Carnival Cruise Line has updated the visa information on their website regarding cruises to/from the United Kingdom and Europe.
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Carnival Cruise Line has updated the information on their website that now states that visas are required, or will soon be required for cruises leaving from the UK, Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome).
Cruises to/from the UK
All Carnival cruisers who are taking a cruise from the U.K will need to obtain an electronic visa (UK Travel Authorization) to enter the UK by plane or cruise ship. This does not apply to those holding a passport from the U.K. or Ireland.
The visa can be obtained online and it can take up to three business days to receive it. The ETA will valid for two years or until the passport expires.
You can visit the UK’s visa and immigration page here for more information.
The ETA (electronic travel authorization) applies to everyone, including children and infants.
Cruises to/from Europe
For guests taking a cruise from Europe, a European Travel Information and Authorization System ETIAS will soon be required for entry when traveling to any of the following 30 European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland
Travelers can receive ETIAS authorization online and it must be completed in advance of travel.
The ETIAS is valid for up to three years (unless the passport expires before this time) and is linked to a traveler’s passport.
Carnival Cruise Line was once again voted Best Ocean Cruise Line in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.
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Carnival cruise ships at PortMiami. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
This is the third consecutive year that USA Today’s readers have named Carnival the Best Ocean Cruise Line.
In addition to being named Best Ocean Cruise Line, Carnival was also named the Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions. Carnival Spirit earned top honors for Best Alaska Cruise.
A panel of cruise industry experts nominated cruise lines and ships for the awards. USA Today readers then voted on who they thought was the best.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:
“Winning ‘Best Ocean Cruise Line’ for three consecutive is a remarkable achievement that reflects the loyalty and enthusiasm of our guests as well as the stellar service our team members are known for across the fleet.
“These awards highlight the unforgettable vacation experiences we strive to deliver every day – whether that’s through our exceptional onboard offerings or our shore excursions that cater to various interests and help our guests maximize the time they spend on land – from cultural immersions and historical tours to adventurous activities like snorkeling and zip-lining.”
Carnival Cruise Line calls themselves America’s Cruise Line since they offer cruises from more homeports in the U.S. than any other line.
2025 is looking to be an exciting year for Carnival. This spring, two more cruise ships will be added to their fleet after they are converted over from sister cruise line P&O Cruises Australia.
This summer, the cruise line will celebrate the opening of their new private cruise destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key.
2024 saw the highest number of gastrointestinal (GI) illness outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade.
The CDC recorded 16 outbreaks aboard ships under its jurisdiction last year, marking a sharp increase from the 14 incidents reported in 2023 and significantly higher than pre-2020 levels.
2025 has also begun with several outbreaks, most recently on Holland America’s Volendam, which has seen an outbreak on its 21-night cruise that departed on 4th January.
On that ship, 53 passengers have reported symptoms so far, along with 7 crew members.
Prior to this, outbreaks of gastro illnesses were confirmed on Silversea’s Silver Ray, and Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud Spirit.
Only the Volendam outbreak has been confirmed as norovirus so far.
Norovirus, a highly contagious virus often associated with cruise ships, was responsible for most of the 2024 outbreaks.
The virus spreads rapidly in close-contact environments like cruise ships, camps, and hotels, and is known for causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps.
In December alone, five cruise ships – including vessels from Cunard Line, Holland America, and Princess Cruises – reported outbreaks affecting hundreds of passengers.
According to CDC guidelines, outbreaks must affect at least 3% of passengers and crew for mandatory reporting.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explained the virus’s resilience.
“Norovirus can persist for days on surfaces. If you touch a contaminated surface and then your mouth, you can become infected,”
Other pathogens also pose risks
While norovirus accounted for the majority of incidents, other pathogens caused illness at sea. For instance:
Salmonella was linked to a September outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas.
E.coli was identified during a spring outbreak on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova.
The cause of an outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in May remains undetermined.
The CDC notes that outbreaks are identified and reported more quickly on cruise ships than on land due to stringent health protocols.
