Cruise News & Clues 3.15.26

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

• New fees on an NCL show.

  https://travelhost.com/cruises/norwegian-cruise-line-adds-fee-for-new-show

• Forbes explains gratuities.

  https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2026/03/05/how-cruise-gratuities-really-work/

• Monitoring safety onboard as the Middle East conflicts continue.

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2026/03/04/cruise-guests-stranded-iran-war/88981888007/

• Disney Adventure makes Asia debut.

  https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/adventure-cruise-ship-joe-schott/

• MSC Yacht Club Restaurants are being upgraded.

  https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_US/press-releases/msc-cruises-to-upgrade-msc-yacht-club-restaurant-across-fantasia-class-ships/

• Express Dining will be piloted on Carnival.

  https://www.carnival-news.com/2026/03/10/carnival-cruise-line-rolls-out-express-dining-giving-guests-more-time-to-enjoy-their-vacation

• Princess fee increases.

  https://parade.com/news/princess-cruises-quietly-raises-a-fee-affecting-all-guests

  https://nypost.com/2026/03/11/lifestyle/princess-cruises-quietly-hikes-daily-service-charge-drawing-backlash-from-passengers/

• NCL's Luna is on her inaugural transatlantic voyage.

  https://www.ncl.com/newsroom/norwegian-luna-welcomes-her-first-guests-in-europe-before-kicking-off-her-inaugural-caribbean-season-in-miami

• America's Got Talent Live on Legend of the Seas.

  https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1858/royal-caribbeans-newest-vacationwill-bring-americas-got-talent-to-seaforthe-first-time/

• The Eldir Longship joins Vikings river fleet.

  https://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/2026-3-11-viking-takes-delivery-of-newest-river-ship-in-europe.html

• Galapagos sailings are open for booking on Celebrity.

  https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/celebritycruises/news/celebrity-cruises-2028-galapagos-expeditions-are-open-for-booking

• Carnival Firenze cancels Baja sailings.

  https://www.cruisehive.com/thousands-impacted-as-carnival-firenze-unexpectedly-cancels-multiple-fall-sailings/201831?fbclid=IwY2xjawQe9uxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3YjhSZFJFTThqS3R5aXlqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkWdaSlHZ-0GevV9NvR2Kp9pgsc_l_5uCSCrjQkaG066RTPPGIaVUwG1D_W2_aem_b70EJlBBQqmNi1s7cpCK0g

• Celebrity: Excursions, Redefined.

  https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/news/celebrity-cruises-is-redefining-river-travel-with-the-industrys-most-extensive-and-experiential-destination-experiences

• The top 10 cleanest cruise lines, ranked.

  https://nypost.com/2026/03/14/lifestyle/here-are-the-top-10-cleanest-cruise-lines-according-to-cdc-surprise-sanitation-inspections/

• Are you a RC pier runner? This may help.

  https://travelhost.com/cruises/royal-caribbean-tries-to-solve-pier-runner-problem

Clues & FAQs

Carnival Q&A

• For those who gamble, how much do you generally spend on a 7 day cruise?

  • Only up to $50/day

  • $100/day

  • $100 total

  • $200-300/day

  • $500/sea day

  • Up to $5000

  • $6,000-10,000

• Which specialty restaurant do you recommend?

  • The steak house

  • Teppanyaki

Disney Q&A

• Is the bathrobe that is purchased with packages good quality?

  • Yes they are sooooo comfy

  • The robes sold in the Romance package are very soft and plush

  • It's amazing! Like wearing a teddy bear!

  • If you don’t have space to pack it, you can always wear it off the ship lol it’s worth it

MSC Q&A

• Are we allowed to take food to go from the MDR?

  • No, you can from the buffet though.

NCL Q&A

• Does NCL still provide a reusable drink tumbler with their soda package?

  • No

Royal Q&A

• How do you pay the vendors on Coco Cay, credit or cash?

  • Use your SeaPass card.

• Has anyone ever booked a GTY suite and been given anything other than a Junior Suite?

  • Yes. We received grand suite.

  • We got a CL and a GS on Symphony and Wonder.

  • Between Royal Up and the casino suite upgrades for Masters - it’s unlikely. BUT it can happen

Viking Q&A

• How are the toiletries? Will they affect my white hair?

  • I have white hair too. I love the shampoo and conditioner as well as the body lotion. I never take those three things with me anymore. I was hooked right off the bat.

  • Love their products!

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.