A new cruise line will sail their first cruise in 10 days and their first ship has arrived at its homeport ahead of its debut.
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AROYA Cruises will sail their first cruise on December 16, 2024.
AROYA Cruises is the world’s newest cruise line and they will sail their inaugural cruise on December 16, 2024. It will be a three-night cruise across the Red Sea.
Their first ship, AROYA, arrived in Jeddah after receiving a radical transformation and makeover after it was purchased from a cruise line who went bankrupt.
95% of the ship’s spaces were redone during the months-long dry dock in Germany.
The ship is equipped with an array of world-class facilities, such as:
Souq-inspired shopping district, the largest retail area ever built on a cruise ship
Luxury spa facilities
Wellness center
29 restaurants, lounges and cafes
20 entertainment venues
One of the largest children’s play areas at sea.
AROYA has arrived in Jeddah ahead of the cruise line’s inaugural cruise.
Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen, gave the following statement:
“The arrival of AROYA marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cruise Saudi, and tourism in Saudi overall, in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030. Cruise Saudi was only launched in 2021 and witnessing the arrival of our first owned ship just three years later is a huge milestone.
“We are so grateful to the whole Cruise Saudi team for their hard work and dedication and are excited to be offering something truly unique to local, regional and international guests with the first ever Arabian cruise line.”
The cruise terminal in Jeddah was also upgraded to accommodate ships the size of AROYA.
AROYA Cruises is a new cruise line from Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company.
Princess Cruises has opened 62 new cruises for bookings that include 42 unique itineraries and an epic 79-day voyage that covers 23,600 nautical miles.
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These new cruises from the Love Boat cruise line are part of Princess’ 2026-2027 sailings for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The cruises range from two- to 79-days in length and will take place on the following three cruise ships: Royal Princess, Crown Princess and Grand Princess.
The cruises will leave from five homeports in Australia:
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth (Fremantle)
Adelaide
A highlight of these new itineraries is the 79-day Circle Pacific Adventure on Grand Princess that covers 23,900 nautical miles. It will visit 13 countries and 32 ports, including an overnight in Hong Kong.
The ship will have late night port visits to Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Osaka (for Kyoto), Singapore, Suva, Tahiti (Papeete), and Victoria, BC.
Cruisers will be able to visit 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Mount Fuji and the Singapore Botanical Gardens.
Other unique cruises are a 28-day Round Australia cruise on Crown Princess and voyages through the South Pacific including Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
Princess Cruises will also offer three different Cruise + Land Tours:
Tropical Highlights Cruisetour
Southern Australia Cruisetour
Australian Outback Cruisetour
Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, gave the following statement:
“Among the hottest trends in travel is exploring ‘detour destinations’ that really cater to travelers looking for authenticity and unique experiences beyond the typical tourist spots,” said.
“Our 2026-27 Australia and Circle Pacific Adventure itineraries are designed to cater to these desires, combining iconic destinations with off-the-beaten-path locales for the ultimate travel experience.”
The smoking areas of cruise ships can be a hotbed of gossip. After all, nothing churns the rumour mill faster than a group of people standing around the same ashtray multiple times per day as they share the tales they’ve overheard.
As a non-smoker, I’m not usually privy to this secret information. However, my friend recently disembarked from a large cruise ship and filled me in on everything that she heard was going down.
It seems the security team have much more work to do than just scanning your cruise cards!
1. The shoplifter
First up, we have a tale that would make even Aladdin raise an eyebrow. It seems that staff in the shopping area on Deck 7 had been scratching their heads over a series of mysterious disappearances.
Small items from the shops – think trinkets and accessories – had been mysteriously vanishing. After reviewing security camera footage, the staff uncovered a rather unexpected culprit – an older lady on a mobility scooter, who was pilfering goods like a pro.
Upon investigating her cabin, the staff were greeted with a sight reminiscent of a treasure trove – an Aladdin’s cave overflowing with stolen delights! Who knew a mobility scooter could double as a getaway vehicle?
