Diplomacy

Planning a cruise, especially a honeymoon cruise, often involves booking early to get the perfect cabin and take advantage of any promotions. But what happens when plans change, and you decide you want a different cabin category?

A future Carnival cruise passenger recently faced this very situation and found out they would be losing their $250 OBC (onboard credit) if they went through with it.

A recent post on Reddit brought up a common–and frustrating– situation where a passenger discovered that making a cabin change themselves meant giving up valuable original booking perks.

The original poster shared their experience booking an Alaskan cruise for their 2026 honeymoon back in December 2024. Initially, they opted for an interior cabin, securing an offer that included $250 in Onboard Credit (OBC) and free drinks.

However, they later decided that a honeymoon warranted something a bit nicer and looked into “upgrading.”

The Unexpected Catch

Their attempt to switch cabins, first online and then by calling Carnival, revealed an unexpected catch. They were told that if they chose to move to the balcony cabin, they would lose their original promotional offer because the $250 OBC and free casino drinks were no longer available promotions.

They would have to pick a new, less valuable offer currently being advertised. The future passenger was willing to pay almost $1700 more for the balcony but didn’t expect to lose the perks that came with the initial booking.

“Is this normal? Is there anyway around it? And/or what would you do?” the user asked.

Why This Is Normal

First of all, yes, this is normal.  What the person was trying to do was essentially rebook the cruise.  And when you rebook a cruise cabin you lose the original perks and promotional deals that came with it. 

However, there could be some new promotions that you can still take advantage of.

Responses from the Reddit also added some insight into this common misunderstanding. This is a standard practice when a passenger initiates a change in cabin category. As one commenter put it,

“It’s normal if you’re upgrading of your own choice, and the promotion you originally had is no longer available.”

Promotions and pricing are constantly changing in the cruise industry. Your original booking is tied to the specific offer available at the time you booked it. When you decide to change your cabin category, the cruise line treats this not just as a simple swap, but effectively as canceling your old booking and creating a new booking.

You don’t get to keep the best parts of both the old and new offers; you get the package available when you make the new booking.  It kind of reminds you of the cliché of having your cake and eating it too, right?

Are There Any Alternatives?

The Carnival agent reportedly suggested two alternatives to the passenger: wait to see if Carnival sends them an upgrade offer (which might allow them to keep their original perks) or attempt to upgrade once on the ship.

However, as the original poster and others noted, waiting carries risk, especially for popular itineraries like Alaska where the best cabins like balconies tend to sell out well in advance.

The Main Takeaway

The confusing part for many is the difference between you choosing to change your cabin and the cruise line offering an upgrade.

When you decide to change your cabin category after you book, the cruise line typically sees it as canceling your first booking and starting a new one under today’s terms. Your original promotions are usually tied to that first booking and are lost.

However, if the cruise line offers you an upgrade, they often let you keep your original perks.

This rule forced the honeymooners to weigh their options: Get the balcony now and give up their valuable freebies, or keep their perks and hope for a cruise line upgrade later, which isn’t guaranteed.

The main takeaway? If you change your cabin category yourself after booking, expect it to be treated like a new reservation. You’ll get current offers, not necessarily the great deal you started with.

Automatic gratuities have become the norm on modern cruise ships.  This method of tipping allows passengers to prepay for tips at the recommended amount (about $16 to $25 per day per person).

But what do crew members actually prefer?  Is cash truly king? And what do cruise ship workers think about those automatic gratuities?

Read more: 10 biggest cruise tipping mistakes to avoid

I know that many of our readers prefer to tip in cash, and some still use envelopes stuffed with cash to hand out at the end of a cruise.  The automatic tipping system has divided cruisers for years, but this article looks at one perspective of a cruise worker.

A self-proclaimed former cruise waiter recently opened up about life at sea in a social media post.

In the “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) post on Reddit, the former crew member invited questions about what it was like, saying, “It was pretty amazing to be honest,” in one of the replies.

An Insider’s Look at the Tipping System

While their experience might differ slightly from ships flying other flags—theirs was Malta–, the insights into the daily realities of working on board, including the tipping system, offered an interesting perspective.

According to this former waiter, their base salary already included the standard automatic gratuities. On top of that, their department could earn bonuses, often tied to sales goals.

