Royal Caribbean Group announced today a change to how cruisers earn loyalty points that will make it easier to cruise between its brands and earn status at the same time. In 2024, the company introduced status matching between Royal Caribbean Group’s three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. Points Choice will go beyond that. Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty revealed his company’s plans to introduce Points Choice During an earnings call with investors. “I’m excited to announce Points Choice, the next evolution, and how guests earn and apply loyalty points across our family of brands beginning in early 2026. Guests will be able to apply loyalty points to the Royal Caribbean Group brand they prefer, regardless of which brand they are sailing with.” Mr. Liberty is quoted as saying. No matter which brand you sail with, you can apply your earned points toward the brand loyalty program of your choice. This means you will be able to vacation with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, or Silversea while continuing to build your status in Captain’s Club or whichever program you belong to. Points Choice will be available in early 2026. More information will be available in the coming weeks including the official launch date, program rules, and exchange rates across programs. Be sure to subscribe to Zest4Travel to receive timely updates. Learn more about each program below: Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Silversea Venetian Society FAQ What is Points Choice?An exciting enhancement is coming soon for all who sail with Royal Caribbean Group. Introducing Points Choice – no matter which of our brands your clients sail with, they can apply their earned points toward the brand loyalty program of their choice. They can continue to build status with their preferred brand and enjoy status match, all while exploring across Royal Caribbean”, Celebrity Cruises” and Silversea Cruises® For example, if your preferred brand is Royal Caribbean and they are sailing on Celebrity, you can apply the Captain’s Club points earned to the Crown & Anchor program to keep building your Crown & Anchor status. When will Points Choice be available?Early 2026. Keep a close eye on your email for the official launch date in the coming months along with program rules, exchange rates between brands, and how your clients can apply points to their preferred brand. Will members have the option to apply points already earned to a different brand?No. Points Choice will be offered only on cruises departing on or after the launch date. If I choose to apply their points to a different brand, how will they know how many points they will get? For example, if you cruise with Celebrity and wish to receive Crown & Anchor points, how will you know the number of Crown & Anchor points they are eligible for? Points tables will be published with exchange rates between brands. For example, the points tables will indicate how many Crown & Anchor points your cruise is eligible for if you sail in a Sky Suite on Celebrity. Are any program benefits changing?No. Benefits will remain the same for Crown & Anchor, Captain’s Club and Venetian Society. Does Points Choice apply to points earned in the Casino Royale and Blue Chip programs?No. Points Choice only applies to Royal’s Crown & Anchor program, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club program and Silversea’s Venetian Society program. Are there any changes to the Status Match program?No, the Status Match program is not changing. Members can still receive one-for-one tier matching across all three Royal Caribbean Group brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Stay up-to-date on all the Cruise News: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
Tag Archives: #cruising
Top Travel Deals for Black Friday Week and CyberMonday
Don’t miss out on these great deals for travel and cruising! This post contains affiliate links, if you click and buy a product, I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Literine PocketPaks Cool Mint Breath Strips, Portable Pocket-Sized Oral Care Mouth Freshener 43% off BAGSMART Cord Organizer Travel Cable Bag, Compact Tech Electronic Organizer Travel Case, Essentials for Charger, Cable, Phone, Flash drive, Double Layers (Pink) 20% off Travel inspira Luggage Scale, Portable Digital Hanging Baggage Scale for Travel, Suitcase Weight Scale with Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds, Battery Included 40% off BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank 10,000mAh, Portable Wireless Charger, 20W Fast Charging External Battery Pack with USB C for