Several cruise lines will have ships positioned near the path of the total solar eclipse in August, but Virgin Voyages is trying to turn the rare event into more than a few minutes spent staring at the sky from the pool deck. The cruise line has revealed the full programming for its two Solar Eclipse Voyages aboard Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady.

In addition to sailing into the path of totality, the cruises will feature NASA astronauts, astrophysicists, commercial spaceflight pioneers, photography classes, and several different ways for guests to experience the eclipse.

The actual period of totality will only last around two minutes, but Virgin Voyages is building nearly two weeks of programming around it.

Two Very Different Ways to See the Eclipse

The total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, with its path crossing portions of Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain. Virgin Voyages is offering two itineraries positioned around the event, giving guests a choice between the cooler landscapes of Iceland and the British Isles or a warmer cruise through the Mediterranean.

Valiant Lady will sail a 15-night Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles itinerary from Portsmouth on August 5. The cruise visits Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Siglufjordur, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, and Edinburgh before returning to Portsmouth on August 20.

For guests who prefer beaches and warmer weather, Scarlet Lady will depart Barcelona on August 10 for a 12-night Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome cruise. The itinerary visits Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Cannes, Ajaccio, La Spezia, Salerno, and Catania before arriving in Rome on August 22.

Both ships are scheduled to sail into the eclipse’s path of totality. Being at sea should provide guests with an unobstructed view of the horizon, as long as the weather cooperates, that is. Ships may have some ability to adjust their position based on the forecast, but there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of clouds.

Still, compared to standing in a crowded park or trying to find an open viewing area on land, watching the sky go dark from the middle of the ocean should be a memorable experience.

Astronauts and Eclipse Experts Join the Cruises

Virgin Voyages will bring NASA astronauts, astrophysicists, photographers, and commercial spaceflight experts aboard to help guests better understand what they are seeing.

During “Out of This World: Living in Orbit,” NASA astronauts will discuss their experiences working aboard the International Space Station, completing spacewalks, and seeing Earth from orbit. Virgin Galactic representatives and astronauts will also participate in “Virgin Galactic: Ask an Astronaut,” an open question-and-answer session about commercial spaceflight and what it takes to leave Earth’s atmosphere.

For guests who know little about eclipses beyond the fact that they should not stare directly at the sun, a solar physicist will host “Solar Eclipse 101.” The presentation will explain what happens during totality and how to safely watch the partial phases before and after the sun is completely blocked.

There will also be an eclipse photography masterclass covering how to photograph the sun’s corona, Baily’s beads, and the diamond ring effect using either a traditional camera or a phone. Of course, with only about two minutes of totality, guests may have to decide whether to spend the moment taking pictures or actually watching it unfold.

Virgin is also adding one of its more unconventional wellness offerings. “Cosmic Pause: Eclipse Energy Session” will combine a teaching about light and shadow with what the cruise line describes as an energy transmission session timed to the eclipse.

Guests Can Choose Their Eclipse Atmosphere

Rather than holding one massive viewing party with music blasting from the pool deck, Virgin Voyages will establish several designated viewing zones around each ship.

One zone will allow guests to experience totality in silence, while another will feature a live musical score. A third area will provide real-time narration from experts as the eclipse unfolds.

It is a really smart way to handle an event that different guests may want to experience in very different ways. Some people will want scientists explaining every stage of the eclipse, while others will probably prefer to put away their phones and take in the unusual silence and darkness.

Eclipse-Themed Excursions in Port

The eclipse theme will also continue when the ships are in port, with several specially created Shore Things available during the sailings for an additional fee.

In Belfast, guests can visit the Armagh Observatory before heading to Long Meadow for a cider tasting among the orchards. In Mallorca, an excursion into the Genova Caves will combine astronomy with stories about the island’s history and culture.

Virgin is taking a less scientific approach in Ibiza, where guests can participate in yoga followed by a sound bath in the gardens of Jardines de Palermo. An Iceland excursion will include a coastal drive along the Troll Peninsula, passing waterfalls, reservoirs, and historic fishing huts before ending with a geothermal soak.

More Than Two Minutes of Darkness

Virgin Voyages is attempting to make the eclipse the centerpiece of the entire vacation rather than an event that happens to take place during one afternoon of the cruise. Whether the talks, wellness sessions, and themed excursions justify selecting Virgin over another eclipse sailing will depend on the guest, but the line is putting considerably more thought into the experience than simply handing out protective glasses and directing everyone to the top deck.

The two Solar Eclipse Voyages are part of Virgin Voyages’ Marvelous Collection, a group of limited and special-event sailings built around unusual destinations and experiences.

Missed Out on the 2026 Eclipse? Start Planning for 2027

If this event sounds interesting to you, but you already have your vacation days allocated for 2026, there is good news. Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East on August 2, 2027.

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady will be sailing from Barcelona for the event, or you can look at options from Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean. The 2027 eclipse will also feature a much longer period of totality in some locations, giving cruisers another option if they miss Virgin’s 2026 voyages.

