Grab Your Bags Travel

Anyone else?

14 hours ago | [YT] | 0

Grab Your Bags Travel

Here are some cruise news from The Wake Report

🛳️ Guests who sailed with Carnival Cruise Line are now reportedly receiving notifications tied to a recent data breach involving personal information. According to reports, impacted guests may have had sensitive data exposed, prompting concerns about cybersecurity and identity protection. Carnival says it is continuing to investigate the situation while notifying affected customers and offering guidance on monitoring their accounts.


🛳️ Royal Caribbean International has enhanced its travel protection plan, adding more flexibility and benefits for cruisers. The updated coverage now includes expanded cancellation protections and improved reimbursement options, making the plan more appealing for travelers concerned about unexpected disruptions. The move comes as more cruise passengers look for added peace of mind when booking vacations.


🛳️ Disney Cruise Line is tightening up onboard policies with updated rules covering alcohol limits, cabin decorations, and prohibited items. Under the new guidelines, guests are now limited to bringing one bottle of wine or six beers per person at embarkation, while decorations such as banners and magnets must not damage cabin surfaces or block doors and safety signage. The cruise line has also expanded its list of prohibited items, including certain heating appliances and extension cords, in an effort to improve safety and maintain a family-friendly environment across the fleet. Guests are being encouraged to review the revised guidelines before sailing to avoid issues during embarkation.


🛳️ Protests in Costa Maya, Mexico recently disrupted shore excursions for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean International, forcing some tours to be canceled as demonstrators blocked access routes near the port. The unrest appears connected to growing tensions over tourism development in the region and follows backlash surrounding Royal Caribbean’s previously canceled plans for a private beach club Perfect Day at Mexico. Protesters say they haven't been paid by Royal Caribbean. Local residents and business owners have raised concerns about how large cruise developments could impact public beach access and the local economy, creating ongoing friction between tourism expansion and community interests.


🛳️ The battle against “chair hogs” is heating up across the cruise industry, with Norwegian Cruise Line reportedly stepping up enforcement by marking unattended pool chairs and removing belongings after extended periods of inactivity. The crackdown has sparked major debate online, with many cruisers applauding the move while others argue guests’ personal items shouldn’t be touched. The issue continues to be one of the most controversial onboard etiquette battles in cruising.


Personally I think a one hour hold to grab lunch in the buffet or maybe run back to the cabin for something is fair. What do you think?
#cruisenews #CruisePlanning

2 days ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

What ship am I on today?!

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Grab Your Bags Travel

I have your weekly cruise news for you with Royal Caribbean being in the headlines a lot this week!

🛳️ Royal Caribbean’s plans for its highly anticipated Perfect Day Mexico project have hit a major setback after Mexican environmental officials reportedly rejected key permits tied to the development. Concerns were raised about the project’s environmental impact, particularly on local ecosystems and coastal areas. While Royal Caribbean says it is still committed to bringing the destination to life, the decision could delay construction timelines and adds uncertainty to what was expected to become one of the cruise line’s biggest private destination expansions. It was set to open in 2027


🛳️ Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of visits to Labadee, Haiti through the end of 2026 due to ongoing safety and security concerns in the region. The cruise line says guest and crew safety remains its top priority as Haiti continues to face severe political unrest and gang violence, with the U.S. State Department still maintaining a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. Affected itineraries are being adjusted with alternate ports and sea days while passengers wait to see when the private destination may safely reopen.

Who thinks they should continue to even have this destination in their itinerary?


🛳️ Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas voiced frustration after the ship unexpectedly canceled its scenic visit to Alaska’s Hubbard Glacier, one of the highlights of the itinerary. Guests reportedly gathered at Guest Services chanting “We Want Hubbard” after learning the stop was removed due to operational changes tied to ongoing delays at Seward’s cruise terminal and the ship’s rerouting to Whittier. While Royal Caribbean automatically issued onboard credits as compensation, many passengers felt the missed glacier experience — often a major reason travelers book Alaska cruises — was not adequately replaced.


🛳️ And speaking on Alaska -
Virgin Voyages is taking a different approach to Alaska cruising with the debut of Brilliant Lady by focusing less on traditional cruise entertainment and more on immersive destination experiences. Instead of treating Alaska as just another itinerary, Virgin is adding onboard naturalists, Alaska Native cultural programming, wildlife talks, regional food and cocktail experiences, and even storytelling performances tied to local history. The adults-only cruise line is also partnering with sustainable tour operators and emphasizing authentic connections to Alaska’s culture, nature, and wildlife — creating a more modern, experience-driven take on Alaska cruising.
Frankly- from my experience, Princess already offers these things on their Alaska cruises but I am intrigued on how Virgin has put their own spin and branding to it.
Would you consider giving Virgin a chance in Alaska?


#cruisenews #cruisenewsupdate #Cruise #CruiseVacation #thewakereport

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

⚠️ Cruise gratuities just went up AGAIN on several major lines in 2026 — are you budgeting enough?

Carnival, Holland America, Princess, and MSC all raised their daily rates this year. And some lines (looking at you, Margaritaville 👀) won't even let you remove them!
I built a FREE calculator so you can see exactly what you'll owe before you ever step onboard 🧮


👉 Try it here → blog.grabyourbagstravel.com/gratuities-calculator/


🔖 Bookmark it — I keep the rates current all year long so you always have the most accurate numbers at your fingertips.
Which cruise line surprised you the most? 👇 Comment below!


#CruisePlanning #CruiseVacation #cruise #cruiseadvisor #cruisetools

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

New Royal Caribbean Tip!
Now you can book your entertainment 90 days prior to your sailing in the Pre-Cruise Planner section of your Royal Caribbean app. Previously, this was only available 30 days prior to the sail date.
Happy Cruising!

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

Here's a recap of some big cruise news this week on The Wake Report

🛳️ Norwegian Cruise Line is loosening the exclusivity of its luxury Haven experience—just a little. The cruise line now allows certain non-suite guests to dine in The Haven restaurant, but there’s a catch: it only applies to passengers staying in connecting staterooms with Haven guests, and they must dine together. These non-Haven guests won’t get access to any other perks like the private pool or lounge, keeping most of the “ship-within-a-ship” experience intact. While some cruisers see this as a convenient option for families traveling together, others worry it could chip away at the exclusivity that Haven guests pay a premium for.

🛳️ Royal Caribbean is testing a new option aimed at easing one of cruising’s biggest booking frustrations—waiting for your cabin assignment. With its new “Early Assign” program, guests who book a guarantee cabin can pay a $30 fee per stateroom to find out their room within 24 hours after final payment, instead of potentially waiting until just days before sailing. The optional add-on also gives cruisers more time to request a different cabin within the same category if available, offering a bit more control and peace of mind.

🛳️ Norwegian Cruise Line is making waves with a targeted price increase that impacts shorter sailings. The cruise line has raised the daily gratuities tied to its popular “Free at Sea” drink package on cruises lasting 2–5 nights, bumping the cost to about $32 per person per day—roughly a 12% increase—while longer sailings remain unchanged. The change was rolled out quietly with little advance notice, meaning many guests missed the chance to lock in the lower rate. While the package is still marketed as a strong value, this move is sparking frustration among cruisers who feel nickel-and-dimed, especially as it only affects those quick getaway sailings.

What do you think? Do you think NCL's new Haven rule is chipping away at their exclusive perks? Would you pay an extra $30 to know your guarantee cabin assignment earlier?

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

Here is your weekly digest of cruise news in this week's The Wake Report

🛳️Carnival Cruise Line is tightening up its onboard rules with a clearer (and stricter) prohibited items policy—especially when it comes to wagons. While guests can still bring collapsible wagons, they can’t be used on the ship, during embarkation, or even at Carnival’s private destinations like Celebration Key, mainly due to safety concerns and damage to ship decks. The updated list also expands bans on items like Bluetooth speakers, certain communication devices, and appliances with heating elements, while clarifying that some gear—like drones or fishing equipment—can only be used in port and must be stored onboard. Bottom line: if you’re cruising with Carnival, double-check what you pack—because more items than ever are now restricted or limited in where you can use them.


