Luxury Cruising Editorial

Celebrity Cruises is significantly expanding its Captain’s Club loyalty programme, introducing two new membership levels above Zenith and adding a series of milestone rewards designed to recognise its most frequent cruisers.

The changes will take effect from 11th June 2026 and will see additional benefits introduced for members progressing through the upper tiers of the programme. The cruise line is also creating two entirely new levels, Double Zenith and Triple Zenith, giving loyal guests fresh milestones to work towards.

Under the updated structure, members in the Elite Plus tier, which covers those with between 750 and 2,999 Club Points, will be able to unlock extra benefits before reaching Zenith status.

Elite Plus members reaching 1,500 points will receive 480 minutes of complimentary premium WiFi, a 20% discount on specialty dining, a complimentary onboard photograph and a surprise in-room amenity on their milestone sailing.

Those who progress to 2,250 points will gain further rewards, including 720 minutes of complimentary premium WiFi, an increased 25% discount on specialty dining, two complimentary photographs and complimentary Extend Your Stay experiences on disembarkation day.

New Benefits Added Above Zenith

Zenith status, previously the highest level within the Captain’s Club programme, begins at 3,000 Club Points and includes some of the line’s most sought-after benefits, such as priority embarkation, access to private lounges, complimentary premium WiFi and enhanced onboard discounts.

As part of the update, Celebrity Cruises is enhancing Zenith membership with additional rewards, including a 35% discount on specialty dining and three complimentary photographs.

The biggest change, however, is the introduction of two new tiers above Zenith.

Double Zenith will be awarded to guests who accumulate 6,000 Club Points. Members at this level will receive all Zenith benefits alongside a complimentary lunch in a specialty restaurant on embarkation day, a complimentary specialty dining dinner during their milestone sailing and a complimentary bottle of champagne.

For the most dedicated guests, Triple Zenith status will be achieved at 9,000 Club Points. In addition to all benefits available at lower levels, Triple Zenith members will receive a complimentary seven-night Bermuda or Caribbean cruise in a Sky Suite, a complimentary specialty restaurant lunch on any day of every sailing, a specialty dinner on milestone voyages and a complimentary bottle of champagne.

The additions mark one of the most significant loyalty programme expansions undertaken by Celebrity Cruises in recent years and provide high-value guests with new incentives to continue sailing with the brand.

Loyalty Changes Come After Points Choice Launch

The announcement follows the introduction of Royal Caribbean Group’s Points Choice programme earlier in 2026.

The initiative links the loyalty programmes across the group’s three cruise brands: Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises. Through the programme, members of Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society and Silversea’s Venetian Society can choose to apply points earned across any of the three brands towards the loyalty programme they wish to progress in.

The change has effectively expanded the number of sailings available for earning loyalty rewards, making it easier for frequent cruisers to accumulate points towards higher status levels.

Even so, reaching the newly created Triple Zenith tier will remain a considerable challenge. Captain’s Club members typically earn two Club Points per night when sailing in a standard stateroom, while guests booked in the most luxurious accommodation, such as the Iconic Suite, can earn up to 24 points per night.

As a result, accumulating the 9,000 points required for Triple Zenith status will still require a substantial number of cruises, ensuring the new top tier remains an exclusive achievement for Celebrity Cruises’ most loyal passengers.

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

Disney Cruise Line has quietly introduced two significant policy changes that are already sparking strong reactions among loyal guests ahead of the new rules taking effect on 3rd June. The…

Passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas were met with an unusual sight this week after one of the glass panels inside the ship’s AquaDome suddenly shattered during…

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper has rescued an injured sailor from a badly damaged sailboat after diverting for around seven hours in the Pacific Ocean. The rescue took place on Tuesday,…

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially opened advance sales for its highly anticipated Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, giving future guests the first opportunity to secure day passes and…

A major search operation remains underway in St. Kitts and Nevis after a cruise passenger disappeared while hiking on Mount Liamuiga during a port visit from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Wang Zyuan, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was reported missing on 27th May 2026 after setting out alone on a hike in the Mount Liamuiga mountain range near Basseterre. Authorities said he was last seen on the trail at around 10 am local time.