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On January 28, 2027, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, and the upcoming Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will come together in Nassau, Bahamas. To celebrate the occasion, guests sailing aboard the three ships will be treated to an exclusive Zac Brown Band concert at the Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre.

The private performance is exclusively for Margaritaville at Sea guests booked on the participating sailings. It will not be open to passengers visiting Nassau aboard other cruise lines or to the general public.

Three Margaritaville at Sea Ships Meet in Nassau

The event will mark the first time Margaritaville at Sea has brought its entire fleet together in one port.

Each ship will arrive in Nassau as part of a different itinerary departing from one of the cruise line’s three Florida homeports.

• Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will depart from the Port of Palm Beach on January 25, 2027, for a 4-night cruise visiting Freeport and Nassau.
• Margaritaville at Sea Islander will depart from Port Tampa Bay on January 25 for a 5-night cruise visiting Freeport and Nassau.
• Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, will sail from PortMiami on January 23 for a 7-night cruise visiting George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Nassau.

All three ships will be together in Nassau on January 28 for the fleet-wide celebration.

In addition to the Zac Brown Band concert, the cruises will feature special onboard events, a Captain’s Toast, and a coordinated sail-away celebration created specifically for the gathering.

Exclusive Zac Brown Band Concert for Sailing Guests

The centerpiece of the event will be a private performance by Zac Brown Band at the Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre. The concert will be exclusively for guests sailing aboard the three participating ships.

The concert will take place at the Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre, located inside the recently redeveloped Nassau Cruise Port complex. The outdoor theater overlooks Nassau Harbour and should provide an impressive waterfront setting for the performance.

One question not addressed in Margaritaville at Sea’s announcement is how the concert will accommodate guests from all three ships. Together, the vessels can carry approximately 7,780 passengers at maximum capacity. But the reported capacity of the Amphitheatre is 3,500.

Beachcomber Will Feature a Zac Brown Venue

The fleet gathering will take place shortly after the debut of Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, the cruise line’s newest and largest ship. The vessel is an extensively renovated and rebranded version of the former Costa Fortuna, which originally entered service in 2003.

Among the new additions will be Same Boat by Zac Brown, which the cruise line describes as the first artist-designed live music venue at sea.

Zac Brown has worked with Margaritaville at Sea on the venue’s design, artwork, atmosphere, and entertainment programming. The space will feature live music, cocktails, and performances from artists selected to appear onboard throughout 2027.

The venue takes its name from Zac Brown Band’s song “Same Boat.” Jimmy Buffett also appeared on a version of the song released on the deluxe edition of the band’s 2021 album, The Comeback.

Our Take: This Ship Meetup Is Actually Worthwhile

Cruise lines occasionally bring multiple ships together to generate publicity and capture impressive photos. In many cases, however, the event has little effect on the passengers onboard. The ships might sound their horns, sail near each other, or pose together briefly. It can make for a good press release, but guests receive little more than the ability to say they were onboard when it happened.

This Margaritaville at Sea gathering is different.

Guests from all three ships will actually come together for a private Zac Brown Band concert that is exclusive to passengers booked on these specific sailings. The cruise line is also planning coordinated onboard programming, a Captain’s Toast, and a fleet-wide sail-away celebration.

Compared to some cruise line meetups that amount to little more than a marketing opportunity, this one feels like an actual celebration created for the people onboard.

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While the ships reentered service in mid-May, Norwegian has now provided an official look at the upgrades made onboard. Let’s take a look.

Vibe Beach Club Added

Both Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade saw the addition of Norwegian’s Vibe Beach Club concept.

Vibe Beach Club is an extra-fee, adults-only area available on many Norwegian ships. The new spaces on Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade feature 50 premium padded loungers, seven cabanas available for an additional fee, a large hot tub, and a dedicated bar.

The spaces were added to areas that previously served as general-use sun decks.

Expanded Thermal Suites

The Mandara Spa thermal suites onboard both ships also received upgrades. The spaces now feature a new centralized layout, upgraded reception areas, three times as many heated tile loungers, and updated steam rooms and saunas.

The thermal suites now include:

• Charcoal Sauna
• Ice Room
• Salt Room
• IV Lounge
• Four-Senses Loungers

Norwegian Jade also received new Experiential Showers that use multiple water jets and lighting effects to create a unique experience. The thermal suite also has a Plunge Pool for cold-water immersion.

Norwegian Gem received an updated hot tub and thalassotherapy pool.

Dedicated Starbucks

While every ship in the Norwegian fleet offers Starbucks beverages for an additional cost, not every ship has a stand-alone Starbucks location.

Norwegian Jade now has a licensed Starbucks store located in the ship’s main atrium on Deck 7. Guests can enjoy the same hot and cold signature beverages, seasonal options, and treats they would find at a Starbucks location on land.

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The first ship in the class will be named Carnival Destiny. It is a tribute to the original Carnival Destiny, which sailed from 1996 to 2013. When it debuted, it was the first passenger ship to exceed 100,000 gross tons. In 2013, Carnival Destiny underwent a multimillion-dollar refurbishment that gave it a new name. It is currently sailing as Carnival Sunshine and is technically the oldest ship in Carnival’s fleet.

