Diplomacy

Princess Cruises has opened 62 new cruises for bookings that include 42 unique itineraries and an epic 79-day voyage that covers 23,600 nautical miles.

These new cruises from the Love Boat cruise line are part of Princess’ 2026-2027 sailings for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The cruises range from two- to 79-days in length and will take place on the following three cruise ships: Royal Princess, Crown Princess and Grand Princess.

The cruises will leave from five homeports in Australia:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth (Fremantle)
• Adelaide

A highlight of these new itineraries is the 79-day Circle Pacific Adventure on Grand Princess that covers 23,900 nautical miles. It will visit 13 countries and 32 ports, including an overnight in Hong Kong.

The ship will have late night port visits to Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Osaka (for Kyoto), Singapore, Suva, Tahiti (Papeete), and Victoria, BC.

Cruisers will be able to visit 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Mount Fuji and the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

Other unique cruises are a 28-day Round Australia cruise on Crown Princess and voyages through the South Pacific including Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Princess Cruises will also offer three different Cruise + Land Tours:

• Tropical Highlights Cruisetour
• Southern Australia Cruisetour
• Australian Outback Cruisetour

Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, gave the following statement:

“Among the hottest trends in travel is exploring ‘detour destinations’ that really cater to travelers looking for authenticity and unique experiences beyond the typical tourist spots,” said.

“Our 2026-27 Australia and Circle Pacific Adventure itineraries are designed to cater to these desires, combining iconic destinations with off-the-beaten-path locales for the ultimate travel experience.”

Cunard Line, one of nine cruise lines from Carnival Corporation, will base a ship out of Miami for the first in 2025.

Queen Elizabeth will sail a series of cruises to the Caribbean from Miami that range from nine- to 28-nights. The first will be a 12-night voyage that departs on October 16, 2025.

But before the ship arrives in Miami, it will receive a transformative makeover during a dry dock in Singapore from February 25 to March 13, 2025.

The ship’s transformation will include refreshed interiors and exteriors. The Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion will be thoughtfully revitalized.

The Grills dining experience will be enhanced with new a menu by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.

The Pavilion Wellness Café will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

After the ship’s dry dock, Queen Elizabeth will sail to Seattle for a series of cruises to Alaska during the summer. In the fall, the ship will reposition to Miami for the winter season.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, gave the following statement:

“As Queen Elizabeth prepares for her highly anticipated debut seasons in the Caribbean from Miami and Alaska from Seattle, this transformation marks an exciting new chapter for Cunard. Inspired by the beauty of these extraordinary destinations, the ship’s revitalization will seamlessly blend timeless elegance with modern comforts, creating an unparalleled guest experience.

“We are especially excited to introduce the exclusive Gala Evening menu, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux. This remarkable addition will elevate the Grills dining experience to even greater heights, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it.”

With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us will be scrambling to purchase the perfect gift for our friends and family members. Some of them are easy to buy for, while others tend to be more complicated. 

Do you have a cruise lover in your life? My guess is, “absolutely”, since you are reading this article. In that case, let’s focus on that category of gifting.

What should you purchase your mom who is going on her 25th cruise? What should you buy your sister who is going on her first cruise in the spring? 

Keep reading for some of our recommendations on the perfect holiday gifts for the cruise lover in your life. 

1. Luggage/Toiletry Bags 

It doesn’t matter how many cruises you have taken, everyone needs a good piece of luggage and a great toiletry bag. If you can, spend a little bit more on a high quality piece. It will be greatly appreciated and will likely last years. 

Pro Tip: Ladies, make sure to order matching luggage for you and your husband. It will go over about as well as matching pajamas. (insert eyeroll here) 

2. Luxury Toiletries

Purchasing toiletries for someone else may not be at the top of your list. It’s hard to know exactly what someone else likes. Does cruise loving Aunt Cathy love lavender or does she prefer clean, ocean scents? 

