The top cruise news stories of 2022 and a question about visiting St. Thomas. 

A review of MSC Cruises Seashore from PortMiami that was taken in summer 2022. 

A review of Carnival Celebration's first passenger voyage: a two-week transatlantic crossing from the UK to Miami with seven sea days in a row. 

Why you need to travel with trip insurance in 2023. Richard Simms has cruise news. 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ. 

Looking at some of the changes of Carnival Celebration, Carnival Cruise Line's newest excel class ship.

Richard Simms has cruise news on:

• Diamond Princess returns to sea
• Royal Caribbean tests changing main dining room menu
• Carnival Celebration christened 
• Disney brings back old-school mustering 
• MSC drops the testing requirement 

The first sailing on Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship Carnival Celebration. We give some initial thoughts and feedback. 

On this week's episode, we get a review of a western Caribbean voyage out of Port Everglades aboard one of Princess Cruises' newest ships Sky Princess. This interview was recorded in May 2022.

Details on Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Prima.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Making changes at Carnival Cruise Line and the delivery of the Carnival Celebration 
• Details revealed for Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas 
• Pre-cruise testing has dropped on a lot of cruise lines
• A dog service dog reaches 700 days at sea 
• Norwegian Prima makes the rounds 

A review of Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas from the summer 2022. 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Splendor to southeast Alaska from Seattle. This voyage was taken in summer 2022. 

This week we get a review of Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Prima, as it sails its first revenue cruise in Northern Europe. 

We get a review of Disney Cruise Line's brand new ship Disney Wish. This was a three-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and the private island Castaway Cay. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• A busy week in the Caribbean with Hurricane Ian 
• Canada and two more cruise lines drop vaccination mandates 
• Carnival Luminosa is now sailing and picking up crew ahead of its Australian season 
• Port Saint John has welcomed its three millionth cruise passenger 
• Saying goodbye to Celebrity Cruises' former ship Horizon 

Listener Question: When is the deadline for buying travel insurance during hurricane season? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Spirit that sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti earlier this summer. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• An active week in the Caribbean with storms 
• Carnival Vista experiences another technical issue 
• Carnival Luminosa is making progress 
• A new class of Princess ships

Listener Question: Regarding the NCL Platinum specialty dining perks. I will be Platinum after my cruise next month and going on the NCL Prima in January. Some of the restaurants listed like Moderno aren’t on the Prima. Any idea if we will get to choose from any of the other restaurants instead?

A review of Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas on a nine-night cruise to Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the Bahamas. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise review of Carnival's Mardi Gras. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Disney Crusie Line's Disney Fantasy. 

A 2022 review of Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises drop mandates on most cruises 
• Carnival Luminosa itineraries now listed on the Carnival Cruise Line website
• Grand Cayman lifts COVID protocols for all visitors and could get a pier
• Princess goes all in on bidding for an upgrade
• You can live on a cruise ship for as little as $600,000

Listener Question: What is a cruise duck? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Seven-night cruise on Celebrity Eclipse to Southeast Alaska sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia.  

Richard has cruise news: 

1. More cruise lines relax or drop vaccination mandates and pre-cruise testing

2. This past Monday, Carnival Cruise Line had a recording booking day for the first time since 2019 

3. Virgin Voyages is getting a surge of a half billion dollars in fresh capital

4. An extra day for guests sailing Carnival Splendor in Australia in October

5. The rockslide in Skagway, Alaska, has closed one pier for the rest of the 2022 season 

6. Princess Cruises partners with a NASCAR race team

Listener Question: Should I buy the Cloud 9 Thermal Suite on Carnival in advance for $199, or will it be cheaper once onboard? We are on a week-long cruise on Carnival Panorama in October. 

