Smuggling recreational drugs onto a cruise ship is always a terrible idea. Not only could you get kicked off the ship, but you could also end up in prison.
Can you bring drugs onto a cruise ship at all? Well, prescription drugs on a cruise are usually fine. Just put them in your hand luggage, and be sure to bring a copy of your prescription with you.
Illegal drugs are not allowed on cruise ships. If you are caught sneaking drugs onto a cruise ship, you will likely be handed over to the police, and you could face a harsh sentence for drug smuggling.
Do They Search for Drugs on Cruise Ships?
Cruise lines use a variety of methods to search for illegal drugs, including X-rays, metal detectors, scanners, and sniffer dogs. That said, the security team’s main priority isn’t to look for drugs, as they have other things to be concerned with.
Cruise ship security teams are mostly searching for alcohol and weapons. Due to the high cost of drinks on cruise ships, a lot of people try to sneak alcohol on board. And if anyone were to sneak a bomb onto a cruise ship the consequences would be disastrous.
Do You Get Searched on a Cruise?
Cruise ship passengers aren’t routinely patted down when boarding a cruise ship, although you will be asked to walk through a metal detector. If the metal detector beeps, you may either be scanned again with a hand-held metal detector or patted down by hand.
Do Cruise Ships Have Body Scanners?
Cruise ports don’t have the ‘nude’ body scanners that you step into and put your hand up like at airports. But they do have walk-through metal detectors to detect any hidden weapons.
Do They Check Your Bags on a Cruise Ship?
When you board a cruise ship, your bags will be x-rayed to check for alcohol and weapons. At many ports, the luggage is also checked by a sniffer dog who may be trained to detect drugs and explosives.
Not all cruise ports have drug dogs present. Ports in Mexico, the United States, Australia, the Bahamas and Bermuda are most likely to have drug dogs present. Smaller ports are less likely to use sniffer dogs.
In 2021, cruise lines tested the use of sniffer dogs that are trained to detect passengers with COVID-19. It’s believed that these dogs can detect infected people with 97% accuracy, even in those who are asymptomatic. [Source].
Carnival Cruise Line has announced a renewed effort to sniff out drugs across the fleet. Guests can expect to see drug sniffer dogs at home ports, destination ports, and on the ships themselves.
Matt Lupoli, a spokesperson for the cruise line, said “The K-9s are part of our security team and are deployed to various locations, so guests may very well see them at terminals, destination ports, or onboard, and their deployment could change at any time.”
And Christine Duffy, the President of the company, further clarified: “In case there’s any confusion, let me remind guests that while marijuana and cannabis products may be legal in some states, we are required to follow federal law irrespective of the law in the state where you may be boarding your ship.”
You won’t see the Carnival cruise drug dogs on every sailing, but there is a chance they’ll be onboard.
How To Take Drugs on a Cruise Ship
If you plan on bringing drugs on a cruise ship, you should make sure that you also bring your prescription. That way, if there are any questions asked about the drugs, you can prove they you are legally allowed to take them.
Smuggling illegal recreational drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens and amphetamines on cruise ships is a serious offence and it is not something that anyone should consider doing. If you’re caught, the consequences could ruin your life.
Do You Get Drug Tested To Work on a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ship employees are drug tested before they begin working on a cruise ship and they are also subject to random drug testing. If the cruise line suspects drug use, they will arrange additional drug tests.
Cruise lines have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs. If any guest or crew member is caught possessing or taking drugs, they will be sent home at the next port of call. Carnival has even stated that guests may be banned from taking future cruises.
The Bottom Line
if you want to take drugs on a cruise ship, you’d better make sure that you have a prescription for them. But even with a prescription, some drugs like medical marijuana are still not allowed.
If you just want to party and have a good time, get yourself a drinks package and you can get wasted legally every day of your cruise if you want to.
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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 21-year-old cruise passenger onboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was arrested last week after trying to initiate oral sex with a 14-year-old boy.
According to local reports, Anish Shan was detained once the ship concluded a 5-night cruise on 8th March in Miami. He has been charge with two felonies – less and lascivious behaviour, and lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child under 16.
The reports state that the incident occurred in the ship’s sauna at around 7pm during one night of the cruise.
Shan approached the teenager and asked how old he was. Upon learning the boy was 14, Shan began to masturbate while making eye contact with the boy, and then attempted to solicit oral sex from him.
It’s unclear whether Shan was arrested on the ship by the crew, and detained in his stateroom, but the Miami-Dade police arrested him immediately upon the ship’s arrival back to Port Miami.
The news comes just a short while after a crew member was arrested on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas for hiding spy cameras in guests’ rooms, along with hiding himself under the beds while guests showered.
That crew member has now been charged with multiple crimes, including child pornography, after footage of children as young as five was found on his cameras.
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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.
Royal Caribbean Star Class is the highest of the three Royal Suite Class tiers (Sea, Sky and Star). It applies to the biggest suites on Icon, Oasis and Quantum class ships and bundles a dedicated Royal Genie, the Deluxe Beverage Package, most specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and priority access into the fare. Expect to pay five figures for a week, but almost nothing extra once you are on board.
This guide covers Royal Caribbean Star Class only: which ships and suites qualify as of November 2026, what the Royal Genie actually does, what is and is not included, the 2026 policy changes, and how to judge whether the price makes sense for your group. For a side-by-side look at all three tiers, see our guide to Royal Caribbean suite perks and the Royal Suite Class tiers.
What Is Royal Caribbean Star Class?
Royal Caribbean groups its suites into Royal Suite Class on its newest and largest ships. Junior Suites usually sit in Sea Class, mid-size suites such as Grand and Owner’s Suites in Sky Class, and the flagship lofts, villas and family suites in Star Class. Each tier inherits the perks of the one below and adds more on top.
