MSC Cruises announced plans to expand activities for families on their cruise ships this summer beginning in June 2025.
These new activities on MSC cruise ships will offer something for everyone, from toddlers to teens to parents.
MSC Cruises is a family cruise line and offers the following five kids clubs:
Baby Club Chicco (six months – 2 years)
Miniclub Lego (3-6 years old)
Juniors Club Lego (7-11 years old)
Young Club (12-14 years old)
Teens Club (15-17 years old)
Here is a look at the new activities being rolled out by MSC Cruises for families.
LEGO Family Game Show
The LEGO Family Game show launched on the cruise line’s newest ship in Miami, MSC World America, and will roll out across the fleet in June.
This interactive game show allows parents and kids to compete together in a creative challenge using LEGO bricks.
LEGO Family Parade
The lively LEGO Family Parade features seven LEGO mascots and will be on the following seven ships: MSC World America, MSC World Europa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, and MSC Meraviglia.
MSC Originals
MSC Cruises is introducing a new “DOREMIX Family Disco” on all of their ships by June 2025. This family friendly dance party will feature an exclusive MSC Cruises soundtrack where Doremi will serve as the DJ and dance judge.
The cruise line is also rolling out two new game shows, BOXES and MSC BOOM.
Guinness World Records
MSC Cruises is expanding their partnership with Guinness World Records with new activities for adults and children. It will be available on 16 cruise ships by this summer.
In addition to these new activities, MSC Cruises is adding new experiences for teens that include Teens-Club editions of the Silent Disco, Golden Party and Quiz O’clock.
A new event for parents, Golden Party & Quizzes will roll out on all MSC cruise ships and feature 75 original Trivia Quizzes.
Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises’ Family Entertainment Development Director gave the following statement:
“With MSC Cruises being a family-owned company, we know what it takes to keep the whole family happy on vacation with our multiple-award-winning ‘Doremiland’ kids and family program, tailored entertainment activities and facilities, original game shows, amusement, cinema and waterparks for the youngest of guests through to teens.
“This summer, we are taking it to the next level, combining technology with engaging activities to create truly memorable experiences. Guests can look forward to more interactive game shows, more sports, more parties, and a fresh take on teen entertainment. No matter where our guests sail, endless fun awaits.”
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When you’re the largest cruise ship in the world, you get a lot of attention. You also get a lot of cruise passengers checking you out on a vacation, for better or for worse. Some passengers are now asking if the ship is too crowded, despite its immense size.
Surfside on Icon of the Seas. Photo credit: Cruise Fever
With a double occupancy of 5,610 passengers and a max capacity of 7,600 passengers, Icon of the Seas, at 248,663 in gross tonnage, is the largest cruise ship–for now. We will see if that title changes hands when Star of the Seas debuts in August of this year.
After cruising for over a year now, Icon of the Seas has sailed about half a million passengers around the Caribbean. But some have started asking if the ship, in spite of its size, feels too crowded at times.
Too Crowded for Some
A recent discussion started on Reddit when a cruiser using the name mtbv08 shared their experience after taking a cruise on Icon. Their post, titled “Hot Take: Icon is too crowded,” explained that while their children thoroughly enjoyed the vacation, the sheer number of passengers – around 7,000 – was a significant drawback.
The user explained how everyday experiences were affected by the crowds.
“Every place one would want to be required pre-planning, jostling… to make things work,” they wrote. To illustrate, they mentioned that for the waterslides, “Get there at 9:00 AM because the line is 45 minutes by 9:15.” The Reddit user also explained just how crowded the pool can get, with a humorous line about being ready to be on the receiving end of some kicks.
Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Attending the Aqua Theater show also required some effort to nab a less-than-ideal viewing spot: “Show up 40 minutes early, get a seat in the back left corner, and still fend off people trying to steal your seat while a kid runs to the bathroom.”
The cruiser also alluded to a common problem with getting a decent deck chair by the pool, which is the bane of any regular cruiser’s existence.
A few others in the comments agreed with the post’s sentiment.
One comment stated, “This is exactly why I won’t go on the larger ships. I tried it once and encountered all of this. Now I prefer the smaller, older ships.”