In my travels, I’ve found that the shower sponges with body wash already infused in them can be a wonderful companion.

Last year, I put one in my parents’ stockings (yes, I make my parents stockings) and they bragged on that small gesture for months after. Upscale travel size shampoos and conditioners are always welcome to the traveler in your life, too.

3. Travel Journal

If you are anything like myself, you’ve visited lots of places and have memories to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, I haven’t kept a travel journal but certainly wish I would have. 

I remember the first time I took a cruise and the first time I flew on an airplane. The memories are amazing but they do fade as we get older. 

It’s never too late to start keeping your thoughts and experiences in a journal. Simple or elaborate, there is a journal to suit the cruise lover in your life. In fact, you can use a basic notebook to chronicle your trips. Sounds like a great stocking stuffer to me! 

4. Sound Machine

For years, my family would take camping trips in the 90’s. Imagine this – A pop-up camper with my parents at one end and my grandparents at the other.

The snoring was almost unbearable to my pre-teen self stuck in the middle. Do you even know how much I needed a sound machine back then? 

Now, I cannot travel without one. Many models contain a variety of sounds like white noise, babbling brook, or crackling fire. Newer versions even include nightlights built-in.

Crank that baby up when it’s time to catch some Z’s on your next cruise. You’ll thank me the next day. 

5. Reusable Straws

With the reduction of disposable straws on cruise ships, one has to get creative. A couple of years ago, my dad purchased a box of 100 pre-wrapped straws and packed them in his luggage. Let’s just say, he made a few friends that week. 

Now, it’s easier than ever to remedy this little issue. Gift a reusable straw in your cruise loving family members’ stocking this year. For maximum space saving goodness, make sure to grab a collapsible/foldable straw with attached carabiner.  

6. Kindle/E-Reader 

For the book lover in your life, definitely consider gifting them a Kindle or an E-Reader. Packing bulky paperbacks can be annoying and take up too much valuable storage space. 

I love reading short stories from the likes of Stephen King and Darcy Coates. During cruises, I like to switch around and read multiple short stories. If I didn’t have an E-Reader, I’m not sure how I would survive. 

If your giftee already has an E-Reader, consider purchasing them a gift card to load more books onto their device. 

7. Portable Phone Charger 

Charging your phone and other devices is not always convenient on a cruise. While most cabins have the capability for USB charging or standard outlets, replenishing power can be difficult when off the ship. 

Consider gifting a portable phone charger or power bank to your loved one. They can charge these devices ahead of time and take them wherever they go for a quick boost. There are a variety of chargers available and some are as small as a tube of lipstick. 

Pro Tip: Tell your giftee to plug in their portable chargers overnight. The next day, they can take the charger on all their adventures and not worry about dead batteries. 

8. Cruise Cash

If you aren’t quite sure what to give the cruise lover in your life, consider cash. No one is immune to needing a few extra dollars, especially if they have a cruise on the horizon. 

For many, the ultimate gift is cash. If you don’t want to just hand over physical cash, consider purchasing something like Cruise Cash. Many cruise lines offer the ability to purchase this for yourself or gift it to others. There’s nothing quite like having a positive balance on your room when you arrive for your next trip. 

This is exactly what I did for my dad’s recent birthday. I paid for some Cruise Cash and it will be “delivered” to the cabin on his next trip. Happy Dad equals Happy Mom. And hopefully they will give me some cruise cash for my birthday. Ha! 

9. A Cruise

The ultimate holiday gift for the cruise lover in your life, is a cruise!  It’s certainly a big purchase but will be well-received by most anyone.

We hope you find our list of holiday gifts for the cruise lover in your life helpful. Big or small, anything you choose to give will enhance their cruising experience.  Happy Cruising!

Read more: 35 genius cruise items on Amazon for under $15

Without fanfare or a major announcement, Royal Caribbean has added a popular travel item to the “do not pack” list. 

