Join me for a full Scarlet Lady sea day as we explore Virgin Voyages’ unique food scene, starting with my favorite room-service hack that saves the $10 delivery fee.
We stop by The Grounds Club for coffee, meet some amazing fellow cruisers, and walk through The Galley to show how Virgin’s “no buffet” buffet works with made-to-order dishes, fresh stations, and allergy-friendly options.
You’ll see what we ordered, what impressed us, and what didn’t… including an honest look at our dinner at Pink Agave and the late-night pizza that absolutely saved the night.
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Carnival Corporation & PLC is one of the biggest cruise companies in the world, with a huge portfolio of brands – including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard, Seabourn and more. If you own shares in the company, you don’t just invest in the business… you also unlock some pretty generous perks.
One of the best is the Carnival shareholder benefit, which gives anyone holding 100+ shares onboard credit on every cruise they take with a Carnival-owned brand.
Here’s exactly how the benefit works, which cruise lines are included and how to claim your onboard credit before you sail.
Free Money Every Time You Cruise!
Anyone who owns 100 shares or more of the Carnival Corporation can enjoy an amount of onboard credit on their next cruise, up to $250 on sailings on cruise lines operating out of the US.
The amount of on-board credit you get depends on the length of your sailing, but for cruises on a Carnival ship, you will get:
$250 of onboard credit to spend per stateroom on cruises of 14 days or longer
$100 of onboard credit to spend per stateroom on cruises of 7 to 13 days
$50 of onboard credit to spend per stateroom on cruises of 6 days or fewer
And the good news is that this isn’t a one-time benefit. It is available for every cruise you book on a Carnival ship, or on any ship belonging to a cruise line under the Carnival Corporation, as long as you hold 100 shares of CCL stock or more.
If you decide to cash in your shares, that does mean you lose the benefit entitlement.
The Carnival cruise stock benefits vary a little depending on which cruise line you’re sailing with. Those figures above are what you get when you sail on any of the cruise lines operating with US dollars as their onboard currency.
Cruise lines you can use your Carnival shareholder benefit with:
Carnival
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises
P&O Cruises (UK & Australia)
Seabourn
Aida Cruises
Selected Cunard sailings
Selected Costa sailings
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You do still get the benefit if you’re cruising with a cruise line operating with a different currency; it’s just that the values are tweaked to match.
For example, here’s the On Board Account Statement from one of my cruises with P&O Cruises that shows that I received £60 of company cruise credit, thanks to owning shares in Carnival.
For sailings on P&O Cruises Australia, or Princess sailings in Australia, the figures are the same but in Australian dollars – $250, $100 and $50.
For cruises in Europe on board a Costa ship or AIDA ship that uses Euros as their currency, the on-board values are €200, €75 and €40.
Since I mentioned the benefits of buying Carnival shares in my weekly email, I’ve had lots of people email me to say that they’ve also bought shares and are happy to receive the free onboard credit. Like this one…
“We took your advice and bought 100 Carnival shares which cost £550. Two Cunard trips gave us £250 each extra onboard spend and another gave us $200 (£175) total £675, also the shares have gone up £175. Best investment I’ve ever made, thankyou, keep up the good work.”
Robert and Veronica Dennehy
Where to Buy Shares in Carnival
To buy shares in any company, you’ll typically need to use a stockbroker. This can be either a human being or an online platform. There are various fees involved with this, but an online platform is usually the cheapest and easiest way.
I can’t advise you which is the best, but I personally chose to buy my Carnival shares through an investing platform called eToro. I chose this one because it is one of the most popular platforms with 20 million registered users and has great reviews and low fees.
I’ve been very happy with my share-buying experience and found it really easy to do.
(eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.)
Read more: Should You Invest In Carnival Corp?
You Need to Claim Your Benefit Each Time!
Unfortunately, the Carnival stock benefits are not applied to your cruise automatically. They’re handled by a separate team and need to be manually applied to your account every time you sail.
This means if you want to take advantage of the free onboard credit, you need to ask for it every time you have a cruise booked. You also have to make your claim at least four weeks before your sailing date.
The information you need to provide includes:
Your legal name
Your booking number
Your ship and sailing date
Proof of your stock ownership
Important – Whereas the Carnival brands used to let you claim the credit via fax and then later email, now it’s all handled via an app called Stockperks.
You’ll need to download the app to your smartphone, then verify the stock you own by taking a photo of the key details.
Here’s a video showing you how the Stockperks app works:
As long as you provide these details in time, the amount will be added to your account, ready for you to enjoy on your sailing. If you miss the deadline, then you won’t be able to request it, so get your application in early.
You can get all the details you need from the shareholder platform you use – so etoro for me.
Important Terms to Be Aware Of
There are a few terms and conditions that you need to be aware of with the shareholder benefits for Carnival.
Firstly, as is usually the case with special offers like these, you can’t claim onboard credit as a Carnival shareholder if you’re an employee of the company. This applies across the board, so if you work for Princess Cruises, you can’t claim it on a Carnival cruise.
It’s also a benefit that applies on a per-stateroom basis. So you can’t buy 200 shares, register half with yourself and half with your partner, and then both claim the onboard credit if you’re sharing a stateroom.
But the good news for solo travellers is that you don’t need to own 200 shares if you’re cruising on a single occupancy fare – 100 is still the minimum amount.
You can use the credit for most things on board, but there are some limitations. It can’t be put towards your outstanding cruise balance, and you can’t use it for gratuities or at the casino. Check out this guide to find out the best way to spend your credit: 12 Ways To Use Your Carnival Onboard Credit Like a Pro.
To Conclude
Buying shares is inherently a risk, and so I can’t tell you whether it’s a good idea or a bad idea to invest in Carnival stock.
However, if you do decide that it’s a risk you want to take with your funds, you can enjoy a healthy amount of onboard credit with every cruise on a Carnival Corporation ship in the future.
If you book cruises every year as I do, then over time, you might even make back the cost of your investment, whilst hopefully seeing your invested money grow at the same time. Just make sure you always remember to claim your credit before every sailing.
Cruise Hive is here to get your December started with more cruise news, including an elderly passenger going overboard the Marella Explorer 2 cruise ship, a missing guest is found in St. Maarten, and Enchanted Princess rescues a man who jumped from the pier.
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A BIT ABOUT US: Cruise Hive was founded in 2008 by Emrys Thakkar, a former crew member and someone who has a massive passion for cruise ships. He has grown Cruise Hive into what it is today, a leading independent publisher covering the latest cruise news, advice, and more!
Cruises are a great way to travel and enjoy luxury. MSC Cruises is a top choice due to its excellent service and various experiences. To make it even better, you can save money with MSC Cruises Coupons. This article will navigate the world of MSC Cruises and explore various types of coupons and savings, ensuring you make the most of your dream vacation.