A review of a six-night Caribbean sailing on Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral. The ports of call on this sailing were Carnival's private island Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove. We get a bow-to-stern review from this family of three. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Cruise protocols are changing again
• More changes at Carnival Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line had a Q2 business update 
• Hawaii-based Pride of America is sailing at half capacity because Americans don't want to work
• Diamond Princess is back in America but won't be going anywhere until November 

Listener Question: What are the best Haven upgrade strategies? My assumption is eggs in one basket. Daniel 

 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night cruise on MSC Cruises MSC Lirica that was roundtrip from Athens, Greece. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Policy changes regarding testing across most major cruise lines 
• Norwegian Cruise Line is changing up menus and celebrating the float-out of its next Prima-class ship
• Carnival Cruise Line has over three million guests served 
• Glacier Bay National Park is tightening the reins on cruise ships
• A fishing boat hit a cruise ship in New England 

Listener Q: I have a medical condition and can not get the drink package. Can my wife get one on our Royal Caribbean cruise next summer? — Tim

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Princess Cruises' Regal Princess in the Med. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• More developments on the rock slide impacting an Alaska cruise port 
• Another U.S. cruise line drops pre-cruise COVID-19 testing before embarkation 
• Carnival is re-opening another dining venue after being shutdown over the summer 
• One cruise line is celebrating a year back to service with some cool facts 
• Virgin Voyages is coming to a TV near you

Listener Q: Does NCL now have an Unlimited Starbucks Coffee Package for purchase? 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of a 10-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. This was a Baltic cruise from Northern Europe that was very port intensive. We get a bow-to-stern review of the cruise ship and the itinerary. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• CDC drops cruise ship program for cruise ships 
• One cruise line takes a public approach to get more to sail while the other drops negative testing
• Royal Caribbean Group purchases a former Crystal Cruises ship 
• A couple spends 1,000 days on one cruise line 
• Record cruise week in Central Florida 

Listener Question: I have a treatment booked in the spa, does this mean I'll be able to use the thermal suite that day? 

We get a review of an eight-night southern Caribbean voyage on Carnival Freedom out of PortMiami.

Richard Simms has cruise news:

• Carnival provides updates on crew shortages, the kids' clubs, and pre-cruise testing
• Disney Cruise Line is increasing the recommended daily gratuity amount
• Norwegian's PortMiami terminal has a new mural, Norwegian Sun is returning to service
• Explora Journeys orders two additional ships

Listener Question: We are going to Bermuda this summer and keep reading that we need a health passport to get to Bermuda. Is this something that we should take care or does the cruise line satisfy it for us? — Heather

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A seven-night review of Norwegian Breakaway from New Orleans. This was a Western Caribbean cruise with The Haven experience. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Two companies loosen COVID testing protocols
• NCL cancels another sailing of Norwegian Sun and wants more of your money before you cruise 
• Keel laid on the next Royal Caribbean LNG vessel
• Faster internet could soon be coming if Royal Caribbean has anything to do with it. 

A 2022 review of Carnival Radiance from Long Beach, California. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Disney Wish has been christened in Port Canaveral, Florida 
• Carnival Corporation releases Q2 earnings and makes money again 
• Carnival Cruise Line debuts new food menu item, new ship entertainment team 
• Norwegian cruise ship damaged when hitting an iceberg in Alaska 
• Celebrity Cruises' full fleet is back in service, completing all 63 Royal Caribbean Group vessels 

Listener Q: Any idea when Carnival will bring back some of their VIFP perks? — Donna 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas. This is one of the newer Royal Caribbean ships that made its North American debut in November 2022 and is spending the summer sailing the Mediterranean. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• Carnival adds two more ships to its U.S. lineup 
• Crystal Cruises returns after bankruptcy 
• Carnival Corp brand drops pre-cruise testing 
• Disney Wish readies for its July debut from Port Canaveral 
• Norwegian delays another ship because of supply chain issues 

Listener Question: We are looking to try our first Celebrity Crusie next year and currently pricing them out. I know it's all-inclusive pricing, but the only issue is we gave up drinking years ago. Is there a way to get a lower fare if we want to opt-out of the drink package? — Linda 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Discovery Princess in Alaska. Dan from TripInsurance.com answers your listener questions as the U.S. government drops restrictions on inbound COVID testings for flights. 

This week we get a review of Carnival Sunshine, a Sunshine-class ship that is sailing year-round from Charleston, South Carolina. This was a Bahamas cruise calling to Princess Cays and Nassau. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Carnival Celebration details revealed 
• Norwegian Escape sailings canceled 
• Carnival Freedom set to return after fire 
• Two more lines complete the restart 
• Holland America Line ship christened in Rotterdam 
• A bankrupt cruise line starts over 

This week we get a review of Celebrity Reflection. 

