Diplomacy

While some shudder at the thought of even leaving the house without a phone full of apps for every whim and fancy, one cruiser decided to try taking a cruise without using the cruise line’s app.

Every major cruise line has an app. Who doesn’t nowadays? And it’s typically recommended that you download the app before the cruise.

The app will allow you to do everything from booking a reservation to seeing what’s happening all around the ship, on top of a hundred other things.

But in an age where technology and screens rule our every waking minute, some travelers prefer to truly get away from it all when on vacation. There’s a growing trend of desiring to set sail on a cruise without having to rely on a smartphone to have a good experience.

But is it possible? Can you even function on a ship without using the ship’s app? One cruiser decided to try it out.

They then shared expected and unexpected issues that came up on the 5-night sailing.

Health Questionnaire

For many, the app is needed even weeks before boarding with digital check-ins and health questionnaires.

One Redditor decided to bypass the phone entirely when sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Enchantment of the Seas.

By using a desktop computer to check in and printing out physical luggage tags and boarding passes, they said the process was a “total non-issue” in the social media post.

Even the mandatory health questionnaire, which many assume is tied to the app, was a breeze.

“The questionnaire took maybe 10 seconds with our check-in attendant,” the cruiser noted.

Interestingly, they observed that even those who completed it on the app were often asked the same questions by staff anyway, making the app on this point somewhat redundant.

The Return of the Paper Compass

Many cruise lines have discontinued the use of those paper daily schedules and refer passengers to their app.  But you can still request them from guest services.

This cruiser relied on the paper version of Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Compass to see what was going on.

The Reddit user said that the physical copy actually enhanced their vacation vibe.

“It became a cute little routine,” they shared. “We would pick up a paper copy at guest services while we grabbed coffee, go to breakfast together, and each use colored pens to star the activities we wanted to do.”

And apparently, this traveler was not alone in this thought.  A few other comments to the post stated that they agreed that the paper version is often more useful.

 Another traveler pointed out that when walking around the ship, they didn’t “have to worry about damage or loss like I would with a phone/wallet.”

Reservations

When it came to managing daily things like dining and spending, the digital “requirement” proved to be more of a suggestion.

“We just visited the host stand if we needed to make a change or request something,” the cruise passenger explained, stating that they never encountered a problem with manual reservations.

Muster Drill

The user forgot to bring this up in the original post but responded to a question about it in the comments.  For digital muster drills the crew member at your muster station just scans your phone and you’re pretty much good to go.

In this case, the Redditor said that they “chatted with the onboard person at our station and watched the briefing on the TV in the room. Pretty easy.”

Navigating a Few Issues

Of course, going low-tech isn’t without its “kerfuffles” as the passenger stated.  The primary issue for this cruiser was internet access. While you don’t technically need the app to use the ship’s Wi-Fi, the initial setup can be tricky.

In this case, the cruiser relied on a friend’s app to access a pin code for the connection.  So, this wasn’t entirely app-free from that standpoint.

When asked why the user even used the internet if they wanted to disconnect, they responded that the roommate purchased it and offered to add it to the other phone as a secondary device.

Why Bother?

Some comments pointed out a problem with the attempt to avoid use of the app.

One stated that ignoring the app is simply “making your life and vacation more difficult.” Others pointed out that the app is the first place to see real-time schedule changes or cancelations.

However, the app-free traveler explained that the goal wasn’t just convenience.  It was really all about a mental break.

“In my normal life I use my smartphone a lot… I wanted to leave my phone in my room most of the time, have a more low-tech experience.”

So, Is the App Really Necessary?

The consensus from this 5-night experiment on Enchantment of the Seas?

Sure, you can absolutely function without the app, provided you’re willing do a few other things manually or in person.

While some users called the experiment “ridiculous,” others found it refreshing: “I haven’t sailed in many years and have been wondering how much I can get away with just leaving my phone in the room,” one user stated.

The choice to disconnect still exists.  It just requires more work.

