That may sound dramatic, but it’s increasingly becoming the reality of online search.

Instead of directing users to websites that researched an answer, sailed a ship, visited a destination, or tested a product, Google is increasingly placing AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. In many cases, users can get an answer without ever visiting the websites that originally created the information.

The problem is that AI gets things wrong.

When AI Sounds Confident, It Can Still Be Wrong

One of the biggest challenges with AI-generated search results is that incorrect information is often presented with the same confidence as accurate information.

Unlike a discussion forum where multiple people can weigh in or an article that links to sources, AI-generated answers frequently provide a single response that appears authoritative. Most users have no way of knowing whether that answer is accurate, outdated, incomplete, or entirely incorrect.

We’ve already seen examples of AI-generated answers providing incorrect cruise policies, outdated ship information, and misleading descriptions of onboard features.

Recently, we compared a Google AI answer about which Carnival cruise ships have adults-only pools to CruiseSpotlight’s database. The AI answer contained multiple errors and omissions, including missing ships and misleading information about others.

That wasn’t the only problem. We asked which ships have covered pools? Which ships a certain bars were on? Questions about destinations. All had factual inaccuracies. The big concern is that AI often presents those mistakes as facts.

Why This Matters for Cruisers

Cruise vacations are expensive. Choosing the wrong cabin, misunderstanding a ship feature, missing an important policy, or booking based on inaccurate information can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That’s why firsthand experience matters.

At CruiseSpotlight, we’ve spent years sailing cruise ships, visiting ports, testing excursions, comparing cabins, photographing venues, and gathering information directly from cruise lines and onboard experiences.

AI didn’t take those cruises. AI didn’t stand in the buffet line. AI didn’t compare the cabins. AI didn’t experience the ship.

It simply reads information created by others and attempts to summarize it. Sometimes it does a good job. Sometimes it doesn’t. The problem is that users often can’t tell the difference.

Google Is Doubling Down on AI

Google has made it clear that AI will play an even larger role in search going forward. Rather than being a small feature, AI-generated answers are increasingly becoming the centerpiece of the search experience.

For website publishers, this means fewer visitors are reaching the original source. For users, it means fewer opportunities to verify information, read context, and compare multiple viewpoints.

The internet has traditionally worked because users could discover original sources and decide for themselves which information they trust. AI changes that dynamic by inserting itself between users and the creators who produced the information.

Why Some Users Are Switching

As Google’s AI search efforts expand, some users are actively seeking alternatives.

One of the most notable examples is DuckDuckGo’s “No AI” search option, which removes AI-generated answers and focuses on traditional search results. The company recently reported a significant increase in both app installs and visits to its AI-free search page following Google’s latest AI announcements.

The appeal is simple. Some users don’t want an AI summary. They want the original source. They want to read the article, visit the website, and decide for themselves whether the information is trustworthy.

The Value of Original Sources

AI can be a useful tool. But when it comes to planning vacations, spending money, and making important decisions, original sources still matter.

The people who actually took the cruise, visited the destination, tested the excursion, or reviewed the cabin often provide details and context that an AI summary simply cannot replicate.

The internet works best when creators are rewarded for creating and readers can easily find the information those creators worked hard to produce.

Whether you continue using Google, switch to DuckDuckGo, or try another search engine entirely, one thing is worth remembering: Always verify important information. Especially when an AI is providing the answer.

Port Availability Issues Cited as the Reason

In a communication sent to affected guests and travel agents, Norwegian said the issue was “port availability.”

“While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize voyages due to changing port availability. As a result of port availability, Norwegian Viva’s sailings from January 2, 2028, through July 23, 2028, have been cancelled.”

What Happens If You Were Booked?

Guests who are booked on one of the canceled sailings will automatically receive a full refund to the original form of payment used for the booking. Refunds will begin processing within 30 days of the June 1, 2026, cancellation announcement. Guests who used Future Cruise Credits will have those refunded to their Latitudes Rewards account within days of the cancellation.

In addition to the full refund, Norwegian is offering impacted guests a 10% Future Cruise Credit that can be applied toward any published sailing through December 31, 2028. The credit becomes available beginning June 8, 2026.

For guests still wanting to sail from San Juan, the twin sister ship, the Norwegian Prima, is still sailing there from January to April 2028. It will offer similar destinations, including the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, there are no similar options for those who booked cruises sailing from late April through July.

Big Impact on the Local Economy

It was big news when Norwegian first announced it would be porting two of its ships, Prima and Viva, out of San Juan in 2028. It would bring over 8,000 guests to the island each week, booking hotels, going to restaurants, and using local transportation. Now they will lose a significant amount of revenue. According to the W Journal, this could result in a loss of $17 million in travel revenue for the area.

Norwegian Viva Is Moving to Short Bahamas Sailings

While all the details haven’t been released yet, according to the letter sent to guests, the Viva will redeploy to Miami, where it will offer short Bahamas getaways. They will visit Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

It’s in line with what leadership has said on investor earnings calls over the last few quarters. The company wants to focus on shorter Caribbean sailings and private destinations rather than longer cruises to more exotic ports of call.