The cruise line’s prohibited items webpage was recently updated to combat a growing trend among travelers who are trying to stay connected while at sea.

While internet service on cruise ships has gotten faster and more reliable over the last few years—thanks to Starlink– most cruise lines offer different internet packages based on how many devices you would like to use.

The more devices you use, the more you pay. 

Some savvy cruisers started using travel routers to get around this.  They would connect to the internet with the device and then connect their devices to the router.

But now Royal Caribbean is making sure passenger know not to bring the devices on board their ships.

The updated policy for prohibited items is worded as follows: 

Cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime: Satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment.

The wording of “other networking equipment” leaves room for the cruise line to ensure other devices that can be used get around the internet services of the company are also kept in check.

It was already against company policy to use a device that beats the system in this way, but now the cruise line can attempt to keep travel routers off their ships entirely. 

After all, most of the time they would have no way of knowing if someone was using multiple devices on one internet package at the same time if they used a device like this.

Some cruise boards and forums have discussed the policy and have reported travel routers being confiscated.

For those who bring their work with them on a cruise, a travel router has been a normal part of packing for the trip.  Now it may require adding another device to the internet package.

It should be noted that cruisers can also opt to switch devices even if they only paid for one.  They just can’t use more than one device at the same time if they only paid for the single device internet package. 

It can be a hassle to log out and log back in with another device, but if you don’t need to be connected at the same time, it’s a way to save a few dollars.

Carnival Cruise Line has also listed “routers” on their list of prohibited items.  In a recent story, a cruise passenger had his Starlink Mini confiscated.

Carnival has “satellite dishes” and “other internet related equipment” listed on the page of items passengers are not allowed to bring on board.

Recently, another popular item was banned from Royal Caribbean ships: multi-plug adapters. 

Multi-plug adapters with several 110/120 volt outlets are not allowed on the cruise line’s ships as they can cause problems with the electrical systems, but multi-outlets that are USB only are permitted.

You can see a list of the multi-plug adapters still allowed on Royal Caribbean ships here.

Princess Cruises is changing the itineraries on four cruises on one of their ships so essential engine maintenance can be done.

Two months ago, Princess Cruises canceled a few cruises on Regal Princess due to problems with the ship’s generators.

Now, the cruise line is modifying four itineraries on the ship so work can be done on the ship’s engines.

For the December 8, January 5 and January 12 cruises, the port stop in Costa Maya will be replaced with an extended stay in Roatan.

For the January 19, 2025 cruise, the ship will no longer visit Montego Bay, Jamaica and will have an extended visit to Roatan.

The cruise line said that they will leave the casino open during the overnight stays in Roatan.

As a gesture of goodwill to passengers for the changes, Princess Cruise is giving guests booked on these cruises a 20% future cruise credit if they decide to still sail on their scheduled voyage.

They can also cancel and receive a full refund that includes Princess-arranged air and other purchases.

Guests who pre-purchased shore excursions in the canceled ports will receive a full refund.

Princess Cruises sent the following statement to Cruise Fever about these changes:

“Princess Cruises has announced an adjustment to four upcoming Regal Princess itineraries to accommodate essential engine maintenance while ensuring the continued safety, performance, and comfort of the ship.

“For voyages departing December 8, January 5, January 12, planned calls to Costa Maya have been replaced with extended stays in Roatán, Honduras, and for the January 19 voyage, the extended stay in Roatan replaces a visit to Montego Bay.

“These adjustments will allow additional time in port to complete necessary maintenance while preserving the seamless sailing experience that guests have come to expect from Princess Cruises.

“To enhance the extended visit in Roatán, the onboard casino will remain open during the overnight stay, offering guests gaming fun while docked. Guests can enjoy the thrill of the casino even as the ship rests in port, adding to the excitement of their vacation.