Cell Phones 43% off EACHY Travel Makeup Bag,Large Capacity Cosmetic Bags for Women,Waterproof Portable Pouch Open Flat Toiletry Bag Make up Organizer with Divider and Handle 30% off Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement, Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides Travel Pack, 20 Individual Packets 20% off Coolife Luggage 4 Piece Set Suitcase Spinner Hardshell Lightweight TSA Lock 15% off BAGSMART Underseat Carry On luggage Airline Approved, 16-inch Small Softside Underseater Travel Suitcase with Spinner Wheels Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones 51% off Large Travel Backpack Carry on Flight Approved Laptop Work Business Backpack 15% off Baggallini The New Classic Collection Uptown Bagg 44% off Multi Plug Outlet Splitter with USB, TESSAN 4 Electrical Outlet Extender Surge Protector with 3 USB Wall Charger Blocks 26% off Clear Makeup Bags, TSA Approved 6Pcs Cosmetic Makeup Bag Set Clear PVC with Zipper Handle Portable Travel Luggage Pouch Airport Airline Vacation. Other colors available. 20% off 10×25 Binoculars for Adults and Kids, Large View Compact Binoculars with Low Light Vision, Easy Focus Small Binocular 30% off 3 Packs Foldable Pail Bucket with Shovels & Mesh Bag, Collapsible Buckets Multi Purpose for Beach, Camping Gear, Beach Party, Fishing, and Fun Summer Activities (Yellow/Blue/Green) 33% off Magnetic Hooks for Cruise Cabins, 60Lbs Swivel Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty, Cruise Ship Essentials 15% off Small Crossbody Bags for Women Belt Bag Fanny Pack with Adjustable Strap 40% off 16 Pack Silicone Bottle Cover,Travel Essential for Women Men,Cruise Ship Essentials 2025,Beach Vacation Essentials,Travel Size Toiletries,Airplane Travels Accessories Elastic Sleeves for Leak Proofing 33% off Waterproof Bag for Beach, Sandproof Fanny Packs for Women, Waterproof Pouch for Phone Passport Purse, Floating Dry Bags for Cruise Travel Water Park Boating Fishing Diving Surfing Kayaking Accessories 35% off 276PCS First Aid Kit Home Car Camping Hiking Emergency Supplies Small Compact Lovely Bag for School Outdoor, Basic Outdoor Essentials Survival Kit for Travel 20% off AI Neck Fan, 6 Speeds Adjustable Portable Personal Fan Rechargeable, 6000 mAh Battery Faster Cooling Wearable Fan, Ultra Quiet for Home, Office, Travel, Outdoor 38% off BAGAIL 4 Set/6 Set/8 Set Compression Packing Cubes Travel Accessories Expandable Packing Organizers (Half Mesh, 6-Black) Other colors available 32% off Repel Umbrella – Windproof Travel Umbrellas for Rain – Engineered to Withstand 85MPH Winds, <1lb – Lightweight, Durable, Compact, Waterproof, Auto Open Close, Fiberglass Frame Other colors available. 49% off’ 2 Pack Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch Up to 7″, IPX8 Underwater Phone Case Dry Bag for iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 11 Pro Max Xs Max XR X 8 7 Plus SE/Galaxy S24 S23 S22 Other colors avaiable 20% off TESSAN European Travel Plug Adapter USB C 3 Pack, US to Europe Plug Adaptor with 4 AC Outlets 3 USB Charging Ports, Type C Power Adapter for USA to EU Euro Spain France Iceland Italy Germany Greece 20% off Cruise On Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage Tag Holder (4 Pack) – Fits All Carnival & Royal Caribbean Ships, Durable Travel ID Holders for 2025-2026 Cruises, Clear Waterproof Cruise Essentials 35% off Stay up-to-date on all the Cruise News: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
Another Power Up Points Webinar – 2027/2028 Season Is Here!
The 2027/2028 season of sailings brings the world to you like no one else can—from exciting itineraries in Europe to incredible ships in Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, and beyond. In our upcoming webinar, we’ll sit down with a Behind the Podium speaker for an inside look at Europe’s top destinations. This is one webinar you don’t want to miss. Register and watch by October 9, 2025–and earn 20 Power Up Points. o qualify, members must register with their Captain’s Club ID and watch the entire presentation by October 9, 2025. Up to four members can watch the webinar together under one registration. Each member’s Captain’s Club ID must be entered separately on the registration page to earn points. Power Up Points will be awarded to those who qualify by November 14, 2025. Register and watch here: Power Up Points Webinar Let’s Connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
ETIAS vs EES: Essential Updates for Traveling to Europe
A clear guide to the EU’s new EES and ETIAS travel systems, explaining how border checks will change from 2025–2027 and what cruise and holiday travellers need to know.
