Off The Grid Getaways (OTGG) reviews the quarter’s cruise-policy changes by asking the useful question: What does this change cost you, and what should you do differently?
Sources and facts checked: September 19, 2026 (America/New_York). This is a snapshot of a single quarter and ages quickly. Programme terms and fees have likely moved since. Check and verify with the cruise line before relying on anything here.
The answer is not always “the fare went up.” Sometimes the cost is earlier payment, less flexibility, a fee for changing dinner plans, or a loyalty perk that exists on paper but depends on capacity.
Verification note: This article was researched on September 19, 2026. Cruise fares, fees, loyalty terms, package inclusions, cancellation schedules and booking deadlines can change without notice. Check and verify with the cruise line.
The Q3 changes at a glance
| Change | Traveler impact | Booking response |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Rewards replaces VIFP | Status now depends more heavily on eligible spending and program activity, with published thresholds at 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Stars for Gold, Platinum and Diamond | Confirm enrollment, transferred history and the exact benefits attached to your tier |
| Royal Caribbean loyalty access | No verified across-the-board perk cut, but some benefits remain capacity-controlled | Treat priority access and lounge privileges as conditional, not guaranteed |
| NCL dining economics | Extra main courses and specialty-dining no-shows can create new charges | Read the dining rules and cancel reservations early |
| Princess payment and cancellation terms | New bookings face an earlier final payment and earlier full-penalty window | Calendar the deadlines at booking and buy protection early |
| Azamara Experience More packages | Wi-Fi, drinks, dining, excursions, laundry and spa value are bundled into three tiers | Compare the package with what your fare or suite already includes |
Carnival’s loyalty reset changes the value of “loyalty”
Carnival replaced the VIFP Club with Carnival Rewards on September 1, 2026 according to Carnival Rewards’ own launch materials. The new program separates redemption value from status qualification, using Rewards Points and Status Qualifying Stars as different currencies (Carnival Rewards; get-started page).
The important change is strategic. VIFP primarily rewarded days sailed. Carnival Rewards places greater emphasis on eligible spending and activity because the program states that members earn 3 Carnival Rewards Points per $1 of eligible Carnival spend and 3 Status Qualifying Stars per $1 of eligible spend (Carnival Rewards). That may suit a guest who takes fewer, higher-value trips. It may be less generous to a frequent cruiser who sails often but spends modestly onboard.
Carnival’s public status page now displays four status levels: Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond (Carnival Rewards status page). The published Star thresholds are Gold at 10,000, Platinum at 50,000 and Diamond at 100,000. Because status is now earned through spend and activity rather than days sailed, those thresholds are the number that actually matters when you are deciding whether a booking is worth routing through Carnival.
Existing members were instructed to enroll by August 31, 2026 to preserve their VIFP status and days sailed in the transition to Carnival Rewards (Carnival Rewards change page).
The launch itself was not the original date. Carnival had previously signalled an earlier start for the new programme before pushing it back, so the September 1, 2026 launch is a delayed debut rather than the original schedule. Sources reporting the delay include PAX News on September 16, 2026 and TravelMarketReport. Check and verify with the cruise line. on the original planned date and the reason for the delay.
One date in the public record is not consistent. Carnival’s own materials put the launch on September 1, 2026, and that is the date used above. The same PAX News report of September 16, 2026 states instead that the first status-earning period was to begin on August 31, 2026. Those two dates are three days apart and this article does not resolve which governs the qualifying period. If your status or earnings depend on which day the period opened, ask Carnival directly and get the answer in writing rather than working from either date.
A gap appeared at launch between the published grandfathering terms and what some mem- bers experienced. Carnival’s stated policy is that VIFP Diamond members as of August 31, 2026 retain Diamond for life, and Platinum members keep status through December 31, 2028 with an automatic 10,000-Star boost each cycle. Despite that, TheTravel and other outlets reported that longstanding Diamond and Platinum guests had perks cancelled immediately on the September 1 launch, producing significant backlash. Check and verify with the cruise line. on the grandfathering terms and on the reported launch problems.
That gap is the practical lesson of this whole section, and it is the same pattern described in the Royal Caribbean entry below: a benefit that exists in writing is not the same as a benefit that is reliably delivered. If you are relying on grandfathered status for a specific sailing, confirm in writing that the specific perk is attached to your booking rather than assuming the policy language protects it.
Do this differently: Save screenshots of your status, sailing history and enrollment confirmation. Then ask Carnival or your accredited travel advisor to confirm which benefits apply to your specific booking rather than relying on the tier name alone.
For the mechanics, see OTGG’s Fall 2026 cruise policy changes and Carnival’s official Rewards program information.
