Welcome to the weekly Cruise News Digest.
Let’s dive in!
On Mondays, we are exploring the major Cruise Loyalty Programs. This week is Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club.
Holland America Line has partnered with Bols to introduce exclusive Bols cocktails at the cruise line’s popular Orange Party, which is held once a cruise across the fleet. Bols is the world’s first cocktail brand, bringing 450 years of distilling and blending expertise established in Amsterdam in 1575.
Carnival Cruise Line announced its fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, will homeport from Galveston, Texas, deepening its connection to the Lone Star State. When she debuts in 2028, the 6,000-plus passenger ship will join Carnival Jubilee, making Galveston home to two of the three newest ships in Carnival’s fleet.
Holland America Line’s Rotterdam is back and better than ever! She has been in a two-week dry dock in the Netherlands and has returned to service with more space and additional venues. She will now spend her summer in Northern Europe sailing 7-day itineraries to historic cities and along the scenic coastlines of the region.
Holland America Line has announced the itineraries for its two 2028 Grand Voyages–a 129-day circumnavigation, and a 90-day deep dive down under. Holland America Line President Beth Bodensteiner shared the exciting news with guests sailing the current Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam which is en route from Seattle to San Diego.
MSC Cruises is trackside for the 2026 FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX this weekend, blending the best of cruising and racing to deliver “an experience unlike anything else” for fans who have booked a spot at the Marina Grandstand. The cruise line unveiled an all-new racetrack version of its MSC Yacht Club experience between turns 5 through 9. The ship-within-a-ship concept has come to life offering trackside hospitality as it offers fans a view of up to five turns.
There you have it–this week’s Cruise News Digest.
This week on the La Lido Loca YouTube Channel, Tony brought us more cruise news (including this announcement) and footage from his 5 Hour Bermuda Tour. Tony also hosted a Cruiseday night live to talk about cruising from Philadelphia and to answer your cruise questions. 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.
On Cruise Talk Weekly, Tommy and Tony talk about embarkation without a cruise terminal.
Tony & the lovely Jenny B will be hosting a 2027 Halloween group cruise, if you would like to join them, you can view the details and reserve your spot at Where’s Walter Travel LLC. Group space is limited, so check it out today!
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.