We are back for another episode of cruise talk weekly. In this episode Tommy and Tony break down the biggest stories in cruising from last week. They take a look at delays that impacted P&O and Royal Caribbean cruise ships. They also talk about the recent gratuity / service fee increase over at Carnival cruises.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Cruise Delays
13:21 - Cruise Ports that Dominate
34:00 - Carnival Increases Gratuities

Questions / Comments email us at questions@cruisetalkweekly.net

Copyright 2025 Cruise Talk Weekly

In this episode of Cruise Talk Weekly, hosts Tony and Tommy discuss a variety of topics related to cruising, including their Thanksgiving experiences, Black Friday shopping habits, and recent cruise news such as a missing woman and a cruise fight. They also delve into Carnival's new water policy, updates on Royal Caribbean's beach club, and their thoughts on cruise entertainment and ship design. The conversation is lively and filled with humor, as they share personal anecdotes and insights about the cruising experience.

Questions/Comments? Email us at questions@cruisetalkweekly.net

See video this podcast here - https://youtu.be/pK65dm3QA1k

Chapters
00:14 Welcome to Cruise Talk
01:14 Thanksgiving Reflections
03:44 Black Friday Shopping Experiences
07:12 Cruise News: Missing Woman
12:25 Cruise News: Altercation on Board
22:26 Judging the Keyboard Warriors
28:31 Cruise Communication and Customer Experience
34:39 Nassau Beach Club Developments
45:35 Cruise Entertainment Experiences
52:41 Cruise Ship Design and Customer Service

Carnival Cruise Line is no stranger to controversy and it seems like events of the last week continues to reenforce that idea. Changes to drink package timing, changes to the loyalty program, weird lifeboat breakage and more have Carnival once again at the center of the conversation. In this episode Tommy and Tony work though these Carnival issues plus other cruise news and industry topics.

Reach out with questions or comments at: questions@cruisetalkweekly.net

Get more from Tommy at: @alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247
Get more from Tony at: @LaLidoLoca

See the video of the podcast here:

#cruisetalk #cruisenews #travelnews

Time Stamps

00:14 Cruising Adventures and Experiences
03:05 Carnival's Drink Policy Controversy
06:24 The Impact of Drink Sharing and Profitability
09:11 Carnival Celebration: A Mixed Experience
12:11 Dining Experiences on Carnival
15:25 The Green Eggs and Ham Controversy
26:24 Carnival's Loyalty Program Controversy
28:27 Understanding the Changes in Loyalty Programs
31:04 The Impact of Customer Spending on Loyalty
33:11 The Future of Carnival's Loyalty Program
35:18 Customer Identity and Loyalty
36:58 The Fallout of Loyalty Program Changes
43:40 Tragic Events and Safety Concerns
47:19 Lifeboat Drill Incident
51:08 Misconceptions About Carnival Ships
52:16 Exploring Grand Turk
53:21 Exploring Grand Turk: A Unique Experience
57:31 Cruise Safety and Overboard Incidents
01:01:50 The Future of Cruising: Technology and Safety
01:08:30 Philosophical Musings on Reality and Experience
01:12:17 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Copyright 2025 - Cruise Talk Weekly

In this episode Tommy and Tony breakdown the latest happenings in the cruise industry and everything going on in the cruise space. There is a discussion of Ton'y recent experience with the Star Princess naming ceremony. The hosts also discuss, the transition from mass market cruise companies into cruises geared more for the mature cruiser. There is a discussion about Celebrity Cruises verses Princess. There is also a conversation around how law enforcement works on cruise ships and wether or not cruise lines should limit people ability to film on cruises.

Reach out with questions or comments at: questions@cruisetalkweekly.net

Get more from Tommy at: @alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247
Get more from Tony at: @LaLidoLoca

See the video of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/oWDYGSgmTUA

#cruisetalk #cruisenews #travelnews

Copyright 2025 - Cruise Talk Weekly

In this episode of Cruise Talk Weekly, hosts Tommy and Tony discuss various topics related to cruising, including a tragic incident involving an elderly woman left behind during a cruise excursion in Australia, the implications of alcohol policies on cruise lines, and the impact of Hurricane Melissa on cruising. They also touch on customer expectations, complaints, and the recent announcement of Royal Caribbean's new beach club concept in Santorini. The conversation highlights the complexities of safety protocols, legal responsibilities, and the evolving landscape of the cruise industry.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, FEEDBACK? Email us at:
questions@cruisetalkweekly.net