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Half Moon Cay Transforms to Relaxaway at Half Moon Cay

Part of the transformation is the new name for the island. Previously referred to as Half Moon Cay, it’s now called Relaxaway at Half Moon Cay. While the renaming seems unnecessary, it likely helps guests understand what the island is not. There’s no massive water park, no lazy river, and no zip lines. Relaxaway is about relaxing in nature, not visiting a theme park. You’ll still find the amazing white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and wildlife that Half Moon Cay was known for, but now it’ll be more accessible and comfortable.

Carnival President Christine Duffy was on hand yesterday along with local leaders and the cruise director from the Carnival Sunrise to cut the ribbon and officially open this new expansion of the island.

New Pier for Carnival Ships

A new pier at the north end of the island is the most highly anticipated change. Previously, guests had to tender on and off the island, a painfully slow process on some days. The new pier can accommodate two of Carnival’s ships. Even better, it can accommodate Carnival’s largest ships, the Excel Class, and will be able to accommodate their upcoming massive Ace Class ships.

So far, Carnival’s largest ships have not been able to visit Half Moon Cay because of how long the tendering process would take.

Carnival’s other brand, Holland America, will continue to visit the island, but its ships will still tender to the old southern dock. Because Holland America’s ships are much smaller, the process is less of an issue.

New Food and Beverage Options

Carnival has introduced new food and beverage options around the island.

Guests can dine at Orchid Beach Grill or Hibiscus Beach Grill, where they can enjoy locally inspired cuisine and beach favorites. The menu is the same at both locations, so just go to whichever is more convenient.

The food is prepared and served by the staff from the ships, so unlike at Celebration Key, where you only get one included meal, the standard lunch offerings are included at Relaxaway at Half Moon Cay. According to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, that’s because it’s a private destination, or “out island,” with no local population, allowing Carnival to prepare and serve the food itself.

Carnival has also introduced a few new bars: Luna Tide Beach Bar, Stay Awhile Beach Shack, and Lil’ Tiki Bar. Like before, ship drink packages will not work on the island, but you will use your Sail & Sign card to pay for drinks, so you don’t need cash.

The Whole Shore Is Now Used

Previously, guests were dropped off at the south side of the island and mostly frequented the beaches there, with few people venturing to the northern part. Now that Carnival ships dock at the north end of the island, the entire shore is more accessible.

To make it easier, Carnival offers the Coconut Line Tram Station. This tram visits six different stops across the island. Guests with mobility needs can also use a separate tram to take them from the ship to shore, rather than walking the new pier.

Guests can also walk the scenic Papaya Pathway, which lets them enjoy the natural surroundings as they explore the different parts of the beach. According to Carnival, it takes approximately one hour to walk from the dock to the center stop, which still doesn’t take you all the way to the former southern dock area used by Holland America ships.

Upgraded Seating and Cabanas

There have always been plenty of loungers available on Half Moon Cay, but many were older loungers retired from the cruise ships, and they had no umbrellas. Carnival has upgraded the complimentary loungers and added umbrellas for more shaded options.

They’ve also added new cabana and daybed options for a more premium experience at an additional cost.

Wi-Fi Works on the Island

The Carnival HUB app has been updated to include Relaxaway activities, so you can see what’s going on and what’s currently open. The HUB app is available to all guests. Guests who have purchased a Wi-Fi plan can also use it on the island. As before, cellular service is available on the island, though it may be treated as roaming depending on your mobile plan.

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Recently, we’ve seen Royal Caribbean remove the top level of the popular music venue on Ovation of the Seas to add more slot machines. On Harmony of the Seas, the cruise line removed adult-only deck space to make room for additional cabins.

That’s what makes Valiant Lady’s refresh stand out. Rather than focusing on ways to generate more revenue, many of Virgin Voyages’ changes address real pain points from the ship’s original design and make public spaces more comfortable, functional, and enjoyable for guests.

Razzle Dazzle Becomes Ariya by Razzle Dazzle

Like we’ve seen on sister ships Brilliant Lady and Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady’s Razzle Dazzle has been changed. It’s now called Ariya by Razzle Dazzle, one of the first Indian sit-down restaurants on a cruise ship sailing out of North America.

Virgin Voyages first told us about this change back in March (read about it here), but the renders didn’t do it justice. It’s almost unrecognizable. The warm tones and pops of green from the plants give the space a whole new feel. It’s a far cry from the visually busy and somewhat gaudy Razzle Dazzle experience from before.

The restaurant’s menu was made in partnership with celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, who you may have seen on Chopped and various other Food Network shows. Some of the dishes on the menu will be lamb shank biryani, Goan curried mussels, puffed rice & avocado chaat, and tandoori pistachio-crusted snapper.