The availability of websites such as BravoDeal.com which is dedicated to helping consumers find the best possible deals on the internet. Established in 2018, it provides an extensive assortment of promotional offers, coupon codes and discounts that are valid at prominent e-commerce platforms.
Types of Discounts
MSC Cruises Coupons provide discount codes and coupons for different types of savings. You can check websites such as BravoDeal which offers MSC cruises coupons in 2023. Early booking cruise discounts are for planners. They can save you a lot when you book your cruise well in advance. Last-minute cruise deals are for those who are spontaneous but may have limited availability.
Seniors, military and other groups can also get discounts. MSC Cruises may not promote these widely, so remember to ask about them when booking. Families and big groups can save with friends and family discounts while teachers can enjoy the MSC teachers discounts. Keep an eye on the official MSC Cruises website and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest deals.
MSC Drink Package Costs and Benefits
On cruises, food and drinks can be expensive. With BravoDeal, you can learn more about MSC drinks package discount code and their benefits. These packages offer unlimited drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. They can be a great deal if you plan to enjoy drinks often.
With the availability of MSC Cruises Coupons, obtaining a discount code for the drink package is easier than ever. By researching and applying these codes during the booking process, cruisers can enjoy significant savings on their beverage expenses. This not only allows travelers to indulge in a wide array of beverages but also ensures that they stay within their budget, making their cruise experience even more satisfying.
Tips for Maximizing MSC Cruises Coupons
GTips for Maximizing MSC Cruises Coupons
Getting the most out of MSC Cruises Coupons, travelers can follow a few practical tips. First, check the MSC Cruises website for special offers and promotions. Follow them on social media for real-time updates. Travel websites and forums often discuss discounts and coupon codes. By keeping an eye on these promotions, travelers can secure the best deals and save substantially on their cruise fare.
To save more, be flexible with your travel dates, cruise lines often release special offers and discounts during specific times of the year. Look for deals during the shoulder seasons. Booking in a group can also get you more significant discounts. Read the terms and conditions before buying a package to make sure it suits you. Keep in mind that most packages include service charges, which affect the overall cost.
Conclusion
MSC Cruises coupons and discounts improve cruising. Knowing the sorts of discounts, MSC Drink Package Costs and Benefits and how to use MSC drinks package discount coupons will make your cruise more inexpensive and pleasurable. These savings may make your trip special, whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced traveler. Travel well!
Some cruise lines play it safe… then there’s Ambassador, quietly doing things that make you wonder why every other line hasn’t caught up yet.
From little touches that make life onboard easier to big ideas that genuinely change the whole vibe of a sailing, they’ve nailed a few brilliant habits that deserve way more attention.
And honestly? Once you experience them, it’s hard not to think, “Why isn’t everyone doing this?”
Affiliate link: if you book through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Here’s a list of the things that Ambassador Cruises Line does that other cruise lines haven’t thought of yet…
1. Coloured plates for special diets
If you’re vegan, gluten-free or have any othert dietary requirement, you’ll know that there’s always that niggle in the back of your mind that says – “Is this actually suitable?”
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve bitten into something in a restaurant that’s supposedly vegan only to discover that it’s actually meat or cheese. For someone with a food allergy, a mistake like that could be deadly.
Ambassador Cruise Line has reduced the chance of that happening down to virtually zero, with one clever change – using different coloured plates.
As my dietary preferece is plant-based, my food was always derved on blue plates instead of the usual white. This was insteantly reassuring. It also meant that the waiter could confirm my dietery requirements as he placed down the dish.
This is such a small change, but one that makes such a huge difference to the 13% of UK adults who have a dietary requirement.
2. Hot tubs that are actually hot
There’s nothing sadder than a lukewarm hot tub.
Too many times on cruises I’ve braved the jauzzi when it’s cold outside, only to find myself shivering near the hot water inlet, desperately seeking some warmth.
However, when I sailed on Ambience to Norway in October, the hot tub was perfectly toasty!
In fact, it was so warm, that despite the weather being close to freezing outside, I had to sit on the side for a little while too cool off!
It was so nice to enjoy a real hot tub in the cold weather. I am glad that I brought my knitted ear warmers though! And being so warm meant that getting out and getting dry wasn’t a problem, I didn’t feel cold at all.
I understand that heating hot tubs is expensive. But I do wish that other cruise lines would do this in winter. P&O Cruises’ biggest ships have 16 hot tubs – but that’s pointless when they’re all cold!
3. 8-course Gala dinners
The Captain’s Gala dinner is always a highlight of a cruise with Ambassador. I mean, just look at this menu…
Every course is absolutely delicious. I really am in awe of the galley team and waiters who do an incredible job of serving so many courses and having everything being just right.
Other cruise lines may sometimes offer a five-course Gala dinner, but Ambassador is the only one I’ve experienced that offers eight courses. And all of this is included in the cruise fare too!
4. The lifts are fun
When you step into the elevators on Ambience, you’re greeted by a different scene each time! The ship has nine lifts and each one has unique decor. Even the carpets match the scenes.
I absolutely love how fun these lifts are. It’s certainly a talking point.
Some other cruise lines have the day of the week on the carpet, and that’s great. But honestly, I prefer these lifts even more.
5. The Baked Alaska Parade
A Baked Alaska Parade is when, during dinner, crew members will parade through the main dining room of a cruise ship carrying baked Alaska desserts, while the passengers dining in the room twirl their napkins in the air.
It may sound weird, but it’s a cruise tradition that dates back to the 1950s. While most cruise lines no longer offer it, Ambassador Cruise Line embraces this weird and wonderful event.
Of course, there are no naked flames as maritime safety rules are a lot stricter now than the once were. But the event is still a lot of fun, and it always has everyone clapping and cheering.
6. Cutlery on the table in the buffet
This is a genius idea that just makes buffet dining so much easier…
All to often on a cruise, you load up you plate with food and then have to go huntiung for the cutlery. You’ll usually find it wrapped up in a cloth napkin, which means that even if all you need is an extra fork for your next course, you have to get a whole new napkin, knife, fork and spoon. It’s so silly.
I love that Ambassador Cruise Line haas the cutlery on the tables along with paper serviettes and the drinks menus.
If you’re dining solo, this is also very advantageous as once you’ve finished your starter, you can lay your cutlery out like this so that nobody takes your table while you go to get your main course.
Honestly, these little things make such a big difference and I love how much thought the team at Ambassador Cruise Line have put into everything.
7. The drinks are cheap
Ambassador Cruise Line has the cheapest drinks at sea. There’s an almost endless array of cocktails to choose from, each costing just £7.
A print of beer will cost you £5.45, whle a gin and tonic is £6.70. The spirits are all served in 40ml measures rather than the standard 25ml you usually get, which means even better value!
The wine is a little more expensive, at £9 to £10 for a large glass. But on the whole, the drinks onboard are similar to a reasonanly priced pub, and depending on where you live, they may even be cheaper than your local!
Ambassador also offers a range of drink packages that are also very reasonable priced.
