March 2026 Newsletter

Ahoy JGOOT Cruisers!

Welcome to the March edition of the JGOOT Cruises Membership Newsletter! As always, we’re here to bring you top tips, exciting updates, and must-book deals to make your cruising experiences even better. Let's dive in!

⚓ CAPTAIN'S TIP: Turn Dinner Into a Tasting Menu

Most cruise lines will happily bring you more than one appetizer, entrée, or dessert in the main dining room — and this is your sign to use that to your advantage. Order one “safe” pick you know you’ll enjoy and one adventurous option you might not normally try. Always wanted to taste escargot? Curious about a curry, a chilled soup, or the octopus tentacle that you’d never order at home? This is the perfect, low-risk moment to experiment. If you love it, amazing. If you don’t, you’ve still got your backup. It’s an easy way to expand your palate, encourage hesitant teens to try something new, and turn dinner into a mini tasting experience. Cruise rule: you’ve already paid for it — so have fun with it.

And yes… when in doubt, double dessert. Because vacation calories don’t count at sea. 🍰⚓

Carnival Launches Fleetwide “Carnival Millions” Lottery: Carnival Cruise Line has introduced Carnival Millions, a new interactive lottery that links participating ships across its fleet for a daily, fleetwide drawing with a top prize of up to $1 million. Guests can purchase tickets through the Carnival HUB app once onboard and connected to ship Wi-Fi, with multiple entries allowed for each day’s draw. Using interactive technology from TimePlay, the game connects ships across North America and Europe in real time, creating a shared onboard experience unlike anything previously offered at sea. Winning numbers — along with secondary prizes like onboard credit — are revealed directly in the app, and major prize winners are contacted by the ship’s casino and guest services teams.

New Luxury Hotel to Enhance Antarctica Fly Cruises: Silversea Cruises is expanding its Antarctica Fly Cruise experience with a new 150-room hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, opening in October 2026 in Puerto Williams, Chile. Designed as a pre-embarkation retreat, the property will operate seasonally (October–March) and serve as a seamless stop between Santiago and King George Island. Guests will overnight at the hotel before flying to Antarctica, simplifying logistics while adding a layer of comfort. The interiors combine warm wood tones and handcrafted Chilean décor with sweeping views of the Beagle Channel or surrounding forests. Amenities include a cozy Fireplace Lounge, Bar Sur for cocktails and light fare, and Latitude 55, a restaurant inspired by Patagonian flavors. The new hotel brings Silversea’s signature luxury ashore, making the journey to Antarctica as refined as the voyage itself.

NCLH Orders Three New Ships Across Its Brands: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has announced an agreement with Fincantieri to build three new cruise ships — one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Each vessel will be a sister ship to an existing or previously announced class, including a sister to Oceania Sonata, a sister to Seven Seas Prestige, and a sister ship within Norwegian’s next-generation lineup. All three ships will be constructed in Italy and delivered between 2036 and 2037.

Street Cats-Themed Cruise Sets Sail on Celebrity Eclipse: A unique, cat-lover-focused sailing is coming to the Mediterranean this fall aboard Celebrity Eclipse. From October 19–30, author and travel photographer Jeff Bogle will host an 11-night voyage from Ravenna, Italy to Athens, Greece, inspired by his book Street Cats and Where to Find Them. The itinerary includes complimentary guided walks in select ports — including Dubrovnik, Kotor, Santorini, and Valletta — where guests can observe and photograph local street cats in some of Europe’s most picturesque cities. Onboard programming features talks, readings, Q&As, and book signings with Bogle, plus educational sessions and interactive workshops led by certified feline behavior specialist Molly DeVoss. The sailing will also include cat-themed activities, sea day fun, and surprise in-cabin treats — creating a one-of-a-kind cruise experience designed especially for feline fans.

MSC Cruises Partners with ORCA for Alaska Whale Conservation Effort: MSC Cruises has announced a new partnership with marine conservation group ORCA as part of its inaugural Alaska season in summer 2026. During peak whale season (late July through late August), a dedicated marine mammal observer will sail aboard MSC Poesia on select seven-night itineraries from Seattle. The observer will collect data on whale behavior and vessel interactions, with findings shared with the scientific community and used to enhance whale-avoidance training for deck officers. ORCA will also review Alaska whale-watching excursions offered through the cruise line to help identify responsible operators and promote best practices in sustainable wildlife tourism. The initiative underscores MSC’s commitment to combining research, crew education, and guest engagement to help protect marine biodiversity in one of the world’s most environmentally sensitive regions.

Caribbean to Capture 40% of Global Cruise Market in 2026: The Caribbean is set to dominate cruising in 2026, accounting for more than 40% of global cruise market share, according to upcoming industry data. Over 200 ships are expected to sail the region, with overall capacity rising more than 10% year over year. Major players like Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line will represent roughly three-quarters of the region’s capacity, driven in part by the arrival of new megaships. Highlights include Norwegian’s new Luna sailing weeklong cruises from Miami, Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas launching from Fort Lauderdale, and continued expansion from upscale brands like Explora Journeys. Several high-profile ships that debuted in 2025 — including MSC’s World America, Norwegian’s Aqua, Royal Caribbean’s Star, and Disney’s Destiny — will also operate their first full Caribbean seasons in 2026, reinforcing the region’s position as the cruise capital of the world.