Diplomacy

This past weekend, I saved nearly $1,000 off a four-night stay at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas thanks to my loyalty status with Royal Caribbean. Here is how I did it.

Royal Caribbean and MGM offer a unique partnership that includes status matching and perks when you stay at one of their resorts or take a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s 28 cruise ships.

I currently have Diamond status with Royal Caribbean and wanted to see if this partnership was a gimmick or if it actually saves you money.

Being Emerald or above with Royal Caribbean gives you Gold status with MGM. The best part of Gold status with MGM is no resort fees, or as I like to call them, complete scam fees.

Here is a breakdown of what status you receive with MGM Rewards for the different tiers on Royal Caribbean.

Status Match

Status matching was easy, I called 1-866-761-7111 and it took around 5-7 minutes for MGM to match my Royal Caribbean status and I was instantly Gold with MGM.

Since my 50th birthday was coming up, I wanted to put the status matching to the test. I booked a 1,070 sq. ft. Terrace Suite Fountain View at the Cosmo. These rooms offer incredible balcony views of the Las Vegas strip and the Bellagio Fountains.

Because I had Gold status, my suite was discounted by $733.50 and the $249.44 resort fee was waved when I checked-in at the hotel. Below is a breakdown of the cost of my suite showing the discount when I first booked it.

Without the status match from Royal Caribbean, the four-night total would have come to $1,999.40 (with all taxes, resort fees etc.).

Thanks to the status match and being Gold with MGM Rewards, my total came to $1,016.46. This is a savings of $982.94, an almost 50% discount.

One thing worth noting is that because you received Gold status with MGM through status matching, you do not receive the $100 Tier Celebration Credit or the new Annual Cruise Benefit that MGM offers. These are new perks that were added earlier this year when the two companies expanded their partnership.

However, it is well worth it for the discounted room and especially for no resort fees which can really add up.

MGM currently has 18 hotels/resorts around the country in six different states. However, all but five are located in Las Vegas.

MGM/Marriott

You can even take the status match a step further by using your new MGM Rewards status over on Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott will match my MGM Gold and make me Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite.

This gives me bonus points on all hotel stays, free upgrades, late checkout, and exclusive member rates on over 9,000 hotels around the world. This is all thanks to my Royal Caribbean status.

Conclusion

If you are Emerald or above with Royal Caribbean, it is well worth status matching with MGM so you can also receive benefits at Marriott properties.

There’s no destination wedding like a cruise wedding.  And planning for one combines the honeymoon and ceremony in one lump sum. 

But according to a social media post and a few dozen comments from experienced cruisers, there’s a few things people don’t realize about getting married on a ship.

These special events have become popular for couples wanting a unique ceremony without the stress of traditional wedding planning. But before you book that romantic package, there are some important things to understand about how cruise weddings actually work.

As someone who’s seen a few wedding ceremonies onboard in my time at sea, I can tell you that cruise weddings can be absolutely magical.  They’re just not quite what many people expect when they first start planning.

The Legal Reality: Most “Weddings” Are Actually Vow Renewals

Here’s what might surprise you: most cruise wedding ceremonies are actually vow renewals, not legal weddings.

One experienced cruiser on Reddit put it this way: “If the Captain marries you, but you have to be married ahead of time, it’s not a wedding, it’s a vow renewal. Captains can do vow renewals but not all Captains are licensed to do weddings.”

This is because ship captains don’t automatically have the authority to perform legally binding marriages at sea, despite what you might see in movies. The legal jurisdiction gets complicated when you’re in international waters, and most cruise lines require couples to be legally married before their ceremony.

A recent bride shared her experience: “We got married on the Mardi Gras last week. We had to be legally married before, which was fine because we were and this wedding was a re-do after Hurricane Helene messed up our original wedding. We got married by the Captain and it was a wonderful experience.”

When and Where Ceremonies Actually Happen

Many couples assume their ceremony will take place while sailing, but the reality is different. Most cruise wedding ceremonies happen before departure or in port, not at sea.

One Carnival cruiser noted how the couple got married before the ship left port: “The last ship I was on (Carnival Mardi Gras) the couple that got married on the boat had to do it before we left port… If I had to guess, they were getting legally married and it had to be while we were still in a US territory.”

Another couple shared how having the ceremony at the very beginning helped with family that could not stay for the entire trip.

“We got married on the Dream back in 2012, but we did it at departure, which worked for us because we had a lot of friends/family that couldn’t cruise. They came to the wedding and reception then left while we ran around the ship with the photographer,” the comment stated.

This timing actually has advantages – non-cruising family and friends can attend the ceremony and reception before disembarking.

What to Expect: Costs and Services

Cruise wedding packages in terms of price and what’s included are all over the place. Based on the social media discussion, Carnival’s packages start around $1,800 for basic ceremonies. However, be prepared for additional costs, especially photography.

One recent bride warned, “They will REAM you on photos and not tell you til the last minute… We got the cheapest photo book and that’s it and it was just 20 pages, 10×10 and $1400. The biggest photo package was almost $6k.”

She also recommended buying your own artificial bouquet so you can get one that is more suitable to your tastes and is often nicer than the bouquet provided.

