Cruise Snippets

The Crown Princess completed a dry dock in Singapore and has returned to service. Enhancements include the addition of O'Malley's Irish Pub and a redesigned Gatsby’s Casino. The Crown Princess is currently heading to Sydney, Australia where it will offer a series of Australia cruises before starting a 114-Day round trip World Cruise in May. 

The MSC Magnifica has completed a dry dock in Malta. New state of the art facilities include two new specialty dining restaurants Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, as well as a redesigned MSC Aurea Spa and Technogym Fitness Center. The MSC Magnifica will spend winter 2026 offering Mediterranean itineraries. In Summer 2026 she will then head to Germany and offer itineraries in Northern Europe before departing on a 121-night World Cruise in 2027.

Holland America Line plans to honor America’s 250th Anniversary with a “once in a generation celebration” that includes programs and collaborations with American brands, as well as a special Fourth of July cruise departing Boston, Massachusetts on July 4, 2026. This special sailing will include a late-evening departure from Boston so that guests can view fireworks over the historic skyline, a Fourth of July party on the Lido deck, live music experiences, an American-themed scavenger hunt and more. The itinerary for this cruise includes Saint John, Brunswick, Canada, Norfolk, Virginia as well as an overnight stay in New York City. (12/22/2025, Holland America Line)

Zoom Out: Dry docks are an important and necessary part of cruising. Cruise ships go into dry dock every three to five years to receive inspections, routine maintenance, and repairs. Dry docks also give cruise lines the chance to make upgrades to ships to improve onboard guest experiences. That’s because a lot of the older, smaller cruise ships do not have the same amenities as the newer, larger ones do.

This week's helpful cruise tip is to pack essential items that you are going to need throughout the day in your carry on versus main luggage. This includes important items such as boarding documents, medication, passport, and even a change of clothes. That’s because once you drop your luggage off with the porters you will not receive it until later in the afternoon or evening. 

LAST DAY: MSC Cruises holiday sale is going on through December 29, 2025. Cruises from $199 per person, up to $250 Onboard Credit and Kids Sail Free. Terms and conditions apply. If you are interested reach out and let’s get your cruise vacation started!

Explore the wonders of Alaska during Fourth of July on this 10-day Inside Passage itinerary from San Francisco aboard the Ruby Princess departing on July 2, 2026. This roundtrip adventure features several ports including Haines, Alaska, Sitka, Alaska, Ketchikan, Alaska, and cruising the beautiful Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

Shore excursions include a Guided Photography Tour in Sitka, Alaska, Eagle Preserve Rafting & Wildlife Quest in Haines, Alaska, and a Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Inside cabins start at $1,199 per person. If an Alaskan cruise has been on your bucket list, reach out today if you are interested and let’s get your cruise vacation started!

8 Things To Consider When Planning A Cruise Vacation: Planning a cruise can be a bit overwhelming — and one wrong decision could make or break your vacation. There are so many decisions that you will have to make from selecting the right cruise line to what time of year to go. If you are planning a cruise for the first-time, this post will share things to consider so that you can feel confident in your decision making.