Power Up Points: Elevate Your Journey Celebrity River Cruises Webinar
Celebrity has redefined travel on the ocean. Now, they are bringing that same elevated experience to the world’s most exciting rivers—sailing through the heart of Europe’s culture, history, and unforgettable cities. Discover everything River has to offer in this special River Cruises Webinar where you’ll get a closer look at room amenities, the ship designs, the itineraries, and more. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. This is one webinar you don’t want to miss. Register by September 23, 2025, and earn 20 Power Up Points. (10 Power Up Points = 1 Captain’s Club point) Register to watch here: Power Up Points To qualify, members must register with their Captain’s Club ID and watch the entire presentation by September 23, 2025. Featured speaker: Ale Azor, Director Product Development & Innovation Up to four members can watch the webinar together under one registration. Each member’s Captain’s Club ID must be entered separately on the registration page to earn points. Power Up Points will be awarded to those who qualify by October 14, 2025. Let’s Connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
Unveiling the Innovative Celebrity River Cruise Ships
Welcome to river cruising – The Celebrity Way. Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river. Guests will get the keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences – The Celebrity Way. With ships that will give guests 360 degrees of breathtaking views, every moment will be designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey. Celebrity recently released the brand new ebrochure for river cruises. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. *A special thank you to Celebrity Cruises for the photos and information available in this article. What will the ship look like? Celebrity has designed a brand new, never seen before ship that was built with purpose. Every design decision from the silhouette to the lightweight hull, enhances efficiency, and helps navigate with uncommon ease. The result is the most innovative river ship on the water. What that means for the cruiser is smoother sailing, even in low water, and fewer itinerary interruptions along the way. It’s a smarter, more sustainable way to cruise and the most seamless way to bring you closer to every destination. The first of 10 brand new river ships will be the Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, launching in 2027. “Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to take a river cruise, we know guests are going to love sailing Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers The Celebrity Way on our fleet of elevated, cutting-edge ships.” Public spaces and open decks Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will offer guests the chance to dine floating above the river on the Magic Edge – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods – while enjoying regional, destination-driven culinary offerings. Transformative shade structures, furniture and a top-deck bar and grille will maximize guests’ time on deck – offering zones for every mood, whether it be socializing or disconnecting, in a space designed for year-round comfort. Plus, an infinity-edge plunge pool invites guests to cool off while taking in the sights. These flexible public spaces ensure guests enjoy more of their time outside at destinations, and on the journey in between. Food From locally baked morning pastries to regionally inspired dinners that reflect the culture around you, every dish will bring the destination to the table. With six dining options, flexible all-day access, menus that evolve with the itinerary, and healthy options, you will be able to experience flavor that feels both local and entirely your own. Drink The ship will be stocked with distinct and local wines. Enjoy a perfectly chilled martinis, a late nightcap or an early-morning espresso. New venues like a top-deck bar and lounge, and returning favorites like Martini Bar, Café al Bacio, and Sunset Bar are now making their debut on the river, the art of the drink is on display. What’s Included? Shore Excursions You will be able to enjoy your choice of one shore excursion every day. Dining The ship has been designed with more restaurants, offering the most choice on the river. Even including a 24-hour option! Drinks All bookings will come with a classic beverage package featuring select wine, beer, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks all day. There will also be an opportunity to upgrade. Wi-Fi Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the sailing. Onboard Experiences More to do and more spaces to do them in. Stay tuned for updates!! Staterooms Every stateroom is designed to feel uniquely elegant and deeply connected to the destination. With the first-ever Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, king-size beds in every room, and layouts built for real comfort, this is where modern design meets personal space at every bend. Every detail is considered, with the most in-room amenities, all guests will enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired touches. With butler service in every suite, this is the most thoughtfully designed stateroom on Europe’s rivers. Vista Balcony Suite The Vista Balcony Suites has panoramic river views, an expansive veranda, and room to settle in. Separate living and sleeping areas offer flexibility, along with spacious bathrooms with dual-faucet sinks. You will enjoy a personalized butler ready to set up dinner to enjoy in your own suite, then relax in your king-size bed with premium bedding, all designed to support your preferences. From morning coffee on the balcony to quiet evenings with a film or a book, this suite is built for presence, pleasure, and ease on the river. SQ. FOOTAGE: 258 Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite This one-of-a-kind suite is designed to bring the river and the sky closer than ever before. At the heart of the Skylight Infinite Balcony Suitesm is a ceiling window that opens to the stars or closes for privacy, letting you choose how much light and view to invite in. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the riverbank just outside. Inside you will find space to sleep, lounge, and dine in comfort. A king-size bed with plush linens, spa-inspired bathroom, butler service, and personalized minibar make this suite more than just a place to stay. SQ. FOOTAGE: 233 Balcony With a private veranda and seating for two, the Balcony staterooms give you front-row access to Europe’s most iconic riverscapes. Inside, a king-size bed, rich materials, and streamlined furnishings create a sense of calm and openness, while thoughtful extras, from a complimentary minibar to in-room filtered water, bring luxury to life. It’s a room that invites you to stretch out, breathe deeply, and take in the view at your own pace. SQ. FOOTAGE: 211-225 Infinite Balcony With wall-to-wall windows that lower at the touch of a button, the Infinite Balcony staterooms invite the outside in, so you canContinueContinue reading “Unveiling the Innovative Celebrity River Cruise Ships”
Hurricane Season and Your Cruise: What to Know
Hurricanes are devastating, catastrophic storms. These storms affect people living in coastal areas, those living hundreds of miles inland, and also hotels, resorts, theme parks, ports and cruise ships. I live in Florida and have experienced tropical storms and hurricanes firsthand. How can a hurricane affect your cruise and what can you do to protect yourself and your vacation? Waves crash onto rocks ahead of Tropical Storm Karen in Puerto Rico. Photographer: Gabriella N. Baez/Bloomberg This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. When Is Hurricane Season? Even though a tropical storm or hurricane can form at any time of year if oceanic conditions are right, the hurricane season in the North Atlantic Ocean basin and Caribbean runs from June 1 through November 30. The peak season for storm formations and the highest intensities is from mid-August through the end of September. In the eastern Pacific basin and along the Mexican Riviera, hurricane season stretches from May 15 through November 30. The busiest period is in August and September, which is very similar to the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Strong storms can and do occur outside the typical peak seasons. In 2024, for example, Hurricane Milton did not form until October 5, and in five days, became one of the most powerful and destructive storms ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America), causing devestation well into the United States. Only a very small portion of cruises that sail to the Caribbean during storm season are actually affected by these storms. Though you may encounter slightly rougher water on a cruise during hurricane season, there are many systems in place to detect any hurricane weather along your cruise route, ensuring your ship’s captain and crew will be able to chart a path around any bad weather or make modifications to the itinerary to keep you safe. How Will A Hurricane Affect My Cruise? You may have heard or read that there were some cruises that were canceled in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, but the fact is that it’s actually extremely rare for a cruise to be canceled during Caribbean hurricane season. Typically, it’s still safe for cruise ships to depart the home port while a hurricane is occurring in the Caribbean. As long as the hurricane is not impacting the embarkation (home) port – and if the home port is impacted, a cruise departure may only be delayed by a day or two rather than being canceled. All cruise lines work closely with expert meteorologists and storm forecasters for the latest updates and predictions based on the most accurate data. What happens when you do embark on time, but there’s a hurricane happening in the region? Most likely a hurricane will not impact your cruise, but you might incur an itinerary change if a hurricane is in the path of a port of call on your cruise itinerary. Any sailing region can be impacted by hurricanes. The Bahamas and Puerto Rico are two of the most frequently impacted regions, including private island and beach clubs. Other Caribbean regions are also at risk of hurricanes, such as Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. Florida is frequently impacted by storms. This means homeports can be affected even if individual Caribbean cruises may be sailing well away from hurricane tracks. Similarly, the Gulf of Texas (Galveston) and the Gulf Coast (New Orleans and Mobile) are also at risk from hurricane impacts and landfalls. Thanks to an incredible arsenal of weather equipment onboard the ship, including weather