Those developments have brought a number of changes to the company. During today’s Q2 earnings call, Norwegian shared one of its biggest new initiatives: changing how it prices cruises. Ultimately, the goal is to get more guests to book earlier instead of waiting for a last-minute deal.

Norwegian Wants Guests to Book Earlier

During the earnings call, the cruise line admitted that it had been keeping prices too high when some sailings first went on sale. That hurt early bookings and sometimes forced Norwegian to offer last-minute deals to fill the ship closer to departure.

“During the quarter, we began making changes to the way we sell cruises at NCL,” said John Chidsey, CEO of NLCH. “As we evaluated our prior approach, it became clear that in certain areas we were holding price too high, too far out, which limited early demand generation and left us more exposed to close-in discounting.”

Basically, Norwegian is acknowledging that its old pricing strategy may have taught guests to wait until the last minute for the best deal.

Norwegian is moving to what it calls a “base-loading methodology.” That is a very corporate way of saying the cruise line plans to offer more competitive prices earlier, get more cabins booked, and then hold prices more firmly as the sailing gets closer.

“We are now moving toward a base-loading methodology, which establishes more competitive pricing earlier in the booking curve to build demand sooner and support stronger close-in yields,” Chidsey said.

Under the old approach, Norwegian would start a sailing at a higher price and wait to see how guests responded. If bookings were weaker than expected, the cruise line might eventually have to lower fares or offer more aggressive promotions closer to the departure date.

That creates a pretty obvious problem. Once regular Norwegian guests see that prices often get better later, they have less reason to book early.

The new strategy is intended to change that pattern. Norwegian wants to start with a price that brings in more bookings earlier so it does not have as many cabins left to fill at the last minute.

It’s Not About Discounting

Ultimately, prices may be more competitive with other cruise lines farther out, but Norwegian was very clear that it is not moving to a discount pricing strategy.

“This is not about discounting the product,” the company said. “It is about managing the full booking curve more effectively, building a healthier book position earlier, maintaining better price integrity as we move closer to sailing, and being more strategic about our promotional activity.”

Norwegian still plans to target the “premium family” market rather than budget cruisers.

The Changes Are Already Happening

The cruise line said the pricing changes are already happening on a sailing-by-sailing basis.

“As part of this shift, we have taken pricing initiatives on select sailings in 2027 and opened 2028 sailings,” the company said. “The greatest opportunity is on sailings farther out in the booking window, particularly later in 2027, where we have more time to shape the curve.”

Because the changes are being made sailing by sailing, there will not be one simple rule that applies to every Norwegian cruise. Prices will still depend on how popular the ship, itinerary, date, and cabin category are.

A holiday sailing that is selling quickly may keep increasing in price, while a less popular cruise could still need a better promotion. Norwegian is not saying last-minute deals will completely disappear, but it clearly wants to rely on them less often.

All new 2028 cruises and future sailings will use the new method from the start.

Norwegian Has to Convince Guests That Waiting Will Not Pay Off

The harder part may not be changing the prices. It may be convincing guests that the prices really will not go lower.

During the earnings call, an analyst pointed out that Norwegian cruisers may be used to waiting for a better deal. That is not surprising after years of promotions and prices that could drop closer to departure.

Cruise lines also make this harder on themselves with constant sales. One promotion ends, another starts, and the offer often looks very similar. Guests quickly learn that the countdown clock does not always mean much.

Norwegian now wants those same guests to believe that booking earlier will be the smarter move.

“In the coming weeks, we will introduce interim creative that more directly speaks to premium families, highlights the breadth of the NCL experience, and includes a clear call to action,” the company said. “The goal is straightforward: communicate more clearly why NCL is different, why that difference matters to our target guest, why now is the right time to book.”

That last part is key. Norwegian is not just trying to sell guests on the cruise. It is trying to convince them that now is the right time to book it.

For guests looking at Norwegian cruises in late 2027 or 2028, it may be worth watching prices more closely when the sailing first becomes available. Norwegian is clearly trying to make early pricing more attractive and reduce the chance of a better deal appearing closer to departure.

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But that has not stopped cruise lines from constantly increasing these fees. Carnival, Princess, Margaritaville at Sea, and MSC have already done it this year. Now, it is Celebrity’s turn.

Update 7/30/2026: emails are going out to travel partners now clarifying that they guests still prepay at the lower rate up to 48 hours before as long as the cruise was booked by the deadline.

Daily Gratuities Increase Starting July 29

In a letter sent to impacted guests and travel agents, Celebrity announced the change. The cruise line is increasing daily gratuities by an average of 8%.

The fees are charged per person, per day, and the amount varies depending on the type of cabin.

