October 2025 Newsletter

Ahoy JGOOT Cruisers!

Welcome to the October 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: Ask The Photographer To Use Your Phone

Cruise ship photographers are everywhere—at dinner, at embarkation, on formal night, and even at random scenic spots around the ship. While their professional cameras are top-tier and the printed photos can be fun souvenirs, you’re never required to buy them.

If you want the memory but not the markup, just ask the photographer politely if they’ll snap one with your phone too. Most are happy to oblige—especially if you wait until they’ve taken the official shot first. It’s a great way to get a high-quality photo in a beautiful setting without spending extra.

It’s the perfect way to get your “we clean up nice!” moment without paying $25 a print.

Upcoming Multiplier Dates in Las Vegas (for info on how to use these dates, see lesson 5 in the course):

    •    October 13th - 17th

    •     Slots: 5X

    •     Tables: 7X

    •    November 10th - 19th

    •     Slots: 5X

    •     Tables: 7X

    •    December 15th - 25th

    •     Slots: 5X

    •     Tables: 7X

    •    January 12th - 18th

    •     Slots & Tables: 10X

    •    February 2nd - 5th

    •     Slots: 5X

CELEBRITY CRUISES REVEALS FIRST-EVER RIVER SHIPS — COMPASS & SEEKER: Celebrity Cruises is sailing into new territory with the launch of its first two riverboats: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, debuting in 2027. These innovative ships will feature open decks with the most usable outdoor space of any river ship, infinity-edge plunge pools, and the first-ever cantilevered Magic Edge dining pods. Guests can expect upscale touches like king-sized beds in every stateroom, expansive balconies, and suite perks like butler chat, exclusive dining, and shore excursion priority. With eight dining venues (including favorites like Martini Bar and Sunset Bar) and 33 seven-night Rhine and Danube itineraries in the opening season, these new river cruises bring Celebrity’s signature style to Europe’s iconic rivers.

CARNIVAL & ORBISK LAUNCH AI GALLEY TECH TO CUT FOOD WASTE AT SEA: Carnival Cruise Line has teamed up with Orbisk to debut the first AI-powered galley command system at sea, now live aboard the Carnival Firenze. This innovative platform uses image recognition (instead of manual input or unstable shipboard scales) to track food prep and waste in real time, helping chefs and managers make smarter, faster decisions. In just six months, it has improved per-person prep accuracy by 17%, supporting Carnival’s broader mission to cut food waste in half by 2030. The motion-resistant AI offers tailored insights via a personalized dashboard, setting a new standard for cruise kitchen efficiency.

AMAWATERWAYS LAUNCHES 2025 HOLIDAY CRUISES WITH FESTIVE DEALS: AmaWaterways has opened bookings for its 2025 holiday cruises, including Christmas Markets and Festive Delights sailings across Europe. Travelers who book by October 31, 2025, can save up to $2,500 per stateroom and receive up to two free nights in Europe on select New Year’s Eve cruises. Destinations span the Danube, Rhine, Portugal, France, Belgium, and more, with festive touches like tree trimming, caroling, and New Year’s Eve galas. Select itineraries also include fireworks views and complimentary hotel stays to avoid flying on Christmas Eve or Day. Space is limited, especially on the holiday sailings.

NCLH LOYALTY STATUS MATCH LAUNCHING OCTOBER 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will begin honoring loyalty status across its three brands—Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises—starting with sailings on or after October 15, 2025. The new Loyalty Status Honoring Program will match guests’ current tier to the closest equivalent tier on a per-cruise basis, giving members of Latitudes Rewards, Oceania Club, and the Seven Seas Society access to comparable perks across all brands. Requests open September 29, 2025.

The program aims to boost cross-brand exploration while rewarding loyalty and enhancing guest experience—aligning with NCLH’s “Charting the Course” strategy. It gives travelers access to 34 ships and over 700 global destinations without sacrificing the benefits they’ve earned.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN TEASES NEW SHIP CLASS BEYOND ICON: Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed it’s developing a brand-new ship class, beyond its Icon series, as part of a long-term deal with Meyer Turku shipyard. No design details have been released yet, but the agreement secures shipbuilding capacity through 2036.

The company also firmed up an order for a fifth Icon-class ship (arriving 2028) and added an option for a seventh. This is in addition to upcoming deliveries in the Oasis, Celebrity, TUI, and river cruise lines—signaling Royal’s continued aggressive fleet expansion.

VIRGIN VOYAGES LAUNCHES NEW FARE MODEL: VOYAGEFAIR CHOICES: Starting October 7, Virgin Voyages will roll out a new three-tier pricing structure—Base, Essential, and Premium—designed to offer travelers more choice, transparency, and flexibility. The Base fare is the most budget-friendly, offering basic WiFi, limited dining reservations (15 days out), and no changes allowed. The Essential fare is most similar to the current experience, with WiFi for browsing and calls, 45-day dining windows, and future credit or name change flexibility. The top-tier Premium fare includes upgraded WiFi for streaming, a Bar Tab (drink credit), priority booking support, and 60-day dining access—even for non-suites.

For suite guests, dining reservations now open 120 days before sailing. Gratuities are no longer bundled in the price but appear as a line item—$20 per night pre-paid or $22 onboard—making it easier to compare Virgin's pricing with other cruise lines.