Author: Jonathan @ Cruise Essentials

Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened reservations for Carnival Tropicale, the fifth and final Excel-class vessel, which will homeport from Galveston, Texas, beginning 15th April 2028.

The announcement coincides with the ship’s steel cutting ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, marking the start of physical construction on this highly anticipated addition to the fleet.

Meyer Werft hosted a Texas-themed celebration to mark the steel cutting milestone for Carnival Tropicale, bringing a taste of the Lone Star State to northern Germany.

Shipyard crew members donned custom hard hats and cowboy attire whilst enjoying authentic Texas-style barbecue, creating an atmosphere befitting the vessel’s future homeport.

A horse even made a special appearance for photo opportunities, though Carnival has not confirmed any official equine role aboard the ship.

The festivities underscored the significance of this vessel as the final ship in the successful Excel-class series, which has proven immensely popular with cruisers since Mardi Gras launched the class in 2021.

New Leadership At Meyer Werft Celebrates Partnership With Carnival

André Walter, who assumed the role of CEO at MEYER WERFT GmbH on 1st July 2026, presided over his first construction celebration with Carnival Tropicale’s steel cutting.

His remarks highlighted the enduring collaboration between the German shipbuilder and one of the world’s largest cruise operators.

“I am delighted to experience my first construction celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT,” Walter stated during the ceremony.

“Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, a successful and highly popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival.”

The Excel-class collaboration has transformed Carnival’s fleet with vessels exceeding 180,000 gross tonnes and carrying approximately 5,200 passengers at double occupancy.

Each ship features innovative zones and attractions whilst maintaining the line’s signature “Fun Ship” atmosphere that has defined the brand for decades.

Inaugural Sailing Showcases New Paradise Collection Destinations

Carnival Tropicale’s maiden voyage will embark on 15th April 2028, offering a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston.

The carefully crafted route provides passengers with an ideal introduction to both the new ship and Carnival’s exclusive private destinations.

The inaugural sailing begins with a full day at sea on Sunday, 16th April, allowing guests to explore the vessel’s extensive amenities and dining venues.

On Monday, 17th April, Tropicale will call at Cozumel, Mexico, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing opportunities to explore Mayan ruins, snorkel pristine reefs, or simply relax on beautiful beaches.

The highlight arrives on Tuesday, 18th April, when Carnival Tropicale visits her namesake destination, Isla

Scottish trail runner Paul Manson completed seven marathon-distance runs in seven days during a Mediterranean sailing aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, covering almost 300 kilometres across ports and the ship itself.

Credit: The Random Runner

Manson, who shares his running challenges online as the Random Runner, undertook the “Run the Med” challenge during the cruise in August 2026. His runs took him through destinations in Italy, Montenegro and Greece, while the itinerary’s sea day required a very different approach.

Across the week, Manson recorded 299.5 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 186 miles, with each day involving at least a marathon-distance run.

His challenge began in Rome on 4th August, before he boarded Enchanted Princess. The 42.3-kilometre route took him past several of the Italian capital’s best-known landmarks, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, as well as alongside the River Tiber.

As Enchanted Princess continued through the Mediterranean, Manson completed further marathon distances at Naples, Kotor in Montenegro, Corfu, Katakolon and Messina.

Princess Cruises later acknowledged the challenge on its UK and EU media Instagram account, writing: “An incredible achievement and a unique way to explore the Mediterranean – well done Paul!”

A Marathon At Sea

The cruise’s sea day presented Manson with the unusual problem of completing an entire marathon without a port in which to run.

Instead, he used the jogging track on Deck 18 of Enchanted Princess, completing 185 laps to reach 42.2 kilometres. He used a hand clicker to keep count as he repeatedly circled the ship’s Sky Deck.

It was one of seven individual runs making up the challenge. Manson covered 42.3 kilometres in Rome and 43.9 kilometres in Naples, followed by the 42.2-kilometre shipboard marathon.