2. The drug dealer
The ship’s atmosphere took a darker turn when a drug dealer was discovered peddling his wares in plain sight on the ship.
After an impromptu rendezvous with the ship’s security, he was promptly escorted off the ship and into the clutches of the law.
Rumour has it, he left behind a rather raucous farewell party in the pub!
3. The yobs
Speaking of the pub, it seems the passion for football can ignite more than just friendly rivalry.
What started as a few blokes watching a football match escalated into a full-blown brawl, leaving several patrons with bruised egos – and more besides!
In the aftermath, blood stained the carpet, and the unruly gang involved were unceremoniously thrown off the ship, luggage-less, hungover and bewildered.
As if that weren’t enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, rumour has it that the ship has also become a hotbed for swinging couples!
On Deck 17, a select group gathers with clockwork precision, only to vanish together into the depths of the ship.
There are unconfirmed rumours of upside-down pineapples adorning their cabin doors, a cheeky symbol of their clandestine meetings. It seems that this cruise is not merely for romance but for adventurous rendezvous, as well!
5. The casualties
With the dangerous combination of excessive drinking and choppy waters, injuries became all too common. Broken bones were reported as cruisers found themselves battling both the waves and their own reckless indulgences.
The cruise has seen a fair number of medical emergencies. Unfortunately, some of these were due to undisclosed health problems, meaning insurance companies were unwilling to cash out.
It’s hard to believe that so much can happen in just one cruise. The smoking area on this ship has proven to be a veritable fountain of gossip and scandal. From theft and brawls to clandestine liaisons, the life aboard this cruise ship is anything but dull!
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.
Cunard Line, one of nine cruise lines from Carnival Corporation, will base a ship out of Miami for the first in 2025.
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Queen Elizabeth to debut in the Caribbean from Miami preceded by her Alaska season from Seattle in 2025
Queen Elizabeth will sail a series of cruises to the Caribbean from Miami that range from nine- to 28-nights. The first will be a 12-night voyage that departs on October 16, 2025.
But before the ship arrives in Miami, it will receive a transformative makeover during a dry dock in Singapore from February 25 to March 13, 2025.
The ship’s transformation will include refreshed interiors and exteriors. The Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion will be thoughtfully revitalized.
The Grills dining experience will be enhanced with new a menu by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
The Pavilion Wellness Café will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.
After the ship’s dry dock, Queen Elizabeth will sail to Seattle for a series of cruises to Alaska during the summer. In the fall, the ship will reposition to Miami for the winter season.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, gave the following statement:
“As Queen Elizabeth prepares for her highly anticipated debut seasons in the Caribbean from Miami and Alaska from Seattle, this transformation marks an exciting new chapter for Cunard. Inspired by the beauty of these extraordinary destinations, the ship’s revitalization will seamlessly blend timeless elegance with modern comforts, creating an unparalleled guest experience.
“We are especially excited to introduce the exclusive Gala Evening menu, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux. This remarkable addition will elevate the Grills dining experience to even greater heights, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it.”
Just a day after cruise guests discovered the price hike for its Cheers! beverage package, Carnival Cruise Line has quietly raised the prices for all three of its WiFi plans: Social, Value, and Premium.
The increases, which range from 12% to 22%, apply whether guests pre-purchase internet access before sailing or buy it onboard, leaving many cruisers frustrated by the lack of advance notice.
Carnival’s WiFi plans cater to different levels of connectivity needs, but all have seen significant price increases.
The Social WiFi Plan has seen the biggest price rise of 22%. This is the most basic plan which only grants access to social media apps.
The price for purchasing before you board the cruise has risen from $15.30 per day to $18.70 per day. If you wait until you board, the price has risen from $18 per day to $22 per day.
The Value WiFi Plan is the mid-tier plan which includes slightly faster speeds and limited internet browsing as well as social media.
The price for this plan has risen from $19.55 per day to $22.10 per day if bought before you sail. Buying on board has increased from $23 per day to $26 per day.
The Premium WiFi Plan has seen the smallest percentage price increase but it still all adds up.
