Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas performed a dramatic rescue during its transatlantic voyage, saving a stranded family and their dog off the coast of Marrakesh, Morocco.
The incident occurred on Friday, 15th November 2024. The family’s sailboat had suffered engine failure and lost its masts, leaving them powerless in the waters off West Africa.
According to passengers onboard the cruise ship, the stranded group included two adults, two children, and a black Labrador retriever. Some reports suggested there could have been as many as six people on the sailboat.
Currently on @RoyalCaribbean Voyager of the Seas sailing towards Gran Canaria. We diverted to rescue a family of 2 adults, 2 minors, and a dog who were stranded with a broken sail last and a stalled engine. Everyone is on board and safe, but they had to leave the boat behind. pic.twitter.com/J10ogoOHtg
Before bringing the family onboard, engineers from the ship attempted to repair the damaged sailboat.
When the repairs proved unsuccessful, the crew transferred the family to a Royal Caribbean lifeboat in choppy seas and brought them aboard the 138,194-gross-ton ship.
Passengers cheered as the rescue operation concluded. “The rescue crew showed great skill (and bravery) in choppy seas to bring everyone safely aboard. There was a well-deserved big round of cheers and applause from all of the spectators on their balconies,” shared a passenger.
Although there was some discussion about towing the sailboat for later repairs, it was ultimately abandoned due to the challenges involved.
The family is being cared for onboard the Voyager of the Seas. The crew has provided them with food, water, and medical care as needed. The ship will transport the family to its next scheduled port of call in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, on 17th November 2024.
From there, the family can arrange their next steps with local authorities. While it might sound appealing to continue the cruise, non-paying passengers are typically disembarked at the next available port due to documentation and logistical issues.
The Voyager of the Seas embarked on its 16-night transatlantic sailing from Barcelona, Spain, on 10th November.
It was a delayed departure after weather had held up the drydock renovations – perhaps the family would’ve been in even more trouble if the ship’s drydock had run on schedule!
After its stop in Gran Canaria, the ship will make its final port call in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on 18th November, before continuing with sea days to Port Canaveral, Florida, where it is scheduled to arrive on 26th November.
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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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Carnival has listened to guest feedback about the limited snack options available late at night, and slow service times, and has announced a slew of changes.
Via Brand Ambassador John Heald on Facebook, the cruise line has confirmed that it will now offer a wider range of food options and take steps to halve wait times across the fleet.
Guests have complained about the early closure of the onboard pizzerias and delis earlier in the day on Carnival ships, and those closures won’t be impacted.
Instead, more options will now be added to the buffet, where guests will now be able to enjoy not just pizza but also chicken tenders, hot dogs, sandwiches, cookies and some other dessert items later into the night.
Guests will be able to enjoy some soups and salads, a range of cakes, as well as chips and salsa.
Other options will be available depending on the ship and night, with the menu varying based on what ingredients are available to the kitchen crew.
There will always be a selection of vegetarian and vegan options available, and guests will be able to request a gluten-free pizza to be made fresh.
To improve service, a secondary station will remain open for late night serving, so guests will be able to join either queue and access the same food options – in theory, halving the wait time for guests.
The late night snack menu was first introduced by Carnival in 2023, but guests have asked for improved options since then.
Many guests enjoy late nights on a Carnival cruise, whether in the casino, the bars or the lounges, and they often want to grab a bite to eat to sustain themselves for the ongoing festivities.
These new changes should help night-owls to find something they like every night. They’ve already rolled out to some ships in the fleet, including Carnival Celebration, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Venezia.
Carnival hasn’t confirmed the rollout times for the remainder of the fleet.
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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.
Two Princess cruise ships have both suffered from an outbreak of a gastrointestinal virus onboard within a few days of each other, with guests asked to vacate on several occasions…
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The best cruise deals come from comparing the full price per night (not the headline fare), watching the right sale windows, and booking a fare you can reprice if it drops. In practice, how to get cheap cruises comes down to three habits: look in several places at once, judge every offer by what is actually included, and keep checking the price until your final payment date.
This guide covers the tactics: where to look, how to tell a genuine bargain from clever marketing, and how to claw money back after you book. If you want to know which months are cheapest and which offers are live right now, see our companion guide to current cruise deals and the best time to book for 2027.
How to Get Cheap Cruises: The Short Version
Be flexible on dates, ship and departure port. Flexibility is worth more than any promo code.
Compare per-night cost including taxes, port fees and gratuities, not the “from” price.
Check at least three sources: the cruise line, a large online agency or consolidator, and a human travel agent.
Use your status: past-guest, loyalty and casino offers often beat public fares.
Watch the price after booking and reprice before final payment when the fare drops.
Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals
No single website always has the lowest price. Cruise lines in the US largely control base fares, so the differences between sellers usually show up in the extras: onboard credit, prepaid gratuities, gift cards or refundable deposits. That is why it pays to look in several places.
Cruise line sale pages
Every major line runs a rolling sale page, and the big promotions (such as “second guest at a discount”, free drinks or Wi-Fi bundles, or reduced deposits) appear here first. Sign up for each line’s email list and you will often see flash sales a day or two before they are widely advertised. Booking direct also makes it easier to manage add-ons and reprice yourself.
