Cruise News & Clues 11.18.25
We're charting the web to uncover what’s making waves—ships, tips, and unexpected blips!
11/18/20253 min read
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
Want to learn about what's coming for Royal Caribbean Group, including a new beach club, island, and river cruises?
Frustration flares as Norwegian reduces the quantity of solo cabins
https://www.thetravel.com/ncl-changes-strategy-for-single-occupancy-cabins-for-solo-travelers/
Port of Galveston Opens 4th Cruise Terminal!
https://www.portofgalveston.com/port-of-galveston-opens-4th-cruise-terminal/
How much does it cost to live at sea?
Passenger, now identified, dies aboard Carnival Horizon, and the FBI is investigating.
Carnival welcomed veterans and families for a tribute reception in honor of Veterans' Day.
Walkie-Talkies on cruise ships? Some say yes, others are a hard no.
https://www.thetravel.com/royal-caribbean-and-norwegian-cruise-opposite-views-on-walkie-talkie-ban/
Godparents, Camila and Matthew McConaughey, christened the Star Princess.
11 local Bahamian artists will be featured at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
A redevelopment of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) will make it more modernized.
https://edc.nyc/press-release/nycedc-announces-transformative-manhattan-cruise-terminal-master-plan
MSC orders two new World Class ships.
Icon of the Seas is moving to Galveston.
Another propulsion problem on the Carnival Horizon delays its return to Miami on Sunday, November 16.
https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-ship-faces-mechanical-trouble-return-to-miami-delayed/192208
Man falls into water between the ship and pier at Nassau port.
Clues & FAQs
General Q&A
Why would you book cruises 1 or 2 years in advance, rather than booking at the last minute? Do you save more one way or another?
Best choice of room and excursion selections, especially if an accessible room or rooms next to each other are needed.
You can pay for it over time.
Often the price is best when the cruise is first released, and if it decreases you can usually have the price adjusted if it is not yet paid in full.
Disney Q&A
What is the fastest way to get from the port to Disney World after disembarking?
Rent a car from the port
Uber or other car service
Disney Transport
Is pin trading still a thing?
Yes!
Norwegian Q&A
How does the crew know we have a drink package?
You scan your key card
How do you make housekeeping aware that we want our beds separate prior to boarding?
Call NCL, they can notate your reservation
Your TA will do that for you
If you don't do it before boarding, let your stateroom attendant know when you first get into your room
Princess Q&A
Does the app show your excursions on the My Journey tab?
Click on "excursions", then the little calendar icon on the right side. You'll see your paid excursions. They won't show in the "journey" part of the app. Your excursion tickets will be delivered to your room the first night.
Royal Q&A
How difficult is it to return a refreshment or alcohol package & repurchase at a lower price?
Super easy, cancel and repurchase
Where do I go to find out what and when the theme nights are?
Shortly before your trip you'll see them in the app under Daily Planner
Virgin Q&A
How clean are the rooms?
Very clean, immaculate, spotless, the entire ship was as well
We always saw staff cleaning
Is it best to buy a bar tab before boarding? What happens to any leftover money at the end of the cruise?
Yes, it is best to purchase before boarding. You earn bonus $$ by doing so. Use the Bar Tab Calculator to identify how much you should purchase.
Regarding leftover bar tab:
Make friends and buy them drinks
On the last night, purchase bottles of wine to bring home