Today’s steel cutting happened on the 30th anniversary of when the original Carnival Destiny first sailed from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, the very shipyard where the new Carnival Destiny will be built.

Record-Breaking, But Not Necessarily in a Good Way

While the new Carnival Destiny will be big, it will not break any size records like its namesake did. When looking at gross tonnage, it will be the sixth-largest ship in the world when it debuts, outsized by Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and newer Oasis Class ships.

But it will break records for the number of guests onboard. At maximum capacity, the ship is expected to hold 8,000 guests. That’s 5% more than Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, the current record holder at 7,600 guests. Holding more people while having less gross tonnage may prove to be a downside.

What Will Carnival Destiny Be Like?

Even with this announcement, we don’t know a lot about the Ace Class Carnival Destiny yet. Carnival has said it will hold an event with more details in November.

At the press conference during the steel-cutting ceremony, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy gave us a few more hints, though.

She said the Ace Class ships “are designed to change how guests will experience the sea while on their cruise. We like to say they’ll have ‘More Sea to See.’”

• It will be the most outward-facing ship in the Carnival fleet
• More ocean views across more spaces
• A reimagined Lanai Deck
• More than 4.5 acres of glass
• The most sea-view balconies at sea
• 70% new concepts across dining, beverage, and entertainment

Looking at the render that was provided, it seems the ship takes a lot of inspiration from Carnival’s previous class of ships, the Excel Class, which includes Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. You can see the three-story windows on the side where Grand Central is located on those ships, although what is inside has yet to be revealed.

The exterior promenade, the Lanai Deck, also called Summer Landing on the Excel Class ships, has been expanded. It looks like it will have more bars and restaurants along it, and while it is hard to see in the render, a 360-degree spinning holographic display at the ceremony seemed to show pools along the aft section of the Lanai Deck. Unfortunately, according to the renders it does not wrap around the whole ship like on the Vista Class.

Seeing the ship’s design, we can now confirm that it will not have a split-superstructure design. So far, every cruise ship over 200,000 gross tons has widened the ship and added open interior spaces in the middle lined with cabins. This creates areas like Central Park on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Icon Class ships and the World Promenade on MSC’s World Class ships. But Carnival is going with a traditional cruise ship design. It will be interesting to see how this impacts how crowded the ship feels, as the split-superstructure design has so far been credited with making these massive ships possible without feeling cramped.

You might notice that there are no top-deck attractions yet. That is standard for early renders, and we can expect things like ropes courses, water slides, and other attractions to be added to future renders.

Three Ace Class Ships Coming

Carnival Destiny will be the first Ace Class ship and will debut in 2029. Carnival has two others on order, set to debut in 2031 and 2033. Their names will be released at a later date, along with their homeports and itineraries.

Carnival has been preparing for these ships for a long time, though. With all its recent improvements, including the new piers at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, as well as Terminal F at PortMiami, Carnival has said these facilities will be able to accommodate the new, larger ships.

Why Not Carnival Ace?

Project Ace was Carnival’s internal name for the project that developed this class of ship. Usually, when a ship is revealed to the public, the name of the first ship also becomes the name of the class. For example, Carnival Vista is part of the Vista Class, and Carnival Dream is part of the Dream Class.

But with its most recent class, the Excel Class, Carnival’s internal name, Excellence Class, became the class name. The reason is likely because Carnival Corporation has been reusing these ships across multiple brands it owns. The Excel Class is not exclusive to Carnival and is also used by AIDA, Costa, and P&O Cruises.

In fact, the first ship in the class was not built for Carnival but for AIDA Cruises. AIDAnova debuted two years earlier, and it would have been odd to call them “Nova Class” ships when only one of the cruise lines had a ship with “Nova” in its name.

John Heald was the first cruise director onboard Carnival Destiny. Sixty-five of the original Carnival Destiny crew members are still serving with the line.

Carnival Destiny Will Be Sailing the Caribbean

The press release confirmed that the ship will sail in the Caribbean. It will visit destinations in the Paradise Collection, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

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The first ship to undergo the Celebrity Renewed transformation was Celebrity Solstice, and the changes have been well received by many early guests. Now, we know the next ship to receive a major modernization will be Celebrity Reflection, and the changes are even bigger this time.

The newly upgraded Celebrity Reflection will set sail on March 15, 2027, with 13 new spaces and experiences coming to the ship.

Reimagined Pool Deck

The pool deck on Celebrity Reflection will be redesigned as the Celebrity Pool Club, similar to the space found on the newer Celebrity Xcel. Expect lots of bright orange accents, more comfortable seating, additional shade, and new activities.

The redesigned pool deck will also have two dedicated bars, providing more places to grab a drink without leaving the area.

Orange Peel Bar & Grille

Celebrity is adding a new poolside food and beverage concept called Orange Peel Bar & Grille. The new complimentary venue will serve smash burgers, frozen cocktails, and casual food designed for a relaxing day by the pool.