Celebrity’s website explains how these fees are allocated:

“Consistent with standard hospitality practice, gratuities collected are pooled and applied toward the compensation of onboard crew members, including dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, hotel services teams, and others who work to enhance the overall cruise experience.”

These fees can be prepaid or paid once onboard, but the amount is the same either way.

The letter mentions that guests can prepay at the current amount, but it appears to give today, the day the notice was sent, as the deadline.

It is the first time Celebrity has increased gratuities since July 2023.

My Take: Gratuities Just Keep Increasing

Overall, the increase is relatively nominal, totaling $21 per cabin for a 7-day cruise for two people. However, as the amounts continue to creep up with each increase, daily gratuities are becoming a significant expense.

On my 4-night cruise aboard Celebrity Reflection, daily gratuities represented 8% of the total cruise cost.

The timing is also ironic. Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, just held its second-quarter earnings call, where it announced a quarterly profit of $1.13 billion while highlighting strong demand and stating that customers are paying record prices.

No one disputes that the crew deserves to be paid well for the work they do. However, gratuities have essentially become a hidden fee that allows cruise lines to advertise a lower upfront fare while shifting part of the cost of compensating employees directly to guests.

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The short season includes six new itineraries visiting Scandinavia, the Baltics, the Norwegian fjords, and ports above the Arctic Circle. Every sailing will include at least one destination Virgin Voyages has never visited before.

A Short but Varied Northern Europe Season

The season begins with a 10-night cruise from Barcelona to Amsterdam on July 9, 2028, followed by four round-trip Amsterdam sailings and a final return cruise to Barcelona. Bookings open August 14, 2026.

What’s notable about the four round-trip sailings from Amsterdam is that they’re all different from one another. There is a Baltic cruise with an overnight in Stockholm, a dedicated Norwegian fjords sailing, a shorter city-focused itinerary with late stays, and an 11-night cruise that crosses the Arctic Circle.

Not only does that give guests more options based on what’s important to them, but it also means they can book consecutive, back-to-back cruises for completely different experiences.

Scandinavia and Stockholm Overnight

The first Amsterdam sailing departs July 19 for 12 nights.

Valiant Lady will visit Oslo, Copenhagen, Gdańsk, Stockholm, Warnemünde, and Aarhus. The ship will stay overnight in Stockholm, giving guests a full evening in the city and part of a second day.

The overnight is the most interesting part of this itinerary. Stockholm is the type of destination that is difficult to appreciate during a standard cruise call, especially when ships leave in the late afternoon.

Virgin Voyages is also promoting Warnemünde as an opportunity to visit Berlin, although the city is roughly 2 hours away by train. Unfortunately, long transportation times are a hallmark of many European cruises. Even with that drawback, this is probably the strongest itinerary for guests who want to see the major cities of Scandinavia and the Baltics in one sailing.

Norwegian Fjords

The July 31 departure is a 7-night Norwegian fjords cruise visiting Molde, Nordfjordeid, Flåm, and Bergen.

This sailing is nature-focused, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the majestic Norwegian fjords. It skips cities such as Oslo and Copenhagen completely, keeping the focus on the fjords and smaller Norwegian ports.

For guests who have already visited Scandinavia’s capitals, this may be one of the most appealing cruises of the season.

Flåm is one of the best-known fjord ports in Norway, while Nordfjordeid and Molde give the itinerary some variety beyond the usual stops. Bergen is the largest city on the route, but it still fits naturally into a fjord-focused sailing.

Scandinavia and Hamburg

A second 7-night cruise departs August 7, visiting Oslo, Copenhagen, and Hamburg.

There are only three ports, but both Copenhagen and Hamburg will receive extended stays. Valiant Lady is scheduled to remain in Copenhagen until 11 p.m. and Hamburg until nearly midnight.

Late stays should work well for Virgin Voyages, since the cruise line already puts more emphasis on nightlife, food, and entertainment than many of its competitors. Spending an evening ashore in Copenhagen or Hamburg makes more sense for the brand than squeezing in another short daytime port call.

Arctic Circle and Norwegian Fjords

Virgin Voyages says the highlight of the season is an 11-night Arctic Circle sailing departing August 14. Valiant Lady will visit Bergen, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Trondheim, Åndalsnes, and Olden.

During this sailing, the ship will also cross the Arctic Circle, with Virgin Voyages planning a crossing ceremony and midnight sun deck party. If you think a Caribbean “Scarlet Night” is crazy, imagine the experience under the midnight sun.

Virgin Voyages Brings Back Its Summer Season Pass

Virgin Voyages will also sell a Summer Season Pass covering all four round-trip Amsterdam cruises.

The package includes 37 nights aboard Valiant Lady from July 19 through August 25 in a Central Sea Terrace cabin for two guests.