Royal Caribbean: the “perk cuts” story needs a correction
The cleaner version of the Q3 story is less dramatic: Royal Caribbean’s published Crown & Anchor grid does not verify a broad removal of core elite perks. The current grid continues to list benefits such as drink vouchers, laundry privileges, internet benefits, lounge access and milestone recognition, subject to tier, ship and availability. Check and verify with the cruise line.
What did change is the practical value of access. Coastal Kitchen, Suite/Concierge Lounge access and some event privileges can be restricted when demand exceeds capacity. That is not the same as deleting a benefit, but it can feel like a reduction if you planned your cruise around guaranteed access.
Royal Caribbean’s published Crown & Anchor benefit grid states that members with 340+ Cruise Points can access a solo-fare benefit priced at 150% of the prevailing cruise fare for single occupancy, and 125% on certain eligible Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings of five nights or longer, subject to availability and exclusions (Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor benefit grid). Capacity controls, exclusions and holiday restrictions apply.
The separate Points Choice system lets eligible members direct points among Royal Caribbean Group loyalty programs. It changes where points may be applied, not necessarily the underlying value of every elite perk.
Do this differently: Ask three questions before counting a loyalty benefit in your trip budget:
- Is the benefit guaranteed or subject to capacity?
- Does it apply to this ship and sailing?
- Does status match provide the benefit, or must you have personally earned the required cruise points?
Read the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor benefit grid and the program rules before relying on a high-value perk.
NCL made dining more expensive when plans become chaot-
ic
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Q3 dining changes are narrower than some headlines suggested, but they target familiar cruise behavior.
The first main course in the main dining room remains included. NCL’s current dining terms instead state that extra main courses incur a $25 surcharge, not $5 (NCL dining terms). Appetizers, soups, salads and desserts remain governed by the current dining terms rather than older secondary reporting.
The more consequential change may be the specialty-dining no-show charge: $10 per person if you fail to cancel or modify the reservation at least two hours before dining, and reservations are held for 15 minutes (NCL restaurant cancellation FAQ; dining terms).
That creates a predictable problem. You book dinner, go ashore, encounter a delayed tender or slow transport, and discover that your cancellation window closed while you were offline.
NCL’s investor reporting also shows pressure on yield, but it does not isolate drink-package or dining-package margins. Do not turn broad company economics into a claim that a specific package became less profitable or less valuable without checking the current consumer terms.
Do this differently: Cancel specialty reservations as soon as your plans change. Do not wait until you are late. If you are traveling with a group, confirm whether the dining rule and any charge apply per reservation or per guest.
The NCL terms and conditions should control over older screenshots, forum advice or promotional copy.
Princess moved the financial risk closer to booking
Princess introduced stricter terms for new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, for applicable sailings departing January 1, 2027, or later.
For cruises up to 44 days, final payment is due 120 days before departure. The cancellation schedule also reaches a 100% penalty at 60 days or fewer before departure. Check and verify with the cruise line. the booking-date and departure-date thresholds, the 44-day band, the 120-day final-payment deadline and the 60-day full-penalty window.
The change matters most on shorter cruises that previously used a 90-day final-payment deadline and a later full-penalty date. Existing bookings made before the transition date generally retain their original terms, but confirm that against the booking’s governing contract.
This is not merely an administrative adjustment. It moves more money out of your account earlier and shortens the period in which you can cancel without losing the full cruise fare.
Our Princess 2028 Alaska and Europe guide explains how the new terms interact with long-range itinerary planning.
Do this differently: Put the final-payment and cancellation dates in your calendar on the day you book. Compare refundable and nonrefundable deposits. Purchase travel protection before the risk becomes substantial, and read the exclusions rather than assuming every reason for cancellation is covered.
Azamara rebuilt its add-on menu into three tiers
Azamara relaunched its Experience More packages for sailings embarking on or after September 24, 2026. Check and verify with the cruise line. the qualifying embarkation date.
The new structure uses three tiers presented on Azamara’s own onboard-packages page:
| Tier | Published price | Main inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Price not published on Azamara’s public terms page — confirm with the cruise line | Shore excursion credit, Premium Beverage Package, unlimited internet for 1 device per stateroom and 1 bag of laundry (Azamara onboard packages: https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages) |
| Enjoyment | Price not published on Azamara’s public terms page — confirm with the cruise line | Shore excursion credit, Premium Beverage Package, unlimited internet for 2 devices per stateroom, spa credit and up to 3 bags of laundry (Azamara onboard packages: https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages) |
| Indulgence | Price not published on Azamara’s public terms page — confirm with the cruise line | Shore excursion credit, Ultimate Beverage Package, unlimited internet for 2 devices per stateroom, spa credit, up to 5 bags of laun- dry and a dining experience inclusion (Azamara onboard packages: https://www.azamara.com/booked-guests/onboard-packages) |
Because Azamara’s public page reviewed here does not verify the $59 / $79 / $99 per-person, perday figures, those prices should not be relied on without a final live check against the line’s own booking flow or written confirmation from Azamara. Check and verify with the cruise line.
