Diplomacy

Celestyal Cruises is a small cruise line with two ships in their fleet. I recently took my first cruise with them, a seven-night cruise in the Arabian Gulf. You can read my first impressions of that cruise here.

Celestyal Cruises invited me with a small group of journalists so we can experience first hand what they have to offer. By the end of the week I walked away impressed, wanting to come back.

After spending seven nights on Celestyal Journey, here are my personal seven reasons to take a cruise with Celestyal Cruises.

Itineraries

Since the cruise line only has two ships in their fleet, they don’t offer a wide range of itineraries. However, they make up for it with the quality of their itineraries.

The currently offer cruises around Greece/Italy and in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf). One of the things that I love the most is that you are in port every single day of the cruise. While they do have a sea day here and there, it is not the norm.

For their cruises in Greece, some days you get to visit two ports. You will visit one in the morning, get back on the ship for lunch, and then arrive in a second port in the afternoon.

On their four-night Iconic Greek Islands sailing, you spend one morning visiting Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus) and the island of Patmos in the afternoon/evening. Here’s the itinerary:

• Day 1: Depart from Athens at 1pm, arrive in Mykonos in the evening
• Day 2: Visit Kusadasi and Patmos
• Day 3: Visit Rhodes
• Day 4: Visit Heraklion and Santorini
• Day 5: Arrive back in Athens

Yes, you visit six ports on a four night cruise.

On my seven-night Desert Days sailing, we were in port every single day including two days in Dubai. Cities like Dubai really need more than one day when you’re visiting them on a cruise. I loved every single port on our cruise.

If you’re going halfway around the world to experience and see different cultures, you don’t want to spend a majority of the time on a cruise ship. With Celestyal, you’re always in port every single day so you can make the most of your time in foreign countries.

We visited Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi. It was one of the top 10 itineraries that I’ve sailed on. They are modifying this itinerary for next season to spend more time in ports that guests love.

Celestyal offers some fantastic excursions on this itinerary.

In Dubai, we rode in a 4×4 over the sand dunes before having an incredible dinner under the stars. The next day, we went to the top of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

On Sir Bani Yas, we took a safari through the Arabian Wildlife Park before spending the rest of the day enjoying the beach on this “private island style” port.  It’s one of the most unique cruise ports I’ve ever been to and one I really want to go back and visit again.

I had several people ask me about safety and how I felt cruising in the Middle East. Throughout the entire trip, I never once felt unsafe. If anyone is on the fence about taking a cruise in this region, go for it. You won’t regret it.

And a little bonus for those who love to get their passports stamped, I racked up eight stamps and a visa sticker in the week I was there.

Crew

On the nearly 100 cruises I’ve taken in my life, the crew on Celestyal Journey was among the best I’ve ever had.

They really made you feel at home and and were so easy to connect with. Many times even as I was just walking by, I would hear a “Hey Ben” as they saw me passing. It happened all around the ship, from room stewards in the hallway to bartenders in different lounges.

The biggest surprise of the trip was when one of the girls who worked at Cafe Nation (coffee shop) got up and started to sing opera in the lounge one night. It was incredible and she had the most beautiful voice. It blew us all away.

Since the cruise line and ships are small, they really are like family.

Smaller Ships

One of the biggest benefits of smaller cruise ships is that they can visit many ports that larger vessels are unable to dock at.  You tend to also get better berthing locations compared to mega ships.

Celestyal Discovery is 42,000 gross tons and Celestyal Journey is 55,000 gross tons in size.

Even though Celestyal Journey is 31 years old, you would never know it from walking around the ship.  You can tell Celestyal put a lot of money into remodeling the interior of the ship.

One of the things that I really loved that I talked about in my first impressions article was the amount of public spaces the ship had.

Even though the ship was sailing at or near capacity, you couldn’t tell when you were in any of the bars or lounges.  The only place that ever felt crowded was the buffet at peak times but it’s that way on pretty much every ship.

Suites

The first few days I stayed in an ocean view cabin on deck 5. I was at the very front of the ship (why I had portholes instead of a large window) and thought it was pretty spacious for standard cabin.  