The Athletic Club

One of my biggest “misses” when I sailed Valiant Lady was The Athletic Club, located at the back of Deck 18. Normally, this premium space would offer amazing ocean views that would be highly desirable. Other ships, like Norwegian’s Prima class, put their pricey The Haven area here. But when the ship debuted, Virgin Voyages made the odd choice of blocking all the views and putting the beds all facing inward, effectively wasting the space. I remember looking down during sail away and watching people standing on the beds trying to peek over the railing.

Now, they’ve improved it to the new design that debuted on Brilliant Lady. The whole deck now has clear glass partitions, and the beds face the ocean. They also added shaded areas in the middle, which provide much-needed shade from the hot Caribbean sun.

They kept the large cargo nets, which were very uncomfortable and felt like a gimmick, but Virgin vastly improved this space as a whole.

Grounds Club Too

Located in The Galley, Virgin Voyages’ take on the buffet, Grounds Club Too, is the second location to get premium specialty coffee drinks. The space would be busy during the day, but deserted at night. Virgin Voyages optimized the design by giving it a full bar from late afternoon on and adding comfortable seating in the area. It makes it a great stop for a cocktail before dinner at nearby Gunbae or after evening events.

The Manor

The Manor is the large two-story club and entertainment space on Valiant Lady. While it is really sizable, the actual dance floor felt very tight and compact. Virgin Voyages improved on this design by removing some raised platforms, giving more space and better sightlines for everyone.

On the Rocks

On the Rocks is one of the best performance spaces at night for live music. It’s on the lower level of The Roundabout, the heart of the ship. But the performance space was tucked away in an awkward corner, with little seating offering views of the performers.

Virgin Voyages took out a curved wall and moved the band stage closer to the back. Not only did it free up more seating, but it also added more natural daylight and improved sightlines.

The Roundabout

Speaking of The Roundabout, it also had a makeover that improves functionality. The space has better seating options and makes it a place you can hang out, not just walk through. Comfy seating in a variety of configurations can be found here, great for day or night use.

In addition, they’ve revamped the Draught Haus bar. Previously, dividers made the space feel closed off, and many sailors would overlook it. They’ve now opened it up more and added better seating to make it more usable as an actual bar.

The Dock

The Dock is the exterior promenade-level outdoor space where you can watch the ship’s wake while enjoying refreshing cocktails, light bites, and live music. It was absolutely one of my favorite spots on Valiant Lady, so it’s great to see some minor improvements. They relocated the stage so more guests could see the performer and added a windscreen to make the space more usable in high winds and more challenging weather.

New Retail Opportunities

Valiant Lady also has some new places you can shop onboard. They’ve added TAG and Pandora in the shops area. They’ve also relocated the VV Brand Shop, giving this popular store much more merchandising space for a wider selection of Virgin-branded options. My Valiant Lady T-shirt, which I bought on board is still one of my favorite T-shirts. It’s so comfy.

New Events and Entertainment

It’s not just about new venues. Entertainment has also been refreshed with 20 different “Happenings” events led by the entertainment staff onboard.

New Shows and Game Shows

The main theater on Valiant Lady, The Red Room, has a new game show called “Sink or Swim” and a new event, “Sports Smarts,” which blends physical challenges with sports trivia.

In The Manor, they’ve added “Pay Attent!on,” which is a vintage TV-style game show, and “Nice Box!,” a mystery retail event.

Food and Drink Experiences

The Foodie, the entertainment staff member whose expertise is all things food and drinks, also has some new activities. You can see Virgin Voyages is doubling down on the options and what they’ve always said: there’s something for everyone on the ship. From the extrovert who wants to be at all the parties, to the introvert who wants to relax and rejuvenate, to someone who wants to learn something new while enjoying the relaxing sea vibes.

Virgin Voyages describes them as:

• Extra Virgin: “Aperitivo Club” explores classic spritzes, premium olive oils, and the art and science behind pasta pairings.
• “Trust Your Tongue” tests unconventional culinary combos while rating and ranking these unusual flavors at Test Kitchen.
• “Espresso Yourself” pours three espresso martinis, live music, and coffee-inspired art into a tasting that becomes more than just a drink.
• “Sweet Aft Matcha” invites Sailors to get their whisk on while sampling the rich history, flavor pairings, and versatile delights of matcha.

More Laid-Back Activities

And for those who want a more relaxing and laid-back vibe, there are new experiences as well. “Silent Sweat” is a health-focused take on the Silent Disco where guests put on headphones and go through a workout while enjoying the amazing views at the top-deck location, The Perch. Or go to the highly popular VHS workout, but with a new twist. “VHS Volume 2: The Great British Burn Off” has a British pop theme.

Creative and Intellectual Activities

You can also express your artistic side with new hands-on activities, “Upcycle Club,” “Knot Today,” and “Hooked,” which turn reclaimed materials, ropework, and crochet into tactile take-home memories.

For more intellectual activities, try “Check, Please,” which is a social chess tournament, or “Knees Up,” a proper pub quiz. Or you can try activities like “Destination Unknown” or “Stargazers” for map-based adventures and beautiful stargazing at night on The Dock.