maps and satellite images and computer-generated storm models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), your captain and crew are always on top of where a hurricane is headed and have the experience and means to stay out of its path. Itinerary Changes Photo courtesy of CruiseHive The exact changes a cruise line may make to any cruise will depend on a wide range of factors and every storm is different. One of the ways your captain might avoid a hurricane’s path is to make a last-minute schedule change to the itinerary. For example, your cruise itinerary has a scheduled stop in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the route there is impacted by a hurricane. Your cruise ship will reroute, and you’ll skip that port of call. This may result in an additional day at sea. With an extra sea day, you can treat yourself to a spa visit, spend some quality time with the family, or participate in one of the many onboard classes offered during your cruise. Depending on your ship’s proximity to the storm and its severity, the captain may find it necessary to close the pool for guest and crew safety. Another hurricane cruise scenario might involve a substitution of one port of call for a skipped one. There are a number of factors at play here, including weather patterns and cruising time to the substitute port that captain and bridge officers will be constantly monitoring. You may find yourself completely charmed by the opportunity to visit a different Caribbean port. The captain may choose to alter just one port of call or could shift an entire itinerary. When possible, substitution ports are arranged to give guests safer options to enjoy. This may not always be practical depending on distance or berth availability. Cruise lines may continue to alter itineraries after a storm has passed. If the scheduled ports of call are not considered safe for passengers to visit or if repairs are necessary before ships can safely dock, the captain will adjust the schedule. We saw this happen in 2017 when Hurricane Irma and then Hurricane Maria hit, causing widespread damage in the US Virgin Islands and other nearby islands. Passengers will be refunded for any cruise line shore excursions they have already booked for ports that willContinueContinue reading “Hurricane Season and Your Cruise: What to Know”
What to Know About Tropical Storm Erin and Your Cruise
Hurricane season is right on schedule and that means cruisers need to be extra aware of how storm systems may impact their sailings. Waves crash onto rocks ahead of Tropical Storm Karen in Puerto Rico. Photographer: Gabriella N. Baez/Bloomberg UPDATE: Erin is now a hurricane and forecast to become a CAT4 over the weekend into early next week. This storm will stay east of Florida but produce dangerous rip currents and swell next week along the east coast. Tropical Storm Erin has officially formed and is on track to impact the Eastern Caribbean by the end of the week, making it the first hurricane of the season to impact this region. Of course, here is great uncertainty this far out in the forecast, but all cruisers should watch the storm carefully. No cruise line has made any itinerary changes yet, but they will be closely monitoring the storm and will make any adjustments necessary to keep ships safe. The cruise line will contact you if changes are necessary. On Monday morning, August 11, 2025, Tropical Storm Erin officially formed in the eastern Atlantic. The first official advisory for Tropical Storm Erin was issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. While several days away, her path will likely bring the storm to the eastern Caribbean. This may impact a number of popular ports of call, as well as cruise ships with itineraries heading east over the next 7-10 days. At of 2pm CVT (Cape Verde Time), the storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour and was moving west at 20 mph The minimum threshold for a tropical storm is 39 mph threshold, with a maximum of 73 mph before being classified as a hurricane. The westward track will bring Erin close to the top Eastern Caribbean ports on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16, before it is predicted she will turn north. Most models have her missing the Florida coast. (see graph below) Forecast predictions have the storm likely to be a major hurricane of Category 3 or higher by August 15-16. The ports likely to at least feel moderate impact include Barbados, St. Lucia, the US and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Depending on when and how Erin turns north, the Turks and Caicos as well as the Bahamas, including private islands, may also feel some impact. Ships departing on Eastern or Southern Caribbean itineraries this coming weekend are most likely to have at least some itinerary changes. Check your emails for any communication from the cruise line. There is no point in calling them – the call centers are not in direct communication with any ship. Shoreside will contact you if necessary. Remember, no cruise line has yet altered any sailings for Tropical Storm Erin. All cruise lines keep safety as their top priority and they will be monitoring the storm as she draws closer. How Strong Will Erin Become? The NHC’s forecast discussion advises caution this early, as it is always hard to predict how a tropical storm or hurricane will act several days in advance. “The intensity