With the 12% price increase, the pre-cruise price has increased from $21.25 to $23.80 per day, with the onboard price going from $25 per day to $28 per day.
For a 7-night cruise, the additional costs can quickly add up, especially for families or groups purchasing multiple packages. One person can now expect to pay up to an additional $28 per week, depending on their package and when they book.
Unlike previous price increases, Carnival did not notify guests about these changes.
In past instances, the cruise line has given travellers the opportunity to lock in lower prices before the increases took effect. This time, however, the new prices appeared without warning, frustrating loyal passengers who had carefully budgeted for their trips – just as with the drinks packages.
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, acknowledged guests’ frustrations while defending the cruise line’s decision, though he did say that he would pass on guests’ frustrations to “the Beards”.
Many Carnival guests book their cruises months or even years in advance, planning their budgets carefully.
For these travellers, unexpected price hikes can disrupt financial planning, particularly for optional add-ons like WiFi or beverage packages. Early notification of price increases could help undecided guests secure lower rates and avoid surprises.
While Carnival has not violated any policies, the situation highlights the importance of planning add-on purchases early to avoid unexpected cost increases.
For cruisers considering Carnival in the future, the best advice is to pre-purchase packages as soon as they are available and lock in the current rates. Whether for internet, beverages, or other extras, early planning remains the best way to manage cruise budgets and avoid surprises.
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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.
Marella Cruises has completed a significant refurbishment of Marella Discovery 2, enhancing 40% of its cabins and introducing an innovative entertainment option, the life-sized interactive Play Wall. These updates aim…
Effective in 2025, cruise passengers visiting Greece’s iconic destinations, including Santorini and Mykonos, will face a new arrival tax aimed at addressing climate change and over-tourism. Approved by the Greek…
Carnival Cruise Line has increased the price of its popular Cheers! Beverage Program, removing the discounted rate previously offered for longer sailings. Now, all passengers will pay the same higher…
A recent survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean reveals that young holidaymakers aged 6-11 are eager to make their holidays multi-generational, with nearly half saying they enjoy trips even more when…
Marella Cruises has completed a significant refurbishment of Marella Discovery 2, enhancing 40% of its cabins and introducing an innovative entertainment option, the life-sized interactive Play Wall.
These updates aim to elevate the onboard experience for guests as the ship continues its Canary Islands winter itineraries.
Of the ship’s 918 staterooms, 370 have been revitalised with fresh artwork, wall coverings, upgraded furniture, and new carpeting.
All bathrooms in these cabins have been completely renovated, offering a modern and comfortable experience. The upgrades span all categories, from balcony cabins to family and royal suites, ensuring a wide range of passengers enjoy the improvements.
In addition to cabin renovations, some lobby areas have been updated to create a more welcoming and polished ambiance. Chris Hackney, managing director of Marella Cruises, expressed his excitement about the changes.
“We’ve invested in making large-scale improvements, revitalising the lobbies and cabins as well as adding exciting new entertainment features like the dynamic immersive Play Wall. We’re proud of the results and can’t wait to welcome passengers onboard to see their reactions.”
The Play Wall, developed in collaboration with French game creator Neo Experiences, offers guests of all ages 28 interactive games.
Highlights include Totem Craft, a family-friendly challenge to build the tallest totem, and Rival Goals, a game designed with adults in mind. This free activity is a dynamic addition to the ship’s entertainment offerings.
The Play Wall joins a roster of engaging entertainment onboard Marella Discovery 2.
The ship recently debuted Jumbo and The Wonder Circus, a life-size puppet show featuring a 7-foot African elephant.
Musical productions such as Hollywoodland, showcasing movie hits from La La Land and Singin’ in the Rain, Yellow Submarine with Beatles classics, and 7 Sins of Rock, celebrating rock icons like Aerosmith and Pink, continue to delight guests.
The 1,832-guest Marella Discovery 2, originally launched as Legend of the Seas for Royal Caribbean in 1995, is spending winter 2024-25 sailing 7-night Canary Islands cruises.