🛳️Royal Caribbean has launched a pilot program called "Early Assign" to address a common frustration with guarantee cabin bookings. Guarantee staterooms are typically the most budget-friendly option, but cabin assignments often aren't confirmed until just a day or two before embarkation — or even on the day of sailing. Cruise Hive For $30 per cabin, guests can now have their stateroom assignment revealed within 24 business hours of Royal Caribbean receiving their final payment. Royal Caribbean Blog The program is currently a pilot available only for U.S. bookings, with specific pre-sailing windows: 30–60 days out for cruises of five nights or less, and 50–80 days out for cruises of six nights or longer. TravelHost A notable perk is that once assigned, guests can request a switch to another available cabin within the same category at no extra charge Cruise Fever — useful if you end up under the pool deck or near a noisy area. The $30 fee is per stateroom (not per guest), strictly non-refundable even if the cruise is cancelled, and is not available on casino fares.


🛳️ Due to construction delays at PhilaPort's new cruise terminal along the Delaware River — slowed by winter weather — Norwegian Cruise Line has implemented revised parking and embarkation procedures for its Philadelphia sailings aboard the Norwegian Jewel. Passengers driving to the port must first go to the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport, which serves as a temporary hub for parking, luggage drop-off, and check-in, before being shuttled to the ship. Cruise Hive The inaugural sailing on April 16 did not go smoothly, with long lines, heavy traffic, and crowded conditions in the hotel ballroom causing the ship to depart over three hours late Cruise Hive, prompting NCL to issue updated arrival guidance. Guests are encouraged to prepay for parking by contacting the hotel directly, which grants access to a dedicated traffic flow and parking area. Cruise Hive Notably, wheelchair assistance is not available at the hotel, though it will be provided at the port for guests who requested it in advance. Cruise Hive On the return side, passengers without vehicles at the hotel are shuttled complimentarily to Philadelphia International Airport's Terminal C for rideshare and taxi access, while those who parked at the hotel are returned there to retrieve their cars — and no rideshare or private pickups are permitted directly at the pier.


🛳️ Carnival Corporation is investigating a potential data breach after the hacking group ShinyHunters listed the company on its "pay or leak" extortion portal on April 18, 2026, claiming to have stolen over 8.7 million records containing personal and internal corporate data. Cruise Hive Carnival confirmed it detected suspicious activity tied to a phishing incident involving a single user account and moved quickly to block the unauthorized access, while working with external security experts to assess the full scope. Security Boulevard After the April 21 deadline passed, ShinyHunters published the data publicly; it contained 8.7 million records with 7.5 million unique email addresses, appearing to relate to Holland America's Mariner Society loyalty program and including names, dates of birth, genders, and loyalty program status. Have I Been Pwned If confirmed, the breach could expose guests across all Carnival Corporation brands — including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, and others — to identity theft and financial fraud. This is not the company's first breach; a 2020 incident ultimately resulted in a $1.25 million settlement. Cruise Hive Guests are advised to be cautious about suspicious emails and monitor their personal accounts for unusual activity


What news story did you find the most intriguing?

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Grab Your Bags Travel

Happy Earth Day!
The cruise industry is undergoing a significant transformation, investing billions into technology and operational changes to make sailing more environmentally responsible. With a collective goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, cruise lines are proactively reducing their ecological footprint.
Here is how cruise lines are making a conscious effort to be greener:
🌎Adopting Cleaner Fuels & Tech: Many new ships are powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which significantly reduces sulfur and nitrogen emissions. Additionally, 15% of new ships entering service over the next five years will feature battery storage for hybrid power, or fuel cell technology.
🌎"Plugging In" at Port: Over 60% of global cruise capacity is now equipped with shore power connectivity, allowing ships to turn off their engines while docked to eliminate emissions in port cities.
🌎Advanced Wastewater Treatment: Today, 80% of CLIA-member ships are equipped with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS), treating water to higher standards than many land-based municipal systems.
🌎Plastic & Waste Reduction: Lines are phasing out single-use plastics—removing items like straws and bottles—and utilizing AI to monitor food waste in kitchens, with some ships reducing food waste by up to 60%.
🌎Innovative Ship Design: Modern vessels utilize air lubrication systems, creating a bed of bubbles to reduce hull friction and enhance fuel efficiency by roughly 10%.
Through these advancements and stringent, voluntary environmental commitments, the industry is creating a more sustainable future for ocean travel.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0