Diplomacy

Crescent Seas, a new cruise line that is selling cabins on ships that you live in, is adding a second ship they are buying from Oceania Cruises.

Insignia will be the second residential cruise ship in Crescent Seas’ fleet in 2027. The cruise line earlier announced that they purchased Seven Seas Navigator from Regent that will begin sailing with them in 2026.

The new cruise ship will stay in Oceania’s fleet until late 2027. The vessel will then receive a $50 million makeover and feature 290 residences that you can buy with prices ranging from $650,000 to $10 million.

Cabins will open for sale to the public later this summer from the sales gallery on the 8th floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences.

Sales on their first ship, Navigator, open for sale on April 9 with cabins costing between $750,000 to $8 million.

Amenities will include private butler service, refined gourmet dining, bespoke on-deck experiences, Starlink internet connection, and more.

The cruise ships will spend up to five days in port at a time and visit all seven continents.

Each cruise ship will be staffed by its existing onboard service provider, The Apollo Group, which will manage all onboard hospitality and culinary offerings. The company has over five decades of expertise in luxury cruising.

Russell W. Galbut, Co Founder & Managing Principal, Crescent Heights and Founder and Chairman of Crescent Seas, gave the following statement:

“As a developer, I know real estate has always been defined by location, location, location, as we say. With Crescent Seas, we’ve eliminated that limitation. Residents will have a view corridor like never before. Now, your home isn’t bound to a single address – it moves with you, taking you to the world’s most breathtaking destinations.”

Marisa Galbut, President of Crescent Seas, added:

“Imagine traveling the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. With our ownership model, families can share once-in-a-lifetime experiences seamlessly. Forget the hassle of planning vacations—embrace the freedom of remote work while exploring the world from your own residence at sea.”

Crescent Seas plans on adding three more luxury residence cruise ships over the next five years.

There is currently only one fully dedicated residential cruise ship sailing right now, The World. Villa Vie Residences also has a ship that you can buy a cabin and live in, but they also offer short term rentals.

Princess Cruises has revamped 12 spaces and restaurants on Majestic Princess during the cruise ship’s recent dry dock in Italy.

Many popular Princess culinary experiences were added to the ship including O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Alfredo’s Slice, Salty Dog Café, Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar and Bellini’s.

Here is a look at the 12 renovated/revamped spaces on Majestic Princess.

O’Malley’s Irish Pub is now located where the Vines Wine Bar was on Deck 5. The eatery offers classic Irish comfort food served pub-style. Live music will also take place in this area.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Princess Cruises’ signature Italian restaurant, is now where Harmony Restaurant was. 

Piazza Bar has been replaced with Good Spirits at Sea, a bar inspired by the hit TV series, Good Spirits. Live demonstrations are given here by expert mixologists.

The Shops of Princess: EFFY has taken the place of Calypso Cove.

Confectionary, a Victorian-style confectionary, is also where Calypso Cove was located.

Up one deck on 6, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar replaces Good Spirits at Sea and the Princess Photo Gallery (moved up one deck). Churchill’s Video Arcade is now Captains Arcade featuring classic and interactive video games.

Three changes were made to Deck 7. Ocean Terrace Bar is now Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar offering fresh sushi rolls, fresh nigiri or sashimi and maki rolls.

Cartier is now The Shops of Princess: EFFY with an EFFY Lounge dedicated to curating select luxury pieces.

Rounding out the changes on Deck 7, the library is now the Princess Photo Gallery.

The last two changes were made up on the pool deck on 16.

Alfredo’s Slice, serving Neapolitan pizza made from scratch and to order, has replaced Chopsticks Noodle & Dim Sum Bar.

Lobster Bar & Grill was removed and replaced with The Salty Dog Grill serving 100% all beef hot dogs, street tacos, loaded fries and more.

Lorna Warren, Princess Cruises Vice President Hotel Operations and Guest Experience, gave the following statement:

“Majestic Princess has undergone a remarkable transformation that will introduce beloved venues and experiences from across our fleet as it sails. “We can’t wait to welcome guests aboard for the upcoming Mediterranean season as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of cruising in this stunning, sought-after region.”

