Cruise News & FAQs 1.28.26

We're charting the web to uncover what’s making waves—ships, tips, and unexpected blips!

NEWS & FAQS

1/29/20265 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

Clues & FAQs

Disney Q&A

  • Does anyone have a list of characters that are on the Magic?

    • We saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Chip n Dale. Princesses - Tiana, Belle, Ariel, Rapunzel, Cinderella. Marvel Heroes - Spider Man, Thor, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Iron Man, Dr Strange

  • For those who have been, what are the must-do activities on Castaway Cay?

    • The snorkeling lagoon!! Lots of little “treasures” to see below the surface and it’s huge

    • I've been to Castaway like 11 times and never done a single activity

    • Parasailing was amazing!

    • Banana boats

    • Rent bikes/water bikes

    • The 5k

    • Take a walk out to the lookout tower

    • Spend some time in the hammocks

    • The stingray adventure was a really good intro to snorkeling for my kids first time! First you feed stingrays, then snorkel fairly close to shore, there’s dozens of stingrays to see in calm water without a long swim.

    • A couples cabana massage

    • Water slides

    • Relax on the beach

MSC Q&A

  • As an American going on a European line, what should I do on the cruise to be more respectful/involved in the European way of cruising?

    • In general, Europeans (esp. Northern) prefer things a little quieter. Try not to speak like the whole room needs to hear your story.

    • Relax and soak in the civilized atmosphere. You hear different languages and dialects but notice a laugh is exactly the same in any language.

    • If you are sailing from a U.S. port to the Bahamas, most guests will be American and the food will have a European flair, but it will be geared to American tastes. Very casual clothing will be the norm.

    • To be more “European style” and have a happier cruise, expect the staff to be less intrusive. If you need them, make eye contact and do a slight chin nod or raised eyebrow to indicate you need them. don’t snap, wave, call out, or be upset that they didn’t come to check on you constantly. Being interrupted while you are eating is VERY rude in every other country I have visited except the US and one of the biggest complaints by non-MSC fans — they want that attention.

    • It honestly was like any other cruise and I’ve been on over 50 of them.

  • I have to travel with a mobility scooter…..Is it hard to get around with one?

    • I have done 19 cruises with my full size electric wheelchair. Most ships are accommodating and yes the Fully Accessible rooms have plenty of room and wider doorways. Bathrooms are equipped with roll in showers. You can request help from the port entry to the ship and in reverse on disembarking. Elevator waits can be long on 1st and last days and when going ashore and for dinner times. Most people are courteous and will prioritize scooters and wheelchairs. If you can not take steps you will not be going ashore at tender ports.

    • Contact MSC about your needs. You have to fill out a request form before you get on a ship as well.

NCL Q&A

  • Do the ships serve Coke or Pepsi products?

    • Coke

  • On my last cruise I purchased cruise next credits and cannot find the receipt they gave me. Is there any way I can still use them?

    Just log into your account with NCL, and they will be there.

Royal Q&A

  • Which ship has the railroad dining ?

    • Utopia of the Seas. It was a very clever and enjoyable experience

  • Does Royal Caribbean (Harmony of the Seas) punch a hole in your room card, so you can wear it on a lanyard?

    • No, it'll damage the electronics. Suggestions are to put the card in a sleeved lanyard, a phone pocket, or buy a Wow Band. Some older ships that have not upgraded to tap entry may still hole-punch.

Virgin Q&A

  • For those of you who have already done a cruise, how much did you feel like was a good amount to have on you bar tab?

    • That's entirely subjective. How many people? How many drinks per day? Well or top shelf?

    • We had a $600 tab for 11 nights and was just right. Planning $55 a night worked because we do about 2 drinks each, per night. Drink prices will vary $9-15 each.

    • $300 on a 5 night cruise was good for us.

    • We drink specialty coffee religiously 2-3 per day and quite a bit if alcohol as a couple (5-6 each/day minimum)and we spent $750 + without much effort on a 4 day

    • My friend and I got the $750 Bar Tab for a 7-night cruise, so we got a free $175 added on. We are big drinkers and used up all but maybe 48 cents. We never bought anyone drinks, but had a few people buy us drinks throughout the cruise.

    • My husband and I aren't big drinkers. We didn't do a bar table. We just paid for our drinks at the end of the cruise and it was only $78. We were on a 4 day cruise.

    • We didn’t get a bar tab as we're not big drinkers, but spent about $200 total on alcoholic drinks, mocktails, coffees, smoothies

    • I estimate about 100 per day

    • We could have easily gone through $1,000 on a seven night. But we tampered back and used up the 350.00 bar tab and then probably tabbed out at another $300.

    • For the 5 day, we did $225 and it was plenty. The drinks are very reasonable in price.

    • The bar tab calculator is a good way to calculate https://vvinsider.com/bar-tab-calculator/

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.

Charting Chandlers

Your trusted partner in personalized cruise planning

Connect

© 2025. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions