New Video Friday was weekly Recap 7/31/26

Every Friday we release a new video on our YouTube Channel

This week we feature: Day 2 of our Carnival Glory cruise

We board the ship and sail away

(CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VIDEO)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

MSC World Asia to Feature the Largest Venchi Chocolate Experience at Sea

If you have a sweet tooth, MSC World Asia may be the ship to sail on.

When the new flagship enters service in December 2026, it will debut the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea, giving guests an interactive destination dedicated to one of Italy's most famous premium chocolate brands.

Located in the ship's indoor Galleria on Deck 6, the new Venchi venue will be the first on an MSC World Class ship and the largest in the fleet. The space will combine a chocolate shop, café, and gelateria with seating for more than 60 guests.

Carnival Warns Panorama Guests: No Cruise Terminal Parking Available for July 26 Sailing

Guests sailing aboard Carnival Panorama on the July 26 departure from Long Beach are being urged not to drive to the cruise terminal after Carnival notified passengers that no terminal parking will be available for this sailing.

The unusual parking restriction is tied to the Vans Warped Tour music festival, which is taking place in nearby Long Beach the same weekend. The event is expected to bring heavy traffic, road closures, and increased demand for parking throughout the waterfront area, leaving the cruise terminal without parking for Panorama guests.

Carnival "Dive in Movies" for August

Here are the "Dive in Movies" that will be shown on the outdoor screens on most Carnival ships. On ships without a outdoor screen they will be show in a indoor venue. For specific movies that are playing on your cruise, check your daily printed Fun Times schedule or the Carnival HUB app. 

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - When Mary finds herself in a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. (WATCH TRAILER HERE)

F1 The Movie - A Formula One driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a younger driver. (WATCH TRAILER HERE)

Top 5 Cruise News Stories for July 27, 2026

Woman Discovers She's 33 Weeks Pregnant Just Before Boarding Cruise

Talk about an unexpected surprise.

A woman preparing to board a cruise vacation recently discovered that she was 33 weeks pregnant, despite not knowing she was expecting. 

The surprising news quickly changed her travel plans, as most cruise lines have strict pregnancy policies that limit how far along a guest can be before sailing.

Many major cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, generally do not allow passengers to cruise if they will be 24 weeks pregnant or more at any point during the voyage. The policies are in place because ships have limited medical facilities and are not equipped to handle many pregnancy-related emergencies or premature births.

New Video Friday was weekly Recap 7/24/26

 

Every Friday we release a new video on our YouTube Channel

This week we feature: Day 1 of our Carnival Glory cruise

We travel to Orlando and visit Universal Studios

(CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VIDEO)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

First Things to Do When You Get to Your Cruise Cabin

After boarding your cruise ship, your first instinct is probably to head straight to your cabin. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible.

Depending on your cruise line, your cabin may not be ready until early afternoon while the crew finishes preparing hundreds, or even thousands, of staterooms. Guests staying in suites or those with elite loyalty status may be allowed access a little earlier, but most passengers will need to wait. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

Top 5 Cruise News Stories for July 20, 2026

Passenger Falls Off Pier at Perfect Day at CocoCay

A cruise passenger is recovering after falling from a pier at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

According to witnesses, the guest fell into the water from the dock while the ship was in port. Crew members and emergency responders acted quickly, pulling the passenger from the water and providing medical attention. Fortunately, the individual survived the incident.

While falls like this are uncommon, this isn't the first time someone has gone over the side of the pier at CocoCay. The incident serves as a reminder that cruise piers can become slippery, crowded, and hazardous, especially in wet conditions or when guests are distracted.

Royal Caribbean has not released additional details about what caused the fall, but the story is another reminder to stay aware of your surroundings while boarding, disembarking, or walking along the pier. Even at a private island paradise, accidents can happen.

First Things to Do When You Get to Your Cruise Cabin

After boarding your cruise ship, your first instinct is probably to head straight to your cabin. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible.

Depending on your cruise line, your cabin may not be ready until early afternoon while the crew finishes preparing hundreds, or even thousands, of staterooms. Guests staying in suites or those with elite loyalty status may be allowed access a little earlier, but most passengers will need to wait.

Once your cabin is ready, it's finally time to see your home for the next several days. Here are the first things we recommend doing after opening that cabin door.

New Video Friday was weekly Recap 7/17/26

 

Every Friday we release a new video on our YouTube Channel

This week we feature: the Wingate by Wyndam in Bismarck ND

We look around the hotel and check out room 323

(CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VIDEO)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

MSC Cruises Launches Digital Remote Check-In To Streamline Guest Embarkation Experience In Seattle 

MSC Cruises has successfully launched a new Digital Remote Check-In solution in Seattle, designed to further streamline the embarkation process and deliver a seamless end-to-end experience to guests.

Introduced during the inaugural MSC Poesia’s inaugural Alaska, the innovative service enables guests traveling on MSC Cruises’ official airport transfers to complete their cruise check-in at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport prior to arriving at the cruise terminal, allowing them to skip the traditional document verification and check-in steps at the port. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

Aren't Sea Days Boring? - Just the Opposite!

One thing we hear from people who have never cruised is what do you do on a sea day? Isn't it boring? It's just the opposite and the great thing about sea days is that they can be spent different for everyone.

Relax

Some might like to relax. You may have just had a couple of busy port days and need some down time. You can do this in a number of different ways.