What makes Star Class different is not just space. It is the only tier that comes with a Royal Genie and the only one where almost everything you would normally buy on board (drinks, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, laundry, tips) is already paid for. Royal Caribbean describes it as the most inclusive way to sail its fleet, and in practice it is the closest the line gets to an all-inclusive luxury product.
Which Ships Have Star Class in 2026-27?
Star Class is only offered on ships that use the Royal Suite Class system. As of November 2026 that means:
Icon class: Icon of the Seas (2024), Star of the Seas (August 2025) and Legend of the Seas, which debuted in the Mediterranean in July 2026 before moving to Fort Lauderdale for the winter. Hero of the Seas is scheduled for 2027.
Oasis class: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas.
Quantum and Quantum Ultra class: Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas. Spectrum, which sails in Asia, has its own twists, such as The Balcony instead of a Suite Sun Deck and some Spectrum-only dining venues.
Older Freedom, Radiance, Voyager and Vision class ships do not have Star Class suites. They still have suites with their own perks, and since mid-2026 you can buy Royal Genie service on them as an add-on (more on that below).
Royal Caribbean Star Class Suites by Ship Class
Royal Caribbean’s official list of Star Class categories includes the Ultimate Family Suite, Royal Loft Suite, four-bedroom Villa Suite, Owner’s Loft and Grand Loft Suites, Owner’s and Grand Panoramic Suites, the Ultimate Panoramic Suite, Star Loft Suite, the two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites, the Ultimate Family Townhouse, the Icon Loft Suite and the Solarium Suite. Not every ship has every category, and the line notes that categories can change, so always check the deck plan for your specific sailing.
Ship class
Typical Star Class suites
Good to know
Icon class
Ultimate Family Townhouse, Royal Loft Suite, Icon Loft Suites, Panoramic-style suites
Suite sun deck is called The Grove; the three-level Townhouse is the headline family option
Oasis class
Royal Loft, Owner’s Loft, Grand Loft, Star Loft, two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites; Ultimate Family Suite and Villa Suite on newer ships
Line-up varies a lot between Oasis (2009) and Utopia (2024), so compare ships, not just the class
Quantum / Quantum Ultra
Royal Loft Suite, Grand Loft Suite and the top family-style suites on select ships
Fewer Star Class suites per ship, so they can sell out early
A useful rule of thumb: on these ships, the loft suites (Royal, Owner’s, Grand, Star, Sky and Icon Lofts) sit in Star Class, while the Crown Loft Suite is Sky Class. If a suite name does not appear on Royal Caribbean’s Star Class list, assume it is Sky or Sea Class and price it accordingly.
Personal butler service is the closest everyday comparison to a Royal Genie. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
What Does a Royal Genie Do?
The Royal Genie is the signature Star Class perk and the one thing you cannot replicate by buying packages separately inside a standard cabin on the newer ships. Think of a Genie as a mix of butler, concierge and personal fixer. Each Genie looks after a small number of suites, typically three or four, which is why they can be so hands-on.
Typical things a Royal Genie handles:
Booking specialty restaurants and show seats, including last-minute changes, so you do not need to plan everything before you sail
Getting you into activities with priority access, from the FlowRider to the waterslides and ice skating
Arranging in-suite extras such as decorations, catered gatherings, snacks or a specific drink you like
Escorting you through embarkation and disembarkation, and helping with luggage and onward plans
Genie service belongs to the Star Class guests in the suite. It cannot be extended to friends or family sailing in other cabins, even if you are travelling as a group. Gratuities for the Genie and concierge are not covered by the prepaid tips, and many guests choose to tip them separately at the end of the cruise.
Royal Caribbean Star Class Benefits: What Is Included
Based on Royal Caribbean’s current benefits list, Star Class includes the following on top of everything in Sea and Sky Class:
Dining
All-day access to Coastal Kitchen, the suite restaurant (dinner reservations required)
Complimentary dining at most specialty restaurants, including Chops Grille, Giovanni’s and Hooked where available, plus premium Main Dining Room items and lobster at Chops
Priority reservations and reduced cover charges at the extra-cost experiences, for example around $50 for Chef’s Table and Royal Railway, and around $130 for the Icon class supper clubs
Drinks and connectivity
Deluxe Beverage Package for guests of legal drinking age, or a Refreshment Package for younger guests
Minibar stocked with soft drinks and water, replenished daily
VOOM internet powered by Starlink for one device per guest
Service and access
Royal Genie service
Prepaid gratuities for dining, culinary and housekeeping staff
Complimentary laundry and pressing
Expedited boarding and disembarkation
Best seats at select shows and priority entry to many activities (Royal Caribbean excludes 1pm to 4pm on sea days)
Suite Lounge with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the evening, and access to the Suite Sun Deck (The Grove on Icon class)
What is not included
Star Class is very inclusive, but not completely. Shore excursions, spa treatments, casino play, Starbucks food, Signature Cuts at Chops, the Celebration Table and drinks outside the Deluxe Beverage Package are all extra, as are the reduced-but-not-free surcharges for Chef’s Table, Izumi Omakase and the supper clubs. Royal Caribbean also states that dining offers can change at any time.
Star Class Changes in 2025-2026
Two policy changes announced in June 2026 matter if you are booking Star Class now:
Coastal Kitchen guests. Star Class guests can now bring up to four non-suite guests per meal into Coastal Kitchen (Sky Class can bring two). The charge is reported as $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch and $25 for dinner per guest, with children 6 and under free, plus gratuity and any applicable VAT. This is a big help for multi-generation trips where only part of the family is in a suite.
