Posts in category: Diplomacy

Margaritaville at Sea has announced plans to add two exclusive Bridge Wing Suites on the next ship that’s joining their fleet, Beachcomber.

The two suites, appropriately inspired by Captain and the Kid and Son of a Son of a Sailor, will be located on deck 9 above the bridge on each wing.

The only two of their kind at sea, the Bridge Wing Suites are the largest suites across all Margaritaville at Sea ships and are designed for guests seeking privacy and a more immersive connection to the voyage.

Guests staying in these suites will receive signature suite-level amenities that include expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces, oversized private terraces, dedicated concierge services, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and elevated in-suite finishes designed for relaxed, residential-style comfort at sea.

They will also enjoy a private tour of the ship’s bridge, offering a behind-the-scenes look at navigation and operations just steps from their accommodations.

Each suite also features outdoor dining, with breakfast and dinner served al fresco by a dedicated suite concierge, transforming the expansive terrace into a private retreat overlooking the open ocean.

Martha Brabham, Vice President of Design for Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line, said the following:

“These suites were designed to tell a story as much as offer a place to stay. From their elevated location above the bridge to design elements rooted in seafaring tales, every detail deepens the guest’s connection to life at sea. By offering only two Bridge Wing Suites, we’re creating an exclusive, distinctive experience within our portfolio.”

Beachcomber will sail from the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami, starting in 2027 and offer four- to eight-night cruises to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

The ship will be the third and largest vessel in Margaritaville at Sea’s fleet.

Celebrity River Cruises announced that they will be offering four curated categories of shore excursions when they start sailing on rivers in Europe in 2027.

These four categories of shore excursions will be available across all 2027-2028 river cruises. In addition, Celebrity will offer pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam.

Here is a look at the different type of shore excursions that will be offered on Celebrity River Cruises when they launch next year.

Storyteller Series

Guided by residents and cultural insiders, these included experiences showcase destinations through the eyes of the local community – think exploring Amsterdam’s hidden canals with a captain whose family has been cruising those waterways for decades or tracing Prague’s brewing history through historic and iconic taverns with a local brewer, and more.

Skillmaster Series

Included, hands-on experiences with local makers and artisans build connections to culture alongside the people who shape each destination. This includes cooking in a local Mamika’s (grandmother) kitchen in Budapest or learning Van Gogh’s techniques from a local artist in Amsterdam.

Keys to the City Series

A self-guided digital platform with interest-led route maps (art, food, history, architecture) will take guests to hidden spots where stationed local hosts await to unlock special access.

Celebrity Takeover Series

There will be one exclusive experience per sailing, a private transformation of a major European landmark or venue, available only to Celebrity guests. Each Celebrity Takeover Series indulgent bucket-list experience is designed to be the defining memory of a guest’s Celebrity River Cruises vacation.

Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays

Pre- and post-cruise stays will be available in Prague and Budapest starting in 2027 and will extend to Amsterdam in 2028. Each stay includes daily small-group tours with local hosts, premium hotel accommodations, dedicated concierge service for dining reservations and private experiences, daily breakfast, and airport transfers. 

Bookings for pre- and post-cruise stays will open for bookings this summer.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, said the following:

“On a Celebrity River Cruises vacation, no two days are the same because no two places are. We’ve built a destination program that connects guests to Europe more personally than anything the river cruise industry has offered before.

“With our groundbreaking destination discovery options, paired with thoughtfully crafted spaces onboard that inspire relaxation and connection, Celebrity River Cruises guests will return home with stories no one else can tell.”

Celebrity River Cruises will debut in August 2027 and the cruise line will have a total of five river ships in service by 2028.

Celebrity has ordered a total of 20 river ships that will sail on the most iconic rivers in Europe.

Two new cruise ships that debuted this past year made the 2026 TIME World’s Greatest Places list that highlights 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay.

MSC World America and Disney Destiny, both new cruise ships that sail from Florida, are two of the top 100 TIME World’s Greatest places this year.

MSC World America

MSC World America debuted in Miami in April 2025 and is the largest ship from MSC Cruises that is sailing from the U.S.

The ship offers of the following amenities for families:

• Indoor basketball court (MSC Sportplex)
• Bumper cars
• Family Adventura District
• MSC Luna Park Arena
• Water park
• Ropes course
• LEGO parade
• Two LEGO building rooms
• Awesome kids clubs (Doremiland)
• Several arcades
• Food options in World Galleria
• Indoor pool

The ship offers week long cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas with every cruise stopping at the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Disney Destiny

Disney Destiny debuted in November 2025 and is the newest Wish class ship from Disney Cruise Line. The ship features a Heroes vs. Villains theme with Disney’s most beloved characters.

New dining and entertainment on the ship include Pride Lands: Feast of the King and the show Hercules. The ship has spaces themed after The Sanctum in Dr. Strange, The Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The ship features one of the largest kid’s clubs at sea that is absolutely huge. It has separate Star Wars and Avengers rooms that transport you into the most popular movies of all time.