If you’ve every cruised with one of the American cruise lines that charges you $16 plus an 18% gratuity for each cocktail, or $100 per day for a drink package, then I’m sure you’ll agree that Ambassador’s sensible drink prices are a breath of fresh air.
Which brings me on to my next point…
8. Tips are included
Being a British cruise line, Ambassador caters very well to our culture. And that means that there are no automatics gratuities added to your bill.
Many cruise lines will add $15 to $20 per person, per day to your onboard account for crew members tips. But Ambassador does things sensibly, by paying the crew members their bonuses from your cruise far upfront.
Of course, if you wish to leave some cash on the nightstand at the end of your cruise, or hand a tenner to your favourite waiter, they’ll glagly accept it. But tipping is neither required nor expected.
9. Dogs on board!
Okay, so this isn’t usual. But on my latest cruise, there were eight Guide Dog puppies who were onboard for the day as part of their training. The trainers invited me over to say hello to the dogs and it was one of the highlights of my cruise!
Of course, playing with puppies on the deck isn’t an option that’s available on every Ambassador cruise. But I love how the cruise line is working with The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association to allow these dogs to develop this valuable part of their socialisation, as they may well end up travelling on a cruise one day.
10. Whale watching
Ambassador works closely with ORCA, a UK marine conservation charity, and the partnership is a big part of what makes these cruises feel special.
ORCA volunteers sail on selected itineraries to run wildlife talks and deck watches where you can spot whales and dolphins with expert guidance.
They also collect vital data for ocean research while onboard. It’s a lovely mix of learning and excitement, and it means every sighting helps support real conservation work.
11. Plenty of storage in the cabins
Sometimes I feel that modern cruise ships can be a little too modern in terms of the design. And this might meen that aesthetics can be given priority over more practical aspects, like storage.
That’s not the case on Ambassador Cruise Line’s classic ships. Whichever cabin you choose, you’ll find ample space to store your things.
Some of the oceanview cabins on Ambience have a whopping four wardrobes and 19 drawers! Yes, I counted.
12. Affordable excursions
Usually, I avoid cruise line excursions. I find that it’s so much cheaper to do your own thing and I often book excursions though Shore Excursions Group instead.
However, I must say that Ambassador’s excursions are very reasonably priced. On my last cruise, when I wanted to visit Loch Ness from Invergordon, the cruise line excursion was by far the cheapest option.
The excursion was faultless, and when heavy traffic meant that we would be a little late back to the ship, the tour guide called ahead to let them know we were on our way.
There’s a good choice of excursions and they all seem to be reasonably priced, which is a fraction of the price of what similar trips would be from a different ship.
13. The best Halloween party ever!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Halloween on an Ambassador cruise. But oh my goodness, they really did pull out all the stops to create a fantastic event that I’ll remember forever.
The ship was decorated with a huge assortment of spooky props, including hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins. The team must have been up all night!
In the main dining room, we were treated to a fantastic Halloween menu. The dishes had spooky names such as ‘Beast Feast’ and ‘Satanic Punpkin Head’.
When the food arrived, it blew our expectations out of the water. Not only was it delicious, but it looked incredible and very fitting with the Halloween theme.
Afterwards, we headed to the Observatory to enjoy a fanastic musical performance by the entertainment theme.
There was a fancy dress competition and the dance floor was packed until well after midnight. Of course, not everyone dressed up, and there were other activities around the ship for those who prefer not to take part. But if you love Halloween, I’d definitely recommend sailing with Ambassador at this time of year.
14. Unique ships
Most cruise lines have several sister ships – almost identical copies of each other. But Ambassador’s three ships are all completely unique.
This means that when you cruise on a different ship, you’re getting a different experience. The bars and entertainment venues each have different vibes. I love this, as exploring a ship I’ve never been on is my favourite thing ever.
I don’t have a favourite ship out of the Ambassador fleet though. I love the spa on Ambition and I love the Observatory on Ambition. Each ship is special in its own way.
15. You can depart from your local port
Getting to Southampton to start your cruise isn’t easy for everyone. So it’s fantastic that Ambassador offers regional departures from all over the UK.
You can start your cruise in Portsmouth, Newcastle, Tilbury, Liverpool, Dundee, Bristol or Belfast. Ambassador is the only cruise line that sails from my home city of Bristol, and I found it incredibly convenient to cruise from there!
If you want to cruise in the Caribbean, Ambassador’s newest ship, Renaissance, offers very convenient fly-cruise packages. As well as flying from London, you can also opt to fly from Manchester, which is so much easier for anyone in the north.
16. The ships are easy to navigate
I don’t have the best sense of direction and it usually takes me a couple of days to get my bearings on a cruise ship.
However, that was so much quicker and easier on Ambassador’s ships, thanks to an abundance of clear signs with deck plans that you’ll find by all the elevators.
When I cruised with Virgin Voyages, there wasn’t a deck plan sign anywhere on the ship and I continually got lost. I just couldn’t figure out where I was in relation to the different venues.
Ambassador gets this just right. And, importantly the signs always face the right way. So the bow on the diagram is in the same direction as it actually is on the ship (you might be surprised that not all ships do this!)
17. Theatre at sea
Most cruise ships have stage shows with singing and dancing. But Ambassador is the only one I’ve seen that’s had an actual play.
I mean no music, no dancing, no fancy costumes. Just four talented actors and a stage that’s set to look like someone’s living room.
The show even had a real programme with information about the play and the performers.
Why don’t more cruise lines offer this? I have no idea. I wish they would though. I really enjoyed it.
18. Dialysis facilities
Ambassador is one of the few UK cruise lines that offers dedicated dialysis cruises, making holidaying at sea much more accessible for guests who need regular treatment.
These sailings have fully equipped dialysis units on board, run by specialist renal nurses who manage all treatments throughout the voyage.
If you, or someone you’re travelling with, relies on dialysis, these cruises take away the stress of organising care in multiple destinations and let you enjoy a proper break without interrupting your treatment routine.
19. The speciality restaurants are reasonably priced
It bothers me when cruise lines charge £50 or more for meals in the speciality restaurants. Because you have to factor in that the price is extra on top of what you already paid your cruise fare for to dine in the main dining room.
On Ambassador cruises, dining in a speciality restaurant costs just £20 to £30, which is much more reasonable.
That lower price doesn’t mean that the food is any lower quality, though. It’s not.
I ate in Saffron, the Indian restaurant on Ambience and the curry was the best I have ever had in any restaurant on land or at sea.
20. Drinks service in the theatre
Getting to the theatre 15-30 minutes before a show is always advised, especially if you want one of the best seats in the house or you have a large group that wants to sit together.
On an Ambassador cruise, you can make the most of that time by enjoying a drink with waiter service. There’s a menu of drinks to choose from, which is something I’ve never seen in a cruise ship theatre.