Tacos del Sol

Tacos del Sol will be Celebrity’s first dedicated fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant. The casual, open-air eatery will feature a build-your-own taco station with a variety of fillings, toppings, and other options.

The Grand Plaza

The Grand Foyer on Celebrity Reflection will be transformed into The Grand Plaza, taking inspiration from the central gathering spaces found aboard Celebrity’s newer Edge Class ships. The redesigned space will feature a centrally located Martini Bar and a massive suspended chandelier. The chandelier will become part of the entertainment, with light shows and performances taking place throughout the evening.

Sunset Park Replaces The Lawn Club

The Lawn Club will be removed and transformed into Sunset Park.

Guests will no longer have to worry about areas of real grass being roped off while they recover from the hot Caribbean sun. Instead, Celebrity will replace the real grass with artificial turf and add comfortable seating, games, and new gathering spaces throughout the area.

The redesigned outdoor area will provide more places for guests to relax during the day while also serving as a social and entertainment space in the evening. Enjoy movies under the stars, live music, and activities throughout the day and night.

Sunset Park Cafe

A new dining option will also be added to the ship’s upper decks. Sunset Park Cafe will offer casual, bistro-style dining for breakfast and lunch, providing another outdoor dining option with expansive ocean views.

The Parlor

This hybrid gaming space and bar first debuted aboard Celebrity Solstice as part of its Celebrity Renewed transformation.

The Parlor is an elevated sports and gaming lounge featuring hundreds of classic board games, billiards, darts, and other activities. Large-screen TVs will also make it a good place to watch live sporting events.

The venue will feature a full-service bar along with bar bites available for an additional cost.

The Parlor will replace the Conference Center and the Future Cruise Vacations desk.

Boulevard Lounge Replaces Celebrity Central

Similar to the changes made aboard Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Central will be transformed into Boulevard Lounge.

With seating for approximately 125 guests, the venue will feature entertainment and activities throughout the day, including karaoke, live music, game shows, and interactive programming.

The venue will also feature Celebrity’s popular dueling piano performances.

Boulevard Bar Replaces the Entertainment Court Bar

The Entertainment Court Bar will be upgraded and transformed into Boulevard Bar.

The redesigned venue will offer a more distinctive cocktail menu and a more refined atmosphere. Its location near Boulevard Lounge will make it a convenient place to grab a drink before or after a performance.

Trattoria Rossa Replaces Qsine

This new specialty restaurant first debuted aboard Celebrity Solstice and serves what Celebrity describes as Roman-inspired cuisine.

Guests can expect traditional Italian dishes with modern touches, including fresh pasta and updated takes on classic recipes.

Trattoria Rossa will replace Qsine.

Fine Cut Steakhouse Replaces Tuscan Grille

Tuscan Grille will be transformed into Fine Cut Steakhouse, Celebrity’s signature steakhouse concept found aboard its Edge Class ships.

The restaurant will offer dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and impressive ocean views.

The addition brings one of the most popular specialty restaurants from the Edge Class to Celebrity Reflection.

Bora Replaces The Lawn Club Grill

In a surprising move, Celebrity is also adding Bora to the ship.

The new dining venue first debuted aboard Celebrity Xcel and is a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant. Located on the upper decks, it offers an open-air setting for an al fresco meal, day or night. Bora has also become known for its sea day brunch, which includes a customizable Bloody Mary bar.

The restaurant will replace The Lawn Club Grill.

The Retreat Sundeck

Celebrity Reflection will receive a new sundeck exclusively for guests staying in The Retreat, complete with comfortable seating and an oversized hot tub.

The exclusive outdoor area will replace the existing Solstice Deck and provide suite guests with a dedicated place to relax away from the ship’s main pool areas.

The Retreat Lounge

The modernization will also transform Michael’s Club into a dedicated The Retreat Lounge.

The redesigned space will provide guests staying in The Retreat with an exclusive lounge, personalized service, comfortable seating, drinks, and assistance from The Retreat team.

Updated Staterooms and Expanded AquaClass

Celebrity has also confirmed that every stateroom aboard Celebrity Reflection will be updated as part of the modernization.

The cruise line has not yet revealed the full scope of the changes, but the announcement says all rooms will receive a more stylish, refreshed look. Suites in The Retreat will also be updated as part of the expanded suite experience.

Celebrity will add more AquaClass staterooms, giving additional guests access to spa-inspired amenities such as massaging showerheads, aromatherapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats, upgraded robes and slippers, and a pillow menu. The ship’s exclusive Blu restaurant will also be expanded to accommodate the additional AquaClass guests.

My Take: Celebrity Is Doubling Down on Modernization

I sailed on Celebrity Reflection in March, and while I was originally reluctant to book the ship because of its age, I was pleasantly surprised by its condition. The ship was absolutely beautiful and clearly very well maintained.

That said, it was built during a different era, and cruise lines have learned a lot since then. With these changes, Celebrity is incorporating more modern cruise ship trends into its older ship designs.

