Independence of the Seas 2026 Review + Cruise News | Royal Caribbean Group

We cover major cruise news, including American cruise passengers arrested in Nassau, a foiled plot to bomb a cruise ship in Greece, a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, updates on Perfect Day Mexico, and the delivery of Legend of the Seas. Richard also answers a listener question about casino bounce-back offers. The episode features a detailed review of the Majestic Princess by first-time cruiser Chris, who shares details including his inaugural cruise out of Port Everglades, how good the dining on board was, scuba diving in Cozumel, and Mayan ruins in Belize. 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.

Doug chats with guest Tom about his three-night solo cruise aboard Celebrity Reflection, visiting Key West and Nassau. Tom shares his experience as a first-time Celebrity and solo cruiser, covering the smooth embarkation process, his interior stateroom, buffet and specialty dining highlights, and diverse entertainment options. He compares Celebrity favorably to other cruise lines, noting its calm, upscale atmosphere. Tom also offers practical tips for solo travelers, recommending short cruises as a starting point and encouraging passengers to engage socially onboard. We also feature a segment about travel insurance with Dan Skilken, President of TripInsurance.com. Dan discusses its importance for cruise travelers, what to look for in a policy, what "cancel-for-any-reason" travel insurance really means, and tips for making sure you have adequate coverage for your trip. 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.

Doug Parker covers major cruise industry news, including Norwegian Viva's canceled San Juan sailings and a worker strike disrupting Royal Caribbean ports in Costa Maya, a heroic passenger rescue at Costa Maya and a mile long cruise ship.  Brand Ambassador John Heald discusses Carnival's new Relax Away section at Half Moon Cay, highlighting the new pier, free beach chairs, and natural surroundings. Kevin reviews Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, praising its suite experience, dining, and ports while noting it lacks some newer ships' amenities. 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.  

A review of Norwegian Gem on a five night Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville, Florida.  Staff writer Richard has cruise news. 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.

A review of Carnival Vista. Doug Parker covers cruise industry news with staff writer Richard Simms, including a Carnival Corporation data breach, Costa Cruises' controversial 60 euro fee for removing food from a dining venue, a fake Carnival alcohol notice circulating online, Norwegian's new Great Stirrup Cay water park ticket sales, and a propulsion issue affecting Oasis of the Seas. A listener's question gets answered about Manhattan disembarkation timing. Andrew reviews his six-night Caribbean voyage aboard Carnival Vista, and talks all about the dining, ports of call, entertainment, and tips for solo travelers. 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.

Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Sims discuss major cruise news, including Mexico blocking Royal Caribbean's second Perfect Day destination, a Carnival Spirit assault case resulting in lifetime bans, a hantavirus quarantine situation, incidents aboard Norwegian Luna and Enchanted Princess, and Carnival's new bow crest design. Michael shares his seven-night Alaska cruise experience aboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, covering embarkation, dining, entertainment, port adventures in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Victoria, and practical travel tips for sailing in Alaska. 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.

This week we cover major cruise industry news, including Carnival's pricing error controversy, an assault incident aboard Carnival Spirit, hantavirus and norovirus outbreaks affecting multiple ships, a tragic mobility scooter accident at Celebration Key, and Disney Adventure's abrupt canceled sailing in Singapore.  We also talk to Tony who took a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, and his first solo cruise.  He talks about this port days in Cozumel and Harvest Caye, specialty dining, entertainment, and how trip insurance saved him when his flight was canceled due to a winter storm in the Northeast.  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.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms cover major cruise industry news, including Carnival's loyalty program overhaul, a passenger assault aboard the Carnival Sunrise, a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, and Norwegian Cruise Line's gratuity increases. They also discuss Alaska's record cruise season and Holland America's ship refurbishment. Guest Jen then shares her firsthand review of the MSC Grandiosa in the Mediterranean, covering embarkation, dining, entertainment, and ports including Tunisia, Sicily, and Marseille, offering practical tips for travelers considering a European cruise experience. 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.

In this episode of Cruise Radio, guest Amy shares an in-depth review of her seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Norwegian Aqua. She discusses her travel logistics, ship impressions, dining experiences, casino adventures, and time spent in exclusive areas like Vibe Beach Club. Amy also details port visits to St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay, offering practical tips and honest feedback on excursions and amenities. 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.  

A review of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas from Port Miami, Florida to the Eastern Caribbean.  Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news on:  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.