Podcast
Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips
Hosted by Doug Parker · EN
Doug Parker gives weekly cruise news, ship reviews, money saving tips, answers your travel questions, and helps you make the most of your cruise vacation.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Icon of the Seas 2026 + Cruise News | Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Jun 2500:45:49Tap to summarizeA review of Icon of the Seas. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news. This week, we cover a record-setting day in Nassau as more than 33,000 cruise passengers arrived in port, ongoing chaos in Santorini as a controversial passenger distribution rule triggers another shutdown, and the tragic death of a pregnant fin whale believed to have been struck by Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas near Seward, Alaska. We also discuss Royal Caribbean's decision to allow suite guests to bring non-suite friends into Coastal Kitchen for a fee, a massive brawl at PortMiami that resulted in 16 Carnival passengers being permanently banned from the cruise line, and Carnival's new limited-edition Bulleit single-barrel bourbon being sold aboard select ships as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration. Michael and Tiffany return to Cruise Radio to share their review of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. Sailing from Miami, they discuss what it was like experiencing one of the world's largest cruise ships and whether the hype lives up to reality. The couple shares their thoughts on the ship's layout, dining, entertainment, and crowd management, including why the vessel never felt crowded despite carrying more than 7,000 guests. They discuss favorites like Pearl Café, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Hooked Seafood, the AquaTheater production, and Royal Caribbean's adults-only Hideaway areas both onboard and at Perfect Day at CocoCay. They also talk about their visits to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, along with tips for navigating the ship, finding quiet spaces, and deciding whether Icon of the Seas is worth the premium price. In This Episode: Cruise news Icon of the Seas balcony stateroom review Pearl Cafe and included dining options Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Hooked Seafood AquaTheater, ice show, and Wizard of Oz production St. Maarten and Maho Beach St. Thomas port day changes Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay Crowd levels on a 7,000+ passenger ship Tips for first-time Icon of the Seas cruisers Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009. Share your thoughts: doug@cruiseradio.net
Transcribe →Marella Voyager 2026 Review | Canary Islands Cruise
Jun 2100:37:01Tap to summarizeMarcus joins Doug to review a 7-night cruise aboard Marella Voyager, sailing roundtrip from Tenerife to the Canary Islands and Madeira. In this episode, he shares his experience aboard the former Celebrity Mercury, including an upgrade to an Executive Suite, dining at the ship's included and specialty restaurants, entertainment, and what it's like sailing on Marella Cruises for the first time. He also discusses visits to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira, and La Palma, along with tips for embarking in Tenerife and navigating this port-intensive itinerary. Topics Discussed: Marella Voyager Executive Suite Dining and specialty restaurants The all-inclusive cruise experience Entertainment and onboard atmosphere Canary Islands ports of call Madeira highlights Embarkation and debarkation in Tenerife How Marella compares to Princess and Celebrity Cruise Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009. Share your thoughts: doug@cruiseradio.net
Transcribe →Norwegian Luna Caribbean Review 2026 + Cruise News | Norwegian Cruise Line
Jun 1800:50:28Tap to summarizeA review of Norwegian Luna. We cover recent cruise news, including the Anna Kepner murder case aboard Carnival Horizon, a video voyeurism arrest on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, a brawl at Nassau Cruise Pier, a $1.9 billion lawsuit against MSC Cruises, and new dining announcements from Carnival and Holland America. Tony shares a detailed review of his seven-night family cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's brand-new Prima class ship, the Norwegian Luna, highlighting dining, entertainment, ports of call, including a stop at the newly renovated Great Stirrup Cay, and gives us his overall impressions. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Majestic Princess Western Caribbean Cruise Review 2026 + Cruise News | Princess Cruises