Despite the increase in reported outbreaks, the CDC cautions against drawing conclusions about a long-term trend.
A spokesperson highlighted the slowdown in cruise operations from 2020-2022, which contributed to lower case numbers during that period.
In 2019, for example, there were only 10 reported outbreaks – far fewer than in recent years.
Cruise operators emphasize that onboard outbreaks remain rare relative to overall passenger numbers.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) stated that incidents of illness onboard cruise ships are “extremely rare.”
Ships implement extensive measures to control the spread of illness, such as isolating sick passengers, deep-cleaning affected areas, and enforcing hand hygiene protocols.
However, experts like Dr. Schaffner acknowledge that norovirus’s highly infectious nature can sometimes outpace even the most rigorous interventions.
For travellers considering a cruise, Schaffner offers some key advice:
If you’re feeling ill, stay home and rebook your cruise.
Pay close attention to onboard hygiene instructions, especially handwashing with soap and water.
Avoid touching your face after coming into contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
The rise in GI illnesses on cruise ships highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining health in close-contact settings.
For now, proactive measures like thorough handwashing, responsible travel decisions, and robust onboard health protocols remain the best defences against these viruses.
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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.
Cruise Tails has announced a significant update to the rules for its November 2025 inaugural “Tails of the Seas” dog-friendly cruise, expanding the weight limit for participating dogs from 20…
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Cruise Tails has announced a significant update to the rules for its November 2025 inaugural “Tails of the Seas” dog-friendly cruise, expanding the weight limit for participating dogs from 20 pounds to 28 pounds.
The decision allows slightly larger dogs to join the voyage, set to sail aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
The height restriction of 18 inches remains unchanged, and all dogs must still meet strict vaccination and health certificate requirements to ensure safety and compliance.
No official reason has been provided for the updated weight limit.
Some have speculated that it could be a response to difficulties in filling the cruise’s 250 dog-allocated staterooms.
However, it’s thought that demand is high for the cruise, and so it is equally likely that the logistics of allowing larger dogs has just been explored as planning for the cruise unfolds.
The new threshold now includes many popular dog breeds that were previously excluded, such as the French Bulldog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Beagle.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), French Bulldogs are the most popular dog breed in the United States, with a breed standard weight of up to 28 pounds – precisely the new maximum allowed.
Similarly, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Beagles fall into similar size categories and may now be eligible to join the fun.
Rules and restrictions
While Cruise Tails has relaxed the weight restriction slightly, it is maintaining other safety and operational measures to ensure the cruise runs smoothly.
Limited Dog Spaces: Only 250 staterooms are available for passengers bringing dogs.
Human-Only Zones: Restaurants, pools, and the casino remain off-limits to canine companions.
Safety First: The strict size and weight limits were initially introduced to alleviate concerns about dogs potentially jumping overboard, and size limits have been retained for that reason.
The cruise line has emphasized that this inaugural voyage serves as a “proof of concept” to demonstrate the viability of dog-friendly cruising.
If successful, future sailings may include more relaxed rules and broader accommodations for travellers and their pets.
Passengers on the 6-night voyage can look forward to a line-up of dog-friendly events, including:
Costume contests and parades
Grooming workshops
Puppy picnics
Personalized “pet butlers” for each furry traveler
These activities are designed to make the journey enjoyable for both pets and their owners.
The Tails of the Seas cruise will depart Port Tampa Bay on 18th November 2025, visiting Key West, Florida, and the Mexican ports of Progreso and Cozumel.
The 85,619-gross-ton Margaritaville at Sea Islander has a double occupancy capacity of 2,114 passengers, though only a small fraction of staterooms will host canine guests.
The decision to expand the weight limit highlights Cruise Tails’ commitment to making this inaugural pet-friendly cruise inclusive of a broader range of dogs, especially breeds that are popular among pet owners.
If the voyage proves successful, it could pave the way for more pet-friendly travel options and potentially rewrite the rules of cruising for animal lovers.
