Cruise news

MSC Cruises has announced its commitment this summer and offers for UK passengers

MSC Cruises has issued an update today, Thursday, May 28, with bosses announcing a commitment to UK passengers this summer. The cruise line offers various voyages spanning the globe and currently operates a fleet of 23 cruise ships, with plans for further expansion in the coming years.

On Thursday, MSC Cruises said it is inviting guests to experience the ‘best holiday ever’ over the coming months, with the “peace of mind” of no added fuel surcharge for summer 2026 and low deposits until the end of June. Antonio Paradiso, Vice President of International Sales at MSC Cruises, said: “MSC Cruises ‘Best Holiday Ever’ commitment reinforces our position as the leading choice for UK and Irish holidaymakers seeking an effortless, all-in-one travel experience.

“Backed by dedicated support every step of the way, guests can book with confidence and peace of mind in today’s changing travel environment and relax knowing that their holiday is taken care of. With our low deposit of just £50, no-fly cruises from Southampton, Fly and Cruise packages with the reassurance of no added fuel surcharge for 2026, and the option to change your cruise date or destination if required, we are making it easier than ever for guests to secure their next holiday.”

Guests can book a trip with MSC Cruises with a low deposit of £50 per person, extended until the end of June. This applies to all cruises (excluding World Cruise and MSC Yacht Club cabins).

Passengers have a wide variety of amenities on board. There is full-board dining across the main restaurants and buffets, evening shows, multiple swimming pools with aquaparks, fitness facilities and family entertainment programmes.

There are many cabin types to choose from, including comfortable and economic inside cabins and connecting cabins for larger groups, which combine inside and balcony cabins together. Ocean View cabins offer sunset views, or for that sea breeze, opt for a balcony cabin.

A spokesperson added: “An MSC Cruise offers so much in one transparent price and, despite recent increases in global fuel prices, the cruise line will not be introducing a fuel surcharge this summer, giving guests extra confidence there are no unexpected added costs. The price guests see at the time of booking is the price they will pay, part of the best holiday ever commitment, just peace of mind and a seamless holiday experience this summer.”

MSC Cruises offers a range of Fly and Cruise packages that combine flights, transfers, and a cruise into one holiday. Designed to ‘simplify the journey from start to finish’, the cruise line says these packages are built in partnership with some of the world’s most renowned airlines.

Flights align with cruise schedules, with transfers between the airport and the ship included. Guests can select their preferred cruise itinerary, choose the Fly and Cruise fare, and confirm flights during the booking process. Fly and Cruise holidays in 2026 depart from:

• Belfast to Palma and Tenerife
• Dublin to Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Tenerife
• Edinburgh to Rome, Naples and Tenerife
• Glasgow to Tenerife
• Newcastle to Tenerife
• Manchester to Rome and Tenerife
• Birmingham to Tenerife
• London Heathrow to Seattle and Barbados

MSC Cruises also offers a selection of no‑fly cruises from Southampton year-round. Some standout destinations include the Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. And on selected dates, well-known TV stars and sports legends are on board, giving guests complimentary classes and talks:

• June 6, 2026 – Southampton to Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords (14 nights), with TV personality Anthea Turner onboard.
• August 8, 2026 – Southampton to the Canary Islands (12 nights), with Rugby Legends Ben Cohen, Neil Back and Ben Kayplus dance star Kristina Rhianoff onboard.
• October 19, 2026 – Southampton to the Netherlands, Belgium and France (5 nights), with Football Legend Gianfranco Zola on board.

P&O Cruises urges all passengers with trips booked to bring proof or risk being ‘denied boarding’ at their own expense

P&O Cruises says all passengers must bring a particular item with them or risk being ‘denied boarding’. The popular cruise operator states that packing the item is compulsory for all guests who wish to sail on the ship, or their holiday could be ruined if they fail to do so.

P&O Cruises is among the largest and most popular cruise operators in the UK, and as the peak travel season approaches, many people will have trips booked. The vessels are designed specifically for the British market and depart year-round directly from Southampton.