No Disney cruise is complete without Pirate Night and a fireworks show while at sea.

Disney Destiny offers shorter three- to five day cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The editors of TIME said the following about the 2026 list:

“Travel trends can shift quickly, of course, and global events can reshape itineraries. Yet the impulse to explore endures. At its best, travel is a bridge—an opportunity to encounter new cultures, welcome visitors, and discover how much the unfamiliar can feel surprisingly familiar/

“Each year, TIME solicits nominations of places—including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more—from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process, with an eye toward those offering new, exciting, and relevant experiences. The result: 100 extraordinary destinations to stay and to visit this year. “

Carnival Cruise Line has just scrapped about a month’s worth of short West Coast sailings for late 2026.

The cruise line reached out to impacted guests to let them know about these changes.  While it’s not uncommon for cruise lines to adjust itineraries or cancel cruises because of schedule changes, this notification caught some off guard as the cruises would have taken place in just seven months.

The Canceled Cruises

The cancelations impact future cruise passengers on Carnival Firenze and its 3- and 4-night Baja Mexico itineraries departing from Long Beach, California.

11 sailings scheduled between October 12 and November 16, 2026, have been removed from the schedule.

In an official advisory sent to guests, Colleen Oliverio, Vice President of Guest Services, stated:

“We have made some changes to the itinerary plans for Carnival Firenze and, unfortunately, your cruise has been cancelled.”

While the notice doesn’t provide a technical reason, some cruisers noticed that the timing is around the ship’s upcoming repositioning.

In early 2027, the Firenze is scheduled for a cruise around South America to begin new seasons in Miami and New York City. These cancelations might prove to provide a little window for maintenance or dry dock refurbishments before that move.

But then again, we don’t know for sure.

Impacted Dates

The canceled departures all fall on Mondays and Fridays:

• October 2026: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
• November 2026: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16

Your Options as a Passenger

If your booking is affected, you have until March 25, 2026, to choose between rebooking or receiving a refund.

Option 1: Rebooking with Some Perks

Carnival is encouraging travelers to sail on another ship in the fleet, saying in the letter that their “team is ready to discuss options and rebook you on another voyage right away.”

If you choose a comparable sailing on other Long Beach-based ships, like Carnival Radiance, Panorama, or Legend:

• Price Protection: Your original cruise rate will be protected in similar accommodations.
• Onboard Credit: Carnival is offering an incentive of “US$50.00, per person (maximum of US$100.00, per stateroom)“ as a credit to your Sail & Sign account.

Option 2: Full Refund

If you prefer not to reschedule, the letter clarifies that “no action is required on your part.”

A full refund of the cruise fare and any pre-purchased items (like drink packages or excursions) will be issued to your original form of payment after March 25, 2026.

This applies to fares with non-refundable deposits as well.

Bottom Line

If you do plan to rebook and take option 1, I highly recommend you grab that new sailing right away.  There are thousands of impacted guests who will be doing the same thing so those “ideal” cabins might fill up pretty quickly.

Royal Caribbean is bringing America’s Got Talent LIVE to their next new cruise ship that will debut this summer, Legend of the Seas.

America’s Got Talent LIVE is coming to sea for the first time ever and will be a reimagined extensions of the hit global variety show.

America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas will amplify what has made the Got Talent franchise a global cultural phenomenon. Legend’s Royal Theater will showcase a dynamic lineup of unique acts featuring performers from the Got Talent universe, from magicians and musicians to acrobats, aerialists and more.

This newest addition to Legend of the Seas will compliment an incredible entertainment lineup that will include Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, the AquaTheater, and Absolute Zero.

The AquaTheater will feature deck-defying high divers, aerialists, robots and dancers. Absolute Zero will be the largest ice arena at sea and feature show-stopping performances.

Christine Coachman, vice president of entertainment, Royal Caribbean, gave the following statement about this new addition:

“At Royal Caribbean, we are constantly redefining live entertainment at every turn—bringing jaw-dropping performances to life across stage, air, water, and ice—and America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas is the perfect expression of that vision.

“As one of the most acclaimed entertainment franchises on television, America’s Got Talent perfectly reflects our commitment to bold, world-class experiences that will truly wow our audiences on Legend.”

Erica Gadecki, Executive Vice President of Partnership Solutions, Fremantle, added:

“We’re thrilled to bring Got Talent to an all-new at sea experience as we set sail for the first time with Royal Caribbean. We can’t wait to showcase incredible acts from around the world on a brand-new stage onboard, creating an unforgettable experience for fans.”

Legend of the Seas will debut on July 4, 2026 and start off by sailing seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. In the fall, the cruise ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and offer six- and eight-night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean.