He subsequently ran 42.6 kilometres in Kotor, 43 kilometres in Corfu and another 43 kilometres during the ship’s Katakolon call, when he ran in the Olympia area.

The final 42.5-kilometre effort was associated with Messina and Mount Etna in Sicily. That route included 2,500 metres running down the volcano, with Manson later sharing footage showing himself covered in sweat and volcanic ash.

“Looks like I’ve been working down in the mine,” he commented after the run.

Manson later said he had not known the volcano was erupting at the time. After becoming coated in ash during the run, he added that it was “nothing a jump in the sea didn’t sort out.”

Nearly 300 Kilometres In One Week

The seven runs brought Manson’s total distance to 299.5 kilometres, leaving him just half a kilometre short of the 300-kilometre mark.

He described that shortfall as “mildly annoying,” although it did little to diminish the scale of a challenge that required him to complete marathon distances on seven consecutive days while moving between destinations aboard a

A fire broke out aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s future flagship Norwegian Aura while the 170,000-gross-ton ship was undergoing construction work at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy.

The incident occurred late on the morning of 28th August 2026, with a container holding waste and construction debris reportedly catching fire aboard the vessel. The blaze produced a substantial cloud of black smoke that could be seen rising from the ship.

Fincantieri’s shipyard emergency team responded to the incident and contained the fire without assistance from the local fire department, according to reports. No injuries or significant damage were reported.

The cause of the fire has not been disclosed, and Fincantieri has not issued a public statement detailing the incident or confirmed whether an investigation is being conducted.

Footage published by Italian news outlet Il Piccolo showed black smoke rising from Norwegian Aura, with workers nearby wearing face masks.

No Delay Confirmed To Norwegian Aura

There has been no confirmed change to Norwegian Aura’s construction timetable following the fire, with the new Prima Plus-class ship still scheduled to enter service in May 2027.

The incident came during the fitting-out stage of the vessel’s construction. Norwegian Aura was floated out at Monfalcone on 16th April 2026, marking the completion of the external construction of the hull and allowing work to progress on the ship’s interiors and other systems ahead of sea trials and delivery.

Norwegian Aura is being built as the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. Measuring approximately 1,130 feet in length, the vessel will be around 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.

The ship is planned to accommodate 3,879 guests and will have 1,976 staterooms.

Her maiden voyage is scheduled to depart Trieste, Italy, on 21st May 2027. The inaugural cruise was originally due to finish in Barcelona on 28th May, but Norwegian Cruise Line subsequently changed the disembarkation port to Tarragona because of port availability. Tarragona is approximately 55 miles further along Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

Following her inaugural European sailing, Norwegian Aura is scheduled to cross the Atlantic and begin year-round Caribbean operations from Miami in June 2027. Her deployment will primarily consist of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, including scheduled calls at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay.

Fincantieri’s Growing Norwegian Cruise Line Orderbook

Although Norwegian Aura is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first vessel to be constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone facility, the shipbuilder already has an established relationship with the cruise line.

Fincantieri constructed the earlier ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima and Prima Plus series, beginning with Norwegian Prima, which entered service in 2022. The series has subseque

Disney Dream is due to receive a special send-off from Liverpool this week, with a brief fireworks display planned as the Disney Cruise Line ship departs the city on Wednesday, 9th September 2026.

The vessel is scheduled to leave Liverpool Cruise Port at 7pm, while music will begin at the Pier Head from approximately 6pm ahead of the departure.

Weather permitting, fireworks will form part of the evening’s sail-away event, which is being organised around Disney Dream’s departure from the River Mersey.

Liverpool Cruise Port, supported by Culture Liverpool, is encouraging members of the public to gather at the Pier Head to watch the ship leave.

Special Sail-Away Planned On The Mersey

Rather than immediately continuing down the river after leaving its berth, Disney Dream is scheduled to travel a short distance before holding position in the middle of the Mersey in front of the Pier Head.