Each seat has a small table for you to put your drink on. This is so mcuh better than those drinks holders you get in the arm rests, where you can never really trust that your drink won’t end up in your lap if someone moves an elbow.
21. Canapes
Ambassador really does love their canapes and they make a regulart apearance.
Crew members will come around with canapes before dinner on Gala nights, and after dinner ever night at 11pm. You never get the chance to feel peckish.
22. The thermal suite is free
Most cruise lines will change you upwards of £50 for a day pass in the thermal suite of the spa. But on Ambassador ships, access to the saune, steam rooms and relaxation areas are complimentary!
The spa on Ambience is quite small, but it does the job. However, the spa on Ambition is absolutely fantasic with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. You definitley won’t want to miss it.
And if you fancy a treatment such as a massage, facial or pedicure, then you’ll find that they’re very reasonably priced too.
23. Low or no solo supplements
I understand that solo travellers don’t generate as much income as couples for cruise lines, and because of that they usually have to pay double.
Even when they pay double, they’ll spend less onboard with only half the spend on extras such as casino, spa, drinks and shopping. So, from a purely commercial viewpoint, cruise lines generally don’t want a lot of solos onboard.
However, I feel that Ambassador Cruise Line recognises that there are huge numbers of people who prefer to travel solo. Even though I have a husband, children and lots of friends and family members who I like to cruise with, I also LOVE cruising by myself. It’s a different experience, and as an introvert, I find it to be incredibly relaxing to be able to choose exactly when I socialise and when I don’t.
Ambassador Cruise Line makes their solo pricing very clear. On the website, there’s a simple slider you can use to show solo prices.
Yes, there’s often a supplement. But not always. And it’s not usually double.
They probably don’t want me to tell you this, but on last-minute cruise that depart in the next couple of weeks, the solo supplement is reduced to zero.
On board, I’ve met several solo travellers who have been living onboard for weeks or even months. Each week, they book onboard at the last-minute to stay on for the next cruise. They say it’s cheaper than going home!
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Things that Ambassador could improve (in my humble opinion)
I’m not saying that Ambassador Cruise Line is perfect. No cruise line is. But they are leading the way in many areas, rather than simply copying what others do, and I think that’s fantastic.
Having spoken to the team there, I know that they’re always striving to improve, and so here are a couple of areas where I think they could do better
The gyms would benefit from some upgraded equipment and better air conditioning
A wider selection of draft lagers would be nice. Currently they only serve Fosters
The in-cabin hairdryers are almost as old as me and not very powerful
Bottled water isn’t included in the drink package (but a glass of water is)
The library has a very random selection of books such as outdated computing study guides
Of course, these are all very minor things, and yes, I am nitpicking. I believe that Ambience will be undergoing a refit soon, and I’m sure that some of these little niggles will be addressed.
Ambassador Cruise Line offers outstanding value for money. Right now, I’m considering booking a cruise that costs £65 per person, per night, including a free drinks package. When you consider that most other cruise lines will charge you £65 per night just for the drinks, that’s basically free! Haha
But despite the low prices, this isn’t what I would call a ‘budget’ cruise line. The service is outstanding, the food is some of the best I’ve had at sea, and there’s plenty to enjoy on board.
So if you live in the UK and you haven’t yet tried Ambassador, now’s the time. You won’t regret it.
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The Disney Destiny cruise ship is Disney Cruise Line’s Heroes and Villains ship, the third of the Wish class, and it began sailing on November 20, 2025. It carries about 2,500 guests in 1,256 staterooms, sails short Bahamas and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), and moves to Port Canaveral in fall 2027. You won’t find its Lion King dinner show, its Disney Hercules stage show or its Tony Stark-style Tower Suite on any other Disney ship.
This guide explains what’s on board, which parts are unique to Destiny, where it sails in 2026 and 2027, and how it compares with Disney Wish and Disney Treasure. If you want an overview of every recent and upcoming Disney newbuild instead, see our guide to Disney’s new cruise ships, from Treasure onwards.
Disney Destiny at a Glance
Fact
Disney Destiny
Class
Wish class (sister to Disney Wish and Disney Treasure)
Builder
Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Delivered / maiden voyage
October 15, 2025 / November 20, 2025
Size
About 140,000+ gross tons, roughly 1,118 ft long
Guests
About 2,500 at double occupancy (around 4,000 when every berth is full)
Staterooms
1,256
Guest decks
15 (Deck 15 holds only the Tower Suite)
Theme
Heroes and Villains: villains forward, heroes aft
Homeport
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) through summer 2027, then Port Canaveral from fall 2027
The theme runs through the layout. Villain-themed spaces sit toward the bow and hero-themed spaces toward the stern. Super Hero Minnie is on the bow medallion and Spider-Man is on the stern. Even the ship’s horn borrows from “Go the Distance,” the song from Hercules. The ship’s godmother is Susan Egan, the original voice of Megara.
The Grand Hall: Wakanda at the Heart of the Ship
Every Wish-class ship has a three-deck Grand Hall atrium with a themed centerpiece. On Destiny the Grand Hall is inspired by Wakanda and has a statue of Black Panther at its center. During the day it hosts character appearances and small shows. Each night at midnight it hosts “Kiss Goodnight,” a short light and music moment themed to Black Panther. This is the deepest Marvel theming in the Disney fleet so far, so Destiny is the obvious pick for families who love Marvel.
Disney Destiny Restaurants
Disney uses rotational dining, so on most sailings you eat in each main dining room once, and your servers move with you. Destiny’s three rotational restaurants are:
Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King (Deck 5): found only on Destiny. It serves African-inspired dishes alongside a dinner show set to songs from The Lion King. It sits in the space that holds Arendelle on Disney Wish and Plaza de Coco on Disney Treasure.
Worlds of Marvel (Deck 4): the interactive Marvel dinner, shared with Wish and Treasure. It features a Guardians of the Galaxy story.
1923 (Deck 3): a calmer, elegant room serving California-inspired food. It is named for the year Disney was founded and split into Walt and Roy dining rooms.
Adults-only and casual dining
For an extra charge, adults can book Palo Steakhouse (steak and Italian dishes) and Enchanté (French fine dining inspired by Beauty and the Beast, with a menu from a three-Michelin-star chef), both on Deck 12. Casual dining is on Deck 11: Marceline Market (the buffet), Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods (quick-service counters) and Edna À La Mode Sweets. Two walk-up coffee spots, Café Megara and Café Merida, are near the Grand Hall.
Destiny's themed bars split the hero and villain sides of the ship. Photo: Bianca Jelezniac on Pexels
Bars and Lounges on Disney Destiny
Three of the ship’s lounges are new to the fleet, and each one plays on the Heroes and Villains theme:
De Vil’s: a glamorous piano lounge inspired by Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, close to the Grand Hall. Cruella occasionally makes an appearance.
The Sanctum (Deck 3): a mystical cocktail bar themed to Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, with drinks that lean into special effects.