Every cruise on the ship out of Florida will visit Royal Caribbean’s award winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

A cruise line has announced visits to over 60 new ports in 2026, 2027 and 2028 thanks to their smaller ships that can visit almost anywhere in the world.

SeaDream Yacht Club will visit 60+ new ports over the next couple years on their two ships, SeaDream I and SeaDream II.

New for this year, SeaDream will visit Primosten, Croatia; Syvota, Greece; Galaxidi, Greece; Tinos, Greece; and Setúbal, Portugal. The cruise line will also return to Fajardo Bay, Puerto Rico for the first time in 10 years.

In 2027, SeaDream will visit 27 new ports across Northern Europe, the British Isles and the Mediterranean. This expansion triples the number of voyages compared with 2026 and demonstrates the company’s ambition to explore new frontiers.

Port highlights of these cruises that visit everywhere from Portuguese fishing villages to the Fresh Riviera include:

• Arendal & Brønnøysund, Norway
• Caen‑Ouistreham, Franc
• Capraia, Italy
• Castellon & Ceuta, Spain
• Fair Isle & Stromness, Scotland
• Kinsale & Youghal, Ireland
• Lagos, Portugal
• Vágur, Faroe Islands

Other new ports include Dartmouth and Poole in England; Dundee, Montrose and Oban in Scotland; Skudeneshavn in Norway; Porto Montenegro; and Saint‑Raphaël on the French Riviera.

Many itineraries also incorporate new turnaround ports at Leith (Edinburgh) and Portsmouth, extending the cruise line’s reach into the British Isles. Guests can expect itineraries such as Oslo‑to‑Edinburgh, Glasgow‑to‑Dublin, and Valletta‑to‑Rome (for the 2027 solar eclipse).

For 2028, the cruise line will visit 28 maiden ports across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean. The season emphasizes intimate access to towns that larger cruise ships skip.

Signature new destinations include:

• Portonovi, Montenegro
• Visby & Fjällbacka, Sweden
• Port St. Charles, Barbados & St. Pierre, Martinique
• Bol (Brač), Croatia & Carloforte (Isola di San Pietro), Italy

These new ports are in addition to extended stays in Portofino, Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast and Norway’s fjords. Together, they offer guests the chance to explore Europe and the Caribbean in a way that larger luxury cruise lines simply cannot.

Andreas Brynestad, President and CEO of SeaDream Yacht Club, said the following:

“Our guests crave authenticity and freedom—to discover places that are difficult to reach on their own, linger longer in small harbors, and truly feel at home on a private yacht. With our 2026 season now underway and the 2027–2028 itineraries adding dozens of maiden calls, we’re inviting travelers to explore more of the world with SeaDream.”

The busiest cruise port in 2025 is getting ready for even more cruise passengers in 2026, and a new update for a parking garage that can hold 3,732 cars is getting a lot of attention.

Port Canaveral is already very accessible for cruisers looking to drive to the port and park during their vacation.  I’ve done this drive a few times myself and always found it to be a seamless experience.

Now the port is getting ready for a new phase for its massive parking garage.

This week, Port Canaveral officials confirmed that the Cruise Terminal 6 East garage has officially entered its vertical construction phase with placement of a massive 36-ton concrete wall section.

If You Build It They Will Cruise

The truth is that the parking garage is being built because so many cruisers are already sailing out of Port Canaveral.   So, the “Field of Dreams” adage doesn’t exactly fit here.

But now with easier accessibility to the port, it makes the decision to drive over flying a larger consideration.

The new facility is a direct response to Port Canaveral’s record-breaking growth. In the 2025 fiscal year, the port reclaimed its title as the world’s busiest cruise port, handling over 8.6 million passengers.

Did you know that about 80% of these travelers drive to the port?  That’s a pretty large percentage, so parking has become a major bottleneck on some cruise days.

This new 13-story parking garage is designed to help that congestion, specifically serving passengers for major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise line.

Project Fast Facts

• Capacity: 3,732 parking spaces.
• Cost: $93 million.
• Total Port Capacity: Once finished, the port will offer nearly 17,500 total spaces in total.
• Timeline: Scheduled to open in Fall 2026, just in time for the winter high season.

Building While Sailing

No one wants to miss out on a cruise because of a parking garage being built, so to avoid any delays or cancelations of cruises, contractors are using a “building while sailing” approach.

The news today is that a huge wall section has been put into place.  Crews can advance the 13-story build level-by-level without suspending cruise schedules.

Besides just adding spots, the garage will feature modern tech like automated, cashless entry lanes and dedicated zones for rideshare services to help keep traffic moving on the surrounding Florida roads.

“Port Canaveral is not only the world’s busiest cruise port, but also one of the nation’s most convenient and easily accessible. Our focus on customers is essential to delivering a high-quality guest experience,” said Captain John W. Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “This new parking garage is an investment in our commitment to making Port Canaveral the best it can be for our valued cruise partners and their guests.”