The short sail-away event, including the planned fireworks finale, will take place while the vessel is positioned in the river. Disney Dream will then continue its onward journey.

Organisers have identified the Pier Head as the preferred viewing location for spectators. People planning to watch the departure are being encouraged to gather there rather than on Princes Parade, which has previously been a popular location for watching cruise ships leave Liverpool.

The fireworks element remains dependent on suitable weather conditions.

Disney Cruise Line ships have become regular visitors to Liverpool over the years, with their arrivals and departures drawing spectators to the city’s waterfront.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “Since Liverpool Cruise Port transferred to Global Ports Holding, Liverpool has continued to see growth in cruise calls and increasing interest in Liverpool as a destination.

“This sail-away moment is another great example of partnership working, with Liverpool Cruise Port leading on the maritime operation whilst Culture Liverpool supports on event management.

“We’re delighted to help create a warm Liverpool send-off for one of the world’s most recognisable cruise ships and hope people can come down and enjoy the unique occasion.”

Liverpool Cruise Port Plans Public Send-Off

The event comes as Liverpool continues to develop its cruise operations following the transfer of Liverpool Cruise Port to Global Ports Holding.

John Mawer of Liverpool Cruise Port said Disney vessels had established a strong following during their visits to the city.

“Disney Cruise Line ships have become popular visitors to Liverpool over the years, and Disney Dream is always warmly welcomed when she arrives on our waterfront.

“We wanted to create a simple opportunity for people to come together and show how much Liverpool appreciates these visits, while wishing the ship, her passengers and crew a very happy onward journey.”

Disney Dream is s

Royal Caribbean has introduced a formal process allowing some passengers to request an exemption from its rule requiring adults sharing a stateroom to purchase the same alcoholic drinks package.

The Beverage Package Accommodation Request applies to guests who cannot consume alcohol because of a disability, medical condition or pregnancy. Requests are considered individually and approval is not guaranteed.

If an exemption is granted, the affected passenger will still be required to purchase a non-alcoholic beverage package.

The development represents a limited exception to the stricter policy Royal Caribbean introduced in August 2025, when it stopped routinely allowing one adult in a stateroom to opt out of purchasing the alcoholic package.

New Accommodation Request Process

Royal Caribbean’s standard policy requires all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same booking number to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package when one passenger buys it.

Previously, passengers could contact the cruise line to seek an exception for another adult in the cabin who did not want or need an alcoholic package. In those cases, the second passenger could instead be required to purchase the less expensive Royal Refreshment package.

That arrangement ended on 1st August 2025. Royal Caribbean said at the time that requests for exceptions had increased and that passengers had continued to share packages, which is prohibited under its terms.

“This change allows us to ensure guests are consuming their beverage package responsibly. Over time, requests for exceptions have increased, and sharing of packages has continued, which led us to implement this policy change,” a company spokesperson said.

The newly introduced Beverage Package Accommodation Request provides a more narrowly defined route to an exemption. According to the form, requests can be made on the grounds of disability, a medical condition or pregnancy.

Passengers are asked to provide their reservation and personal information when submitting a request. Supporting documentation is not mandatory, although applicants can voluntarily provide a brief written statement from what the form describes as “a reasonable, credible, supporting source.”

Royal Caribbean states: “The statement should confirm only that you (or the impacted guest) cannot consume alcohol due to a disability, medical condition, or pregnancy. No specific details about the nature of the disability or condition are required.”

The form advises passengers to allow 10 business days for a response.

An approved exemption does not mean the passenger can go without a drinks package altogether. Instead, the guest will be required to purchase a Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package.

Penalties For False Or Misleading Requests

Royal Caribbean has also set out potential consequences for passengers who provide false, misleading or fraudulent information when seeking an exe

Ambassador Cruise Line has renamed its three adult drinks packages, with the changes taking effect in September 2026 as the cruise line moves to make the differences between its options easier to understand.