It also includes $15 per guest, per night in drink credit, upgraded WiFi, laundry service, priority boarding, one thermal suite visit per cruise, and one shore excursion worth up to $250 per guest on each sailing.

Season Pass guests will also receive an additional Arctic Circle excursion, a private Champagne breakfast, and reserved viewing space for the Arctic crossing ceremony.

Pricing will be announced when bookings open on August 14. A $100 refundable deposit can be used to hold the package, although double occupancy and full payment will be required.

The Season Pass will likely get attention, but the itineraries themselves are the bigger story.

My Take: Amazing Destinations, but Can Valiant Lady Work in Colder Climates?

Last year, I sailed on a Norwegian fjords cruise aboard Celebrity Apex, and it was one of my favorite cruise destinations ever. The landscapes are awe-inspiring, the people are friendly, and the air is fresh and clean. It’s something I hope more people get to experience, and now it’s even easier with Virgin’s addition. It also provides a kid-free option.

But Virgin Voyages built its reputation in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, where outdoor spaces are a major part of the onboard experience. The pool deck, The Dock, and many of the ship’s lounging areas work best when the weather is warm, and guests are comfortable spending time outside.

That’s not always the case in Northern Europe. Sailings can be cold and rainy, making many of the outdoor spaces unusable.

Virgin Voyages is getting its first real experience with colder-weather cruising aboard Brilliant Lady this season with its Alaska debut. During those sailings, the cruise line has moved “Scarlet Night” indoors and focused on unique food and experiences from the region. While it seems to have been relatively well received by many guests, some people still mention that the ship feels noticeably more crowded in Alaska because everyone is stuck indoors.

That said, Norwegian has sailed Norwegian Prima in Northern Europe for several seasons. The ship is built on a similar platform, with extensive outdoor spaces and no enclosed pools. The Northern European weather apparently can’t be too much of an issue.

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According to an email sent to guests by Colleen Oliverio, Carnival’s vice president of guest services, the following sailings have been canceled:

• August 15, 2027
• August 21, 2027
• August 29, 2027
• September 12, 2027
• September 18, 2027
• September 26, 2027
• November 27, 2027
• December 5, 2027
• December 11, 2027

Sailings Will Likely Become Adults-Only Cruises

While Carnival has not said why the cruises are being canceled, they will likely be reclassified as adults-only sailings with new itineraries.

Some other guests booked on Carnival Jubilee have been notified that their cruises were converted into SEA cruises rather than canceled outright. SEA stands for Sailing Exclusively for Adults, and every guest must be at least 21 years old.

A guest booked on the September 4, 2027, Carnival Jubilee sailing emailed us to say that the cruise was being changed to a 21-and-older sailing. Guests on the affected sailing who are at least 21 years old do not need to take any action. However, reservations that still include a TBA guest must add that person by August 5 to avoid cancellation.

Guests traveling with someone under 21, or those who do not want to be on a SEA sailing, can rebook with rate protection and receive $50 per person in onboard credit, up to $100 per cabin.

For the other affected dates that were canceled outright, Carnival will likely change the itineraries. That could explain why the existing reservations could not simply be transferred to the new sailings. Carnival’s SEA sailings are often longer, similar to its Journeys cruises.

Carnival Made a Similar Change to Carnival Firenze Earlier This Year

This is not the first time Carnival has made an operational change to convert regular cruises into adults-only sailings. In March, Carnival canceled 11 Carnival Firenze sailings scheduled between October and November 2026 from Long Beach.

The ship had been scheduled to offer three- and four-night cruises to Baja Mexico, but the sailings were canceled for “operational reasons.” A few weeks later, Carnival revealed that the dates would instead be used for adults-only sailings.

Rather than offering the originally scheduled short cruises, Carnival introduced two seven-day sailings, one 11-day sailing, and one 14-day sailing.

Carnival Is Doubling Down on Adults-Only Cruises

These changes suggest Carnival is seeing success with its adults-only offerings and putting more weight behind the concept.

SEA sailings typically feature additional casino space, elevated food offerings, and new activities, along with the usual Carnival fun, minus the children.

These cruises are still invitation-only. Casino players typically receive the first opportunity to book. Later, the sailings are often opened to members of the general public who request an invitation through Carnival’s website. You can request an invitation here.

The first SEA sailings were offered on ships traveling to or from dry dock. Reclassifying those cruises made sense because repositioning sailings naturally tend to attract fewer children.

For Carnival Firenze this year and Carnival Jubilee next year, the changes do not appear to be connected to dry docks. Instead, the cruises are scheduled during the low season, when fares are typically cheaper and fewer children are naturally onboard.

What makes the Carnival Jubilee sailings unique is that they will mark the first time Carnival offers an adults-only cruise aboard an Excel Class ship. These ships are beautiful, but they can feel crowded when the third and fourth beds in many cabins are occupied by children. It will be interesting to see how the ship feels without them.

