Cruise News Roundup | September 2, 2026
Prefer listening instead of reading? Enjoy the full episode of The Cruise Therapy Podcast, hosted by G-Free, your Cruise Therapist.
Ahoy there, Crewmates, Funnel Heads, Cruise Addicts, and Cruise Lovers! 🚢🌴✈️
Today’s travel headlines are giving us a little bit of everything: Royal Caribbean has named its newest four-legged executive, Norwegian Cruise Line is opening a massive new waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, Southwest Airlines is getting fancy with its first-ever airport lounges, and more married women are apparently saying, “You don’t want to travel? Okay, bye.”
We’re also talking about why the travel industry wants Congress to protect essential airport workers during future government shutdowns.
So grab your boarding pass, pick up your favorite drink from the bar, and settle in.
It’s time for another Your Daily Boarding Call.
This article is adapted from the original Cruise Therapy Podcast transcript for Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Royal Caribbean’s New Chief Dog Officer Has a Name: Dolly
Royal Caribbean officially has a new executive.
And this one gets paid in treats.
The cruise line has announced the future Chief Dog Officer aboard Hero of the Seas, and her name is:
Dolly. 🐕✨
Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley announced the winning name after cruisers helped choose from a list of finalists.
Interestingly, Dolly was not originally among the choices.
According to the episode, after the passing of Dolly Parton, so many Royal Caribbean fans suggested the name that Bayley added it to the final vote.
And Dolly apparently ran away with it.
When Hero of the Seas debuts from Miami in August 2027, its newest golden retriever Chief Dog Officer will officially be Dolly.
This Dog Needs Rhinestones
Now, Royal Caribbean, I need you to understand something.
Do not bring Dolly onto the Royal Promenade wearing some plain little dog vest.
No.
I need:
✨ Rhinestones
✨ Sparkle
✨ A collar worthy of the name Dolly
✨ Maybe even a little “coat of many colors” energy
And unlike most corporate executives, Dolly will probably handle complaints by wagging her tail.
Honestly?
Promote her now.
Norwegian Opens Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has officially cut the ribbon on its massive new Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
The waterpark is scheduled to open to guests on Friday, September 4.
Norwegian didn’t build a kiddie pool, add two umbrellas, and call it a day.
This thing covers nearly six acres.
What’s Inside Great Tides Waterpark?
According to the episode, the park includes four main areas:
- Tidal Tower
- Cliffside Cove
- Wandering River
- Splash Cay
Guests can expect features such as:
- A 170-foot Tidal Tower
- Multiple waterslides
- Interactive splash zones
- Cliff jumps
- Family play areas
- A Wandering River
Now apparently “lazy river” was not adventurous enough.
Norwegian said:
“No, no. Our river has somewhere to be.”
Hence:
Wandering River.
Great Stirrup Cay Is Becoming a Different Kind of Destination
The ribbon-cutting event included cruise executives, government officials, media, creators, and invited guests who received an early preview.
For families and travelers looking for more activity during a private-island day, this dramatically expands what Great Stirrup Cay offers.
As for me?
My private-island expectations are very specific:
Beach chair.
Cold drink.
Shade.
And somebody walking by every 20 minutes asking:
“Would you like another?”
That is my thrill ride.
But for adventure-loving families?
Great Stirrup Cay just got a major upgrade.
Southwest Airlines Is Opening Its First Airport Lounges
Now let’s leave the cruise terminal and head to the airport.
Because Southwest Airlines apparently woke up and said:
“You know what? Let’s get a little fancy.”
Southwest announced plans to create its first-ever airport lounge network.
Yes.
That Southwest.
The airline that spent decades saying:
“Pick a seat and sit down.”
Now has assigned seating, extra-legroom options—and soon, airport lounges.
Where Will the First Lounges Open?
According to the episode, the first four lounges are expected to begin opening in late 2027 at:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- Honolulu International Airport
- Nashville International Airport
Southwest plans at least seven additional lounges in the coming years.
Southwest is partnering with Chase, and lounge access is expected to be tied in part to a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card launching in 2027.
What Will Southwest Lounges Include?
The airline expects the lounges to feature:
- Locally inspired food
- Drinks
- Comfortable seating
- Workspaces
- Relaxation areas
- Premium amenities
I remember when Southwest’s premium airport experience was getting a boarding position:
A17.
Now look at them.
I see you, Southwest.
But I do have one question:
Will the lounge have Southwest-style lining up?
A1 through A30, please form a line by the hummus.
Either way, for loyal Southwest travelers, this represents a significant change in the airline’s overall strategy.
Travel Industry Pushes Congress for Better Shutdown Protections
The federal government avoided another shutdown this week.
Good.
But major travel organizations are asking Congress to do more than simply kick the funding deadline down the road.
According to the episode, groups including the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association praised lawmakers for passing temporary funding that keeps the government running until mid-December.