Cask and Cannon (Deck 5): a Pirates of the Caribbean pub with a relaxed, family-friendly feel.
Other venues include the Haunted Mansion Parlor, which also appears on Treasure, plus Triton Lounge for karaoke and trivia, the adults-only Rose lounge on Deck 12, Cove Café in the adults-only Quiet Cove, and Saga, a two-level lounge that hosts family games by day and adults-only shows at night.
Shows: Disney Hercules and More
The Walt Disney Theatre runs three main productions:
Disney Hercules: a Broadway-style show made only for Destiny. Gospel-flavored new arrangements of “Go the Distance,” “Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” are paired with large monster puppets designed by Michael Curry, including the Hydra and the Titans.
Frozen, A Musical Spectacular: the Frozen show also staged on Disney Wish.
Disney Seas the Adventure: Goofy’s fleet-wide celebration show.
There’s also smaller-scale entertainment. Highlights include a villain-led sail-away with Spider-Man facing Electro, Pirate Night with fireworks, small-group experiences such as Dr. Facilier’s Parlor, and “With Great Power,” an 18+ late-night show in Saga.
AquaMouse, Pools and Kids’ Clubs
The top decks have roughly ten pools and splash areas. The AquaMouse water coaster runs around the upper decks in a raft, combining show scenes with drops. On Destiny it alternates between “Curse of the Golden Egg,” which is also on Treasure, and a newer villain-themed story, “Sing a Silly Song.” Little ones have the Toy Story Splash Zone, and adults have the Quiet Cove infinity pool on Deck 13. For more on how the slides across the fleet compare, see our Disney cruise water slides guide.
Kids’ spaces follow the Wish-class pattern:
“it’s a small world” nursery (6 months to 3 years, fee applies)
Disney’s Oceaneer Club (ages 3 to 10), with Marvel Super Hero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, Fairytale Hall and the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab
Edge (ages 11 to 14), with a New York City theme
Vibe and The Hideaway (ages 14 to 17)
The Incredibles-themed Hero Zone on Deck 12 has a sports court and space for active games.
Suites on Destiny range from Fantasia-themed concierge rooms to a two-story penthouse. Photo: Faheem Ahamad on Pexels
Disney Destiny Staterooms and the Tower Suite
Most Destiny staterooms are on Decks 6 to 10, and they follow the Wish-class design, including the curtain or divider that turns the sleeping area into two spaces at night. Approximate sizes:
Category
Sleeps
Approx. size
Inside
3 to 4
169 sq ft
Deluxe Oceanview
Up to 5
181 to 349 sq ft
Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah
Up to 5
Up to 284 sq ft
Concierge staterooms
Up to 5
Up to 296 sq ft
Concierge one-bedroom suites (Fantasia theme)
Up to 5
Up to 1,031 sq ft
Concierge Royal Suites (Hercules and Incredibles themes)
Up to 8
Up to 1,759 sq ft
Disney Destiny Tower Suite
Up to 8
About 1,966 sq ft
The Tower Suite is a two-story penthouse built into the forward funnel. It is designed like a Tony Stark residence, with three bedrooms and big windows. It is the only room on Deck 15, and it is the most exclusive accommodation on the ship. If you’re weighing a higher category, our guide to Disney Cruise concierge perks and whether they’re worth it explains what the extra money buys. Because the Wish, Treasure and Destiny share a layout, room advice for Disney Wish mostly applies to Destiny too.
Disney Destiny Itineraries for 2026 and 2027
Destiny is the first Disney ship based long-term at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and its schedule changes in late 2027:
2026: mostly four- and five-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, through Destiny’s first full year in service.
Summer 2027: three-, four- and five-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, plus four seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages. Select sailings call at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s two Bahamas island destinations.
Fall 2027: Destiny starts the season in Fort Lauderdale and then relocates to Port Canaveral for the first time, offering three- to seven-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises. From November 2027, all three Wish-class ships will sail from Port Canaveral.
This move is easy to miss when booking. If you want a Fort Lauderdale departure on Destiny, look at sailings before late 2027. If you’re planning to combine a cruise with Walt Disney World, the move to Port Canaveral in fall 2027 brings Destiny about an hour from Orlando. Always check the embarkation port on your specific sailing, because dates and ports can change.
Disney Destiny vs Disney Wish and Disney Treasure
Disney Wish
Disney Treasure
Disney Destiny
Theme
Enchantment / fairytale
Adventure and exploration
Heroes and Villains
Grand Hall
Cinderella
Moana
Wakanda / Black Panther
Signature dinner
Arendelle (Frozen)
Plaza de Coco
Pride Lands (Lion King)
Exclusive stage show
Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast
Disney Hercules
The three ships are nearly identical in size, cabin layout and pool deck, so the choice really comes down to theme, restaurants, shows and departure port. For age, size and capacity across the full fleet, see Disney cruise ships compared by size and age.
Is Disney Destiny the Best Disney Cruise Ship?
For many families it is a top pick, but “best” depends on what you want:
Choose Destiny if your group loves Marvel, villains or The Lion King, if you prefer to fly into Fort Lauderdale, or if you want short three- to five-night trips on a modern ship.
Choose Treasure or Wish if you’d like to sail from Port Canaveral before fall 2027, or if you prefer their themes and shows.
Choose an older ship (Dream, Fantasy, Magic or Wonder) if price matters most or you want classic Disney theming and longer or more varied itineraries.
One thing applies to every Wish-class ship: their public spaces are designed for family flow rather than open views, and some guests find the Wish-class pool deck crowded on sea days. Destiny is no different here, so if open deck space matters to you, compare the itinerary’s sea days before booking.
Disney Destiny was delivered by Meyer Werft on October 15, 2025, and sailed its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 20, 2025.
Where does Disney Destiny sail from?
Disney Destiny sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale through summer 2027. In fall 2027 it moves to Port Canaveral for three- to seven-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises.
How many guests does Disney Destiny hold?
It has 1,256 staterooms and carries about 2,500 guests at double occupancy, rising to roughly 4,000 when every berth is filled.
What is unique to Disney Destiny?
Only Destiny has Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, the Disney Hercules stage show, De Vil’s, The Sanctum, Cask and Cannon, a Wakanda-themed Grand Hall and the Tony Stark-inspired Tower Suite.
Is Disney Destiny the newest Disney cruise ship?
It is the newest Wish-class ship, but not the newest in the fleet. Disney Adventure, based in Singapore, began sailing in March 2026, and more new ships are on order.
Two young cruise YouTubers sailing on P&O Cruises’ Ventura say they were ordered to stop filming their ship-tour content after a fellow guest complained to reception.
Josh and Alfie, the duo behind the Young at Sea YouTube channel, were part-way through a four-night sailing from Southampton to Rotterdam when they were told that further filming could lead to “further action” – something they feared might even result in being banned by Carnival UK.
The pair, who routinely film ship tours in the early hours specifically to avoid capturing other guests, said the complaint left them too nervous to record anything at all.
