Welcome to the weekly Cruise News Digest.

Let’s dive in!

On Mondays, we are exploring the major Cruise Loyalty Programs. This week is Holland America Line’s Mariner Society.

Princess Cruise’s Star Princess arrived at the Port of Seattle for the very first time for her highly anticipated inaugural season in Alaska. She will sail 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Pier 91 exploring Alaska’s Inside Passage through mid-September.

MSC Cruises has hit another milestone as its MSC Poesia, which recently underwent major enhancements, successfully transited the Panama Canal and is now making her way up the West Coast to Seattle where she will begin her inaugural Alaska season on May 11, 2026. 

Holland America Line has opened bookings for Oosterdam’s debut following her major refurbishment as the inaugural ship to undergo Holland America Evolution, which is considered the largest fleet investment in the cruise line’s 153-year history. Following her drydock, Oosterdam will offer eight itineraries and 15 departure dates across Europe, the Caribbean and North America.

This week, MSC Cruises unveiled its all new AI assistant–MSC Concierge. The complimentary virtual assistant is built into the MSC for Me app and is designed to help guests manage their cruise experience offering a 24-hour chat feature allowing guests to access onboard services and ask questions in more than 90 languages. 

Just six months ago, MSC Cruises began sailing year-round from Galveston, Texas. MSC Seascape arrived at Cruise Terminal 16 in November 2025, a terminal that had undergone a major renovation allowing it to handle larger ships and more passengers. Since that time, MSC Seascape has offered a new cruise option, blending European style with American comfort, while tailoring many onboard experiences, including dining and entertainment, to the Texas market.  

There you have it–this week’s Cruise News Digest. 

This week on the La Lido Loca YouTube Channel, Tony talks about the hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, Carnival warns its loyal passengers they will have to opt in to Carnival Rewards or they risk losing their status, PLUS this Disney news! If you missed any of the news, you will want to subscribe to the channel with the notification bell on so you can stay up-to-date. You can also catch The Cruise Show wherever you get your podcasts, so you can listen on the go.

You can head on over to theLa Lido Loca Community FaceBook page to interact with Tony and the lovely Jenny B, as well as other cruisers, and become part of the La Lido Loca family.

You will also find La Lido Loca Cruising on Instagram, TikTok and X.