Bottom Line

The Reddit post racked up over 60 comments and there was quite a bit of pushback from regular cruisers who said the app was more about convenience and that it didn’t make sense to avoid it altogether.

One comment even stated, “Um… okay. Cool. I see you like making things hard on yourself for no reason. Not really something I’d brag about but you do you, boo.”

Cruise lines really are trying to make your vacation a better and more relaxing experience, and for some, the app is the only way to go.

But the cruiser pointed out a great thought in a comment that I wanted to reiterate here:

“For some people, that [cruising without the app] may be more stressful. That’s okay! Everyone vacations differently!”

That’s what I love about cruising the most.  Everyone on board can have a unique experience and yet still have an amazing vacation.

A cruise line is switching to a new pricing structure for U.S. cruisers that will take effect on March 9, 2026.

Scenic Group, owner of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours, is introducing a simplified four-tier fare structure that they say will bring transparency, flexibility and strategic value.

The four fare options will be Full Fare, Select Fare, Preferred Fare, and Preferred+ Fare. Here is a look at each of these fares that will start on March 9, 2026.

Full Fare

Full fare is designed for cruisers who value flexibility. This fare will also be available and includes stand brand inclusions and standard payment timelines.

Select Fare

The Select Fare incentivizes early planning and will be available up until 120 days prior to departure. It will include standard brand inclusions and up to a 15% savings on cruises. It will also have an adjusted payment timeline.

Preferred Fare

Like Select Fare, Preferred Fare will also only be available up until 120 days prior to departure. This fare emphasizes enhanced value and includes everything that Select Fare also but will many extras.

The extras include free or reduced airfare for river cruises, air credit to book air through Scenic Group for yacht sailings, and an accelerated payment timeline.

Preferred+ Fare

Scenic’s new Preferred+ Fare offers the greatest value out of all four tiers. It includes everything that the Preferred Fare offers plus an additional $500 in savings.

Full payment is due at booking and this non-refundable fare is available up until 120 days prior to departure.

The cruise line said that this updated U.S. pricing model allows them to simplify promotional messaging around extensions and add-ons and focus on value perception and generous inclusions.  

Ken Muskat, President, Scenic Group USA & LATAM, gave the following statement:

“This pricing evolution reflects the next chapter of Scenic Group’s growth in the United States. We are strengthening clarity in our pricing while maintaining the generous inclusions and elevated experiences that define our brands.

“This structure gives our travel advisor partners greater confidence and provides our guests with transparent, flexible options tailored to their travel planning style.”

Royal Caribbean was the big winner in this year’s 2026 Member Choice Awards by Cruiseline.com, the 11th year the awards have been recognized.

Cruiseline.com has the world’s largest database of verified cruise reviews. Since their parent company, World Travel Holdings, owns several of the largest online travel agencies, their reviews are by community members who they know have sailed on the ship they are reviewing.

Royal Caribbean was the big winner this year by being named the Best Mainstream Cruise Line, Best Cruise Line for Service, and the Best Cruise Line for Activities and Entertainment.

In addition, the top seven, and eight out of 10, Best Overall Cruise Ships were all from Royal Caribbean. They were:

1. Utopia of the Seas
2. Wonder of the Seas
3. Star of the Seas
4. Oasis of the Seas
5. Mariner of the Seas
6. Symphony of the Seas
7. Icon of the Seas

Star of the Seas was named the Best New Cruise Ship of 2026 with Utopia of the Seas being named Best Cruise Ship for Food and Dining, Best Cruise Ship for Staterooms, and Best Cruise Ship for Service. Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, earned the title of Best Cruise Ship for Activities and Entertainment.

Recognition is based on reviews submitted to Cruiseline.com by community members who sailed and reviewed cruises between January and December 2025.

These honors provide valuable insights into the performance of cruise lines and ships, while also recognizing the contributions of community members who shared their reviews over the past year.

Cruiseline.com’s verified reviews are genuine reviews by real people. They cover every aspect of the cruise from dining to ports to entertainment.

