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Cruisers News Weekly March 17 2026: New Ships & Cruise Industry Updates

 

The cruise industry had a busy week with several new ship milestones, policy changes that may affect cruise costs, and updates for some popular destinations.

 

Here are the biggest cruise news stories cruisers should know about.

 

🚢 New Ship Milestones

Several cruise lines celebrated major launches and christenings this week.

 

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Launches S.S. Emilie

The luxury river line officially introduced its newest “Super Ship,” the S.S. Emilie, as part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The ship’s design is inspired by the historic Vienna Secession art movement and will sail European river itineraries.

 

AmaWaterways Christens the AmaSofia

AmaWaterways christened its 24th European river ship, AmaSofia, during the annual ASTA River Cruise Expo. The new vessel expands the company’s growing fleet of upscale river cruise ships sailing across Europe.

 

Disney Cruise Line Launches Disney Adventure

The long-awaited Disney Adventure has officially begun operations from Singapore this month. The ship will offer shorter three- and four-night sailings designed for the Asian cruise market.

 

💳 Cruise Line Policy & Pricing Changes

Several cruise lines announced updates that may affect onboard costs or loyalty programs.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Dining & Beverage Changes

NCL has introduced an extra entrée fee in specialty restaurants to help reduce food waste.

 

The line also updated beverage package rules: as of March 1, 2026, standard drink packages no longer apply on Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island, unless guests purchase the island-specific beverage package.

 

Virgin Voyages Adjusts Gratuity Model

Virgin Voyages has shifted away from its previous “no-tipping” model. Sailors will now see a daily gratuity charge of about $20–$22 per person added to their onboard account.

 

Royal Caribbean Group Introduces Points Choice Loyalty Program

Royal Caribbean Group unveiled a new Points Choice system allowing guests to earn and redeem loyalty points across multiple brands, including:   

• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
   

The goal is to make it easier for cruisers to move between brands while still earning rewards.

 

🦠 Health Update at Sea

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vessel Sanitation Program reported a norovirus outbreak aboard the Star Princess during its March 7–14 sailing.

 

More than 150 passengers and crew reported symptoms. The ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on March 14, underwent a deep cleaning, and has already resumed its scheduled cruises.

 

While outbreaks do occasionally occur on cruise ships, they remain relatively rare compared to the total number of passengers sailing each year.

 

🌴 Destination News

Cozumel: Royal Beach Club Update

Royal Caribbean International announced new details about its upcoming Royal Beach Club Cozumel, expected to open later in 2026.

 

One notable addition is a public beach access pathway, ensuring locals and independent travelers can still reach the shoreline while cruise guests enjoy the private club area.

 

The company also confirmed investment in sargassum management efforts in Costa Maya to help protect beaches from seasonal seaweed buildup.

 

Alaska: New Passenger Caps in Juneau

The city of Juneau will introduce its first daily cruise passenger cap during the upcoming 2026 Alaska season.

 

The goal is to manage tourism growth while balancing the needs of residents and visitors.

 

Luxury line Seabourn Cruise Line also announced a new 8-day Denali land extension for its 2027 and 2028 Alaska cruises, allowing travelers to explore Denali National Park after their cruise.

 

In other Alaska news, Alaskan Dream Cruises, an Indigenous-owned small ship cruise line based in Sitka, has unfortunately ceased operations this month.

 

🚢 U.S. Cruise Port News

The Port of Mobile is seeing increased cruise activity.

 

Beginning March 1, American Cruise Lines started using the port as a stop on several itineraries. On March 22, the port will hit a milestone when two ships including one from Carnival Cruise Line dock there simultaneously for the first time.

 

Carnival also announced itinerary adjustments that cancel 11 short sailings on Carnival Firenze later this fall.

 

💡 Bottom Line for Cruisers

This week’s news shows a few trends in the cruise industry:

• More new ships and river cruise expansion
• Some policy changes affecting onboard costs
• Growing focus on destination sustainability and crowd management
• Continued investment in cruise ports and private destinations