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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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When you book a cruise, there’s a lot that’s included with a standard fare but most of the time you need to pay for your drinks separately.
Which makes sense, since everyone is different. Charging everyone the same rate when someone might only drink a couple of coffees a day, while someone else enjoys a couple of bottles of wine, would either be costly for the cruise line or unfair to passengers paying for other people’s drinks.
So instead, most cruise lines offer a drinks package – where you can choose to pay a set fee and then enjoy unlimited drinks, within reason. But Disney Cruise Line is a little different…
Let’s take a look at Disney Cruise Line’s stance on drinks packages…
Disney does things differently
Disney Cruise Line is one of the few cruise lines to not offer an unlimited drinks package. Instead, you can pay for a drinks package that includes a set number of drinks. You’ll enjoy a small discount compared to paying for each drink separately.
Me, enjoying a mimosa at breakfast on the Disney Wish
Disney Cruise Line is very much family-centric, and so it likely doesn’t want to offer guests the chance to drink as many alcoholic beverages as they want. The house (or ship) of mouse is not a place for people to be getting as drunk as they want – that could spoil the Disney magic.
Not that it’s impossible to get drunk on a Disney cruise – just that they would rather not give you completely unlimited access.
So instead, your options are to either pay for drinks individually, or buy one of the Disney cruise alcohol package options that gives you a set number of drinks. There are a lot of these available, so it’s worth checking them out.
DCL Wine Packages
There are two wine packages available on a Disney cruise, with each offering a different number of bottles as well, so there are plenty of options to suit.
The Classic Wine Package includes the following wines:
Santa Margherita Rose Trentino, Italy
Santa Elvira Prosecco Veneto, Italy
The Federalist Chardonnay California, USA
Pinot Grigio Zonin Veneto, Italy
Castello del Poggio Moscato Lombardy, Italy
Beringer White Zinfandel California, USA
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve California, USA
Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, USA
Zolo Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, USA
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel, Germany
Hess Chardonnay Monterey California, USA
The Crusher Pinot Noir California, USA
Centine Rosso Di Toscana Banfi, Italy
Zolo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina
Robert Mondavi Merlot Coastal California, USA
Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles California, USA
Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia, Australia
Cune Crianza Rioja, Spain
Layer Cake Shiraz South Australia, Australia
The Premium Wine Package includes all of the above, and the following premium wines:
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
Domaine Chandon California, USA
Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita Trentino-Aldige, Italy
Brachetto d’Acqui Banfi Rosa Regale Piedmont, Italy
Selbach-Oster Riesling Spätlese, Germany
Sofia Rose Sonoma, USA
La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast California, USA
Pouilly-Fuissé Louis Jadot, France
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Martinborough, New Zealand
Conundrum California, USA
La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California, USA
Château Bardoulet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux, France
Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot California, USA
Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Mendocino, Argentina
Chianti Classico Riserva Banfi Tuscany, Italy
Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon California, USA
Here’s the cost of the packages:
Number of bottles
Classic Wine Package
Premium Wine Package
3
$100
$150
4
$130
$199
5
$156
$244
7
$210
$320
The bottles of wine can be redeemed in the restaurant at dinner. You aren’t limited to one bottle of wine per night, so don’t worry if you want to split a couple of bottles. You’re also allowed to take any unfinished wine back to your stateroom with you.
Disney Cruise Line has rotational dining, which means that you dine in a different themed restaurant each night, in a set order. Your waiters will move restaurants with you, and so will your wine! So if you leave any in the bottle, it will be there in the next restaurant for you the following evening!
If you don’t manage to complete your Disney cruise wine package by the end of the cruise, don’t worry. You can take up to two bottles with you when you disembark the ship. So if you’re on a 5-night cruise, you could buy a 7-bottle package, have a bottle every evening and then take two with you at the end of your cruise to drown your sorrows about your cruise being over.
DCL Beer Packages
The Disney cruise beer package options are a little more straightforward – the flat price is $30 for 6, which is essentially 6 beers for the price of 5.