Ports of call include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Puerto del Rosario, Arrecife, Funchal, and La Gomera.
In summer 2025, the 69,130-gross-ton vessel will reposition to Limassol, Cyprus, offering 7-night Greece and Turkey itineraries, including stops in Kusadasi, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete.
By November 2025, the ship will move to Bridgetown, Barbados, for winter Caribbean cruises, such as the 7-night Cocktails and Coconuts voyage, with stops in Antigua, St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Kitts, and Guadeloupe.
Marella Cruises will also be represented in the Caribbean during winter 2024-25 by Marella Explorer 2.
Sailing from La Romana, Dominican Republic, the ship will visit destinations such as Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Barbados, St. Lucia, and more, depending on the departure date and itinerary length.
With refreshed accommodations, innovative entertainment, and diverse itineraries, Marella Discovery 2 is set to impress guests seeking unique cruise experiences across the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.
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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.
Effective in 2025, cruise passengers visiting Greece’s iconic destinations, including Santorini and Mykonos, will face a new arrival tax aimed at addressing climate change and over-tourism. Approved by the Greek…
Carnival Cruise Line has increased the price of its popular Cheers! Beverage Program, removing the discounted rate previously offered for longer sailings. Now, all passengers will pay the same higher…
A recent survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean reveals that young holidaymakers aged 6-11 are eager to make their holidays multi-generational, with nearly half saying they enjoy trips even more when…
Virgin Voyages has launched an exciting new opportunity for anyone with a significant chunk of change in the bank and a dream to cruise at a whim – an Annual…
Viking® (NYSE: VIK) has named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela®, with a traditional ceremony in Trieste, Italy. The naming of the Viking Vela also served as a celebration of Viking’s longtime partnership with Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups based in Trieste. With its rich maritime history, Trieste is considered the endpoint to the maritime Silk Road and is now Italy’s most important commercial port. Serving as ceremonial godmother of the Viking Vela was Ivana Elice, Vice President and Project Manager of the Fincantieri Cruise Business Unit, who has overseen the design and engineering of Viking’s ocean ships for 12 years.
“We are proud to welcome the Viking Vela to our growing, award-winning fleet. With Fincantieri as our partner, we believe we have built the world’s most elegant fleet of small ocean ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We thank Ivana Elice for being godmother of the Viking Vela. In her role at Fincantieri, she has cared for our ocean ships during their construction just as a godmother would, and we are very appreciative of her contributions as a member of the extended Viking family.”
In keeping with the naming tradition, during the ceremony, Ivana was presented with a historic Viking broad axe by Ann Ziff, the esteemed philanthropist, Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera and godmother of the Viking Saturn®. The same axe was previously used in the naming of the Viking Saturn in June 2023. After the axe presentation, Ivana pressed a button that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull. Guests also enjoyed performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, and acclaimed Italian singer Alessandro Safina, who paid tribute to the cultures of both Norway and Italy in song.
Ivana Elice, Godmother of the Viking Vela
Ivana Elice, Vice President and Project Manager of the Fincantieri Cruise Business Unit, has enjoyed a distinguished career in naval and mechanical engineering, helping support the expansion of the Viking ocean fleet for the past 12 years. In 2012, Ms. Elice was appointed by Fincantieri to oversee the build of Viking’s first ocean ship, the Viking Star®, and she has continued to serve as valuable support for the expansion of Viking’s fleet of sister ships. She joined Fincantieri in 1985 after graduating from the University of Genoa with a master’s degree in naval architecture and mechanical engineering. Her initial role as a noise and vibration specialist within the company’s Naval Vessel Division involved assisting with the design of surface ships and submarines. Since 1993, she has held several positions within Fincantieri’s Merchant Division in the areas of hydrodynamics, ship construction, production engineering and more.
The Viking Vela
The Viking Vela is the newest ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships. Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Vela has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, elegant Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options. The Viking Vela will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries during the “quiet season” in the Mediterranean before continuing to Northern Europe.
