also saw her struggle to cut her steak, so each night she ordered it he would stay and cut it for her! She also lost an earring during one of the parades during dinner on our last night and she was heartbroken because she bought them during one of our port stops. The waiter searched the entire dining room while we were looking too and he found it! 

Teresa Bargman Bothell

girl with waiter and chocolate milk in main dining room
Photo Credit: Teresa Bargman Bothell

Our head waiter made toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every night at dinner in the MDR for our three granddaughters last year on Anthem. He really made their nights special.

Kathy Smith Buckles

When we went on a cruise 2 years ago, my daughter wanted orange jello for dessert with dinner. They didn’t have any. But later that night we received a (unexpected) room service delivery with a tray (I think it was 6 cups) of orange jello. We are going on our next cruise soon and my daughter is still talking about the jello.

Joy Silverman Gralnick

Royal Caribbean Staff Will Even Get Off The Ship To Get Things For You!

On our 2nd cruise one of the people at our table really wanted a Diet Mountain Dew, they didn’t have any on the ship. Unknown to us our assistant waiter bought some at the next port and had it on the table waiting for her the next evening. That was awesome!

Mike Colaizzi

One year out kids wanted crayons to color in Mdr and our waiter got off on port day and got them crayons and had them on our table along with coloring books he had purchased!

Cortni Peterson

My husband loves oxtail and mentioned it to the server. She tried to find him some that night but they didn’t have any one the ship! The next day they brought him ox tail for dinner! Like where did that even come from we are on a boat in the middle of the ocean… Our minds were blown.

Ashley McIlrath

I will never forget our steward, Edwin from Honduras, who treated us royally when we were on the Freedom of the Seas. On Day 2, my previously injured knee began to hurt out of the blue, and it sidelined me immediately because I could barely walk. When I woke up on Day 3, I was basically immobile and had to stay in my cabin since walking was so painful.

My indomethacin, which seems to be the only medication that works for me, was back home in Connecticut. When Edwin came to clean my room, he asked me why I wasn’t enjoying the island, and I explained to him my predicament. Four hours later, he returned with indomethacin that he himself had purchased – he left the ship during his break and ran to the nearest drugstore. By the next morning, I could move again and enjoy the rest of my trip. Edwin was a lifesaver!

Peter Gouveia

Royal Caribbean Staff Will Take Care Of You If You’re Unwell

On our cruise to Alaska I got sick one day. In our religion we do healing blessings with a drop of oil on the top of your head but we didn’t bring any with us. We mentioned it to the waiter when he asked how I was doing, he left and came back with a little bowl of olive oil from the kitchen. It was so sweet and I felt better after the blessing.

Ashlee Heron Malloch

My friend wasn’t feeling well and missed dinner. The server noticed she was absent, asked where she was. When I mentioned she was sick, at the end of dinner, she brought over a small bowl of chicken soup. “This is usually for babies, but it’s good for when people are sick, too. Take this to your friend.” Our MDR server was so sweet.

Alex Wallace

Once my hubby went to dinner in MDR without me as I had a sore throat. Our waiter asked where I was and when my hubby told him about my throat he went and got and made my hubby bring me back some ice cream.

Hayley Nash

One of our cruises I had some sinus issues, our cabin stewardess brought me some essential oils to use! Helped tremendously! On our last cruise on Symphony, my youngest was ill and when he felt better near dinner time, all he wanted to eat was fruit loops… Someone in the windjammer went in the back and brought him out two little boxes and some milk! I’ve always been impressed with RCCL service!

Jennifer Brothers

Last week I had an accident while on an excursion… The medical staff on Liberty was top notch… Never once did they hurry me through, they were tentative and truly concerned. Honestly, they were better than most doctors and staff we go see while at home. Checking on me each day… Guest services brought ice, checked on me each day and gave me a wheel chair so I would not be stuck in my room. I will be back soon… I hope.

Any Lynne Adams

I was pregnant and experiencing morning sickness, so when I didn’t touch my lamb shank one night they were worried something was wrong. When I explained they asked me what I wanted. One night crackers and cheese and another night omelette and chips. It’s the exemplary service that makes us come back year after year.

Helen Townsend

Suggested read: Cruising while pregnant – Everything you need to know

On our last cruise the sea was really rough and my 10 year old had pretty bad motion sickness. He ended up throwing up right before dinner so he wasn’t looking so hot when we arrived at the dining room. As soon as our waiter found out that he wasn’t feeling well he said he would be right back with something to help. He brought ginger ale, a plate of jello cups, sliced green apples, and a plate of dinner rolls (peanut free since my son is allergic). He also packed up a tray of all those things to take back to our cabin and keep in the fridge in case the motion sickness came back.