However, Celestyal moved me to a suite for the last four days of the cruise and it was amazing. Not only was the room large, but the balcony (photo posted earlier in this article) was huge. The balcony was bigger than some cabins I’ve had in the past.

The suite had a walk-in closet, decent size bathroom, and plenty of room to stretch out.

The bed was extremely comfortable and suites are definitely the way to go when cruising with Celestyal, although you really can’t go wrong with any cabin.

Passengers

On our cruise, there was a wide range of nationalities on board. I’m a firm believer that this helps enhance the experience when you’re cruising in other parts of the world.

Anyone who has been a reader of Cruise Fever for awhile knows that I’m a big advocate to cruise on a European cruise line when taking a cruise in Europe. This way you get the European experience and culture not only when you’re in port, but while on the ship.

This was also true on Celestyal even though English is the main language spoken on board.

Entertainment

There was a different show every single night of the cruise in the theater (Amphitheatro Show Lounge).  They were similar to the 10 song and dance shows that you find on cruise ships, but they had a wider variety than I’ve ever seen.

Once night they incorporated acrobats into the production with several songs from The Greatest Showman. You could tell the guests on board really loved the shows.

There was also a nice variety of live music around the ship at night in the different lounges.

One of the biggest surprises for me is that they had a magic show one night in the lounges/bars. It was a fun time as several of the bartenders did close up magic in a non-formal setting.

It was nice to see such a wide range of entertainment for a small ship and a port intensity itinerary.

Budget Friendly Prices

Prices for cruises on Celestyal start at around $110-120 per person, per night. This includes all port fees and gratuities, drinks during meals, and essential WiFi.

When you combine all of this with the amazing itineraries that they offer, it’s hard to beat.

Celestyal Journey had a premium feel (for a 31 year old ship) but without the premium prices.

Drink prices were also extremely reasonable with cocktails starting at just seven euros.

Before the cruise, I really wasn’t sure what to expect on my upcoming voyage from Celestyal. I went in with an open mind and walked away impressed.

It was one of the top 10 itineraries I’ve taken and an overall great cruise experience.

Getting fired from a job is never a pleasant experience.  But it’s a little different for crew members on a cruise ship.  While working on a luxury vessel and sailing the world on your employer’s dime sounds like a dream, the reality of being dropped by that same employer is a bit of a logistical challenge.

On a cruise ship sailing in the middle of the ocean, it’s not like you can just hop on a lifeboat and row home—not that modern lifeboats even have paddles.

You’re stuck—surrounded by water, confined to a floating city where the rules are strict, the stakes are high, and the exit strategy is anything but simple.

What happens when a crew member gets the axe mid-cruise? It’s a wild ride that most passengers never see.

To get the scoop, I dove into a Reddit thread from r/NoStupidQuestions titled “What happens if you get fired 1/3 of the way on a cruise?”—where a few ex-crew members gave firsthand experiences. 

We’ll also dive into some industry insights, including a revealing blog from ShipLifeTV on the mistakes that can sink your career at sea.

Stranded On Board: The Waiting Game Begins

When the hammer drops, you don’t get to storm off and slam the door behind you. According to u/too_many_shoes14, “You get confined to quarters, and I believe they bring you your meals, but you can’t leave your cabin.” No more shifts, no more crew bar—you’re sidelined until the ship hits a port.

The same user also noted, “Now if you’ve committed a violent offense every cruise ship has holding cells”, a floating timeout until land’s in sight.

Your duties? Done. Your crew ID? Taken. You’re basically benched in a space that might be as small as 100 square feet, left to twiddle your thumbs while the ship sails on.

Depending on the itinerary, that could mean days of just waiting—waiting with the same people who used to be co-workers.  Talk about awkward.  Getting fired in the middle of a transatlantic sailing would probably be a worst-case scenario.

The Fireable Offenses

Cruise lines don’t look for reasons to fire someone. It’s a disruption and a hassle they’d rather avoid.  After all, it means one less person to help take care of the thousands of cruise passengers on board the ship.

But there are a few offenses that can quickly get someone fired.

ShipLifeTV spells it out: “Any crew member who is caught using drugs or drinking alcohol while on duty may be disciplined or fired.” Other dealbreakers include stealing (even small items), fighting, fraternizing with passengers, or lying about qualifications—all instant tickets off the ship.