Sometimes, a ship’s “crowdedness” all comes down to that particular sailing as well. During summer months or other times of year when kids are out of school, more cabins are above double occupancy.
AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas. Photo credit: Cruise Fever
One user that was on the same cruise on Icon of the Seas put it this way:
“The crowds were overwhelming, and we were all feeling ‘peopled out’ by the end of the week. The number of unsupervised kids and teenagers running around didn’t help either.”
Not Everyone Agrees
However, not everyone felt this way. One cruiser disagreed, saying, “We were just on Icon for spring break and never had a problem with crowds. We could easily get into every show and activity. The only wait was for the water slides.”
And just to show that a cruise experience is unique for every passenger, another comment from a person who was also on the same sailing as the original poster, mentioned not experiencing long lines for the waterslides when visiting at less popular times. Go figure.
These differing opinions highlight the trade-off with larger cruise ships. While they offer a wider variety of amenities and experiences, they can also feel more crowded, but only in certain places at certain times.
There are always places on a ship to find some peace and quiet. This was my favorite spot on Icon of the Seas. The Overlook inside the AquaDome on Icon of the Seas. Photo credit: Cruise Fever
With so many people on board, as is the case with Icon, it pays to do things at unpopular times, which is easier said than done when it comes to shows and entertainment.
I sailed on the Icon of the Sea’s inaugural sailing and really loved the ship’s layout. This was not a jam-packed sailing though, and I’d imagine things like a water park would be a lot more crowded during times of the year when kids are not in school or during breaks.
We have broken down the passenger to space ratios on every ship with 9 different cruise lines, but even this metric is not perfect or even ideal. It only compares the volume of a ship’s space with how many passengers it can hold. And a lot of how crowded a ship feels comes down to flow and design.
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Carnival Cruise Line has begun to add non-smoking areas in the casinos on several of their cruise ships, although a few of them have a completely 100% non-smoking casino.
Part of the non-smoking casino on Carnival Celebration. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
Here is a look at the casinos on Carnival cruise ships where you can gamble in a smoke free environment.
They are divided up into three separate categories: non-smoking casinos, separate non-smoking sections, and non-smoking annexes.
100% Non-Smoking Casino
All Carnival cruise ships that sail from Australia have a casino that is 100% non-smoking. They are:
Carnival Adventure
Carnival Encounter
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Luminosa (when sailing in Australia)
Separate Non-Smoking Section
On Carnival’s newest class of ships, the Excel class, they built the vessels with a large separate section in the casino that is closed off from the smoking side.
The ships that have this are:
Mardi Gras
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Jubilee
This area will also be on the next two Excel class ships when they debut, Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale.
Annexes
On several ships, Carnival Cruise Line has converted rooms or old conference centers over to non-smoking casino annexes. They are smaller than the non-smoking casinos found on Excel class ships but they are a dedicated no smoking zone.
They can be found on the following six Carnival ships:
Carnival Firenze
Carnival Venezia
Carnival Magic
Carnival Dream
Carnival Vista
Carnival Breeze
Cruise Fever will continue to update this article if and when Carnival Cruise Line adds more non-smoking casinos to their ships.
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Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line, has announced new cruises to and from Australia in 2026-2027 with two Quantum class ships sailing in the region.
Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will offer cruises from Australia in 2026-27.
A highlight of these new cruises is a 25-night cruise from Los Angeles to Australia on Quantum of the Seas. The cruise will visit Hawaii and Tahiti during the three and a half week voyage.
This epic cruise will depart from Los Angeles on September 26, 2026 and visit the following ports:
Once Quantum of the Seas arrives in Australia, the cruise ship will offer four- to seven-night cruises from Brisbane.
Anthem of the Seas will sail from Sydney with 21 different cruises being offered. The sailings range from three- to 11-nights in length and visit the South Pacific and New Zealand.
Nine-night cruises to New Zealand will visit Wellington, Napier, Dunedin and Milford Sound.
Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean, gave the following statement:
“Australians know they can trust Royal Caribbean for getaways that combine convenience with nonstop adventure. This season, we’re continuing to raise the bar with more short getaways, weekend departures, and more ways to maximize island time across the top destinations of the South Pacific.
“With the variety of short and more frequent getaways in 2026 and 2027, every type of holidaymaker can make the most of their travels and without compromise.”
These two Quantum class ships are jammed backed with features that include:
RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator
FlowRdier surf simulator
North Star observation capsule
Two70
This is the second to last deployment schedule being announced from Royal Caribbean for the 2026-2027 season. The last one will be cruises from Singapore that will be announced the week of May 12, 2025.
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Two Norwegian Cruise Line ships are receiving upgrades and new features this month giving guests more experiences than ever before.
Norwegian Epic will return to service on May 8, 2025 with new features while Pride of America will go into dry dock for renovations on May 3, 2025.
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Epic has been in dry dock for three weeks receiving general maintenance, new enhancements and outdoor experiences.
The renovations include a new hot tub on deck 18 and a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park (replaces Splashgolf). The adults-only outdoor Vibe Beach Club was expanded.
Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Epic
Eight new cabins are being added to the ship, both balcony and oceanview.
Norwegian Epic will return to service on May 8, 2025 and sail a variety of nine-to 11-day cruises in the Mediterranean from Civitavecchia, Italy.
Pride of America
Pride of America will enter dry dock on May 3, 2025 and spend the rest of the month being renovated. Pride of America is the only midsize or larger cruise ship that is registered in the U.S.
New additions to the cruise ship include a Starbucks in the Capital Atrium on deck 5 and the existing sports court will have pickleball added.
Just like on Norwegian Epic, new cabins will be added on Pride of America. This includes 12 new club balcony suites and three inside cabins on deck 12.
A Club Balcony Suite on Pride of America
The youth club on the ship, Splash Academy, is being moved to deck 6 where the S/S America Library, Internet Café, and Chapel are currently located.
Pride of America will resume week-long cruises to Hawaii on May 31, 2025. It is the only cruise ship that sails year-round in Hawaii with port stops on every day of the cruise. The ship spends nearly 100 hours in port on every cruise.
David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, gave the following statement about these cruise ship enhancements:
“Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love is and will always continue to be our goal.
“By listening to guests’ feedback, we are excited to provide them with MORE to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe and Pride of America continues to offer the world’s only seven-day interisland Hawaii voyages departing from Honolulu 52 weeks out of the year!”
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Port Canaveral, the second busiest cruise port in the world, has announced a $500 investment to upgrade cruise terminals, roadways and other infrastructure at the port.
A proposed covered walkway for Port Canaveral’s Terminal 1 (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
The upgrades are part of a five year plan for Port Canaveral as they look to add newer and larger cruise ships. The upgrades include larger terminals, covered walkways, gangway updates and parking garage refurbishments.
Starting this month, work will being at Terminal 1 (currently used by Royal Caribbean Group) where new canopies and walkways will be added, landscaping updated, and new lighting to create a refreshed west entrance for cruisers.
The adjacent parking garage will be painted to go along with gangway updates.
Port Canaveral’s Cruise Automation Team performing a safety check on the passenger boarding bridge at Cruise Terminal 6 (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Port Canaveral is planning on expanding Terminal 5 by 65% so it can accommodate larger cruise ships. The project will take 16 months to complete and the terminal will continue to operate without interrupted scheduled ship turns.
Cruise Terminal 5 is one of the terminals slated for expansion (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Port Canaveral is also beginning a feasibility study to enhance Terminal 10. The study is expected to be completed by June 2025.
The port is looking into expanding the terminal so it can accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world.
Up to six cruise ships a day can dock at Port Canaveral. (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, said the following:
“Port Canaveral has been a driving force for the Central Florida economy for over seven decades and the continued prosperity of our Port community depends on our continued success. As we look ahead to the future, our challenge is balancing the business demands we have today while positioning ourselves for continued growth.”
He went on to say that Port Canaveral’s goal is to be the best port possible for their valued guests, partners and visitors.
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Carnival Cruise Line celebrated a big milestone in Seattle today as they marked their 15th anniversary of sailing from the port.