He also made sure that my son didn’t miss out on anything because of his peanut allergy. One night he tried to order the chocolate cake but he couldn’t have it because they couldn’t guarantee that it was safe. The next night he had a huge slice of chocolate cake ready for him and said it was even better than the one he couldn’t eat. They are so great at making sure everyone is taken care of 

Julia Penman

They’ll Be There For You Through The Toughest Times

My husband and I loved to cruise. He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was given a few years at best. We made a pact with each other that we would spend as much time doing what we loved as we could. Due to his compromised immune system we had to have things very clean for him.

We did 8 cruises before he passed away. On everyone of them the housekeeping and food staff met with us to ensure they were doing everything they could. Our room was disinfected at least twice a day and his food was always brought to him very hot. This always made him feel safe. After he passed RC helped me to do an amazing burial at sea for him.

Gail Yantis

Royal Caribbean’s Staff Are Pretty Handy At Fixing Things

On the Ovation, we were packing our last night and the wheel was about to fall off our suitcase, I found our room attendant about to leave for the evening and asked for any kind of tool for my husband to fix. He brought a small pack and got down on his knees with my husband and they fixed it! 

Cynthia Moss

My daughter’s glasses broke. They sent someone up from engineering to try and fix them.

Karen Downs

We traveled on the Independence of the Seas in 2017. I’d brought two pairs of flip flops with me. One windy day, one pair went flying off the side of the ship! We laughed about it – I had my other pair. The next day I tripped and the toe part of the shoe broke. I’d left them in my cabin in the evening and when we arrived back our cabin steward had fixed them and left a note saying “I hope you don’t mind me fixing your shoes!” I was speechless!

Helen Lawlor

If Ever A Mistake Is Made, They Certainly Make Up For It

We take our employees every March. Last March, Royal goofed (very rare!) and did not seat all 8 of us together upon entering the first night in the MDR. They seated hubby and I across the room. I nicely, yet firmly dealt with the guy at check-in at MDR. They gathered us up, walked us up to the next level. Sat us all together. The waiters were throwing Champagne bottles at us like it was nothing due to the mistake. They did this the next final two nights also! It was amazing! Of course, my husband tipped them well due to how they were treating us.

Autumn McClellan-Matthews

Royal Caribbean Bosses Take Care Of Their Staff Too

I’m a guest entertainer and got approval to bring my family with me on a Christmas cruise one year. I was just gonna have them stay with me in my entertainer’s stateroom. The hotel director gave us a stateroom upgrade. This was my families first time ever being on any ship. They cried as we sailed away from port.

Angel Machado

Have You Cruised With Royal Caribbean Yet?

Have you experienced the customer service Royal Caribbean is famous for, that made you say ‘wow’? Please share your experiences and leave a review in the comment section below!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this article including the many members of the Facebook group Royal Caribbean Moms at Sea.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Sushi Bar Begins Rolling Out on Holland America Cruise Ships

by Diplomacy

A new sushi bar, Morimoto By Sea Sushi Bar, has begun rolling out on Holland America Line cruise ships after debuting on Nieuw Amsterdam in 2023.

Holland America Line's Rotterdam
Morimoto By Sea Sushi Bar will roll out on Rotterdam and three other HAL cruise ships by this summer.

Morimoto By Sea Sushi Bar is a specialty sushi bar that can seat 12 guests. After a successful debut on Nieuw Amsterdam, it will roll out to Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam.

The rollout to these four ships will completed by June 2025 and it’s an addition to the existing Morimoto By Sea stand-alone restaurant and pop-up experience.

To celebrate the rollout, Chef Morimoto sailed aboard Rotterdam and created the longest Maki sushi roll at sea on March 30. More than 50 of the ship’s culinary team helped create the 90 foot long roll that contained more than 55 pounds of rice and 33 pounds of fresh Big Eye Tuna fish.

Chef Morimoto, gave the following statement:

“As the Global Fresh Fish Ambassador for Holland America Line, I love to bring my passion for sushi to the high seas.

“Creating the longest sushi maki roll at sea for Holland America was a thrilling challenge, which allowed me to showcase our commitment to using the highest quality and freshest ingredients in a fun and memorable way for Holland America guests.”

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Two Cruise Ships Suffer Water Issues

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

Two cruise ships have experience unusual incidents with water this week in an odd coincidence.

Rain issues on Disney Magic and Carnival Celebration

The issues are completely unrelated but highlight how water can cause headaches for cruise goers in ways they might not have imagined!

The first ship impacted was Disney Magic, which suffered from a leak through the chandelier lights in the main atrium on Deck 5, dripping down into Deck 3.

It was a significant leak, with essentially an internal rain shower for the ship. A video of the shower was posted by a guest on Reddit.

The leak was significant enough that the poster claimed that some guests had to change rooms, and were compensated by the cruise line for the inconvenience, although they gave no further details.

The leak happened on 29th March, and while some guests expressed concerns about the ship, others have stated that leaks have happened in the past and been fixed relatively quickly.