Reddit users back this up with their stories. u/Electric-Wombat confessed, “I was fired from a cruise ship. In my case they simply told me that I would have a hearing with the captain and staff captain when we got back to our home port, and they fired me that morning. I was escorted on to the plane in Miami and flown back to the UK which was my home country.”

u/chpsk8 shared, “We had a bartender get tossed off the ship for possession of weed… he was fired and removed about 5pm the same day.”

Another user echoed the sentiment of swift responses in some cases by saying, “I broke a rule on Wednesday and got the knock on Saturday morning, when they told me I didn’t have a job anymore and put me off the ship in Fort Lauderdale.”

The Exit Plan

When the ship docks, the final exit begins. u/DrPorkchopES, a self-professed current crew member, said, “Basically they just have you stop working, take you to the airport at your next port and make you pay your own way home.”

u/chpsk8 mentions that the bartender “did the walk of shame as we were pulling off the pier headed for our next destination.”

Sometimes the cruise line pays—legally, they can’t always abandon you abroad. u/OddAsparagus0007 noted, “From what I remember, they’d let you know you were fired on a port day and… they’d pay your ticket home and escort you to the airport as they’re not legally allowed to just drop you in any country.”

But it’s no farewell party—u/lastfrostymanny warned, “The Cruise line wouldn’t tell you that you’re fired until that day. So, you could be on board for another seven days or more, working without knowing if you’re fired or not. They do this, because some people in the past would cause a big scene and a lot of problems.”

The same user noted, “They will have security knock on your door at 5 am and tell you to pack up your stuff and you leave within a half an hour.”

The Human Cost

Beyond the logistics, getting fired mid-cruise hits hard. Crews are a tight bunch—living and working together for months. Being cut loose severs that bond overnight.

u/lastfrostymanny touched on this saying, “So sometimes your best friend may get fired. And you didn’t even get to say goodbye to them, and You’ll never see them again.”

The ship, though, keeps sailing on. u/FlippinPlanes said, “Security escorts them off the ship… and make sure they get on the plane,” while the rest keep the show running.

Bottom Line

Getting fired mid-cruise isn’t just a job loss.  It’s a severance of friendships and tight relationships.  While these firings are often necessary and warranted, it’s important for passengers to understand the rules the crew must keep and to respect those rules. 

For paying passengers, it’s just another vacation.  But for the crew, it’s their entire life.

Next time you’re cruising, tip your hat to the crew hustling to make sure you have an amazing getaway at sea.

Carnival Cruise Line is currently the second largest cruise line in the world with 27 ships in service. They will soon be adding two more cruise ships when they are moved over from a sister cruise line.

This will give Carnival 29 cruise ships in their fleet, the most they have ever had. What lies in store for Carnival after these news ships are added?

Next month in Miami, Carnival Cruise Line will host a special event for media and give seven updates about the future of the cruise line.

Here is a look at the different updates Carnival will announce that range from a new guest rewards program to their new mega ships that will debut in 2029.

4th Excel Class Ship

Carnival Cruise Line currently has three Excel class ships in their fleet, their current largest ships. They have two more on order that are scheduled to enter service in 2027 and 2028.

The 4th and currently unnamed Excel ship will soon open for bookings. So far, Carnival hasn’t given many details about this new ship but that will change in April. The cruise line said that they will give more details on the vessel.

New Mega Ships

Last year, Carnival placed an order for their largest ships yet, three 230,000 gross ton cruise ships. They will be similar in size to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class.

The ships scheduled are to debut in 2029, 2031 and 2033. What do we know about these ships? That’s pretty much it.

However, Carnival said that they will talk more about these mega ships at the event in Miami.

Onboard Enhancements

Carnival Cruise Line continues to improve the offerings onboard their cruise ships and they said that new product and onboard enhancements are coming across their fleet.

Exclusive Destinations

Carnival Cruise Line is currently in the middle of major construction port projects in The Bahamas. This includes a new pier and port area at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and a completely new port being built on Grand Bahama Island called Celebration Cay.