An anniversary celebration was held on Carnival Luminosa when the cruise ship arrived to begin a summer season of cruises to Alaska.
During the celebration, Carnival Cruise Line representatives welcomed port officials and local leaders, expressing gratitude for their continued partnership.
Carnival presented a $20,000 donation to FareStart, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free job training, career pathways and nutritious meals for individuals in need.
Carnival began sailing from the Port of Seattle in 2010 on Carnival Spirit. The ship was recently named the “Best Alaska Cruise” for 2024 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said the following about the big milestone:
“Cruising is the best way to see Alaska, with a Carnival cruise being the most fun way to experience the beautiful destination for the more than 100,000 guests who sail with us from the Port of Seattle each summer. We’re grateful to celebrate 15 years of unforgettable cruises from Seattle and to honor the incredible partnership we’ve built with this vibrant city.”
“Seattle has been instrumental in helping us grow our Alaska cruise offerings, and we’re proud to support local organizations like FareStart that make such a positive impact in the community.”
Carnival Luminosa will sail seven-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska with port stops in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan as well as Victoria, British Columbia. The ship will also visit the Tracy Arm Fjord.
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The best inside cabin cruise tips come down to four things: choose a quiet, midship location; deal with the darkness on purpose (a nightlight, an alarm, a “window” channel on the TV); use every bit of wall and under-bed space for storage; and charge your devices in a way your cruise line actually allows. Get those right and a windowless cabin works as a calm, cheap, very dark bedroom, which is all most cruisers need it to be.
Interior cabins are usually the lowest-priced way onto a ship, and on a busy itinerary you may spend little more than sleeping and showering time in the room. The 14 interior cabin tips below are practical fixes for the common complaints: no daylight, limited storage, too few sockets and the occasional noise problem. If you are still deciding whether to book one at all, our guide to balcony vs inside cabins and whether a balcony is worth the extra covers the price and lifestyle trade-offs in detail.
Before You Book: How to Choose the Best Interior Cabin
Most of the comfort in an interior cabin cruise is decided before you ever board. Two cabins at the same price can feel very different depending on where they sit on the deck plan.
1. Book midship, on a lower or middle deck
The middle of the ship, and the lower passenger decks, move the least in a swell. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, a midship interior on a low deck is often a steadier choice than a pricier balcony high up at the front. Midship also keeps you closer to the main elevators and stairs, so you spend less time walking long corridors.
2. Check what is above, below and beside the cabin
Open the deck plan for your ship and look at the decks directly above and below your cabin number. Things to avoid where you can:
Pool decks, buffets and sports courts above you (chairs scraping and early-morning set-up).
Theatres, nightclubs and bars below you (bass travels through steel).
Crew doors, service areas and laundry rooms next to you (trolleys and doors at all hours).
Cabins right beside the elevator lobby (late-night chatter as people wait).
A cabin with ordinary staterooms on every side, above and below is usually the quietest you can find.
3. Look for an interior cabin with a “view”
Some lines sell interior cabins that solve the darkness problem for you. Royal Caribbean offers Virtual Balconies in select interior staterooms: a floor-to-ceiling screen showing a real-time feed from outside the ship. According to Royal Caribbean, they are found on Symphony, Harmony, Spectrum, Anthem, Ovation, Quantum, Navigator, Explorer and Voyager of the Seas, but not every interior cabin on those ships has one, so check the category before you pay. Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ships also have Promenade-view interiors with a window looking onto the indoor Royal Promenade. On Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, interior staterooms have a “magical porthole” that shows a live view outside with occasional animated characters, which children tend to love. These usually cost a little more than a standard interior but much less than an ocean-view room.
Simple light and sleep routines help in a windowless cabin. Photo: Lukas Rychvalsky on Pexels
Interior Cabin Tips for Light, Sleep and Waking Up
An inside cabin with the lights off is close to pitch black. That is great for sleeping off a late night, but it can be disorientating at 3am or leave you sleeping through breakfast.
