Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Tim talks about his eight night sailing on Carnival Magic to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao in the Southern Caribbean. This ABC cruise left from Port Miami and had an extended stay at each of the islands lasting into the evening.

Doug Parker and cruise news reporter Richard Simms discuss major cruise industry updates.

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

In this Cruise Radio episode, Doug interviews Rick about his recent transatlantic voyage on Cunard's Queen Mary 2, sailing from Southampton to New York.

Rick shares highlights including pre-cruise adventures in London and Paris, smooth embarkation, stateroom selection, dining experiences, and unique onboard amenities like lectures, a planetarium, and a vast library.

He describes witnessing whales, enjoying the ship's stability in rough seas, and the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere.

Rick offers practical tips for first-timers and dispels myths about formality, ultimately recommending the Queen Mary 2 crossing as "a memorable, classic travel experience."

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms cover the latest cruise news, including dramatic man-overboard incidents, a major Carnival IT outage, a man unhappy with an onboard purchase, and cruise line Royal Caribbean Group shareholder updates.

A review of Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas during a festive New Year's Eve sailing. Jason shares insights on embarkation, dining, entertainment, specialty packages, and the new Royal Beach Club in Nassau, offering practical tips for first-time cruisers. The episode blends news, personal experiences, and expert advice for cruise planning.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of a Hawaii cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America.

Richard has cruise news on:

• Carnival Hikes Gratuities & Drink Package – Starting April 2, gratuities rise to $17/day in standard rooms and $19/day in suites. Bottomless Bubbles soda package also increases to $11.99/day.

• Trevi Fountain Adds Entry Fee – Visitors must now pay $2.40 to get close to Rome's iconic fountain; locals and kids under 6 exempt.

• Jazz Cruise Tragedy – Renowned jazz musician Ken Peplowski passed away onboard Celebrity Summit during the annual Jazz Cruise.

• Drug Bust at PortMiami – Five passengers arrested with narcotics before boarding Symphony of the Seas for a themed Atlantis cruise.

• MSC Guests Left Behind – MSC Orchestra couldn't dock in Marseille due to port protests, forcing guests to rejoin in Genoa.

• MSC Adding Yacht Club – MSC Musica and Orchestra will receive the Yacht Club luxury enclave during upcoming refurbishments.

• Disney Adventure Breaks Record – Becomes the largest passenger ship to transit the Panama Canal on its way to Singapore homeport.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms discuss the latest cruise industry news.

Topics include:

• Norwegian Cruise Line's first overnight docking at Great Stirrup Cay.
• The impact of Winter Storm Fern on cruise itineraries, and the importance of travel insurance.
• Royal Caribbean debuts cruise ship earlier than planned
• MSC developing a Freeport cruise port on Grand Bahamas Island.
• Norwegian's new policy requiring early arrivals for air program guests.
• Cruise ship Scenic Eclipse receiving icebreaker assistance in Antarctica.
• Carnival crew member labor disputes in Australia.

The episode also features Kevin's review of Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Star of the Seas, showcasing family-friendly amenities, food & dining, and the value of cruising on a large, modern ship in 2026 as a family.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Norwegian Getaway in 2026. Plus staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms cover the latest industry news, including Royal Caribbean's extended suspension of Haiti port calls, norovirus outbreaks, Norwegian Cruise Line branding changes, and the end of free cabin upgrades or "upgrade fairy."

Ryan shares a detailed review of his five-night Carnival Paradise cruise, highlighting his suite upgrade, dining experiences, New Year's Eve festivities, and port visits to Nassau and Celebration Key.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, Ralph shares an in-depth review of his seven-night cruise on MSC Grandiosa, a ship that recently started sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida after repositioning from Europe.

He discusses embarkation, ship design, cabin comfort, dining experiences, entertainment, and port visits.

Ralph highlights the ship's European and Latin influences, standout live music, Cirque-style shows, and the relaxing private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

He also offers practical tips for booking activities and navigating the ship's amenities.

The episode provides valuable insights for cruise passengers considering MSC, highlighting both the ship's strengths and challengesin the North American market.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Carnival Venezia on a nine-night Caribbean cruise from New York City. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. TripInsurance.com president Dan Skilken answers some listener question.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

This week on Cruise Radio, we cover cruise news along with a ship review of Disney Wish. Stories include a rescue at Celebration Key, Hawaii's new cruise passenger tax, and changes at Norwegian Cruise Line's private destination, Great Stirrup Cay.

In this episode:

• A four-year-old fell between Carnival Sunrise and the pier at Celebration Key and was rescued by her mother and crew members
• Hawaii implemented an 11% cruise passenger tax effective January 1, 2026 Around 100 passengers reported gastrointestinal illness on Celebrity Eclipse
• Coral Adventurer ran aground on a reef near Papua New Guinea, and passengers were evacuated
• Norwegian Cruise Line opened a new pier and amenities at Great Stirrup Cay, with drink package changes
• Review of Disney Wish

Ship review:

The three-night sailing aboard Disney Wish departed from Port Canaveral, with a planned stop at Nassau changed to a sea day due to weather, and a visit to Castaway Cay. The review covers rotational dining across three themed restaurants, Broadway-style shows, and adult-only spaces.

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.

Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

Follow Cruise Radio's Socials:

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Patreon

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.