The beers included are:
Pub ale
Corona
Heineken
Guinness
Miller Light
Michelob Ultra
Bud Light
Bud Light Lime
Budweiser
Coors Light
Drink prices on Disney ships
Despite Disney’s reputation for being expensive on land, drinks aren’t too expensive on a Disney cruise. Glasses of wine range from around $8 to $17, while beers generally cost between $6.50 and $9. Soft drinks are free in restaurants or at select beverage stations.
Disney also offers a drink of the day, which changes every day during your sailing. These are discounted drinks, with both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic option each day.
If you want to save money then trying the drink of the day is a good start. Generally, they cost around $6.25 for the alcoholic cocktail of the day or $5.50 for the non-alcoholic drink. These prices include gratuity.
Here are some example prices of drinks onboard a Disney cruise. Bear in mind there are many more drinks options available, but these give you a guide on what sort of prices to expect.
Disney Cruise beer prices:
Bud Light – $6.50
Sam Adams – $6.50
Kentucky Bourbon Ale – $9
Guinness – $9
Angry Orchard Cider – $7.50
Disney Cruise wine prices (by the glass):
Castello del Poggio (white) – $8.25
Selbach Riesling Kabinett Mosel (white) – $8.25
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc (white) – $11
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (white) – $13.50
ZD Chardonnay (white) – $14.5
Pouilly Fume Baron de L’Loire Valley (white) – $37
Robert Mondavi Merlot Private Selection (red) – $8.75
Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon (red) – $9.50
Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawkes Bay (red) – $13.75
Gevrey-Chambertin Louis Jadot (red) – $17.75
Chateau Rauzan-Segla (red) – $42
Domaine Chandon (sparkling) – $9.75
Moet & Chandon Ice (sparkling) – $15.25
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (sparkling) – $26
Dom Perignon (sparkling) – $52
There are also bottles of Champagne you can order, the most expensive on-board being the Armand de Brignac Gold for $520 per bottle.
Disney Cruise cocktail prices:
Mai-Tai – $10
Blue Hawaiian – $10
Smoky Melon – $12
Berry Mojito – $15
Many of the cocktails offered on-board a Disney cruise are themed to the venue, so listing some of the less well-known options may not help. But generally, you can expect to pay around $10 to $16 for a cocktail in most venues.
Some drinks are included!
Soft drinks, including water and select hot drinks, are included in your cruise fare with Disney provided you order them with your meal or use one of the designated beverage stations. If you order soft drinks from the bar then there will be a charge.
There’s a free soft drinks station on every ship in the Disney fleet. Head to the pool area and you’ll find lots of soft drinks that you can help yourself to for free. There’s another one in the buffet too.
Most pool bars will also have a self-service ice water dispenser…
The teens-only club Vibe also has a selection of complimentary soft drinks and a fancy coffee machine for teens only.
The full list of drinks you can enjoy for free in the restaurants or at the beverage stations includes:
Coca-Cola
Diet Coke
Coke Zero
Water
HiC Fruit Punch
HiC Pink Lemonade
Fuse Ice Tea
Sprite
Sprite Zero
Coffee*
Hot Chocolate
Assorted Teas
*Regular coffee is included. Speciality coffees will incur a charge.
Bringing your own drinks (take advantage of this!)
All guests aged 21 or older are allowed to bring either two bottles of wine or Champagne on-board (maximum size of 750ml each), or 6 beers (no bigger than 12 ounces). They must be packed in carry-on luggage, not stored in checked bags.
You can enjoy these drinks in your stateroom, but if you want to drink your own wine in the restaurants, you’ll be charged a corkage fee of $26 per bottle.
These rules don’t only apply at embarkation – you can bring more drinks on in each port of call. So if you link to drink beer or wine in your cabin, then definitely take advantage of this.
You’re also welcome to bring any soft drinks on board that you would like to, but again they must be in your carry-on luggage.