Jun 1100:56:21Tap to summarizeWe cover major cruise news, including American cruise passengers arrested in Nassau, a foiled plot to bomb a cruise ship in Greece, a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, updates on Perfect Day Mexico, and the delivery of Legend of the Seas. Richard also answers a listener question about casino bounce-back offers. The episode features a detailed review of the Majestic Princess by first-time cruiser Chris, who shares details including his inaugural cruise out of Port Everglades, how good the dining on board was, scuba diving in Cozumel, and Mayan ruins in Belize. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Celebrity Reflection 2026 Bahamas Review + Cruise Travel Insurance Questions Answered | Celebrity Cruises
Jun 700:56:13Tap to summarizeDoug chats with guest Tom about his three-night solo cruise aboard Celebrity Reflection, visiting Key West and Nassau. Tom shares his experience as a first-time Celebrity and solo cruiser, covering the smooth embarkation process, his interior stateroom, buffet and specialty dining highlights, and diverse entertainment options. He compares Celebrity favorably to other cruise lines, noting its calm, upscale atmosphere. Tom also offers practical tips for solo travelers, recommending short cruises as a starting point and encouraging passengers to engage socially onboard. We also feature a segment about travel insurance with Dan Skilken, President of TripInsurance.com. Dan discusses its importance for cruise travelers, what to look for in a policy, what "cancel-for-any-reason" travel insurance really means, and tips for making sure you have adequate coverage for your trip. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Adventure of the Seas 2026 Review, John Heald Interview + Cruise News | Royal Caribbean
Jun 400:55:49Tap to summarizeDoug Parker covers major cruise industry news, including Norwegian Viva's canceled San Juan sailings and a worker strike disrupting Royal Caribbean ports in Costa Maya, a heroic passenger rescue at Costa Maya and a mile long cruise ship. Brand Ambassador John Heald discusses Carnival's new Relax Away section at Half Moon Cay, highlighting the new pier, free beach chairs, and natural surroundings. Kevin reviews Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, praising its suite experience, dining, and ports while noting it lacks some newer ships' amenities. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Norwegian Gem Bahamas Review 2026 + Cruise News | Norwegian Cruise Line
May 3100:52:46Tap to summarizeA review of Norwegian Gem on a five night Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville, Florida. Staff writer Richard has cruise news. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Carnival Vista Caribbean Cruise Review 2026 + Cruise News | Carnival Cruise Line
May 2800:51:52Tap to summarizeA review of Carnival Vista. Doug Parker covers cruise industry news with staff writer Richard Simms, including a Carnival Corporation data breach, Costa Cruises' controversial 60 euro fee for removing food from a dining venue, a fake Carnival alcohol notice circulating online, Norwegian's new Great Stirrup Cay water park ticket sales, and a propulsion issue affecting Oasis of the Seas. A listener's question gets answered about Manhattan disembarkation timing. Andrew reviews his six-night Caribbean voyage aboard Carnival Vista, and talks all about the dining, ports of call, entertainment, and tips for solo travelers. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Anthem of the Seas Alaska Cruise Review + Cruise News | Royal Caribbean
May 2100:53:50Tap to summarizeDoug Parker and staff writer Richard Sims discuss major cruise news, including Mexico blocking Royal Caribbean's second Perfect Day destination, a Carnival Spirit assault case resulting in lifetime bans, a hantavirus quarantine situation, incidents aboard Norwegian Luna and Enchanted Princess, and Carnival's new bow crest design. Michael shares his seven-night Alaska cruise experience aboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, covering embarkation, dining, entertainment, port adventures in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Victoria, and practical travel tips for sailing in Alaska. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
Transcribe →Norwegian Dawn 2026 Caribbean Review + Cruise News | Norwegian Cruise Line
May 1400:39:01Tap to summarizeThis week we cover major cruise industry news, including Carnival's pricing error controversy, an assault incident aboard Carnival Spirit, hantavirus and norovirus outbreaks affecting multiple ships, a tragic mobility scooter accident at Celebration Key, and Disney Adventure's abrupt canceled sailing in Singapore. We also talk to Tony who took a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, and his first solo cruise. He talks about this port days in Cozumel and Harvest Caye, specialty dining, entertainment, and how trip insurance saved him when his flight was canceled due to a winter storm in the Northeast. Sponsor Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues. Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com. About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.
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