Online agencies and consolidators
Large online cruise sellers and consolidators buy or market cabins in bulk and frequently add their own perks on top of the cruise line promotion. Sites with last-minute listings, such as the Vacations To Go 90-Day Ticker, are useful for spotting unsold cabins on sailings departing in the next few weeks. In the US, warehouse-club travel arms such as Costco Travel often add a shop card or credit for members, which can make an identical fare worth more.
Travel agents
A good cruise specialist costs you nothing extra in most cases (they are paid commission by the line) and can access group space, agency-exclusive amenities and sometimes fares that do not show online. They will also chase repricing on your behalf. In the UK, look for ABTA membership and ATOL protection if flights are included.
Past-guest, loyalty and casino offers
Once you have sailed with a line, check your loyalty account and inbox for past-guest fares. These can include member-only discounts, bonus onboard credit or reduced deposits. Frequent cruisers who gamble onboard may also receive casino offers with free or heavily discounted cabins; these still usually charge taxes, fees and gratuities, and some require a certain level of play to qualify.
Price-drop tracking
Cruise fares move constantly. Some agencies and independent tools will alert you when a sailing or cabin category gets cheaper, and you can always run a “mock booking” on the cruise line’s site for your exact cabin category to see today’s price. The cruise line will not normally tell you when your fare falls, so checking is up to you or your agent.
Comparing several booking sites side by side is the quickest way to spot a real deal. Photo: cottonbro studio on Pexels
Smart Timing Tactics for Cheap Cruises
Timing matters, but it is not as simple as “always book early” or “always wait”. Use it as one lever among several.
Wave season (roughly January to March): the industry’s biggest booking period, when lines layer extra perks onto fares. The base price is not always lower, but the value of the package often is.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: most lines now run late-November sales, often with lower deposits or bonus extras. Compare them against the line’s normal promotion before assuming they are better.
Early booking: best for popular cabins (suites, family rooms, balconies on new ships), holiday sailings, Alaska and Europe peak season. You get choice, and you can still reprice if the fare drops.
Last-minute booking: after final payment dates pass (typically 60 to 120 days out, depending on the line and length), unsold cabins are sometimes discounted. This works best if you live near a port and do not need flights.
Repositioning cruises: spring and autumn sailings that move ships between regions, such as transatlantic or Panama Canal crossings, often have some of the lowest per-night fares because of the many sea days and one-way travel.
Shoulder and off-peak sailings: early December, January (outside holidays) and late autumn in the Caribbean tend to be cheaper than school holidays.
For which specific months are cheapest next year and which promotions are currently running, our 2027 cruise deals guide keeps that up to date.
How to Judge a Cruise Deal: Look Beyond the Headline Price
The most common mistake is comparing advertised fares. Two cruises that both say “from $699” can end up hundreds of dollars apart once everything is added. Work out the real cost of each option this way.
1. Calculate the per-night price
Divide the total cruise price (fare plus taxes, fees and port charges) by the number of nights. A $999 seven-night cruise is cheaper per night than a $599 three-night sailing, and longer cruises usually work out better value.
2. Add gratuities
Most mainstream lines add automatic daily gratuities per person. During 2026 several raised them; for example, Carnival moved to $17 per person per day for standard cabins in April 2026, and Princess and Holland America to $18. For a couple on a seven-night cruise, that is roughly $240 to $250 that is not in the headline fare. Some promotions prepay gratuities, which is genuine value.
3. Check what is included
Drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursion credits can add up fast. A slightly higher fare with a drinks package included can beat a cheaper fare once you add those costs, but only if you would actually use them. Before you count a drinks bundle as a saving, read our guide to the cruise drink package traps that catch people out.
4. Understand the fare type
Many lines sell a cheaper non-refundable or restricted fare alongside a standard fare with more flexibility. Restricted fares may have non-refundable deposits, change fees or no repricing rights, and cancellations may return future cruise credit rather than cash. If there is any chance your plans could change, the slightly higher flexible fare can be the better deal.
5. Weigh “guarantee” cabins
A guarantee cabin means you pick the category but the line assigns the exact room. It is usually cheaper and sometimes results in a free upgrade, but you could end up in a less convenient location.
What to compare
Why it matters
Where to find it
Price per night (all-in)
The only fair way to compare different lengths
Final booking screen before payment
Taxes, fees and port charges
Can add $100 to $300+ per person
Price breakdown or quote
Daily gratuities
Roughly $17 to $22 per person per day on many mainstream lines
Cruise line gratuity policy
Included extras
Drinks, Wi-Fi, dining or credit change the real value
Promotion terms
Deposit and cancellation rules
Determines your risk if plans change
Fare type terms and conditions
Repricing rights
Lets you capture later price drops
Price guarantee or price protection policy
A balcony cabin can come within reach when you reprice after a fare drop. Photo: Roman Chernov on Pexels
Cruise Deal Tips After You Book: Repricing and Price Drops
This is the tactic most first-time cruisers miss. Booking is not the end of the hunt; until final payment, you can often move to a lower fare.