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My recommendation
While there may not be an unlimited drinks package available, the drinks packages Disney does offer are pretty good value, and worth looking into if you do plan on enjoying a few wines or beers on your cruise.
If you do enjoy wine, make sure you take two bottles onto the ship with you, since it will be cheaper to buy them before you set sail. But my main recommendation is to take advantage of the free drinks where you can and to sample the drink of the day if you’re looking for a cheap alcoholic drink to try.
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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.
Disney Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of four Disney Fantasy sailings originally scheduled for late 2025, citing an unplanned change in the ship’s dry dock schedule.
Guests booked on the impacted cruises, departing 20th October, 2nd November, 7th November, and 12th November, 2025, have been notified and offered refunds alongside a rebooking discount.
The dry dock adjustment comes as a surprise, as Disney Fantasy was originally scheduled to re-enter service immediately following its planned 29th September maintenance period.
Guests received an official statement from Disney Cruise Line explaining the changes:
“Due to an unplanned change in the scheduled dry dock dates for the Disney Fantasy, your sailing is no longer available. We sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause and welcome the opportunity to assist you in rescheduling your sailing around the same timeframe.”
Passengers will be refunded in full, with payments returned to their original form.
In addition, Disney Cruise Line is offering a 20% discount on a future cruise booking.
However, the discount cannot be applied to blackout dates, including maiden voyages of new Disney ships, such as the Disney Destiny, debuting from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025.
Dry dock details
The Disney Fantasy, homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida, typically operates 4- and 5-night Bahamian itineraries during the fall and winter.
The 13-night westbound transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Port Canaveral, originally scheduled for 20th October 2025, was to mark the end of the ship’s European summer season.
The transatlantic itinerary included stops in La Coruna and Vigo in Spain, as well as Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
The revised sailing is expected to maintain similar ports of call, though specific dates and details will be available for booking from 6th February, 2025.
The shift in dry dock dates raises questions about additional itinerary changes.
It is possible that Disney Fantasy will add more European cruises before entering the shipyard, allowing guests to enjoy extended opportunities to explore Europe onboard the 129,750-gross-ton, Dream-class ship.
Alternatively, the dry dock itself may require more extensive work than originally anticipated.
This could be due to necessary technical upgrades, cosmetic enhancements, or shipyard labour constraints.
Extended dry dock periods occasionally occur in the cruise industry but typically only affect one or two sailings, making the cancellation of four cruises particularly unusual if that’s the cause.
Guest rebooking opportunities
While the cancellations may be disappointing, Disney Cruise Line has reassured passengers that they will receive refunds and significant incentives to reschedule.
This ensures that travellers can still plan their dream vacations while enjoying the enhanced Disney Fantasy upon its return to service.
Guests hoping to book the revised transatlantic cruise or other Disney Fantasy itineraries for 2025 are encouraged to act quickly, as demand for the ship remains high.
The Disney Fantasy, which entered service in 2012, is a hallmark of Disney Cruise Line’s fleet.
The ship features beloved Disney-themed entertainment, dining, and onboard activities, ensuring that every voyage is filled with magic and unforgettable memories. Enough for me to book my own cruise onboard for summer 2025!
Its upcoming dry dock will undoubtedly enhance these offerings for future passengers.
As Disney Cruise Line continues to grow its fleet with new ships and expanded itineraries, temporary disruptions like these underscore the commitment to maintaining high standards.
While impacted guests may need to adjust their plans, they can look forward to an upgraded Disney Fantasy and the opportunity to rebook with exclusive benefits.
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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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Passengers on P&O Cruises’ Azura experienced an unexpected disruption during their Canary Islands voyage when a burst pipe caused flooding in multiple cabins.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 12th January 2025, just two days into the cruise, leading to evacuations and leaving affected passengers frustrated.
UK couple Marcus and Melissa, who document their travels on their YouTube channel Fly Drive Explore, were among the passengers impacted.
They were woken at around 2 am by alarms and discovered their cabin on Deck 8 Midship submerged in water.