While the leak was an issue, parts of the midship were closed off to guests, meaning guests who wanted to move from the front of the ship to the aft or vice versa on those decks were asked to move to another deck first in order to do so.

Carnival cruise begins under gloomy flood conditions

The second incident this week involved the Carnival Celebration, which began its voyage from PortMiami on March 30 under much gloomier circumstances – quite literally.

An unusually intense storm rolled through Miami-Dade County, dropping as much as 7 inches of rain in some areas – a staggering 11.5% of the region’s annual rainfall in just one day.

While the ship’s departure was only delayed by about 30 minutes, the weather wreaked havoc during and shortly after embarkation. Guests onboard documented extensive flooding in the upper decks as water pooled near bars and common areas.

One TikTok user described the surreal experience, explaining that rain combined with the ship’s early rocking motion caused water to flood down from Decks 17 and 18 into the pool area on Deck 16.

@deiylydosediaries off to a great start celebrating my twenty6th 🫣 #f #fyp #fy #carnival #carnivalcruise #carnivalcelebration #birthdaycruise #deiylydosediaries ♬ Up Against The Wind – Christopher Young

The crew quickly sprang into action, laying down piles of towels at elevator lobbies and deploying “wet floor” signs to warn guests, but with the rain coming down so hard and fast, efforts to sweep water away had little effect.

The ship’s sail-away party was cancelled, and the internet onboard went down temporarily as lightning flashed nearby. Visibility was so poor that the captain had to sound the ship’s horn repeatedly while navigating out of the port.

Despite the rocky start, no injuries or serious damage were reported, and the Carnival Celebration has since continued its planned itinerary to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands – hopefully leaving the storm clouds behind.

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Carnival’s “Heartfelt Plea” to Priority Passengers Taking Naps in Cabins

by Diplomacy

Embarkation day on a cruise ship is a busy day for everyone. It’s not only busy for passengers who are traveling from an airport, hopping off an Uber or taxi, and trying to figure out what to do with all their stuff.

It’s also a very busy day for cabin stewards. They are trying to get all those staterooms ready for the next bunch of guests, and that’s neither quick nor easy.

Senior officers on at least four different Carnival cruise ships have stated a problem with some priority guests that are keeping these cabin stewards from doing their jobs.

Carnival Cruise Line Snoozin sign on cabin door

Carnival Cruise Line’s Diamond and Platinum guests, Faster to the Fun (FTTF) guests, and suite guests have a very convenient perk; they can drop off their carry-on bags in their staterooms as soon as they board, even if the cabin isn’t ready.

It’s a practical perk that people love, letting them drop their luggage and get to the ship’s pool or restaurant without the extra burden.

But today, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, went live on Facebook with a candid plea: drop the bags and leave—don’t stay.

Heald didn’t mince words, pointing to feedback from senior officers on four Carnival ships, all from the housekeeping department.

“Can I just remind all of our guests that have Diamond status, Platinum status, Faster to the Fun, or [are] staying in a suite—if you have that, then yes, you can go to your cabin and drop off your luggage,” he said. “But this is another heartfelt plea to please leave straight away.”

The issue isn’t the drop-off—it’s what some guests do next.

Reports have surfaced of people unpacking, napping, or even asking housekeeping staff to come back later. Heald made it clear this throws off the crew’s rhythm.

“We had comments from people on the ship asking me to do this, to ask you to please leave,” he said. “You can’t take a nap. You can’t tell—as happened on four different ships with a housekeeping attendant—‘Please come back because you need a nap, you want to unpack, and other stuff or whatever’s going on in the cabin.’”

The opportunity to go straight to the cabin has invited some guests to push the envelope on this.  It’s tempting to want to unpack and get settled in so you can enjoy the ship and feel like your vacation is underway. 

But imagine how long it would take cabin stewards to get all the rooms ready with passengers taking naps all mid-morning.

“Seriously, please just put your carry-ons in the cupboard, in the closet, and walk away,” Heald pleaded.

3rd person in a cabin, Carnival Celebration

Here’s the reality: cabins aren’t fully available until around 1:30 p.m. on embarkation day.  And this time can change, depending on a lot of different factors.

That’s when the housekeeping team—cabin stewards—finishes cleaning and setting up after the last cruise. Priority guests get early access for convenience, not to camp out. Staying longer than a quick drop-off stalls the process.

Heald drove the point home: “Please allow housekeeping to do what they have to do to make sure your room is to the very highest of standards when you come back.”

For these priority guests, the message is straightforward: use the perk, leave the bags, and go enjoy the ship. The Lido Deck, a cold drink, or a poolside chair is calling—and the cabin will be clean and ready when you return.

Read more: 19 Things You Should Do on Embarkation Day

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Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of March 31, 2025 • The Disney Cruise Line Blog

by Cruise NewsCruise Special OffersDisney Cruises


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