Latest news with #cruise
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Cruise ship worker reveals whether 'all-inclusive' deals are REALLY worth it
It often seems like everything is included on a cruise. But first-timers might be shocked to learn that 'all-inclusive' doesn't necessarily mean they won't face a bill at the end of their cruise. Cruise crew worker, Lucy (@cruisingascrew), has warned cruise newbies that there are lot of things that are 'not included' in the initial package. In a YouTube video called 'Cruise Mistakes First-Times Always Make (Don't be that person'), Lucy reveals: 'An all-inclusive cruise is not the same as an all-inclusive hotel on land.' So what might not included in the price of a cruise? Food Lucy says: 'Yes, your food is going to be included in your initial cruise fare'. However, if the cruise has speciality restaurants, guests will usually need to pay extra to enjoy them. First-timers might be shocked to learn that 'all-inclusive' doesn't necessarily mean they won't face a bill at the end of their cruise Speciality restaurants are often themed and aren't included in the price of the cruise holiday. This isn't the case on every cruise line, and all speciality restaurants are included on Virgin Voyages. Drinks 'Once you're onboard, you are going to be prompted to buy a drinks package,' explains Lucy. Alcoholic drinks are rarely included in the price of a cruise package and guests can either pay as they go or opt for a drinks package. A drinks package may be better value if holidaymakers are planning to drink a lot while they're away. Wi-Fi Wi-Fi may not be included as part of your cruise package, explains Lucy. It can be really expensive to use data on a cruise as guests may cross through different countries as they sail. If you're planning to use the Internet a lot while away, it might be a good idea to opt for a Wi-Fi package. Gratuities Lucy says: 'You're also going to have to pay your gratuities at the end of the cruise which is something that a lot of new cruisers get surprised by. 'They do not even know that they're going to have to pay gratuities at the end of the cruise, but you will.' Tips are usually charged at the end of the cruise so it's important to factor in this cost to the overall price of the trip. Excursions Excursions aren't compulsory on a cruise and guests can choose whether they want to explore on their own or join a tour. Lucy says: 'If you decide you want to do an excursion in one of the ports, that's going to be extra.' Holidaymakers can book excursions before their cruise and this is sometimes advised as the most popular trips can sell out.
CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
Busiest weekend for cruise ship activity
Vancouver Watch Vancouver is a popular port of call for cruise ships, and this weekend will be the busiest of this season with tens of thousands of passengers.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
B.C. couple's unusual honeymoon inspires enduring connection with family on cruise
Anna and Russ have taken on the role of grandparents for Dani and her sister. SIDNEY, B.C. — Ever since their first date, Anna and Russ Hudson have been inseparable. 'Everywhere we go,' Russ smiles, 'we're holding hands!' 'We even hold hands when we're watching TV,' Anna adds. Despite being in their seventies, the couple is young at heart. 'But at some point, we'll get old enough,' Anna looks down at their clasped hands and laughs. 'And we'll be holding each other up!'' When they first met in their sixties, Anna and Russ were single. While they weren't looking for love or expecting to find love, life had other plans. 'Oh my gosh!' Russ smiles. 'Love still exists!' After four years of 'courting,' they got around to marrying, but decided to postpone the honeymoon. 'And every year we kept saying, 'We'll do it next year,'' Anna says. Until that one year, they started losing friends and family to death and dementia. 'Life can turn on a dime,' Anna says. 'We realized, 'What are we waiting for?'' So, Russ booked a cruise, and Anna ordered a pair of custom t-shirts. One of them said, 'Our honeymoon cruise finally.' The other said, 'Only 13 years later.' 'My dad goes, 'Oh my God! Those shirts are so cute!'' Dani Bae recalls with a smile. Dani and her family were on the same cruise, happened to sit next to Anna and Russ at dinner, and formed an instant connection. 'They radiated such a beautiful welcoming energy,' Dani smiles. The feeling was mutual. So, after meeting multiple times on the cruise, they all agreed to stay in touch after it. 'It feels like we've known them forever,' Anna says. Although they live in different cities, they talk frequently, visiting regularly, and in the year since they've met, become family. 'I didn't grow up with grandparents,' Dani says they live on the other side of the world. 'I couldn't vent or cry or get advice from them.' And seeing as Russ and Anna met too late to have granddaughters of their own, they've taken on the role of grandparents to Dani and her sister. 'It makes me feel at peace,' Dani says of being their granddaughter. 'It feels like I belong in the world.' 'When they call me 'Grandpa,'' Russ fights back tears. 'They have brought so much joy to Anna and I.' While Anna and Russ — who perpetually hold hands — know it's never too late to find that love you never want to let go of, they've also learned it's never too soon to find the right people to share it with. 'Love is never old. Love is always there,' Anna smiles. 'It can expand and be surprising and bring the most wonderful gifts.'