However, after speaking to customer services again a few hours after their initial warning, they were eventually told they were free to film around the ship as long as they avoided zooming in on passengers – advice they say they already follow as standard practice.
Passenger Reaction: Support, Suspicion and a Call For Privacy
Feedback on the pair’s Facebook post was largely supportive, with many commenters suggesting the complaint may have come from someone who didn’t want to be recognised – possibly, they joked, because they were “on the ship with someone they shouldn’t be”.
Others questioned why P&O Cruises would restrict filming when the line typically embraces social-media coverage.
Several people urged the duo to speak directly to senior management or guest services, arguing that one complaint shouldn’t dictate policy.
A few highlighted that other vloggers had experienced similar issues on different lines, and that cruise companies usually apologised once misunderstandings were cleared up.
Not all comments were in favour: some passengers stressed that being filmed on holiday feels intrusive, with one saying: “Accept that not everyone wants to be filmed by complete strangers and show a bit of respect to your fellow passengers.” Another advised the pair simply to “forget the filming and enjoy the cruise”.
Privacy was a recurring theme. One commenter said: “Film, but don’t show other passengers. I wouldn’t want you filming me… it’s an invasion of my privacy.”
Others, however, questioned where the line is drawn, noting that almost everyone takes photos and videos on board and that a blanket ban would be impossible to enforce.
My Take
Running my own cruise YouTube channel, I’ve personally never been asked to stop filming on a ship – though I do know of a couple of creators who’ve faced similar issues.
To me, the balance between privacy and content creation is clear: people’s right not to be filmed comes first, which is why responsible vloggers head out at the crack of dawn (or earlier…!) to film their ship tours while the decks and venues are empty.
As long as you avoid filming anyone, or edit them out if they happen to appear fleetingly, it’s perfectly possible to create useful, respectful content.
Ship tours are incredibly helpful for travellers researching their next cruise, and they offer cruise lines free, authentic promotion.
Hopefully incidents like this don’t lead to a clampdown on creators altogether – because when handled responsibly, filming on board benefits both passengers and the industry.
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The best casino cruise ships for most US gamblers in late 2026 are Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, led by Harmony of the Seas and its newly expanded casino, plus the Icon-class ships. Next come Carnival’s Excel-class ships such as Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, and Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess and Star Princess. If you want a smoke-free floor, a quieter adults-only room or a more upscale feel, Celebrity’s Edge-class ships and Virgin Voyages are better choices.
Below is our ranking of cruise ships with the best casinos. It covers what you can play, the minimum gambling age on each line, when casinos are actually open, and how to keep the fun affordable. We do not rank ships on “luck” or payouts, because cruise lines don’t publish slot return rates ship by ship.
Best casino cruise ships in 2026: the ranking
We ranked these on casino size and layout, the range of table games, non-smoking options, and how much casino programming a typical sailing offers (tournaments, lessons, high-limit areas).
#
Ship / class
Why it stands out
Non-smoking option
1
Royal Caribbean Oasis class (Harmony, Symphony, Wonder and sisters)
Harmony’s expanded Casino Royale is the line’s largest: about 29,000 sq ft including its smoking area, with around 598 slots and 38 table games
Yes, a separate smoke-free casino room
2
Royal Caribbean Icon class and Legend of the Seas
Big new-build casinos. Legend of the Seas (2026) introduces the line’s first two-story casino
Check ship by ship
3
Carnival Excel class (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee)
Large, busy casinos with plenty of tables, plus sports-betting kiosks on many ships
Yes, a non-smoking section on all three
4
Princess Sun class (Sun Princess, Star Princess)
About 9,000 sq ft. Sun Princess has 227 slots, 13 live tables and a high-limit slot area
Ask on board, as policy varies
5
Norwegian Cruise Line (Prima class and Breakaway-Plus class)
Full table line-up with dealer-dealt poker, regular tournaments and free lessons
Limited. Smoking is generally allowed
6
MSC Cruises (World and Meraviglia class)
Stylish, European-feel casinos. Several ships now have smoke-free main casinos
Yes, on a growing number of ships
7
Celebrity Edge class
Smaller but polished casinos with a calmer, upscale feel
Yes, smoke-free
8
Virgin Voyages (all ships)
Adults-only ships, 160+ slots, plus craps, roulette and single-deck blackjack
Yes. The main casino is non-smoking, with a separate smoking room
1. Royal Caribbean Oasis class: the biggest casino on a cruise ship
If you want the biggest casino on a cruise ship, look at Royal Caribbean. Harmony of the Seas came out of a 2026 refit with an expanded Casino Royale. It took over space from the old Crown Lounge and comedy club and is now the largest casino in the fleet. Symphony of the Seas had its own casino expansion in fall 2026. The Oasis-class ships also turned their former Jazz on 4 clubs into separate non-smoking casinos, which helps if smoke bothers you. Royal Caribbean also runs poker, blackjack and slot tournaments on most sailings. For help choosing between its ships for reasons other than the casino, see our ranking of every Royal Caribbean ship.
2. Royal Caribbean Icon class and Legend of the Seas
Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are the line’s biggest ships, and their casinos are a major part of the evening scene. Legend of the Seas joined the fleet in 2026 with Royal Caribbean’s first two-story casino: two levels of slots and tables linked by a staircase, with a large bar. It sails in the Mediterranean first, then moves to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean cruises.
3. Carnival Excel class
Carnival’s casinos are loud, social and busy, and the Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee) have some of the largest in the fleet. As of October 2026, Carnival listed 15 ships with non-smoking casino options. These include Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Firenze and the Vista-class ships. Some guests say these non-smoking areas fill up quickly. Carnival also offers extras that are less common elsewhere, such as scratch-offs, coin pushers and sports-betting kiosks on many ships.
4. Princess Sun class
Sun Princess opened the largest casino Princess has ever built, about 50% bigger than those on its Royal-class ships. It sits beside the Piazza, so it feels connected to the rest of the ship rather than hidden away. Sister ship Star Princess follows the same design. Princess has a reputation for a calmer casino crowd than Carnival or Royal Caribbean.
5-8. Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity and Virgin
Norwegian Cruise Line: a strong choice for poker players, because most of its ships use live dealers rather than electronic poker tables. The newer Prima-class ships have the most modern casinos.
MSC Cruises: MSC has made the main casino smoke-free on ships including MSC Euribia and MSC Virtuosa. Some ships have moved smokers to a separate room.
Celebrity Edge class: smaller floors, but no smoking in the casino and a more relaxed, upscale crowd.
Virgin Voyages: adults-only ships with a full range of table games and free lessons on embarkation day. It suits gamblers who want a casino without families walking through.
Margaritaville at Sea is worth a mention for short, low-cost getaways from Florida. Its ships have casinos, but they are much smaller than the mega-ships above.