Many of the planned changes directly address issues I brought up in my Hits and Misses article. I was incredibly disappointed by the lack of functionality of The Lawn Club, and the new Sunset Park seems like a much better use of the space.

I also love the new included dining options, an area where Celebrity has always been a bit behind some of its competitors. Sunset Park Cafe, Orange Peel Bar & Grille, and Tacos del Sol will go a long way toward giving guests more options while also helping reduce crowding in the buffet.

I was surprised by the proposed changes to the atrium. Celebrity has not released a rendering of the redesigned space yet, but the current area felt underutilized when I was onboard. It will be really interesting to see how Celebrity combines the older design style of Celebrity Reflection with features inspired by the more modern Edge Class ships.

The Parlor was a more expected addition, but it could go a long way toward bringing more activities onboard and giving guests additional ways to stay entertained throughout the day.

Overall, I am excited to see the new Celebrity Reflection. While I almost never book the same ship twice, these changes might make me reconsider. I had an amazing cruise aboard Celebrity Reflection the first time, and these changes address many of the few complaints I had about the ship. An already great ship could soon be even better.

Follow Along on our 4 Day Bahamas Sailing on Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 1 - Fort Lauderdale

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 2 - Key West

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 3 - Perfect Day at CocoCay

Celebrity Reflection - Cruise Blog - Day 4 - Sea Day

4 Hits and Misses on Celebrity Reflection

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One of the changes that makes the new ship stand out is its Asian flair. From the 40-foot-long stainless steel dragon suspended 30 feet in the air to the Asian-themed decor in the Family Harbour district, the Asian theme can be seen around the ship. Now MSC has revealed more about a new specialty restaurant on board.

Pan-Asian Venue Replaces La Pescaderia Fish Market and Paxos

With the debut of MSC World Asia, MSC is introducing a new pan-Asian restaurant. It will be located on the World Promenade on Deck 8. On MSC World Europa, this space is home to La Pescaderia Fish Market. On MSC World America, it is where Paxos is located.

According to the cruise line, the venue will provide a “multi-sensory environment, inviting guests on a vibrant culinary journey inspired by the flavors, sights, and sounds of Southeast Asia, and drawing on the energy of bustling street markets across Indonesia, Singapore, South China, Thailand, and Vietnam.”

Guests can sample foods like Singapore-style shrimp, shiitake mushroom fried rice, and a variety of wok-fired specialties. The menu was developed with Chef Xiao Wang, who has roots in Shanghai, and Chef Luca Cesarini, who has worked in Shanghai and Thailand. Together, they worked to bring exotic Asian flavors into dishes guests will love.

The decor also fully immerses guests in Asian artwork and flair. Guests will even pass under the massive steel dragon to visit.

A Three-in-One Concept

What’s unique about this concept is that it offers three experiences in one: a specialty restaurant, a bar and lounge, and a complimentary grab-and-go food concept.

Specialty Restaurant

The extra-fee restaurant has both indoor seating and a casual rooftop terrace overlooking the open World Promenade area. Each meal includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. The food is inspired by communal dining traditions.

Guests can also choose from a curated selection of iconic Asian beers served by the bottle, including Tsingtao, Chang, and Bintang. There will also be a menu of indulgent bubble teas, freshly prepared smoothies, and vibrant fruit juices.

Bar and Lounge

The bar is located within the venue and features a selection of Southeast Asian-inspired signature cocktails. Guests will find unique drinks like scented jasmine mojitos, rose and strawberry daiquiris, and matcha coladas.

Complimentary On-the-Go Offering

For guests who do not want to splurge on specialty dining, they can still stop by and enjoy complimentary grab-and-go Asian street food. The to-go window is designed for guests looking for a quick bite between activities.

They can stop by, pick up food just like they would on the streets in Asia, and try dishes like crispy seafood balls and fluffy bao buns.

One of Many Offerings on MSC World Asia

The pan-Asian venue is just one of the food and beverage options on the ship. In fact, there are over 40 bars, lounges, cafes, and restaurants on board.

Guests will also find returning favorites like Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Kaito Sushi Bar, Butcher’s Cut, and more. The ship will also have an elegant Mediterranean specialty restaurant, with details expected to be announced soon.

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Expanded Casinos on Some Celebrity Ships

In an email sent to Blue Chip Club members, the casino program for Celebrity Cruises, the cruise line released some details about upcoming casino expansions. The expansions will start with the Celebrity Beyond.

The updated casino on Celebrity Beyond will now have 9,087 sq ft of gaming space. It will have 285 total slot machines and 15 table games.

Unlike Royal Caribbean’s release, you won’t see a mention of a non-smoking section because on Celebrity Cruises, all casinos are already smoke-free.

Timeline and Exact Details Not Released

While Celebrity did not detail exactly where the casino will be expanded, we can look at a recent upgrade it completed on Celebrity Apex in 2025.

During that update, Celebrity removed a few shops across from the casino and converted the space into more slot machines. While the deck plans have not been updated to show this, we noticed the upgrade when we sailed on Celebrity Apex to the Norwegian Fjords (read about that cruise here).