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
47,000 cruise ship tourists expected this weekend in Vancouver
The cruise ship Norwegian Sun is seen in Vancouver on Friday, June 27, 2025. (CTV News) Vancouver residents can expect some extra foot traffic in the city this weekend, which is expected to be the busiest of the 2025 cruise season. Roughly 47,000 passengers will be coming through the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal this weekend, arriving on 11 ships. Chance McKee, with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, says that this will impact the local economy. 'Cruise passengers spend, on average, $450 each on things like local tours, attractions, restaurants, hotels,' McKee says. The Port of Vancouver says that every cruise ship stopping here injects about $3 million into the local economy, and that's not just from the tourists. 'Cruise lines spend an average of $660 million every year locally. That's using local businesses and suppliers to conduct maintenance on their ships, repairs in between trips,' says McKee. This comes at a time when the country is experiencing a decline in visitors. According to Statistics Canada data released earlier this week, the country saw nine per cent fewer American tourists this April than it did last year. The busy cruise weekend also means busy days for the restaurant industry. Chris Di Tomaso, general manager of Tap and Barrel Coal Harbour, says his restaurant sees double the usual volume of diners when cruise ships are in town. The tourists are not only looking to grab a bite, but also looking to take in the Coal Harbour scenery. 'When you have a business that includes a very large waterfront patio, the cruise ships provide a significant amount of energy and a lot of foot traffic,' says Di Tomaso. McKee suggests that locals offer up assistance to tourists who may need help with directions or have questions. 'Offer up a local recommendation, your favourite restaurant or local attraction,' he says. The port expects to see elevated visitor levels every weekend through the end of peak cruise season in late September.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CCL vs. RCL: Which Cruise Line Stock is the Smarter Buy Right Now?
As consumer appetite for experiential travel continues to rebound, cruise operators like Carnival Corporation & plc CCL and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. RCL are vying for investor attention with strong brand portfolios and improving fundamentals. Both companies are capitalizing on elevated demand and pricing power, setting them up for differences in strategy, innovation, and operational discipline raise the question: which cruise stock stands out more favorably in the current climate?Let's see how these two cruise giants stack up. Carnival is leveraging its global scale and multi-brand strategy to deliver robust yield growth and operational momentum. Carnival recently exceeded its 2026 targets — 50% growth in EBITDA per berth and a 12% return on invested capital — 18 months ahead of schedule. It achieved its highest EBITDA margin in nearly two decades, supported by strong close-in ticket demand, onboard spending, and cost fiscal 2025, Carnival will debut Celebration Key, a flagship private Caribbean destination featuring the world's largest swim-up bar, expansive lagoons, and curated beach experiences. Additional upgrades to Half Moon Cay and Mahogany Bay (to be rebranded Isla Tropicale) further strengthen its 'Paradise Collection' strategy to attract and retain guests. Additionally, Carnival is revamping its fleet through the AIDA Evolution upgrade and moderate newbuild pipeline. It is also launching a new loyalty program — Carnival Rewards — in mid-2026, which ties benefits to overall spend and credit card use. This initiative, modeled after successful airline programs, is expected to boost guest engagement in the upcoming the financial side, Carnival refinanced $7 billion of debt so far in fiscal 2025 and improved its net debt-to-EBITDA ratio sequentially from 4.1x to 3.7x in the fiscal second quarter 2025. With limited new ship deliveries through 2029 and growing free cash flow, Carnival is focused on regaining investment-grade status while delivering long-term shareholder value. Royal Caribbean is executing on its 'Perfecta Performance' strategy by combining premium guest experiences, moderate capacity expansion, and disciplined cost management to drive strong financial growth. In the first quarter of 2025, the company reported yield growth of 5.6% and a 35% EBITDA margin — up 360 basis points year over year — fueled by exceptional close-in demand, pricing power, and elevated onboard spending. The company continues to expand its exclusive destination portfolio with the upcoming Royal Beach Club in Nassau, designed to complement its popular Perfect Day at CocoCay. The club will feature curated beach experiences, elevated dining, and expanded guest capacity, intended to deepen guest engagement and boost ancillary Caribbean's growing digital footprint is another key differentiator. Its mobile app, now widely adopted across the fleet, is driving higher levels of direct booking and pre-cruise purchases. Loyalty program integration and frictionless trip planning are central to the company's efforts to improve revenue capture and increase repeat the company may face near-term pressure related to ship deployment timing and elevated expenses tied to destination rollouts and dry dock activity. Cost growth is expected to vary across quarters, primarily influenced by the scheduling of dry docks, ship deliveries, and the ramp-up of expenses tied to the Costa Maya port acquisition and other destination investments. The second and third quarters are expected to have higher costs, with the third quarter particularly affected, facing a 280-basis-point impact from these timing-related factors. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carnival's fiscal 2025 sales and earnings per share (EPS) suggests year-over-year increases of 5.4% and 38%, respectively. In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have risen 3.8%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Royal Caribbean's 2025 sales and EPS suggests year-over-year increases of 9.4% and 30.7%, respectively. In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for 2025 have increased 6%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Carnival stock has rallied 31.7% in the past three months, significantly outpacing its industry and the S&P 500's rise of 15.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean shares have risen 42.6% in the same time. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Carnival is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.92X, below the industry average of 18.59X over the last year. RCL's forward 12-month P/E multiple sits at 17.92X over the same time frame. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Based on short-term price targets offered by 23 analysts, Carnival's average price target represents an increase of 10.7% from the last closing price of $26.17. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Based on short-term price targets offered by 24 analysts, RCL's average price target represents a decline of 7.1% from the last closing price of $295.89. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Given their contrasting strategies, Carnival presents a more attractive near-term buying opportunity than Royal Caribbean. While RCL continues to deliver premium experiences and superior margins, it faces near-term cost pressures related to destination rollouts and dry dock activity. Carnival, on the other hand, is delivering operational efficiency and financial gains through disciplined execution, fleet upgrades, and destination-led brand differentiation. Its early achievement of long-term margin and sustainability targets, coupled with attractive valuation and rising earnings estimates, highlights a clear edge. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and momentum on its side, Carnival offers a compelling entry point for investors seeking near-term gains and long-term value. Meanwhile, RCL, carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), may warrant a wait-and-see approach. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Carnival Corporation (CCL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
