Diplomacy

Viking celebrated the christening of their newest and largest cruise ship, Viking Vesta, with a traditional ceremony in Split, Croatia.

Norwegian journalist Lene Tangevald-Jensen served as the ship’s godmother offering a blessing for the ship. A bottle of Norwegian aquavit smashed against the ship’s hull when she used an axe to cut the ribbon officially christening the vessel.

Viking Vesta is the 12th ocean cruise ship to join Viking’s fleet, a remarkable feat considering the cruise line launched their first ocean ship just 10 years ago.

The ship is pretty much identical to the first 11 ships in Viking’s fleet, but is slightly larger at 54,300 gross tons. The ship has 499 staterooms, up from 465. Viking Vesta can carry a maximum of 998 guests.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said the following:

“As we celebrate 10 years of ocean voyages in 2025, we are pleased to welcome the new Viking Vesta to our award-winning fleet of elegant sister ships. We are also very grateful to Lene for serving as godmother.

“In addition to her personal and professional accomplishments, Lene embodies the values that are very important to me and to Viking—she is kind, honest, hardworking and, of course, curious. I am proud to count her as a friend and a valued member of the extended Viking family.”

Viking Vesta is currently offering cruises in the Mediterranean and the ship will remain there for the next two years.

In 2026 Viking will welcome two more ocean ships into their fleet, Viking Mira and Viking Libra. In 2027, Viking Astrea will become the 15th ship in Viking’s growing fleet.

Viking has five additional, currently unnamed, ocean ships that are scheduled to debut from 2028 through 2030.

Some Carnival cruisers thought their eyes were deceiving them or that reported screen shots were fake after seeing a price of $20 for a pool noodle rental.  But the future passengers weren’t shy in their comments about the pricing.

Carnival’s new private island will offer all kinds of rentals, so cruisers can enjoy their beach day however they would like.  From cabana rentals to snorkel gear, pretty much anything you need on an island oasis is available.

But it was a very common and popular pool amenity that stirred the pot online this week.

The cost of a simple pool noodle has become a hot topic among Carnival cruise fans online, especially after screenshots of its price at Carnival’s new private island, Celebration Key, started circulating.

A $20 Noodle?

A Reddit user shared a screenshot from what appeared to be Carnival’s booking platform. The image showed an “All-Day Pool Noodle” at Celebration Key, priced at a surprising $19.99 per person.

“Has Carnival lost their minds?” the user questioned, clearly not thrilled with the price, while also stating that the screenshot was not fake, even though they wished it were.

They also pointed out other charges on the island, like water slides costing extra and the ship’s drink package not working there. For them, it was enough to make them consider just staying “on the ship and enjoy the pools there.”

Cruisers Chime in

The online post racked up over 200 comments with many fellow cruisers joining the debate with their own views on the pricing for the cruise line’s new private island.

A lot of people agreed with the original poster’s surprise, adding that pool noodles can be purchased for around $1 or $1.50 at most local stores.

One user noted that a pool noodle costs around “$.97 at Walmart,” arguing that since Carnival would reuse them, they should be free for guests.

The conversation also led to an overall discussion about extra charges in other areas as well.

Even on Carnival’s excursion page on its website, people have wasted no time in leaving reviews for the “All-Day Pool Noodle” with one comment stating, “They’ve lost their minds. These are $1 pool toys for rent for a day for $20??”.

Shifting Prices

Before you think that every passenger will have to pay $20 for a pool noodle on Celebration Key, remember that the cruise line is still sorting things out for the new destination, and prices will fluctuate.

Another user shared a different screenshot. This image showed the same “All-Day Pool Noodle” at Celebration Key, but this time, the price was listed as $10.99.

I should note that currently, on Carnival’s website, the price is slated at $10.99.

This difference in price made some wonder if prices change based on the cruise date, if it’s dynamic pricing, or if Carnival is adjusting its fees.

Finding Workarounds

Regardless of whether it’s $20 or $10.99, many commenters offered practical advice: bring your own.

Tips included grabbing inexpensive noodles from Dollar Tree or packing inflatable rings that can be deflated. Some even jokingly wondered if Carnival might eventually ban outside inflatables.

Beyond the specific cost of the noodle, the discussion extended to concerns about the overall trend of increasing fees in the cruise industry. For some, these additional costs put a damper on the booking experience.

At the same time, it’s all about supply and demand, and if people are willing to pay $20 for a pool noodle, then $20 the cost shall be.  Although, I expect the price to be much lower in the future, so we’ll keep an eye on that.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, this discussion is not just about pool noodles, but an overall sentiment among cruise passengers as of late.  While many are excited about the new Celebration Key destination, not everyone is thrilled with some of the extra costs that come with it. 

