Author: Jonathan @ Cruise Essentials

Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly made two guest-friendly changes to its onboard packages, including a significant expansion of who can receive speciality dining through Free at Sea.

As of 26th August 2026, the speciality dining benefit included with Norwegian’s Free at Sea package is no longer restricted to Guests 1 and 2 on a reservation. Instead, the benefit can now apply to all guests sharing the same cabin, up to a maximum of eight.

The change could be particularly valuable for families and larger groups travelling together, where previously the third and subsequent guests in the cabin did not receive the included speciality dining meals.

It follows another package change introduced by Norwegian on 1st July, when the cruise line relaxed the rules surrounding its Unlimited Starbucks package.

Free At Sea Speciality Dining Expanded To More Guests

Until now, Norwegian’s Free at Sea speciality dining benefit has generally been advertised as applying to the first and second guests in a stateroom.

Under the revised arrangement taking effect on 26th August, that restriction has been removed, with the benefit extended to eligible guests throughout the cabin, covering Guests 1 through 8.

The number of included speciality dining meals continues to depend on the length of the cruise. Norwegian currently offers one meal on cruises of two to four nights, two meals on cruises of five to six nights, three meals on cruises of seven to eight nights and four meals on cruises lasting nine nights or longer.

The update makes the package considerably more useful for cabins occupied by more than two people, particularly families where parents are travelling with older children or groups using larger accommodation.

It also clears up some confusion. A friend of mine cruised with NCL last year with just herself and her child, but despite clarifying the rules with NCL beforehand, the onboard teams refused to honour the included speciality dining for her son!

Even though he was the second guest, they said he could only eat from the free kids’ menu, forcing her to pay for his meal so that he could actually enjoy what should’ve been included anyway.

This policy change doesn’t just benefit families but it should also avoid any repeat failures like this.

Unlimited Starbucks Package Rules Also Relaxed

The dining change comes less than two months after Norwegian altered the terms of its standalone Unlimited Starbucks package.

Effective from 1st July 2026, the minimum age for buying the package was reduced to 13. Previously, guests needed to be at least 18 years old.

Norwegian also removed one of the more restrictive conditions attached to the package. Guests can now buy Unlimited Starbucks individually, rather than requiring every eligible person on the same reservation to purchase it.

Norwegian’s published terms confirm that the package can be bought either before the cruise or once onboard by guests ag

A passenger has died after falling from a balcony onto a lower deck of Norwegian Getaway during the final night of a short Bahamas cruise from Miami.

The incident happened late on Sunday, 23rd August 2026, as the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was sailing back towards Florida following calls at Nassau and the cruise line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that the guest fell from a balcony and that crew members immediately attempted to save his life.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, 25th August, the cruise line said:

“On the evening of August 23, a guest went over their balcony, falling on a lower deck. While our crew acted immediately to provide life sustaining measures, the guest did not survive. Our thoughts are with the guest’s family during this very difficult time.”

The cruise line has not released the identity of the passenger or provided further information about how the fall occurred.

Norwegian Getaway had departed PortMiami on Friday, 21st August for a three-night weekend sailing. The ship was approaching the end of the voyage when the emergency unfolded sometime between approximately 11pm and midnight on Sunday.

Witnesses Describe Late-Night Emergency

Passengers aboard the ship have since shared accounts of the incident on social media, although many of the details circulating online have not been independently confirmed.

One guest posted a photograph to TikTok showing crew members gathered around a large covered area on an exterior deck.

The passenger wrote:

“An emergency announcement came over the PA while we were in the elevator,”

They added:

“A passenger had fallen from the 10th floor, landing on the Deck 7 port-side walkway.”

There has been some disagreement among passengers over precisely which deck the man fell from and where he landed.

Various accounts have suggested the balcony may have been on Deck 10, 11 or 13. Norwegian Getaway has balcony accommodation across several decks, including Decks 8 through 14, according to Norwegian Cruise Line’s published stateroom information.

Another passenger reportedly staying close to the cabin involved claimed to have heard yelling before seeing the man go over the balcony railing.

Other guests have alleged that the passenger appeared intoxicated earlier in the evening and may have been involved in an altercation with another person before returning to his stateroom. There has been no confirmation from Norwegian Cruise Line that an altercation took place or that any such incident was connected to the fatal fall.

Those claims therefore remain unverified witness accounts rather than established details of what happened.