Royal Genie for everyone else. Royal Caribbean now sells a Royal Genie Package on its smaller Freedom, Radiance, Voyager and Vision class ships, from around $300 per adult per day ($200 for children), bookable through the cruise planner and non-refundable. Star Class on Icon, Oasis and Quantum ships is unchanged, but the add-on gives a useful price signal for what the Genie alone is worth.
Star Class suites add living and dining space as well as service. Photo: Moussa Idrissi on Pexels
How Much Does Royal Caribbean Star Class Cost?
Star Class fares vary more than almost any other cabin type because the suites are so different in size. A Grand Loft Suite on an older Quantum or Oasis class ship on a short off-season sailing sits at the lower end, while the Royal Loft Suite or Ultimate Family Townhouse on an Icon class ship at Christmas sits at the very top. When Legend of the Seas opened for booking, a six-night Caribbean Christmas sailing in December 2026 was listed at roughly $116,000 for two in the Royal Loft Suite and about $110,000 for the Ultimate Family Townhouse. Most Star Class sailings cost far less than that, but a week will almost always run to five figures.
Because pricing is dynamic, the best approach is to compare the same suite on two or three sailings and ships. Older Oasis and Quantum class ships, shoulder seasons and shorter itineraries are where Star Class becomes noticeably more affordable. Our guide on how people get cruise suites without paying full price covers bidding upgrades, price drops and loyalty offers in more detail.
Is Royal Caribbean Star Class Worth It?
The simplest way to decide is to add up what you would otherwise spend. For two adults on a seven-night cruise, a Deluxe Beverage Package, an unlimited dining package, Wi-Fi, gratuities and laundry can easily come to several thousand dollars before you start adding show reservations and priority access. Add the Royal Genie, which Royal Caribbean now prices at around $300 per person per day as a standalone package on its smaller ships, and the value of the inclusions for two people over a week can reach well into five figures.
Star Class tends to be worth it if:
You would buy the drinks and dining packages anyway
You are travelling as a family or group and can split a large suite such as the Ultimate Family Suite, Villa Suite or Townhouse
You want to skip queues and avoid planning reservations on a busy Icon or Oasis class ship
You are marking a special occasion and want someone else to handle the details
It is harder to justify if you drink little, prefer casual dining, or spend most of the day ashore. In that case Sky Class gives you the suite lounge, Coastal Kitchen and much of the space at a lower price. If you are still choosing a ship, our Icon of the Seas suites guide shows how the Star Class options compare with the rest of the suite line-up on Royal Caribbean’s newest class.
FAQs
What does Star Class include on Royal Caribbean?
Star Class includes a Royal Genie, the Deluxe Beverage Package, complimentary dining at most specialty restaurants, all-day Coastal Kitchen access, prepaid gratuities, Starlink Wi-Fi, laundry, priority boarding, priority access to activities and the Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck.
How do you book Star Class on Royal Caribbean?
Book a suite category that Royal Caribbean lists as Star Class, such as a Royal Loft, Owner’s Loft, Grand Loft, Icon Loft or Ultimate Family Suite, on an Icon, Oasis or Quantum class ship. The perks are attached to the suite automatically.
What are the classes of Royal Caribbean suites?
Royal Suite Class has three tiers: Sea Class (mostly Junior Suites), Sky Class (mid-size suites) and Star Class (the largest lofts, villas and family suites). Each tier adds more perks than the one below.
Can you get a Royal Genie without booking Star Class?
On Icon, Oasis and Quantum class ships the Royal Genie remains a Star Class perk. Since 2026, Royal Caribbean sells a paid Royal Genie Package on its smaller Freedom, Radiance, Voyager and Vision class ships, from around $300 per adult per day.
Is Star Class better than Sky Class?
Star Class adds the Royal Genie, the drinks package, free specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities and laundry, while Sky Class focuses on space, the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen. Star Class costs much more, so it suits guests who would buy most of those extras anyway.
A cruise is a great way to enjoy a family holiday, and having your children’s favourite characters on board is sure to make the trip even more memorable.
You probably know all about the Disney Cruise Line but today I’m going to be talking about the Nickelodeon Cruise.
The bad news is that the chance to cruise with Spongebob and the rest only existed for a few years and is no longer running, but fear not, I will run through all the best alternatives to the Nickelodeon cruise that you can still book in 2024
What Cruise Line Has Nickelodeon?
Norwegian Cruise Line featured Nickelodeon characters on board its ships between 2010 and 2015. These NCL cruises offered passengers the chance to meet, greet and interact with their favourite Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants,Dora the Explorer and Patrick Star.
Norwegian Breakaway was the first ship to include Nickelodeon-themed experiences on its voyages. It was the newest ship in the fleet at the time, so it was the obvious choice to introduce the new partnership.
Over the next few years, several NCL ships introduced Nickelodeon partnership experiences.
The five ships that sailed with Nickelodeon-themed entertainment were:
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Escape was under construction at the time that the deal with Nickelodeon ended and the planned Nickelodeon branding was removed before her debut.
Is the Nickelodeon Cruise Still Open?
The Nickelodeon cruise is no longer running. The Nickelodeon cruise was a partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon’s parent company, Viacom. The partnership ran for 5 years between 2010 and 2015. The deal was not renewed and Nickelodeon branding was soon phased out.
When they were running, the Nickelodeon cruises included character meet and greets and the chance to splash around with Spongebob and others in the kids’ aqua park.
One of the most popular events was Slime Time Live which gave cruise passengers the chance to have green slime dumped on them whilst playing high paced games.
A less messy alternative was the chance to enjoy Dancing with Dora or special themed breakfasts called Pajama Jam Breakfast.
