Carnival Cruise Line Welcomes ‘Ducky the Duck’ as Latest Character

Two uniformed men stand on either side of a person in a duck mascot costume, wearing a sailor hat labeled "Ducky," as if welcoming visitors to the carnival-themed cruise. They pose indoors, surrounded by a shiny, colorful backdrop reminiscent of vibrant festivities.

The duck craze on cruises has become extremely popular over the years. To embrace this trend, Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a duck character dressed in a captain’s uniform. The cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, announced the new character on Facebook. “I would like to introduce you to a brilliant and fun addition to […]

Seward, Alaska Wins $47.5M Grant for Cruise Shore Power by 2026

A marina with multiple boats docked beside the Celebrity Summit. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The water reflects the serene scenery, undisturbed by any recent norovirus outbreak, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Plans are underway in Seward, Alaska, to introduce shore power to cruise ships by 2026. This came after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the city a $47.5 million grant to build the necessary infrastructure. The project will greatly reduce carbon emissions generated by cruise ships by allowing them to switch to the local electric […]

Cruise Ships Change Course Due to Anticipated Weather Disturbances 

freedom of the Seas at Nassau

We may be seeing the tail end of hurricane season, but developing weather disturbances remind us that it’s not over yet. Cruise ships in affected areas have been announcing necessary itinerary changes ahead of inclement weather in the interest of safety.  Royal Caribbean has already shared updates regarding five vessels: Brilliance of the Seas, Freedom […]

Norwegian Cruise Line Hits Milestone with $2.8 Billion in Revenue

Two hands hold plastic cups with straws and lime slices, brimming with a light-colored beverage. The cups bear the "Norwegian Cruise Line" logo, perfectly capturing the essence of Norwegian's Free at Sea experience against a backdrop of sea views and distant landmass under a partly cloudy sky.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas, recently announced its financials for the third quarter of 2024, showing a solid upward trend in bookings. The company reported record-breaking revenue of $2.8 billion, an 11% increase from last year, largely thanks to rising demand and […]

Multiple Ships Cancel Visits To Flood-Ravaged Valencia, Spain

Two images depict a flooded street. On the left, three people in uniforms assess the waterlogged area with a tractor and building in the background. On the right, two overturned cars are partially submerged amid buildings and debris, mirroring the chaos after Valencia's recent storms forced many to cancel visits.

Multiple cruise vessels have postponed their visits to Valencia, Spain, after one of the deadliest floods ravaged the city on October 29. These include ships owned by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and MSC Cruises. Cruise operators opt for other nearby destinations to replace the Spanish port of call.  Here are some […]

AARP Slashes Carnival Gift Card Discount and Purchase Limit

A cruise ship's distinctive red and blue funnel is shown on the left against a blue sky. On the right, a Carnival gift card boasts a similar funnel design with sun and clouds, offering an exclusive "Members Only" banner for AARP members with a special gift card discount.

AARP Travel Rewards recently reduced its discount on Carnival Cruise Line gift cards from 10% to 8%, frustrating some members who use the program to save on cruises. AARP Carnival Gift Cards by Value Gift Card Value Previous Cost (10% Off) New Cost (8% Off) Savings $100 $90 $92 $8 $250 $225 $230 $20 $500 […]

Cruise Line Ups Future Cruise Credit After Pushback Over Regal Princess Cancellations

The impressive "Regal Princess" from Princess Cruises gracefully glides alongside a small sailboat in open water. With the sky partly cloudy and land visible in the background, passengers dream of future cruise adventures amid the possibilities of their Future Cruise Credit.

After the Regal Princess’s second consecutive cancellation from Galveston, Texas, Princess Cruises announced it would increase the Future Cruise Credit (FCC) offered to affected guests, raising it from the original 25% to 50% of the base cruise fare. The change follows a wave of frustration from passengers who reported costly travel disruptions due to the […]

Royal Caribbean Details 2026 European Cruises, Including Solar Eclipse Sailing

harmony of the seas

Royal Caribbean just released details about its summer 2026 European sailings. The upcoming season lets guests choose from over 60 destinations, five ships, four home ports, two- to 14-night adventures, and a solar eclipse cruise. Let’s review the itineraries by ship. Harmony of the Seas The Oasis-class ship will sail from Barcelona, Spain, taking guests […]

Carnival’s New Security Roles Aim to Rein in Drunk Passengers and Unruly Teens

A person in a black security shirt and cap stands facing a Carnival cruise ship with its distinctive red and white funnel. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, mirroring the promising horizons these security roles offer.

Cruisers recently noticed Carnival Cruise Line’s job advertisements for two new security-related roles: an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) supervisor and a youth security officer.  These jobs come with some pretty unique responsibilities on cruise ships like Carnival, like preventing passengers from becoming too drunk and ensuring the safety of young passengers. The ad says […]

Disney Treasure is Crossing the Atlantic for Its Florida Debut

A large cruise ship, making its December debut, navigates through a narrow river surrounded by green fields and trees. The sky is clear, with several buildings in the background and a tugboat assisting this epic journey.

The excitement builds as Disney Treasure sets sail across the Atlantic, closing in on its much-anticipated Florida debut on December 21. Following sea trials, a journey through Germany’s Ems River, and a stop in Eemshaven, Netherlands, this Wish-class ship is nearly ready to welcome guests aboard.  The milestone transatlantic voyage to Port Canaveral, Florida, spans […]