The former Expedition Package is now known as the Premium Drinks Package, while the Explorer Package has become the Classic Drinks Package. The Experience Package, which provides an alcohol-free selection, has been renamed the Non-Alcoholic Package.

Despite the new terminology, Ambassador says there have been no changes to the drinks, discounts or other benefits provided by the three packages. The move is therefore a change of name rather than an overhaul of the drinks package offering.

What The New Ambassador Drinks Package Names Mean

Under the revised system, Ambassador’s three main adult packages are the Non-Alcoholic, Classic and Premium Drinks Packages.

The Non-Alcoholic Package includes soft drinks, mocktails and non-alcoholic beer, while the Classic Drinks Package adds alcoholic options including house brands from the bar list and house wines by the glass.

Passengers purchasing the Classic package also receive a 50% discount on premium beverages that are not included outright.

The Premium Drinks Package is the most comprehensive of the three. It covers the drinks available with the Classic package as well as premium wines, premium drinks from the bar list, premium teas and speciality coffees.

Gratuities for the cruise are also included with each of Ambassador’s three adult drinks packages. Ambassador generally charges gratuities of £7 per person, per night, falling to £6 per night on cruises lasting 15 nights or more.

The cruise line additionally offers Adventurers drinks packages for children on selected family-friendly sailings. These have not been included in the September renaming of the three adult packages.

Prices And Package Rules Remain Important

The amount passengers pay for an Ambassador drinks package varies according to the package, cruise duration and whether it is purchased in advance or closer to departure.

For cruises of between five and 29 nights, advance prices are currently £20.95 per person, per night for the Non-Alcoholic Package, £42.95 for the Classic Drinks Package and £49.95 for the Premium Drinks Package.

The equivalent prices for purchases at the higher rate are £22.95, £47.95 and £55.95 respectively.

Different rates apply to shorter cruises and voyages of 30 to 69 nights. On the longest cruises, advance prices fall to £18.95 per night for the Non-Alcoholic Package, £37.95 for Classic and £44.95 for Premium.

Passengers also need to take Ambassador’s package rules into account before buying. Guests sharing a cabin are generally required to purchase the same drinks package for the entire cruise, although separate arrangements apply when travelling with children.

Packages cannot be purchased for selected days of a sailing. Guests buying in

Carnival Cruise Line has extended its Ultimate and Essentials Value Packages to selected cruises departing throughout 2027, giving guests more opportunities to bundle drinks, Wi-Fi and other onboard benefits into a single daily price.

The extension means the two adult packages are now being offered on selected sailings departing between 28th August 2026 and 31st December 2027, according to Carnival’s current package terms.

However, passengers considering purchasing one have limited time under the current promotion. Carnival is advertising a booking deadline of 30th September 2026.

Carnival brand ambassador John Heald has also encouraged guests interested in the packages not to wait.

“I would suggest, if you want this, that you book this as soon as possible, as I don’t know how long it’s going to be around.”

The deadline comes after the Value Packages, which were initially introduced in late 2025, remained available through a series of extensions.

Carnival’s website currently lists the Ultimate Value Package from $90 per person, per day and the Essentials Value Package from $50 per person, per day.

What Carnival’s Value Packages Include

The Ultimate Value Package combines Carnival’s Cheers! alcoholic drinks package with its Premium Wi-Fi Plan, alongside a series of pre-cruise discounts.

Those benefits include a one-time $50 discount on a shore excursion and a one-time $25 discount on speciality dining. Guests can also receive 50% discounts on selected spa treatments and selected photo packages when booked before the cruise.

Premium Wi-Fi is Carnival’s highest-level internet plan and supports services including video streaming and video calling where coverage allows.

Cheers! covers eligible alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including spirits, cocktails, beer and wine by the glass priced at $20 or less. It also includes sodas, zero-proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, speciality coffee, tea and bottled water.