Carnival said that they will announce “other exclusive destination plans” in Miami that are coming soon. What are they? We have no idea but we can’t wait to find out and share the news with you.

New Rewards Program

It’s no secret that Carnival Cruise Line’s rewards program isn’t that great compared to competitor cruise lines. However, that should change as they will be giving a preview of their new guest rewards program.

Deployment Plans

Carnival Cruise Line currently sails from more U.S. ports that any other cruise line. Carnival said that they are adding even more variety to itineraries and they will announce these new deployment plans in Miami.

Australia

Carnival Corporation is in the middle of dissolving their P&O Cruises Australia brand and two ships are being converted over to Carnival Fun Ships. They will be renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. 

With this expansion, Carnival Cruise Line is now the leading cruise operator in Australia. The cruise line said that they will give more details on this expansion next month.

Cruise Fever will be attending the event in Miami and we will publish all updates Carnival Cruise Line announces that day.

San Diego’s cruise industry is ready to make waves again, and the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons are looking like a full-on comeback with at least seven ships offering regular sailings.

After some quieter years, the Port of San Diego is gearing up for a surge in sailings, with big names like Royal Caribbean and Holland America leading the charge.

Royal Caribbean is even giving a ship a homeport in San Diego for the first time in ages. Holland America Line is also a big part of the story with regular offerings on three ships from the port and some epic sailings as well, like a 35-day South Pacific odyssey and a variety of Panama Canal crossings.

So, what’s on deck? Here’s the lowdown on the cruise ships sailing out of San Diego over the next couple years

1. Koningsdam: Holland America’s Frequent Mexican Riviera and Pacific Explorer

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam is a regular in San Diego, offering trips to Mexico and the South Pacific. This ship provides a mix of short and long voyages.  

• Sail Dates: Primarily late 2026 to early 2027 for Mexican Riviera cruises, with select Hawaii/North America voyages in late 2025 and early 2027.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 4-Day West Coast: Visits Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, and Ensenada, Mexico.
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Calls at Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Loreto, Mexico.
  • 14-Day Mexican Riviera: Roundtrip from San Diego, visiting Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan.
  • 35-Day South Pacific (February 13, 2027): Includes Kona, Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, Tabuaeran, Raiatea, Tahiti, Moorea, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva.

2. Nieuw Amsterdam: Diverse Itineraries from San Diego

Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam offers a variety of cruises from San Diego, ranging from short Mexican Riviera trips to extended Pacific voyages.  

• Sail Dates: Late 2025 through early 2026 for Mexican Riviera/Pacific voyages, returning late 2026 and April 2027.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
  • 14-Day Pacific Coast/Mexican Riviera: Includes Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and a two-day stop in San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
  • 17-18 Day Hawaii: Hawaiian island hopping.
  • 20-24 Day North America: Includes travel to or from Vancouver.
  • 35-Day South Pacific (February 14, 2026): Includes Maui, Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Kona, Tabuaeran, Raiatea, Tahiti, Moorea, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva.

3. Zaandam: Long Voyages to the South Pacific

Holland America Line’s Zaandam specializes in long cruises, focusing on the South Pacific.  

• Sail Dates: Late 2025 through 2026 for South Pacific voyages, with Mexican Riviera cruises in April 2025/2026, and the Grand Australia/New Zealand voyage in early 2026.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 35-Day South Pacific: Visits Kauai, Honolulu, Kona, Maui, Tabuaeran, Rangiroa, Huahine, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahiti, Moorea, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva.
  • 51-Day South Pacific: Includes Kona, Kauai, Honolulu, Maui, Hilo, Tabuaeran, Pago Pago, Apia, Suva, Lautoka, Dravuni Island, Savusavu, Nuku’alofa, Vava’u, Rarotonga, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, Huahine, Tahiti, Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva.
  • 93-Day Grand Australia & New Zealand (January 4, 2026): Includes Honolulu, Kona, Maui, Pago Pago, Apia, Savusavu, Suva, Lautoka, Lifou, Noumea, Vila, Guadalcanal, Rabaul, Alotau, Kiriwina Island, Kawanasausau Strait & Milne Bay, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Perth, Albany, Adelaide, Penneshaw, Melbourne, Hobart, Port Arthur, Sydney, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Timaru, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Nuku’alofa, Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva.

