Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Doug Parker

Doug Parker gives weekly cruise news, ship reviews, money saving tips, answers your travel questions, and helps you make the most of your cruise vacation.

  1. Oct 22

    Carnival Jubilee 2026 Review from Galveston + Travel Insurance Questions Answered

    A review of Carnival Jubilee in 2026.  Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com, joins us to answer listener questions about travel insurance and common cruise disruptions. We discuss canceled sailings due to mechanical problems, cruise delays, missed flights and connections, and what happens when low water levels alter a European river cruise itinerary. Dan also explains hurricane coverage, the importance of purchasing insurance before a storm becomes a known event, Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason coverage, and why travelers should consider medical coverage before boarding a cruise ship. Then, Joe reviews an eight-night Carnival Jubilee cruise roundtrip from Galveston, Texas, with stops at Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. We cover his premium interior stateroom, embarkation in Galveston, dining at Cucina del Capitano, Guy's Burger Joint, Shaq's Big Chicken, and the main dining room, plus entertainment, the casino, and the ship's adults-only Serenity area. Joe also shares his first impressions of Celebration Key, including the pools, food, and available shade, as well as his thoughts on the newly developed facilities at Half Moon Cay. We wrap up with onboard Wi-Fi, sea-day crowds, debarkation in Galveston, and tips for first-time cruisers considering Carnival's Excel-class ships. Share your thoughts: doug@cruiseradio.net  Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

  2. Oct 15

    Norwegian Aqua 2026 Review: Food, Shows, Pools + Cruise News | Norwegian Cruise Line

    A review of Norwegian Aqua. Staff writer Richard Simms joins us with cruise news, including a Royal Caribbean passenger rescued after nearly 20 hours at sea, Norwegian Cruise Line adding early sailings for Norwegian Aura, new details about the Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts partnership, and another lawsuit involving hot pool deck injuries on a Carnival cruise ship. We also cover Carnival Venezia's updated funnel, a sophisticated payment scam targeting Norwegian Cruise Line passengers, and Carnival's new FunPacks and upcoming dynamic pricing for drink packages and Wi-Fi. Jason reviews a seven-night Norwegian Aqua Bahamas cruise to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay. We discuss his interior stateroom, the ship's layout compared with Norwegian Prima, dining at Indulge Food Hall, Cagney's, Le Bistro, and other specialty restaurants, plus entertainment featuring Fleetwood Mac's Rumors and Prince. He also shares his experience with Free at Sea Plus, Starlink Wi-Fi, the casino, Aqua Slidecoaster, the crowded main pool deck, and the expanded outdoor spaces along Ocean Boulevard. Plus, we cover recent changes at Great Stirrup Cay, first-time cruising tips, and whether Norwegian Aqua delivers good value. Share your thoughts: doug@cruiseradio.net  Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

  3. Oct 8

    Icon of the Seas Review: Is Star Class Worth It? + Cruise News

    A review of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in the Star Class.  Richard Simms joins us with cruise news, including a Virgin Voyages ship striking a catamaran in Greece, Carnival Corporation moving ships between Holland America, P&O Cruises, and Cunard, Carnival Adventure heading to Seattle, new rules for younger Carnival guests, Royal Caribbean adding earlier sailings for Hero of the Seas, and MSC Cruises breaking ground on Sandy Cay. Then, Kristen reviews a seven-night Icon of the Seas cruise from Miami with her family in a Star Class loft suite. We cover the two-level suite, Royal Genie service, Coastal Kitchen, specialty dining, entertainment, crowds, the water park, and what it's like to experience Royal Caribbean's largest ships in Star Class. Kristen also shares the perks her Royal Genie arranged, including priority boarding, reserved show seating, a private FlowRider lesson, bridge and galley tours, and other experiences around the ship. The cruise visits Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, where the family booked a water park cabana. Plus, Kristen shares whether Icon of the Seas lived up to the hype and whether Star Class was worth the price. Share your thoughts: doug@cruiseradio.net  Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

4.8
out of 5
616 Ratings

About

Doug Parker gives weekly cruise news, ship reviews, money saving tips, answers your travel questions, and helps you make the most of your cruise vacation.

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