Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

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. 

Norwegian Sun review of a 14-night South Pacific cruise from Hawaii to Tahiti. This bucketlist cruise hit a lot dream islands before rounding out in Tahaiti. We get a comprehensive review of the itinerary and Norwegian Sun before she leaves the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brand. 

A four night review of Carnival Glory out of Port Canaveral, Florida. This sailing went to Nassau, Bahamas and and Carnival Cruise Line's new private destination Celebration Key. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. 

Rick shares his review of a 14-night transatlantic cruise on Holland America Line's ms Oosterdam. This was a one way eastbound from Port Everglades, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. Dan Skilken from TripInsurance.com breaks down buying travel insurance during hurricane season.