Majestic Princess will spend the next four months offering cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will then moved to the Northeast for cruises to Canada and New England. 

In the fall, the vessel will sail to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the spring of 2026, Majestic Princess will head to England for cruises around the UK.

Usually, a cruise line’s newest ship is also its most expensive to book, at least for a while.  But some savvy cruisers recently noticed some prices on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas that were even cheaper than its 2024-launched sister ship.

When Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, it set a new benchmark for mega-ships.  It was also one of the most anticipated cruise ships in a long time.

It broke the mold with the largest waterpark at sea, a suspended infinity pool in an adult-only area, and a glass-domed AquaDome with jaw-dropping ocean views.

So, when Star of the Seas, its sister ship debuting August 31, 2025, started showing lower prices, it got some attention. A Reddit user recently posted in a Royal Caribbean subreddit, puzzled that his September 7, 2025, booking on Star was cheaper than a similar Icon trip.

“We assumed it would be the other way around, considering Star would be newer,” he wrote.

Online comments pointed to ports, demand, and preview sailings as culprits—but what’s really going on?

I dug into the numbers, compiling a spreadsheet of 2025-2027 sailings for both ships from CruisePlum, focusing on the cheapest inside cabins for two.

The data tells an interesting story—one that could save you hundreds on your next Icon-class cruise. Here’s what I found, with insights to help you pick the right ship, time, and itinerary.

Read more: 10 Differences Between Icon and Star of the Seas

Star’s Pricing Only Looks Cheaper on This Basis

At first glance, Star of the Seas does seem cheaper. The average total cabin price for two on Icon is about $3,900 across my dataset, while Star ranges around $3,800.   This is with taxes, fees, and even gratuities for two all included.

But when you break it down to cost per day, Star averages $577, outpacing Icon’s $548. Why? Star offers shorter 3- and 4-day Bahamas sailings (e.g., $660-$869/day) alongside its 7-day trips, raising the daily rate.

Icon, meanwhile, sticks to consistent 7-day sailings, spreading costs for better value.

(I recently wrote about the push for shorter cruises on Oasis-class ships and how so many of them are 3- and 4-day sailings, if you want to check that out too.)

So, take the Reddit user’s September 7, 2025, Star sailing—a 7-day North America itinerary from Port Canaveral for $3,642 ($520/day). Compare that to Icon’s September 6, 2025, Central America trip from Miami at $3,800 ($543/day). Star wins the price battle on total cost and daily value.

For budget hunters, this suggests Star can undercut Icon—but only if you stick to its 7-day options.

Timing Is Everything: Summer Peaks, Fall Steals

Both ships follow a predictable seasonal price pattern. Summer (June–August) and year-end holidays (December) are more expensive.

Icon’s priciest sailing hits $935/day on December 27, 2025, while Star peaks at $910/day on December 28, 2025—both during the New Year rush. Summer isn’t much better, with daily rates hovering around $650-$690 (e.g., July 25, 2026: Icon $672/day, Star $675/day).

Want a deal? Late fall (October–November) and early spring (March–April) are your sweet spots. Icon drops to $403/day on October 18, 2025, and Star hits $402/day on October 26, 2025—some of the lowest rates you can find on the ships right now.

Book smart, and you could save $200-$500 per person.

Trip Length Makes the Difference

Star of the Seas offers a mix of 3-, 4-, and 7-day itineraries, contrasting with Icon of the Seas’ exclusive 7-day sailings. While the shorter Bahamas trips from Port Canaveral might seem appealing, their daily rates are significantly higher.

For example, a 3-day Star sailing on August 20, 2025, costs $660/day. In comparison, a 7-day Star trip on September 14, 2025, is priced at $475/day, showing the better value of longer voyages.

Icon’s consistent 7-day offerings also provide a competitive low daily rate, often outperforming Star’s short-trip premiums. For budget-conscious travelers, sticking to 7-day itineraries on either ship is generally the most economical choice.

Pricing Predictability: Icon vs. Star

Icon of the Seas has fairly predictable 7-day trip prices, ranging from $381 to $935 per day, likely due to its consistent PortMiami departures. Star of the Seas’ 7-day prices are also in a similar range ($402-$910), but its overall pricing is more complex because it offers shorter, more expensive daily rate trips to The Bahamas.