Crew members promptly evacuated the couple and other passengers from an estimated 20 to 26 cabins, directing them to Brodies British Pub to wait while the flooding was addressed.
As they filmed the incident, the captain’s announcement confirmed the flooding was caused by a burst pipe connected to one of the ship’s swimming pools on Deck 15, which had impacted multiple levels of the ship.
Delayed updates and frustrated passengers
Marcus and Melissa waited nearly two hours before being assigned a dry cabin to sleep in.
The next day, they returned to their original cabin to find it still soaked, with fans running to dry the space and their belongings left unsecured.
Despite assurances of compensation, the couple was disheartened by the lack of clear communication from reception.
They were eventually informed they would remain in their new cabin on Deck 3 Forward, which they described as less than ideal due to its smaller size, two single beds, and location above the ship’s thrusters, which disturbed their sleep each morning.
“The service in reception was terrible; they didn’t even know what was going on,” Marcus explained, noting the incident has made them reconsider sailing with P&O Cruises in the future.
The 3,100-guest Azura is scheduled to enter dry dock in March 2025 for regular maintenance following its Canary Islands season.
The work will occur between its last Canary Islands sailing, ending 8th March, and its Mediterranean homeport season from Malta, beginning 27th March.
P&O Azura isn’t the only ship to encounter such issues.
In fact, the day after the Azura incident, a burst pipe aboard Norwegian Epic left passengers without water in cabins and restrooms during its Caribbean voyage from Port Canaveral.
Fortunately in that instance, the problem was resolved within an hour.
In December 2024, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas faced a water leak on Forward Deck 10 during a 3-night roundtrip cruise to the Bahamas, forcing several passengers to relocate.
Water leaks and burst pipes, while rare, highlight the importance of responsive crew action and clear communication during onboard emergencies.
Though passengers on Azura and other ships ultimately found safe accommodations, incidents like these underscore the challenges of managing complex systems aboard massive cruise vessels.
And of course, once you’re in the middle of the ocean on a ship that could be sold out, or close to it, your options for relocating passengers can sometimes be very limited!
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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.
Disney Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of four Disney Fantasy sailings originally scheduled for late 2025, citing an unplanned change in the ship’s dry dock schedule. Guests booked on…
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Stateroom attendants on a cruise ship are kept pretty busy. Besides tidying up your cabin and creating a few towel animals (depending on the cruise line), your steward can also help supply a few things that you might not even know about.
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Most regular cruisers know they can request extra towels, robes, and pillows. Even pillows of varying firmness can be supplied. These are common requests.
But there are a few lesser-known things besides ice refills and extra hangers that can be brought right to your door.
Keep in mind that not every cruise line or cruise ship will have these items. Also, on all-inclusive cruise lines this list is much longer with what kinds of requests can be made.
1. A Small Fan
Most cruise lines will allow you to pack a small fan for a cruise, but if you forget or don’t feel like taking up extra space in your luggage, you can request one as well.
Not all cruise lines will offer these small fans and they are very limited in supply, so you should request one right away if you need some white noise or an extra breeze to cool you off.
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald mentioned some fans being available upon request on Carnival ships in a Facebook post last year.
Keep in mind that these fans are often pretty well-used and come in a variety of sizes and styles. Also know that you’re not allowed to hang these fans from the ceiling or sprinkler system. I know, I shouldn’t even have to say it.
2. Tea Kettles and Coffee Makers
You can’t bring one of these onto the ship, but some cruise lines will supply you with a tea kettle or coffee maker if you put in a request. This is great for those wanting to sip some tea or coffee in the morning without having to leave the stateroom.
These may not be like the tea kettles you have at home and have built-in safety features like auto-shutoff to avoid the potential for fire.
3. An Extension Cord
This is specifically for those with CPAP machines. Since extension cords are banned on some cruise lines, they will be supplied to those with CPAP requirements. Distilled water for the machines can also be requested but this often comes at a cost with mainstream cruise lines.