However, they are also asking for a more permanent solution.
Why Government Shutdowns Affect Travelers
During a shutdown, essential federal employees such as:
- TSA officers
- Air traffic controllers
- Other airport and transportation personnel
may still be required to work—even when their paychecks are delayed.
Extended shutdowns can contribute to:
- Staffing shortages
- Longer TSA lines
- Flight delays
- Operational stress
- Traveler uncertainty
Travel organizations want protections to ensure essential aviation and transportation workers aren’t forced to keep working without pay during future shutdowns.
And friends, I support that.
Because the last person I want worried about whether their mortgage payment cleared is the person directing airplanes.
Pay that person immediately.
More Married Women Are Traveling Without Their Husbands
Ladies…
Apparently some of y’all are leaving the husbands at home.
Before anybody starts panicking:
We are talking about vacation.
A USA Today story highlighted in the episode examined a growing trend among married women—particularly retirees—who travel without their spouses.
And sometimes the explanation is extremely simple:
He just doesn’t want to go.
Different Interests Don’t Have to Mean No Vacation
One woman featured in the story is 70 years old and has been married for 48 years.
Some of her favorite travel partners?
Her girlfriends.
Together, they have traveled to destinations including:
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Utah
- Cuba
- Canada
And they hope to hike the Camino de Santiago together next year.
Why isn’t her husband going?
They simply enjoy different kinds of travel.
Road Scholar data cited in the episode found that among senior women surveyed:
42% said their spouses were not interested in traveling, while 40% said they had different travel interests.
One traveler summed it up perfectly:
You don’t have to be joined at the hip.
Sometimes Separate Vacations Make Sense
If one partner dreams about hiking across Spain and the other wants seven uninterrupted days at home watching football…
That might actually be a healthy marriage.
Because nothing ruins Machu Picchu faster than standing beside someone who keeps saying:
“I didn’t even want to come.”
If your spouse or partner does not enjoy the same type of travel you do, that does not automatically mean you have to stop traveling.
Go with:
- Friends
- Family
- A hosted group
- A women-only travel group
- A cruise group
- Or even solo
Just make sure everybody knows where you are.
We don’t need Leroy calling the police saying:
“She told me she was just going to Publix!”
Meanwhile, Linda is in Portugal.
✈️ Travel Tip of the Day: Don’t Postpone Your Dream Trip Forever
Today’s story about women traveling without their spouses gives us a great travel reminder:
Do not postpone your dream trip forever just because your usual travel partner isn’t interested.
If solo travel makes you nervous, start small.
Consider:
- A domestic destination
- A weekend getaway
- A hosted group trip
- A women-only tour
- A cruise group
- A professionally organized international trip
Always share your itinerary with someone you trust and keep important contact and transportation information accessible.
Different travel interests do not mean:
No vacation.
Sometimes they simply mean:
A different vacation.
And occasionally?
A little absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Especially when Linda comes home with souvenirs.
⚓ Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean fans selected Dolly as the future Chief Dog Officer aboard Hero of the Seas.
- Hero of the Seas is expected to debut from Miami in August 2027.
- Norwegian officially cut the ribbon on Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay.
- The nearly six-acre waterpark is scheduled to open September 4.
- Great Tides includes Tidal Tower, Cliffside Cove, Wandering River, and Splash Cay.
- Southwest Airlines announced plans for its first airport lounge network.
- The first lounges are expected in Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Honolulu, and Nashville.
- Additional Southwest lounges are planned in later years.
- Travel organizations are asking Congress for stronger protections for essential airport workers during future government shutdowns.
- A growing number of married women are traveling without their spouses when their vacation interests differ.
- Travelers should not automatically abandon a dream vacation because their usual travel partner does not want to go.
- Hosted trips, women-only groups, cruise groups, and short solo trips can provide easier ways to begin traveling independently.
💬 Join the Conversation
Royal Caribbean fans:
Do you love the name Dolly for Hero of the Seas’ future Chief Dog Officer?
Norwegian cruisers:
Does Great Tides Waterpark make Great Stirrup Cay more appealing than other cruise-line private destinations?
Southwest flyers:
Would airport lounge access make you more loyal to Southwest?
And now for the question that might really get the comments going:
Would you take a vacation without your spouse or significant other if they didn’t want to go?
Or is vacation strictly:
“We ride together. We fly together. We cruise together.”
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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Again, I’m GFree, your Cruise Therapist.
Until our next therapy session:
Keep calm, keep cruising, and keep listening.
And I’ll SEA you aboard Celebrity Apex.
Let’s meet before dinner on the Magic Carpet.
Order me a Magic Carpet cocktail.
Now tell me:
What are you having?
Because if we’re sitting outside the ship 13 decks above the ocean…
I’m going to need something strong. 🍸🌊🚢