Here’s a TV advert for the Nickelodeon cruise that shows what you could have expected from it…
What Happened to the Nickelodeon Cruise?
Nickelodeon cruises ended in 2015 and since that time they have not re-appeared. The reason for the cruises ending has never been announced publicly but it was not due to customer dissatisfaction, since the Nickelodeon cruises were very popular with passengers.
It seems likely that the partnership ended as Nickelodeon wanted to go in a new direction. They announced a new partnership with Karisma Hotel and Resorts at around the same time. This was in order to work together to build modern resorts in the Caribbean including an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.
Norwegian stated that the partnership had been successful and had resulted in a 20% increase in guest satisfaction with its youth programming.
7 Alternatives to a Nickelodeon Cruise
So, you can’t book yourself on a Nickelodeon cruise right now. But that doesn’t mean that you (and your kids) need to miss out on all the fun!
If it’s Nickelodeon that you love then there are a few other options.
1. Nickelodeon Resorts
As mentioned above, Nickelodeon has branched out into resorts which you can find at NickResorts. There are currently two resorts, at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.
These luxury resorts feature character meet and greets with the likes of Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
There are also pretty amazing water parks that feature Nickelodeon character theming throughout. The brightly coloured splash park with water slides is sure to be a big hit with families.
But It’s not all about the kids. Adults can enjoy a relaxing all-inclusive stay and can pamper themselves at the spa and fitness centre while the little ones enjoy the Club Nick Kids Club.
2. Nickelodeon Theme Parks
Another way to get your Nickelodeon fix is to visit one of their theme parks.
Universal Studios Florida is one of the biggest and best theme parks around and it includes a Character Party Zone with favourite Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick or Squidward, Dora the Explorer, Diego, Boots or Baby Jaguar.
Nickelodeon Universe in Minnesota is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the United States. It has a wide range of very colourful themed rides packed into the Mall of America in Minnesota. There are some pretty impressive rides here and all your favourite characters will make an appearance. There is another Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream in New Jersey.
If you’re in the UK, Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a great option. Here you will find 12 amazing rides and a whole host of Nickelodeon characters. Rides include Rugrats Lost River, Spongebob’s Splash Bash, Diego’s Rainforest Rescue, Dora’s World Voyage and young kids are sure to enjoy Wonder Pets Big Circus Bounce.
Other great options include Nickland at Movie Park, Germany, Nickelodeon Land at Sea World on Australia’s Gold Coast, and Nickelodeon Land at the Parque de Atracciones in Madrid.
3. Disney Cruise Line
If it’s cruising with characters that you want then a Disney Cruise is probably the best option.
The whole voyage is filled with Disney magic from a range of beloved characters that is hard to match.
Disney Cruises feature amazing live shows, and character meet-and-greets from characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Disney Princesses throughout the ship. There are also themed parties, deck parties, and fireworks displays to keep guests entertained.
P&O Cruises has partnered with Aardman to bring Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep on their cruises.
The characters appear at a welcome on-board party and there are special character appearances at dance sessions for the little ones. I love that they have a clay workshop where you can create your own characters.
You can also enjoy story time with the characters and there are a whole host of themed arts and crafts activities including making a character mask, Gromit ears, or your very own rocket. There is also a 30-minute stage show featuring Wallace and Gromit.
If your little one is a big fan of Peppa Pig then Costa Cruises have your back. As soon as you board, children receive an invitation to meet Peppa, while the kids club recreates the atmosphere and setting of the cartoon.
The highlight is the on-deck swimming pool which features Grandpa Pig’s boat. There are also Peppa Pig-themed activities like coloring, puzzles, and treasure hunts, plus in the evening the disco is Peppa’s Pirate Party.
Be aware though, Peppa is only onboard during the school holidays. I cruised in January and I didn’t see her once.
6. Seuss at Sea on Carnival Cruises
Carnival has brought the world of Dr. Seuss on board their ships. You can enjoy a character parade, interactive story time, and arts & crafts activities.
But the highlight is sure to be the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat where you can enjoy a fantastical feast. Bright colours and patterns decorate your table, while you choose from fun and unique menus. It’s a pretty unique experience!
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The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, the Nickelodeon Cruise is no more. It ran for a few years, people loved it and then it disappeared. It’s a shame, but there are a few good options for cruises with popular kids’ characters.
Disney is the best. They have amazing shows, a huge range of characters, fireworks and Disney Magic sprinkled throughout the ship. You might also want to look into Peppa on Costa if your child is a big fan of everyone’s favourite pig.
If it’s Nickelodeon that you love then their resorts are great or you can get a quick character fix at one of their theme parks.
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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.
P&O Cruises has been forced to cancel two sailings on popular ship Iona, after the cruise ship’s refurbishment set for March 2025 was delayed by the shipyard until October of that year.
P&O had already planned ahead for the refurbishment of the ship in March and had avoided selling itineraries for the ship during that window. But now the shipyard won’t be able to accommodate Iona, meaning the refurbishment has been delayed and now two cruises have unfortunately been cancelled.
The cruises in particular were G532 and G533 set to take place on 4th October 2025 and 18th October 2025 respectively.
Guests have been contacted by email and told that they will be issued a full refund automatically, along with £100 per person onboard credit for a replacement cruise – but only for the first two passengers in a cabin, so families are capped at £200.
Many guests have taken to social media to complain – while the cancellation is not the fault of the cruise line, guests are disappointed in the lack of support for rebooking alternative cruises, since many are priced a lot higher.
Often, when cruise lines are forced to cancel a sailing, they will offer guests to transfer to an equivalent one without paying extra, but that offer has not been extended to Iona guests at this time.
There is also no confirmation of what Iona’s refit will entail. The ship only launched in 2020 but P&O likes to make sure ships are refurbished on a regular schedule, to keep them at their best.