At the time of these sailings, Carnival Jubilee will also be Carnival’s second-newest ship. The cruise line is not limiting the adults-only concept to its older, more dated ships. It is using some of the latest and greatest ships in its fleet.

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Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program

Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, called the Crown & Anchor Society, is arguably one of the best loyalty programs in the cruise industry. At the lower levels, the benefits are pretty meager. However, as you move up the ladder, the benefits become much better, including discounted internet packages, four free drinks per day, and more.

Royal Caribbean’s program is even better because of its new reciprocity with sister cruise lines Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. This means that if you reach a certain level with one cruise line, your status will carry over to the other brands.

Since earlier this year, you can also decide which loyalty program your points go toward. For example, if you take a one-off Celebrity sailing, you can assign those points to your Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society status with Points Choice.

Earn Double Points Through the End of July

Want to increase your status even faster? Royal Caribbean is bringing back a popular promotion that was last offered during the COVID era.

The cruise line is offering double points on bookings made between July 21 and July 31, 2026. The promotion is valid on cruises departing between September 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027.

That means guests staying in a standard cabin will receive two points for every night they sail. Book a suite, and you will receive four points per night.

Double Points Important Terms and Conditions

• Guests can book a maximum of two cruises with the double-points offer.
• The offer can be combined with promotions such as BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, and free third and fourth guests.
• The offer cannot be combined with casino offers, complimentary cruises, or seminar rates.
• Points cannot be used for Points Choice, meaning they cannot be transferred to Celebrity Cruises.
• Transatlantic and Transpacific sailings are excluded.
• See full terms and conditions here

My Take: A Great Offer for Loyal Cruisers

Chasing loyalty status is not for everyone. If you only go on a cruise every few years, it will take forever to earn meaningful benefits with any cruise line (to get to Diamond Status on Royal Caribbean, you’d need 12 week long cruises in a standard cabin). However, if you cruise frequently and remain loyal to one brand, chasing loyalty status can make sense.

Royal Caribbean’s program makes it even easier with Status Match and Points Choice because cruisers now have three cruise lines to choose from.

One thing that stands out is that the last time Royal Caribbean offered this promotion was during the COVID era, when it was trying to encourage people to keep their sailings and continue cruising. Could this be an indication that Royal Caribbean is starting to experience some trouble with demand? We will find out during the company’s next investor call next week.

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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 cruise line has extended its suspension of visits to its private destination in Haiti through June 2027. Royal Caribbean had previously removed Labadee from itineraries through the end of 2026.

In a statement, the cruise line said the decision was made as it continues to evaluate conditions in Haiti and its ability to operate visits responsibly.

“As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027,” Royal Caribbean said. “This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind.”

The latest extension means Royal Caribbean ships will not return to Labadee until at least July 2027.

Guests Are Being Moved to Other Ports

Guests began receiving notifications about the itinerary changes this week, and social media was soon filled with posts from travelers sharing their updated plans.

Replacement ports vary depending on the ship and sailing date. Some itineraries are being updated to visit destinations including Nassau, Costa Maya, Puerto Plata, and Grand Cayman. Other cruises may receive an additional day at sea.

Any prepaid Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Labadee will be automatically refunded.

The changes could be disappointing for guests who specifically selected an itinerary because it included Labadee. Unlike Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, Labadee is more nature-focused and has less of a theme park feel. The private destination offers several beaches, an alpine coaster, zip lines, water activities, private cabanas, and complimentary dining.

Labadee Has Been Closed Since April 2025

Labadee is not a private island, but a destination located on the northern coast of Haiti.

Royal Caribbean has not visited Labadee since April 2025 as security conditions throughout Haiti have continued to deteriorate. Currently, the United States has Haiti under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory because of risks involving crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest, and limited access to health care.

Although Labadee is located more than 100 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince and is separated from surrounding areas, Royal Caribbean has continued to evaluate whether visits can be operated safely.

This is not the first extended disruption for the destination. Royal Caribbean temporarily suspended visits during periods of unrest in 2024 before eventually returning. Calls were paused again in 2025 and have not resumed.

Royal Caribbean Says It Remains Committed to Labadee

Despite the extended closure, Royal Caribbean has not indicated any plans to permanently abandon Labadee.

The cruise line said it remains committed to supporting its employees in the area and keeping them informed as conditions are evaluated.

Royal Caribbean has operated the private destination since 1988 and has also supported projects in nearby communities. According to the cruise line, those efforts have included education programs, clean water and sanitation projects, infrastructure improvements, and food donations.

For now, Labadee will remain absent from Royal Caribbean itineraries for nearly another year.

Whether ships will finally return in July 2027 will likely depend on how conditions in Haiti develop over the coming months.

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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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