As for timing, it was not provided in the email. Celebrity Beyond appears to be undergoing a dry dock in November 2026, so that would make it the most likely time for the casino expansion.

How Celebrity Casinos Compare

While Celebrity ships all have casinos, they have always seemed to be less of a focus than on other cruise lines. Today’s numbers appear to confirm that.

Let’s look at a similar-size ship, Norwegian Getaway, which is close to the same gross tonnage as Celebrity Beyond. The casino space on that ship is 18,000 sq ft, roughly double the size of the casino on Celebrity Beyond.

Looking at Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas, Celebrity Beyond is 9% smaller in terms of gross tonnage, but its casino is 36% smaller by sq ft.

Still, the casinos are larger than Virgin Voyages, which only has 115 slot machines on their ships.

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The cruise line officially took delivery of Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. At the same time, construction is underway on Royal Caribbean’s seventh Oasis Class ship, which is being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

It’s an interesting moment for the cruise line. The Icon Class is clearly the future of Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, but the Oasis Class is not going away anytime soon. Even after the debut of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is still investing in the ship design that helped reshape modern cruising.

Legend of the Seas Joins Royal Caribbean’s Fleet

Royal Caribbean officially welcomed Legend of the Seas during a delivery ceremony at Meyer Turku, the Finnish shipyard that has been building the cruise line’s Icon Class ships.

The handover marks one of the final major steps before the ship welcomes its first guests. Before entering service, Legend of the Seas will head to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will complete final work such as installing furnishings, setting up cabins, and finishing attractions.

The ship will debut on July 4, 2026, with 7-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

After its summer season in Europe, Legend of the Seas will reposition to Fort Lauderdale in November 2026. From there, the ship will offer 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean sailings. Every Caribbean sailing is scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

What To Expect On Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas will have a lot in common with Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, but Royal Caribbean is not making it an exact copy of its sister ships.

The biggest changes appear to be in dining, entertainment, and a few onboard spaces. None of these completely reinvent the Icon Class, but they do give Legend of the Seas its own personality.

The most notable differences include:

• Royal Railway – Legend Station: This immersive dining experience will take guests on a five-course journey along the ancient Silk Routes through China, India, and Italy. The concept first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, but Legend of the Seas will get its own version.
• Hollywoodland Supper Club: The high-end supper club returns with a new theme focused on the golden age of Hollywood, with food, cocktails, and live performances designed around the film industry from the 1910s to the 1950s.
• AquaDome Market: The complimentary food hall will get a refreshed lineup. Creme De La Crepe will return, but Royal Caribbean is adding Seoulmate, Cajun Kitchen, Adobo, La Espanola, and Simply Pressed.
• Two-story casino: Royal Caribbean has said Legend of the Seas will receive a major casino upgrade, with the casino spanning two stories.
• Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: Instead of “The Wizard of Oz” on Icon of the Seas or “Back to the Future: The Musical” on Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas will get its own major Broadway-style production.
• Updated Surfside: The family-focused neighborhood will return, but the carousel will get a new rubber duck theme, and the dry playscape will be redesigned.
• Updated Lost Dunes: The mini-golf course will return with more challenging holes and a new volcano feature.

Beyond those changes, Legend of the Seas will still bring back many of the core features that define the Icon Class.

Guests can expect eight neighborhoods, including AquaDome, Central Park, Royal Promenade, Surfside, and Thrill Island. The ship will also feature Category 6 Waterpark, Crown’s Edge, FlowRider, Absolute Zero, Swim & Tonic, The Hideaway, and multiple pool areas, including Royal Bay.

That makes Legend of the Seas more of an evolution than a major departure. If you have already sailed Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas, this ship probably will not feel completely different. But the new dining concepts, Broadway show, casino changes, and refreshed family areas should help it stand apart from the first two ships in the class.

Royal Caribbean Is Still Pushing The Icon Class Hard

Legend of the Seas will be the third ship in the Icon Class, following Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. The fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, is already scheduled to debut in 2027.

Royal Caribbean Group also recently confirmed additional Icon Class ships beyond that. A fifth ship is planned for 2028, with the sixth and seventh ships scheduled for 2029 and 2030.

Construction Is Underway On Royal Caribbean’s Seventh Oasis Class Ship

While Legend of the Seas gets ready for passengers, Royal Caribbean is also moving forward with another huge ship.

The cruise line officially started construction on its seventh Oasis Class ship at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France. The milestone was marked with a steel-cutting ceremony, when the first piece of steel was cut for the ship.

Royal Caribbean said the ship name will be announced shortly, and Oasis #7 is expected to debut in 2028.

Royal Caribbean has not revealed specific restaurants, shows, neighborhoods, or onboard features for the new ship yet. When Royal Caribbean went back to the Oasis platform for Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, it made changes like a fully enclosed Solarium and the new The Vue bar. What changes will we see for the next Oasis Class ship?

The Oasis Class Still Has Life Left In It

The Oasis Class first changed the cruise industry when Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009. It introduced Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood layout, including spaces like Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade.

