WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Welcome to Cruise News, your daily update on 00:00:02.379 --> 00:00:04.940 everything happening at sea. Visit cruisenews 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:07.700 .io to see today's stories and sign up for email 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:11.519 alerts. Welcome aboard, everyone. Today we're 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:14.099 doing a deep dive into three really significant 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:16.320 shifts shaking things up in the cruise world. 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:19.839 First up, a major itinerary change over at Celebrity 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:22.280 Cruises, driven purely by safety issues in the 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.730 Caribbean. Yeah, that's a big one. Then we'll 00:00:24.730 --> 00:00:27.129 pivot to, well, let's call it operational friction. 00:00:27.410 --> 00:00:29.489 Norwegian Cruise Line has brought in some new 00:00:29.489 --> 00:00:32.770 fees and limits. And let's just say passengers 00:00:32.770 --> 00:00:35.409 aren't exactly thrilled. It's stirring up a lot 00:00:35.409 --> 00:00:37.710 of debate about value. Definitely hearing that. 00:00:37.810 --> 00:00:40.270 And finally, we'll look ahead. MSC Cruises is 00:00:40.270 --> 00:00:42.350 making a pretty aggressive move into the Alaska 00:00:42.350 --> 00:00:44.850 market. We're talking a major ship expansion 00:00:44.850 --> 00:00:47.670 and some pretty high -end upgrades. It really 00:00:47.670 --> 00:00:49.630 captures the moment, doesn't it? Balancing risk, 00:00:49.829 --> 00:00:52.590 managing costs, and chasing growth. All at the 00:00:52.590 --> 00:00:54.909 same time. Exactly. OK, let's get into it. First, 00:00:55.070 --> 00:00:57.170 that Celebrity Cruises decision regarding Labadee, 00:00:57.229 --> 00:01:00.009 Haiti. What's the latest? Right. So Celebrity 00:01:00.009 --> 00:01:02.210 has confirmed they're canceling all stops at 00:01:02.210 --> 00:01:06.349 Labadee for 11 specific itineraries. And this 00:01:06.349 --> 00:01:07.930 isn't just for a few months. We're talking right 00:01:07.930 --> 00:01:12.090 through 2025 and 2026. 11 itineraries. Wow. That's 00:01:12.090 --> 00:01:14.709 quite a chunk of sailings. Which ships are primarily 00:01:14.709 --> 00:01:17.409 affected by this? It's mainly hitting two of 00:01:17.409 --> 00:01:20.420 their newer, very popular ships. Yeah. The Celebrity 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:23.359 Apex and the Celebrity Beyond. And Celebrity's 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:24.920 been really clear this is about guest safety 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:27.560 and, frankly, operational concerns given the 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:29.739 instability in Haiti. And they're basing this 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:31.859 on official guidance, right? The U .S. State 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:34.519 Department advisory. Absolutely. The State Department 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:36.980 has Haiti under a level four do not travel advisory. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:39.799 That's the highest level there is. And it's not 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:42.780 old news. It was reissued just this past July. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:46.280 July 2025, highlighting that the situation is 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:48.739 ongoing, maybe even getting worse. Yeah, those 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:50.620 level four warnings, they don't issue them lightly. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:53.060 When you dig into why, it's pretty stark. They 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:56.079 mention widespread violent crime, a really high 00:01:56.079 --> 00:01:58.719 risk of kidnapping, civil unrest, even reports 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:00.780 of gunfire near the main airport in Port -au 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:03.260 -Prince. Sailing into that area, even to a private 00:02:03.260 --> 00:02:05.840 resort nearby, starts to look very risky. It 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:07.840 really does. And it's important for listeners 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:10.419 to remember what Labadee actually is. It's not 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:13.379 a standard Haitian port city. It's a private 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:16.139 resort, completely fenced off, owned and operated 00:02:16.139 --> 00:02:18.699 by Royal Caribbean Group. It's supposed to be 00:02:18.699 --> 00:02:20.919 a bubble. A bubble that offered, what, nearly 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:23.759 30 different shore excursions, all exclusive 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:26.800 to cruise guests? Exactly. 28 distinct options. 