Royal Caribbean: US and Canadian residents can generally reprice to a lower fare for the same cabin category on the same sailing up to final payment. Its separate Best Price Guarantee is a short window just after booking. Policies vary by country, so UK guests should check local terms.
Carnival: its Early Saver fare has offered price protection on qualifying US bookings, but terms have changed over time and exclude some promotional and group fares, so check the current Early Saver terms before relying on it.
Other lines: Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess and others have their own price guarantee or repricing rules, often with limited windows or compensation as onboard credit rather than a refund.
Practical steps that work with most lines:
Note your exact cabin category code and what perks your fare includes.
Check the price every week or two, especially during big sales.
Before repricing, compare the perks. A cheaper fare that drops your onboard credit or drinks offer may not be cheaper overall.
Ask your travel agent or the cruise line to reprice; do not cancel and rebook a non-refundable fare, or you may lose your deposit.
After final payment, ask anyway. A refund is unlikely, but some lines may offer onboard credit or an upgrade.
Ignoring flights and hotels: a bargain fare from a distant port can cost more once you add airfare and a pre-cruise night. Driving to a nearby homeport is often the biggest saving of all.
Booking add-ons at full price on day one: drinks, Wi-Fi and dining packages often go on sale pre-cruise, so watch those prices as well.
Skipping travel insurance: a cheap non-refundable fare is a poor deal if a medical issue cancels the trip.
Chasing the absolute lowest fare: a slightly higher fare from an agent who will reprice for you and add credit can beat the cheapest listing.
Notes for UK Cruisers
UK fares are priced in sterling and promotions differ from the US: you will often see on-board spending money, drinks packages or reduced deposits as the hook. Repricing rules can be stricter than for US residents, so ask your agent directly. UK-based lines and fly-cruise packages also bundle flights, which can make comparisons harder; again, work out the total per-night cost before deciding.
FAQs
Is there a cheapest day to book a cruise?
No specific weekday is reliably cheapest. Prices change with demand and promotions, so it is more useful to watch sale periods such as wave season (January to March) and Black Friday, and to reprice if the fare falls after you book.
Is it cheaper to book a cruise direct or through an agent?
Base fares are usually similar, because US cruise lines largely control pricing. Agents and consolidators can add extras such as onboard credit, gift cards or prepaid gratuities, and they can handle repricing for you, so it is worth comparing both.
Do cruise prices drop closer to sailing?
Sometimes. Unsold cabins may be discounted after the final payment date, but popular sailings, holidays and premium cabins often rise in price instead. Last-minute deals suit flexible travellers who live near a port.
Can I refuse to pay gratuities on a cruise?
On most mainstream lines you can ask Guest Services to adjust automatic gratuities, but they fund crew pay, so many passengers keep them. When comparing deals, always add gratuities to the total cost.
What is the best way to get a cheap cruise as a first-timer?
Choose a shorter or shoulder-season sailing from a port you can drive to, compare the all-in per-night price across the cruise line, an online agency and a travel agent, and pick a fare you can reprice if it drops.
TUI River Cruises celebrated a major milestone with the launch of its first Nile river cruise ship, the TUI Al Horeya, during a special blessing ceremony held on the Nile in Luxor.
The event featured a traditional “Prayer to Hapi” ritual, honouring the ancient Egyptian god of the Nile and invoking blessings for safe voyages.
As part of the ceremony, 100 biodegradable candles were set afloat on the river. Guests participated by making personal wishes and placing the candles in the water, alongside a symbolic papyrus scroll inscribed with “TUI Al Horeya” in Arabic.
The festivities continued onboard the ship with a vibrant celebration, including live performances by Whirling Dervishes, a sand artist narrating the history of the Nile, and a gala dinner accompanied by entertainment from TUI’s team.
After the onboard festivities, the TUI Al Horeya began her inaugural journey, sailing toward Luxor Temple.
“The official first voyage of the TUI Al Horeya is a massive milestone for TUI River Cruises being the first ship to sail outside of European waters. Since going on sale, we have sold 80 percent of our winter Nile program, and new bookings are continuing to come in week-by-week – we can’t wait to greet these passengers onboard for this season’s sailings.”
Katy Berzins, Head of TUI River Cruises
The newly refurbished TUI Al Horeya embarked on its seven-day maiden voyage along the Nile from Luxor on 4th November 2025.
About TUI River Cruises
TUI River Cruises offers relaxing and fun ways to explore famous rivers around the world. With comfortable ships, great food, and plenty of activities, TUI focuses on making every trip special.
Included in your fare, you’ll get your meals, select drinks when you eat, WiFi and tips. You’ll also get your flights and overseas transfers included, too.
The TUI Al Horeya is TUI’s first ship outside Europe, letting guests experience the incredible history and sights of the Nile River.
From ancient temples to beautiful scenery, TUI’s Nile cruises are designed to mix adventure with comfort, making it a perfect getaway for anyone looking to explore Egypt.
And exclusively for Nile cruises, some excursions are also covered in your fare, making them even better value!
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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Two Princess cruise ships have both suffered from an outbreak of a gastrointestinal virus onboard within a few days of each other, with guests asked to vacate on several occasions for deep cleaning.
The first incident occurred on Diamond Princess during a 21-night sailing around Australia and New Zealand.
