Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

Doug Parker
  • 4.8 (616)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

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. 5d ago

    Carnival Freedom Review + Cruise Prank Ends in Arrests | Carnival Cruise Line

    We discuss the latest cruise news, including passengers arrested after a prank aboard MSC Divina, Princess Cruises tightening its booking policies, Celebrity's gratuity increase, Norwegian canceling Norwegian Sky's farewell sailing, Carnival's new menu item, and Zac Brown Band's massive Margaritaville at Sea giveaway. Kevin shares his detailed review of a four-night Carnival Freedom sailing from Port Canaveral, covering embarkation, suite accommodations (and perks attached to the stateroom), dining, entertainment, and port visits to Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, offering practical tips for prospective cruisers. 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. Jul 30

    Independence of the Seas 2026 Review | Royal Caribbean

    A review of Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas in 2026. Earlier this year, Matt took a seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas from Port Miami. Matt shares his experience navigating flight cancellations due to a Georgia storm and the Miami Marathon's impact on transportation. He praises the ship's cleanliness, exceptional dining in both the main dining room and specialty restaurants, and highlights Perfect Day at CocoCay, Puerto Rico, and Saint Thomas as memorable ports. Despite limited grab-and-go food options and slightly longer disembarkation, Matt considers the cruise excellent value, recommending it for families and couples alike.Hear his complete thoughts in this week's inerview.  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. Jul 23

    MSC Seashore Review: Yacht Club, Ocean Cay & Cruise News

    A review of MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral, Florida. Staff writer Richard Simms cover key cruise news, including arrests at Port Canaveral, a serious shore excursion injury highlighting travel insurance importance, a norovirus outbreak on the National Geographic Seabird, and Carnival's humorous response to a viral dining etiquette video. Holland America and Princess Cruises' charitable penny donation initiative is also featured.  Then, Anne shares her review of MSC Seashore's Yacht Club experience on a four-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral, covering Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, dining, entertainment, the private Yacht Club, embarkation, and whether the premium experience is worth the cost. 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. Jul 20

    Brilliance of the Seas Review 2026 Transatlantic Cruise | Royal Caribbean

    Brilliance of the Seas transatlantic cruise review. Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas takes center stage this week as John shares his 23-night back-to-back cruise from Barcelona to Boston. The cruise combined an eight-night Western Europe sailing with a 15-night transatlantic cruise featuring Iceland, Greenland, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, and Atlantic Canadian maritimes. He discusses the ship's classic Radiance-class design, oceanview cabin, dining, entertainment, rough seas, and why Brilliance remains a favorite despite being more than 20 years old. Plus, hear what it's like to visit the Blue Lagoon, chase the Northern Lights, explore Greenland's remote villages, and whether a transatlantic cruise is worth adding to your bucket list. 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.

  5. Jul 16

    Norwegian Jade 2026 Review + Cruise News | Norwegian Cruise Line

    Thinking about sailing Norwegian Jade? This week, Doug sits down with listener Ben to review an eight-day Pacific Coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver. They discuss the ship's interior staterooms, specialty dining, entertainment, thermal spa, public spaces, ports of call, and whether Norwegian's Free at Sea Plus package delivered good value. Ben also shares tips for sailing Norwegian Jade after its recent refurbishment, along with advice for anyone considering a Pacific Coastal repositioning cruise. Before the review, staff writer Richard Simms covers the week's biggest cruise headlines, including: Regal Princess crew member overboard incident Holland America reveals more details about its fleetwide Evolution refurbishment program Royal Caribbean linked to Galveston's proposed fifth cruise terminal Port Canaveral moving forward with a $175 million expansion Virgin Voyages passenger removed after an alleged drug-related arrest in Greece Royal Caribbean extends the suspension of Labadee calls into 2027 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.

  6. Jul 12

    Celebrity Summit 2026 Review + Cruise News | Celebrity Cruises

    We break down the biggest cruise news stories of the week, including Carnival Cruise Line revealing its next-generation Carnival Destiny, a teacher fired from her school district for booking cruises around cheaper sailings, the latest Ruby Princess illness outbreak, Royal Caribbean's cruise port setback near Rome, and why an LGBTQ charter cruise aboard Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady was denied entry to ports in Turkey and Egypt. Later in the episode, listener Maureen shares her review of a five-night Celebrity Summit cruise sailing from Port Everglades to Key West and Nassau. She discusses Concierge Class, dining, entertainment, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and whether Celebrity Summit is still one of the best values in premium cruising. Cruise News This Week Carnival announces Carnival Destiny, the first ACE Class ship UK school principal banned after changing school schedules to book cheaper cruises LGBTQ charter aboard Virgin Voyages denied entry to Turkey and Egypt Royal Caribbean's proposed Rome cruise port faces environmental setback Second illness outbreak reported aboard Ruby Princess Virgin Voyages spa employee charged after alleged onboard assaults Cruise Question of the Week: Are slot pulls worth joining? Celebrity Summit Review Embarkation at Port Everglades Concierge Class balcony review Oceanview Café and Main Dining Room La Petite Chef specialty dining Entertainment and nightlife Non-smoking casino Key West jet ski excursion Royal Beach Club Paradise Island review Crew service Is Celebrity Summit worth booking? 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.

  7. Jul 9

    Princess Cruises Enchanted Princess Review + Southern Caribbean Ports

    Doug Parker interviews Chris, who recently returned from a 10-night Southern Caribbean cruise aboard Princess Cruises' Enchanted Princess, sailing roundtrip from Port Everglades. Chris shares why Enchanted Princess is his favorite cruise ship, discussing the Princess Premier package, specialty dining, entertainment, and the ship's relaxed atmosphere. He also reviews ports including Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, Martinique, and Antigua, highlighting the Titou Gorge and Hot Springs excursion in Dominica as the standout experience. Chris recommends this itinerary for cruisers looking to visit less-common Southern Caribbean islands while enjoying Princess Cruises' classic onboard experience. 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.

  8. Jul 5

    Explorer Journeys Explorer I Review | 16-Night Cruise

    Doug Parker interviews Jan, who recently completed a 16-night repositioning cruise aboard Explorer Journeys' Explorer One, sailing from Barcelona to Miami. Jan shares his enthusiasm for the cruise line, highlighting the exceptional food, spacious suites, inclusive amenities, and intimate atmosphere. He describes memorable ports including Cadiz, Madeira, Antigua, Tortola, and San Juan, along with standout onboard experiences like enrichment lectures and a culinary cooking class. Jan recommends Explorer Journeys as outstanding value for travelers seeking a luxury experience without ultra-luxury pricing. 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.

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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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