Star’s lower total prices might be due to it being newer or sailing from Port Canaveral. For example, a 7-day Star cruise from Orlando on September 14, 2025, costs $475 per day, less than a similar Icon trip from Miami ($502 per day).

So, while Star’s 7-day prices aren’t wildly different from Icon’s, its mix of trip lengths means you need to compare prices carefully to find the best deal.

Sample Sailings: Star vs. Icon

Best Value on Icon

• May 3, 2025: 7-day Caribbean – East from Miami
• Price: $2,668 ($381/day)
• Why: Icon’s lowest daily rate—perfect for spring savings.

Star’s Cheapest 7-Day

• October 26, 2025: 7-day North America from Orlando
• Price: $2,816 ($402/day)
• Why: A fall steal, undercutting Icon’s same-week rate ($469/day).

Summer Peak Comparison

• July 25, 2026 (Icon): 7-day Central America from Miami
• July 26, 2026 (Star): 7-day North America from Orlando

Star’s Short Trips

• August 23, 2025: 4-day Bahamas from Orlando
• Price: $3,474 ($869/day)

What It Means for You

So, are prices on Star of the Seas really cheaper than Icon’s pricing? Often, yes—but it’s not that simple. For the Reddit user and his wife, booking a September 2025 Star sailing was a win, blending new-ship excitement with a lower price tag. If you’re eyeing an Icon-class cruise, here’s your playbook:

• Go Long: Pick 7-day trips on either ship to maximize value.
• Time It Right: Late fall or early spring sailings can slash daily rates by $100 or more.
• Know Your Ship: Icon offers predictable value; Star tempts with savings but demands flexibility in the dates.

As Star of the Seas joins the fleet, it’s shaking up the pricing game.  Let’s be honest though, neither ship is very cheap to book.

Whether it’s port differences, demand prediction, or Royal Caribbean testing the waters with a new ship, one thing’s clear: savvy cruisers are always watching prices. 

As the cruise industry grows, it’s clear that there isn’t just one type of traveler who enjoys a vacation at sea.  While some would rather lounge in a deck chair on lido deck for 8 hours a day, others prefer to enjoy a more active sailing.  But fitness trackers could cause issues.

If you’re the type of cruiser who wonders why there’s even a gym and running track on a cruise ship, this story might not make much sense.

But active runners want to keep up their conditioning even while getting a break from work.  Plus, with all the amazing food on a cruise ship, it helps to burn off at least a few calories before debarkation day arrives.

Why Trackers Are a Runner’s Best Friend—Until They’re Not

Fitness trackers are practically a must for serious runners.  Not only do they keep a close eye on the heart rate, but a tracker with GPS enabled can provide all kinds of information about pace, altitude, and overall performance.

There’s only one problem when you combine these two ideas: cruise ships are on the move. 

Sure, you can get the GPS to connect to a Garmin fitness tracker, but once you start running on the onboard track on a moving ship, it throws all the data into chaos.

In fact, it’s a little hilarious to check out the map of a run on a cruise ship.  It’s usually a straight line with some pretty ridiculous speeds that change when you’re running towards the back (stern) of the ship.

It’s even weirder if you start your run while the ship is turning or positioning to move out of port.

Social Media Weighs In: ‘A Fun Mess’

A user on Reddit recently asked about this after saying they were in the middle of a 10k training block. 

Once the ship is out at sea it might look like you’re running the fastest pace of your life, but the data is really just way off.

“It does not work well. Like at all. The ships moving, you’re moving, it’s a fun mess. I recommend doing it once with GPS on just to look at how goofy the map is then delete the workout,” one user replied.

Track or Treadmill?

Another commenter recommended using the treadmill in the gym instead.  Of course, the GPS would ideally be turned off and the run logged as an “indoor run” in this case.

Most modern cruise ships do clearly mark the distances on their tracks, but not all tracks are created equal.

I’ve been on some cruise ships where a runner has to almost turn into a hurdler, on top of being a bobber and weaver, as an obstacle course of objects and crowds would make it more like a “fun run”.