After the virus took hold, it got serious enough that guests were told they had to go ashore on three separate occasions for six hours in Melbourne, Auckland, and then Melbourne again so that the ship could be deep cleaned.
Guests who wanted to stay onboard to enjoy the amenities were not permitted – everyone had to leave the ship.
As compensation, guests were given a $50 onboard credit for each time they were asked to leave the ship for six hours.
And now, it’s been confirmed that a second outbreak has happened on Crown Princess, also sailing around the Australia and New Zealand region.
Guests on that ship were not forced to vacate, but a letter was sent asking guests to go ashore in Darwin if possible while a deep clean was carried out.
Not only were all public areas disinfected, but all guest staterooms were too, hence the recommendation to leave the ship and get out of the way for a couple of hours.
Guests who reported symptoms were asked not to leave the ship but instead remain quarantined within their cabins.
It hasn’t been confirmed which virus it was that hit both ships – it’s not always norovirus – nor how many guests or crew members were affected.
However, the deep cleaning, along with the request for guests to leave the ship, suggests that neither incident was isolated.
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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.
TUI River Cruises celebrated a major milestone with the launch of its first Nile river cruise ship, the TUI Al Horeya, during a special blessing ceremony held on the Nile…
SeaDream Yacht Club has announced plans to significantly expand its offerings in the British Isles in 2027, following the success of its “nearly sold-out” 2026 season. In 2027, the recently…
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SeaDream Yacht Club has announced plans to significantly expand its offerings in the British Isles in 2027, following the success of its “nearly sold-out” 2026 season.
In 2027, the recently renovated SeaDream I will host voyages ranging from 7 to 11 days, exploring destinations across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Some itineraries will also include stops at the Shetland, Orkney, and Faroe Islands, providing passengers with a mix of iconic and off-the-beaten-path locales.
The cruises will also feature a variety of Yachting Land Adventures, giving travellers the chance to immerse themselves in local culture.
Highlights include visits to whiskey distilleries, rounds at world-class golf courses, and opportunities to engage with wildlife and local communities.
The 2027 itinerary highlights include:
Norway & The British Isles: Sailing from Oslo to Edinburgh
Best of Scotland & The Faroe Islands: From Edinburgh to Glasgow
Celtic Homelands: From Glasgow to Dublin
Irresistible Ireland: A roundtrip from Dublin
British Isles Discovery: From Dublin to Portsmouth
SeaDream Yacht Club’s executive vice-president, Andreas Brynestad, emphasized the unique appeal of these voyages:
“We are combining incredible destinations with the distinctive SeaDream experience, creating a relaxed, unhurried experience that is a rare luxury today. There simply is no better way to explore these extraordinary places than in the comfort of a mega-yacht.
“The demand for British Isles has been beyond our expectations. We are thrilled to be back in 2027, with more destinations, more Yachting Land Adventures, and more unique ways to experience the true beauty of the region.”
Andreas Brynestad
About SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club is a luxury cruise line offering an intimate and personalised travel experience aboard its boutique mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II.
Known for its exceptional service, gourmet cuisine, and immersive itineraries, SeaDream specialises in exploring unique and lesser-visited destinations around the globe.
With a focus on relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery, SeaDream delivers a yachting experience that combines luxury with the thrill of exploration.
The best way to book a SeaDream voyage
Want expert help to plan your perfect trip?
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Cruise ships are equipped with all kinds of monitors and tools to help detect storms, so that they can sail out of their path.
But sometimes storms can creep up quickly, or there’s just no avoiding it. When that happens, things can get a little scary.
On a recent cruise, I experienced some bad weather which required us to hold on to our wine glasses while eating as some started falling over! But that’s nothing compared to what some have witnessed…
Here are some real stories of passengers who have endured extreme storms while at sea:
This tale shows that storms can be very scary indeed! In the Spring of 2005, aboard the MV Explorer for Semester at Sea, the North Pacific delivered a harrowing experience.
The ship encountered waves 60 feet high and winds of 120mph, caused by a convergence of two storms. The waves shattered the bridge windows and flooded the bridge, disabling all four navigation engines.
For 16 hours, the ship was at the mercy of the ocean, tilting up to 37 degrees. Everyone donned life jackets and made their way to the fifth deck where the lifeboats were, though launching them in such weather was impossible. With the frigid North Pacific waters in January, the life expectancy if you went overboard was just seven minutes.
Remarkably, seasickness was minimal since the crew and passengers had already endured a week of 20-foot waves. So it was just the fear caused by these incredible waves, with the narrator saying they accepted death that day. Yikes.
A crew member tells the story of how, on their first weekend working aboard a cruise ship in 2016, they sailed through Storm Katie off the British coast. The storm brought hurricane-level winds over 90mph, exceeding the Beaufort scale’s Force 12. For the first few days, the rolling and turbulence were extreme.
Working in the onboard stores, the crew witnessed chaos as stock was thrown off shelves, with Swarovski crystal sculptures swept away like debris. Each morning, the stockroom appeared looted. The bars and galley departments faced even worse chaos.