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:29.500 But it seems the regional instability has just 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:32.379 become too pervasive. Even that controlled environment 00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:35.150 isn't seen as immune anymore. That really speaks 00:02:35.150 --> 00:02:37.409 volumes, doesn't it? When a major corporation 00:02:37.409 --> 00:02:40.110 decides its own private secured location isn't 00:02:40.110 --> 00:02:42.750 safe enough for two whole years, the financial 00:02:42.750 --> 00:02:45.090 hit and the disruption to that private island 00:02:45.090 --> 00:02:48.069 perk must be significant. Oh, immense. But, you 00:02:48.069 --> 00:02:50.169 know, safety and brand reputation have to come 00:02:50.169 --> 00:02:52.389 first in these situations. And it's not just 00:02:52.389 --> 00:02:55.080 celebrity. Royal Caribbean International, which 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:57.659 co -owns Labadee, they've also suspended their 00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.120 visits through April 2026. Ah, okay, so it's 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:03.060 a coordinated move across the Royal Caribbean 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:05.860 Group brands. Precisely. It shows a consistent 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:08.340 assessment of the risk across the company. The 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:10.919 situation is forcing some really tough and expensive 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.069 decisions. So for passengers booked on those 00:03:14.069 --> 00:03:17.310 affected apex and beyond sailings, what are the 00:03:17.310 --> 00:03:19.889 replacement ports? Celebrities trying to soften 00:03:19.889 --> 00:03:22.330 the blow, obviously. There's Subian calls at 00:03:22.330 --> 00:03:24.789 Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. 00:03:25.090 --> 00:03:28.509 All popular, solid Caribbean destinations. Definitely. 00:03:28.569 --> 00:03:31.210 They're framing it as enhancing the guest experience 00:03:31.210 --> 00:03:34.360 while ensuring safety. But you're right. It's 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:37.039 just not the same as that exclusive Labadee experience 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:40.000 many people specifically booked for. It changes 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.460 the whole feel of the itinerary for some. It 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:44.840 absolutely does. It's a stark reminder for travelers, 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:48.419 itineraries can and do change, sometimes drastically 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:50.979 based on world events. Flexibility is key. A 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:53.219 crucial point. Okay, let's shift from safety 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:56.639 changes to operational ones that are causing 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:58.659 a different kind of stir. We need to talk about 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:00.240 Norwegian Cruise Line. They've rolled out some 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.300 policy adjustments around dining and drinks. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.800 The feedback has been, well, loud. Yes, loud 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.919 is a good word for it. This is really hitting 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:10.240 a nerve with many loyal and sealed cruisers. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:13.060 It taps into that ongoing debate about value 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:16.160 versus cost cutting or nickel and diming, as 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:18.740 some passengers call it. So what are the specific 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:21.259 changes causing this friction? Let's start with 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:24.139 room service. I heard there are new limits. That's 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:27.189 right. Big changes there. Before, you basically 00:04:27.189 --> 00:04:29.209 paid the delivery fee and could order quite a 00:04:29.209 --> 00:04:32.670 bit. Yeah. Now for breakfast, it's capped. One 00:04:32.670 --> 00:04:35.610 hot item and one cold item per person per delivery. 00:04:35.709 --> 00:04:38.089 One hot, one cold. Okay. And for the rest of 00:04:38.089 --> 00:04:39.990 the day. The all -day menu is limited to two 00:04:39.990 --> 00:04:42.189 meals per guest per delivery. Two meals. Okay, 00:04:42.269 --> 00:04:44.290 now let's layer in the cost. The delivery fees 00:04:44.290 --> 00:04:46.170 themselves haven't gone away, have they? Nope. 00:04:46.350 --> 00:04:49.589 Still $4 .95 for breakfast delivery, $9 .95 for 00:04:49.589 --> 00:04:53.089 all -day delivery, plus that mandatory 20 % gratuity 00:04:53.089 --> 00:04:56.110 on anything not complimentary. Right. So here's 00:04:56.110 --> 00:05:00.449 the rub, as I see it. If you want, say, an appetizer, 00:05:00.550 --> 00:05:03.050 a main course, and a dessert delivered from the 00:05:03.050 --> 00:05:06.250 all -day menu, that's three items. Correct. Which 00:05:06.250 --> 00:05:08.269 exceeds the new two -meal limit per delivery. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:10.379 Meaning you'd have to place two separate room 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:12.519 service orders to get those three items. That 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:14.399 seems to be the implication, yes. Which means 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:17.519 you'd pay the $9 .95 delivery fee twice, plus 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.019 the gratuities. Suddenly that convenient room 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:22.480 service meal could cost you almost $20 just in 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.220 service charges. Exactly. It dramatically shifts 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:27.959 the value perception. Is it about reducing food 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:30.600 waste, as the line might suggest, or is it about 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.079 generating more delivery fee revenue? Passengers 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:35.279 are definitely asking that question. And the 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:36.939 changes aren't just limited to room service, 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:38.579 are they? There's something about the main dining 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:41.939 room, too. Yes. This one is perhaps even more 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:44.680 symbolic for some cruisers. NCL is now charging 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.839 a $5 fee if you want to order more than one entree 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.160 in the main dining room. Wow. Okay. So appetizers 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:53.079 and desserts are still unlimited. You can have 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:55.040 as many as you like. That's the current understanding, 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:57.759 yes. Appetizers and desserts remain unlimited 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:01.120 without extra charge. But that second steak or 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:03.240 alternate main course? That'll be five bucks. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:06.199 What's NCL's official reason for this one? They're 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:08.519 citing a couple of things. Trying to reduce food 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:10.939 waste, which is a valid concern on ships, and 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:13.399 also improving kitchen efficiency and service 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:15.839 times. I acknowledge food waste is a massive 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:20.079 issue industry -wide, but a $5 charge? Feels 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.560 like a very direct way to discourage ordering 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:25.899 extras or perhaps capitalize on those who still 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.579 want to. It certainly introduces a friction point 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:31.399 that wasn't there before. It chips away at that 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:34.660 feeling of abundance or freedom that many associate 00:06:34.660 --> 00:06:37.079 with cruise dining. It really does. And there's 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:39.399 a third change to affecting their private island, 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:42.620 Great Stirrup Cay. Yes, this one impacts the 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:46.259 beverage packages. Starting March 1st, 2026. 00:06:47.370 --> 00:06:50.129 A bit of advance notice on this one. The standard 00:06:50.129 --> 00:06:52.810 onboard beverage packages, like the ones often 00:06:52.810 --> 00:06:55.430 included in their free at sea promotion, will 00:06:55.430 --> 00:06:58.209 no longer work on Great Sturt K. Wait, really? 00:06:58.310 --> 00:07:00.329 So if you have the drinks package for your cruise, 00:07:00.410 --> 00:07:02.449 it just stops working when you get off the ship 00:07:02.449 --> 00:07:04.689 onto their own private island? That's the plan. 00:07:04.769 --> 00:07:08.009 If you want drinks beyond, say, water or basic 00:07:08.009 --> 00:07:10.430 iced tea on the island, you'll either have to 00:07:10.430 --> 00:07:12.730 buy a separate island -specific beverage package 00:07:12.730 --> 00:07:15.790 or pay for each drink individually. That feels 00:07:15.790 --> 00:07:18.310 like a significant devaluation of the main beverage 00:07:18.310 --> 00:07:20.810 package, especially on itineraries that heavily 00:07:20.810 --> 00:07:23.250 feature a day at Great Sterp Cay. It absolutely 00:07:23.250 --> 00:07:25.569 is. And taking together the room service limits 00:07:25.569 --> 00:07:28.110 and potential double fees, the main dining room 00:07:28.110 --> 00:07:30.709 entree charge, and now the island drink package 00:07:30.709 --> 00:07:34.220 exclusion. You can see why many longtime NCL 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:36.579 cruisers are feeling frustrated. The overwhelming 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:38.620 sentiment online seems to be that this feels 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:41.420 like a deliberate strategy to cut costs and extract 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:44.079 more onboard revenue, potentially at the expense 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:46.290 of the guest experience they were used to. It 00:07:46.290 --> 00:07:48.389 signals a real strategic shift, doesn't it? Moving 00:07:48.389 --> 00:07:50.990 away from a more inclusive base fare towards 00:07:50.990 --> 00:07:53.629 unbundling more elements of the cruise. It forces 00:07:53.629 --> 00:07:56.329 you as the consumer to be much more analytical 00:07:56.329 --> 00:07:58.790 about what's really included and what the potential 00:07:58.790 --> 00:08:01.509 extra costs might be. That free at sea offer 00:08:01.509 --> 00:08:03.769 suddenly requires a closer look at the fine print. 