forecast in the short-term is a little tricky,” the NHC notes read. “The rate of intensification will likely increase in the second half of the forecast period.” Wind shear, ocean temperature, regional atmospheric conditions, and other factors all interact to determine how the storm may intensify and how she will move. Forecast tracks (the “spaghetti” plots) do show the storm likely to turn north long before impacting larger islands or the Florida eastern coastline, which includes Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Miami ports. That turn will not likely happen until the weekend, however, and could be significantly different than predicted so early in the storm’s formation. Though most believe she will remain no more than a Category 2 or 3 intensity, some forecast models show Erin reaching as high as a devastating Category 4 or 5 storm, Just as her path is difficult to predict precisely so many days away, her intensity can also vary tremendously as she gets closer. The overall size of Erin’s wind field will also determine how far away her impact may be felt. Very large storms can often impact ports of call or cruise homeports hundreds of miles from the storm’s eye, as the wind affects waves patterns and heights. The peak of hurricane season, when storms are strongest and most numerous, is typically around September 10. This does not mean that storms before or after this date are any less dangerous or disruptive. Any cruise guests with sailings booked over the next few days should watch Tropical Storm Erin carefully. Anyone with Caribbean sailings booked at this time of year should always stay informed about potential storms in case their cruise is impacted. For accurate and up-to-date information, follow Brian Shields…aka Mr. Weatherman on YouTube. He is a well-known and trusted Florida/Caribbean weatherman. To learn how hurricanes can affect your cruise and what to expect if they do, visit Hurricane Season and Your Cruise: What to Know. If you found the article informative and helpful, please comment below and follow Zest4Travel for cruise news and information. Let’s Connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stayContinueContinue reading “What to Know About Tropical Storm Erin and Your Cruise”
Plan Ahead: Celebrity Cruises 2027-2028 Deployment Schedule
Celebrity Cruises recently released the deployment schedule for sailings in 2027-2028. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Celebrity Cruises Opening Deployment Schedule 2027-2028 Week of August 4, 2025: Canada/New England, Europe, Japan, Spring Transatlantics Week of September 8, 2025: Alaska and Hawaii Week of September 29. 2025: Australia November 2025: Caribbean, Fall Transatlantics December 2025: Winter Asia The first set of sailings to be released on August 5 are for cruises to Canada/England, Europe, Japan and spring Transatlantics. Canada, New England & Bermuda Celebrity Silhouette will sail from Boston, Cape Liberty and Reykjavik, Iceland. These sailings will offer seven- to 13-night cruises that includes stops in Iceland and Greenland. One itinerary will visit Bermuda, three to Iceland Greenland, and four to Maine and Canada. Europe Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Xcel will all offer cruises in Europe. Celebrity Ascent will homeport in Civitavecchia (Rome) and offer 10-14 night to Greece, Italy, Turkey and Malta. Sailing from Southampton, the Celebrity Apex will cruise on 7 to 14 night cruises to the Norwegian Fjords and Scandinavia. From Barcelona and Italy, Celebrity Constellation will offer cruises that visit Croatia, France, Italy and Spain. Celebrity Eclipse will sail from Amsterdam, Athens, and Ravenna, Italy on 7 to 13 night cruises to Europe. Homeporting in Barcelona, Celebrity Equinox will offer 9, 10, and 11 night cruises around the Mediterranean. Celebrity Infinity will sail from Athens, Greece and 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 night cruises to Greece and Croatia. And the newest vessel in the fleet, Celebrity Xcel will sail from Barcelona and Athens on a variety of sailings to the Italian and French Riviera. Asia Celebrity Millennium will sail from both Tokyo and South Korea offering 12 and 13 night cruises around Japan and South Korea. One 15 night sailing will visit Hong Kong and Vietnam before ending in Singapore. These newly announced itineraries from Celebrity Cruises will open for bookings on August 5, 2025. Call your travel agent or book directly with Celebrity early for the best availability. Remember, you can reprice your cruise if there are better promotions or pricing available prior to final payment, so don’t miss out on your favorite cabin! Let’s Connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
Maximize Your Cruise Savings with Celebrity Cruises “Spend to Save Event”