Viking Celebrates Naming of Newest Ocean Ship, Viking Vela 4
Viking is working on a project for a partial hybrid propulsion system for future ocean ships based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. This system could allow the company to operate at zero-emission in the Norwegian Fjords and other sensitive environments. The Viking Vela has been designed with the future in mind, ensuring she can be retrofitted to incorporate these new technologies as they become available.
The naming of the Viking Vela follows a string of recent accolades for the company. For the second consecutive year, Viking was rated #1 for Oceans, #1 for Rivers, and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
This achievement marked the first time a travel company won these three categories back-to-back years. Viking was also named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples, and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Cruise Lines ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Viking’s ocean ships have been rated and “Recommended” as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands. Additionally, Viking received seven awards at the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards—more than any other line—across the luxury, river and expedition categories.
For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv.
Starting on January 1, 2025, taxes and fees that cruise passengers pay when visiting ports in Mexico is scheduled to more than triple.
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The new policy will see port taxes and fees raised from $20 a day to $62 per passenger. Port taxes in Mexico will be 213% higher than the average port in the Caribbean. It is part of a Federal Law of Rights that will go into effect at the start of 2025.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is seeking immediate discussions with the federal government in Mexico about the huge tax increase on cruise ship passengers.
Mexico’s decision to raise taxes and port fees was done without input from the cruise industry and it doesn’t leave time for cruise lies to prepare guests for the added expense for cruises in a few weeks.
Potential impacts of the new tax include a reduced demand for cruises itineraries to Mexico and a shift in itineraries with fewer ship visits to the country.
Cruise ships in Costa Maya, Mexico
The cruise industry provides over $1 billion in direct spending to Mexico each year. This supports over 20,000 jobs and contributes $200 million in wages.
FCCA CEO Michele Paige, gave the following statement:
“We appreciate President Sheinbaum’s assurance during her Wednesday news conference that the change will happen slowly and that she’s instructed federal officials to work with our industry, but we haven’t heard from anyone yet”
“Mexico has long been a cornerstone of the cruise market, with a deeply entrenched relationship that has delivered significant economic benefits to both the industry and local communities.
“However, the unilateral decision to eliminate the in-transit tax exemption without engaging industry stakeholders undermines this partnership and puts at risk the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers and businesses reliant on cruise tourism.”
Paige went on to say that they are hopeful that they can work together to find solutions to preserve Mexico’s role in the cruise industry.
Effective in 2025, cruise passengers visiting Greece’s iconic destinations, including Santorini and Mykonos, will face a new arrival tax aimed at addressing climate change and over-tourism.
Approved by the Greek Parliament, the tax will charge 20 euros (£16.50, $21 USD) per person for visits to Santorini and Mykonos and 5 euros (£4.14, $5.27 USD) for other destinations, such as Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete.
Santorini and Mykonos have seen record numbers of cruise visitors in recent years. Santorini hosted 1.3 million cruise passengers in 2023, with some days bringing up to 17,000 guests to the island, which has just 15,500 residents.
Similarly, Mykonos, with a population of 12,000, saw up to 20,000 cruise passengers disembark in a single day in August 2024.
The influx of visitors has put a significant strain on local infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion, overcrowded pedestrian areas, and limited resources for residents and other tourists.
The funds raised from the tax will support improvements in infrastructure and sustainability efforts.
Combined with new taxes on short-term rentals and hotels, Greece aims to raise approximately 400 million euros to address these issues.
The short-term rental tax during the high season will increase to 8 euros per day, while the hotel tax will rise to 15 euros daily, depending on the property, which could impact guests who book a cruise & stay getaway.
In addition to the taxes, Greek officials have proposed implementing a digital berth allocation system to regulate cruise ship arrivals.
This system would consider ship size, length of stay, and other factors to manage daily visitor numbers more effectively, though the proposal has yet to be approved.
Greece’s new cruise taxes are part of a broader trend among tourist destinations grappling with over-tourism.