The mountain, which is home to the highest peak on St. Kitts, is a popular attraction for visitors but is known for its steep and challenging terrain. Sections of the route can be rugged and slippery, particularly for hikers travelling without local guides.

According to authorities, Zyuan was hiking alone when he became lost. He reportedly contacted emergency services at approximately 2 pm to say he could no longer find his way, but communication was subsequently lost.

In an update issued on 28th May, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force confirmed that a large-scale search and rescue effort had been launched involving multiple agencies.

“The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), in collaboration with the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is actively conducting a search and rescue operation for a missing hiker in the Mt. Liamuiga mountain range,” the force said.

“The missing individual has been identified as Wang Zyuan, a Chinese male national born on August 29th, 1992. Mr Wang was last seen on the hike trail at approximately 10 AM on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026. He was travelling alone and without a guide at the time of his disappearance.”

Search Efforts Continue

Emergency responders began searching the mountain shortly after receiving the alert and continued operations into the evening of 27th May.

The following day, teams resumed the search and worked their way up the mountainside toward the crater of the dormant volcano. Authorities said mobile phone tower data was being used to help narrow down the search area.

“A joint search and rescue team was immediately mobilised and conducted operations through the evening of May 27th. The team resumed the search on the morning of May 28th, combing the hillside up to the crater,” the police force said.

“The search has been suspended for the evening and will resume tomorrow, May 29th, 2026. Cell tower data obtained from the relevant network operator will be utilised to assist in directing tomorrow’s operation.”

The latest official update came on 29th May, when police appealed for volunteers to assist with search efforts around Mount Liamuiga. No further updates had been released by authorities as of 30th May.

Anyone in the area has been asked to remain alert and report any information that could assist rescuers. Zyuan was last reported to be wearing black clothing and red shoes.

Royal Caribbean Ship Continued Scheduled Voyage

While authorities have not publicly confirmed which vessel Zyuan was travelling on, cruise schedules show that Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas was the only cruise ship visiting Basseterre on 27th May. It remains possible that the missing man could be a crew member rather than a guest.

The 78,878-gross-tonne Vision-class ship was sailing a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary that departed San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 23rd May.

As local emergency services coordinated the search operation, the cruise ship continued with its planned itinerary. Like most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean generally does not delay departures for missing or late passengers because of operational requirements and port schedules, except in certain circumstances involving cruise line-sponsored shore excursions.

Following its call in St. Kitts, Rhapsody of the Seas sailed to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands on 28th May before returning to Puerto Rico.

The vessel arrived in San Juan on 30th May, concluding the sailing and preparing to begin its next seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise.

The search for Wang Zyuan remains ongoing, with local authorities continuing efforts to locate the missing hiker in one of the island’s most challenging areas of terrain.

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

Celebrity Cruises is significantly expanding its Captain’s Club loyalty programme, introducing two new membership levels above Zenith and adding a series of milestone rewards designed to recognise its most frequent…

Disney Cruise Line has quietly introduced two significant policy changes that are already sparking strong reactions among loyal guests ahead of the new rules taking effect on 3rd June. The…

Passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas were met with an unusual sight this week after one of the glass panels inside the ship’s AquaDome suddenly shattered during…

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper has rescued an injured sailor from a badly damaged sailboat after diverting for around seven hours in the Pacific Ocean. The rescue took place on Tuesday,…

A Tennessee woman who lost both of her legs following a devastating shore excursion accident in the Bahamas is pursuing legal action against Carnival Corporation and the operators of the tour she booked through the cruise line.

Hannah Smith, who was celebrating her recent college graduation aboard Carnival Celebration, suffered life-threatening injuries on 12th May 2025 during an excursion to Pearl Island’s Sun Cay Beach Club near Nassau. According to court filings, the accident occurred at the conclusion of the excursion when Smith entered the water near a ferry and was pulled into its propellers.