There is also no confirmation yet as to whether P&O Cruises will offer new cruises to fill the gap in March when the ship was originally due to undergo her refit, but it’s likely.
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This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line arrive with new sail dates from late-March into October. Currently, there are 22 sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Port Canaveral, Southampton, and Vancouver.
The Disney Dream features the most sailings at 16, the Disney Magic follows with 6, along with the Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder with 4 sail dates. Currently, there are no offers listed for the Disney Wish, or the Disney Treasure.
Special rates for Florida Residents held at 3 sail dates, and the US Military Personnel rate increased 1 to 12 cruises. The Canadian Resident held at 15 sail dates.
In terms of general special offers, the IGT, OGT, and VGT offers valid on new bookings for up to 25% off prevailing rates for 2024 Disney Dream European sailings starting with May’s 13-night Eastbound Transatlantic remains available with multiple sail dates available across Europe this summer.
Speaking of Europe… DisneyParksUK posted the following story this morning teasing the impending Summer 2025 Itinerary release.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Dream
12-Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Mekjarvik (Stavanger), Norway • Olden, Norway • Alesund, Norway • At Sea • Reykjavik, Iceland • Reykjavik, Iceland • Ísafjörður, Iceland • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Naples, Italy • At Sea • Mykonos, Greece • Santorini, Greece • Chania, Greece • At Sea
7-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Naples, Italy • At Sea • Piraeus (Athens), Greece • Mykonos, Greece • Chania, Greece • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Magic
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Wonder
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska • Icy Strait Point, Alaska • Juneau, Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • At Sea
Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel (or spouse), including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member (or spouse), per sailing. A U.S. Military service member (or spouse) is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).
Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Dream
13-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Fort Lauderdale ending in Barcelona Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal • At Sea • Lisbon, Portugal • Cádiz, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • Valencia, Spain
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following: •Florida Driver’s License •Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card): •Monthly mortgage statement •Renter’s lease agreement •Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill •Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill •Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water) •Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements •Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Dream
11-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) Ending in Barcelona Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • At Sea • Chania, Greece • Piraeus (Athens), Greece • Kusadasi, Turkey • Mykonos, Greece • At Sea • Valletta, Malta • Catania (Sicily), Italy • Naples, Italy • At Sea
12-Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • Mekjarvik (Stavanger), Norway • Olden, Norway • Alesund, Norway • At Sea • Reykjavik, Iceland • Reykjavik, Iceland • Ísafjörður, Iceland • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
13-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Fort Lauderdale ending in Barcelona Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal • At Sea • Lisbon, Portugal • Cádiz, Spain • Cartagena, Spain • Valencia, Spain
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Grand Cayman • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Naples, Italy • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Livorno, Italy • Villefranche, France • At Sea
7-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Naples, Italy • At Sea • Mykonos, Greece • Santorini, Greece • Chania, Greece • At Sea
9-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Barcelona ending in Civitavecchia Barcelona, Spain • At Sea • Messina (Sicily), Italy • At Sea • Santorini, Greece • Kusadasi, Turkey • Piraeus (Athens), Greece • At Sea • Naples, Italy
Disney Fantasy
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wonder
10-Night Hawaiian Cruise from Vancouver ending in Honolulu Vancouver, Canada • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Nawiliwili, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • Hilo, Hawai’i
15-Night South Pacific Cruise from Honolulu ending in Sydney Honolulu, Hawai’i • Kahului (Maui), Hawai’i • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • Pago Pago, American Samoa • International Date Line (Lose Day) • At Sea • Suva, Fiji • At Sea • Nouméa, New Caledonia • At Sea • At Sea • Sydney, Australia
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
Sun Princess has not had the smoothest launch – after two separate inaugural cruises were cancelled – and even now she is officially sailing, she is still experiencing minor issues, as guests on the ship’s second sailing have found out.
Upon boarding, guests were informed that the scheduled port of call to Santorini would be cancelled, as due to an unclarified technical issue the ship was not ready to use tender boats.
Santorini is one of the most popular ports in the region, and many people book cruises in the area to visit the island – but it is a tender port, meaning that cruise ships can’t dock directly at the island.
Due to technical delays, we are still working to finalize shoreside tendering operations involving embarkation and debarkation on the ship. Until that is completed, we regrettably will not be able to call to Santorini, including the visit scheduled for Saturday, March 16. We understand the allure of Santorini and apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment this change may cause.
Letter to guests from the ship’s captain, Craig Street
The cruise line has replaced the port visit with a sailing to Chania, so guests won’t just be left with an extra sea day.
And while changes to ports of call are permitted under the cruise contract that guests sign, Princess Cruises is also giving each guest a $50 credit to their onboard account as a goodwill gesture.
Any guests who’ve booked shore excursions for Santorini through the cruise line will be automatically refunded, but guests who’ve booked through a third party will need to contact the company they’ve booked with to seek a refund.
While the launch for the cruise ship has not gone as smoothly as Princess Cruises has intended, she is already being spoken of very highly by guests on social media and, once fully ready, she will definitely be a worthy flagship for the cruise line.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
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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.
If you live in the North East of England, the journey to Southampton to join your cruise ship can be a long and expensive one. That’s why many people prefer to cruise from Newcastle wherever possible.
In this guide to cruising from Newcastle, I’ll show you which cruise ships sail from Newcastle and where you can cruise to, as well as some tips to help you plan your cruise.
Why Cruise From Newcastle?
86% of cruise ships departing from the UK sail from Southampton. But for people living in the North East, Southampton is very tricky to get to.
There are no direct trains from Newcastle to Southampton, which leaves cruisers with the option of a six-hour drive, multiple trains, or a flight that will cost at least a couple of hundred pounds per person.