Since then, Royal Caribbean has continued to evolve the class with ships like Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.

For a while, it looked like Utopia of the Seas might be the final ship in the class, especially once Royal Caribbean shifted so much attention to the larger Icon Class. Instead, the cruise line is adding more Oasis Class ships.

That makes sense. The Icon Class may be newer and flashier, but the Oasis Class is still one of the most successful cruise ship designs ever built. It offers huge capacity, familiar neighborhoods, proven venues, and a layout many Royal Caribbean guests already know well.

Royal Caribbean Is Building Both Mega-Ship Classes At Once

The most interesting part of these announcements is not just that Royal Caribbean is taking delivery of another new ship. It’s that the cruise line is now building both of its biggest ship classes at the same time.

Legend of the Seas will debut in 2026. Hero of the Seas follows in 2027. The seventh Oasis Class ship and fifth Icon Class ship are both expected in 2028. More Icon Class ships are planned for 2029 and 2030.

That gives Royal Caribbean a very busy newbuild schedule over the next several years. And that’s not including the upcoming, highly anticipated Discovery Class, which is expected to debut in 2029.

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The fourth Excel-class ship is expected to introduce a stronger music-inspired theme across the ship, and that appears to carry over into some of its restaurants as well. Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse, has been involved in developing new food concepts for the ship, and the early lineup suggests Carnival is using Festivale to try some new combinations. These concepts will also move appear on Carnival Tropicale when it debuts in Galveston in Spring 2028.

New Dining Concepts Coming to Carnival Festivale

The new restaurants appear to focus on blended cuisines and themed experiences, giving Carnival Festivale a different dining identity than its sister ships.

Uku Lei Lei

Uku Lei Lei will blend the spirit and cuisine of Hawaii with bold Asian flavors. This venue will replace ChiBang! on Carnival Festivale. The first visit here will be complimentary.

Based on the early description, this could be one of the more interesting additions to Carnival Festivale. Carnival has already experimented with mixed-style dining on the Excel class with ChiBang!, although that restaurant is not really fusion cuisine. Instead, it offers separate Chinese and Mexican menus. Uku Lei Lei seems like it may take that idea in a new direction with Hawaiian and Asian-inspired dishes.

Fettacine

Fettacine appears to combine the seaside flavors of Greece with the rich traditions of Italy. This venue will replace Cucina del Capitano. The first visit here will be complimentary.

That combination could give Carnival a fresh take on Mediterranean dining, with dishes that pull from both Greek coastal cuisine and classic Italian flavors. It also gives Carnival Festivale a restaurant concept that feels familiar enough for mainstream cruisers while still being different from what guests have seen on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival has yet to feature Greek cuisine in a specialty restaurant onboard, so this would be a first for the cruise line.

It also makes sense that Carnival may be ready to phase out Cucina del Capitano on its newest ship. The restaurant has become somewhat confusing for guests because Carnival currently has two different versions of the concept. On older ships, Cucina del Capitano has a more elevated menu and a $24 charge. On Excel-class ships, it has a smaller menu and is complimentary the first time, then $8 after that. That inconsistency can be confusing for guests trying to understand what is included before they sail.

Le Bistro Musicale

Le Bistro Musicale will feature classic French dishes inspired by the charm of a Parisian bistro.

This venue will most likely replace Emeril’s Bistro, which has been featured on Carnival’s earlier Excel-class ships, each with a slightly different name and menu. The name also fits with Carnival Festivale’s larger music theme and should work well in the ship’s Studio 724 zone, where it will be located.

Food here can be purchases a la carte.

Emeril’s Coastal Seafood

Emeril’s Coastal Seafood appears to blend Gulf Coast soul food with New England seafood traditions. This venue will replace Rudi’s Seagrill. It will be an additional cost to dine here with a set cost per person.

Of the new venues, this one may be the clearest continuation of Emeril Lagasse’s influence on Carnival’s Excel-class dining. Instead of the New Orleans-inspired Emeril’s Bistro concept, this restaurant seems to broaden the focus to coastal seafood, mixing Southern flavors with classic New England seafood dishes.

Carnival Festivale Is Getting Its Own Dining Identity

One of the biggest criticisms of modern sister ships is that they can sometimes feel too similar. Carnival’s Excel-class ships have already avoided some of that by giving each ship different themed zones, but Carnival Festivale seems to be going even further by rethinking some of the standard restaurants found on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

The changes also make sense with the ship’s theme. Carnival Festivale is expected to lean heavily into music and celebration, and several of these new venues appear to match that direction. Le Bistro Musicale, in particular, feels designed around the ship’s identity rather than simply being another restaurant onboard.

Don’t Forget About Carnival’s Other Staples

Don’t worry if these restaurants aren’t your style. The Festivale and Tropicale will still have many Carnival favorites like:

• Guy’s Burger Joint
• Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse
• Big Chicken
• Blue Iguana Cantina
• Street Eats
• Main Dining Room
• Lido Marketplace

Are These Changes an Improvement?

