🛳️ Cruise Snippets: Free at Sea Plus, MSC & Werft Agreement, and Wave Season Deals

Ahoy! Welcome to Cruise Snippets. Cruise Snippets is a weekly cruise newsletter that helps cruisers stay up to date on everything that is going on in the cruise industry. Each week I will round up the latest cruise travel news and deals as well as share itineraries, tips and guides.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Return Of Free At Sea Plus: Norwegian Cruise Line is bringing back the popular Free At Sea Plus package. This package will cost $49.99 per person, per day and includes unlimited beverages at Starbucks, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, wine and champagne from NCL’s signature collection, bottled water, and a 50% discount on any additional specialty dining cover charges. Guests who purchase this package will also receive an unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay, NCLs private island in The Bahamas. Free At Sea Plus is available to purchase for all sailings departing on February 1, 2026 forward. (12/17/2025, Norwegian Cruise Line)

MSC Cruises and Meyer Werft Announce Landmark Deal: MSC Cruises and shipbuilder Meyer Werft have come to an agreement on four next-generation cruise ships with an option for two more. The announcement was made at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin. This marks the start of a new class of ships for MSC Cruises. The “New Frontier” ships will be delivered annually starting in 2030. They will be smaller then the World Class ships with a max capacity of 5,400 passengers and 180,000 gross tons. (12/15/2025, MSC Cruises) 

Margaritaville At Sea Announces New Food Hall Concept For Fleet: Margaritaville At Sea announced that they will be rolling out the new High Tide Market. The High Tide Market is a new food hall concept set to debut on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise in January 2026. This food hall concept will bring a modern approach to dining that will level up the buffet experience with more choices. It will feature a mix of new concepts and fan favorites such as Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria, Mexican Cutie Cantina, Slice of Paradise Desserts and License to Chill Sandwich Shack. This new concept will be rolled out on the new Beachcomber and Margaritaville at Sea Islander in 2027. (12/17/2025, Margaritaville at Sea)

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Deployments For Winter 2027/2028 Season: Norwegian Cruise Line announced deployments for their 2027/2028 winter cruise season. Guests will be able to choose from 370 voyages that range from two to twenty two days. (12/17/2025, Norwegian Cruise Line)

Fun Goes Coast to Coast as Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Next Wave of 2027/28 Deployments: Carnival Cruise line announced new deployments for 2027/2028. The Carnival Firenze will head to the east coast, and the Carnival Splendor will offer a wide range of itineraries from Sydney, Australia. (12/17/2025, Carnival Cruise Line)

Seabourn Announces 2028 'Cape To Cape' 120-Day World Cruise On Seabourn Quest: Seabourn has announced a 120-Day world cruise for 2028. This cruise will take place on the Seabourn Quest and will span over 26,000 nautical miles and five continents. (12/17/2025, Seabourn)

MSC Cruises Announces World Cruise For 2028: MSC has also announced their world cruise for 2028. This 115 night adventure will take place on the MSC Magnifica. Guests will explore over 40 destinations across 20 countries with 7-overnight calls. (12/18/2025, MSC Cruises)

🌊 Wave Season Roundup

Cruise lines have announced their sales for wave season. Wave season is typically January through March and is one of the biggest booking periods for the industry.  Cruise lines will drop their best cruise deals, perks, and promotions for the year. Over the next few weeks I will do my best to round up all the deals. Terms and conditions do apply.

Holland America Holland America’s Start Your Journey sale will run through January 31, 2026. Guests will receive up to 30% off fares, reduced deposits, free balcony upgrades, free kids’ fares. If booked by January 31, 2026, guests will receive up to $500 on board credit, and up to $200 shore excursion credit on Alaska cruises and cruisetours. Offer only available for select 2026 and 2027 cruises.

Windstar Cruises Windstar Cruises sale will run through March 31, 2026 and includes select sailings through March 31, 2027. The offer includes a free all-inclusive upgrade (select drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi; up to $99 value per guest per night), a complimentary pre-cruise hotel night and transfer (where available), and up to $1,000 in onboard credit per guest.

Virgin Voyages Virgin Voyages sale will run through January 29, 2026. Guests will be able to enjoy 80% off second guests and up to $400 in free drinks. 

Princess Cruises “Come Aboard Sale” will run from December 9, 2025 through December February 16, 2026. Guests will be able to enjoy up to $500 off instantly plus 40% off cruises, 50% deposits, and free third and fourth guests on select sailings.

Cunard Cunard’s sale will run through February 25, 2026. Guests will be able to receive up to $600 in on board credit per stateroom. Furthermore, guests booking Grill Suites will receive a drink package, included hotel and dining services charges.

Celestyal Cruises sale will run through February 5, 2025. Guests will be able to enjoy up to 50% off select cruises.

Azamara Cruises sale will run through March 31, 2026 and guests can receive up to $1,000 dollars off per stateroom on select sailings. 

Looking for a quick getaway for Spring Break? Check out this 5-night Mexican Duo on the Margaritaville At Sea Islander out of Tampa, Florida departing on April 1, 2026. This is an Easter cruise. Destinations are Progreso, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico with two sea days. Interior staterooms start at $379 per person.

This week's cruise tip is to pack essential items in your carry on. Once you drop your luggage off with The porters you will not receive it until later in The afternoon or evening. Make sure that you have the necessary items in the bag that you are bringing onboard such as boarding documents, chargers, medication, and change of clothes in your carry-on luggage so that you can easily access it throughout the day if needed.

Embarkation Day is the first day of your cruise vacation. It is one of the most exciting days, and also one of the most hectic. Knowing what to expect and being prepared will go a long way in ensuring you have a great first day onboard. In this blog post I am going to share ten tips to help you have a smooth embarkation day experience.