The Practical Approach Most Couples Take

Given the legal complexities, here’s what most successful cruise couples do:

1. Get legally married first – Have a simple courthouse ceremony before your cruise.
2. Plan a ceremony/vow renewal onboard – This gives you the romantic cruise wedding experience.
3. Consider timing carefully – Decide whether you want the ceremony before departure (so non-cruising guests can attend) or during the cruise—or even at one of the ports of call.

As one Reddit user put it: “Go to your courthouse and get a quick official wedding and then do a ceremony on the ship.”

Group Benefits and Planning Tips

Bringing family and friends along?  Cruise lines often offer group rates that can provide some major perks. One experienced cruiser stated, “If you are asking enough friends and family to come with 8 cabins you can get a group rate… YOU the group leader will get a bunch of perks/points you can decide to spend.”

Of course, you’ll have to figure out if you’re willing to pay for all of those cabins or if they will pay for them themselves.

Cruise lines also have dedicated wedding departments to help with planning. Each major cruise line has specialists who can walk you through the process and legal requirements.

Different Ports, Different Rules

Some couples do manage to have legally binding ceremonies, but these typically happen in port rather than at sea. One commenter shared, “We got married on a cruise almost 18 years ago. We did it at a port… our marriage is legal. It was the only port we were rerouted to that we could have it be legal.”

Port weddings can offer beautiful settings – waterfalls, beaches, or historic locations – while still being part of your cruise experience.

Bottom Line

Cruise weddings can be wonderful.  The key is managing expectations. Getting legally married beforehand can make the most sense for most couples, and then they can enjoy a romantic ceremony at sea or in an exotic port.

If you’re considering a cruise wedding, contact the cruise line’s wedding department early in your planning process. As with most destination weddings, the hardest part might be dealing with the fallout of who can or can’t make it for your celebration.

Dramatic video from Italy shows a mooring post (or bollard) snapping off and hitting the side Norwegian Epic as the ship was pushed by strong winds while docked today.

This chaotic scene unfolded when the cruise ship broke free from its dock in Catania, injuring two passengers and delaying the ship’s departure.

According to reports on social media, the incident occurred just after 1 p.m. local time on May 30, 2025. Witnesses reported hearing loud cracks as the ship’s strong mooring lines were put under significant strain, with some concrete dock posts reportedly tearing from the ground (seen in the video below).

One Facebook user, Brian Koning, who was a passenger on the ship said, “Our ship is now out in the ocean and we are stuck between the entry building and the dock. We watched all of the lines holding the boat snap like twigs. They rescued passengers from the water and transported some to the hospital via ambulance. It’s going to be a loonnngggg afternoon and evening trying to get back onto the ship.”

Brian posted several pictures of the aftermath of the scene.

Two passengers were injured during the incident. Strong winds caused a female passenger who was on or near the gangway to fall into the water. Her husband immediately jumped in to rescue her.

Both individuals were quickly pulled from the water by port authorities and emergency responders. They were then transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where they received treatment for minor injuries.

Strong winds, with the Italian Meteorological Service having issued a warning for gusts up to 57 miles per hour, are believed to have played a significant role in the mooring failure.

While the exact cause is still under investigation, the combination of these winds and the ship’s movement likely overwhelmed the dock’s mooring points.

Following the incident, Norwegian Epic drifted in the harbor, leaving many passengers stranded on land. Boarding was delayed, finally beginning again around 7:15 p.m., about six hours after the gangway fell.

The 4,100 passenger Norwegian Epic is currently on a 10-night round-trip voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome). The ship remained in port well past its scheduled departure time, impacting its ongoing itinerary.

When a new cruise ship debuts in early 2026, it will have an extendable deck right on the water that will create a one-of-a-kind experience for guests on board. The vessel will also offer Limo Tenders for unforgettable experiences.

Marina Days

Four Seasons Yachts will offer designated Marina Days when their first ship debuts in early 2026. This aquatic playground will be offered on days when the ship isn’t sailing.

The space will offer enhanced sea access for up to 105 guests at a time. It will include a lounge, bar, and an extendable deck with a sea pool and lounge chairs.

The floating marina will be 3,778 square feet in size and offer easy access to water sports.

Guests can partake in water-based exercises with electric hydrofoils and water bikes, while those preferring a more leisurely pace can opt for traditional kayaks or inflatable waterboards.

Scenic coastal explorations are made possible with pedalboards, allowing guests to navigate picturesque shorelines at their own pace.

Guests wishing to enjoy the water closer to “home” will appreciate the fully protected sea water dipping pool located within the yacht’s floating platform.

Beachlander/Limo Tenders

Four Seasons Yachts will offer a Grand Touring Experience that has Limo Tenders and a Beachlander.

The Beachlander will offer an experience of a high-speed, adventure-ready excursion aboard a 10-metre (32 foot) Ribeye vessel. Guests will be able to enjoy access to exclusive beach clubs, remote coves, vibrant reefs for snorkeling, and scenic coastal cruising.

