Cruise News & Clues

Welcome aboard our latest wave of cruise news and clues! We’ve scoured the seas of social media, cruise groups, and online articles to bring you the best of what’s making waves. With so many tips, tricks, and Q&As floating around out there, we’re here to help you navigate the chatter and find the real treasures. Let’s dive in.

Cruise News

• Condé Nast Traveller, a global voice of who's who and what's what in the travel industry, has a new article rating our beloved cruise lines. Their titled article, "The best cruise lines in the world: 2025 Readers' Choice Awards", will rank the lines by ship size. Check out their site here: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-cruise-lines-in-the-world-2025

• Forbes to the rescue, putting our minds at ease about sailing the rough seas. Their informative article "Cruising Into A Storm? Here’s What To Expect", by David Nikel, educates us about what to expect during storm season. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2025/10/07/cruising-into-a-storm-heres-what-to-expect/

• Princess Cruises has a new ship, and KTLA has the scoop. Travis Schlepp will take you through the exciting Star Princess launch and the new marquee attraction "Spellbound by Magic Castle". I, for one, cannot wait for that experience! https://ktla.com/news/local-news/cruise-line-launches-newest-luxury-vessel-with-experience-inspired-by-l-a-landmark/amp/

• Norwegian Aqua is home in Miami! Reading through NCLH's press release, I was floored by their new attractions and features. I won't spoil your surprise by telling you, although the words longest, fastest, first, and one-of-a-kind should get you pumped to find out more! https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/735/norwegian-aqua-makes-waves-with-her-arrival-to-miami-for

• Virgin Voyages debuts a new pricing structure to bring transparency to charges, beginning October 7, 2025. View the press release here: https://www.virginvoyages.com/press/latest-releases/voyagefairchoices

Clues & FAQs

General Q&A:

• If you have a drink package and get drinks before the ship leaves the state port, do you pay the state taxes on the drinks?

  • Yes, many embarkation ports charge taxes while the ship is docked. Also, some countries charge taxes once the ship gets into their waters and in their port. The bars will have signage on the bar when they are required to charge the taxes. Signs are removed once they no longer charge.

• What information do we put on our Luggage?

  • Attach the printed cruise luggage tag with:

    - Full name

    - Ship name

    - Sail date

    - Cabin number

  • Place a paper inside your suitcase with:

    - Name

    - Contact info

    - Cruise details

    This helps ensure your bag reaches your room, even if the outer tag falls off.

MSC World Q&A:

• Has anyone been to the secret bar?

  • It's a speakeasy.

  • The drink package doesn't work in there; water was $7, drinks were $22.

  • Overwhelmingly positive responses saying it was fun and well worth it, although there were a couple of responses saying it wasn't.

• Are there any "quiet" areas on the ship outside the perimeter for reading, away from a smoking section?

  • I enjoy the areas outside Elixir and Fizz.

  • The Zen Bar on 18.

  • Bubbles Lounge - they have a wonderful outside area.

  • The outdoor deck at the Loft Bar.

• Does the buffet have pizza, or only at the pizza restaurant?

  • At the Buffet, decks 18 & 19, and at Pizza and Burgers, Deck 6

  • The pizza at Pizza and Burgers was much, much better than the pizza at the buffet

Norwegian Q&A:

• Will the basic internet cover streaming or do I need to get the more expensive pass?

  • Basic will not allow any videos. No reels. Nothing. You'll need the package for streaming. If you are going to a few ports, though, it may be cheaper to buy your cellphone international plan and stream in ports and use free minutes while at sea.

  • You need streaming. If you can download things to keep you occupied the first 2-3 nights, NCL offers a special price for streaming with significant cost savings on day 2 or 3 before it goes back up again.

• Can anyone tell me how the Halloween festivities will be? Is this a Halloween shirt and earrings type of situation or a full-on costume to the nines?

  • Some will go all out; some will do a shirt; some will do nothing.

  • Went last Halloween; there were a lot of festivities throughout the evening. So many people dressed up!

  • Be sure to go into the buffet (even if you don’t eat there). The pumpkin carvings were incredible!!

Carnival Q&A:

• Has anyone pre-purchased “cruise cash” or “bar cash” on the app? How does that work when you get on ship?

  • It's like credit on your cabin to use before it hits the credit card on file.

  • If you don’t use it all, there is no refund, so make sure you spend it all.

  • If you have a balance left, go to the casino the night before leaving and put the balance into a slot machine using your card, then take a spin or two for fun and cash out. Go to the casino cashier for your cash. You cannot get cash back from customer service if you have a balance.

  • Cruise cash is not the same as using a gift card.

Virgin Q&A:

• They say meds must be in the original packaging. How picky are they with Rx and OTC?

  • Most say it's never been an issue to use a generic pill box or baggies.

• About the casino, as you're playing, you accrue points, and if you get 5000 points, you get a free cruise? How does this work?

  • Use your cruise bracelet to play.

  • The credit goes to the individual who played, not the cabin in general.

  • No free drinks unless you are on a comped casino cruise

  • We did not pay for our first cruise. We submitted a form showing we play at other casinos, and VV gave us a free cruise and free drinks in the casino.

    • We did play quite a bit, but not to 5000 points.

    • The form is on the VV website- onboard, casino, more deets.

Please remember, the above Q&A are what cruisers have posted on social media forums. Facts, opinions, charges, policies, etc., may change. Please refer to your specific cruise line or your travel agent to receive the most up-to-date and accurate information.