My Take: Some Really Impressive Changes for Valiant Lady

Valiant Lady is only 4 years old and didn’t really need any major changes, but at the same time, Virgin Voyages has learned a lot about cruise ships since the ship debuted in 2022. It’s really nice to see Virgin take those learnings and apply them to improve an already solid cruising experience. These changes aren’t drastic, but they could make your sailing more enjoyable. Many of the changes above address pain points I mentioned during my sailing on Valiant Lady (follow that cruise blog here).

Kudos to Virgin Voyages for continuing to invest in the experience.

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Introducing Captain’s Club Milestone Benefits

Celebrity’s loyalty program, called Captain’s Club, has 6 different tiers: Preview, Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith. Members move between the tiers by getting points, rather than collecting nights like on other cruise lines.

According to Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge, the biggest complaint she hears about the loyalty program is the large gap between tiers at the highest level. Once you qualify for Elite Plus, you need 2,250 points to get to Zenith. To put that in perspective, that’s 750 nights in a standard veranda cabin or 187 nights if you stay in a Royal Suite.

“You want something more to strive for. Something more aspirational. Specifically between Elite Plus and Zenith,” she said in a video announcing the change.

To help bridge that gap, Celebrity has introduced Milestone Benefits. These benefits come on top of the benefits guests already receive for being at their current status.

1,500-Point Milestone (Elite Plus)

When you get halfway to Zenith, you’ll reach this new milestone where you get all the Elite Plus benefits, plus:

• Double the Wi-Fi (480 minutes of premium Wi-Fi)
• 20% off specialty dining (up from 15%)
• One complimentary digital photo
• Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing

2,250-Point Milestone (Elite Plus)

When you get 75% of the way to Zenith, you’ll reach this new milestone where you get all the Elite Plus benefits, plus:

• Triple the Wi-Fi (720 minutes of premium Wi-Fi)
• 25% off specialty dining (up from 15%)
• One complimentary digital photo
• Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing
• Extend Your Stay for additional onboard time, when available

3,000-Point Milestone (Zenith)

• 35% off specialty dining cover charge (25% previously)
• Three complimentary digital photos
• Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing

6,000-Point Milestone (Double Zenith)

• Receive all 3K benefits, plus:
• One specialty lunch on embarkation day of every sailing
• One specialty dinner on any day of your milestone sailing
• Champagne delivered on your milestone sailing and an in-room amenity
• Another 7-night complimentary cruise in an AquaClass stateroom

9,000-Point Milestone (Triple Zenith)

• Receive all 3K benefits, plus:
• 7-night complimentary Caribbean or Bermuda cruise now in a Sky Suite
• One specialty lunch on any day of every sailing
• One specialty dinner on any day of your milestone sailing
• Champagne delivered on your milestone sailing and an in-room amenity

These Milestones Are on Top of Existing Benefits

Again, all these milestones are on top of the benefits already received at those levels, which can include complimentary Premium Wi-Fi, complimentary drink packages, laundry, and more.

You can see all the benefits here.

You can watch the announcement here:

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Great Tides Waterpark Opens September 4, 2026

Today, Norwegian announced that Great Tides Waterpark will open on September 4, 2026. The water park is an additional fee and requires guests to purchase access.

Norwegian is also offering the ability to reserve one of ten private cabanas for up to 6 guests. These cabanas include admission to the water park and a shaded place to relax right by the waterslides.

Passes Go on Sale May 28

Guests on sailings that visit Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4 can pre-purchase passes to Great Tides Waterpark starting May 28. At the time of publication, Norwegian has not released how much it will cost. In a webinar for travel agents, John Chernesky, senior vice president of North American sales, indicated that pricing will be dynamic and vary from sailing to sailing, but over time, “we’ll have general trends” for pricing.

Passes include access to the waterpark, access to lounge chairs and umbrellas (based on availability), towels, and complimentary lockers.

What’s in Great Tides Waterpark

Great Tides Waterpark is nearly 6 acres and designed to offer a full day of water fun for the whole family.

• 19 total slides
• Tidal Tower, a 170-foot slide tower
  • Breakaway Blasters, water coasters with downhill drops and uphill blasts
  • Whitewater Dash, two body slides
  • Rapid Mat Racers, featuring head-first racing fun
  • 2 inner tube nautilus slides
• An 828-foot-long “dynamic” river with multimedia effects and swim-up bar
• A 9,000-square-foot kids’ splash zone with 9 slides and an oversized tipping bucket
• Cliff jumping areas
• The Grotto Bar, a hidden cave bar beneath the family slide

The area will also have three all-new food trucks, so you don’t have to leave the park midday to grab a bite between all the slides.

Comparing Norwegian and Royal Caribbean’s Water Parks

It’s hard to talk about Norwegian’s new water park without talking about Royal Caribbean’s Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay, especially because you can literally see one while standing in the other.