Confusion has also surrounded reports that the man landed on a Deck 7 promenade. Deck 7 contains several indoor public venues, while Norwegian Getaway’s outdoor Waterfront promenade is located on Deck 8. What is clear from the available accounts is that th

Disney Cruise Line will bring Disney Wish to New York City for the first time in autumn 2027, with the Wish-class ship scheduled to operate seven cruises from the city following its inaugural season in Europe.

The 4,000-passenger ship will arrive in New York in late September before beginning a limited programme of four to seven-night sailings to Bermuda, Canada and New England.

Disney Cruise Line formally announced its fall 2027 and spring 2028 itineraries on 25th August 2026, confirming that the line will return to New York for the first time since 2023. Early bookings for selected Castaway Club members will begin on 31st August 2026, while general bookings are scheduled to open on 8th September.

The first Disney Wish departure from New York will be a four-night Bermuda cruise on 29th September 2027, calling at King’s Wharf before returning to the city on 3rd October.

It will be followed by a five-night Canada and New England sailing departing on 3rd October, with calls at Saint John in New Brunswick and Boston, Massachusetts.

A six-night cruise departing on 8th October will combine Bermuda and Canada, visiting King’s Wharf and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Two further five-night Bermuda cruises are scheduled for 14th and 19th October. Both will include an extended stay at King’s Wharf.

The ship will then switch its focus back to Canada for its longest round-trip New York itinerary. The seven-night sailing departing on 24th October will visit Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, along with Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, before returning to New York on 31st October.

Disney has said five of the seven special voyages from New York will feature Bermuda, with three of those cruises providing guests with additional time at the destination. The deployment will also mark Disney Cruise Line’s return to Canada and New England from New York after an absence of almost four years.

Disney Wish Will Reposition From New York To San Juan

Disney Wish’s final New York departure will take place on Halloween, 31st October 2027.

Rather than returning to Manhattan, the five-night cruise will operate one way to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a call at King’s Wharf in Bermuda along the way. The ship is scheduled to reach San Juan on 5th November.

Disney Wish will then operate two cruises from Puerto Rico.

The first, departing San Juan on 5th November, will be a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary visiting Oranjestad in Aruba, Kralendijk in Bonaire, Roseau in Dominica and Philipsburg in St Maarten.

Disney Wish will leave San Juan again on 12th November for a four-night repositioning cruise back towards Florida. That itinerary will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay before arriving at Port Canaveral on 16th November.

Once back in Florida, Disney Wish will return to its familiar programme of three and four-night cruises to The Bahamas. Disney has confirmed that its post-New

Carnival Cruise Line cruise director Robby Howell has announced that he will retire from life at sea later this year, bringing a 10-year career with the cruise line to an end.

Howell revealed the decision in a video shared on Instagram, confirming that his final cruise will be aboard Carnival Venezia when the ship departs Port Canaveral on 1st November 2026.

The sailing, which concludes on 8th November, will mark the end of what Howell is calling “Robby’s Retirement Run”, covering his remaining cruises with Carnival between now and his departure.

Explaining his decision, Howell made clear that the move was his own choice and said he is looking forward to beginning a new chapter ashore with his wife.

“10 years at sea… and it’s time for one last run.

After a lot of thought, I’ve made the decision that my time working at sea is coming to an end.

It’s entirely my decision, and I’m excited for what comes next… starting a new chapter on land with my beautiful wife.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Robby Howell (@carnival_robby)

Howell also thanked Carnival Cruise Line and the guests he has entertained during his decade working aboard the company’s ships.

“Carnival has given me 10 years of experiences, friendships, laughter and memories that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

To everyone at Carnival who has supported me throughout my career, and especially as I’ve made this decision… thank you.”

He reserved further thanks for Carnival guests, saying they had played a major role in creating the memories he will take with him when he leaves the cruise industry.

“And to the guests who have sailed with me over the years… thank you. You’ve been such a huge part of this journey. Without you, I simply wouldn’t have the memories I’m taking home with me.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Robby Howell (@carnival_robby)

One Final Sailing On Carnival Venezia

Although Howell has confirmed his departure, he still has more than two months remaining before officially finishing his career at sea.

His final voyage is scheduled to begin on 1st November from Port Canaveral aboard Carnival Venezia, with the cruise ending on 8th November.

Howell is encouraging guests booked to sail with him before then to introduce themselves, while also inviting past passengers who may want to join him for one final cruise.

“But we’re not quite done yet…

My final cruise will sail November 1st from Port Canaveral aboard Carnival Venezia.

So from now until then, I’m calling this…

Robby’s Retirement Run. Now through November 8th

If you’re sailing with me between now and the November 1st sailing, come and say hello. And if you fancy joining me for one last cruise… I’d love to see you.