No casino at all: Disney Cruise Line, Viking and most river and expedition ships do not have casinos. Norwegian’s Hawaii-based Pride of America doesn’t have one either, because US law does not allow gambling on that route.
Slots make up most of the floor space in a typical cruise casino. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
What games does a cruise casino offer?
Almost every big-ship cruise casino has:
Slots and video poker: usually the largest part of the floor, from penny machines to high-limit rooms.
Blackjack: the most common table game. Some lines, including Virgin, offer single-deck tables.
Roulette and craps: standard on large ships. Craps tables are often the noisiest spot on board.
Carnival-style poker games: Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud.
Poker against other players: varies by line. Norwegian and most Royal Caribbean ships use live dealers, while Carnival and Princess use electronic poker tables.
Bingo and tournaments: slot, blackjack and Texas Hold’em tournaments run on many sailings, usually for an entry fee.
Baccarat and real high-stakes tables are less common. If you play at high limits, ask the casino host when you board.
Minimum gambling age on cruise ships
Most US-based cruise casinos let you gamble at 18, which is younger than in most US casinos on land. There are some important exceptions:
Cruise line
Minimum casino age
Royal Caribbean
18; 21 on Alaska sailings
Celebrity
18; 21 on Alaska sailings
Carnival
18
Norwegian
18
Princess
18 on US-based ships according to Princess. Older guides say 21, so check your sailing
MSC
18 in Europe; 21 on Caribbean sailings
Virgin Voyages
Adults-only ships; casino offers are for guests 21 and over
Seabourn, Windstar
21
These rules can change and can depend on the itinerary, so check your cruise line’s FAQ before you sail. Carry photo ID, because casino staff can ask for it. On most lines, younger guests can walk through the casino but can’t stay there.
When are cruise ship casinos open?
Cruise casinos generally open only when the ship is at sea, in international waters away from US and local gambling laws. Slots and tables normally close while you’re docked. They reopen once the ship has sailed far enough from port, which is often about an hour after departure. The exception is a port where gambling is legal, such as Bermuda or Malta.
Even on sea days, table games often don’t open until mid-morning, and most casinos close around 2 or 3 a.m. That means a port-heavy itinerary gives you far less casino time than a cruise with several sea days. If gambling is a big part of your trip, count the sea days before you book.
Sea days are when cruise casinos are open longest. Photo: Hubert Nowik on Pexels
Casino loyalty programs in brief
Each major line tracks your play through your cruise card. Royal Caribbean has Club Royale, Carnival has Players Club, Princess has Casino Rewards, Virgin has Sea Roller Rewards, and MSC and Norwegian have their own schemes. Points can earn drinks, onboard credit and discounted or free cruise offers. Carnival, for example, gives one point per $2 of slot play. To learn how regular players actually get those cruise offers, read our guide to getting free-ish casino cruises. For the lines’ standard past-guest schemes, see our cruise line loyalty programs comparison.
Cruise casino tips
Set a budget for the whole cruise, then split it by day. Gambling on a cruise is charged to your onboard account, so it’s easy to lose track.
Watch the fees. Most lines add a cash-advance fee, often a few percent, when you charge chips or slot credit to your cruise card. Bringing cash avoids it.
Take the free lessons. Many lines teach craps, blackjack or poker on embarkation day or the first sea day, when the tables are quieter.
Read the table signs. Minimum bets on cruise ships are often $10 to $25 at peak times and can drop on quieter afternoons.
Use your card at every machine and table. Untracked play earns no loyalty points.
Choose sea-day-heavy itineraries if casino time is the point of the trip.
A word on odds and responsible gambling
Every casino game has a built-in house edge, and cruise ships are no exception. Cruise casinos are not regulated by US state gaming commissions, and lines don’t publish payout rates for each ship. Gambling forums often say cruise slots pay back less than land-based casinos, but there is no public data to prove or disprove that. No ship is “luckier” than another, and no strategy guarantees a win. Treat any money you gamble as the cost of entertainment.
Set a time limit as well as a money limit, take breaks, and don’t chase losses. You can ask the casino to restrict or block your access on board. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available in the US by calling or texting 1-800-GAMBLER.
Regular casino players on Celebrity should read our guide to the Celebrity Blue Chip Club, which explains tiers, points and free cruise offers.
FAQs
Which cruise ship has the biggest casino?
As of late 2026, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas has the largest casino in the line’s fleet, at about 29,000 sq ft including its smoking section. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis- and Icon-class ships generally have the biggest casinos at sea.
Does Royal Caribbean have a casino on its cruises?
Yes. Nearly all Royal Caribbean ships have a Casino Royale with slots, table games and tournaments. Many larger ships also have a separate non-smoking casino area.
Can you gamble on a cruise at 18?
On most US-based lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Princess, yes. Exceptions include Alaska sailings on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, MSC Caribbean cruises, and lines such as Seabourn and Windstar, which require you to be 21.
Are cruise casinos open in port?
Usually not. Casinos close while the ship is docked and reopen once it is far enough out to sea, unless the port allows gambling.
Which cruise lines have non-smoking casinos?
Celebrity and most luxury lines don’t allow smoking in their casinos. Carnival has non-smoking options on 15 ships. Royal Caribbean has added separate smoke-free rooms on many ships, and MSC and Virgin keep their main casino floors smoke-free.
Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year – but does that apply to cruises too?
Well, every November, cruise lines roll out flashy “can’t-miss” offers that promise huge savings and free perks. But are they really as good as they look?
Before I became a full-time cruise blogger, I spent five years working in the marketing department at Cruise118, part of World Travel Holdings – the world’s largest retailer of cruises.
I saw exactly how these deals are created, so I know what’s genuine and what’s just clever marketing. Plus, I hand-source cruise deals every week, spending hours looking over the promotions.
So, should you actually book your next cruise on Black Friday… or wait for a better deal? Let’s find out.
The Truth About Black Friday In The Cruise Industry
Here’s the truth – there are always cruises with cabins that are hard to sell.
While the family cabins on the newest ships are selling out over a year in advance, there will always be be plenty of obstructed, oceanview cabins on older ships during the off-season that are tricky to fill.
So, cruise lines use traditional sale periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the January Sales to drop the prices on anything that might otherwise go unsold.
But… if that’s all they did, you’d notice, wouldn’t you? You’d be like: “Hmmm, why can I not find any August sailings on the Black Friday page?”
So what you’ll see, is sitewide offers like “Up to 75% Off The Second Guest” or “Save Up To £600 Per Cabin”.
Yes, those offers will apply to certain cruises. But they won’t apply to all of them.
That means that sometimes, if you book during the Black Friday Sales, you’ll get a great deal. But sometimes, you’ll pay exactly the same as you would have done in October.
The trick is knowing which is which – and that’s where a little insider knowledge helps.
What You Can Actually Save
Let’s be honest – cruise prices don’t usually fall off a cliff on Black Friday. You’re unlikely to find half-price cruises, but you can grab some great value if you know where to look.