Guests also had another way to tip: envelopes were given out towards the end of the cruise where they could leave extra tips, often writing down the crew member’s name and department.

Why Cash Was Preferred

This system seems pretty straightforward at first glance. However, when asked if they preferred automatic gratuities or cash tips, the waiter had a clear answer that might surprise some: they preferred cash.

The reason wasn’t just about getting more money, but how the money was received. As the former waiter put it,

“I preferred if they gave me cash because then I would not touch my bank account and in my head it means I’m not spending money if that makes sense.”

It’s an interesting point – cash felt different from their regular pay, making it seem more like extra money or savings they wouldn’t quickly spend.

Putting Numbers on Cash Tips

To give you an idea of how much cash they might receive, the waiter mentioned that a “normal” sailing could bring in around 100€ (about $113 U.S.) in cash tips given directly during the trip.

They also shared a specific story from a short, 5-day cruise where they got about 300€ in cash tips while guests were still on board, with one very generous person giving 100€ of that amount. After that cruise, they received another 350€ from the tip envelopes, and again, the largest amount from a single person (150€) was from that same generous guest.

Appreciation Beyond Cash Value

While cash tips were clearly valued, the AMA also showed that guest appreciation isn’t only about money. When asked the best ways guests could show thanks, the waiter included tips and notes to managers, but also “some small gifts.”

They shared a touching moment: after mentioning they missed a certain candy (Cola Haribos) in a casual chat, guests remembered and brought them a bag the next night. As the waiter explained,

“It feels like we matter and are not just another sea in the ocean basically. Little things matter.”

Bottom Line

So, what’s the takeaway for cruisers from this insider’s view? Automatic gratuities are the standard way crew are compensated, but it seems direct cash tips are not only allowed but often preferred by staff like this former waiter.

Of course, you can do both as well.  Setting up automatic gratuities makes sure those crew members get their tips, but if you feel certain workers went above and beyond, you can hand them some cash.  I can guarantee it will be greatly appreciated.

I usually pay through automatic gratuities and then leave some cash in my cabin at the end of the sailing on top of it, or hand it to the steward directly.

But remember, beyond the money, simple kindness, a personal note, or a small, thoughtful gesture can significantly impact the hardworking people who make your cruise great.

There are many reasons to bring cash on a cruise, and one rule of thumb is that you should bring more than you think.

Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship ever, Star of the Seas, will make its debut this August with showstopping entertainment and three new concepts at the popular AquaDome Market. The ship will also have the largest Windjammer buffet in the fleet.

Star of the Seas will offer entertainment and dining for the entire family across the eight neighborhoods on the ship. 

Dining

The ship will have more than 40 dining and drink venues that include three new concepts in the AquaDome Market.

This area will have five different food stands that include the following three new options:

• Smoky pulled pork and beef brisket
• Southeast Asian regional favorites like pad thai and beef panag
• South American staples like empanadas and arepas

Guests will be able to take part in a next-level dining experience at Lincoln Supper Club. This multi-course dinner is inspired by 1930s Chicago.

Families will love the variety of options on Star of the Seas that include Surfside Eatery, Basecamp, and the largest buffet in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Windjammer.

Entertainment

A highlight of the entertainment on the ship will be Back to the Future: The Musical. However, that is just one of five signature shows that will be on Star of the Seas.

An all-new Royal Caribbean production, Create, will be a must see show that follows the soul-searching journey of a curious robot, KRE-8 – harnessing song, dance and visual arts.

Families will love the new Pirates & Mermaids show that will take place in the AquaTheater.

New ice shows will take place in Absolute Zero with Royal Caribbean’s largest ice-skating cast yet.

Star of the Seas will also have the largest orchestra at sea.

The cruise ship will feature more than 20 lively nightlight options that range from dueling pianos to the New Orleans-inspired Lou’s and Bubbles.

Kara Wallace, chief marketing officer, Royal Caribbean, gave the following statement:

“At Royal Caribbean, we know that dining and entertainment are at the heart of our guests’ vacation experiences and memories. With the Icon Class lineup redefining what it means to vacation, Star pushes the boundaries of flavors and entertainment with a mix of brand-new and fan-favorite offerings, so every kind of vacationer can make memories of a lifetime together and in their own ways.”