Turn your vacation into another cruise during the Spend to Save Event. All eligible purchases before and during your qualifying cruise will earn a percentage back as a future cruise credit. *Available on select qualifying cruises only. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. How It Works On the app, click on the person icon at the top, then your Captain’s Club information. If your cruise qualifies, it will show up under Special Events. Make purchases in the following categories prior to and during the cruise to start earning. Shore and ship excursions Drinks and drink packages Specialty dining and packages Spa treatments and fitness services Photos Internet Premium Access packages Onboard shop purchases Laundry Gifts and Extras Cashing In Approximately 7 days after your cruise, Celebrity will send an email with your future cruise credit (FCC). Find your next sailing within 60 days of receiving your FCC (and sail within 12 months), apply your credit and book it. That’s all you need to do! FAQ’s What is the Spend to Save promotion? The Spend to Save Challenge is a promotion available on select qualifying sailings. Guests on qualifying sailings will be eligible to earn a percentage of their pre-cruise and onboard purchases back as a Future Cruise Credit. Which pre-cruise purchases are eligible towards a Future Cruise Credit? Purchases made through Cruise Planner including beverages, specialty dining, photo, spa and fitness services, shore excursions, internet, laundry, Premium Access Pass, Gifts & Extras, and paid onboard Which onboard purchases are eligible towards a Future Cruise Credit? Onboard purchases made with your Seapass card are eligible. Please see exclusions in #4 below. What purchases are excluded from the Spend to Save promotion? The following purchases are excluded: cruise fare, future cruise purchases, stateroom upgrades, travel protection, casino, taxes, gratuities, promotional and paid onboard credits (OBC), flights, hotels, and transfers. I booked All Included with my Celebrity Cruise; will drinks and wifi count toward my Future Cruise Credit? Yes. You will earn the promotional percentage back based on a per diem value of your All Included fare. I made pre-cruise purchases for my sailing prior to learning about this promotion; will those purchases be eligible? Yes, all eligible purchases made for the qualifying sailing will be eligible. Is there a minimum spend required to qualify for this offer? No, there is no minimum spending required. Is there a maximum amount that can be earned? No, there is no maximum amount that can be earned. How do I know if my sailing is part of the promotion? This promotion is only for select sailings. If your sailing is eligible, you will receive information in your stateroom upon embarkation, and promotional emails pre-cruise. You may also view the details about the Spend to Save promotion within the Celebrity Cruises App. I am sailing with others in my stateroom. Who will the Future Cruise Credit be issued to? The Future Cruise Credit for Cruise Planner purchases made before the cruise will be provided to the payer of guest account used to make eligible purchases. The Future Cruise Credit for onboard expenses will be issued to the Seapass card account payer to which qualifying purchases are charged during the qualifying sailing, including those purchases made by the account payer for other guests. How do I know if I am the Seapass account owner? Seapass account owners are guests who have elected to pay for their own onboard expenses; they may elect to pay for their party’s expenses, as well. This selection is made during the online check in process and can be changed pre-cruise and during the check in process at the pier. What if I am in a stateroom with a friend or family member and we both have our own Seapass expense accounts? In this instance, each guest would receive a Future Cruise Credit for their individual onboard expenses. What happens if my cabin mate makes all the pre-cruise purchases but onboard the expense account is under my name? The guest who made the pre-cruise purchases will receive a Future Cruise Credit for those purchases, and the guest who owns the Seapass account will receive a separate Future Cruise Credit for the onboard purchases. Do I have to take any action to accept my Future Cruise Credit? No. The Future Cruise Credit will be emailed to you approximately 7 days after your completed sailing. I did not receive an email following my sailing. Who can I call to ensure I receive my future cruise credit? If you do not receive an email after your cruise, please check your Celebrity Cruises app. You can also call Celebrity Cruises at 844-418-6824. Celebrity will be able to validate your sailing and ensure you receive your Future Cruise Credit. My local currency is not in US dollars. How will my future cruise credit be issued to me? Your final future cruise credit will be issued in the local currency that you made your qualifying booking in. The exchange rate will be based on the sailing return date. Does my Future Cruise Credit have an expiration date? Yes, your future cruise credit must be redeemed within 60 days of issuance, and must be applied to a sailing departing within 12 months of the Future Cruise Credit issuance. Is my Future Cruise Credit applicable towards a future cruise I made onboard during my qualifying sailing? Yes, you can apply your Future Cruise credit toward an eligible booking you created with Future Cruise while onboard your qualifying sailing. Once you receive your Future Cruise Credit (approximately 7 days after returning home), you can apply your credit towards the booking you made onboard. How can I redeem my future cruise credit? Your Future Cruise Credit is redeemable online, through your travel partner or through our contact center team by calling us at 844-418-6824. I have an existing Future CruiseContinueContinue reading “Maximize Your Cruise Savings with Celebrity Cruises “Spend to Save Event””