00:08:04.250 --> 00:08:06.569 Vigilance is the word. OK, let's move from these 00:08:06.569 --> 00:08:09.050 operational changes to something focused on growth 00:08:09.050 --> 00:08:12.300 and future plans. MSC Cruises is making some 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:14.639 big waves, particularly in the Alaska market. 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:17.220 What's happening there? This is a really interesting 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:20.379 move, showcasing MSC's ambitions in North America. 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:22.759 They've announced that the MSC Poesia is coming 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:25.660 back to Seattle for a second full Alaska season 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:28.680 in 2027. Second season. So they're doubling down 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:31.680 after its first season in 2026. Exactly. The 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:34.519 2026 season will be its debut there, and they've 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.299 already committed to 2027, running sailings from 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:39.720 April through September. That's a strong signal 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:42.980 of confidence. MSC Poesia? That ship pulls around, 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:45.519 what, 2 ,500 passengers or so? It's a solid size 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:48.840 for Alaska. Yeah, about 2 ,550 guests at double 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.940 occupancy. And committing for two years straight 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:52.860 shows they're serious about competing in what's 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:55.980 a very popular and crowded market. What do the 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:58.799 itineraries look like for 2027, standard Alaska 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:01.340 runs? Pretty much the classic Alaska experience. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.860 They're planning convenient Monday departures 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:06.320 from Seattle each week, offering seven -night 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:09.659 round trips. The key ports are all there. Ketchikan, 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:12.299 icy straight point, cruising Tracy Arm fjord, 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:14.820 Juneau, and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:17.299 Makes sense. Hit the highlights. And Alaska remains 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:20.039 a huge draw, doesn't it? Something like two -thirds 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:22.159 of summer visitors arrive by ship. That's the 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:25.580 stat, roughly 65%. So having a reliable, appealing 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.659 product there is crucial if you want to be a 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.600 major player in North America. But the really 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:31.740 big news here isn't just the deployment. It's 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:33.779 what they're doing to the MSC Poesia before it 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:36.340 even starts its first Alaska season in 2026, 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:39.639 right? A major refurb. Oh, absolutely. This is 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.840 the key strategic element. The ship is getting 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:44.379 a massive overhaul. And the headline addition 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:49.269 is the MSC Yacht Club. Ah, the Yacht Club. MSC's 00:09:49.269 --> 00:09:52.210 exclusive ship -within -a -ship concept. That's 00:09:52.210 --> 00:09:54.730 a significant upgrade for the Poesia. Hugely 00:09:54.730 --> 00:09:57.590 significant. They're adding 63 luxury suites 00:09:57.590 --> 00:10:00.009 as part of this Yacht Club area. And that comes 00:10:00.009 --> 00:10:02.269 with all the usual Yacht Club perks. 24 -hour 00:10:02.269 --> 00:10:04.889 butler service, dedicated concierge, private 00:10:04.889 --> 00:10:08.690 lounge, sundeck, pool, restaurant. The whole 00:10:08.690 --> 00:10:10.789 exclusive package. Putting the Yacht Club on 00:10:10.789 --> 00:10:13.389 a ship sailing Alaska, that's a direct challenge 00:10:13.389 --> 00:10:15.389 to the more premium lines operating there, isn't 00:10:15.389 --> 00:10:17.850 it? Without a doubt. You've got lines like Oceania, 00:10:18.029 --> 00:10:20.590 Viking, and higher -end suite offerings on lines 00:10:20.590 --> 00:10:22.350 like Princess and Holland America dominating 00:10:22.350 --> 00:10:25.009 the luxury Alaska segment. By adding the Yacht 00:10:25.009 --> 00:10:27.970 Club, MSC is making a clear statement. They want 00:10:27.970 --> 00:10:29.889 a piece of that high -yield premium market in 00:10:29.889 --> 00:10:32.149 Alaska. It's not just about volume. It's about 00:10:32.149 --> 00:10:34.690 attracting a higher spending clientele. Smart 00:10:34.690 --> 00:10:38.320 move. What other upgrades are part of this refurbishment 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:40.820 to appeal to that North American audience? They're 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:43.559 boosting the dining and bar options, too. A new 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.779 butcher's cut steakhouse, which is popular on 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:48.340 their newer ships. A redesigned Kaido sushi bar. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:51.419 They're also adding an all -star sports bar and 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:54.000 giving the MSC Aurea Spa and the fitness center 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.480 a full makeover, including more space for things 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.059 like yoga. So really enhancing the onboard amenities 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:01.379 across the board alongside the yacht club addition. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.820 Exactly. Making the ship itself a destination. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.480 ready to compete. And for cruisers looking for 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:08.700 an even bigger trip, there's a repositioning 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:11.200 cruise involved too. Yes, a pretty cool opportunity. 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:14.779 Before the 2027 Alaska season kicks off, MSC 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:17.720 Poesia will sail an 18 -night Panama Canal cruise. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:21.919 It departs Miami on April 8, 2027 and sails all 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:24.309 the way through the canal to Seattle. That's 00:11:24.309 --> 00:11:26.950 a fantastic itinerary for people who love longer 00:11:26.950 --> 00:11:29.330 voyages and canal transits. Definitely a bucket 00:11:29.330 --> 00:11:31.769 list type trip for many. And MSC saying this 00:11:31.769 --> 00:11:34.370 whole Alaska push is based on demand. That's 00:11:34.370 --> 00:11:37.289 the official word. Lynn Torrent, the president 00:11:37.289 --> 00:11:40.629 of MSC Cruises North America, stated this expansion 00:11:40.629 --> 00:11:43.549 is a direct response to strong feedback and demand 00:11:43.549 --> 00:11:47.289 from both passengers and travel advisors. It 00:11:47.289 --> 00:11:49.309 underlines their growth plans for the region. 00:11:49.690 --> 00:11:52.009 OK, so let's try and wrap this up. We've covered 00:11:52.009 --> 00:11:54.029 quite a bit of ground today, reflecting some 00:11:54.029 --> 00:11:56.720 major cross currents in the industry. First, 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:59.559 the paramount importance of safety, leading celebrity 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.299 cruises to make a really costly decision to pull 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:05.259 out of lavity for two years, prioritizing reputation 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.899 and guest well -being. Then we contrasted that 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.659 with Norwegian Cruise Line's focus on, let's 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:13.139 say, optimizing revenue and efficiency through 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:15.600 new fees and restrictions on dining and drinks, 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:18.539 which is causing considerable debate about value 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:20.919 among their customer base. And finally, a look 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:23.320 at aggressive future investment with MSC Cruises 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:25.559 pouring significant capital into refurbishment. 00:12:25.450 --> 00:12:33.289 It really shows the different paths lines are 00:12:33.289 --> 00:12:35.610 taking, doesn't it? One, absorbing costs for 00:12:35.610 --> 00:12:38.230 safety. Another, implementing fees, possibly 00:12:38.230 --> 00:12:41.710 impacting loyalty. And a third, investing heavily 00:12:41.710 --> 00:12:44.409 for premium growth. I think the big takeaway 00:12:44.409 --> 00:12:46.950 for you, the listener, is that the cruise landscape 00:12:46.950 --> 00:12:50.149 is becoming more fragmented, more varied. The 00:12:50.149 --> 00:12:52.529 strategies are diverging. You really need to 00:12:52.529 --> 00:12:54.690 think about what you value most in a cruise experience. 00:12:54.669 --> 00:12:57.610 and which cruise line's current approach best 00:12:57.610 --> 00:13:00.350 aligns with that. That's perfectly put. Planning 00:13:00.350 --> 00:13:02.350 a cruise now requires more than just looking 00:13:02.350 --> 00:13:04.629 at dates and prices. You have to scrutinize the 00:13:04.629 --> 00:13:07.370 inclusions, be aware of potential extra costs, 00:13:07.529 --> 00:13:10.049 and understand that things like itineraries and 00:13:10.049 --> 00:13:12.690 onboard policies can change rapidly. That vigilance 00:13:12.690 --> 00:13:15.049 is absolutely essential today. Couldn't agree 00:13:15.049 --> 00:13:17.950 more. Stay informed, read the fine print, and 00:13:17.950 --> 00:13:20.769 be prepared for adjustments. Sound advice. That's 00:13:20.769 --> 00:13:23.320 all the time we have for this deep dive. Thanks 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:25.519 for listening to Cruise News. Visit cruisenews 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.960 .io to catch up on the latest updates and sign 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.179 up for free email alerts.