Cruising from Newcastle is a great option as you’ll be able to get to the port easily, park your car at the Port of Tyne and your holiday will begin the moment you step onboard.
If you plan to head north to Norway or Iceland on your cruise, it doesn’t make much sense to first go south before joining your ship and cruising back up to where you started.
What Cruise Lines Sail From Newcastle?
As the Port of Tyne is relatively small, it can only handle up to 2000 passengers and cruise ships that are less than 300m in length. While this rules out some of the mega-ships, there are still several cruise ships that depart from Newcastle.
Here’s a look at what cruises from Newcastle 2024 has to offer:
1. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers cruises from Newcastle throughout the summer on Balmoral and Borealis. These small cruise ships have space for just 1300-1400 passengers, and offer destination-focused itineraries that are popular with the over 50s.
Fred. Olsen cruise ships don’t have many facilities for children. You may find a few children onboard during the school holidays, but some cruises are adults only.
Bolette
2. Ambassador Cruise Line
In 2024, Ambassador Cruise Line will offer several itineraries onboard newest ship Ambition. Destinations include France and Spain, Iceland, Norway and the Scottish Islands.
Ambition will be cruising from regional ports across the UK, offering exciting itineraries to those who prefer to join a ship closer to home.
Ambition
Do P&O Sail From Newcastle?
P&O Cruises ships do not depart from Newcastle. All P&O Cruises from the UK depart from Southampton. However, while there are no direct P&O cruises from Newcastle, you can take P&O fly-cruise holiday departing from Newcastle Airport and join your ship in Tenerife, Malta or the Caribbean. Or just fly from Newcastle to Southampton to start your P&O cruise instead.
The Best Cruise Destinations From Newcastle
As Newcastle is located in the North of England, most cruises from Newcastle will head north to destinations in Northern Europe.
1. Norwegian Fjords
Norway cruises from Newcastle are available on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral and on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition. On summer cruises to Norway, you may head far north enough to witness the Midnight Sun. On winter cruises, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights.
Balmoral in Hellesylt, Norway
2. Iceland
Iceland is a popular destination to visit on a cruise from Newcastle to Norway, Greenland, the Azores or the Faroe Islands.
Whenever you cruise to Iceland from Newcastle you can expect to visit other destinations too. Fred. Olsen has a great selection of cruises from Newcastle that call at Iceland.
Baltic cruises from Newcastle are an excellent way to see the spectacular sights of St Petersburg as well as other captivating Baltic cities like Tallinn, Riga and Gothenburg.
Again, Fred. Olsen is your only option for cruises from Newcastle to the Baltics currently.
4. Round Britain
British Isles cruises from Newcastle often have ports of call in Scotland such as Leith, Invergordon, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Greenock and Dundee. Others even circumnavigate the British Isles, calling at Liverpool, Torquay, Belfast and Portsmouth.
Types of Cruises from Newcastle
1. Mini Cruises
Mini cruises from Newcastle are ideal for anyone who wants to get away for just a few days. Cruising for just two or three nights, a short cruise from Newcastle is the ideal taster cruise for first-timers.
2. All Inclusive Cruises
Fred. Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Line both offer all-inclusive cruises, depending on whether you add on a drink package or not.
These are not truly all-inclusive though, as there will still be some limitations. For example, Fred. Olsen’s drink package doesn’t include cocktails.
3. No-fly Cruises
No-fly cruises from Newcastle are available for anyone who can reach Newcastle without flying. Alternatively, you can fly from Newcastle Airport to join your cruise ship elsewhere.
Where Is the Cruise Port in Newcastle?
In Newcastle, cruise ships dock at the International Passenger Terminal in the Port of Tyne. This is located in North Shields, adjacent to Royal Quays Marina on the River Tyne.
Newcastle cruise port is 15 miles (or a 35-minute drive) away from Newcastle Airport.
The nearest mainline train station to Newcastle Cruise Port is Newcastle Central Station, which is located 9 miles (or a 20-minute drive) from the port.
You can take the Metro from Newcastle Central Station to Percy Main. This journey will take about 15 minutes, then there’s a 20-minute walk to the cruise terminal.
To Conclude
If you live in the North East of England, it’s certainly worth looking to see what cruises are available from Newcastle.
Click here to see the latest Newcastle cruise deals.
Alternatively, you may wish to consider cruises from Liverpool as another option to avoid the journey down to the south coast.
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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.
There are a lot of people I know that don’t feel comfortable drinking water that comes from a tap, especially somewhere like a hotel or a cruise ship.
They have this nagging feeling like maybe the water isn’t properly clean – it’s OK for brushing your teeth but you wouldn’t want to drink it.
Are they right? Is cruise ship water safe to drink? And how about the other water sources around the ship?
I’ve got some good news.
Can You Drink the Water on a Cruise Ship?
You can safely drink the water on a cruise ship, including the water from your bathroom tap. The only water you would probably want to avoid is the water from hand washing stations or public bathrooms, and only then because it may be warm and other people may have left bacteria behind.
The actual drinking water on cruise ships though? Clean as you’d like. And so you shouldn’t worry about drinking it.
As well as the world’s unhealthiest breakfasts, Adam loves drinking water
Here’s a look at where you can find water on a cruise ship, and whether or not it’s suitable for drinking:
Bars & Restaurants
The water you’re served in the bars and restaurants on your cruise ship is absolutely fine for drinking. Only filtered water is served as tap water in a restaurant, and this water has added ice so it’s extra refreshing.
In poolside bars, the water may have lemon slices too. Just what you need to cool down om a hot day!