4. Serenade of the Seas: Coastal and Mexican Riviera Cruises

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas starts sailing from San Diego in early 2027, offering short coastal trips and longer Mexican Riviera cruises.  

• Sail Dates: Late 2026 through April 2027, mainly 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises with some West Coast trips.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 3- and 4-Day Quick Trips: Sailings to Ensenada and Catalina Island with the shorter 3-day sailings just visiting Ensenada.
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Includes Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan, Mexico.

5. Disney Wonder: Family-Friendly West Coast and Riviera Trips

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder offers family cruises from San Diego, with short and longer trips to the West Coast and Mexico.  

• Sail Dates: Spring 2025 and 2026 for West Coast and Mexican Riviera cruises.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 3- and 4-Day Coastal: Visits Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.  
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Includes Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

6. Norwegian Jade: Mexican Riviera Sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade is offering a number of sailings to residence of San Diego with 21 cruises currently on the schedule. From October 2025 through April 2026, the ship offers a variety of itineraries, primarily focusing on 7-day sailings.

• Sail Dates: October 2025 through April 2026, primarily 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises with some longer voyages.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Voyages exploring various ports along the Mexican Riviera.
  • Varied Itineraries: While there is an 8-day sailing in October 2025, Norwegian Jade also offers a 15-day one-way Panama Canal sailing from San Diego to Miami on February 12, 2026.

7. Norwegian Star: Winter Getaways from San Diego

Norwegian Star also offers a dedicated season of Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego, primarily during the winter months. The ship provides a consistent schedule of 7-day voyages.

• Sail Dates: Mid-December 2026 through March 2027, with weekly 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises.
• Key Itineraries:
  • 7-Day Mexican Riviera: Cruises focusing on ports along the Mexican Riviera.
  • Holiday Cruises: Includes special holiday sailings in late December.
  • Panama Canal Voyage: Features a 15-day sailing from San Diego to Miami on April 3, 2027.

 Beyond the Regulars: Other Ships Sailing from San Diego

While these ships are frequent visitors, San Diego’s port also hosts a range of other cruise lines and vessels. Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia will cruise on epic journeys to the South West Pacific, while Princess Cruises’ Island Princess also features Mexican Riviera voyages.

Also, many ships utilize San Diego’s cruise port as a starting or ending point for Panama Canal transits, trans-Pacific voyages, and sailings to Tahiti with Silversea’s Silver Shadow.

Royal Caribbean has announced new cruises in Asia in 2026-2027 that include new itineraries they’ve never offered before.

Royal Caribbean’s latest deployment announcement includes cruises from Hong Kong and Shanghai that range from two- to nine-nights in length.

The sailings will visit some of the most popular destinations in Asia including Tokyo, Osaka, Mount Fuji, Okinawa, Nagoya and Hakodate in Japan; Busan and Jeju in South Korea; Da Nang and Hue in Vietnam; and more.

The cruise line will offer their first ever eight-night cruise to Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji and Nagoya.

Shorter cruises will offer visits to Busan, known for its hot springs, and Okinawa, dubbed the Hawaii of the East.

The variety of cruises stretch further across Asia, offering more ways to explore South Korea and Vietnam with both new and popular returning options.

The 2026-2027 season will also feature special holiday cruises, including Christmas and Thanksgiving getaways packed with themed entertainment, seasonal cuisine and unique holiday festivities.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is expanding their presence in Hong Kong with cruises that start in November 2026. The sailings range from new cruises to nowhere to voyages that visit Ishigaki and Okinawa, Japan.

Benjamin Bouldin, President, Royal Caribbean International China, gave the following statement:

“This is one of our most exciting lineups yet, with incredible new destinations and longer, more immersive itineraries. From vibrant cityscapes to breathtaking coastal escapes, these new adventures are designed for travelers looking to experience the best of Asia in a whole new way.”

Cruises will take place on Spectrum of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that was built specifically to sail in Asia.

The Quantum-ultra class ship features the North Star, Two70, SeaPlex, FlowRider and Ripcord by iFly.