That will depend on the menus, pricing, and whether these venues are complimentary or specialty dining. Some guests may be disappointed if Carnival removes popular venues like ChiBang! and Cucina del Capitano, especially if complimentary or lower-cost dining options are replaced with extra-fee restaurants.

The most interesting part is how many of these concepts seem to combine cuisines: Hawaiian and Asian, Greek and Italian, and Gulf Coast soul food with New England seafood. If done well, that could give Carnival Festivale some unique dishes not found elsewhere in Carnival’s fleet.

For now, the new restaurants make Carnival Festivale feel like more than just another Excel-class ship. Instead of simply repeating what has worked before, Carnival appears to be giving the ship its own dining personality.

Carnival Festivale is scheduled to debut in May 2027.

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Many cruise ships offer some kind of adult-only area on board, but the facilities and layouts vary widely depending on the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line can be even more confusing, as they offer two options in their fleet: Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O. Not every ship has one, and some have both, so we’ll take you through the differences between the spaces and which ships have them.

Norwegian’s Spice H2O Adult-Only Area

Spice H2O is Norwegian’s complimentary adult-only space available on 9 of their ships. This space first debuted on Norwegian Epic in 2010, but was oddly not a staple of every ship going forward. While some ships initially debuted with Spice H2O, others have had them added during recent dry docks. Initially, some Breakaway Plus Class ships had a laser tag arena, but they were later converted into Spice H2O areas in 2024 and beyond.

Which Ships Have Spice H2O?

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star

You’ll notice Norwegian’s newest class of ships, the Prima Class, does not have Spice H2O. That means you can only go to an adult-only area if you pay considerably more and get one of the scarce passes. It’s a big miss on a class of ships that already has a lack of pool space and lounge areas.

What’s in Spice H2O?

Spice H2O areas don’t have standardized footprints or amenities. Some may be two levels, some may have a walk-through grotto, but all are adults-only during the day. Typically, they’re open from 9 AM to 7 PM. After that, there may be nighttime events in the area that are open to all ages.

The area has a dedicated bar and a massive screen that is used for events at night.

• Norwegian Bliss – 2 hot tubs and waterfall
• Norwegian Breakaway – 2 hot tubs and waterfall
• Norwegian Encore – 1 pool and 2 hot tubs
• Norwegian Epic – 1 pool and 2 hot tubs
• Norwegian Escape – 2 hot tubs and grotto
• Norwegian Getaway – 2 hot tubs
• Norwegian Joy – 1 large hot tub/whirlpool
• Norwegian Star – 2 hot tubs
• Norwegian Spirit – 1 pool and 2 hot tubs

Vibe Beach Club: Norwegian’s Extra-Fee Adult-Only Area

Another adult-only area on some Norwegian ships is Vibe Beach Club. This space first debuted on Norwegian Breakaway in 2013 and has appeared on 16 ships since it was introduced. The biggest difference between Spice H2O and Vibe Beach Club is cost and exclusivity.

Vibe Beach Club is an exclusive experience available only to guests who pay for access. It’s limited in capacity. While Norwegian doesn’t provide official counts, it’s reported that they only sell 60 to 200 passes per sailing, depending on the ship.

It has a more elevated vibe, with plush loungers and plenty of space. While it doesn’t have a pool-party vibe like the Spice H2O area, it’s not necessarily serene (adults can be just as loud as children). The lack of crowds, though, gives it a completely different feel from the main pool area.

Purchasing Vibe Beach Club Access

You can’t purchase a day pass for Vibe Beach Club. Instead, you have to purchase access for the entire sailing. You can purchase passes online through Norwegian’s web portal, and they almost always sell out well in advance. There doesn’t seem to be any consistent rule for when they go on sale.

The cost can vary, but it’s usually between $149 and $329 per person for the length of the cruise. In addition, cabanas in the area are available for rent at an even higher fee.

Which Ships Have Vibe Beach Club?

• Norwegian Aqua
• Norwegian Aura
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Luna
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Viva

What’s in Vibe Beach Club?

Nearly all of the Vibe Beach Clubs have a dedicated private bar and plush padded loungers. The Jewel Class ships do not have a dedicated bar, but they do have drink service instead. Most also have additional cabanas available for rent. None of them have a pool, but all have at least one hot tub available for use.

Is Vibe Beach Club Worth It?

If you have a port-intensive itinerary, purchasing access to Vibe Beach Club might not be worth it. The area is open from 7 AM to 7 PM, so if you’re not getting back on board until 4 or 5 PM, you might not be likely to use the space.

If you have a sailing with lots of sea days, it might be your best bet for getting a lounger, especially on the new Prima Class of ships with a lack of deck space. The strict capacity limits mean you’ll never have a problem getting a lounger on even the busiest of sea days. But because this area is in high demand, especially for Caribbean sailings, it will be hard to get the passes.

That said, it’s frustrating that Norwegian’s newest Prima Class ships lack any free adults-only space on the ship. It seems like a huge step backward for the line and puts it way behind its competitors.

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