Some older cruise ships don’t have outlets near the bed, so these extension cords are almost necessary to use the machines at night.
4. Shower Seats
The shower space in some cruise ship cabins is fairly limited. But if you have the space and would like a shower seat some cruise lines will offer this as well. If your cabin has a tub, the shower chair should fit with no problems. There are also accessible cabins (ADA cabins) designed for those with handicaps that will offer more space in the cabin bathroom.
5. Mattress Topper
Cruise cabin beds can be a little too firm for some people. What some cruisers don’t know is that many cruise ships have extra mattress toppers to help add some plush softness to those cabin beds.
The cruise ships that offer this item don’t have them in abundant supply, so this is another one that you should request as soon as you get to your cabin. They can also help fill in that crack between the twin beds so you don’t wake up with a sore back.
6. Daily Cruise Planner
Printed cruise planners have gone the way of the dodo bird on many cruise lines. After all, you have the cruise line’s app to tell you what’s going on around the ship. But sometimes it’s nice to have the physical paper in your hands.
Even on cruise ships that no longer automatically provide paper cruise planners, they can be requested if you just ask your cabin steward for one.
7. Cribs
For families with small children, having to lug a Pack ‘n Play on the trip is no fun at all. Fortunately, many cruise lines will provide cribs for infants and toddlers upon request. In fact, most cruise lines will offer cribs, but they are only provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The type and brand of crib can vary, but they are generally portable cribs or Pack ‘n Plays.
Bottom Line
So, as you can see, items other than blankets, robes, hangers, and towels can be supplied by a stateroom attendant.
These items aren’t advertised. They are also limited in supply, so you should only request them if you actually need them.
Remember that there are many other things your cabin steward can do as well. If you would like the drinks in the mini-fridge taken out or switched for something else they can handle this for you. You can also request the furniture and layout of the room be modified if this is possible.
I was hesitant to even write this article. The crew work hard enough and I don’t want them to be overwhelmed with requests.
But I also think cruising is such an incredible vacation experience, and I want everyone who takes a cruise to have everything they need.
Construction officially started on new cruise ship from Emerald Cruises when the keel was laid at a shipyard in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
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Emerald Kaia will be a new 128 passenger luxury ship from Emerald Cruises that will debut in April 2026. The vessel is promising to redefine yacht cruising through world-class service, thoughtful amenities and contemporary elegance.
88% of cabins will have a balcony and the back of the ship will allow for direct ocean access from the fitness center.
There will also be an inflatable side where guests can slide from the ship directly into the ocean. The yacht will have new water toys and an expansive Observation Sun Deck.
The ship focuses on connecting guests to the sea and their surroundings.
Thanks to the small size of the vessel, the yacht will be able to visit more intimate and secluded ports that larger ships are unable to visit.
The ship’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean is open for bookings.
Glen Moroney, Chairman and Founder of Scenic Group, gave the following statement:
“The keel laying of Emerald Kaia marks another exciting step forward in our vision for redefining the yachting experience. Building on the tremendous success of Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, Emerald Kaia reflects our commitment to innovation, luxury, and sustainability. We thank the skilled team at MKM Yachts for bringing this vision to life.”
Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line, is offering Wave Season deals that include 60% off the second guest in a cabin and kids cruise for free.
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Royal Caribbean has 28 cruise ships in their fleet and they offer a wide variety of cruises for everyone.
For Wave Season (January through March), they are offering the following two deals on cruises:
60% off the second guest (Promo Code: BOGO60)
Kids cruise free (Promo Code: KSF)
803 of Royal Caribbean’s cruises are included in this deal and it ends on March 31, 2025.
Their newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, sails three and four night cruises to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral. The cruise line calls the three night Friday to Monday cruises the World’s Biggest Weekend.
The world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, sails seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.
All cruises on both ships visit the cruise line’s insanely popular private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
For complete terms and details of this Wave Season deal from Royal Caribbean, visit RoyalCaribbean.com or contact you preferred travel agent.