Most cruise lines offer around 10–30% off, and they may also add bonuses like free drinks, onboard credit, WiFi or kids sail free.
Sometimes, those perks are worth more than a straight discount – especially if you’d have paid for them anyway.
For example, Royal Caribbean often runs “up to 30% off” plus a second offer like up to £250 off. Last year, Holland America Line offered savings of up to £800 per cabin, plus free upgrades. Princess Cruises offered discounts of up to £500 per cabin, plus free onboard spending money.
It’s important to note the phrase ‘up to’. If It says up to £800 per cabin, you can bet that you’ll probably need to book the top suite to save that much. The saving on an inside cabin will be much, much lower.
The best way to tell if you’re getting a true saving is to check the historical cruise prices before you book. If they haven’t changed much, then you’ll know it’s not actually a bargain. Unless, of course, you’re getting extra value added, like free onboard credit.
How To See Historical Cruise Prices
My favourite way to see cruise prices over the past 90 days is with Cruise Critic.
It’s easy. Just search for the cruise that you’re interested in, then scroll down to the Price Insight section.
Choose your cabin type and it will show what the price was price every day for the past 90 days, like this…
It will also tell you whether the price you see today is low, high, or typical, based on historical prices for the cruise. Like this…
When Black Friday Cruise Deals Are Worth It
Black Friday (and a couple of weeks leading up to the actual day) can be a brilliant time to book – but only if you find a good deal.
Not every Black Friday deal is good, but some of them are unbeatable. You can find real value, especially when deals include extras and not just discounts.
A free drinks package or £300 onboard credit can be worth more than a fare discount, especially if you’d spend that money on board anyway.
Travel agents may give extra discounts on Black Friday too. That could be an extra 5% off on top of the cruise line’s price, or something like a free case of wine or a Christmas hamper.
So, even when you’ve found a cruise you like, it can be worth shopping around to make sure you’re getting it for the best price and not missing out on any free gifts.
Expert Tips for Getting the Best Cruise Deal
Want to make sure you don’t miss a genuine bargain? Here’s how to stay one step ahead of the crowd.
1. Sign up for Black Friday alerts from Cruise Mummy
I’ll be watching every cruise line’s sale closely and listing them all in one place.
I’ll also share my handpicked Black Friday cruise bargains straight to your inbox so you can book the best ones before they’re gone.
Pop your email in the form above and I’ll email you as soon as the deals are out.
2. Be ready to book fast
Black Friday isn’t just one day in the cruise world. Cruise lines start releasing offers from early November, so by the time Friday 28th November rolls around, many of the best cabins may be gone.
Do your research ahead of time so that you have an idea of when and where you want to go.
And if you need to get your annual leave approved, put that request in now so that you’re ready to book as soon as you spot a good deal.
3. Double check it’s a good deal
Remember, perks are only perks if you’ll actually use them. So while free WiFi and drinks may sound great, if you wouldn’t have bought them anyway it may not be such a good deal.
When you spot a deal, be sure to use the Cruise Critic Price Tracker to see what the price was before the sale started.
The Bottom Line
So, should you book a cruise on Black Friday?
Yes! I do it every year and have gotten some great deals. But, don’t assume that every cruise is cheaper, just because it’s Black Friday.
Some deals are genuinely fantastic, especially when they include free perks or extra onboard credit. Others are just clever marketing with prices that haven’t really changed. The key is to compare, stay alert, and move quickly when you spot a real bargain.
I’ll be tracking every cruise line’s offers and sharing the best of the best. So if you haven’t already, sign up for my Black Friday cruise deal alerts to get my handpicked recommendations as soon as they drop.
As the nights draw in and stress levels rise, more Britons are looking to swap grey skies for blue horizons.
New research from UK travel agent Cruise118.com shows searches for “winter sun holiday” have jumped by 195%, signalling a growing appetite for sunshine escapes as winter approaches.
The spike comes as International Stress Awareness Week (3rd to 7th November) helps raise awareness of stress issues, and reflects a wider trend towards wellbeing-focused travel.
Recent research found that 98% of travellers prioritise relaxation on holiday, while 62% choose beach or coastal breaks for their calming effect – a reminder that escaping to the sea is as much about mental reset as physical rest.
Cruises Offer the Ultimate Stress-Free Escape
Cruises are proving especially popular for travellers seeking easy, all-in-one holidays.
According to Lindsay Haslehurst, Head of Product & Commercial at Cruise118, cruising perfectly blends sunshine, simplicity and self-care.
“Cruise holidays bring everything together in one seamless experience,” said Haslehurst. “With accommodation and dining taken care of, guests can switch off, breathe in the fresh sea air and let the ocean do the rest.”
The move towards stress-free travel aligns with recent YouGov figures showing that one in three UK adults (34%) experienced high or extreme stress last year, and 91% felt stressed at least once.
Younger adults are under the most pressure, with 60% of 18–24-year-olds citing “the pressure to succeed” as a key cause, while older adults face longer-term strains linked to finances, health and isolation.
Haslehurst added:
“A cruise offers the perfect balance of adventure and tranquillity. Travellers can explore multiple destinations without the stress of constant packing and planning. Increasingly, cruise lines are developing wellness-at-sea programmes that support both physical and mental wellbeing – from spa therapies to yoga sessions and mindfulness workshops.”
Cruise118’s Tips for a Stress-Free Voyage
To help travellers make the most of their winter escape, Cruise118 has shared its top advice for effortless cruising:
1. Look for last-minute deals
Last-minute sailings can be a smart way to save money, as cruise lines often discount remaining cabins to fill ships close to departure.
If you’re flexible on dates, you could save hundreds of pounds – and enjoy an impromptu dose of winter sunshine.
2. Pack with purpose
Packing efficiently is key to a smooth holiday. Cruise lines may have specific restrictions on what can be brought onboard, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Essentials like swimwear, evening attire and comfortable shoes are musts, but overpacking can make cabin storage tricky.
3. Plan your shore time
Whether you book excursions through the cruise line or explore independently, plan ahead to make the most of your port days.
Always double-check the ship’s departure time before heading ashore – no one wants to be the person left behind on the pier.
Sun, Sea and a Sense of Calm
While winter sun holidays have always been a British favourite, the growing focus on wellness and work-life balance is giving them new meaning.
For many, a week or two at sea offers not just a break from the weather, but a way to reset and recharge.
As Haslehurst puts it:
“A winter sun holiday isn’t just an escape from the cold – it’s a proven way to unwind, reset and leave everyday pressures behind. With Cruise118, switching off becomes effortless. Set sail for sunshine, sea air and total relaxation, and make stress a thing of the past.”
About Cruise118
Founded in 2009, Cruise118 is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists.
Part of the world’s largest cruise retailer, the company partners with every major cruise line and has helped over 65,000 customers plan and book voyages around the world.
BROWSE CRUISE118’S HOTTEST DEALS
See what their cruise specialists have picked out…
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