Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips Harmony of the Seas Western Caribbean Sailing + Cruise News | Royal Caribbean
Mar 5, 2026
Cruise news roundup covering line finances, private island updates, and drink package changes. A solo sailing review of Harmony of the Seas with booking, embarkation, dining, entertainment, and port visits to Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. Practical solo-cruiser tips, ship layout and value impressions, and quick debarkation and shuttle advice.
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NCL Seeks Fixes After Elliott's Critique
- Norwegian Cruise Line's Q4 results disappointed and new leadership acknowledged past siloed management problems, with changes unlikely to impact finances until late 2026 or 2027.
- Elliott Management's public criticism pressured NCL to prioritize monetizing Great Stirrup Cay and fast-track its waterpark to improve cash flow.
Soda Access Moved To A Small Add-On Fee
- Royal Caribbean removed the RFID freestyle soda cup from some alcohol packages, adding a small $4.99 soda fee to access freestyle machines.
- This change converts an included perk into an upsell that particularly affects soda drinkers on drink plans.
Conflict Forces Cruise Reroutes And Military Escorts
- Ongoing Middle East conflict is disrupting regional sailings with early season endings and evacuations, forcing some airlines to require fighter-jet escorts for flights.
- Celestyal and MSC prematurely ended Gulf seasons and TUI flew guests home under military escort for airspace safety.