Norwegian’s overall water park footprint is smaller, coming in at nearly 6 acres compared to Royal Caribbean’s 9 acres. But Norwegian does have more slides, with 19 versus 14 at Thrill Waterpark. Norwegian’s slide tower also takes the crown, pun intended, from Royal Caribbean. The 170-foot Tidal Tower is taller than Royal Caribbean’s Daredevil’s Peak, which stands at 135 feet.

There are a few other differences. While Royal Caribbean’s Thrill Waterpark has a wave pool, Norwegian instead has an 800-foot-long dynamic river. Great Tides Waterpark is also has the highest cliff jumping platforms in the Caribbean where guests can try 10- and 15-foot plunges. The area also features 8 children’s slides in the splash area, while Royal Caribbean’s Thrill Waterpark does not really focus on younger kids. Instead, Royal Caribbean offers two complimentary kids’ splash areas elsewhere on the island.

With pricing still unknown, the big question will be whether Great Tides Waterpark feels like a worthwhile add-on once guests are already on Great Stirrup Cay. But on paper, Norwegian is clearly trying to go head-to-head with Royal Caribbean’s Thrill Waterpark, and in a few areas, it may even have the edge.

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In early 2024, they rectified that with a new addition: Hideaway Beach. This adults-only area sounded like exactly the kind of addition the island needed. Perfect Day at CocoCay has become a huge draw for Royal Caribbean, but with bigger ships and more families onboard, an adults-only escape makes sense.

So I thought I’d try it out on my sailing on Celebrity Reflection in March 2026.

Why I Booked Hideaway Beach

Oddly enough, the main reason I booked Hideaway Beach wasn’t to get away from the children. We were traveling in March, far enough from spring break that kids wouldn’t be an issue. I booked it because it had a heated pool.

In March, while the weather was warm enough to enjoy the beach, the ocean was still only around 72 degrees. The main Oasis Lagoon pool on Perfect Day is not heated, and I wasn’t looking forward to spending the day convincing myself the water was fine. So we decided to pay extra and try Hideaway Beach.

For our sailing, I paid $65 per person a few months before the cruise. On the day we visited, Royal Caribbean was selling access for $85 per person. I’ve also seen prices much lower and much higher, so this is definitely one of those things you want to watch in the Cruise Planner.

What’s Included With Hideaway Beach

The Hideaway Beach day pass gives you access to the adults-only section of Perfect Day at CocoCay. Inside the area, you’ll find a large heated infinity pool, a swim-up bar, a protected beach cove, lounge chairs, umbrellas, bars, live music or a DJ, and two included food spots. You can also pay to rent a cabana for a larger group, some of which include access to another private infinity pool.

Included in Hideaway Beach:

• Access to the heated pool
• Access to the private beach
• Access to loungers, umbrellas, pool-side daybeds, pool loungers
• Food and basic beverages (water and juice)

Not Included in Hideaway Beach:

• Access to the cabanas
• Alcoholic beverages (your drink package works here if you have one, or you can pay a la carte and charge to your room)

It’s not a private resort-within-an-island kind of experience. It’s more like a beach club. There’s music, there are drinks, there are lots of people, and the whole area has a pretty lively energy.

That’s important to know before booking. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful beach day where you only hear the waves, this is probably not the right spot. The DJ music carries throughout the area. It gets quieter the farther you move away from the pool and swim-up bar, but it never really becomes calm or serene.

Getting to Hideaway Beach

Because Hideaway Beach was added later than the rest of the island, it’s set farther away from the main arrival area. You can walk there, but from the welcome area, it’s about a 20-minute walk, according to staff. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean offers a dedicated tram, separate from the tram that circles the island.

When you walk off the ship into the welcome area, you just walk to the right to find a small tram stop. Staff there verbally confirmed that you either had a reservation or knew you’d have to pay to enter when you arrived. It was amazing how many people I saw trying to go, some with children, not realizing it was an extra-fee, adults-only space.

From there, it was only about a 3-minute ride to the entrance. You just step off the tram, scan your room key, and you’re good to go.

First Impressions of Hideaway Beach

The first thing I noticed was the scale. Hideaway Beach is much bigger than I expected. It can accommodate roughly 1,800 to 2,000 guests if completely sold out. That’s a lot considering that only two ships can dock at the island at once, so up to 15,000 people could be on the whole island at one time.

You enter through a palm-tree-lined path that takes you right into the heart of the area. You walk past the air-conditioned restrooms and free lockers, and then into the main bar and pool area. From there, the layout is easy to understand: the heated infinity pool and swim-up bar are the main focal points, with the beach, loungers, food stands, and additional bars spread around them.

Even with plenty of people there, we had no problem finding chairs. The loungers right near the pool were already taken, but there were hundreds of chairs with umbrellas on the sand next to the pool area.

The chairs themselves were fine, but nothing special. They’re the same basic, yet colorful, loungers you’ll find throughout Perfect Day at CocoCay. They were sturdy and comfortable enough, but for an extra-fee area, I’d expect something a bit more premium. I also would have liked a little more room between them. The chairs were packed pretty tightly together.

