Diplomacy

Carnival Destiny was the first cruise ship to ever be larger than 100,000 gross tons when it debuted 30 years ago. Carnival Cruise Line is bringing back the name and will call their first Ace class ship Carnival Destiny. The ship will debut in the summer of 2029.

Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the first piece of steel being cut today for Carnival Destiny at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The event revealed the ship’s name and a 3D hologram offering the first look at the future of Carnival cruising.

Carnival Destiny will be the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, and the cruise line previously stated that it would be in the vicinity of 230,000 gross tons in size. The ship will be the most outward-facing megaship at sea and will have over 4.5 acres of glass. Guests will have more views than ever of the ocean as they look through multi-story glass walls.

The ship will have an unprecedented number of oceanview balcony cabins and a reimagined lanai deck.

Over 70% of the venues and attractions on Carnival Destiny will be brand new for Carnival Cruise Line. Dining will be reimagined, and the ship will have next-generation bars and lounges, vibrant outdoor spaces, and immersive entertainment.

While Carnival has not yet given the homeport for Carnival Destiny, they did say that the ship will visit destinations that are part of the Paradise Collection from Carnival. They include ports in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement about this new ship:

“Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea. With this ship, we’re elevating the guest experience again creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun.”

Carnival Cruise Line said that they will give more details on this new ship, including features and experiences that will be offered on board, later this year.

Carnival Destiny will be the first of three Ace class cruise ships from Carnival. A second ship will debut in 2031 and a third one two years after that.

Costa Maya is a cruise port with a lot to offer right within the port area, including a huge pool, shops all over the place, and even some friendly flamingoes to check out.

Outside of the port area, a lot of passengers love walking down to the malecon in Mahahual, grabbing a quick beach chair, and enjoying a few cheap tacos and cold beverages.

But just because you’re on a cruise vacation doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when it comes to getting out your wallet.

A recent warning from a Royal Caribbean cruiser on Radiance of the Seas is now serving as a reminder to look out for scams, even when they appear so innocent.

The passenger recently took to Reddit to share an experience that ended up costing over $500.

It all started after an afternoon at the popular Krazy Lobster beach spot in Mahahual. On the walk back toward the taxi stand, a local shop owner recognized the couple from earlier in the day and invited them inside his new, air-conditioned gift shop.

Inside, the family-run store looked totally normal, filled with the usual silver jewelry, local souvenirs, and pharmacy items you see all over Mexico.

The passenger’s girlfriend picked out a bracelet, and they agreed on a fair cash price of $25. But right as the cash came out, the shop owner threw a curveball and asked for a personal favor.

“As I got the cash out to pay the owner asked if I could please do them a huge favor to help them out since they are a new store trying to establish credit transaction clout with their bank would I please use my CC,” the post read.

Cash or Credit

He politely asked if they would mind paying with a credit card instead of cash just to help the family business out.

Even though the passenger felt a little uneasy about it, he said that he “agreed because they were friendly and seemed reputable.”

But the card reader showed the transaction was denied.

Back to plan A. Since the card transaction failed, the couple paid the $25 in cash like originally planned, took the bracelet, and headed back to their cruise ship.

The next day, “something still did not feel right”.

Double Charge

When the passenger opened up their mobile banking app to check the account, he saw that the shop owner had actually processed a charge for $511.87.

So, what looked like a simple system error was more than likely a deliberate scam operation.

As the passenger later recalled, “They had multiple card reader machines. Should have been my first clue but I was a little out of it that day.”

The merchant inputs a high amount, tells the customer the transaction failed, and then collects the cash anyway.

Cruisers on the thread discussed the incident online and commenter said, “Rule of thumb: if anyone is pushy to do something a certain way, it’s likely for ill intentions.”

Fortunately, because a credit card was used rather than a debit card, the passenger was able to immediately file a fraud report with their bank to dispute the charge.

How to Protect Yourself in Port

The story got a lot of comments relatively quickly. Other cruisers shared their own rules for handling independent shops when in port.

One traveler gave advice that I usually recommend myself. And that is just to use cash for everything if possible. Credit cards are much more convenient, but they can also be convenient for con artists.

There are a few other reasons to bring cash on a cruise, that I wrote about recently. I also talked about how much I like to bring on each sailing.