4. Pack a small nightlight
A battery or plug-in LED nightlight (or a motion-sensor stick-on light) lets you find the bathroom without waking anyone or switching on the main lights. Leaving the bathroom light on with the door ajar works too, but it is brighter and can leak under the door. A small light is one of the simplest cruise interior cabin hacks and takes up almost no space.
5. Use the TV as your window
Most mainstream ships have a TV channel showing a live bow camera or the bridge view, often with the ship’s position and weather. Switching it on in the morning tells you whether it is sunny and whether you have arrived in port yet. If your ship has an app, it may show the same information on your phone.
6. Set an alarm, every day
Without daylight your body clock has no cue that morning has arrived. Set a phone alarm for shore days and anything you have booked, such as excursions, tender tickets or speciality breakfasts. A light-based sunrise alarm clock is an option if you find a sudden alarm harsh. On many lines a continental breakfast can be ordered to the cabin the night before for a set delivery time, which doubles as a gentle wake-up call (check whether your line charges a delivery fee).
Cruise Interior Cabin Hacks for Storage
Interior cabins are often around 150 to 185 square feet on mainstream lines, so storage is about using vertical space and hidden space well. For a detailed look at one line’s layouts, our Carnival interior room guide shows how the space is typically arranged.
7. Bring magnetic hooks
Cabin walls and ceilings on most ships are steel behind the panelling, so strong magnetic hooks will hold lanyards, hats, swimwear, day bags and the next day’s outfit without damaging anything. Some refurbished cabins have wood or laminate panels in places, so test a few spots with a fridge magnet first. Keep magnets away from your room key card, credit cards and any medical devices.
8. Hang an over-the-door organiser
A clear pocket shoe organiser hung on the bathroom or cabin door holds sunscreen, chargers, toiletries, sunglasses and small items that would otherwise crowd the desk. Choose one with over-the-door hooks rather than suction cups or adhesive, which can fail in humid bathrooms or mark the walls.
9. Pack a few extra slim hangers
Cabins come with hangers, but often not enough for two people on a long sailing with formal wear. A handful of slim, non-slip or cascading hangers lets you fit more in the wardrobe. Your cabin steward can also bring more hangers if you ask.
10. Store suitcases under the bed
On most cruise ships the bed is raised high enough for standard suitcases to slide underneath once unpacked. Nest smaller bags inside larger ones first. If yours do not fit, ask your steward, who can sometimes store them elsewhere or suggest the best layout.
Check your cruise line's rules before packing chargers and adapters. Photo: ready made on Pexels
Power, Temperature and Noise in an Interior Cabin
This is where a lot of older interior cabin tips have gone out of date. Many lists still tell you to pack a surge protector, but most big cruise lines ban them.
11. Charge with a USB hub, not a power strip
Ships’ electrical systems differ from homes, and surge-protected strips have been linked to fire risk at sea. Royal Caribbean’s prohibited items policy lists extension cords, power strips and multi-plug outlets, while allowing device and USB chargers that carry a recognised US or European safety certification. In September 2024 the line clarified that multi-port USB-only chargers are fine, but blocks that combine USB ports with regular outlets are not. Carnival takes a slightly different line: power strips and extension cords without surge protection are allowed when used with proper caution, but surge-protected ones are not. The safest choice for any line is a certified multi-port USB charger (with USB-C ports if your devices use them) and a long USB cable so you can charge your phone at the bedside.
12. Plan for temperature and white noise
Interior cabins have no outside wall, so they tend to stay at a steady temperature, though air-conditioning can run warm or cool depending on the ship. Ask your steward or guest services to adjust it if the controls do not help. Fan rules vary by line. Carnival allows portable electric fans up to 12 inches in diameter, used with caution, and does not routinely supply them. Other lines are less explicit, so check your line’s prohibited items list before packing one. A small battery or USB-powered fan avoids the socket question entirely. For noise, earplugs or a white noise app on your phone are an easy fix for corridor sounds.
13. Make friends with your cabin steward early
Introduce yourself on embarkation day and mention anything that would help: extra pillows, more hangers, a different wake-up routine or which times of day suit you for servicing.