Sleep in - You don't need to get up early and get off the ship so you can take your time and get some extra Z's in.

Celebrity Reflection Set for Major Transformation with 13 New Venues and Caribbean Sailings

Celebrity Cruises is giving one of its most popular ships a dramatic makeover.

The cruise line has announced that Celebrity Reflection will undergo an extensive modernization, introducing 13 new venues and experiences inspired by the newer Edge Series ships. The refreshed vessel will become the second Solstice-class ship to receive a major overhaul as part of Celebrity's ongoing fleet modernization program.

When the work is complete, guests can expect new restaurants, redesigned entertainment spaces, upgraded outdoor areas, and enhancements throughout the ship.

Top 5 Cruise News Stories for July 13, 2026

Carnival Reveals Name of Its Newest Ship: Carnival Destiny

Carnival Cruise Line has officially announced the name of its next new ship, Carnival Destiny, which will become the first vessel in the cruise line's new Ace Class when it enters service.

The announcement marks the beginning of Carnival's next generation of cruise ships. While Carnival's Excel Class introduced features like BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, the new Ace Class is expected to build on that success with updated attractions, new dining concepts, and innovative onboard experiences.

Carnival has not yet revealed many details about what passengers can expect aboard Carnival Destiny, but anticipation is already building as the cruise line prepares to launch an entirely new class of ships.

For Carnival fans, the announcement offers an exciting glimpse into the future and signals that the cruise line is continuing to invest in bigger, more modern ships designed for the next generation of cruisers.

MSC Cruises Launches Digital Remote Check-In To Streamline Guest Embarkation Experience In Seattle

MSC Cruises has successfully launched a new Digital Remote Check-In solution in Seattle, designed to further streamline the embarkation process and deliver a seamless end-to-end experience to guests.

Introduced during the inaugural MSC Poesia’s inaugural Alaska, the innovative service enables guests traveling on MSC Cruises’ official airport transfers to complete their cruise check-in at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport prior to arriving at the cruise terminal, allowing them to skip the traditional document verification and check-in steps at the port.

New Video Friday and Weekly Recap 7-10-26

Every Friday we release a new video on our YouTube Channel

This week we feature: MSC World America Day 8 - Ocean Cay 

On this the final day of our World America cruise we visit MSC's private island Ocean Cay. 

In Case You Missed it:

MSC Cruises Unveils New Pan-Asian Dining Experience for MSC World Asia

MSC Cruises is bringing an exciting new dining concept to its newest ship, MSC World Asia, giving guests a taste of Southeast Asia without ever leaving the ship.

The cruise line has revealed details of a brand-new Pan-Asian venue that combines three different experiences under one roof. Whether you're looking for a full sit-down meal, a handcrafted cocktail, or a quick snack between activities, the new concept is designed to offer something for every type of cruiser.

Top 5 News Stories for 7/6/26

Carnival Doubles Celebration Key's Capacity with New Pier Expansion

Carnival Corporation has completed a major expansion at Celebration Key, nearly one year after the exclusive Bahamian destination first opened to guests.

The project adds two new berths to the existing pier, allowing Celebration Key to welcome up to four cruise ships at the same time instead of two. 

The expanded pier can now accommodate Carnival's largest Excel-class ships while giving the cruise line much more flexibility when planning Caribbean itineraries.

The additional capacity is expected to bring approximately 700,000 more guests to Celebration Key each year, with three- and four-ship days becoming common beginning this fall. 

Later this year, the destination will also begin welcoming ships from other Carnival Corporation brands, including Princess Cruises and AIDA.

The expansion is another sign that Carnival is betting heavily on its exclusive destinations, making Celebration Key an even bigger centerpiece of its Caribbean cruise program.

A Extra Benefit of Cruising - Medical Staff

If you have ever been on a vacation and found yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing medical attention you know how stressful that can be. It can be bad enough trying to find a clinic or hospital in a strange city but in another country, who knows what you might be walking into. 

One benefit of cruising is that you are traveling with medical staff that is trained and well equipped for most any situation. But let's make it clear. The ship does not have a complete hospital on board but does have what is the equivalent to a very well equipped walk in clinic. 

Royal Caribbean Hides Patriotic Ducks Onboard to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

Royal Caribbean is adding a fun new twist to its onboard experience as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. Across select sailings, the cruise line is organizing a special activity featuring patriotic-themed hidden ducks for guests to discover throughout the ship.

It’s a playful nod to one of cruising’s most popular traditions, hidden cruise ducks all while also honoring a major national milestone.

Can I bring a coffee maker on my Cruise?

So many people can't get their day started without that first cup of coffee in the morning. We get it, and sometimes the lido deck is just so far away and without your coffee how can you make it there. All those steps and when you can't open your eyes all those buttons on the elevator are just too much to deal with. 

So a common question is, "Can I bring a coffee maker or something like a k-cup machine?" 

ETIAS Update for Cruisers: What You Need to Know in 2026

If you're planning a European cruise and keep hearing about something called ETIAS, you're not alone. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System has been delayed several times, creating confusion for travelers and cruise passengers alike.

The good news? As of July 2026, ETIAS is NOT yet in effect. If you're sailing to Europe this summer, you do not need to apply for ETIAS before your cruise.

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Think of it as Europe's version of the U.S. ESTA program.