Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Mrunal & Jiten
We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including an update on Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key.
For those busy but 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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The food is arguably one of the best parts of any cruise, and Carnival delivers when it comes to variety and quality. From casual poolside bites from Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina to indulgent three-course meals in the Main Dining Room, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
However, there’s always something new to enjoy beyond the standard offerings, whether you’re a first-time Carnival cruiser or a loyal “Very Important Fun Person.”
With so many options, it’s easy to understand why the food on Carnival is a standout part of the cruise experience. Instead of sticking to your usual favorites, try these hidden gems on your next sailing.
Read more: 6 Carnival foods that cruisers swear are the line’s best-kept secrets
After 27 cruises, Elizabeth learned that the small details can make a huge difference in ensuring your vacation goes smoothly.
Unfortunately, she’s made her fair share of mistakes along the way over her two-decade cruising career. For example, she’s booked shore excursions at the last minute and paid significantly more than she would have if she purchased the tour in advance.
She has also pushed herself too hard trying to see and do everything, only to end up exhausted. After years of trial and error, here are 10 sure-fire ways to make your cruise vacation even better.
Read more: I’ve been on 27 cruises with 9 more planned for this year. Here are 10 things every traveler should do to make their vacation better
Read more: Royal Caribbean’s next mega cruise ship is setting sail next year. Here’s what we know about the $1,700+ person vessel
After over a dozen cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, Elizabeth finally embarked on an Alaska cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas.
Though she had stayed in interior cabins, it was her first time in a virtual balcony. She was thankful for the live video screen as she sailed through Alaska’s fjords, but it wasn’t the same as a private verandah.
Still, her tiny inside stateroom was cozy and functional. And in the end, she didn’t mind the absence of a balcony as much as she thought. It was hard to stay in the cabin for long with so many amenities on the ship!
Read more: I paid $1,900 for an inside cabin on a 7-night Alaska cruise. The 166-square-foot space was more comfortable than expected even though it lacked natural light
Carnival Cruise Line is just five months away from debuting its highly-anticipated private destination, Celebration Key. To mark this exciting milestone, the cruise line has released new videos and construction progress photos to share in their excitement.
Carnival’s new stunning beach resort will officially open on July 19, 2025, to its first guests after years of planning and construction.
Here’s a first look at some of Carnival’s progress with Celebration Key, including the construction of the private destination’s five different portals to paradise.
Read more: Carnival shares first-look at new private destination, Celebration Key
Though weed is legal in numerous states across the United States, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, meaning that it’s also prohibited on cruise ships since terminals are considered federal facilities.
You can certainly try to sneak weed on a cruise at your own risk, but it’s important to be aware of the consequences if you are caught, as it’s considered a banned substance by all mainstream and luxury lines.
You don’t want your vacation to come to an abrupt end because you thought the rules would not apply to you. Cruise lines do not show leniency to guests caught with weed.
Read more: Can I bring weed on a cruise?
Royal Caribbean offers two dining experiences in the Main Dining Room: Traditional and My Time Dining. My Time (or Anytime) is the more flexible option and allows guests to dine at their preferred time within a designated window, rather than eating at the same time each night.
With Traditional dining, you will eat at the same time each night in the Main Dining Room. You will also have the same tablemates and waitstaff.
Conversely, My Time is ideal for flexible guests who don’t want to plan each day around dinner. You don’t have to commit to a specific seating time. Instead, you can make reservations based on your plans or show up to the dining room between the set hours and be assigned a table based on availability.
Read more: Guide to My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
Read more: 15 Ways to Get Free Drinks on Your Cruise
When it comes to family cruises, few names are as well-known as Carnival Cruise Line. The popular cruise line boasts a fleet of 27 ships, with two more expected to join the fleet in 2025.
Not all Carnival ships were designed equally, though. While older ships have a more intimate atmosphere, newer vessels are jam-packed with more activities and restaurants.
The largest and newest Carnival cruise ship is Carnival Jubilee. The Excel Class ship launched in 2023 and holds the title of Carnival’s biggest ship measuring an impressive 1,130 feet in length and weighing 183,521 gross registered tons (GRT). Plus, she can hold over 5,200 passengers at double occupancy.
Read more: What is the largest Carnival cruise ship? (2025)
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
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