The ship maintained a permanent list to one side, making simple tasks like walking feel like struggling up a steep hill. Upon returning to normal, adjusting to the ship’s lean was difficult, leading to mishaps like hitting the showerhead.
Shows and entertainment were cancelled, leaving guests with little to do but stay in their cabins. Seasickness was rampant. Compounding the misery, a recent norovirus outbreak had triggered a ‘red level’ hygiene alert. This meant rigorous sanitisation protocols, additional duties for serving food, and a complete loss of deck privileges and events for the crew.
For two or three days, everyone onboard faced a perfect storm of misery. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or major damage, but the experience gave the worst first impression of the job possible.
This one was so bad that it made the news in the UK. A passenger talked about their cruise on Saga’s Spirit of Discovery in 2023, on a round-trip cruise to the Canary Islands.
The ship sailed through a storm in the Bay of Biscay to reach La Coruna, only to find that the port was closed, leaving the ship stranded to face the stormy weather. It was so bad that glass balconies were broken and passengers were flung around the ship. Bearing in mind this was a Saga cruise, with mainly elderly passengers, that placed lives at risk.
Five people needed medical treatment, and 100 out of 1,000 suffered some form of minor injury. Passengers said that some guests were writing texts to their loved ones, convinced they were going to die.
In the end, everyone was okay but it was definitely a scary time.
On a November cruise departing from Miami, the weather was initially clear and sunny. However, just 30 minutes out, the ship encountered rough seas and strong winds.
As the passenger tells it, there was no rain but the turbulence was severe enough to make even crew members sick. This overwhelmed the staff’s ability to even keep the bathrooms looking respectable.
The itinerary included a day on an island, but the seas were too rough for the tender boats to approach the ship, leading to another day on choppy waters.
Spa appointments were booked but the therapist, working on her first cruise, was too sick to provide much service. Surprisingly, many passengers continued their day unaffected by the rough conditions, eating and drinking as normal.
After three days of turmoil, the ship returned to Miami, where the weather immediately cleared up, revealing beautiful skies for the remainder of the trip. Typical, right?
In 1995, aboard the old Royal Princess with 1,200 passengers on a transatlantic voyage to New York, a severe storm forced the captain to skip docking in Greenland. The passengers telling this story, whose cabin was far forward, prepared by securing their belongings. But it wasn’t enough.
A glass flew off the bathroom counter and shattered. They used their luggage to block the closet doors from banging open all night, and tried to sleep despite the intense up-and-down motion. They were flying out of bed, and felt like they needed seat belts to even try to sleep!
On the fifth floor above the waterline, they watched waves crashing against the windows above. Eventually, they moved to a lower deck to reduce the motion and seasickness. After 24 hours, the storm finally abated. They sailed on the Royal Princess again, although the husband never appreciated the reminder that they were near where the Titanic sank.
One cruise passenger tells how she experienced not one but two extreme cruises due to the weather, with all the chaos of flying pool chairs and furniture.
The crew efficiently closed off outside deck access on both cruises and ushered everyone indoors, attending to panicked or injured passengers. Once everyone was safely inside, the atmosphere transformed into one of camaraderie and gratitude.
Passengers showed kindness by sharing seasickness medication and assisting older individuals. The crew’s professionalism earned them random standing ovations throughout the remainder of the voyages. This passenger even said the two cruises remained some of their favourites!
A passenger told the story of encountering rough seas on their very first cruise, causing the ship to rock intensely. Many experienced seasickness, resulting in an unfortunate incident of vomiting over a white dress during the ship’s ‘white night’ event.
Despite the discomfort, the passenger said their only regret was not being able to finish the delicious cream of mushroom soup served in the main dining room!
The passenger forgot to bring Dramamine but purchased some upon reaching port, having found previously purchased bands ineffective. Despite the seasickness, they still thoroughly enjoyed their first cruise experience and has taken more cruises since.
One cruise guest told the story of a cruise on Carnival’s Mardi Gras, when they encountered a night of very rough seas. While sleeping was enjoyable, walking became challenging due to sudden shifts, though they admit the drinks package probably hadn’t helped!
However, the real challenge was the widespread seasickness among passengers. This resulted in vomit appearing everywhere: elevators, corners, trash cans, bathrooms and hallways. Despite the unpleasantness, the cleaning staff swiftly had addressed the mess by breakfast time.
Conversations the next day revolved around the turbulent night, with nearly every interaction starting with enquiries about the experience. As you would expect, really. Kudos to the crew for getting everything cleaned up so fast!
A passenger tells how they encountered violent waves that caused the ship to lurch forwards and backwards. In their own words, they felt like Neil Armstrong walking on the moon!
While the ship was moving a lot, these passengers managed to find the fun in it, timing their jumps with the movement to get up to six feet in the air!
They also recommended enjoying alcohol during these rough seas, but I’m not sure how good that advice really is!
During a crossing from Australia to New Zealand, known for its rough waters, one guest (then a teenager) was loving the storms initially, playing in the pool despite the water sloshing from side to side. However, conditions worsened rapidly, leading to widespread seasickness and difficulty walking as the ship juddered violently.
The situation was further complicated by a norovirus outbreak. The passenger’s sister was the first to fall ill, resulting in the entire family being quarantined together. Sharing a bathroom under such conditions made for a very unpleasant experience!
