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Cruise week report: First Carnival cruise, overlooked banned item, worst-rated ships, and more!

Carnival Firenze top deck

We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise.Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including a cruise line that's investing millions into its older ships and a new banned item aboard Carnival Cruise Line. 

For busy bees who want to stay updated on all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest overview of our recent articles.

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After 5 solo cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, I spent 7 nights traveling alone to Alaska. Here are 3 things I did right — and what I did wrong

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Solo cruises aren't as scary as you might think. They're a great way to explore at your own pace and meet new people, making them surprisingly peaceful and social.

Elizabeth has sailed alone to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and — most recently — Alaska. However, her solo trip to The Last Frontier was unexpected, as her partner woke up feeling ill the day before their flight to Seattle. 

Although she thought she knew what to expect, traveling by herself to Alaska was filled with surprises. She definitely did a few things right, but she also made a few mistakes along the way. 

Read more: After 5 solo cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, I spent 7 nights traveling alone to Alaska. Here are 3 things I did right — and what I did wrong

Strong winds disrupt thousands as multiple cruise ships break free from docks

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(Credit: TikTok/@cruising.is.life)

Within the past week, three cruise ships have broken free from their secured moorings in port, disrupting thousands of passengers. 

The chaos started with Norwegian Epic on Friday, May 30. While visiting Catania, Sicily, a powerful wind gust struck the vessel's port side around 1:00pm. Consequently, the mooring lines began snapping one by one.

The same day, Holland America Line's Westerdam broke free of its moorings while in Ketchikan, Alaska, followed by MSC Seascape in the Bahamas on May 31. Thankfully, all injuries sustained were minor. 

Read more: Strong winds disrupt thousands as multiple cruise ships break free from docks

I thought I'd hate my first Carnival cruise. Instead, I loved how much fun it was

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“Help!” That was the caption Jenna jokingly sent to her friends and family, along with a photo of the ship she was about to board for her first-ever Carnival cruise.

The cruise line is infamously known for its 24/7 party vibe, and she always assumed a Carnival cruise would be too wild for her tastes. Plus, the cruise line’s low fares had her wondering about the quality of the food, entertainment, and activities she would encounter onboard.

After spending four nights aboard Carnival Firenze, however, she quickly realized she was totally wrong about the cruise line. She ended up loving her first Carnival cruise, and here's why.

Read more: I thought I'd hate my first Carnival cruise. Instead, I loved how much fun it was

One cruise line is spending big bucks on upgrades to its older ships that cruisers will love

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Celebrity is investing $250 million in some of its oldest ships to make them better than ever.

The Solstice Class initially debuted in 2008, when Celebrity Solstice hit the high seas for the first time. Over the next four years, Celebrity added four more ships to the new beloved class, including Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection.

Now, more than a decade later, Celebrity Cruises plans to modernize the ships, elevating the guest experience while continuing to pay tribute to classic cruising — a stark difference compared to their ultra-modern Edge Series. 

Read more: One cruise line is spending big bucks on upgrades to its older ships that cruisers will love

Free room service is dead: Luxury line is now charging for it

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One cruise line is eliminating free room service in certain cabins.

Starting in June 2025, guests sailing on Cunard ships will be required to pay for meals and snacks delivered to their staterooms after 10:00am.

The change only applies to passengers staying in Britannia cabins. Those in Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites will continue to enjoy the full room service menu at no additional charge.

Read more: Free room service is dead: Luxury line is now charging for it

I stayed in two windowless cabins on Alaska cruises. At $1,900, the smaller room was more expensive, but it was surprisingly better

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Last year, Elizabeth finally set sail on an epic journey to The Last Frontier, having wanted to cross Alaska off her bucket list for years. She loved the experience so much that she booked another Alaskan cruise months later.

However, because Alaska cruises are seasonal, they're often pretty pricey. As such, she booked the cheapest stateroom on both sailings to make the trips more budget-friendly.

Although there was just a five-year age difference between Carnival Luminosa and Quantum of the Seas, one cabin felt nearly a decade older with its clingy shower curtain, dim lighting, and dated decor. 