The Limo Tender experience will be a customized, full-service adventure available on most cruises aboard a custom 10-metre (32 foot) vessel. This experience will offer a refined and customizable way to explore a destination. It comes complete with personalized service and a private captain and is perfect for group outings or a romantic escape for two.

Tim Littley, Vice President of Itinerary and Planning at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts, gave the following statement:

“Guests will explore remarkable destinations, beautiful bays and hidden coves while enjoying adventures on kayaks, paddleboards, and superyacht water toys that let them glide effortlessly across the water. These marina days will add a new element of discovery and fun, and we look forward to introducing our guests to this one-of-a-kind experience.”

If you’re already looking ahead to your 2026 Carnival cruise and trying to book specialty restaurants like Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Teppanyaki, or the Dr. Seuss at Sea Breakfast, you might be seeing “sold out” everywhere.

But Carnival just confirmed — it’s not actually sold out.

John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, recently cleared things up. He’s heard from many guests trying to get those reservations locked in for 2026, and he understands the confusion.

“It isn’t sold out,” John explained. “We have not opened them yet.”

He admitted that the website showing “sold out” isn’t the best way to handle this, and he stated they are trying to get that changed. In a Facebook live video he stated that the website isn’t as simple as flipping a switch, but they are working on it.

Online Communities Mentioned Seeing the Same Issue

This isn’t a new issue for Carnival guests. Similar questions have popped up in online communities. For example, a recent Reddit thread on r/CarnivalCruiseFans featured someone asking, “Specialty Dining Sold Out? I booked Celebration for Feb 2026 and I can add basically anything to my booking… EXCEPT specialty dining? It all says sold out, every single one of them. Is this normal?”

The good news from fellow cruisers on that thread was consistent with John Heald’s message: “Just not opened up yet.”

Others offered advice like, “You are too early. Start checking monthly and at 6 months start checking daily.” Some even suggested that things tend to open up closer to the sail date, with one user noting, “like a week before a ton of things opened.”

What This Means for Your Booking

So, the big takeaway here is not to panic.  You will have the chance to enjoy meals at JiJi’s, the Chef’s Table, or any other specialty venue you’re looking forward to. Carnival simply hasn’t opened the booking window for 2026 specialty dining yet.

John Heald promised to let everyone know as soon as those bookings become available. So, keep an eye on his Facebook page and official Carnival announcements.

A previous Carnival passenger wants the cruise line to “cruise on” instead of rescuing stranded boaters at sea. 

In a Facebook video this morning, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, responded to the comment, which referenced piracy fears, and explained they have “a commitment to rescue those in peril on the sea.”

John Heald addressed the woman’s concerns, which stemmed from two issues: reports of the Cunard Queen Anne taking precautions against potential pirate threats and Carnival’s established practice of rescuing individuals in distress at sea.

“Cruise On” or Rescue? Carnival Responds to Pirate Concerns

The woman’s message to Heald raised a few points: she mentioned hearing about Cunard’s Queen Anne telling passengers to take precautions like turning off lights and closing curtains because of a “heightened risk of pirates.”

Then, she brought up Carnival’s practice of rescuing people from small boats, asking, “What if they had been pirates or terrorists? Carnival will put all their passengers at risk. Cruise on and let the Coast Guard deal with these people.”

Heald admitted, “I had to stop myself from saying that we are all doomed that people think like this.”

Clearly bothered by the idea, he first explained the Queen Anne situation. That ship reportedly gave those instructions during its first voyage in May 2024 while sailing through areas like the Gulf of Aden, where piracy has been a concern.

Heald noted these are usually standard security steps taken to be safe in risky areas.

Why Carnival Rescues People at Sea

However, Heald quickly shifted the conversation to Carnival’s core policy on rescues. “We have a commitment to rescue those in peril on the sea,” he firmly stated.

It’s important to understand that this isn’t just Carnival’s policy; it’s a fundamental obligation for all ships worldwide. International maritime law, notably the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, states that shipmasters must proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress at sea, if informed of their need for assistance.

It doesn’t matter the vessel’s flag or nationality of those in distress.  The ship must make an attempt to help the stranded boaters.

Duty in Action: A Recent Carnival Rescue

Carnival’s commitment to rescue was clearly shown just last week. Carnival Splendor changed its course to help four people and three dogs stranded on a broken-down boat in the South Pacific.

After getting a distress call from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the ship quickly headed to the location. Five hours later, the crew successfully brought everyone, including their beloved pets, safely on board.

The rescued individuals immediately received food, water, and medical care, proving that helping those in danger at sea is a top priority.

Addressing Security Concerns

Heald expressed doubt that other cruise ships would simply “cruise on by” –as the woman suggested– and leave people in danger, stressing that Carnival will always fulfill its duty to help those in distress.

While Heald couldn’t go into detail about specific security measures, he was clear that Carnival has strict, practiced procedures in place. He assured that anyone rescued “never has free roam of the ship” and that all necessary steps are taken to keep both the rescued individuals and everyone else on board safe.

Heald wrapped up by directly challenging the idea of leaving people to their fate at sea.

“To say that we should cruise on by and not rescue these people in peril on the sea… I think that is… a pretty terrible thing to say,” he said, clearly hoping the woman would think differently.