If you’re eating in the Main Dining Room, this water is likely to be your only free option if you don’t have a drinks package, or at least one of just a few free options. It’s a good choice for keeping costs down!
You can ask for a glass of water with or without ice for free in any bar and you can also help yourself to water from the buffet.
The only exception is if you’re cruising with Costa Cruises – this is the only cruise line that doesn’t provide free drinking water in bars and restaurants. You can get it in the buffet, though.
Cruise ships generally filter their own water for guests to drink, so there’s always plenty available even on longer itineraries, and it is properly treated to make sure it is safe.
Water Dispensers
Your ship will have water dispensers in the buffet restaurant, and potentially other locations around the ship too. Again, this is another excellent place to drink water from, as it is clean and cool.
Some dispensers are designed to let you refill water bottles, while others aren’t, so just be aware you might not be able to carry a bottle around with you – you might be limited to grabbing a cup of water when you need one instead.
Also, some dispensers may seem like they fit a water bottle, but you’re not allowed to. It’s for hygiene reasons. What you can do instead is fill a cup and then pour that into your bottle – that’s fine.
As long as you aren’t putting the part of the bottle where you’ve been drinking next to the water dispenser, you should be OK.
A refillable water bottle is definitely a must-pack item for any cruise though. You can fill it up before you go to bed to drink in the night, take it to the gym or running track and also take it with you on excursions.
I love this Iron Flask water bottle because it’s made of double-walled stainless steel to keep your water cold (or coffee hot) and comes with three different lids – a straw lid, flip lid and metal lid.
The Bathroom Tap In Your Cabin
Cruise ship tap water in your stateroom is perfectly safe to drink. It likely won’t be as cold as the water you’d get in the restaurants or from the dispensers around the ship, and since it isn’t filtered as heavily it may not taste the same, but there’s nothing wrong with it.
I find that the taste of the bathroom water really varies on cruise ships. On some it’s lovely. But on others, it’s warm and tastes funny.
Don’t worry if you wake up in the middle of the night and you feel thirsty – you don’t need to get dressed and trek to the nearest dispenser just to grab a drink. It might not be the best water, but it’ll do when you’re desperate.
Handwashing Stations and Public Bathrooms
The one place on a ship where I wouldn’t recommend drinking the water is the taps in the handwashing stations and public bathrooms.
The actual water is clean enough to drink, but the taps themselves may not be – this is where everyone is washing their hands after all, so there may be bacteria around the taps.
Not only that, the water will be warm too – and nobody likes to drink warm water, do they?
The Spa
The best water on cruise ships can be found in the spa. Here, you’ll usually find a selection of water dispensers, each ice cold and flavoured with tropical fruits or cucumbers.
The same can also be found in any private retreat areas that you have to pay extra for. These don’t have so many guests so you get extra special treatment and the most refreshing water.
Should You Buy Bottled Water on a Cruise Ship?
You don’t need to buy bottled water on your cruise ship, but it’s always an option if you prefer it. You may have a particular brand that you like, or you might just prefer to have a bottle of water with you in your cabin at night.
And if you like sparkling water, then the only way you’re going to get it is by buying a bottle, or possibly in the restaurants at dinner time. They don’t dispense that at the buffet, unfortunately!
Some cruise lines like Azamara and Virgin Voyages will include bottled water in your stateroom for you already, while there are some cruise lines which are all-inclusive – Silversea and Regent Seven Seas are two of the most well-known. These will also have bottled water available in your cabin at no charge.
With other cruise lines, you may get bottled water included when you buy a drinks package.
It’s worth pointing out that some cruise lines, like Carnival and Disney, will also let you bulk-buy bottles of water for your cabin. They tend to be pretty good value too – Disney’s is $60 for a 24-pack of water, which is $2.50 a bottle. You can get 6-packs and 12-packs too.
Carnival’s is even cheaper though – 12 bottles for $11.95. That’s (just) less than $1 a bottle, and probably less than you’d pay ashore in some places! So if you’re determined to drink bottled water, rather than drinking from the tap, it’s worth checking this out.
Of course, the cheapest way would be to bring your own. But are you allowed? The answer varies by cruise line.
Some cruise lines will let you bring as many soft drinks and bottles of water onboard with you as you want, while others have limitations in place.
Cruise Line
How much bottled water you can bring onboard
Carnival
12 x 330ml cans or cartons (no bottles) per passenger
Celebrity
Unlimited
Costa
None – unless it is for medical purposes (distilled)
Cunard
Unlimited
Disney
Unlimited
Fred. Olsen
Unlimited
Holland America Line
12 x 500ml or 6 x 1-litre cans or cartons (no bottles) per stateroom
MSC Cruises
None – unless it is for medical purposes (distilled)
NCL
None – unless it is for medical purposes (distilled)
P&O Cruises
Unlimited
Princess Cruises
Unlimited
Royal Caribbean
12 x 500ml bottles, cans or cartons per stateroom
Virgin Voyages
12 x 12oz (350)ml cans or cartons (no bottles) per passenger
Some cruise lines will have cheaper drinks packages focusing on fountain sodas. These won’t include bottled water, but might be worth considering if you’re just looking to avoid tap water and want something with flavour.
One other thing to consider – if you don’t like the flavour of tap water in general, and you’re cruising with a line that lets you bring soft drinks onboard, why not bring some cordial?
You don’t have to lug a heavy bottle around in your carry-on luggage – buy one of the small concentrated squeezy containers that fits in the palm of your hand and makes 20+ drinks. It’s small, so will barely take up any packing space, but will improve the flavour of the tap water with every drink.
Final Word
Cruise ship water is fine to drink. They’re hardly pumping the sea water around the ship! Just be aware of the rules around refilling bottles at public water stations, and consider buying bottled water or squash if you don’t like the idea of drinking plain, unfiltered tap water.