Star of the Seas will homeport at Port Canaveral and sail its maiden voyage on August 20, 2025. The ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Caribbean and visit the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, CocoCay. (View Prices on Star of the Seas)

Star of the Seas will be the second Icon class ship from Royal Caribbean, the largest class of cruise ships in the world.

Costa Cruises, one of eight cruise lines from Carnival Corporation, has launched a new cruise offer that includes free drink packages on cruises to the Caribbean if you book by June 16, 2025.

This special promotion from Costa Cruises will allow you to receive the “Cruise Plus Drinks” fare for the price of a “Cruise Only fare”.

The “Cruise Plus Drinks” cruise fare features the “My Drinks” beverage package, which includes a wide selection of fine wines, cocktails, beers, spirits, cappuccino, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices and soft drinks, plus two half-liter bottles of San Benedetto mineral water per cabin daily.

This offer is good on select cruises to the Caribbean on Costa Fascinosa and Costa Pacifica that depart from December 2025 through March 2026.

Costa Pacifica will sail roundtrip from La Romana, calling at Catalina Island, Samana and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic; Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.

Costa Fascinosa will sail roundtrip from Santo Domingo, calling at Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Catalina Island, and the British Virgin Islands’ Tortola.

Priscilla Reyes, head of sales for Costa Cruises North America, gave the following statement:

“Costa Cruises invites guests to discover the Caribbean with our Italian-style amenities and ambiance, now an even greater value with our ‘Spring Sale’ offer. Guests can enjoy a carefree vacation that includes a dedicated beverage package, making it the perfect time to book a Caribbean vacation.”

This special sale is open to residents of North America and expires on June 16, 2025.

For complete terms and details of this freed drink package offer from Costa Cruises, visit CostaCruises.com or contact your preferred travel professional.

Most cruise travelers dread the last day of a cruise when the ship pulls back into homeport.  But things got uglier than normal during the disembarkation process for some passengers retrieving their luggage in a Texas cruise terminal.

What should have been a smooth end to a Caribbean cruise turned into a scene of chaos at the Port of Galveston on Saturday, April 26, 2025.  The post-cruise brawl was caught on video and lead to the arrest of one man from Chicago while Carnival Cruise Line handed out lifetime bans to 24 passengers.

The wild scene, which was shared on social media and quickly spread like wildfire, showing Carnival Jubilee cruisers disembarking and walking through the cruise terminal.

Facebook user Trelle Ray, who posted the footage, simply stated, “It went down this morning,” capturing the scene of passengers shoving and punching each other near families and older individuals.

While the video showed the fight taking place, the reason behind the outburst remained unclear initially.

‘Chaos erupted at the Galveston Cruise Terminal today when a massive brawl broke out in the luggage pickup area, after guests disembarked from the cruise ship Carnival Jubilee.’

– CrewCenter
pic.twitter.com/8SiYdc7gbo

— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) April 26, 2025

However, a few details are now coming to light. According to a police affidavit, the trouble allegedly started in the luggage area after a heated exchange between the arrested individual, Ethan Merritt-Clark, and an elderly man.

Merritt-Clark reportedly first claimed the fight stemmed from a basketball game onboard, but later admitted to police that he “pushed” the older man “hard.”

The alleged victim told a different story, stating that Merritt-Clark had been watching his family with a “hostile manner” before striking him on the head after a brief verbal exchange. The impact nearly caused the elderly man to fall, with his luggage reportedly breaking his fall.

Two witnesses backed up the victim’s account, saying he tried to calm things down before the alleged assault. In response, the victim’s family members intervened.

Carnival Cruise Line didn’t mince words about the incident. “We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list,” the company stated.

This means those two dozen individuals are now barred from sailing with Carnival and the cruise line’s sister companies in the future.

Port of Galveston Police responded to the disturbance and confirmed the arrest of Merritt-Clark, who faces charges including injury to the elderly. They also noted that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assisted in detaining several people at the scene.

With one arrest made and two dozen individuals facing a lifetime ban from Carnival, the consequences of this Texas terminal brawl are significant. While Ethan Merritt-Clark is no longer in local custody, the legal process is just beginning.