After undergoing 25 surgeries and ultimately losing both legs, Smith has filed a lawsuit against Sun Cay, Pearl Investment Management Group and Carnival Corporation. The case was initially filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 17th December 2025 before being amended on 11th March 2026.

Her friend and travelling companion, Brooklyn Pitre, has also launched a separate but related lawsuit against Carnival, filing her complaint on 11th May 2026.

“Our thoughts are with Ms. Smith, and we wish her strength and healing. At Carnival Cruise Line, we continuously strive to keep our guest and crew safe as a priority. Out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further. We remain committed to supporting safety and wellbeing in all we do.“

Carnival statement

Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Alcohol Service

Central to both lawsuits are allegations that excursion staff encouraged excessive alcohol consumption and exposed guests to unsafe conditions.

According to the court filings, Smith and her companions were allegedly invited into a private cabana and provided with large quantities of complimentary high-proof alcohol and marijuana. The complaints further allege that bartenders carried out so-called “liter pours”, where alcohol was poured directly into guests’ mouths.

The lawsuit claims Smith’s blood alcohol concentration reached 0.447, far above Florida’s legal driving limit of 0.08%.

Court documents also allege that when Smith needed to use a restroom, excursion staff told her that “the ocean is your toilet” and encouraged her to enter the water despite her intoxicated condition.

The filings state that Smith subsequently entered the water during the ferry disembarkation process after guests had returned to Nassau and was struck by the vessel’s propellers.

The allegations represent a significant shift from the uncertainty surrounding the incident in the days immediately following the accident. At the time, authorities in the Bahamas were investigating how Smith entered the water, while family members publicly disputed suggestions that alcohol or an intentional jump had played any role in what happened.

At the time, Hannah’s mother was quoted as saying “Hannah was not intoxicated. She fell from the boat. It’s hurtful to say she jumped because she did not… Were they drunk? No. Did she jump? No. Are we completely aware of what happened? No.”

Following the accident, Smith was initially treated in Nassau before being airlifted back to the United States, where she underwent extensive medical treatment.

Carnival Challenges Responsibility

Smith’s legal team argues that Carnival should share responsibility because the cruise line marketed and sold the excursion to passengers as a safe, vetted experience.

The lawsuit alleges Carnival either knew, or should have known, about safety concerns linked to the excursion. Attorneys point to online reviews dating back to 2023 that allegedly referenced poor ferry conditions, as well as social media posts stretching back to 2018 that purportedly raised concerns about excessive alcohol service.

Carnival, however, has long maintained that shore excursions are operated independently.

On its website, the cruise line states that shore excursions and related transportation services are run by local operators who are solely responsible for those experiences.

The company further states that it is not responsible for injuries, losses, damages or deaths connected to activities undertaken by guests while ashore, including shore excursions.

According to reports, Carnival asked US District Judge William Dimitrouleas to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the excursion was operated by independent Bahamian companies rather than the cruise line itself. That request was denied.

Pearl Investment Management Group also sought dismissal, contending that a Florida court lacked jurisdiction over a Bahamas-based company. That effort was likewise unsuccessful.

Despite the legal battle, the “Sun Cay Beach Club with Lunch” excursion remains available for booking through Carnival’s website. At the time of writing, the excursion carries a guest rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars.

Another Legal Setback For Carnival

The case arrives shortly after another lawsuit involving Carnival Corporation resulted in a significant judgment against the company.

On 15th April 2026, reports emerged that a former guest had been awarded $300,000 in a lawsuit connected to allegations of dangerous alcohol service.

While the circumstances differ from Smith’s case, the latest lawsuit is likely to attract additional scrutiny over alcohol policies and oversight of excursions sold through major cruise lines.

For Smith, however, the focus remains on accountability following an accident that permanently changed her life after what was supposed to be a celebratory graduation cruise.