I don’t recommend trying to run at full speed on a cruise ship.  It’s great for a light job, but if you want to push yourself hard, hit the treadmill in the gym as previously mentioned.

So, if getting the best possible time is important to a runner, it’s not so ideal.  Some tracks, like on Celebrity’s Edge-Class ships are multi-level and add some interest to the work out, but an occasional cruiser passing by could always be an issue.

In the social media post, user Meeshkim129 mentioned an interesting experience while running on a cruise, with quite an impressive performance.

“I ran 7 miles on the jogging track on the cruise and the regular outdoor mode was fine. 3 laps was one mile, I knew my easy pace, and 21 laps later, it logged the correct mileage at the right pace. I have a Forerunner 245. It was a great experience every time I hit the track because I had beautiful views of Canada/Alaska and the ocean, and even spotted some whales while I ran,” the user stated.

Another user mentioned training for a marathon when they took a cruise.  After trying to do an 8-mile run on the jogging track, they ended up switching to the treadmill. 

 While it’s notable for a runner to want to keep up their conditioning on a cruise, just know that the track around the lido deck or above it is more like a jogging or walking track than a “running” track.

Plan B: Run When the Ship Stops

If you don’t wan to use the treadmill, just wait for the ship to arrive in port and have a nice early morning run while the ship is stationary.  Then you can use the GPS as normal. 

Just be careful of any groggy passengers with plates from the buffet that could stumble across your path. 

Embarkation day on a cruise ship is a busy day for everyone. It’s not only busy for passengers who are traveling from an airport, hopping off an Uber or taxi, and trying to figure out what to do with all their stuff.

It’s also a very busy day for cabin stewards. They are trying to get all those staterooms ready for the next bunch of guests, and that’s neither quick nor easy.

Senior officers on at least four different Carnival cruise ships have stated a problem with some priority guests that are keeping these cabin stewards from doing their jobs.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Diamond and Platinum guests, Faster to the Fun (FTTF) guests, and suite guests have a very convenient perk; they can drop off their carry-on bags in their staterooms as soon as they board, even if the cabin isn’t ready.

It’s a practical perk that people love, letting them drop their luggage and get to the ship’s pool or restaurant without the extra burden.

But today, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, went live on Facebook with a candid plea: drop the bags and leave—don’t stay.

Heald didn’t mince words, pointing to feedback from senior officers on four Carnival ships, all from the housekeeping department.

“Can I just remind all of our guests that have Diamond status, Platinum status, Faster to the Fun, or [are] staying in a suite—if you have that, then yes, you can go to your cabin and drop off your luggage,” he said. “But this is another heartfelt plea to please leave straight away.”

The issue isn’t the drop-off—it’s what some guests do next.

Reports have surfaced of people unpacking, napping, or even asking housekeeping staff to come back later. Heald made it clear this throws off the crew’s rhythm.

“We had comments from people on the ship asking me to do this, to ask you to please leave,” he said. “You can’t take a nap. You can’t tell—as happened on four different ships with a housekeeping attendant—‘Please come back because you need a nap, you want to unpack, and other stuff or whatever’s going on in the cabin.’”

The opportunity to go straight to the cabin has invited some guests to push the envelope on this.  It’s tempting to want to unpack and get settled in so you can enjoy the ship and feel like your vacation is underway. 

But imagine how long it would take cabin stewards to get all the rooms ready with passengers taking naps all mid-morning.

“Seriously, please just put your carry-ons in the cupboard, in the closet, and walk away,” Heald pleaded.

Here’s the reality: cabins aren’t fully available until around 1:30 p.m. on embarkation day.  And this time can change, depending on a lot of different factors.

That’s when the housekeeping team—cabin stewards—finishes cleaning and setting up after the last cruise. Priority guests get early access for convenience, not to camp out. Staying longer than a quick drop-off stalls the process.

Heald drove the point home: “Please allow housekeeping to do what they have to do to make sure your room is to the very highest of standards when you come back.”

For these priority guests, the message is straightforward: use the perk, leave the bags, and go enjoy the ship. The Lido Deck, a cold drink, or a poolside chair is calling—and the cabin will be clean and ready when you return.

Read more: 19 Things You Should Do on Embarkation Day