Fighting on a cruise ship, or in this case even off the cruise ship, will almost always lead to a ban from the cruise line, in addition to other consequences relating to the legal process.

*UPDATE: Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald recently took to Facebook to respond to questions and concerns about the fight that took place.

“So many of you wrote to me about an incident in the terminal building at the Port of Galveston involving a group [of] people who will, like anyone who is involved in any physical altercation with other guests, or our crew will never, ever be allowed to cruise with us again,” he wrote on the social media account.

“Right now, there are many thousands of people having FUN on our ships. And 99.9% of those guests are wonderful…. We have the strongest bookings in the industry I am told, we certainly have the best guests and the best crew who will continue to make sure you have the best of times.“

Earlier this month, Carnival revealed another sneaky “hack” that could also lead to a ban: sneaking alcohol on board in clever containers.  The cruise line’s brand ambassador said “Don’t do it” as it violates Carnival’s policies and means violators “can’t cruise with us anymore”.

Read more:  6 times cruise passengers were banned for life by a cruise line

Carnival Cruise Line is making some big changes with bigger ships set to debut over the next eight years.  But some of these changes have certain loyal cruisers already feeling like they will miss a popular lounge for families.

While Carnival is emphasizing new ways to accommodate families, a popular venue on several existing ships – a lounge that’s a hit with families – is being phased out on upcoming fun ships.

A Family-Favorite: The Family Harbor Lounge

Family Harbor has been a hit with many families sailing on Carnival ships like Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Mardi Gras, and Carnival Jubilee. These ships offer dedicated staterooms and suites near this special lounge, which provides a space cruising families have grown to love.

A recent discussion on the Reddit forum r/CarnivalCruiseFans showed how some cruisers are already missing this venue on future cruise ships.

One user expressed their disappointment about the change, and it’s easy to see why. For families, especially those with younger children, the lounge is just very convenient.

“If you dont have kids or your kids are grown, I dont expect you to care much for the Family Harbor lounge. Personally I am going to miss that place,” the user started.

“Waking up early with the kids and only have to walk down the hall to get breakfast was amazing. They also have an espresso machine where I can make all sorts of coffees that are much better than what they have at the buffet upstairs.

If we had an excursion it was even more helpful, because the excursions usually start early. We could get breakfast in 15 minutes and be off the ship and ready in no time.”

Imagine starting your day with a stress-free breakfast just steps from your stateroom. As the social media post pointed out, the lounge provides a quick and easy breakfast option, along with a decent espresso machine – a definite upgrade for parents needing that morning caffeine fix.

But the appeal of this family-friendly venue extends beyond breakfast. Throughout the day, it serves as a comfortable retreat for families. “Anytime we didn’t know what to do on the ship, we would swing by there and the kids would be entertained,” the post stated.

These lounges offer a selection of board games, family movies, and video games, providing a relaxed alternative to the often-crowded public areas.

What Cruisers Are Saying

Here are a couple more quotes from Reddit users that highlight the lounge’s appeal:

• “The food is great and much much less busy than anywhere else. If you like coffee, tea or chocolate milk then it’s a must imo.”
• “It was great to be able to get breakfast easily. Having chocolate milk and ice cream down the hall was good. Snacks were a hit. On the last cruise the kids hung out in there most of the time and made friends with other kids on the ship.”

Some cruisers even say the lounge has some of the best ice cream on the ship.

Casey Hogan, a frequent Carnival cruiser, told Cruise Fever that the chooses which Carnival ships to sail on based on whether or not they have a Family Harbor Lounge. He said:

“My wife and I have three-year-old twins, and after cruising with them twice on Dream-class ships, booking a Family Harbor stateroom on the Carnival Jubilee was an absolute game changer. Having the Family Harbor Lounge just down the hall was incredibly convenient—grabbing a quick drink or snack for the kids without trekking up to the Lido Deck saved us time and energy. Mom and Dad may have even taken advantage of the ice cream machine a few times!

“Being able to enjoy a full breakfast in the lounge without the hassle of finding a table on the Lido Deck made our mornings smoother and let us jump into the day’s activities even faster. We sailed in January when most kids were back in school, yet the lounge was still well-used—teenagers played video games, families gathered for snacks, and others watched movies together.