Getting the Most From Time Outside the Cabin
14. Get out on deck every morning
The simplest fix for a windowless room is to treat it as a bedroom only. Take your morning coffee to an open deck, a quiet promenade or a window seat in the buffet so you see daylight early. This helps with jet lag and body-clock confusion on longer trips. Many ships have quiet adults-only sun decks, observation lounges or libraries that work as your “balcony” for the day.
Travelling with children? Our guide to inside cabin cruises for families covers bed layouts, nap times and whether a family really needs a window.
What the Big Cruise Lines Allow in Your Cabin
Rules change, so always check your own line’s current prohibited items page before you pack. As of late 2026, the published policies of the two largest US lines look like this:
Item
Royal Caribbean
Carnival
Surge-protected power strip
Not allowed
Not allowed
Non-surge power strip or extension cord
Not allowed
Allowed with proper caution
Multi-port USB-only charger
Allowed with US or European safety mark
Allowed
Charger mixing USB ports and outlets
Not allowed
Check before sailing
Portable fan
Not named on the list; check before sailing
Allowed up to 12 inches
Clothing iron or garment steamer
Not allowed
Not allowed
Is an Interior Cabin Worth It?
For most cruisers who spend their days ashore or around the ship, yes. An interior cabin cruise usually costs significantly less than a balcony on the same sailing, and the savings can pay for excursions, a drinks package or a longer trip. The darkness that some people dislike is a plus for light sleepers and anyone recovering from late nights. It is less ideal on scenic itineraries such as Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, on long sea-day stretches, or if you get claustrophobic. A useful rule of thumb: if the price gap to a balcony would pay for something you would genuinely enjoy more, such as a special excursion or an extra night, the interior is the better buy.
For many people, yes. Interior cabins are the cheapest way to sail and are ideal if you mostly use the room for sleeping. They are less suited to scenic routes, long sea days or anyone who dislikes small, windowless spaces.
Can you bring a power strip on a cruise?
It depends on the line. Royal Caribbean bans power strips, extension cords and multi-plug outlets but allows certified USB chargers. Carnival allows power strips without surge protection but bans surge protectors. A multi-port USB charger is the safest option.
How do you know if it is morning in an inside cabin?
Set a phone alarm, use the TV’s bow-camera or bridge channel to check the light outside, or leave a small nightlight on. Some Royal Caribbean and Disney interior cabins have virtual windows showing a live view.
Are inside cabins better for seasickness?
Location matters more than cabin type. A midship interior on a lower deck moves less than cabins at the front, back or top of the ship, which makes it a good choice for anyone prone to motion sickness.
Do magnetic hooks work on cruise ship walls?
On most ships, yes, because cabin walls are steel behind the panels. Test with a magnet first, as some refurbished cabins use wood panels in places, and keep magnets away from key cards.
As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Carnival Cruise Line has a lot of loyal fans that keep coming back for vacations at sea. But what keeps them coming back?
While everyone has a different preference when it comes to what a cruise experience should be like, a recent social media post asked previous passengers why they keep sailing with the cruise line.
Carnival Celebration and Carnival Breeze docked in Cozumel, Mexico. Photo credit: Cruise Fever
Some cruisers are very “brand loyal”. They find a cruise line they like, and they stick with it. It’s a great way to rank up in loyalty perks, but it’s also a very preferential decision. If you want to stir up a debate, claim that either Royal Caribbean or Carnival is the better cruise line on Facebook. Then get ready for the internet’s version of tomatoes to be thrown at you.
There are reasons to prefer either brand, and we wrote a couple article about it a while back for those wondering which is best for them:
As for me, put me on any cruise ship and I’m happy. I love cruising with all kinds of cruise lines. But you have to appreciate the passion of the fan-base for one of the world’s most popular brands.
A social media post on Reddit asked, “What keeps you sailing on Carnival?”. Dozens of replies poured in, and these are the main points mentioned.
Casino Deals
I don’t gamble myself—I call the casino the donation center–but gambling is a big deal for a lot of cruisers, especially on Carnival cruise ships.