The drinks programme carries several restrictions. Guests can order only one drink at a time and sharing is prohibited. Cheers! allows up to 15 alcoholic drinks during each 24-hour period running from 6am to 6am, although Carnival says service can be refused before that limit is reached if crew members determine that a passenger is impaired.

Once the 15-drink limit has been reached, additional alcoholic drinks cannot be purchased during the same period.

Sharing cocktails, pitchers, tubes and buckets are excluded, along with room service and minibar drinks, bottles of spirits and beverages sold in souvenir glasses.

Cheers! is also designed for use aboard Carnival ships and does not extend to destinations visited during a cruise, including Carnival’s exclusive destinations such as Celebration Key.

The Ultimate Value Package is available to guests aged 21 and over on applicable sailings, and all qualifying adults sharing a stateroom must purchase a package.

The Esse

A water leak aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas created an unexpected waterfall down a public stairwell near the ship’s Royal Esplanade during a recent Mexican Riviera voyage.

The incident, which appears to have been caused by a burst pipe near a restroom facility, was quickly contained by crew members with no lasting impact on subsequent sailings.

Credit: killerbitch on Reddit

Passengers aboard Quantum of the Seas documented the dramatic scene as water cascaded down one of the vessel’s public stairwells, creating what appeared to be an impromptu waterfall in the heart of the ship.

Video footage posted to social media shows water flowing from upper decks and pooling at the base of stairs near the Royal Esplanade, the central public space aboard Quantum-class vessels where shops and dining venues are concentrated.

The Royal Esplanade spans Decks 4 and 5 on Quantum of the Seas, serving a similar function to the Royal Promenade found on many other Royal Caribbean ships. This area typically serves as the social hub of the vessel, making the location of the leak particularly visible to passengers moving through the ship.

Crew members can be seen in the footage already responding to the situation, placing barriers to redirect foot traffic even as water continued to accumulate. The swift response demonstrates the protocols cruise lines have in place for such mechanical failures.

Burst Pipe Near Restroom Identified As Likely Culprit

Passengers who witnessed the incident have clarified that the flooding originated from a burst pipe located near the men’s restroom at the midship elevators on Deck 5. The leak occurred whilst the ship was sailing near Cabo San Lucas during stormy weather, leading some to initially speculate that weather conditions might have contributed to the problem.

However, guests aboard the sailing confirmed that the storm was merely coincidental timing rather than the cause of the pipe failure. “It was a burst pipe by the men’s room at the midship elevators, the storm was coincidence,” noted one passenger who experienced the incident firsthand.

Burst pipes aboard cruise ships, whilst certainly inconvenient, are not uncommon mechanical failures given the extensive plumbing systems required to service thousands of guests and crew members. Modern cruise ships contain miles of piping carrying fresh water, grey water, and sewage throughout multiple decks, with constant pressure and usage creating potential failure points over time.

Timeline Of Incident Remains Somewhat Unclear

The precise date of the water leak has proven difficult to pinpoint with absolute certainty. The video was posted to social media on 4th September 2026, with the original poster indicating the incident occurred “last week.”

However, passengers involved in online discussions about the leak suggested it actually took place closer to 25th August 2026, nearly two weeks before the video appeared onlin

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled an ambitious 2028 programme featuring three new Super Ships, eight fresh itineraries, and a reimagined Mystery Journey concept. The expansion will grow the luxury river cruise operator’s fleet to 22 vessels whilst introducing guests to lesser-explored waterways and extended multi-river sailings across Europe and Asia.

The cruise line will welcome three new vessels to its fleet throughout 2028, strategically positioned across high-demand rivers. The S.S. Helen will join Uniworld’s Danube operations, whilst the S.S. Clara will bolster capacity along the Rhine.

Meanwhile, the Mekong Mystique will expand the company’s presence in Southeast Asia along the Mekong River. These additions represent a significant investment in Uniworld’s Super Ship programme, which emphasises boutique design, upscale amenities, and all-inclusive luxury experiences.

