Trip Bacon

15 NEW Cruise Changes You MUST Know Before Booking

Blue Insider - Videos

Blue Insider - Videos

👁️ 2K views📅 4 months ago⏱️ 18:29

What This Creator Said

1½ Sad Bacon

Creator Had Mixed FeelingsTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator

Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The cruise industry is transforming faster than anyone is talking about and passengers who do not know about these changes are walking into chaos.

Some of these changes will save you money if you know about them. Some will cost you money if you do not.

Your cruise in 2026 can be absolutely incredible. The ships are bigger and more impressive than ever.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Download your cruise line's app at least a week before your cruise and learn how to navigate it.

✓Test the included Wi-Fi early in your cruise and decide quickly if you need to upgrade.

✓Check your cruise line's tender policy before your cruise and reserve your preferred time as soon as available.

✓Budget for automatic gratuities from the beginning and consider prepaying to lock in rates.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Feeling like a first-time cruiser due to many changes — Research before you book, prepare before you board, and adapt when you arrive.

Navigating mandatory apps and technology — Download and learn the app at least a week before your cruise.

Unexpected costs and fees — Read fine print on packages, budget for gratuities, and compare prices with independent operators.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the 15 specific changes happening across the cruise industry in 2026?

QHow will these changes directly impact your next vacation?

QWhat should passengers know before booking to avoid frustration on board?

Topics Covered

Drink Package3 Sad BaconExcursions2½ Sad BaconKids Family1½ Sad BaconValue Pricing2½ Sad BaconBooking Process1½ Sad BaconLoyalty Program1 Sad BaconService Crew2 Sad BaconEmbarkation2½ Sad Bacon

How to read the Trip Bacon Score

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Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

YouTube Video Description↓

Same cruise line. Same ship. Everything changed. Nobody warned me. What You Will Learn - How surge pricing now affects shore excursions - Why included internet has significant catches - How tender ports now require app reservations - Why main dining room flexibility has expanded - Why boarding windows are now strictly enforced - What new fees have been added to kids programs - How casino smoking policies are changing - Why health requirements continue to evolve Chapters 0:00 Mandatory Cruise Apps 2:30 Once Daily Cabin Cleaning 4:00 Shore Excursion Surge Pricing 6:00 Drink Package Reality 8:10 Tender Port App Bookings 10:20 Main Dining Flexibility 12:12 Gratuity Increases 14:20 Photo Package Pressure 16:00 Strict Boarding Windows #cruise #cruisetips #cruising #cruiseship #traveltips #cruiselife #cruisehacks #firsttimecruiser #cruisenews #royalcaribbean #cruisesecrets