P&O Cruises operates a fleet of seven ships, divided into family-friendly vessels such as Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura and Ventura, and adult-only ships such as Arcadia and Aurora, reports the Liverpool Echo. Irrespective of which vessel people embark upon, all guests must bring a crucial item with them. Should customers fail to present the item, P&O Cruises warns: “Unfortunately, you will be denied boarding”.

On the P&O Cruises website, the cruise operator clarifies what passengers need to pack and explains the rationale. A statement reads: “We’re delighted that you’ve chosen to set sail with us, and we cannot wait to welcome you on board. Before we get there, it is mandatory for all guests to have suitable cruise travel insurance cover in order to sail with us.”

It adds: “It is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate cover in place for the duration of your holiday. Unfortunately, you will be denied boarding, at your own expense, if you’re unable to confirm you have arranged insurance.

“You may be asked for proof of your cruise travel insurance. So, please be sure to bring either a printed or digital copy of your insurance documentation that confirms cover for the named travellers over the dates of travel.”

Outlining the main reason why travel insurance is crucial to arrange before setting sail, P&O Cruises stated: “For many significant purchases in your life, insurance is essential. And holidays are no different.

“Travel insurance ensures you can relax and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind that you’re covered in the event something should go wrong. This includes unforeseen incidents before your holiday, while travelling or while you’re away.”

P&O Cruises provides a checklist for selecting the appropriate level of cruise insurance protection. It includes:

• Ensure your insurance covers a cruise holiday
• Covers the full length of the trip
• Includes all destinations – choose worldwide cover if unsure
• Includes medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum
• You’ll need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions
• We would also recommend that you have adequate cancellation cover to cover the cost of your trip

I’ve got travel insurance already. Do I need cruise insurance?

P&O Cruises states: “You will need to look into the level of cover your travel insurance provides. Some bank accounts include travel insurance but the policies often offer limited amounts of cover.

“Standard travel insurance is generally meant for a land-based holiday and as such, won’t cover many of the elements of a cruise holiday. A cruise holiday requires more specialist cover, for example if there was a need to be medically evacuated at sea. The most important thing is to make sure you’ve told your insurer you are going on a cruise holiday.”

What happens if I don’t declare pre-existing medical conditions?

P&O Cruises warns: “You run the risk of not being fully covered and having to pay for medical treatment which can be extremely costly. Emergency medical treatment can even be refused if you do not have the correct insurance, this includes failing to declare pre-existing conditions.”

If I cancel my holiday, will I get my money back?

P&O Cruises states: “If you cancel your holiday, the cancellation policy in our Booking Conditions applies. If you are cancelling due to a medical reason and you have declared the medical condition, your insurer should refund any monies paid less the relevant policy excess.”

Several cruise lines have introduced new passenger rules in 2026 – and if these are broken, passengers could be fined, removed or even handed a lifetime ban from the ship

Several cruise companies have introduced a raft of new rules in 2026 to ensure the safety of passengers travelling on board — but those who break them could find themselves thrown off the ship. As technology continues to advance and people snap up the latest gadgets, cruise operators are keeping their policies up to date to safeguard holidaymakers and protect their privacy while travelling at sea.

There is a comprehensive list of regulations that passengers must adhere to when sailing with cruise operators including Disney, Virgin, P&O and Fred. Olsen. Should any of these rules be breached, travellers could face a formal warning, a financial penalty, or even be removed from the vessel and handed a lifetime ban.

Don and Heidi, a couple who have clocked up 100 cruises between them, regularly share updates and handy tips on TikTok, and have been keeping a close watch on shifting cruise policies over recent months.

Don said: “Cruise lines are instituting new policies and in 2026, these behaviours will get you fined, banned, or removed from the ship entirely.

“One, recording other passengers without their consent using technology like Meta Glasses is a serious violation of privacy policies and fellow cruisers are reporting it.