10 years. A lot of memories. And still more to make.”

Published cruise director schedules cur

An MSC Cruises crew member has been arrested in Miami after being accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old passenger while working aboard MSC World America.

Rafael Cayetano Blanco, 38, was serving as a lifeguard on the ship when the alleged incidents took place during a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise that departed PortMiami on 15th August 2026.

According to NBC Miami, Blanco met the teenage passenger aboard the ship on 16th August. Investigators allege that the pair exchanged telephone numbers before later meeting in Blanco’s crew cabin that evening.

Authorities say sexual activity allegedly took place on two occasions during the cruise, first on 16th August and again on 19th August.

MSC World America was sailing an itinerary that included calls at Roatan in Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay private destination in the Bahamas.

Blanco, a Guatemalan national, was detained after the 216,638 gross-ton cruise ship returned to PortMiami on 22nd August.

Investigators said Blanco subsequently admitted to the alleged sexual activity. He was arrested by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Metro West Detention Center.

Crew Member Dismissed By MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises has confirmed that Blanco was dismissed following the allegations and said the cruise line contacted law enforcement after becoming aware of the incident.

In a statement provided to NBC Miami, MSC Cruises said:

“On discovery of a breach of conduct by a crew member and an alleged criminal act, we immediately contacted the relevant law enforcement authorities,” MSC Cruises told NBC Miami. “We fully supported the investigation and provided every assistance to the guest. The crew member concerned has been dismissed.”

Blanco has been charged with unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor.

Florida law states that a person aged 24 or older who engages in sexual activity with someone aged 16 or 17 commits a second-degree felony, subject to limited exceptions set out in the statute.

A second-degree felony in Florida can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years, while the maximum standard fine for a first or second-degree felony is $10,000.

Booking information cited in reports on the case lists Blanco’s bond at $7,500. He remained in custody on an immigration hold following his arrest. No attorney was listed in the booking records and, as of the latest reports, a court date had not been made public.

The allegations remain subject to the legal process and Blanco has not been convicted of the charge.

MSC World America Continues Scheduled Cruises

The arrest did not appear to disrupt MSC World America’s operations from Miami.

The ship departed PortMiami again as scheduled on 22nd August for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary, with calls scheduled at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Ocean Cay before r

Holland America Line is adding dedicated poolside live music venues to Oosterdam and Zuiderdam, with permanent bandstands set to become part of the two ships’ Lido Pool areas during their forthcoming major refurbishments.

The new performance spaces will host entertainment ranging from solo musicians to full live bands, while also giving Holland America a dedicated outdoor venue for some of its biggest onboard celebrations.

Both Oosterdam and Zuiderdam are 82,305-gross-ton Vista-class ships and are among six vessels being extensively upgraded through Holland America Evolution, a multi-year programme representing an investment of more than $500 million.

Oosterdam will be the first of the pair to receive its new Lido Pool bandstand, with the venue debuting following the ship’s Evolution transformation in 2027. Zuiderdam will follow as the second ship in the programme, returning to service after its own refurbishment in spring 2028.

Live Music Moves To The Lido Pool

Rather than simply being used for occasional temporary performances, the new bandstands are being designed as permanent entertainment spaces on the pool decks.

Holland America says programming will include both individual performers and full bands, giving the cruise line another location in which to stage live entertainment outside its existing theatres, lounges and music venues.

The bandstands will also become focal points for events including sailaway parties and Holland America’s Orange Party.

Typically held once during a cruise, the Orange Party celebrates the company’s Dutch roots and encourages passengers to wear orange for an evening featuring music, dancing and Dutch-inspired food and drinks.

“Over the past several years, we’ve been on a journey to expand and elevate our entertainment offerings across the fleet,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “The new Lido Pool bandstands are another step in that effort.”

One advantage of placing the stages alongside the Lido Pools on Oosterdam and Zuiderdam is that both areas are covered by retractable glass roofs.

The roofs can be closed when weather conditions deteriorate, meaning performances and parties will be less dependent on sunshine and warm temperatures than they would be on a completely open pool deck.

The move also fits into Holland America’s wider effort to increase the amount of live entertainment available aboard its ships. Earlier in 2026, flagship Rotterdam emerged from dry dock with additional locations for live music as part of its own series of onboard improvements.

Passengers will first be able to experience Oosterdam’s completed Evolution upgrades when the ship returns to service on 2nd December 2027.

Holland America has opened bookings for its first post-refurbishment cruises, beginning with a seven-day Western Mediterranean voyage sailing round-trip from Barcelona. Oosterdam will subsequently cross the Atlantic and spend th

Viking is expanding its ocean fleet further after signing contracts with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for two additional cruise ships due to enter service in 2032.