Despite the challenges, the narrator recalls having a somewhat good time. Their sister was a wheelchair user and, before anyone got sick, they took advantage of the listing boat by wheeling her to one end of a hallway and letting her go, so she could enjoy the ride! Hopefully, they had her consent…
Having experienced serious storms while cruising, a frequent cruiser has said that the best approach is to stay calm and trust the ship’s crew. Cruise ships are designed for rough seas, and crews will do everything possible to avoid and counteract the storm.
The guest says that you should take care to secure loose items in the cabin, like books and glasses. Heading to public areas to stay with the crew and other passengers usually creates a comforting and secure atmosphere.
In severe storms, the cruiser remains mindful and alert, keeping a cell phone close by in case of emergency.
Storms at sea can get pretty dramatic at times, and a lot of people tend to get sick when ships start to list. But there are some people that find even the most dramatic storms entertaining too.
Obviously, if furniture is flying around then you need to be careful, but ships can typically withstand a lot of punishment. So just get to a low deck and try to relax as you see out the storm.
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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.
The main Marella Discovery cabins to avoid are the forward cabins on Deck 3 and Deck 6, which sit directly below and above the two-level Broadway Show Lounge and the Squid & Anchor pub, the aft cabins on Deck 8 under The Veranda on the pool deck, and the older, unrefurbished inside cabins on Deck 6. For the best mix of quiet, motion and value, aim for a midships balcony on Deck 7, a Deluxe cabin with a big window, or a Junior Suite on Deck 8 away from lifts and stairwells.
This guide is purely about choosing a cabin. If you want the bigger picture on dining, entertainment and itineraries, read our complete Marella Discovery ship guide first, then come back here with the deck plan open.
Is Marella Discovery still sailing in 2026 and 2027?
Yes. At the time of writing (late October 2026) Marella Discovery remains one of the five ships in the Marella Cruises fleet, alongside Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager. No sale or retirement has been announced. The two new ships Marella had planned were reassigned to sister brand TUI Cruises in 2025, so the current fleet looks set to carry on.
Marella Discovery was built in 1996 as Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas, a Vision-class ship, and carries around 1,800 guests in 918 cabins. It spent summer 2026 on adults-only Aegean cruises from Limassol, sails the Caribbean from La Romana in the Dominican Republic over winter 2026/27, moves to Palma for summer 2027 and returns to La Romana for winter 2027/28.
Don’t confuse this ship with Marella Discovery 2, a different (slightly older) vessel. It is Discovery 2 that Marella announced will become a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027. Marella Discovery itself has had adults-only seasons, so if age policy matters to you, check the specific sailing when you book. The advice below is for Marella Discovery only; Discovery 2 has a different layout.
Marella Discovery cabins at a glance
Around 39% of Marella Discovery cabins have a balcony, which is low by modern standards, so balconies and suites tend to sell out first. Most cabins were refurbished between 2022 and 2024, but not all. Sizes below are from TUI and Cruise Critic.
Cabin type
Decks
Approx. size
Worth knowing
Inside
2, 3, 6, 7, 8
12 to 13 m²
Deck 7 and 8 insides refurbished; Deck 6 insides were not
Inside Plus
7, 8
15 m²
More floor space for little extra
Outside
2, 3
14 m²
Picture window or porthole, low on the ship
Single Inside / Single Outside
2, 3
12 to 14 m²
No single supplement
Deluxe
7, 8
Just over 20 m²
Large floor-to-ceiling window, sofa bed, sleeps up to four
Balcony
6
13 to 14 m² plus balcony
Compact balcony with two chairs and a table
Deluxe Balcony
6 (aft), 7
15 to 16 m² plus balcony
Sitting area; a handful have sun loungers
Junior Suite
8
About 21 m²
Bigger balcony with two loungers; Suite Service perks
Family Junior Suite / Family Suite
8
39 to 40 m²
Sleep six or seven; separate sleeping areas
Grand Suite
8
32 m²
Walk-in shower, larger balcony
Executive Suite
8
47 m²
Only five; separate living area; Suite Service Max
Royal Suite
8 (forward)
92 m²
Baby grand piano, whirlpool bath; Suite Service Max
Extra berths in three and four-berth cabins are usually fold-down upper bunks reached by a ladder, worth knowing if you are sharing with older children or adults.
Cabins near lifts and stairwells see the most foot traffic late at night. Photo: Gzon Rami on Pexels
Marella Discovery cabins to avoid
No cabin here is truly bad, but some are noisier or more awkward than others for the same price. These are the ones guests and reviewers flag most.
1. Forward cabins on Deck 3 and Deck 6 (theatre and pub noise)
The Broadway Show Lounge sits forward and spans Decks 4 and 5, with the Squid & Anchor pub on Deck 5. That sandwiches the forward cabins on Deck 3 (below) and Deck 6 (above) between the busiest evening venues on board. Shows usually finish before 11pm, but light sleepers and families with young children should look further aft.