“Two, flying a drone from the ship is banned on nearly every cruise line. Get caught launching one and you’ll be escorted off at the next port.

“Three, fights on cruise ships are all over the news and lines are done looking the other way. Passengers involved in physical altercations are now being banned from certain cruise lines for life.”

The couple behind the video also used the chance to explain what happens when passengers break three longstanding cruise ship regulations – smoking violations, missing the muster drill, and attempting to smuggle prohibited items aboard.

Don said: “Four, getting caught with prohibited items in checked luggage and you get escorted to a security meeting. Try to bring something more serious on board and you could be handed over to authorities at the next port.

“Five, this isn’t optional. It’s international maritime law. Skip the muster drill and crew will track you down to complete it. Refuse entirely and you’ll be removed from the ship before a set sail.

“Six, lighting up on your balcony, in your cabin, or anywhere else outside the designated smoking areas can get you fined and repeat violations can get you escorted off the ship.

“This includes vaping. Don’t forget to share this one with your cruise mates for your next sailing.”

If you’re planning a cruise holiday this summer, it’s crucial to know the prohibited items list – and one travel expert has shared five things that could be confiscated

Summer is just around the corner, and millions of Britons are busy planning their getaways. Cruises are a wonderful way to explore the world – but if you’re setting sail, it’s vital to know precisely what you can and cannot bring on board.

Packing can be a stressful experience – but knowing what’s permitted and what isn’t puts you one step ahead. Will Sarson, a travel expert with cruise operator Riviera Travel, has revealed the five items you cannot bring aboard a cruise to make your trip that bit smoother, reports the Express.

He said: “When packing for a cruise holiday, it’s important to do your research to understand the list of prohibited items. This can help better planning while packing and help avoid disappointment when items are confiscated.”

His first item to leave behind is alcohol. While not outright banned, many cruise companies have restrictions to prevent passengers bringing their own supply. He said: “Often, travellers are restricted to just a single bottle of wine or champagne – with potential corkage fees for drinking in public spaces.

“With so much alcohol available on board, we recommend leaving the bottles at home to avoid further costs and instead making use of the available liquor found throughout the ship and at varying ports across the world.” His second item to leave at home is your clothes steamer or iron.

Will explained: “Many cruise liners do not allow irons or steamers onboard as they pose a fire hazard. This is an item that constantly catches people out, with travellers forced to part ways with their iron or steamer.

“To avoid disappointment, it’s best to leave these items at home. Many ocean and river cruises have irons or steamers onboard that can be borrowed by guests during their stay.”

Similarly, candles and incense are prohibited owing to the fire risk they present. Cruise personnel will seize these straight away – so it’s advisable to leave them behind.

If you’re fond of your CBD oil, you’re in good company – it’s an extremely popular wellness product for assistance with muscle pain and mental health, but due to its varying legality worldwide, it’s forbidden on cruises. Will stated: “While the product is 100% legal for sale and tender throughout the UK, this is not the case in certain cruise ship stop-off destinations. As a result, the substance is not allowed on board the ship.

His final recommendation may seem entirely self-explanatory, but according to Will, a lot of people don’t realise their pets cannot come with them on their cruise.

He said: ” You’d be surprised at how many people try to gain access to their cruise alongside pets. Domestic animals are typically not allowed on cruises due to the allergy risk and general health and safety aspects that come with allowing cats or dogs on board.”

His final suggestion may appear completely obvious, but according to Will, many people don’t realise their pets cannot accompany them on their cruise.

He stated: “You’d be surprised at how many people try to gain access to their cruise alongside pets. Domestic animals are typically not allowed on cruises due to the allergy risk and general health and safety aspects that come with allowing cats or dogs on board.

“However, animals such as guide dogs are granted access due to the medical assistance they provide. If you’re a pet owner with a cruise holiday booking, it’s best to seek arrangements for your animals, as they generally won’t be allowed to join you on board.”