Mooring News 10/14 & 15/2026
Sorry our days are doubling up. It would seem that the recording from the 12th took two days to edit <LOL>.. yeah, it was that bad. I did a chemistry experiment and it was a mess on camera.
Hello, and welcome to Mooring News from Cruise Sea-kers.
It’s Thursday, October fifteenth.
Today we have new Carnival packages, Italian dining coming to MSC, and a luxury skincare brand joining Explora Journeys.
We’re also looking at Margaritaville’s next flagship, new Seabourn itineraries, and why cruise companies are investing so heavily in private destinations.
Let’s start with something that could affect your next vacation budget.
[PAUSE — CARNIVAL FUNPACKS]
Carnival has introduced four bundles called FunPacks.
Kidstarter costs twenty-five dollars per person, per day, with soda and juice, social internet, arcade tokens and children’s extras.
Zero Proof costs fifty dollars daily, combining nonalcoholic drinks, internet, and dining and excursion discounts.
Social costs sixty dollars daily. It includes three alcoholic drinks a day, nonalcoholic beverages, premium internet, one specialty meal worth up to fifty-five dollars, and one excursion worth up to one hundred dollars.
Epic costs ninety-nine dollars daily, with CHEERS, premium internet, two qualifying meals and two excursions, plus additional perks.
You purchase the package for the full cruise.
If one guest twenty-one or older buys a FunPack, everyone twenty-one or older in that cabin must purchase the same one.
Dining, excursion, spa and photo benefits require advance reservations. Unused benefits aren’t refundable.
Purchase by October thirtieth for eligible departures October thirty-first, twenty twenty-six, through December thirty-first, twenty twenty-seven.
Why does this matter?
Compare the total cost against what you would actually buy. Check your reservation for eligibility and final pricing.
A bundle can simplify planning, but its value depends on whether you’ll use what’s included.
[PAUSE — EATALY ON MSC WORLD ASIA]
MSC announced today that Eataly is coming to MSC World Asia.
Eataly is the Italian food and dining brand. This will be its second restaurant at sea, following its introduction aboard MSC World America.
World Asia begins seven-night Mediterranean cruises on December fourth, twenty twenty-six.
And yes, despite the ship’s name, this announcement concerns Mediterranean sailings.
The restaurant will offer terrace dining with ocean views. Guests will also have an opportunity to visit the wine cellar at The Terrace Bar and select a bottle.
The ship’s broader lineup includes more than forty bars, lounges, cafés and restaurants.
Why does a restaurant announcement matter when you’re choosing a cruise?
Because two ships can visit similar ports and still deliver very different vacations.
For some travelers, dining is a major part of the experience. A restaurant they already enjoy—or have always wanted to try—could help them choose between ships.
Before booking that special dinner, check the price and the terms of any dining package you’re considering.
A familiar brand may catch your attention, but the menu, cost and experience should help make the decision.
[PAUSE — SISLEY PARIS JOINS EXPLORA]
Explora Journeys is partnering with Sisley Paris, a French luxury skincare and cosmetics brand, to bring its signature facials and beauty products aboard Explora Three.
Sisley is known for premium skincare that emphasizes botanical ingredients, along with makeup, fragrances and haircare.
The partnership was announced this week and is described as the brand’s debut at sea.
Guests can book treatments in a dedicated Sisley suite within the ship’s spa, with specially trained therapists using the company’s products and massage techniques.
Two featured treatments are the Sisley Signature Facial, available in sixty- or ninety-minute sessions, and the ninety-minute, rose-scented Black Rose Facial.
The spa boutique will also carry a selection of Sisley beauty products.
Why does this matter?
For travelers who already enjoy the brand, it brings a familiar luxury experience aboard.
For someone comparing luxury cruises, it adds another detail to consider alongside the suites, dining and itinerary—particularly if spa time is an important part of the vacation.
The partnership is scheduled to expand to Explora One and Explora Two in twenty twenty-seven.
For now, don’t assume the treatments are available across the fleet.
Prices weren’t included in the announcement I checked. Confirm the cost when booking.
Explora says spa appointments can be booked starting ninety days before your voyage, allowing you to plan treatments around your port visits.
[PAUSE — BEACHCOMBER’S MAKEOVER]
Margaritaville at Sea’s Beachcomber has arrived at Harland and Wolff in Belfast for a major transformation.
The ship previously sailed as Costa Fortuna. It is being converted into Margaritaville’s new flagship.
The refurbishment includes the central atrium, spa, children’s facilities, specialty dining venues, nightclub and outdoor VIP areas, along with features such as the Flip Flop Bar.
For travelers, that distinction matters. This is an existing ship being extensively redesigned for a different cruise experience.
There’s also a number in the coverage that deserves clarification.
The shipyard estimates the project will generate approximately forty million British pounds for the Belfast region.