Each vessel will feature the line’s signature design aesthetic, combining contemporary comfort with destination-inspired décor. The expansion comes at a time when river cruising continues to experience robust demand, particularly for longer, more immersive itineraries that venture beyond traditional European routes.

By deploying new tonnage across both established and emerging markets, Uniworld positions itself to capture growth in multiple segments of the river cruise industry.

Extended Multi-River Sailings Connect Amsterdam To Black Sea

Among the most ambitious new offerings is a 30-day Amsterdam to the Black Sea journey, operating aboard either the S.S. Helen or S.S. Clara. This epic voyage will traverse multiple countries and rivers, providing guests with an unprecedented opportunity to experience Central and Eastern Europe in a single, comprehensive sailing.

The itinerary represents a significant departure from the traditional seven-to-ten-day river cruise format that has long dominated the European market. Longer sailings have grown increasingly popular amongst experienced river cruisers seeking deeper cultural immersion and the convenience of unpacking once whilst exploring numerous destinations.

Complementing this flagship route, Uniworld will offer a 25-day Eastern Europe Exploration and an 18-day Danube East & West sailing, both operating on the S.S. Helen or S.S. Clara. These extended journeys allow passengers to venture beyond the well-trodden paths of Western Europe, discovering the rich history, architecture, and traditions of countries including Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Holiday-Themed French Sailings Debut For Festive Season

Uniworld has introduced three new holiday-season itineraries designed to showcase European Christmas traditions and festive markets. The 15-day Grand France Holiday will operate aboard both the S.S. Catherine and S.S. Joie de Vivre, offering an extended exploration of French culture during the most enchanting time of year.

The Rhône Winter Holiday, an eight-

Adventure of the Seas experienced a shipwide power outage on Saturday, 5th September 2026, leaving passengers temporarily in darkness during what should have been a routine evening at sea.

The incident, which occurred shortly before dinner service, lasted approximately 30 minutes before full power was restored and normal operations resumed.

The power failure hit Adventure of the Seas without warning as the vessel sailed away from Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Passengers preparing for the evening’s main dining service suddenly found themselves plunged into darkness, with only emergency lighting systems remaining operational throughout the ship.

Videos shared on social media platforms including Facebook and Threads captured the eerie atmosphere aboard the 137,276-gross-ton vessel as guests used mobile phone torches to navigate darkened corridors and public spaces. The timing proved particularly disruptive, coinciding with one of the ship’s scheduled main dining times, though reports have not clarified whether the early or late seating was affected.

All electrical systems ceased functioning during the outage. Passenger staterooms lost power entirely, lifts stopped operating between decks, and galley operations came to a standstill.

The sudden loss of amenities caused understandable concern amongst the 3,114 passengers aboard, many of whom were unsure whether the situation indicated a more serious emergency.

Captain Provides Swift Reassurance To Concerned Passengers

The ship’s commanding officer moved quickly to address passenger anxiety, making a shipwide announcement shortly after the power failed. According to guests who witnessed the incident, the captain informed passengers that if power could not be restored within 15 minutes, he would provide additional updates and instructions regarding the situation.

This prompt communication helped alleviate some of the concern spreading throughout the vessel. Passengers reported feeling reassured by the captain’s calm demeanour and clear messaging, which indicated the crew remained in control of the situation despite the technical difficulties.

The transparency demonstrated by the bridge team reflects standard maritime protocols for passenger communication during unexpected incidents. Keeping guests informed helps prevent panic and ensures orderly behaviour whilst technical teams address the underlying problem.

Technical Teams Restore Full Power Within Half An Hour

Engineering staff aboard Adventure of the Seas worked swiftly to diagnose and resolve the power failure. Within approximately 30 minutes of the initial outage, full electrical power was restored throughout the vessel, allowing normal shipboard operations to resume.

One passenger took to Facebook following the incident to confirm that systems had returned to normal. “The power has been restored and hopefully that’s the end of it because we still have six d