Cruise News & FAQs 3.3.26

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

• Virgin Voyages heads West!

  https://www.virginvoyages.com/ahoy/stories/brilliant-lady-west-coast-cruises-los-angeles-seattle

• Virgin answers the myths on Reddit cruise discussions.

  https://www.virginvoyages.com/ahoy/stories/cruise-myths-reddit-got-wrong

• Fire onboard World Lagacy results in tragedy.

  https://people.com/1-dead-4-hospitalized-cruise-ship-fire-breaks-out-mid-voyage-600-people-on-board-11910473

• When ribbons end up in court.

  https://www.cruisehive.com/lawsuit-filed-against-princess-cruises-over-dining-room-accident/200178

• MSC brings the bots.

  https://www.mscpressarea.com/en_US/press-releases/from-robots-to-game-shows-msc-cruises-unveils-exciting-new-entertainment-for-2026/

• Galveston cruise departures will still sail to Mexico.

  https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/local/galveston/2026/02/24/544264/galveston-cruises-unaffected-amid-mexico-safety-concerns/

• Princess Cruise Line to the rescue!

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2026/02/24/princess-cruise-ship-rescue/88847749007/

• A Carnival ship slides into court.

  https://people.com/carnival-passenger-sues-cruise-line-after-allegedly-colliding-with-a-wall-on-waterslide-11912956

• The Celebration rescued 5 people from sea.

  https://people.com/carnival-cruise-ship-rescues-5-people-from-vessel-in-distress-11912402

• Viking is sailing new US itineraries in 2027.

  https://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/2026-02-18-viking-announces-new-mississippi-and-ohio-river-voyages-for-2027.html

• Arabian Gulf conflicts are affecting cruises.

  https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/safety-security/cruise-lines-monitor-gulf-conflict-priority-is-safety-and-repatriation

• Cruising Europe may be less expensive than land vacations.

  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/cruise-bookings-beat-costly-europe-trips/gm-GM796E5F26?gemSnapshotKey=GM796E5F26-snapshot-1&uxmode=ruby

• Carnival Conquest ship upgrades.

  https://www.carnival-news.com/2026/02/20/carnival-conquest-returns-to-miami-with-new-and-refreshed-spaces-after-dry-dock

• Carnival debuts a fleet-wide lottery opportunity.

  https://www.carnival-news.com/2026/02/25/carnival-cruise-line-timeplay-launch-carnivalR-millions-the-first-fleetwide-linked-lottery-with-a-1-million-jackpot-opportunity

• Celebrity Solstice, renewed.

  https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/celebritycruises/news/celebrity-cruises-relaunches-celebrity-solstice-with-eight-new-experiences

• Margaritaville at Sea receives perfect USPH scores!

  https://www.margaritavilleatsea.com/margaritaville-at-sea-fleet-achieves-perfect-100-usph-inspection-scores

Clues & FAQs

Carnival Q&A

• Is it still enjoyable to cruise without booking excursions?

  • Yes!

  • I love not being rushed and just enjoying the calm exploring the boat and port.

• What would you change about Carnival if you could?

  • More music and theme night variety

  • More shows

  • Remove smoking

  • No thongs

  • Anti-slam doors

  • Photos more affordable

  • More adult only areas

  • Revert back to old rewards

  • Single cruise pricing

  • Bring back the midnight buffets, including the chocolate buffet

  • Nothing, just enjoy your vacation.

MSC Q&A

• Are there laundry machines available onboard?

  • There are no self-service laundry facilities on any MSC Ship.

NCL Q&A

• Is TV available free of charge? Is news available, and other non-streaming shows?

  • I think we had CNN and BBC news, but not networks like ABC or CBS.

  • We took a laptop that we filled with downloads from Netflix and Disney+, but we barely watched anything as we were so busy and only really slept in our stateroom!!

  • Half of the channels were dedicated to NCL, shows, information, and bow view cameras, etc., one sports channel, old sitcoms, and two news channels.

• Are the drinks in the casino free if you are actively playing?

  • No, only when you have a qualifying package or points earned.

Royal Q&A

• Is it better to go to the dining room for dinner or the buffet?

  • It's really a personal choice, but I prefer the MDR because it's just a great experience. We normally do the MDR and then go to the buffet if we're snackish later on.

  • We go to dining room if we like the menu for that day, if not, we go to the buffet for more choices.

  • Dining room. Food is better, you get waited on like royalty, and far less opportunity to get sick.

  • We did the main dining on the first night, and it wasn’t for us.

  • Buffet during the day, but definitely dining hall at night.

  • I like the buffet because I am able to pick what I like.

  • Takes too long at MDR. Once on a 5-day cruise is ok, but I've got things to do.

  • Both!

• Where can I request mattress topper and extra pillows?

  • Ask your stateroom attendant as soon as you get to your room.

  • Request special needs on their website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/guest-special-needsfbclid=IwY2xjawQUV9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDNzBDVmFrNjBnY0hIM2pNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo53bhF0fDwCJP9jfiwdm4TsmUdfiJdEuqCzMLXfF4TRcA0Oh02HVuKyZOU2_aem_nKr4Qlv_7bmONER3TlMy3g

Virgin Q&A

• Where is breakfast served?

  • The Wake and Razzle Dazzle restaurants offer brunch menus.

  • The galley has a fully cooked breakfast, a bagel bar, and an awesome bakery.

• Is it true that if I don’t turn on the blue light, my room will not get cleaned?

  • Blue light lets them know you need service or are out and can service the room. They will stop by if you never turn it on to see if the room is available to be cleaned. Red light means do not disturb.

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.