If you do choose to shop in port, keep these major rules in mind:

• Never do a favor for a merchant. You are a customer, not a business consultant. If a shop owner asks you to use a specific payment method to help their credit, build history, or avoid taxes, stick to your boundaries or walk out.
• Verify the currency terminal. Scammers frequently count on tourists not paying attention to whether the total on the screen is in US Dollars or Mexican Pesos.
• Always request a declined receipt. If a machine says a transaction failed, do not just take their word for it. Demand a physical printed slip that explicitly states the transaction was canceled or declined before you hand over cash.
• Leave the debit card on the ship. If this happens on a debit card, that money is instantly gone from your checking account while the bank spends weeks investigating. Credit cards offer immediate consumer protection for fraud.

As a traveler in a foreign port, scammers often rely on your ignorance of the area and how things are done. So be aware. And if it smells fishy, trust your gut.

Cruise Fever recently wrote about travel scams we’ve encountered and what you can do about them. It’s always good to brush up on recent scams just so you know what to look out for.

Costa Maya is still a great stop with incredible Mayan ruins and beautiful beach clubs, but a few bad actors can ruin the experience.

Keep your wits about you, stick to cash for small purchases, and remember that if a transaction feels weird, it probably is.

But we all make mistakes. As the passenger in this story stated, “Not one of my shining moments.”

Believe it or not, some cruisers will go on a 7-day sailing and never once darken the door of the main dining room. But that’s the cool thing about cruising; you can do it however you’d like. 

But for those who want a more organized and “formalish” dining option that’s already included in the cruise fare, these MDR tips can help avoid some issues.

When you’re on a cruise you have a few options to consider when it comes to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some people don’t realize that dinner is not the only meal you can eat in the main dining room.

You can eat lunch or breakfast in the main dining room (usually). It just takes longer to eat since it is a more formal or semi-formal setting, so many people just opt for the buffet, quick-service spots, or room service for a quick bite to eat before they hit the pool, fitness center, or excursions.

Here are a few updated tips for eating in the main dining room on a modern cruise ship:

1. Always go to the main dining room at least the first night

I know some people that have gone on cruises but never ate one time in the main dining room. Not only is the food usually much better in the main dining room, but the service is excellent as well.

Check it out the first night to see if you like it. It’s better than waiting until the last day and regretting not going sooner. If you want a more laid-back atmosphere, you always have the buffet, grills, or other casual spots, but most cruise lines take great pride in the quality of their main dining rooms.

2. Know the rules for ordering multiple entrees

Ordering food on a cruise ship used to be a completely unlimited, boundary-free experience. While you can still order multiple appetizers and desserts without issue on most lines, the days of ordering three or four lobster tails or steaks for free are largely gone. Major cruise lines now implement a cap, which is typically allowing two complimentary entrees per person, with a nominal fee (anywhere around $5 to $20 depending on the item) for each additional entree.

Read the menu carefully or ask your server so you aren’t surprised by the bill and remember to only order what you can actually finish to help reduce food waste.

3. Master the flexible “Anytime Dining” system

Traditional fixed dining (early or late seating) is no longer your only option. Most modern ships place a massive emphasis on flexible dining, known varyingly as “My Time Dining,” “Your Time Dining,” or “Anytime Dining.”

This allows you to show up whenever you are hungry during dining hours. However, going flexible means you need to strategize. Peak dinner hours (6:30 PM to 8:00 PM) can bring long wait times. If you choose flexible dining, utilize your cruise line’s app to join a virtual queue before walking over, or make reservations days in advance.

4. Dress codes are casual, but follow the line’s vibe

The era of mandatory tuxedos and floor-length ballgowns on mainstream cruise lines is mostly in the past. Today, terms like “Evening Chic,” “Dressy Casual,” or “Cruise Elegant” have replaced the strict “Formal Night.” While many passengers still love to dress up for photos, nice jeans and a collared shirt or a sundress are perfectly acceptable on most mass-market ships. A few cruise lines have abandoned dress codes altogether. Check your specific cruise line’s app before packing so you know exactly what to expect.

5. Let the smartphone app dictate your dining flow

Virtually every element of modern cruise dining is managed from your phone. Download the cruise line’s app before you even leave home. Once on board, you will use it to view menus, check wait times, join virtual lines for open seating, and manage reservations. Also, make sure to input any food allergies or specific dietary needs (like vegan, gluten-free, or halal preferences) into your guest profile via the app well before your sail date so the galley kitchen can prepare.

6. Pace yourself or keep to that diet

It’s easy to gain weight on a cruise, but you don’t have to eat everything in sight. Pick your favorites and leave the rest. Most ships now offer lighter spa or wellness options, robust vegan and vegetarian sections, and clear allergen labeling on their menus. If you see something you want to try but don’t want a massive portion, you can often ask your server for a half-portion or appetizer-sized serving of certain dishes.

7. Get to know your wait staff

These are some of the nicest and hardest-working people you will meet. If you choose traditional fixed dining, you will have the same crew every night, and they will quickly memorize your preferences, from your favorite drink to how you like your steak cooked. Gratuities are usually added automatically to your onboard account these days, but extra cash recognition for outstanding service at the end of the week is a meaningful way to thank them.

8. Request a table for two well in advance

Tables for two are limited because ships try to maximize space by seating larger groups together. If you are on your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want privacy with your partner, request a private table during the booking process or via the app as early as possible. If you wait until you board, these smaller tables are often already completely spoken for.

9. You can switch tables if there is a problem

Many people don’t realize they can request a different table or a different dining time if their initial assignment doesn’t work. If you are assigned to a large, shared table and find that you aren’t comfortable with your tablemates, or if the physical location of the table is too noisy, speak to the Maitre d’ as early as possible on the first night.

Most dining teams are incredibly accommodating and will do everything they can to move you to a better spot for the remainder of your sailing.

MSC Cruises just found a way to get guests onto their cruise ship even faster when they arrive at the port. In fact, with their new system rolling out in the Port of Seattle, passengers will be able to go directly to boarding, skipping the usual port lines.

There are two things to note, though: this is only being offered in Seattle right now, and it’s only for guests who booked an airport transfer through MSC.

Cruise lines have been speeding up the embarkation process at lightning-fast speeds over the last few years. It wasn’t that long ago that you could expect to spend a good hour or two in the port, waiting for your grouping to get called.

That’s all changed. It’s changed so much that I often wonder why new cruise terminals are so beautiful and fancy since you just seem to breeze right through them.

Now, MSC Cruises is introducing an airport check-in system that allows guests to bypass the cruise terminal line entirely.

How It Works

So, it’s not like the check-in process is being removed from the equation. It’s just being done a bit earlier in the process.

After you complete your initial check-in steps at home using the MSC for Me app to get your digital boarding pass, the rest of the setup happens when you land.

Instead of waiting until you get to the pier to verify your documents and handle final cruise formalities, you take care of all of it right at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

MSC sets up a station at the airport where you complete your full embarkation procedures before you ever step foot on the transfer bus.

Once your documents are stamped and cleared, you hop on the official MSC shuttle to Pier 91.

Because you did the heavy lifting at the airport, your arrival at the terminal is a completely different experience. You walk right past the main check-in counters, head straight through the mandatory security screening, and walk right onto the ship.

A Win for Alaska Cruisers

This new system timed out perfectly with MSC Poesia’s Alaska season. If you have ever sailed out of Seattle during the peak summer months, you know the terminal can get pretty crowded with thousands of people trying to process through the lines at the exact same time.

Moving that administrative bottleneck to the airport should help a lot with terminal traffic.

Right now, the only catch is that you have to be on that official MSC airport transfer to get this perk.

It does not matter if you booked your flights through MSC or handled them independently on your own, but the transfer ticket itself is the ticket to skipping the terminal line.

Future Plans (Hopefully Coming to a Port Near You)

If you aren’t flying into Sea-Tac or prefer taking an Uber, don’t write this off just yet. MSC has said that this Seattle airport launch is just phase one.

They plan to eventually extend the remote check-in process to general airport arrivals, local hotel departures, and other key starting locations.

Even better, they plan to gradually roll this out to other major cruise ports down the road.

If you have an upcoming Alaska sailing booked on MSC Poesia or any future MSC departures out of Seattle, it might be worth logging into your cruise planner.

Checking the price to add that official airport transfer could save you time, or at the very least get you onto the ship almost as soon as you get to the cruise port.

One of Norwegian Cruise Line’s fan-favorite ships is saying goodbye this year, but the vessel’s last itinerary was just dramatically changed because of what’s going on in the Middle East.

Norwegian Sky’s farewell cruise is set to depart Greece on September 9, 2026.  But the 1,944-passenger ship will no longer end it’s sailing in Dubai. 

And it will no longer be a 21-day sailing.

When I wrote about the ship saying goodbye in September this year, I mentioned that a lot of would-be passengers were feeling pretty uneasy about the planned transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

Well, things haven’t exactly calmed down in the region as much as we hoped and NCL decided it wasn’t worth the risk, especially since that final cruise is only a couple months out.

In a statement sent out to booked guests, Norwegian announced that the repositioning voyage will now head to a completely different destination in the Middle East, wrapping up with an overnight call in Muscat, Oman.

Statement from Norwegian Cruise Line

“While the voyage is still several months away, we believe a proactive approach is appropriate given the evolving conditions in the Middle East,” the company stated.

“As such, we are revising the voyage accordingly, and we will continue to monitor the situation for the safety and security of all onboard.”

Because of the change, the ship is dropping three whole days, turning the trip into an 18-night itinerary instead of the original 21.

Along with missing out on Dubai, passengers will also bypass planned stops in Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The good news is that the new route completely eliminates the transit through the Strait of Hormuz, where military conflicts caused major disruptions earlier this year.

Guests will still get to experience bucket-list transits through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, alongside scheduled visits to spots across Greece, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, including Rhodes, Alexandria, Port Sokhna, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Jeddah, and Aqaba.

How NCL is Making it Right for Passengers

Trimming a dream cruise by three days is a major disappointment, but Norwegian is doing its best to compensate booked guests for the disruption:

• 15% Cruise Fare Refund: All passengers will receive a refund equal to 15 percent of their original paid cruise fare.
• 15% Future Cruise Credit: NCL is throwing in a 15 percent discount in the form of an FCC, valid for any published sailing through December 31, 2027.
• Air and Transfer Adjustments: If you booked flights or transfers through NCL, they’ll handle the changes automatically. If you booked independently, NCL will cover up to $300 per person for airline change or cancellation fees not covered by travel insurance.
• Full Refunds Available: If the new itinerary doesn’t cut it for you, you can cancel your booking for a full refund with zero penalties.

Prepaid packages for drinks and internet will be adjusted to match the shorter timeline, and any shore excursions for dropped ports will go right back to the original form of payment.

It’s a bittersweet turn of events for a ship that holds such a special place in the hearts of so many Cruise Fever readers.

While it’s not the exact grand finale NCL originally planned, keeping the crew and passengers safe is always the right call.

The good news for fans of this classic ship is that she isn’t heading to the scrapyard. Once she wraps up this final voyage and officially leaves the NCL fleet, she will be handed over to Cordelia Cruises.

If you aren’t familiar with them, Cordelia is India’s leading domestic cruise line. They specialize in premium, family-friendly sailings out of major Indian ports like Mumbai and Goa.

The ship is set to get a brand-new name and a fresh lease on life, sailing regional itineraries starting in late September or October. She may be leaving the Norwegian family, but her story is far from over.

Celebrity Cruises has announced that they will be adding 13 new experiences to Celebrity Reflection during a radical makeover of the cruise ship.

Celebrity Cruises is adding many of the popular Edge Series features to Celebrity Reflection and two new concepts, Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol.

Celebrity Reflection sails year-round to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on cruises that range from three- to eight-nights in length.

Outdoor Venues

The ship’s outdoor deck will be redesigned with a modern tropical atmosphere. It will have two dedicated bars, expanded seating, plush daybeds, and added shade, plus daily activities and poolside events.

Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol will be two new poolside dining experiences. The first will feature smashburgers and other grilled favorites alongside frozen cocktails. Tacos del Sol will be a casual, open-air concept centered around bold, Mexican-inspired flavors.

The reimagined Sunset Park transforms the ship’s top deck into a park-like outdoor space designed for relaxation. New private cabanas offer shaded areas, and the Sunset Park Cafe will serve casual bistro-style dining for breakfast and lunch.

New Spaces for Entertainment

Celebrity Reflection will have four new spaces for entertainment, including the Grand Plaza, a three-story Edge Series-style venue. A new, centrally located Martini Bar will feature a giant suspended chandelier and have live music during the day and night.

The 125-seat Boulevard Lounge will have all-day entertainment anchored by dueling pianos.

The Parlor will be an elevated sports and gaming lounge that features hundreds of classic board games, billiards, and darts.