It is done through a partnership with major cruise agencies. Cruiseline.com then gathers the real reviews from actual cruisers who have sailed on the ships they are reviewing, and uses the data to determine the best cruise lines and ships of the year.

Jamie Cash, Chief Operating Officer of Cruiseline.com, gave the following statement about these awards:

“We congratulate all the cruise lines, ships, and ports recognized in the 2026 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards. These awards would not be possible without the support of our community members who took the time to share their cruise experiences and insights with us over the past year.

“A special congratulations to Royal Caribbean, Viking Ocean Cruises, Crystal, and AmaWaterways for their remarkable performance in this year’s rankings, as well as to the other top cruise lines, ships, and destinations for earning exceptional recognitions from our members.”

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Luna, the cruise line’s second Prima Plus class ship, officially entered their fleet earlier today.

Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of Norwegian Luna at the Marghera Shipyard of Fincantieri. The ship is the 21st in NCL’s fleet and comes in at 156,000 gross tons in size.

The 3,565 passenger cruise ship has 1,809 cabins, 17 dining options, and 18 bars and lounges.

The ship is designed for both families and travelers looking for elevated experiences as it offers an impressive variety of activities and choices.

Families will find no shortage of fun, with a wide range of innovative attractions designed for all ages. Highlights include the Aqua Slidecoaster, a thrilling hybrid between a waterslide and rollercoaster.

The all-new Luna Midway offers an outdoor amusement‑park‑style area featuring carnival‑inspired games, and the debuting Moon Climber challenges kids and adults alike with a multi‑level obstacle course.

Interactive play spaces include The Luna Game Zone, offering everything from retro arcade favorites to cutting‑edge virtual reality experiences.

Sports and social play come together at the Glow Court, a high‑tech complex with an interactive LED floor that transforms from an energetic play space during the day into a lively club at night.

Meanwhile, adults seeking more relaxed escapes can unwind at the award-winning Mandara Spa, known for its world‑class wellness offerings, or retreat to the adults‑only Vibe Beach Club.

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

“We are thrilled to welcome Norwegian Luna to our fleet and to welcome our first guests aboard next week. As our newest ship, Norwegian Luna is a powerful reflection of NCL’s ‘It’s Different Out Here’ brand ethos. She delivers freedom, flexibility and thoughtfully curated experiences, allowing guests to enjoy their vacation exactly how they want, with ease.

“This ship represents the continued evolution of our vision and the incredible work behind an award-winning class of ships. We are deeply appreciative of the world-class architects and designers, as well as our talented partners at Fincantieri who brought Norwegian Luna to life. We’re proud to continue this strong partnership as we look ahead to building more exceptional NCL vessels together over the next decade.”

After recent sailings in the Persian Gulf were forced to be canceled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, two cruise lines have decided to end their winter cruise season in the region altogether.

The decision by MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises to end the cruise season early comes as the U.S. State Department raises the travel advisory to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” for the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the logistical challenge of navigating these waters really cemented this decision for the two cruise lines.

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal was running two cruise ships in the area out of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha: Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery.

In a statement shared with Cruise Fever today, the cruise line officially confirmed the cancelation of the remaining March departures for Journey and the end of the Gulf season.

“Considering the current geopolitical situation in the region, we have taken the decision to cancel the following scheduled departures on Celestyal Journey: 07 and 14 March from Doha, Qatar and 09 and 16 March from Dubai, UAE,” the cruise line stated.

With the Arabian Gulf season now over, Celestyal is turning its attention to the safety of its crew and future operations.

They added, “Throughout this period, our focus has been and continues to be the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.”

All guests who were due to travel on the canceled sailings were offered the option of a full refund or a future cruise credit.

Guests who are currently on board both cruise ships will be advised of disembarkation plans in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Celestyal’s onboard teams will support guests with onward travel arrangements and provide assistance with transfers or accommodation where required. Guests have been advised to contact their airlines directly regarding flight arrangements and to register with their respective embassies for any official updates or repatriation support.