Read more: I stayed in two windowless cabins on Alaska cruises. At $1,900, the smaller room was more expensive, but it was surprisingly better

Carnival Cruise Line clarifies unexpected ban on overlooked cruise item

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Carnival Cruise Line recently banned a popular cruise item from certain venues aboard its fleet of "FUN" ships. 

On warm-weather itineraries, many passengers opt to pack handheld fans to keep themselves cool while ashore. 

However, Carnival's new "Have Fun. Be Safe" guideline letters that began appearing in cabins on June 1 have clarified that portable fans are now banned from use in certain venues. 

Read more: Carnival Cruise Line clarifies unexpected ban on overlooked cruise item

I sailed on two ships built for the worst-rated cruise line at sea. Can old Costa ships be saved?

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Costa Cruises is most known for the deadly capsizing of the Costa Concordia in 2012, where over 30 people lost their lives when the ship's captain strayed from the original course and sailed dangerously close to the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Still, many travelers report disappointing experiences aboard Costa ships, and it's often thought of as the worst-rated cruise line at sea. Common complaints include poor-quality food, bad customer service, dirty cabins, and disorganized operations.

Although Elizabeth hasn't technically sailed with Costa Cruises, she has embarked on two voyages aboard former Costa ships: Carnival Luminosa (formerly Costa Luminosa) and Margaritaville at Sea Islander (formerly Costa Atlantica). 

Read more: I sailed on two ships built for the worst-rated cruise line at sea. Can old Costa ships be saved?

Carnival suddenly cancels one month of cruises on its newest ship less than 3 months after it set sail

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Carnival Adventure arrives in Sydney

Carnival Cruise Line announced the cancellation of all sailings aboard one of its newest ships between May 17 and June 14, 2027.

Carnival Adventure officially joined Carnival's fleet in Sydney, Australia, in March. The vessel previously sailed under the P&O Australia brand, which ceased operations after over 90 years in service. 

However, less than 3 months after its debut for Carnival, guests were notified that a slew of sailings were suddenly cancelled. 

Read more: Carnival suddenly cancels one month of cruises on its newest ship less than 3 months after it set sail

I always do these 6 things to not waste money on cruises

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Having taken over 30 cruises, there have been times when Elizabeth has felt ripped off while onboard. Sometimes, it's her fault, though. For example, forgetting to purchase shore excursions in advance means she will inevitably pay more for the same product on the ship.

This happened a few years ago when she waited until the last minute to plan her day ashore at Royal Caribbean's private island. Although cruisers have reported scoring epic deals for Thrill Waterpark, she shelled out $149 for a full-day pass.

She has made plenty of mistakes throughout her cruising career, but she has also found that there are easy ways to always save money on a cruise vacation. Here are her 6 best tips to not waste your hard-earned money on your next cruise. 

Read more: I always do these 6 things to not waste money on cruises

Royal Caribbean ship begins first cruises to the Mexican Riviera

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Royal Caribbean's biggest ship to sail from Los Angeles has begun its first-ever cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship launched in 2016, arrived in California last week. After a short 3-night media cruise, she began offering regular voyages to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. The first was a short getaway to Ensenada and will be followed by a 5-night cruise to Cabo on June 6. 

Before Oviation, Navigator of the Seas was the largest (and newest) ship to be deployed in Los Angeles.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship begins first cruises to the Mexican Riviera

4 Royal Caribbean extra costs I never thought I'd buy — and now they're always in my cart

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When you first start cruising, it's easy to assume that your base cruise fare is all you need for a fun and relaxing vacation. 

However, you can spend hundreds to thousands more on your cruise with add-ons, such as specialty dining, spa treatments, and internet packages. In the end, how much you spend on these extra costs depends on your budget and travel preferences.

Even though Allie has continued to cut costs by booking inside cabins, these add-ons have become must-haves for her Royal Caribbean cruises.

Read more: 4 Royal Caribbean extra costs I never thought I'd buy — and now they're always in my cart

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