Cruising all the time has this humorous manner of feeling the identical and utterly totally different at the very same time.
One yr, the “massive factor” is a brand new ship class. The next yr, it’s a rule replace that appears tiny however truly has a big influence on tens of millions of passengers.
Anyway. 2026 is shaping as much as be a type of years the place the adjustments should not all the time flashy, however they’re undoubtedly noticeable. Some are official, government-level. Others are the form of cruise line coverage tweaks that quietly reshape the onboard routine.
Biometric border checks in Europe begin to really feel very actual
If an itinerary touches the Schengen Space in Europe, the Entry Exit System, generally known as EES, is the brand new massive change.
It replaces the previous passport checks with a digital entry and exit report that may contain biometrics like fingerprints and facial photos.
It began rolling out on October 12, 2025, however 2026 is when extra vacationers actually run into it and construct it into their expectations for port days and embarkation logistics.
Mexico’s cruise passenger price steps up once more in 2026
Mexico’s new cruise passenger price was structured as a phased enhance.
Nonetheless, in line with the information, the price will enhance to $10 beginning August 1, 2026.
Mexico is a big a part of Caribbean itineraries, particularly Cozumel and Costa Maya.
So despite the fact that $10 sounds small, it’s the form of cost that scales rapidly for households and teams and turns into a part of the brand new regular for 2026 budgeting.
Carnival shifts loyalty towards spending, with Carnival Rewards launching in September 2026
This one is a giant deal for frequent Carnival cruisers. Carnival has introduced that VIFP Membership will turn out to be Carnival Rewards in September 2026.
Media protection across the rollout has emphasised the change in logic: standing is predicted to be based mostly extra on spending somewhat than strictly days sailed, with the launch timing mentioned as September 1, 2026.
This shift feels extra just like the airline world, the place the maths favors larger spenders.
It could be nice for some cruisers, irritating for others, and it’s undoubtedly one thing to grasp earlier than planning how and when to stack bookings in 2026.
Royal Caribbean tightens the Deluxe Beverage Bundle guidelines in a manner that impacts cabins
Royal Caribbean’s coverage for the Deluxe Beverage Bundle requires that each one friends of authorized ingesting age in the identical stateroom buy it if that bundle is being bought.
In 2025, business reporting described Royal Caribbean closing loopholes and eliminating exceptions that had let one grownup decide out in some circumstances.
This issues for 2026 as a result of it adjustments the true value of the bundle. It’s now not nearly whether or not one particular person desires it.
It’s about what the cabin desires to decide to as a unit.
Balcony smoking and vaping enforcement
Balcony smoking has been a no-go on many strains for a very long time, however enforcement and penalties are getting extra specific and extra persistently communicated.
Over time, many individuals have reported seeing individuals smoking on balconies, despite the fact that it’s prohibited on virtually all cruise strains.
Effectively, in line with the brand new insurance policies, cruise strains need to tighten controls even additional on this regard, with elevated fines and cleansing charges.
Don’t overlook that smoking in unauthorized areas can be one of many issues that may get you banned from the cruise ship.
Alaska will get pricier in a single very particular manner
Alaska is without doubt one of the favourite cruise locations, and its reputation continues to develop over time.
Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway are Alaska’s busiest cruise ports, typically referred to as the “Massive Three,” collectively dealing with the overwhelming majority of passengers, with Juneau persistently main in complete visits.
Beginning in 2026, Juneau will enhance what cruise strains pay to dock at city-owned services, shifting to a passenger-capacity-based price construction.
Native reporting says it may possibly roughly double what they at the moment pay in sure circumstances.
The unhealthy information is that cruise strains typically cross at the least a few of these prices alongside, both in fares, port charges, or the gradual drip of onboard pricing.
No extra drink packages on personal islands?
This one could be very “cruise life in 2026.” Norwegian confirmed that beginning March 1, 2026, onboard beverage packages will now not apply on Nice Stirrup Cay, their personal island.
Complimentary drinks like water and juices keep out there, however the limitless bundle perks don’t carry over the identical manner, and a separate island possibility is predicted.
So the worth math on drink packages shifts for anybody who spends a full day on the island.
That is additionally unhealthy information for the complete cruise business. It seems like there’s a development towards proscribing the usage of conventional drink packages on personal islands.
Within the coming years, cruise strains will probably need clear boundaries between ship providers and personal island experiences.
Farewell muster drill
If cruising had a least favourite custom, the old-fashioned muster drill might be within the high three.
Nonetheless, we now have to confess that there was one thing distinctive about doing the emergency drills all collectively whereas carrying life jackets. I’m positive lots of you’ll keep in mind that.
Effectively, 2026 is the yr we now have to say goodbye to this custom endlessly, as all main cruise strains have adopted the digital system.
Security content material is accomplished on the cellphone or stateroom TV, then friends verify in briefly at their meeting station. In fact, it’s nonetheless necessary, even when it has modified type.
Carnival will increase service cost
Service prices should not new in cruising, however the fee and the place it exhibits up retains evolving.
Carnival’s drink bundle pages and assist content material present a 20% service cost utilized to drink packages and beverage purchases.
So I don’t know what number of of you observed, however Carnival elevated the beverage service cost from 18% to twenty%.
This type of change issues as a result of it sneaks into the commonest onboard spending class.
A two p.c doesn’t sound dramatic, however throughout every week, it turns into actual cash. So don’t overlook to verify the information on how to economize on a Carnival cruise.
Some ports need smaller ships however cruise strains proceed to make them larger
Lastly, a change to the ships’ macro facet. An rising variety of ports are imposing passenger or ship-size limits as a part of overtourism administration.
Some ports now solely enable ships beneath a sure passenger depend.
A development that’s changing into very widespread, particularly in Europe (Cannes, Venice, Barcelona).
Because of this cruise strains need to construct even bigger ships carrying many 1000’s of passengers, whereas some ports would favor smaller ships carrying fewer passengers.
Within the coming years, might this lead cruise strains to resume constructing smaller ships once more? Will probably be an fascinating facet to observe.
It’s additionally value trying out what cruises as soon as supplied at no additional value and some stuff you merely don’t get to do on board anymore.
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