Again, if this were a free area, I wouldn’t mind it, but if I’m paying extra, I expect a bit more.

For me, that was really the running theme with Hideaway Beach. It’s nice, but it doesn’t feel especially elevated.

The Heated Pool Was the Star

The heated pool was absolutely the best part of Hideaway Beach for me. The curved infinity walls of the pool overlook the loungers and the beach, providing beautiful views even when you’re in the pool.

The pool looks huge, but it feels even bigger; you don’t realize how large it is until you’re actually in it and trying to walk around. The water was around 3.5 to 4 feet deep throughout most of the pool, so it was easy to walk around with a drink without worrying about spilling it. Along one side is a shelf with complimentary in-pool loungers.

Since it was only around 78 degrees outside, the heated water made a huge difference. Without that, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the day nearly as much.

Because it was so big, the pool never felt like “people soup.” There were plenty of guests in the water, but everyone still had room to spread out. People were hanging near the infinity edge, playing floating games, grabbing drinks, or just standing around talking. A few times, there was a guest-led conga line around the whole pool.

The crowd here was pretty mixed; everyone from younger adults to seniors was enjoying the space. Since this day had one Celebrity and one Royal Caribbean ship, this area might have been a bit more diverse in terms of ages than sailings with two Royal Caribbean ships, since families skew toward Royal Caribbean and Celebrity skews a bit older.

The Swim-Up Bar

The swim-up bar is one of Hideaway Beach’s big selling points, and it worked really well.

The bar itself is large and covered by a straw-thatched ceiling that provides shade. On a warmer day, that shade would probably be a huge plus. On our visit, it actually meant fewer people were sitting directly at the bar, since it felt cooler without the sun. Most people got their drinks and moved back into the sunny part of the pool.

Drink service was surprisingly quick. If people were ordering beers or basic cocktails, there was almost no wait. The only slowdown occurred when guests ordered frozen drinks, since they took longer to make.

The biggest issue was the music. It was loudest near the bar, and at times, hearing the bartenders was a struggle. It was not a deal breaker, but it’s another reminder that this is a party-style beach club, not a quiet adults-only retreat.

Since I had the drink package from my Celebrity sailing, I could order any drink on the menu without worrying about the individual prices. On Celebrity ships, they have two tiers of drink packages with dollar limits, but Royal Caribbean doesn’t do that, so everything is included. I tried a few classic island drinks, including rum punch, Bahama Mama, and CocoLoco. The CocoLoco is one of those drinks people always tell you to try at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and somehow it never seems to be made exactly the same way twice. It’s always good, though.

The Beach Area

The beach at Hideaway Beach is a protected cove with calm water and white sand. It looked beautiful, but on our sailing, the ocean was still too cold for me to spend much time in it. The cove stopped any waves from coming in, so it was very still and mostly shallow. On one side of the cove, you’ll find in-water hammocks and shaded bar-height tables where you can stay out of the sun while enjoying the water.

In the morning, almost everyone seemed to be in the heated pool. By the afternoon, more people started making their way into the ocean, but the pool was still clearly the main draw. If you’re visiting in the summer, the beach may be a bigger part of the experience. For us, the pool was the reason to be there.

Drinks at Hideaway Beach

The swim-up bar is the obvious centerpiece, but it’s not the only place to get a drink at Hideaway Beach. There were several other bars spread throughout the area, which made drink service one of the easiest parts of the day.

Flanking either side of the beach were two beach bars, each staffed with three bartenders. The main building in the center has Hideaway Bar, which is right above the swim-up bar and lets you enjoy the music and cocktails without getting wet.

Then, on one side, you’ll find On the Rocks, a cool open-air venue with live music, games, and great views looking out at the water. It’s a great place for people who might not be beach or pool people. On top of that, there was a bar cart near Slice of Paradise that offered canned beverages.

I was really impressed with the service in Hideaway Beach. There were so many bartenders and different venues that I almost never had to wait for a drink unless they were whipping up a frozen concoction. With the way the bars are spread around the area, you’re never far from one. If you don’t feel like getting up, servers were constantly circulating.

Food at Hideaway Beach

There are two food spots inside Hideaway Beach: Snack Shack and Slice of Paradise. Both are completely complimentary and included in the cost of admission. That’s one area where Royal Caribbean continues to impress me at Perfect Day at CocoCay. They offer so much complimentary food that’s really tasty but also served really quickly. I have never waited more than 2 minutes for any food at Perfect Day.

Snack Shack

The Snack Shack at Hideaway Beach is very similar to the other Snack Shack locations around the island, but it has a few extra items, including ceviche, coconut shrimp, and a fish sandwich.

I started with the mozzarella sticks because I loved them on my last visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. They were just as good this time. They were crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and surprisingly hot. I still don’t know how they manage to keep mozzarella sticks ready to go without them turning sad and rubbery.

I also tried the ceviche, which came in a small plastic cup with plantain chips. The presentation was nothing special, but the ceviche itself was refreshing and had a nice amount of acid.