It’s interesting to see how significant the casino deals are for some Carnival cruisers. As the original poster, lilb1190, noted, for them it “mostly comes down to casino deals and cruise port options… I also have trouble booking an expensive cruise on another line when the casino deals on Carnival make sailing so much more affordable.”
This sentiment was echoed by others in the thread, with one commenter sayingg, “Pretty much only because the casino deals at this point lol. A free room (minus gratuity and taxes) and free drinks everywhere for me and a companion keeps me coming back lol.”
On Carnival ships you can get points by playing in the casino and the more you play the points you earn. On average, cruisers get 1 point for every $2 or $3 they spend, and they can use these points for things like free drinks or even a free cruise if they spend enough.
Convenient Port Options
The convenience of close departure ports also was mentioned as a key reason for choosing the line. Being able to find a cruise that sails from a nearby city simplifies travel logistics big time.
The original poster mentioned this as well, saying, “They sail out of the most ports, which is really helpful when looking for one nearby.”
Carnival sails out of a lot of smaller cruise ports—in addition to the major ones– that are very close to cruisers who don’t have many other options if they want to drive. Ports in cities like Mobile, New Orleans, Norfolk, and Baltimore make it a prime choice for travelers who want to keep things simple.
One cruiser also mentioned “they are heavily invested in Texas with 5 ships now, including the newest class.”
Carnival has some of the lowest prices in the cruise industry, second only to MSC Cruises and Margaritaville at Sea in most U.S. markets. So, it allows budget-conscious travelers not only to find an affordable cruise but also the chance to cruise more often.
It’s no wonder this is one of the factors bringing cruisers back to the brand.
As one comment put it, “I can go 3 times on carnival for every 1 time on Disney or Celebrity.”
This also resonated with the sentiment of getting more value with Carnival, as one commenter said, “You get more bang for your buck.”
“I really don’t see how RCCL or Norwegian could offer a better product for similar pricing,” another comment stated.
Places Big Chicken, Guy’s Burger Joint, Chibang, BlueIguana Cantina, and Cucina Del Capitano in addition to the normal buffet and main dining room option offer plenty of variety that’s included in the cruise fare.
One comment noted, “They generally have good free food options (e.g., Blue Iguana/Guys): I don’t need anything fancy (steakhouses, etc.), but I do want to have options!”
Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
Unique Onboard Activities
The overall “vibe” and entertainment offerings also contributed to Carnival’s draw as the cruise line strives to live up to its “Fun Ships” tagline. As one comment mentioned, “I have been more entertained on carnival than Royal.”
Bottom Line
So, what’s the secret to Carnival’s loyal following? According to these cruisers, it’s a solid recipe of affordability, convenient travel, included amenities, and a fun vibe.
And while that sounds pretty great to a lot of us, it’s also true that we all look for different things in a vacation. What works for one cruiser might be totally different for the next.
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Princess Cruises has announced a couple changes in their weekly newsletter that include the type of payments that they will accept for cruises.
Discovery Princess in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo: Cruise Fever
Here is a look at the latest news from Princess Cruises that include types of payments and a price increase for their all-inclusive packages.
Payments
In an effort to provide a more streamlined process for travel agents, Princess Cruises said that will no longer accept checks to pay for cruises starting on July 1, 2025.
Here are the types of payments that the cruise line will continue to accept:
Good Spirits on Sun Princess. Photo: Cruise Fever
Price Increase
As of yesterday, there is now a $5 per day price increase for Cruise Bundles (Princess Plus and Princess Premier) if they are purchased on the ship.
Princess Plus now costs $65 per day if purchased on the ship or $60 per day if it was purchased prior to the cruise.
Princess Plus includes all beverages up to $15, WiFi for one device, two casual meals, room service, and daily gratuities (crew appreciation).
Princess Premier now costs $95 per day if purchased on the ship or $90 per day if it was purchased prior to the cruise.
Princess Premier includes unlimited drinks that are priced $20 or less, WiFi for four devices per person, daily gratuities (crew appreciation), unlimited specialty dining, unlimited digital professional photos (plus 3 prints), room service, reserved theater seating, and more.
This price increase is for every ship in the Princess fleet.
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