Issue No. 2 · Week of October 19, 2026
This week in cruising
Carnival’s New FunPacks: Three Drinks, Four Bundles and an October 30 Deadline
Carnival’s new bundles go off sale October 30, and standalone drink and Wi-Fi prices go dynamic on December 1. Here’s how to tell a real deal from a well-packaged one.
Read the story →Royal Caribbean Is Going Year-Round in Europe. Your Swimsuit May Need a Backup Plan.
Seven ships, three kinds of Europe, and a winter season on a ship past 30. Pick the shore first, then the ship.
Read the story →Virgin Voyages Refreshes Its Menus: The Dock, The Wake and a Bimini Overhaul
A chef-driven Bimini lunch, a wider steakhouse menu and Mediterranean plates at The Dock. Check your ship against the rollout dates.
Read the story →Carnival Is Pulling Two Ships From Australia. Your 2028 Cruise Plans Need a Second Look.
Luminosa and Adventure leave in March 2028, and Adventure goes to Alaska instead. Read your reservation, not Facebook.
Read the story →Holland America’s New Bar 1873: A Better Reason to Revisit Oosterdam Than Fresh Carpet
A two-story atrium bar, a busier Crow’s Nest and a Fort Lauderdale season from December 2027. Match the upgrade to your sailing date.
Read the story →Issue No. 1 · Week of October 12, 2026
Last week in cruising
Disney Believe Bookings Open October 19: Why You Need a Strategy, Not Just Pixie Dust
Encanto, a Frozen dinner show and a funnel suite. One week to build a booking strategy before the floodgates open.
Read the story →Norwegian Aura Is Arriving Early: Should You Book Europe, or Let Her Come to Miami?
Two new inaugural sailings, 19 days early. Fly to the Med in May, or let her come to Miami in June?
Read the story →Carnival’s New Cabin Rules: Your 18-Year-Old Can Vote, But They Still Need a Hall Pass
Guests 18 to 20 now sleep no more than three intervening staterooms from their qualifying relative or guardian, and group chaperone ratios got tighter.
Read the story →Carnival Freedom Gets a New Whale Tail (And Why You Still Need to Do Your Math)
Her third funnel, a bigger casino and an October 30 arrival at Port Canaveral. Pick the week first.
Read the story →Holland America Is Adding Arcadia in 2029 — and Your Sailing Date Matters More Than the Makeover
A 12th ship without building one, plus Oosterdam and Zuiderdam makeovers. Check the debut date before the sailing date.
Read the story →Great Tides Waterpark Is Open: Before You Buy Seven Passes, Do the Family Math
19 slides, cliff jumps and a day pass per person. Who in your family actually needs one?
Read the story →How The Dispatch works
News, then the arithmetic
Announced venues aren’t reviews, and renderings aren’t floor plans. Each story says which is which.
Most stories carry a small calculator. Type in your own quote; nothing is pre-filled with made-up prices.
Every story links what it’s built on, from the cruise lines’ own announcements to the trade press.
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