Later, I went back for lunch and tried the Crispy Island Fish Sandwich. That was probably my biggest food disappointment of the day. The cheese was not really melted, and the fish reminded me of a reheated frozen fillet. It wasn’t awful, but it didn’t feel worth paying extra to access.

So, naturally, I went back and got a burger.

The Hideaway Burger was much better. It was fresh, juicy, and the shack sauce gave it a little something extra. There was also a fixings bar nearby, so you could customize it however you wanted.

For dessert, I grabbed the personal funnel cake. This was easily one of the best food items of the day. At home, I almost never get funnel cake because they’re massive, but this one was the perfect size. It was fried well, easy to eat, and exactly the kind of thing that would probably cost extra at other cruise line private destinations.

Across three visits to the Snack Shack, I never waited more than a couple of minutes for food. That’s really impressive.

Slice of Paradise

The other included food spot is Slice of Paradise, which is unique to Hideaway Beach.

It’s the only place you’ll find pizza on Perfect Day at CocoCay. The pizza options are more creative than the usual cruise ship slices, with choices like Island Guava Barbecue Chicken and Bahamian Seafood Escabeche.

The pizza was decent. It reminded me of Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s pizza, which is honestly much better than the pizza I’ve had on Celebrity.

They also serve empanadas, including chicken, beef, and apple varieties. The empanadas were fine, but they lacked a lot of flavor.

What I Liked About Hideaway Beach

The heated pool was easily the highlight. For a cooler weather visit, it changed the entire day. I would not have enjoyed the island as much without it.

I also liked how easy everything was. There were plenty of chairs, drink service was quick, food lines were short, and the area never felt overwhelmingly crowded.

The swim-up bar was much less chaotic than the one at Oasis Lagoon, and the pool had enough space that you could actually relax and enjoy yourself.

Service was impeccable, with people constantly walking around taking drink orders, and we never had to wait for any food dishes.

What I Didn’t Like About Hideaway Beach

My biggest issue is the overall value proposition. You’re basically paying for an adults-only area, but there are not many other “extras” or “premium” elements included in the experience.

First, I don’t love paying extra just to access an adults-only area. Royal Caribbean has been leaning heavily into the family-vacation market, which is fine, but it also means sailings bring thousands of kids to Perfect Day at CocoCay. It’s their own marketing that is bringing more children to the island, so why should I have to pay extra to get away from that? It feels a little frustrating.

It feels even stranger when you’re arriving on a Celebrity ship. Celebrity passengers already pay more for a cruise line that typically has fewer kids and a more adult-focused atmosphere. In my opinion, Celebrity guests should either get access to Hideaway Beach included or at least receive a discounted rate.

The experience also did not feel especially premium. The chairs were the same ones used around the rest of the island. They were packed close together. Much of the food was also available elsewhere on the island for no extra charge.

And while the music and energy were fun for a while, it’s not a peaceful escape. If your idea of an adults-only beach is quiet, calm, and relaxed, Hideaway Beach may not be what you’re picturing.

Is Hideaway Beach Worth It?

That’s 100% going to depend on you, your priorities, and the price. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity use dynamic pricing, which means the price varies by ship and sailing and can change at any time. I ran a sample of 113 sailings across 2026 and 2027 and saw prices ranging from $50 to $104 per person, with an average of $66. Previously, I had seen prices as low as $39 and as high as $99, so pricing appears to be creeping up.

For me, on this specific sailing, Hideaway Beach was totally worth it, mostly because of the heated pool. At $65 per person, I felt like we got our money’s worth because the pool made the day much more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise.

But in the summer, when the ocean and pools are warmer, I’d feel differently. Without needing the heated pool, I’m not sure I’d pay much more than $40 for Hideaway Beach. It’s nice, but it’s not dramatically better than the free areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay. I’ve had just as nice a time hanging out at the complimentary Chill Beach and South Beach areas (follow along on my last visit to Perfect Day without Hideaway Beach).

The swim-up bar is less crowded, the food is convenient, and the adults-only atmosphere is a plus. But the overall experience isn’t elevated enough to justify the high price for me.

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Carnival Bow Crest

Carnival Magic is now the second ship to receive the new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest. It’s a nod to Carnival’s commitment to being “America’s Cruise Line” and to celebrating the country’s 250th birthday.

Redesigned Buffet

According to the press release, the Lido Marketplace, more often referred to as the buffet by guests, was redesigned. The new implementation should have a better flow and an “elevated dining experience,” although Carnival didn’t go into specifics.

Upgraded Casino and Arcade

While Carnival didn’t say exactly what was done, they did say the casino was updated with new options.

The arcade also added some new options for “all ages.” Not coincidentally, just last week, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald made a Facebook post last week asking if adults would like to see more classic arcade games. While typically treated as a “kids” space, arcade areas with an adult focus have gained popularity on other cruise lines like Virgin Voyages and Celebrity.