“Princess Cruises is supporting guests affected by these changes by offering a full refund, including refunds for pre-purchased shore excursions, Princess-arranged air travel, and other related purchases; or to sail as planned and receive a 20% Future Cruise Credit (FCC), which can be applied toward a future cruise of their choice.”

After the smashing success for Virgin Voyages’ Summer Season Pass, the adults only cruise line is introducing the cruise industry’s first Annual Pass.

Virgin’s new Annual Pass will start in 2025 and allow you to hop from ship to ship, anytime, anywhere, during the calendar year.

The Annual Pass is good for one year from the selected date. It includes a balcony cabin (Sea Terrace) and is good on all of the cruise line’s cruises including the inaugural voyages on their next new ship, Brilliant Lady.

In addition, Virgin Voyages will allow you to pay in Bitcoin for the first time. The cruise line confirmed with Cruise Fever they are only accepting Bitcoin for the Annual Pass right now, not for regular cruises. 

The cost of the Annual Pass is $120,000 (excluding taxes and fees) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It includes the following amenities:

• Priority boarding
• Complimentary laundry services
• Dedicated concierge support
• Unlimited premium WiFi
• $100 bar tab per cruise
• Access to exclusive events and experiences on board

As an added benefit, Annual Pass holders can add a plus one to their cabin, with the ability to travel with different companions throughout the year.

Pass holders can select a start date of January 1, February 1, March 1 or April 1, and the pass will be valid for one year from the desired start date. Sailors (what Virgin calls their guests) must book between now and March 31, 2025.

First Mates (travel agents) who sell Annual Pass will earn a commission of $10,000.

Annual Pass is not combinable with other offers or Bar Tab. Sailors will also earn Deep Blue Extras upon booking.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, gave the following statement:

“I’ve always been a big believer in the power of travel and adventure to spark creativity and bring clarity. What started as a sought after ‘work from sea’ concept with our Season Pass has evolved into something even more special.

“Now, Sailors can jump aboard any of our ships, across an endless variety of exciting destinations for an entire year. We’re offering unlimited opportunities for adventure in a way that has never been done in cruising before.”

Celebrity Equinox just arrived at her new home in Florida.   The 2,850-passenger Solstice-class vessel was welcomed into Port Canaveral Tuesday morning, marking the first time Celebrity Cruises will homeport a ship from the area.

The move to homeport a ship in Port Canaveral was announced last August when the cruise line revealed the new location in order to reach more travelers who were both in-state and out-of-state.

“At Celebrity we are continually striving to elevate our guests’ holiday experience from start to finish, and are delighted to offer even more ways to relax, unwind and explore the Caribbean,” stated Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. “The addition of Port Canaveral offers guests the ultimate flexibility for their perfect Caribbean getaway.” 

Celebrity joins six other cruise lines that currently offer regular sailings from the port, including Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and a recent addition: Princess Cruises.

Caribbean Princess was just moved to the Florida port last week.

Celebrity Equinox arrived in Florida after a 12-day transatlantic cruise from Portugal. 

The 121,878 gross ton ship will begin its sailings out of Port Canaveral with a 4-day sailing to Bimini and Nassau in The Bahamas. 

After this debut sailing, Celebrity Equinox will offer 7-day sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas, including ports of call in Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Key West, and other destinations.

More than 15 ports of call are included on sailings with Equinox, including stops at the popular private island, Perfect Day at  CocoCay.

The ship will call Port Canaveral home through April of 2025.  The next assignment for the vessel will be in Europe. 

In May of 2025, Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to offer a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, and the ship will remain in the Mediterranean until December of 2025 when it will begin offering sailings to Antarctica from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Solstice-class ships have been a very popular class with the cruise line, and even after the more modern Edge-class ships were built, many Celebrity cruisers still gravitate to the classic ships.

Celebrity Equinox was the second of five Solstice-class vessels and was last renovated in 2019.  There are some reports of the ship heading to dry dock in April of 2025 after a season in the Caribbean, but nothing official has been announced yet.