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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 cruise can be a great way to travel during pregnancy. But, if you’re planning to take a cruise while pregnant, there are certain things that you’ll need to be aware of.
I took a Caribbean cruise when I was 12 weeks pregnant and I’m sad to admit that I made a couple of mistakes because I wasn’t aware of all the rules and recommendations. So I wrote this guide to help others who might fall into the same trap.
Here’s a picture of me and my bump with the Norwegian Breakaway. I probably shouldn’t have done that high ropes course, in retrospect.
But, I’ve done my research since then, so read on for everything you need to know about cruising while pregnant.
While you’re here, if coming up with a baby name is on your list still, take a look at my list of ocean-themed names for babies for some inspiration.
Can You Go On a Cruise While Pregnant?
You can go on a cruise provided that you are well enough to travel and have not entered the third trimester of your pregnancy (24 weeks). To be allowed to travel, you must be less than 24 weeks pregnant on the last day of your cruise.
If you are having a normal, healthy pregnancy then it is perfectly safe to go on a cruise. However, if you have any pregnancy complications, medical conditions, previous premature births or are expecting multiple babies, your doctor may advise you not to cruise.
If you’re in any doubt about whether cruising during pregnancy is safe, you should contact your doctor for advice.
Do You Have To Tell the Cruise Line You Are Pregnant?
Most cruise lines require that you bring a doctor’s letter that states your estimated due date and that you are fit to travel. However, you’re unlikely to be asked to show the letter unless your bump is obvious.
You should always tell your travel insurance company that you’re pregnant to make sure that your pregnancy is covered. If you don’t, you may invalidate your travel insurance policy.
Hiding Pregnancy on a Cruise
Sneaking on a cruise pregnant is a really bad idea. Please don’t do it! If you go into early labour, you may be stuck at sea with none of the facilities that a premature baby needs to keep them alive.
Even if you can make it ashore in time to deliver your baby, you may find yourself trapped in another country for months until your baby is well enough to come home. You could face huge medical bills that aren’t covered by your travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.
The Baby That Was Born on a Cruise Ship
In 2015, a baby was born on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, four months early and weighing just 1lb 8oz. Medical staff managed to keep him alive until the ship reached port.
Doctors initially told the mother that the baby was dead, but later discovered that he was, in fact, alive. The ship reached Puerto Rico 12 hours later, where the baby was rushed to the hospital, before being flown to Miami a few days later.
The baby spent the next four months in the hospital before being allowed home. The birth certificate said, ‘place of birth – at sea’.
Can You Cancel a Cruise if You Fall Pregnant?
It’s common to book a cruise many months (or even years) in advance. If you fall pregnant in between booking your cruise and sailing, you may find that you’re unable to cruise because you’ll be too far along in your pregnancy, or you’ll have a newborn baby.
If this happens, you should contact your cruise line (or travel agent) to let them know.
In most cases, your cruise line will allow you to move your cruise to another date or will issue you with a voucher for a Future Cruise Credit.
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a full refund for your cruise, but you may be able to claim on your travel insurance, as long as you were not aware of the pregnancy when you booked the cruise.
Tips for Cruising During Pregnancy
1. Choose Your Destination Carefully
During your pregnancy, you should avoid visiting any countries where there is a risk of zika virus, malaria or any developing countries where the food or water may not be safe.
2. Check Your Travel Insurance
You’ll need to let your insurer know that you’re pregnant, and ensure that you have adequate cover to cruise while pregnant.
3. Pack Acupressure Wristbands
Pregnancy can make seasickness worse. So even if you don’t usually get seasick, you may do when you’re pregnant.
You won’t be able to take any seasickness medication while you’re pregnant. The best drug-free ways of dealing with seasickness are to buy acupressure wristbands on Amazon or to eat ginger biscuits and green apples.
4. Use Plenty of Sunscreen
Pregnancy can cause your skin to become extra sensitive and you can burn more easily in the sun. As cruise ships are often windy, you can get burnt even if the weather doesn’t feel particularly warm. So, always use sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it regularly.
5. Check Which Activities Are Suitable
Some of the activities that you’ll find on a cruise ship, such as water slides, zip-lining and ice skating are not suitable for pregnant women. Each activity will have a board outside listing the restrictions, so be sure to read it before you join the line.
Your bump cannot ride the bumper cars
6. Get the Right Drinks Package
Usually, if you have a drinks package on a cruise, then both passengers in the cabin have to get the same one. However, if your partner wants the alcoholic drinks package and you’re pregnant, you should be allowed to get the non-alcoholic version for yourself. You might need to call the cruise line, rather than buying it online.
7. Pack Comfortable Clothes
A combination of heat and over-indulgence can lead to your clothes and shoes becoming tight fairly quickly on a cruise. Pack elasticated trousers and floaty dresses to ensure that you’re comfortable. Balancing in high heels can be tricky during rough seas, so you may wish to stick to flat, comfy sandals.
Cruising during pregnancy can be exhausting, particularly if you’re sightseeing every day. If you do want to explore ashore on excursions, city tours by coach might be better than walking tours, hikes or anything too energetic
9. Make Time To Nap
There are lots of lovely places to take a nap on a cruise ship. So if you’re feeling tired, find a cosy day bed, send your older kids to the kids’ club and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Cruise Lines’ Pregnancy Policies
Below, you will find links to the pregnancy policy for each cruise line…
To Conclude
Cruising while pregnant can be very enjoyable. I took a Caribbean cruise from New York during my pregnancy because I knew that once we had kids, we’d be unlikely to be able to take that kind of trip.
As long as you know what the recommendations are and listen to your body, you’ll have a great time on your 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.