The agreement, announced on 20th August 2026, follows Viking’s decision to exercise options originally unveiled as part of a wider shipbuilding deal in April 2025.

Both ships will be constructed at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy and will continue Viking’s established approach of operating relatively small ocean vessels.

Each new ship is expected to measure approximately 54,300 gross tonnes and accommodate 998 passengers across 499 cabins. Fincantieri said the vessels will also meet the latest environmental and navigation regulations and feature modern safety systems.

Names and itineraries for the two 2032 ships have not yet been announced.

Two More Ships Added To Viking’s Growing Orderbook

The latest contracts trace their origins to an agreement announced by Viking and Fincantieri in April 2025.

That deal included two cruise ships scheduled for delivery in 2031, together with options for another two vessels. It is those additional options that have now progressed into firm contracts, with delivery scheduled for 2032.

Fincantieri has classified the latest agreement as “large”. Under the shipbuilder’s own definitions, that means a contract worth between €500 million and €1 billion. The agreement remains subject to financing and the other customary terms and conditions attached to major shipbuilding contracts.

The new vessels will be based on the successful characteristics of ships Fincantieri has already produced for Viking, meaning passengers can expect them to remain broadly within the cruise line’s established ocean ship format.

That includes the same stated passenger capacity and approximate gross tonnage as Viking Vesta, which was delivered from the Ancona yard in June 2025, as well as the hydrogen-capable Viking Libra currently approaching completion.

Announcing the latest deal, Fincantieri Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Pierroberto Folgiero said:

“Today’s agreement marks another milestone in our long-standing partnership with Viking and serves as a powerful testament to the excellence and industrial expertise of our Ancona shipyard.

“Over the years, Ancona has proven to be an indispensable production hub for our Group, delivering highly sophisticated cruise ships that set the benchmark for technology, luxury and efficiency. Assigning these new builds to Ancona reinforces the strategic role of the site, supports high-value local employment and ensures long-term industrial continuity for our supply chain as we continue to shape the future of sustainable cruising.”

The latest order takes the overall relationship between Viking and Fincantieri to 28 ships when delivered vessels, current orders and associated agreements are taken into account. The companies’ shipbuilding relationsh

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has marked 20 years of sailing from Newcastle, with the milestone coming as the cruise line prepares to operate its biggest-ever programme from the city in 2027.

The anniversary was celebrated at the Port of Tyne on 19th August 2026 as guests arrived to board Balmoral, with live entertainment and a special send-off arranged to commemorate two decades of Fred. Olsen departures from the North East.

North Eastern band Four Worried Men performed on the quayside as passengers arrived, while local piper Andrew Lawrenson played as guests made their way aboard the ship.

Celebrations continued once passengers were on board, culminating in a deck sailaway event as Balmoral departed from the Port of Tyne accompanied by a water cannon salute.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of sailing from the Port of Tyne and bringing cruising closer to home for our guests across the North East.

“Newcastle remains a key part of our regional cruise program, and we’re excited to be building on our strong partnership with the Port of Tyne as we look ahead to our biggest-ever program of sailings from the city in 2027.”

More Than 180,000 Guests Have Sailed From Newcastle

Fred. Olsen began its first programme of cruises from Newcastle in 2006 and has since carried more than 180,000 guests from the city aboard its fleet.

Over the past two decades, cruises from the Port of Tyne have taken passengers to destinations across Northern Europe and beyond, including the Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

The long-running relationship has also made Newcastle an important regional departure point for the cruise line, allowing passengers from the North East and surrounding areas to begin their holidays without travelling to ports on the south coast of England.

The Port of Tyne said cruise calls support both outbound holidays and inbound tourism, with visiting passengers also contributing to the regional economy.

Craig Morton, Commercial Director at the Port of Tyne, added: “Cruise is hugely important to both the port and the wider region, supporting inbound and outbound tourism, bringing significant economic benefits, and helping showcase the North East to visitors from across the UK and beyond. It is a sector where we see strong opportunities for future growth, and one we are committed to developing further.”

Fred. Olsen still has three Newcastle departures scheduled during the remainder of 2026 following what it described as a successful winter and spring season.

Two of those cruises have already sold out, leaving limited availability on the final departure of the year, a 14-night European Cities & Scenic Rivers itinerary scheduled to sail in September. The cruise will visit destinations in France and Belgium, with an itinerary focused on waterways, historic cities and regional food a

Passengers who booked luxury cruises along Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coast have been left facing significant losses after Kimberley Pearl Tours entered receivership, despite future sailings continuing to be advertised online.