“We will choose Excel- or Vista-class ships with Family Harbor rooms due to this. Having Camp Ocean and the lounge close to our room on Deck 4 made everything easier and highlighted what great ship design can do for families.”

The Future of Family Cruising with Carnival

However, Carnival’s “Innovation Itinerary,” which outlines the cruise line’s future plans, reveals a different direction that doesn’t include the popular lounge.

The upcoming Carnival Festivale (debuting in spring 2027 from Port Canaveral) and Carnival Tropicale (expected in spring 2028), both part of the Excel class, will not include it. This change is also expected to be in place for the future “Project Ace” class ships.

So, what’s replacing it? Carnival is focusing on two key areas:

• More Interconnecting Rooms: Recognizing that many families value staying close together, Carnival is significantly increasing the number of interconnecting staterooms. Carnival Festivale, for example, will feature 1,000 such rooms.
• Enhanced Entertainment Zones: The cruise line is also investing in large-scale, multi-generational entertainment areas. Carnival Festivale will introduce “Sunsation Point,” a sprawling outdoor zone with the “Carnival Waterworks Ultra,” the largest water park in the fleet, and other attractions like mini-golf and sports courts.

While these new features promise plenty of fun for families, some cruisers say they will miss the unique convenience and relaxed atmosphere of the lounge that’s been so popular with families.

Family Harbor Fans Don’t Have to Say Goodbye

Of course, these lounges will still be available on the six ships mentioned above, so families that love these spaces can continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

The new changes coming to future Carnival ships may prove to be popular for families that still miss Family Harbor. But for loyal cruisers, changes to what they know and love are always a little disappointing at first.

If you ever wanted to visit Hawaii, Bora Bora, Australia or New Zealand but don’t want to get on a plane, there’s a new cruise from Miami, Florida that’s just for you.

This new 145-day cruise will sail roundtrip from Miami in 2027 departing on January 5 and returning to PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, on May 30, 2027.

The cruise will take place on Seabourn Quest, an ultra-luxury cruise ship from Seabourn. The nearly five-month cruise will feature five overnight port visits and have two maiden calls for the cruise line.

The cruise will visit 67 ports in 19 countries and visit the French Polynesia, Bora Bora, Australia, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, and Hawaii. A map of the incredible journey can be seen below.

Overnight ports on the cruise are Sydney, Darwin, Papeete, Lima and Hobart. 

Four immersive optional Seabourn Journeys are be offered, as well as signature Seabourn experiences and exclusive events.

The cruise ship will also visit Wallaroo, Australia and Whangarei, New Zealand, two ports where the cruise line has yet to visit.

Scenic cruising will take place off the dramatic Kimberly Coast and Fiordland National Park.

The ship will transit the Panama Canal not once, but twice during the epic 145-day cruise.

The following is included in all cruise fares for this amazing sailing:

• Upgraded Stream Wi-Fi packages, powered by Starlink (two devices)
• Included medical services package, valued at $1,000USD
• Exclusive private dining experiences and sensational tasting menus
• Expanded and enhanced Special Events, exclusive to full World Cruise guests
• Up to $10,000USD Shipboard Credit per suite^
• Included Round-trip Business or First-Class Air
• Unlimited laundry, wet cleaning, and pressing on board
• One-night pre-cruise hotel stay
• Private car transfers door-to-door between home and airport
• Gala Bon Voyage dinner: Stay tuned for details of this guest favorite event, transformed for 2027
• Personal Valet luggage shipping service
• 50% Reduced Deposit at booking
• Special President’s Event
• Exclusive World Cruise pillow gifts
• View Best Prices on Cruises on Seabourn

Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, gave the following statement about this new cruise:

“We invite travelers to embark on our 2027 World Cruise and discover the most awe-inspiring and extraordinary destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, and beyond.

“This voyage invites guests to explore and create lasting connections with both the extraordinary places we visit, and the people and cultures that bring them to life. Along the way, guests will enjoy Seabourn’s signature style of luxury travel at sea, elevated by the intuitive, personalized service delivered by our incredible onboard team.”

Guests who book the cruise on or before May 14, 2025 will receive Seabourn’s Early Booking Advantage (10% off).