That refers to its expected economic impact through shipyard work, employees, suppliers and related business.
It is not a confirmed forty-million-dollar renovation budget.
The fresh development is the ship’s arrival for the work. The refurbishment agreement itself was announced earlier.
And here’s the part that may interest travelers closer to home.
Margaritaville has announced that Beachcomber will begin sailing from Galveston in October twenty twenty-seven, offering four- to seven-night cruises.
For people who can drive to Galveston, that adds another option when comparing ships, prices and vacation styles.
It also gives travelers who are curious about Margaritaville a larger ship to consider.
[PAUSE — WHY PRIVATE DESTINATIONS ARE BIG BUSINESS]
You’ve probably noticed how often cruise companies announce a new private destination, beach club or island expansion.
There’s a reason these places are becoming such a big part of the cruise vacation.
For guests, they can offer a convenient beach day with pools, activities and facilities designed around cruise passengers.
For the cruise company, they create another place to earn revenue.
When a passenger purchases a cabana, premium beach access or an attraction at a cruise-operated destination, some of that vacation spending stays within the company’s business.
These destinations can also help sell the cruise itself.
Someone might choose a particular sailing because it visits a beach destination they already love—or because they want to try a new attraction.
Carnival’s leadership has discussed private destinations as a way to increase earnings from its existing fleet.
So the investment is about more than adding another stop to the itinerary. The destination becomes part of what the company is selling.
What does that mean for you?
First, look closely at what is included.
Check food, drinks, seating, pools and activities individually. Also check whether your shipboard beverage package applies ashore.
Second, decide what kind of port day you want.
A resort-style beach day may be exactly what your family needs. On another trip, you may prefer exploring a town, visiting historic sites or booking an excursion with a local guide.
Those are different experiences, and it helps to know which one you’re choosing.
Finally, compare the total vacation cost.
A cruise fare is only the starting point if your ideal day also includes premium attractions and a private cabana.
[PAUSE — SEABOURN’S 2029 VOYAGES]
Seabourn has announced its twenty twenty-nine summer ocean voyages, with a return to Egypt and new options in Northern Europe.
Selected voyages aboard Seabourn Ovation will include an overnight stay in Alexandria.
That provides opportunities for excursions to Cairo and the pyramids.
Why does the overnight matter?
Because the attraction you want to see isn’t always close to where the ship docks.
When significant travel is involved, the amount of time in port can be just as important as the port’s name on the itinerary.
An overnight stay can expand your sightseeing options. You’ll still want to check the actual excursion schedule, transportation and time involved.
Seabourn is also introducing a seven-day itinerary exploring the Gulf of Bothnia, between Sweden and Finland.
Its broader Northern Europe program includes new ports and longer stays.
This is an interesting option for travelers who have already visited the familiar European cruise stops and want to explore somewhere different.
The twenty twenty-nine collection also includes Alaska, Canada and New England.
For people planning a milestone vacation well ahead, this is a reminder to compare the details of the itinerary—not simply the number of destinations.
[PAUSE — OPTIONAL NCL SCAM REMINDER]
One passenger warning is still worth repeating.
Norwegian Cruise Line has been investigating fraudulent emails that appear to contain genuine cruise reservation information.
Passengers have reported messages with their names, reservation numbers, ship, departure date and, in some cases, payment details.
Some messages threaten cancellation unless the passenger completes another verification step.
Others reportedly request credit-card verification.
What makes this concerning is that a message can look convincing because it already knows information you would expect a legitimate company to have.
But knowing your booking details does not prove the sender is Norwegian.
Don’t use a suspicious message’s links or phone numbers to check whether it is real.
Open the cruise line’s app yourself, type its official website into your browser, or contact your travel advisor.
How the scammers obtained the information has not been publicly confirmed in the reporting I’ve checked. We should not describe it as a confirmed Norwegian data breach.
[PAUSE — OPTIONAL BUKANGI UPDATE]
And a quick check on Bukangi, our shark girl in Busan.
In this morning’s research, I did not find a newer confirmed rescue outcome.
The latest substantial report I located was published October thirteenth. It described injuries around her snout and head, along with calls for a third rescue attempt.
That means we have concerns and calls for action, but not confirmation that another rescue operation has begun or that she has returned to open water.
I know many of us are hoping the next update will bring better news.
[PAUSE — CLOSING]
That’s today’s Mooring News from Cruise Sea-kers.
Source references—not for the teleprompter:
MSC’s Eataly announcement and restaurant details. www.mscpressarea.com
Explora’s official spa page, with treatment and rollout details from announcement coverage. explorajourneys.com
Beachcomber’s arrival, refurbishment, economic impact and Galveston deployment. lovebelfast.co.uk
Private-destination strategy. www.cruisetradenews.com
NCL warning and passenger reports. www.aol.com
Bukangi’s October 13 update. www.koreajoongangdaily.com
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