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Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Holland America Line's 2016 built ms Koningsdam from San Diego, California. This was a California Coastal cruise with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• Could Carnival Corporation offload Seabourn Cruises? 
• Two cruise ships are for sale in The Bahamas 
• Norwegian Cruise Line has staffing issues on one ship and redeploys another 
• A full return to service for Royal Caribbean International 
• Carnival Cruise Line sees two-million guests since the cruise industry restart 

Listener Question: Can I use a birth certificate to board a cruise ship? 

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This week we get a review from a first-time cruiser who took a quick three-night sailing on Carnival Liberty from Port Canaveral, Florida. This sailing had one Fun Day at Sea and a port stop in Nassau, Bahamas. We get a comprehensive ship review through the lens of a first-time cruiser. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Carnival makes adjustments to onboard dining 
• New cruise port coming to The Bahamas 
• Margaritaville at Sea sets sail 
• Record booking day for one cruise line 
• Cruise ship bumps into a dock in Alaska

Listener Question: If I test positive after my cruise, do I have to notify the cruise line? 

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A review of Norwegian Cruise Line's 2019-launched ship Norwegian Encore. Encore was only in service for a couple of months before the pandemic shut the cruise industry down.  

Richard has cruise news: 

• Two cruise lines have resumed full operation 
• CDC makes changes to cruise line rules 
• Carnival is sailing from San Fransico for the first time ever 
• Celebrity Cruises picks a godmother for Celebrity Beyond 
• Barnacles cause a cruise to be canceled

Listener Question: I heard Princess Cruises is now offering all-inclusive pricing, what can you tell me about that?  — Julie 

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A review of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's last Vista-class ship, Carnival Panorama. This was a seven-night cruise from Long Beach, California, to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan, Mexico. We get a comprehensive review of the cruise ship, dining onboard, and ports of call down in the Mexican Riviera.  Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• Australia has reopened its cruise industry 
• Grand Cayman drops cruise ship restrictions 
• Jimmy Buffett's cruise ship is being converted to a Margaritaville at Sea 
• Self-serve buffets are back on Royal Caribbean 
• Norwegian Escape returns to service 
• Another drug bust on MSC Seaside in Europe

This week we get a review of Celebrity Constellation. This was an 11-night cruise from Tampa, Florida to the Caribbean and Central America.

We get a full review of the ship, the destinations, and what Kirk and his wife thought of a longer-than-normal cruise. 

Richard Simms has cruise news on: 

• Cruising is back for Canada and Alaska
• Royal Caribbean cuts steel for one ship and names the next vessel 
• Prices are on the increase at Carnival Cruise Line 
• Another Fantasy-class ship scrapped 
• 10 guests on MSC Seaside were busted for transporting drugs 

Listener Q: What are the requirements for iFly on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

We get a review of Disney Dream. This was a three-night cruise from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas, and the private island Castaway Cay. 

Dan Skilken from TripInsurance.com drops by discussing the importance of travel insurance over the past few months, including the Crystal Cruises' bankruptcy, Norwegian Escape running aground, CDC lifting cruise travel advisory, and canceling an Eastern European vacation because of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 

Scott gives us a review of the largest cruise ship in the world in 2022, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. This was a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage from Port Everglades. We get a comprehensive review of this brand new cruise ship.  

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• CDC drops cruise travel warning 
• New zone revealed aboard upcoming mega-ship Carnival Celebration. 
• Another sailing of Norwegian Escape was canceled due to ongoing repairs. 
• Discovery Princess enters service from Los Angeles. 
• Grand Cayman welcomes cruise ships again 

Listener Question: What do I need to know about doing a back-to-back cruise on two different cruise lines this December in Port Canaveral? 

