In This Episode: Embarkation delays for some cruisers, multiple COVID cases on Carnival Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings granted injunction to sail 100% vaccinated, surprising stats about new ships in 2021...

The first (and only) full day of our cruise started with docking at Coco Cay.  Because this was my first visit to Royal Caribbean's private destination, I wanted to see it all.  Starting with complimentary in-room breakfast was a good way to save time and not oversleep so we could have a perfect day.  Of course we had plenty to do both on and off the island...

Today we boarded Mariner of the Seas for a two night simulated voyage from Port Canaveral.  We were fortunate to be one of the few invited, and we mean few.  With only around 515 guests on the 4,000 passenger ship it's wonderful to be onboard, and a bit like having the ship to ourselves.

Sunday evening a US District judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop Florida's so called "vaccine passport ban".  The Florida law, until now, prohibited businesses (including cruise lines) from denying service to customers if they couldn't provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Businesses violating the law were subject to a $5,000 fine per instance.  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, originally filed a suit on the matter in July of this year.

Royal Caribbean is bringing more and more ships back into service.  Before each ship can sail with paying guests, they complete what the CDC calls a Simulated Voyage with volunteers, where the line demonstrates proper protocols can be followed onboard.  We got an surprise in our inbox recently, as we’ve been invited to sail the Simulated Voyage for Mariner of the Seas this week...

The count is over, at four hundred and ninety-two days.  That’s how long Virgin Voyages, the newest cruise line, just for adults, was delayed in setting sail due to the pandemic.  In early 2020 many were eagerly awaiting the April 1 maiden voyage, but the change of date was no joke.  For a group of lucky British sailors (that’s what Virgin Voyages calls guests), they set sail today from...

Picking the right cabin on a cruise can be confusing. There are multiple types and many categories - but the differences aren't always clear. In this video we share some tips and tricks so you can pick the right stateroom for your next cruise...

Last week we saw Royal Caribbean and Celebrity begin requiring pre-embarkation COVID testing regardless of vaccination status, and now Carnival Corporation has announced the same for their three major North American brands.  Further, they've updated their guest mask policies...

Carnival Mardi Gras is the line’s newest ship, and a new class of ship from the largest cruise line in the world.  In addition, she’s the largest ship in the fleet, the first ship with a roller coaster, is powered by LNG, and has more dining options than any Carnival vessel.  We were fortunate enough to be among the very first to experience just some of what Mardi Gras has to offer.  Did Carnival meet our expectations of something truly different?