Dining

New dining being added to Celebrity Reflection includes Trattoria Rossa, Fine Cut Steakhouse, and Bora.

Trattoria Rossa is an Italian restaurant that debuted earlier this year on Celebrity Solstice. It will serve classic meat dishes and pastas made in-house daily.

The top-rated Fine Cut Steakhouse will also be added to the ship. It will feature 30-day dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and the elevated service.

Bora, offering panoramic ocean views, will be a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop concept. The venue will shift from day to night and feature a lively brunch and chef-led tableside dishes and shareable plates.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, gave the following statement:

“Celebrity Cruises is constantly dreaming up ways to innovate and elevate what we deliver for our guests, which is what makes this fleet modernization program so much more than a refresh. With Celebrity Reflection, we’re evolving the guest experience in meaningful ways – introducing 13 new spaces designed to help guests relax, explore, and connect in ways that feel effortless and unforgettable.”

If you’re thinking about booking a Disney Cruise or need to make changes to an existing reservation, you should definitely pay attention to recent announcement from the cruise line.

Disney Cruise Line just announced a full 24-hour maintenance window for their reservation system. This means the entire booking system will go dark.

No booking, checking in, no reviewing current reservations.

It starts tomorrow, Thursday, July 9 at 4:00 AM Eastern and runs until 4:00 AM Eastern on Friday, July 10.

No need to panic though. Disney has been pretty clear about this on their site. It’s a planned upgrade, not some surprise outage.

They’ve done these before, and things usually come back online as scheduled.

What Is Unavailable During the Outage

According to Disney’s official notice, a wide range of services will be completely dark during the maintenance window:

“During this time, Guests will not be able to make or access a reservation online or through our Contact Center. Online Check-in, Cruise Activity and Port Adventure bookings will also be unavailable.”

Because the Contact Center is included in the downtime, phone support for reservations will also likely be limited.

New Payment Deadline Extension

If your final payment or deposit is due during the downtime, Disney is giving everyone a grace period.

The announcement stated that:

“Guests with deposits or final payments due during this period will have until Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:00 PM (EDT) to make their payment.”

That’s a helpful extension so no one loses their booking due to the tech updates.

We’ve sailed with Disney multiple times over the years, and their booking system (just like the cruising experience on board) is usually super smooth.

The good thing is they give advance notice, so people aren’t caught off guard.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you have something time-sensitive, try to handle it today.

If you’re working with a travel advisor, give them a heads up. A lot of agents can still work behind the scenes on some things even when the public site is down, but I wouldn’t rely on this.

Once everything is back up on Friday morning, Disney said they “look forward to assisting you with your cruise vacation planning once our systems return.” From there, it should be business as usual.

This kind of thing doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s smart to plan around it. We’ll keep an eye on things and let you know if anything changes.

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched their first-ever Semi-Annual Sale that not only has cruises 50% off but also extra perks that include free pre-paid gratuities on select sailings.

Norwegian Latitudes members, those who have taken a cruise with Norwegian, receive early access to the sale today and tomorrow. On July 10, 2026, the Semi-Annual Sale opens up to the general public and runs through July 16.

What’s included in NCL’s Semi-Annual Sale? All cruises are discounted by 50%, and guests staying in a balcony or higher receive free pre-paid gratuities on select sailings.

The sale is combinable with the cruise line’s Free at Sea package that includes unlimited drinks, WiFi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credits. You can view the best prices on Norwegian cruises here.

All Norwegian cruise ships are included in this sale, even the cruise line’s next new ship that will sail from Miami, Norwegian Aura. The ship will sail seven-night cruises to the Caribbean starting in June 2027.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, gave the following statement about this new sale:

“Our first-ever Semi-Annual Sale is the best deal of the season, giving our guests even more reason to book their next vacation with us. Combining incredible destinations, award-winning onboard offerings and the freedom and flexibility for our guests to design their dream vacation is what NCL stands for – and there is no better time to book and experience all that we have to offer.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new waterpark, Great Tides Waterpark, will open on their private island in The Bahamas on September 4, 2026. The waterpark will span six acres and features 19 waterslides.

It will also have a 9,000 square-foot splash zone for kids and an 800-foot long lazy river.

For complete terms and details of Norwegian Cruise Line’s first-ever Semi-Annual Sale, visit NCL.com or contact your preferred travel professional.