Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

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

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

A seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas from Bayonne, New Jersey to Florida and The Bahamas. This cruise had a stop in Nassau, Port Canaveral, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

An eight-night review of Carnival Panorama from Long Beach, California to the Mexican Riviera. 

A review of the newly launched Celebrity Xcel on a two night preview cruise from Port Canaveral. Hear first impressions of the fifth Edge-class ship. 

A review of the brand new Star Princess, the second Sphere class.

A review of Norwegian Jade on a repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego, California, with stops in Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Staff writer Richard Simms has this week's cruise news. 

A review of the inaugural cruise of Disney Destiny. 

A review of a five night Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival Valor to Progresso, Mexico and Cozumel from New Orleans. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A Bahamas review of Norwegian Escape. Richard Simms has cruise news. Learning about how travel insurance impacts passengers during air traffic control delays and flight cancellations.

Margie gives a review of her second Virgin Voyages cruise. This time she sailed from Athens on an eight-night Greek Isles cruise in a balcony cabin. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of the ABC islands from Dale. He sailed Celebrity Reflection earlier this year out of Port Everglades. This was his first time sailing with Celebrity Cruises. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of a three-night cruise of MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas. A four night cruise from Port Canaveral with a stop in Perfect Day at CocoCay.  Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and former CEO Richard Fain wrote a book called Delivering the Wow. Ricahrd joins us to talk about the new book, some lessons along the way, and how it was bringing the cruise industry back to life after an 18 month shutdown. 

A seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise review of Enchanted Princess to private destination Princess Cay, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and San Juan Puerto Rico.