But as I stated earlier, dynamic pricing tends to even out the pricing over time as the market sifts out what people actually want and are willing to pay for. Celebration Key is looking pretty incredible already, so I’ll focus on that and let the pricing sort itself out.

A cruise line is offering a special promotion where their “Cruise Only” fare will include free drink packages on cruises to the Caribbean.

From now through August 29, 2025, Costa Cruises is offering a complimentary beverage package upgrade on Caribbean cruises. For the price of a “Cruise Only” fare, guests can receive the “Cruise Plus Drinks” fare at no extra cost.

The cruise line’s “My Drinks” beverage packages includes a wide selection of fine wines, cocktails, beers, spirits, cappuccino, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, unlimited juices and soft drinks, plus two half-liter bottles of San Benedetto mineral water per cabin daily.

Costa’s Aperol Spritz Bar and Campari Bar are included in the package.

Costa Cruises will sail eight-day cruises to the Caribbean from December 2025 until March 26 on two cruise ships, Costa Fascinosa and Costa Pacifica. (View Best Prices on Costa)

Costa Pacifica will sail roundtrip from La Romana, calling at Catalina Island, Samana and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic; Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.

Costa Fascinosa will sail roundtrip from Santo Domingo, calling at Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Catalina Island, and the British Virgin Islands’ Tortola.

Priscilla Reyes, head of sales for Costa Cruises North America, gave the following statement about this latest promotion:

“Nothing says Caribbean cruising like sipping a drink on deck surrounded by sun and sea, and by including a ‘My Drinks’ package every guest can elevate their experience. Guests can enjoy more for less with a dedicated beverage package upgrade, making it the perfect time to experience the tropical paradise of the Caribbean with Costa.”

In order to take advantage of this special deal from Costa Cruises, you will need to book your Caribbean cruise by August 29, 2025.

This deal is open to residents of North America. For complete terms and conditions, visit CostaCruises.com or contact your preferred travel professional.

A storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast has strengthened into a category 1 hurricane, forcing cruise lines to make adjustments, especially for itineraries around the Mexican Riviera.

As of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Hurricane Flossie is building steam with sustained winds of 90 mph.

While it’s not expected to hit land directly, its strong outer bands are bringing some nasty conditions like heavy rain and high winds to coastal areas, already causing one popular port of call to be canceled.

Cruise lines know how disappointing it is for passengers when a port has to be called off, but issues of safety for everyone on board is always the highest priority. 

Which Cruise Ships Are Impacted?

Here’s a quick look at the ships currently impacted by Hurricane Flossie:

Carnival Panorama

This ship left Long Beach, California, on June 29 for a 6-night Mexican Riviera cruise. It was originally scheduled for an overnight call in Cabo San Lucas. However, due to the storm’s impact and a port closure, Carnival Panorama will skip its second day in Cabo San Lucas on Wednesday, July 2nd.

The ship adjusted its arrival time on its first day in Cabo, arriving two hours earlier to give guests more time ashore to help make up for this. The itinerary also now includes an unscheduled stop in Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, July 8th.

Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze has also been directly affected by Flossie. Its planned stop in Cabo San Lucas has been canceled. Instead, the ship will now spend two days in Ensenada, Mexico.

Other Ships on Watch

Ovation of the Seas

This Royal Caribbean ship is currently scheduled to call at Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, July 6th. While no official changes have been announced yet, cruise lines are still monitoring Flossie’s trajectory.

This itinerary will see some changes if the storm’s path continues to pose a threat to the port.

Navigator of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas is also scheduled for Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, July 6^th as the first stop on a 7-day cruise out of Long Beach, California. Just like Ovation of the Seas, changes are very possible. This ship also has Puerto Vallarta stops that could be affected.

Oceania Insignia

This luxury ship is also scheduled for Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, July 6th. The ship is currently on the tail end of a 179-day world cruise that began in Miami on January 5.  The stop in Cabo is part of a 20-day sailing from San Diego to New York that is scheduled to begin on July 3.

What Does This Mean for Your Cruise?

If you’re cruising during hurricane season, it’s all about being flexible.  There’s a reason you can score amazing deals during this unique time of year. 

While no one wants to miss a port of call, especially when a great excursion has been planned there for months, it just goes with the territory here.   You can typically get refunds on those missed excursions pretty easily but getting cruise travel insurance right after you book is a very smart thing to do.

On top of this, just pay attention to any news from the cruise line about your trip via the mobile app or email.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that they will once again partner with Coco-Cola and make them their preferred beverage partner in North America.

The change will bring Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, Topo Chico, fairlife and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, among others back to Carnival cruise ships.

Coca-Cola used to be served on Carnival cruise ships until November 2019 when the cruise line switched to Pepsi.

Carnival said that they expect the change to be fully implemented on their ships in North America by the end of September 2025.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“Carnival Cruise Line and Coca-Cola are two iconic brands that celebrate fun, family, friendship, food and fabulous memories.