Guest-occupancy rules for package selection are not set out on Azamara’s public terms page either — confirm them with the cruise line. Suite guests should be especially careful because some Wi-Fi, beverage and laundry benefits may already be included in the fare.
Do this differently: Build an à-la-carte comparison before choosing a tier. Count the Wi-Fi devices, drinks, specialty meals, excursions, laundry and spa spending you would actually use. A package can be good value without being good value for your trip.
See Azamara’s official news page and the industry announcement on the Experience More relaunch.
Devil’s Advocate: are these changes really bad?
Not automatically.
Carnival’s new structure may reward guests who spend more strategically. Royal Caribbean’s capacity controls may be reasonable when venues have physical limits. NCL’s no-show charge can reduce unused reservations. Princess’s single final-payment date is easier to remember. Azamara’s bundles may save money for guests who use nearly every inclusion.
The problem is not that every change is hostile. The problem is that headline fare value now depends more heavily on fine print, timing and personal behavior.
That makes comparison shopping by advertised cruise fare increasingly unreliable.
Verify before you pay
- Confirm the program, fare and cancellation terms for your exact booking date.
- Ask for written confirmation from the cruise line or accredited travel advisor.
- Verify every fee, tier, threshold and deadline flagged above as unconfirmed.
- Check whether loyalty benefits are guaranteed or capacity-controlled.
- Compare package inclusions with the benefits already included in your fare or suite.
- Save the governing terms with your booking confirmation.
- Calendar final payment, cancellation and package-purchase deadlines.
- Review travel protection exclusions before paying a nonrefundable deposit.
- For accessibility, dietary or medical needs, submit requests through the cruise line’s official process and obtain written confirmation.
Frequently asked
Which Q3 change creates the greatest financial risk?
Princess’s earlier final payment and 100% cancellation window can create the greatest direct risk because more of your money becomes exposed sooner.
Did Royal Caribbean remove its elite benefits?
Not across the board, based on the published benefit grid reviewed for this article. Some benefits remain subject to capacity, ship and itinerary limitations, so verify the specific sailing.
Does NCL charge for every extra dining course?
NCL’s current published dining terms say extra main courses incur a $25 surcharge. Other courses remain subject to the current dining terms, which should be checked before sailing.
Did long-standing Carnival guests keep the perks they were promised?
Carnival’s published grandfathering terms say VIFP Diamond members as of August 31, 2026 keep Diamond for life, and Platinum members keep status through December 31, 2028. Outlets including TheTravel reported that some long-standing Diamond and Platinum guests had perks cancelled at the September 1 launch. Confirm your specific benefits in writing rather than relying on the policy language alone. Check and verify with the cruise line.
Are Azamara Experience More packages automatically a good deal?
No. They may be valuable if you use the bundled Wi-Fi, drinks, dining, excursions, laundry and spa benefits. Compare actual expected use with the package price.
Sources and facts checked: September 19, 2026 (America/New_York). Cruise line announcements and published programme terms from the third quarter of 2026 were reviewed on the date shown.
Sources
- Carnival Rewards — program home ↗
- Carnival Rewards — getting started ↗
- Carnival Rewards — status levels ↗
- Carnival Rewards — what changed ↗
- carnivalrewards.com — Official Rewards program information ↗
- Royal Caribbean — Crown & Anchor benefit grid (PDF) ↗
- royalcaribbean.com — Program rules ↗
- NCL — dining terms and conditions ↗
- NCL — restaurant cancellation policy ↗
- ncl.com — NCL terms and conditions ↗
- azamara.com — Official news page ↗
- cruiseindustrynews.com — Industry announcement on the Experience More relaunch ↗
Photographs. A coffee cup resting on a newspaper — cottonbro studio, Pexels Cropped and resized for the web; not otherwise altered. Neither the photographers nor the licensors endorse this article.
This article is general information, not financial advice. OTGG is the travel-planning platform of Paolo Melendez, an independent travel advisor. This article contains no affiliate links. Policies, fares and programme terms change — verify with the cruise line, insurer or an accredited travel advisor before booking or paying.
Not sure whether a Q3 change affects the booking you already hold?
Tell me what you have booked and when. I will check which of these changes apply to your fare and whether anything is worth acting on before final payment.
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