Elizabeth Wright

Carnival's stock fell amid growing fears of an oil crisis in the Middle East as a result of the ongoing violence in Iran and the surrounding countries. On Friday morning, the cost of West Texas Intermediate oil, the U.S. oil benchmark, reached $86.57 per barrel. Prices for Brent crude, the international benchmark, shot up to nearly $90, or $84.99 per barrel, as reported by CBS News. Both were trading close to their highest levels since April 2024.

Royal Caribbean is one of many companies hit hard this week by the fallout of the Iran conflict, as its stock price took a tumble.

Experts claim that seniors are the most experienced cruisers, spending more money on longer trips than other age groups. However, they routinely make a...

Even though Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti is closed, one of its ships made a quick stop for an important reason.

Cruising has long been considered one of the most affordable types of vacations. In 2026, however, setting sail comes with a higher price tag than ever...

Welcome to Cruise Blog's Weekly Roundup for the week of January 16, 2026!This is a helpful post covering everything you may have missed from this week, including a norovirus outbreak aboard a Holland America Line ship and a Carnival Elation cabin review. Sign up for our Cruise Blog Newsletter if you want this conveniently delivered to your email inbox in the future!

From the upbeat environment of their "FUN" ships to exploring new ports of call, planning a Carnival cruise is exciting! However, nobody wants to overspend on their annual vacation, so it's essential to budget accordingly.  

Sydney 2000 was a turning point — not just for me, but for the entire Paralympic movement, writes silver medallist Elizabeth Wright.

Staying hydrated on cruise ships is important, and Royal Caribbean is apparently trying to make it easier by selling hydration packets at its onboard...

Historically, cruises have a reputation for being cheap getaways for partiers. Although you don't have to search hard to find an affordable weekend booze cruise to The Bahamas, cruising is more expensive today than ever before. Within the past two years, cruise lines have reported record demand and rising yields, indicating that they're generating a substantial amount of revenue.

Menstruation provides another barrier for para athletes

With everything from accommodations to food and even childcare included in the cost of a cruise vacation, they're a popular choice for families. However, one cruise line plans to start charging for reservations to its youth club. P&O Cruises, a British cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation, will require parents to pay a nominal fee to guarantee their child's spot at the onboard kids' club, "The Reef," for children 12 and under.

Disney Cruise Line is one of the pricier mainstream options, so I avoided it for years, opting for more budget-friendly lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. However, growing up sailing with Disney and having fond family memories aboard Disney Magic and Fantasy, I longed for the day I'd return to the most magical ships at sea—there's nothing quite like sailing with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and your other favorite pals!

Travel insurance is important for more than just protecting against lost luggage or flight delays, especially for trips like cruises. A good insurance plan can provide peace of mind in case of unexpected medical emergencies at sea. One couple learned the hard way when they embarked on their honeymoon cruise, only to have their dream vacation become a headache due to a sudden medical issue. 

One popular cruise line increased the price of its drink package without warning. Passengers sailing on Carnival cruises 6 nights or longer now have to pay more for their CHEERS! beverage package. 

Recently, I decided to put Princess Cruises' Princess Plus package to the test. For just $60/day, the thought of alcoholic beverages, internet access, gratuities, and more was hard to resist! As someone who frequently cruises, I'm always hunting for a bargain. While I've found plenty of enticing base fares, the real costs often come from various add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, drink packages, and specialty dining. 

Less than one year after their last gratuity increase, Royal Caribbean is set to increase gratuities for passengers once again.

Having sailed to Alaska, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, and the Mexican Riveria, the allure of Bermuda's pink sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich maritime history led me to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas. As a fan of Royal's newest ships—namely those in the groundbreaking Oasis Class—I wasn't quite sure what I'd think of Vision, one of the line's oldest ships at sea. Still, the primary reason for selecting the cruise wasn't about the ship—it was the destination! 

The Paralympics was the making of me — being around other strong, disabled bodies showed me that I could be proud of who I was. Now with the Paris Paralympics, it's time to help others realise the same.

The demand for cruising is at an all-time high, with companies such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian reporting record-breaking bookings. "We are hitting records on top of previous records, which clearly tells us the strength and demand we have been building is continuing into next year and beyond," said Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer during the company's 2024 second-quarter earnings call.