2. Deck 3 aft and cabins under the Atrium bars
Deck 4 is the ship’s main entertainment and bar deck, with the Atrium, the Live Room, the Cocktail & Piano Bar, the casino and the 47-Degree main restaurant. Cruise Critic’s editors recommend early sleepers avoid Deck 3 aft inside and outside cabins, which lie below the show lounge and Live Room areas, and guests have reported late-night clattering of trolleys and glassware in cabins under the Atrium bar service areas (cabin 3531 is one example mentioned).
3. Deck 8 aft cabins under The Veranda
The Veranda (the former Solarium) and The Glass House sit towards the aft end of Deck 9. Some guests in the aft cabins on Deck 8 directly below report hearing sun loungers and furniture being moved late at night or early in the morning, when crew set up and clear the deck.
4. Unrefurbished inside cabins on Deck 6
TUI states that the Deck 7 and 8 inside cabins were refurbished but those on Deck 6 were not. Some Deck 6 insides also have a fixed double bed pushed against the wall, meaning one person has to climb over the other, and Cruise Critic notes that unrefurbished insides still have two-pin European and American sockets rather than UK plugs. Guests also report heavier footfall near the Coffee Port. For an inside cabin, choose Deck 7 or 8.
5. Cabins near lifts and stairwells
Cabins right beside the forward and aft lift lobbies get the most late-night corridor chatter. A few doors along is usually enough to escape it.
6. Very forward or very aft cabins if you get seasick
At roughly 70,000 tonnes, Marella Discovery is a mid-sized ship and you can feel the motion in open water, especially on Atlantic crossings. The bow pitches most, so seasick-prone guests should pick a low or middle deck midships.
7. Porthole cabins (if you want a real view)
Outside cabins on Decks 2 and 3 have either a picture window or a porthole, close to the waterline, and the category does not always say which. Ask before paying for a specific cabin, or consider a Deluxe cabin instead.
8. Connecting cabins (unless you are booking both)
Cruise Critic counts 126 interconnecting cabins. The connecting door is never as soundproof as a wall, so avoid them unless you are booking both sides.
Obstructed views are less of a worry than on many ships, as the lifeboats hang on Deck 5, between the outside cabins on Decks 2 and 3 and the balcony decks above.
Marella Discovery best cabins: our picks by traveller type
Here are the Marella Discovery best cabins for different budgets and priorities.
Best value overall: Inside Plus on Deck 7 or 8. Refurbished, a little roomier than a standard inside and well placed between the public decks.
Best non-balcony upgrade: Deluxe cabin on Deck 7 or 8. At just over 20 m² with a large floor-to-ceiling window and sofa bed, these are among the most generous non-suite cabins on board and often cheaper than a Deluxe Balcony.
Best for solo travellers: Single Outside on Deck 2 or 3. No single supplement, though check you are not under a public room.
Best for seasick-prone guests: midships Deck 3 or Deck 6. Low and central, where the motion is gentlest.
Best for families: Family Suites and Family Junior Suites on Deck 8. Separate sleeping areas for six or seven guests, and Suite Service perks thrown in. Book early, as there are only a few.
Best splurge: an Executive Suite or the Royal Suite. Both now come with Suite Service Max (see below).
A balcony on Deck 7 is the sweet spot for many Marella Discovery guests. Photo: Roman Chernov on Pexels
Marella Discovery balcony cabins: which ones to choose
Because balconies make up well under half of the ship, it pays to be picky. Marella Discovery balcony cabins come in three broad levels:
Standard Balcony (Deck 6): the cabin is compact at around 13 to 14 m², and the balcony fits two chairs and a small table. Fine for a drink at sunset, but not for lounging. Avoid the forward end above the theatre.
Deluxe Balcony (Deck 6 aft and Deck 7): slightly bigger, with a sitting area. Midships on Deck 7 is arguably the sweet spot on the whole ship: public rooms are well below you, cabins are above you, and motion is modest. TUI notes that cabins 6626, 6628, 6630 and 6632 have balconies with two sun loungers, which is worth requesting if available.
Junior Suites (Deck 8): about 21 m² with a deeper balcony that takes two loungers. There are dozens of them, so you can usually find one away from the aft end under The Veranda and away from the lift lobbies.
If you are weighing up whether the balcony premium is worth it on a ship like this, our guide to balcony versus inside cabins runs through the trade-offs. On Caribbean sailings with sea days a balcony earns its keep; on port-heavy Greek island weeks, a Deluxe window cabin may be the smarter spend.
Suites on Marella Discovery and the new Suite Service Max
All suites are on Deck 8. Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Family Junior Suites and Family Suites come with Marella’s standard Suite Service, including a weekly breakfast in bed, some free pressing, a coffee machine and upgraded toiletries.
From summer 2026, Marella rolled out Suite Service Max across the fleet for its Royal, Executive and Voyager Suites. On Marella Discovery that means the five Executive Suites and the Royal Suite. Perks include daily in-suite breakfast, weekly afternoon tea, Champagne on arrival, Elemis toiletries, free laundry bags, an internet allowance and priority embarkation. The Royal Suite sits forward on Deck 8 next to the bridge, so it is quiet but feels the motion more than midships suites. For a closer look at what you get, see our Marella Royal Suite guide.