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

A major search operation remains underway in St. Kitts and Nevis after a cruise passenger disappeared while hiking on Mount Liamuiga during a port visit from a Royal Caribbean cruise…

Celebrity Cruises is significantly expanding its Captain’s Club loyalty programme, introducing two new membership levels above Zenith and adding a series of milestone rewards designed to recognise its most frequent…

Disney Cruise Line has quietly introduced two significant policy changes that are already sparking strong reactions among loyal guests ahead of the new rules taking effect on 3rd June. The…

Passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas were met with an unusual sight this week after one of the glass panels inside the ship’s AquaDome suddenly shattered during…

Disney Cruise Line is preparing to introduce its first-ever charge for room service aboard Disney Adventure, marking a significant departure from a long-standing guest perk that has traditionally been included in the cruise fare.

According to information shared with guests, room service orders on Disney Adventure will soon incur a $5 service charge, along with an automatic 18% gratuity. The new policy is expected to take effect next week.

The change represents a notable shift for Disney Cruise Line, which has historically offered complimentary room service across its fleet. The inclusion of free room service has long been viewed as one of the features that helped distinguish Disney from many competitors, where delivery fees or service charges are often applied.

Certain guests will continue to receive room service without the additional charges. Breakfast orders submitted using the traditional door-hanger system will remain exempt, as will orders placed by concierge-level guests.

Operational Challenges On Disney Adventure

The introduction of the fee comes as Disney Adventure continues to settle into service. Sources indicate that crew members have been struggling to keep pace with the volume of room service requests, prompting the line to introduce measures aimed at managing demand more effectively.

Adding to the speculation surrounding the change, Disney Adventure is currently the only vessel in the fleet not listed on Disney Cruise Line’s room service information webpage.

As the newest addition to the fleet, Disney Adventure has been experiencing the typical operational adjustments that often accompany the launch of a new ship. Cruise lines frequently refine onboard procedures during the early months of service as they respond to guest demand and operational realities.

While Disney has not publicly outlined the reasoning behind the new fee structure, the move appears designed to reduce pressure on room service operations while maintaining the availability of the service for guests who wish to use it.

Another First For Disney Cruise Line

The room service charge is not the only first introduced aboard Disney Adventure.

Earlier this month, the ship became the first in the Disney Cruise Line fleet to offer a paid dessert party tied to an entertainment experience. The add-on event accompanies The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky and carries a price of $49 per guest.

The experience takes place between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. and can be booked through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Guests who are unable to make a reservation through the app can also arrange bookings through Guest Services.

The introduction of both the dessert party and the new room service fee suggests Disney Adventure may serve as a testing ground for additional revenue-generating experiences and operational changes that differ from the traditions established across the rest of the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

For now, however, Disney Adventure appears set to make history as the first Disney ship where guests will pay a fee for standard room service delivery, ending a long-standing complimentary offering that has been a hallmark of the cruise line for years.

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

A Tennessee woman who lost both of her legs following a devastating shore excursion accident in the Bahamas is pursuing legal action against Carnival Corporation and the operators of the…

A major search operation remains underway in St. Kitts and Nevis after a cruise passenger disappeared while hiking on Mount Liamuiga during a port visit from a Royal Caribbean cruise…

Celebrity Cruises is significantly expanding its Captain’s Club loyalty programme, introducing two new membership levels above Zenith and adding a series of milestone rewards designed to recognise its most frequent…

Disney Cruise Line has quietly introduced two significant policy changes that are already sparking strong reactions among loyal guests ahead of the new rules taking effect on 3rd June. The…

Disney Cruise Line has quietly introduced two significant policy changes that are already sparking strong reactions among loyal guests ahead of the new rules taking effect on 3rd June.

The cruise line has reduced the amount of alcohol passengers can bring onboard and also tightened restrictions on stateroom decorations, particularly those spilling out into cabin corridors.

The alcohol update marks one of the biggest changes to Disney Cruise Line’s carry-on beverage policy in years. Previously, guests could bring two bottles of wine or six beers onboard at embarkation and were also permitted to bring an additional bottle of wine back onto the ship at each port of call.