“We are excited to welcome back Coca-Cola’s diverse lineup of beverages which our guests love and which will enhance the food and beverage experience that is always part of a great cruise vacation on Carnival.

“Both our brands are built on bringing people together making The Coca-Cola Company and Carnival Cruise Line a perfect partnership.”

Dagmar Boggs, president, Foodservice & On-Premise, The Coca-Cola Company, North American Operating Unit, added:

“We’re thrilled to be back on board with Carnival, literally! From an ice-cold Coca-Cola with lunch, a Topo Chico by the pool, or a Powerade after exploring a destination, we’ll have the perfect drink for every moment of the journey. This partnership is all about enhancing the guest experience, and we’re thrilled to offer a beverage lineup as diverse and exciting as the adventures Carnival guests embark on.”

Carnival Cruise Line currently offers cruises from 13 ports in North America, more than any other cruise line.

Unless you happen to be the captain of a cruise ship, you can’t beat the views from a front-facing balcony.  Sure, you don’t get that wake view that aft balconies offer but seeing where you’re going as you keep an eye on the horizon is a rewarding experience in itself.

But before you book that cabin in the very front of a cruise ship, there’s one very important thing you need to understand.

When the ship is in motion, those forward balconies can get very windy—surprisingly so.  It doesn’t take a physics major to know you will experience more wind in front when the vessel is on the move, but it’s much windier than most people anticipate.

Many cruisers are drawn to these unique cabins, overlooking the bow. They can offer great views, especially when entering or leaving a port of call, or while cruising through scenic areas like Glacier Bay in Alaska.

However, the experience while the ship is sailing at cruising speed can be very different from what you might imagine.

The Wind Factor: More Than Just a Breeze

Imagine the ship cutting through the water at 15-20 knots. Now add natural wind speeds on top of that. For a forward-facing balcony without a windscreen, this can translate into what feels like hurricane-force gusts.

Passengers who have experienced these balconies often describe the wind as “unusable” or “like a hurricane” when the ship is sailing. Deck chairs might even be tied down to prevent them from blowing away.

Why is it so windy? You’re essentially at the very front, directly in the path of the wind created by the ship’s forward movement.

Unlike side or aft balconies, there’s no protection from the ship’s structure to break the airflow.

When Can You Use It?

While the wind can make these balconies unusable when the ship is moving at full speed, they can be absolutely fantastic in other situations:

• In Port: When the ship is docked or at anchor, the wind factor disappears, making these balconies a great spot for enjoying port views, people-watching, and taking in the local surroundings.
• Scenic Cruising: If your itinerary includes slow cruising through fjords, bays, or past glaciers (like in Alaska), the reduced speed will significantly lessen the wind, allowing you to fully appreciate the panoramic and unobstructed views.

Other Things to Know About Forward Cabins

Besides the wind, here are a few other things to keep in mind about forward-facing cabins:

• Motion Sickness: The front of the ship tends to experience more motion than mid-ship cabins. If you’re prone to seasickness, you might want to reconsider.
• Light Restrictions: For safety reasons, the ship’s bridge needs a clear, dark view of the bow at night. On some ships you’ll be required to keep your balcony curtains closed after dark, and in some cases, even during the day while at sea.
• Steel-Fronted Balconies: Some forward-facing balconies are “steel-fronted” meaning the lower part of the balcony railing is solid steel rather than plexiglass. This can limit your view when seated.
• Privacy: Depending on the ship’s design, some forward balconies might have less privacy than those on the sides, as they can sometimes be visible from the bridge or other forward areas of the ship.

Know Before You Go

If your heart is set on a forward-facing balcony, do your research.

• Check for Windscreens: Some ships, like within MSC’s Meraviglia-class, have windscreens on their forward balconies, which can make a huge difference. Club Balcony Suites with Norwegian Cruise Line have good wind protection as well as Breakaway-class ships with the cruise line.  Reports on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships vary, so a little research about the specific ship and cabin can go a long way.
• Review Itineraries: Consider if your cruise is port-intensive or has a lot of “sea days.” A port-heavy itinerary will give you more opportunities to enjoy your balcony.
• Watch YouTube Videos: A great tip from experienced cruisers is to search for videos of your specific ship and cabin location. This can give you a realistic idea of what to expect.

Bottom Line

The #1 thing to know about forward-facing balconies is that while they offer incredible views in port and during scenic cruising, the truth is you won’t always want to be out there, limiting how much use you get out of that outdoor space.

A good, protective windscreen can make all the difference though.

If you’d rather have a consistently usable balcony for enjoying the open ocean, an aft (back of the ship) balcony, or a mid-ship side balcony, might be a better choice. However, if you’re willing to trade some “at sea” balcony time for those great forward views, it could be the perfect fit for your next cruise.