Mexico has proposed a $42 per person immigration fee starting in 2025, prompting pushback from major cruise lines. Cozumel alone welcomed over 3 million cruise visitors in 2023, and the fee could impact cruise fares significantly.
Haines, Alaska, has introduced a $9 cruise tax, effective for the 2025 summer season. The fee will rise incrementally, reaching $13 by 2029, with funds directed toward mitigating cruise-related impacts on local infrastructure.
These new taxes highlight a growing shift as destinations work to balance tourism growth with sustainability and local well-being.
For travellers, these fees represent an additional cost that will be factored into future cruise budgets.
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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.
Carnival Cruise Line has increased the price of its popular Cheers! Beverage Program, removing the discounted rate previously offered for longer sailings. Now, all passengers will pay the same higher…
A recent survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean reveals that young holidaymakers aged 6-11 are eager to make their holidays multi-generational, with nearly half saying they enjoy trips even more when…
Virgin Voyages has launched an exciting new opportunity for anyone with a significant chunk of change in the bank and a dream to cruise at a whim – an Annual…
Fincantieri has officially delivered the Viking Vela, a 499-suite vessel, during a ceremony in Ancona, Italy, on Tuesday. The newest addition to Viking’s fleet is a testament to the growing…
Carnival Cruise Line has increased the price of its popular Cheers! Beverage Program, removing the discounted rate previously offered for longer sailings.
Now, all passengers will pay the same higher per-day price, regardless of their cruise length.
Previously, guests on sailings of six nights or longer could prepay $70.74 per night, compared to $82.54 per night for shorter sailings.
If purchased onboard, the rates were $76.64 and $88.45 per night, respectively. These prices included an 18% service charge.
Now, only the higher per-day prices are listed on Carnival’s website, effectively raising the cost of the Cheers! package for guests on longer cruises by approximately 16%.
For example, on a typical 7-night cruise, passengers will now pay $82.60 more per person for the package.
Since Carnival requires all adults in a stateroom to purchase the drink package if one person does, the increase can be even more significant for families or groups.
No changes have been made to the package’s offerings, which include drinks priced at $20 or lower with a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per guest.
The sudden price hike has caused frustration among cruisers, not necessarily due to the cost itself but because no warning was given.
In previous price increases, Carnival informed guests ahead of time, allowing them to lock in the lower rates before the change.
Many travellers express disappointment that this latest increase was implemented without notice, leaving them unable to take advantage of the lower rates for upcoming cruises.
Unsurprisingly, the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has taken a bit of a battering on his Facebook page, but he continues to respond to guests as cheerily as possible.
This approach mirrors recent quiet price hikes by Carnival for specialty dining and other onboard services, which were also introduced without prior announcements.
Frequent cruisers recommend booking drink packages, WiFi, and pre-paid gratuities as soon as prices are acceptable rather than waiting for potential sales or promotions.
By locking in these costs early, travellers can avoid last-minute increases that may strain their budgets.
Despite the increase, Carnival’s Cheers! package remains a staple for passengers who enjoy the convenience of unlimited beverages.
The package includes alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, and non-alcoholic cocktails, offering a flexible option for cruisers who like to indulge.
The Bottomless Bubbles soda package and bottled water pricing remain unchanged, though these options never included discounts for longer sailings.
While guests may begrudge the timing of this price hike, the Cheers! package continues to appeal to those who value its all-inclusive nature and onboard flexibility.
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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.
A recent survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean reveals that young holidaymakers aged 6-11 are eager to make their holidays multi-generational, with nearly half saying they enjoy trips even more when…
Virgin Voyages has launched an exciting new opportunity for anyone with a significant chunk of change in the bank and a dream to cruise at a whim – an Annual…
Fincantieri has officially delivered the Viking Vela, a 499-suite vessel, during a ceremony in Ancona, Italy, on Tuesday. The newest addition to Viking’s fleet is a testament to the growing…
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has posted a notice on his popular Facebook page to inform guests that the crew will not be able to get involved in ‘Elf on…