 

 

 

A review of Carnival Cruise Line's Miami-based Carnival Sunrise. This vessel used to be Carnival Triumph before a $200 million refurbishment in 2019. The five-night cruise stopped in Ocho Rios and Bimini Island before returning to PortMiami.  ---

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A review of Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Richard has cruise news: 

• The CDC lowers the cruise travel health warning
• Norwegian Escape cancels voyage mid-cruise after running aground
• Australia is returning to cruising in April 2022 
• Princess Cruises adds two more U.S. homeports this year 
• Carnival Cruise Line wraps its 50th birthday with a giant party on Carnival Conquest

Listener Question: Was your cruise on Norwegian Getaway free? 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

In this week’s episode, we speak with Adam about his five-night Mariner of the Seas voyage out of Port Canaveral in December 2021. He discusses his cabin, the ship’s food and entertainment, and what he did at Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Richard has cruise news:

• Norwegian details upcoming cruise ship
• Carnival's 50th anniversary meet up 
• MSC goes year-round in NYC 
• Carnival Spirit and Carnival Esctasy return to service
• Allure of the Seas goes to three- and four-night sailings in 2023 

Listener Question: What is cruising like in 2022?

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Chris and his wife just returned from a five-night cruise to the western Caribbean aboard Norwegian Getaway. He tells us about his experience with a Haven aft balcony suite, the dining and entertainment on the ship, and his time in Cozumel and Norwegian’s private destination in Belize, Harvest Caye.

Richard has cruise news: 

• Carnival details more itineraries 
• 8 cruise lines drop masks mandates
• Norwegian details business in a latest earnings update 
• Could cruise ships become apartments?
• Norwegian Sky returns to sailings 

Listener Question: Should I prepay my gratuity or tip cash at the end?  

Marc and his family recently returned from a six-night New Year's Eve cruise aboard Carnival Miracle from Long Beach, Califonia. This cruise went down to Cabo and Ensenada. We get a comprehensive review of the ship, what he thought of the food, the condition of the vessel, and his overall thoughts of this Carnival Miracle cruise. 

Richard has cruise news on: 

• CDC drops cruise travel warning down one level
• Crystal Cruises hangs it up after 30 years 
• Smoking in the casinos are back for Carnival Cruise Line 
• Virgin Voyages opens its new terminal in PortMiami 
• Most 2023 Norwegian Sky sailings go dark

Listener Q: What is a Carnival Sailabration cruise and are they still available to book? 

We get a review of Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem. This was a five-night cruise to Bermuda from New York City, with a double-dip at the island. Daniel traveled as both a solo guest and for the first time on Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Cruise news will return next week. Check out the Cruise News Today podcast feed or the Cruise Radio YouTube Channel for daily news. 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

A Sky Princess review is on deck this week with Marc. This was his very first Princess sailing and it won't be his last. The ship sailed from Port Everglades on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with stops in Princess Cays, Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk. 

Richard Simms has cruise news: 

• A cruise ship on the run 
• Carnival opens bookings for new ship 
• Virgin Voyages is already doing a cabin refresh 
• COVID tests could soon be $10 on Carnival 
• Carnival doubles down on COVID protocols with masks, testing, and vaccinated-only sailings 

Listener Question: Will Carnival Cruise Line require a booster shot? 

 

 

We talk with Isaiah about his recent seven-night cruise aboard Carnival Magic out of Port Canaveral, Florida. He goes over his experience in a balcony cabin for the first time, the food and entertainment onboard, and his time in the ports on this eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Richard has cruise news on: 

•  The CDC has let the Conditional Sailing Order expire
• Crystal Crusies' parent company has filed for bankruptcy 
• Norwegian changes its Free at Sea program 
• Royal Caribbean debuts a new venue on Wonder of the Seas 
• Celebrity is delaying the return of a west coast ship, and canceling a Mediterranean season for one ship
• Mardi Gras cruise director takes a promotion 

Listener question: I signed up for the free testing kit the the United States Postal Service is sending out. Will that test work for my pre-cruise testing requirement? — Billy 

 

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net 

Chad chats with us about his recent sailing aboard MSC Cruises' new ship MSC Seashore. He discusses his stay in the vessel's ship-within-a-ship complex The Yacht Club, as well as his experience with other dining, activities, and entertainment around the ship.

Thoughts or questions? doug@cruiseradio.net