Receivers were appointed to Kimberley Pearl Tours (KPT) in January 2026 after the company’s sole director, Daniel Brown, fell behind on repayments for a loan used to help purchase the business.

Brown took control of the company in 2024. The operator specialises in small-ship voyages aboard Kimberley Pearl, sailing through one of Australia’s most remote cruising regions.

Customers say they were not directly informed about the financial problems and, in some cases, only discovered that their cruises would not be going ahead after searching for information themselves.

The company’s website was still displaying cruises for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027 on 24th August, including itineraries lasting between seven and 13 nights. Some September 2026 departures were being displayed as having cabins available.

Passengers Discover Cruises Will Not Go Ahead

Among those affected is Bob Shawyer, who booked a trip with his wife last year and says he is now AUD8,500, approximately £4,460, out of pocket.

“My wife and I didn’t get a holiday we’ve been dreaming of,” Mr Shawyer said.

Rather than receiving notification from the cruise company that his holiday would not take place, Shawyer said he discovered the situation by chance while searching online.

He subsequently received an email requesting payment of the outstanding balance on his booking after learning that the company had entered receivership.

Another passenger, Ian Grant, had arranged a private cruise for a family trip and potentially faced a much larger financial loss.

Grant discovered that KPT had gone into receivership before receiving an invoice requesting a further AUD140,000, equivalent to more than £73,500.

“We could have paid that thinking it was hunky-dory,” he said.

According to ABC, invoices it reviewed were sent from a Kimberley Pearl email address approximately two to three months after receivers had been appointed in January.

Brown has denied sending invoices following the appointment of the receivers.

He said that he had previously lived aboard Kimberley Pearl while operating the business, but that the vessel was seized in February along with business assets and his personal belongings.

“It was therefore the receivers’ own refusal of access that placed the books and records beyond reach,” Mr Brown said in a statement.

Brown has also said it remains his “firm intention” to return Kimberley Pearl to service and provide refunds to affected customers, adding that he was “deeply sorry”.

“You trusted us with your holiday of a lifetime,” he said.

Customers who have already handed over deposits, however, say they remain uncertain about whether or when they

Disney Cruise Line has temporarily closed Pelican Plunge, the popular floating waterslide platform on Castaway Cay, for essential refurbishment work. The cruise line has not announced a specific reopening date for the attraction, which features two twisting waterslides and remains a favourite among families visiting the private Bahamian island.

Disney Cruise Line began notifying guests in late August 2026 about the temporary closure of Pelican Plunge, one of the most beloved water attractions on Castaway Cay. The notification, shared on social media on Sunday, 23rd August 2026, confirmed the closure would extend over several weeks whilst necessary refurbishments are completed.

“While the Pelican Plunge water slide is closed over the coming weeks due to necessary refurbishments, there is lots to see and do!” the official notification read. “The water play structure in the swimming lagoon and Spring-A-Leak are open for your enjoyment, as well as onboard water slides that may be available.”

The cruise line has not disclosed the precise date when Pelican Plunge first closed, nor has it provided a definitive timeline for when guests can expect the attraction to reopen. This lack of specific information has left some families uncertain about whether their upcoming sailings will include access to this popular feature.

Understanding The Scope Of Required Maintenance

Disney Cruise Line has remained tight-lipped about the specific nature of the refurbishments being undertaken at Pelican Plunge. However, industry standards for waterslide maintenance provide insight into what may be required for such an attraction.

All waterslides, whether on ships or at shore-side facilities, require regular maintenance to ensure they remain safe and comfortable for guests. The gel coating on waterslides deteriorates over time due to constant exposure to saltwater, sun, and friction from thousands of riders, necessitating periodic reapplication to prevent rough patches that could cause discomfort or injury.

Additionally, the water pumps that power the slides’ water flow systems require routine servicing to maintain proper function. The floating platform itself may need structural work, including flooring repairs, anchor system maintenance, or updates to safety features. Given Castaway Cay’s exposure to tropical weather conditions, including hurricanes and tropical storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, regular inspections and repairs are essential to maintain the attraction’s structural integrity.

Alternative Water Activities Remain Available During Closure

Whilst Pelican Plunge undergoes refurbishment, Disney Cruise Line has emphasised that numerous water activities remain available to guests visiting Castaway Cay. A smaller water play structure continues to operate in the southern swimming lagoon, though it lacks the waterslides that make Pelican Plunge such a draw.

Guests can still enjoy swimming in the crystal-cl