Here we go with this week’s recap of the big news stories in the cruise industry. Highlights of Cruise Hive’s coverage include Royal Caribbean officially ordering construction of a new class of ship, Norwegian Cruise Line adding an important new rule for its airline booking program, and a Princess Cruises’ ship unveiling two new specialty dining venues.
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Technical Issue Cancels Anthem of the Seas Cruise
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas ran into some technical trouble while sailing an 8-night South Pacific voyage roundtrip from Sydney, Australia, apparently impacting the ship’s speed.
The Quantum-class ship, with capacity for 4,180 guests in double occupancy, arrived late at her homeport on January 27, 2026, and also cancelled her next cruise, a 10-night New Zealand cruise due to depart that same day.
The ship was tracked returning to port at 14 knots, rather than her traditional 22 knots. The cruise line has not specified the nature of the technical problem, but it appears to be propulsion-related.
Originally set to arrive in Sydney at 6:30 a.m. on January 27, Anthem of the Seas did not dock there until about 4 p.m.
The cruise line assisted guests with airline change fees and other travel plans, including up to $200 per person for domestic flight change fees and up to $400 per person for international flight change fees.
Guests booked on the January 27 departure are receiving a full refund of their cruise fare and all pre-paid services, such as dining packages, shore excursions, and crew gratuities.
NCL Air Program Reveals Major Booking Change
Many Norwegian Cruise Line guests book their airfare through the brand rather than independently, but under a new policy, those who book via the NCL Air program must schedule their arrival at the departure port at least one day ahead of embarkation.
The new rule took effect on new air bookings made on and after January 26, 2026. The requirement means that guests must spend at least one night in a hotel, and that expense is the guests’ responsibility.
The cruise line added the requirement in an effort to lower the number of guests who book their air arrival for the same day as embarkation and miss their cruise due to flight delays or cancellations.
Bad weather often is the culprit in these cases. On January 26, 2026, for instance, Winter Storm Fern upended the Northeast with heavy snow, and more than 5,100 flights were cancelled as a result.
Guests can book their pre-cruise hotel stay through the line’s NCL’s Hotel and Hotel Plus program, but they will pay the accommodation cost.
Diamond Princess Gets Two New Dining Venues
Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess, which sails East Asia year-round, has expanded its specialty dining venues by two — Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill.
Diamond Princess becomes the fourth ship to offer Makoto Ocean, which is already offered on Sun Princess, Star Princess, and Sapphire Princess. The eatery, a partnership with celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa, features Japanese favorites like Miso Sea Bass, Truffle Salmon, and Yellowtail Sashimi.
The venue replaced the Kai Sushi venue and also features specialty cocktails such as Makoto Gin & Tonic and Nagoya Negroni.
Crown Grill, a longtime favorite among Princess guests, is a steakhouse serving sirloin and strip steaks, rib-eye stakes, and filet mignon, along with some chicken and seafood dishes.
Each venue comes with a $55 per person charge, although it is included for guests who purchase the Princess Premier package.
Diamond Princess currently sails roundtrip from Singapore, and in late February 2026 will reposition to Yokohama, Japan, offering 9- to 21-night voyages.
Legend of the Seas Now Plans July 4 Debut
It isn’t unusual for new-builds to debut later than scheduled, but in the case of Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, the opposite is happening.
The Icon-class ship, under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, will enter service one week ahead of her planned launch.
The 5,610-guest Legend of the Seas will sail her inaugural cruise on July 4, 2026, rather than on July 11. Guests already booked on the later date have the option to switch their departure date to the earlier launch if they wish. (Transfers are on a first-come, first-served basis.)
The new voyage will operate roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia) and call at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Florence.
This is not the first change in the ship’s maiden voyage. Originally, Legend of the Seas was to debut in August 2026, but the line added three sailings in July, on the 11th, 18th, and 25th.
Following the completion of her construction and outfitting, the ship will undergo sea trials before being delivered to Royal Caribbean.
Carnival Expands Sale of New Non-Alcoholic Package
Carnival Cruise Line guests have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the brand’s new Cheers! Zero Proof Drink Package, and now it is finally on sale for all voyages in North America and Australia.
The roll-out of the new plan has been gradual. It was introduced in September 2025, and guests booked on cruises through 2025 could buy it. In November 2025, guests could purchase the plan if they were sailing during the first quarter of 2026.
But now, the plan is for sale on all voyages departing from North America and Australia. There is a big difference, however, between those departure destinations — the North America package includes premium teas and coffees, but the Australia package does not.
Items included in both plans are premium non-alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, and zero-proof cocktails, plus soda, juices, water, and even milkshakes, among others.
Guests who book the package before departure pay a fee starting at $29.99 per person per day, while those who buy the plan after embarkation will pay $34.99 per person per day.
Guests can buy the plan on Carnival’s website, via its HUB app, or through the line’s customer service department.
MSC Unveils Big Plans For Ocean Cay Marine Reserve
A slew of new enhancements and activities are coming to MSC Cruises’ MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
Expected to be completed in late 2027, upgrades to the private destination in the Bahamas will feature an expanded pier that can accommodate two cruise ships at a time, four new dining options, a family oriented beach area, and an adult-only retreat.
The new eateries have not been detailed yet, but are expected to include buffets, a food market, and a specialty restaurant. The Seakers Cove Family Beach will offer a splash pad and playground, plus a ropes course with water experiences.
Paradise Sands, the new adult-only space, will be a serene oceanfront area with lounge chairs. Across the reserve, more private cabanas will be added as well.
The private destination will also offer conservation experiences called “Shifted Perspective.” Described as an interactive program, it will enable guests to explore conservation efforts and learn about environmental topics such as coral restoration and oceanic ecosystems.
Cruise Line Orders Two Discovery-Class Ships
Royal Caribbean will soon add an eighth ship class to its roster: the Discovery class.
The cruise line revealed it has signed an agreement with France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard to construct two Discovery-class ships, debuting in 2029 and 2032, and has options for four additional vessels.
Industry watchers had been expecting the order, as rumors have been persistent on social media and elsewhere.
The cruise line has not indicated the size of the planned ships; some cruise insiders believe the Discovery ships will be smaller than recent new-builds, like the massive Icon- and Oasis-class vessels of recent years.
Cruise line executives did indicate, however, that the Discover class ships would offer a bold new concept with cutting-edge designs.
Royal Caribbean’s most recent class is Icon. It debuted in 2024 with Icon of the Seas. Star of the Seas followed in 2025 and Legend of the Seas is due to launch in July 2026. These ships have a capacity for a whopping 7,600 guests with all berths occupied.
More Cruise Headlines
Those were some of the week’s top cruise headlines, but Cruise Hive has coverage of many other developments, too, including MSC Cruises planning a new cruise terminal on Grand Bahama Island, a legendary cruise ship captain who transited the Northwest Passage announcing his retirement, and a Royal Caribbean ship skipping a port call due to a medical emergency.
Also, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most popular musicals is ending its run on Norwegian Bliss, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Venezia is altering two port calls on a Caribbean itinerary in February 2026.
Cruise News Update: Technical Issues, Policy Change, New Ships