Under the revised rules, guests will now only be allowed to bring one bottle of wine or six beers onboard at the start of the cruise, with no additional wine or beer permitted from ports during the voyage. Alcohol purchased ashore will instead be held by the cruise line until the end of the sailing.

At the same time, Disney Cruise Line has lowered its corkage fee from $29 to $20 for guests consuming their own wine in onboard dining venues.

Although Disney has not publicly explained the reason for the alcohol policy revision, many guests believe the move is aimed at increasing onboard beverage revenue, particularly as the line rapidly expands its fleet.

The changes appear to apply fleetwide, despite some confusion caused by outdated FAQ pages that continued showing the previous allowance shortly after guests began receiving notification emails.

Guests booked on longer itineraries, especially in Europe and Alaska, have been among the most vocal critics of the update.

One guest preparing for a Mediterranean cruise wrote: “We always used to pick up a bottle or two in ports. Now we get one bottle of wine for the whole trip?”

Another commented: “The policy of bringing a bottle from port made me want to book with DCL for Europe.”

Several passengers also criticised the short notice before implementation. One guest sailing within days of the announcement said: “Why not give it some time to get the word out and not p*ss off the people who have already bought and packed up their alcohol?”

Others pointed to the impact on regional sailings where sampling local drinks had become part of the cruise experience.

“We did the Norwegian Fjords last year and it was awesome bringing a few beers from each port in Belgium and Norway to try on our balcony,” one cruiser wrote. “Was looking forward to doing the same in Alaska.”

Door Decoration Rules Tightened

Disney Cruise Line has also updated its stateroom decoration guidelines, adding a new restriction banning decorations from being placed on corridor walls or ceilings.

The updated policy now states: “Decorations should only be placed on doors and are not permitted on corridor walls or ceilings.”

The change comes as increasingly elaborate cabin displays have become common on themed Disney sailings, particularly Halloween on the High Seas and Merrytime cruises.

While guests are still permitted to decorate cabin doors using magnets, Disney reiterated that tape, adhesives and over-the-door hanging organisers remain prohibited. The cruise line also warned that guests causing damage could face a $100 repair fee per incident.

Unlike the alcohol policy, reaction to the decoration update has been broadly positive online, with many guests arguing that hallway displays had become excessive and were beginning to create safety and accessibility concerns.

One guest wrote: “Love it. We still get to decorate doors and no one can take over the hallway.”

Another added: “It’s getting out of hand and into fire hazard territory with some of these extensive displays.”

Some passengers described difficulties navigating corridors because of oversized decorations, particularly those using mobility devices.

“There was a stateroom that had a pirate chest and pirate ship extending a good 9 inches from the wall,” one cruiser explained. “I had to collapse it every time I passed that part of the hallway.”

Another guest recalled streamers becoming tangled in a motorised wheelchair during a recent sailing aboard Disney Wish.

The new rule is also being welcomed by stateroom attendants and guests frustrated with increasingly elaborate displays inspired by social media and Disney cruise Facebook groups.

“Good,” one passenger wrote. “It’s getting a lot ridiculous as influencers try to out do each other.”

Others pointed to full corridor takeovers during holiday sailings, with decorations stretching across walls, ceilings and service areas.

One guest summed up the feeling shared by many commenters: “I admire the creativity but yeah, this needs to stop.”

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

Passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas were met with an unusual sight this week after one of the glass panels inside the ship’s AquaDome suddenly shattered during…

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper has rescued an injured sailor from a badly damaged sailboat after diverting for around seven hours in the Pacific Ocean. The rescue took place on Tuesday,…

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially opened advance sales for its highly anticipated Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, giving future guests the first opportunity to secure day passes and…

Carnival Cruise Line is continuing to expand its refreshed Main Dining Room menus across the fleet, with nearly half of the line’s 29 ships now either serving the updated dining…