Accessible cabins on Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery has a small number of wheelchair-accessible cabins (published counts vary between 12 and 17), spread across inside, outside, balcony and Junior Suite categories, largely on Decks 2, 3 and 7. They have wider doors, turning space and roll-in showers. Contact Marella’s special assistance team early, as numbers are limited.
How to avoid a bad cabin when booking
If you book a “guarantee” or allocated cabin, Marella chooses your cabin number for you, and that is how people end up under the theatre. TUI lets you reserve a specific cabin number for a fee (from around £75 per booking at the time of writing), either when booking or up to 15 days before departure. For a week-long all-inclusive holiday, that is usually money well spent, especially on Decks 3, 6 and 8 where location makes the biggest difference.
Before paying, check three things on the deck plan: what is above your cabin, what is below it, and how far it is from the lifts. If the answers are “cabins”, “cabins” and “a few doors”, you have picked well.
Comparing Marella ships? Our guide to Marella Explorer cabins to avoid covers the noisy decks and best balconies on the fleet’s family-friendly ship.
A midships Deluxe Balcony on Deck 7 or a Junior Suite on Deck 8, away from the aft end and the lifts, gives the best balance of space and quiet. On a budget, a refurbished Inside Plus or Deluxe window cabin on Decks 7 and 8 is excellent value.
Which cabins have been refurbished on Marella Discovery?
Most cabins were updated in dry dock work between 2022 and 2024. TUI says the inside cabins on Decks 7 and 8 were refurbished but those on Deck 6 were not.
Which deck is best on Marella Discovery?
Deck 7 is usually the best all-round deck, with cabins above and below it. Deck 8 is best for suites, as long as you avoid the aft cabins under The Veranda.
Is Marella Discovery the same ship as Marella Discovery 2?
No. Marella Discovery is the former Splendour of the Seas; Marella Discovery 2 is a separate ship with a different layout, becoming permanently adults-only from winter 2027.
How many ships does Marella Cruises have?
Five: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager. No new ships are currently on order for the brand.
Celebrity Cruises has hinted that work has already begun on the next class of cruise ships, with Celebrity Xcel now confirmed as the final Edge-class ship for the fleet.
At the CruiseWorld event, Celebrity’s brand president Laura Hodges Bethge was speaking about the future of the brand and revealed that Project Nirvana was the codename for the next ships.
It’s expected that the first ships in the new class would debut sometime in 2029 or 2030 but nothing is official.
“For those who have been doing this for a long time, you know you go from the dreaming stage to the receiving stage in five-ish years,
“We’re excited about what’s next for the brand.”
Laura Hodges Bethge, Brand President for Celebrity Cruises
While Celebrity Cruises fans can start to get excited about the next generation of ships, there’s still other exciting news too.
It’s expected that we’ll get details of Celebrity Xcel’s features in spring, with seven new products and experiences onboard the ship compared to her sister Edge-class ships.
Bethge also revealed that the Solstice-class ships would soon undergo a renovation, with Celebrity Solstice set to undergo an extended drydock in Spring 2026.
No dates have been confirmed for the rest of the class, which includes Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection.
“Those five beautiful ships are at what we call internally their half-life. Ships last around 30 years, and they’re about 15 years old, so right now we’re dreaming up what’s going to happen with the modernization of the Solstice ships,
“There’s three different areas of the ship where we’ll be paying a lot of attention,”
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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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Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea has announced to guests that it will no longer be providing commemorative USB drives to guests at the end of any expedition cruises.
The USB drives were filled with photos and videos taken on the cruise, and were typically seen as a fun way of capturing the memories of that particular sailing.
With the expedition ships hosting fewer than 300 guests on each sailing, guests could reasonably expect to be featured in a selection of the media on the USB drives.
And one popular feature was the drone video footage that offered a unique perspective on the destinations visited, since guests aren’t permitted to bring their own drone onboard.
However, the cruise line has announced it is no longer offering the item, claiming that some guests had fed back about quality issues.
At Silversea, our commitment is always to provide an unparalleled luxury experience. We have listened to your feedback regarding the photos and videos our guests receive at the end of their expedition, and we acknowledge that the current offering does not meet the exceptional standards that we strive to uphold.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to discontinue the current program. We understand that this change may be disappointing to some of our valued guests, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please rest assured that we are actively exploring innovative new ways to enhance your experience and capture the special moments of your voyage.”
Conrad Combrink, the Senior Vice President of Expeditions for Silversea
No replacement souvenir item has been announced in the interim, which has left some guests disappointed, with some arguing that the removal of the USB could’ve been delayed until a replacement was available.
However, some experienced Silversea guests have concurred that the quality could be an issue on some cruises, particularly when it comes to video. Apparently, some guests felt like important moments were often missed in the video.
Guests are, of course, able to capture their own memories on cruises – check out these expert tips from a photographer on how to get the best cruise photos!
With Silversea’s expedition cruises starting from £4,500 per person even for the smallest suites onboard, it’s no doubt that guests expect a high level of luxury, including small touches which make the cruise feel more special.
So it’s likely that Silversea will try to move quickly in finding some form of replacement option as a small souvenir for guests to take home on these cruises.
The best way to book a Silversea cruise
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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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