Revitalized Pool Decks

The pool decks on Magic had a refurbishment to add “new energy and onboard relaxation.” They’ve also revitalized the kids’ WaterWorks aqua park located on Deck 12.

Revitalized Sports Square With New Mini Golf Course

The Sports Square on Magic also received makeover with a new mini golf course. Previously, the Magic had a golf course but the holes were distributed throughout the area in between seating and pool tables. The new course is still located between the ropes course on Deck 12, but now takes up almost the whole area. It’s not clear if they’ll put back the seating, foosball, and pool tables in the new center of the area.

Renovated Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center

The fitness facilities on Magic also received updates. The Fitness Center received all-new equipment, and the spa was refreshed to support “wellness and rejuvenation.”

Refreshed Retail Areas

The shopping areas on Deck 5 were also refreshed, including the Effy Jewelry boutique.

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These ports are not treated quite like “private destinations,” which are usually designed as an extension of the cruise ship experience and are often partially owned by the cruise line in addition to local ownership. One example is in Roatan, Honduras, where Carnival has given its cruise port a makeover.

Mahogany Bay Becomes Isla Tropicale

Mahogany Bay in Honduras first opened in 2009 and is exclusively for Carnival Corporation ships, including Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others. The destination is probably best known for its picturesque chairlift that guests can take from the main port shopping area to the beach. It offers beautiful views of the ship along the way.

The beach has thousands of free loungers and palm trees, along with turquoise blue waters overlooking the two cruise ships that can dock there.

But Carnival has made some upgrades, and in the process, renamed the port Isla Tropicale. The new logo includes a large hummingbird, a nod to the 40 species of hummingbirds that live in Honduras.

Guests who have previously visited Mahogany Bay probably remember the steep, inclined walk up from the ship to the main shopping area, which has a few restaurants, bars, and stores. That walk and shopping area still remain, except now with the new Isla Tropicale logo.

Closer to the beach is the new addition, which Carnival named Mangrove Bay. It added 48,000 square feet of space, including a pool with a swim-up bar, splash pad, and cabanas for rent.

The beautiful beach still remains, as do the private cabanas at the end of the beach.

Isla Tropicale Is Still a Cruise Port, Not a Private Destination

While the lines are getting quite blurred between the two, Isla Tropicale remains a cruise port, not a private destination. That means there is no included food, the ship’s Wi-Fi does not work on shore, and guests cannot charge purchases to their ship account.

The pool and loungers are complimentary, though.

My Take: A Nice Improvement, But I’m Not Sure It Was Necessary

First off, I’m not sure why Carnival felt that it had to rename the port. Mahogany Bay seemed fine to me, but maybe they had a negative guest experience at the port, so they were trying to get rid of that association.

A large pool at no extra cost is certainly a nice addition to a cruise port, but I don’t know how necessary it is. Mahogany Bay already had a beautiful beach with plenty of loungers. Adding a pool might help people who do not like the ocean, but it did not seem like something the port was missing.

One thing I liked about Mahogany Bay was how close the cruise port was to the ship. I sailed there on Carnival Celebration (see the blog here), where we booked an excursion through the cruise line. The excursion was for the whole morning, so the bus let us off, we walked back to the ship for lunch, and then went back to the beach, taking the chairlift on the way, for a few hours in the afternoon.

It was nice to add in as part of the day, but for me, it was not necessarily a full-day destination.

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Carnival Gets a New Bow Crest

Carnival’s ships have always stood out because of their signature red funnel, but other than that, their ships’ hulls have been relatively bland. Carnival changed that with the launch of Mardi Gras, which was finished in 2020 but launched in 2021 after the pandemic shut down. This new ship, which paid homage to Carnival’s first ship, sported a royal blue paint job on the bottom and a red and white line before becoming white. Its wave shape gave a sense of excitement and refinement. It was so popular that the paint job spread across the whole fleet.

Now Carnival is making a minor tweak. Today, they debuted a new bow crest on Carnival Legend when it came out of dry dock. Located at the center of the bow of the ship, this new crest features the Carnival funnel logo and “From Sea to Shining Sea,” inspired by “America the Beautiful.”

The new bow crest will be added across the fleet for Carnival’s U.S.-based ships as they enter dry docks in the coming years. The exceptions will be Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Tropicale, which will sport the Texas star on their bows.

America’s Cruise Line Celebrates the Country’s 250th Anniversary

According to the brand, the new crest pays homage to the fact that they’re “America’s Cruise Line.” According to a post by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, Carnival sails “from more U.S. homeports than any other line.”

The new crest is just one of the many ways Carnival is celebrating the U.S. From June 4 to July 4 this year, the brand will host events across the fleet to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. They’ll have patriotic events, trivia, crafts, fireworks, ship meet-ups, and July 4 fireworks.

The line also continues to pay homage to our men and women of service. Carnival says they “host more active-duty military and veterans than any other cruise line, honoring them at gatherings on every North American sailing.” In addition, many Carnival ships have been retrofitted with the Heroes Tribute Bar.

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