See the video of this podcast here - https://youtu.be/uzwart77WL8

See More of Tommy at ⁨@alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247⁩
See More of Tony at ⁨@LaLidoLoca⁩

Segments:
00:14 Introduction and Daylight Savings Time
02:00 Tragic Incident on Coral Expeditions
08:24 Lessons Learned from the Incident
12:18 Legal Implications of Cruise Incidents
13:47 The Taylor Swift Cruise Incident
25:04 Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Cruising
31:34 Cruise Complaints and Passenger Expectations
33:57 Nostalgia and the Norwegian Gem
37:46 Cruising's Impact on Local Economies
39:54 Transitioning to a New YouTube Channel
42:29 Carnival's Loyalty Program Changes
48:09 Royal Caribbean's New Loyalty Program
52:19 Royal Caribbean's Beach Club Concept
58:25 Cultural Experiences vs. Beach Clubs

Copyright 2025 - Cruise Talk Weekly

In this episode of Cruise Talk Weekly, hosts Tommy and Tony discuss various aspects of cruising, including the ongoing issue of chair hogs, the importance of safety and parental responsibility on cruise ships, and the etiquette of photography while cruising. They also delve into the culture surrounding cruising, the dining experiences offered by different cruise lines, and the future of ship names. The conversation highlights the impact of social media on cruising culture and the expectations of guests while on vacation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cruise Talk Weekly
01:00 The Chair Hog Phenomenon
11:57 Cruise Safety and Parental Responsibility
15:53 The Impact of Social Media on Cruise Photography
29:50 Navigating Online Criticism and Main Character Syndrome
38:20 Ranking Cruise Dining Experiences
41:24 Exploring Culinary Options on Cruise Ships
44:15 Innovative Dining Concepts and Experiences
46:12 Dream Restaurants on Cruise Ships
49:41 Cruise Ship Dining and Local Flavors
53:39 Cruise Ship Naming Trends
55:22 Gifts for Crew Members: What Do They Really Want?
58:06 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Check out the video of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/F0dkm0es_Mw

In this episode, Tony and Tommy delve into the world of cruising, focusing on theme cruises and group cruises. They share personal experiences, discuss the dynamics of group travel, and explore the challenges and joys of cruising during stormy weather. The conversation shifts to Carnival's new destination, Celebration Key, and the changes in cruising practices, including the move towards digital information. They also touch on safety concerns regarding teenagers and balconies, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior while cruising.

Check out Tommy here: ⁨@alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247⁩

Check out Tony here: ⁨@LaLidoLoca⁩

Watch the video version of this epsiode here - https://youtu.be/vSc5ku0yykA

Chapters

00:15 Welcome Back and Cruise Adventures

01:12 Exploring Theme Cruises

09:38 The Dynamics of Group Cruises

14:40 Cruising During Storm Season

23:02 Navigating Fame and Expectations

30:29 The Importance of Exclusivity in Experiences

31:27 Exploring the Northeastern Cruise Itinerary

33:47 Cultural Experiences in New York City

38:30 The Dynamics of Group Cruises

40:34 Karaoke and Group Engagement on Cruises

46:27 Celebration Key: A New Era in Cruising

53:33 The Seismic Shift in the Cruising Industry

54:56 Exploring Celebration Key: A Unique Experience

58:43 Comparing Celebration Key and Coco Cay

01:04:26 The Shift to Digital: Norwegian Cruise Line's Changes

01:10:14 Safety Concerns: Kids and Cruise Ship Balconies
 Z
01:14:08 Closing Thoughts and Future of Cruising

In this episode of Cruise Talk Weekly, hosts Tony and Tommy dive into the ultimate sea day experience, discussing everything from art auctions and dining options to the importance of rest and entertainment. They explore the balance between relaxation and activity on a cruise, share tips for enjoying sea days, and touch on current events in the cruising world, including Norwegian Cruise Line's new dining policy. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of cruising, the hard work of crew members, and the evolving trends in cruise experiences.

Check out Tommy at ⁨@alwaysbebookedcruisepodcas1247⁩

Check out Tony at ⁨@LaLidoLoca⁩

Check out the video version of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/dYoxdeuMFfg