Cruise News Roundup | September 3, 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 Your Daily Boarding Call has a little bit of everything: Princess Cruises is replacing Princess Cay on upcoming itineraries, Norwegian Sky is sailing her final voyage for Norwegian Cruise Line after 27 years, Heineken is training thousands of cruise bartenders, and Universal Orlando has introduced a three-day ticket covering all three of its major parks.
So grab your boarding pass, pick up your favorite drink from the bar, and settle in.
It’s time for another round of cruise and travel news.
This article is adapted from the original Cruise Therapy Podcast transcript for Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Princess Cruises Is Saying Goodbye to Princess Cay
Princess Cay…
We need to talk.
Beginning with published sailings in November 2026, Princess Cruises will start replacing calls at Princess Cay with visits to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on affected Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Yes, you heard that correctly.
Princess Cruises is dropping a destination with Princess in the name.
Honey, that breakup is serious.
They’re taking the family name back.
Why Is Princess Making the Change?
According to the original episode, Princess Cruises confirmed the itinerary changes but had not publicly announced a specific reason for the switch.
Both destinations fall within the broader Carnival Corporation family, but RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay has been undergoing significant upgrades.
Those improvements include:
- A new pier
- Tram transportation
- Updated beach facilities
- New and improved restaurants
- Additional bars
- More destination enhancements
So passengers on affected itineraries will still receive a private-island-style beach day—it will simply happen at a different destination.
And this is one more reminder that in cruising:
Even when the cruise line’s name is on the island, the itinerary can still change.
Norwegian Sky Is Sailing Her Final Voyage for NCL
Now we have a bittersweet farewell.
After 27 years of service, Norwegian Sky is currently sailing her final voyage for Norwegian Cruise Line.
The ship departed Barcelona on August 31 for a nine-night Mediterranean cruise visiting destinations in:
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Greece
Her final NCL voyage is scheduled to end in Piraeus on September 9.
But Norwegian Sky is not heading to the scrapyard.
She’s simply changing jobs.
Norwegian Sky Becomes Cordelia Sky
The ship has been purchased by Cordelia Cruises and is expected to be renamed:
Cordelia Sky.
According to the episode, the ship is expected to begin sailing from India in late October, offering shorter itineraries to destinations in India and Southeast Asia.
So this really is not goodbye.
It’s more like:
“New cruise line. Who dis?”
27 Years of Cruise Memories
Think about how many memories one ship collects in 27 years.
Norwegian Sky has carried cruisers celebrating:
- Honeymoons
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Family vacations
- Girls’ trips
- First cruises
- Reunion trips
And probably thousands of people who declared:
“I am NEVER drinking again.”
Only to be back at the pool bar by 11:30 the next morning.
Fair winds, Norwegian Sky.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Heineken Is Training Thousands of Cruise Ship Bartenders
Now let’s discuss something very important.
Beer. 🍺
Heineken is expanding its cruise-ship training program into the United States for the first time.
The company plans to train approximately 2,500 cruise bar crew members across multiple markets during 2026.
And what exactly are they learning?
According to the episode:
- Proper beer-pouring technique
- Draft quality
- Product knowledge
- Equipment handling
- Technical skills
- Serving consistency
And yes…
Some sessions apparently end with a beer-pouring competition.
Where Was This Class When I Was Choosing Electives?
Everybody else:
Accounting.
Economics.
Chemistry.
Me:
Advanced Heineken Pouring 301.
And I am aiming for the Dean’s List.
Heineken says the goal is consistency—whether a passenger orders a beer aboard a ship sailing in Europe, Asia, or the United States.
The expectation is that it should be poured and served properly every time.
And honestly?
This might be the one training program where cruise passengers happily volunteer to inspect the final exam.
For…
“Quality-control purposes, of course.”
Universal Orlando Introduces a Three-Park, Three-Day Ticket
Now we’re leaving the cruise terminal and heading to Orlando.
Universal Orlando has introduced a new ticket for travelers who apparently believe:
Resting is for after vacation.
The new three-day, one-day-per-park promotional ticket gives guests admission to all three major Universal Orlando theme parks over three days.
That includes:
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal Islands of Adventure
- Universal Epic Universe
What Does the Ticket Cost?
According to the original episode, pricing starts at approximately:
$105.43 per day, including tax.
The base ticket gives guests access to one park per day.
A park-to-park upgrade is also available, letting guests move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on two days, while keeping one dedicated day for Epic Universe.
All three park days must be used within a seven-day period.
Universal says the offer may also be combined with certain hotel and vacation-package promotions.
Three Parks in Three Days?
Crewmates…
That’s not a vacation.
That is:
Cardio with roller coasters.
By day three, somebody is going to ask:
“Do you want to ride Stardust Racers?”
And I’m going to say:
“I want to ride the bench.”
Still, for families who want to experience all three major Universal parks without purchasing a longer package, this could be an attractive option.
🌴 Travel Tip of the Day: Never Book a Cruise Solely for One Port
Today’s Princess Cay story gives us an important reminder:
Never book a cruise solely for one port unless you are comfortable with the possibility that the port may change.
Cruise lines may alter itineraries because of:
- Weather
- Port availability
- Construction
- Operational concerns
- Local regulations
- Safety issues
- Other unforeseen circumstances
Before booking, look at the entire itinerary and the ship itself.
Ask yourself:
“If this one port disappears, would I still enjoy this vacation?”
If the answer is:
“Absolutely not. That destination is the entire reason I’m going.”
Then you may want to consider visiting that destination on a land vacation instead.
Because one of the few guarantees in cruising is:
The itinerary is subject to change.
Well…
That and somebody reserving a pool chair at 6:15 in the morning.
⚓ Key Takeaways
- Princess Cruises will begin replacing Princess Cay with RelaxAway Half Moon Cay on select itineraries beginning with published November 2026 sailings.
- Princess had not publicly announced a specific reason for the switch in the original episode.
- RelaxAway Half Moon Cay is receiving major upgrades, including a new pier, transportation, beach improvements, bars, and restaurants.
- Norwegian Sky is sailing her final voyage for Norwegian Cruise Line after 27 years.
- The ship’s final NCL voyage ends in Piraeus on September 9.
- Norwegian Sky will transfer to Cordelia Cruises and become Cordelia Sky.
- Heineken plans to train approximately 2,500 cruise bar crew members during 2026.
- Training focuses on pouring technique, draft quality, product knowledge, equipment, and consistency.
- Universal Orlando introduced a three-day ticket covering Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe.
- Travelers should evaluate an entire cruise vacation—not just one port—before booking.
💬 Join the Conversation
Princess cruisers:
How do you feel about Princess Cay being replaced with RelaxAway Half Moon Cay?
Would you rather experience the newly upgraded Half Moon Cay?
Or are you saying:
“Give me Princess Cay back!”
Norwegian fans:
Have you ever sailed aboard Norwegian Sky during her 27 years with NCL?
And most importantly…
If Heineken offered you a cruise-ship beer-pouring class:
Are you enrolling? 🍺😂
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
🚢 Ready to Plan Your Next Vacation?
Whether you are considering a Princess cruise, Norwegian getaway, Bahamas escape, Orlando theme-park vacation, or something completely different, Atlanta Travel Associates can help you sort through the details.
We can assist with:
- Cruise vacations
- Theme-park vacations
- Flights
- Hotels
- Pre- and post-cruise stays
- Transportation
- Shore excursions
- Travel protection
- Group vacations
- Destination planning
Ready to start planning?
Complete our online Guest Information Form:
Follow the Cruise Therapy Podcast Group on Facebook for more cruise news, travel alerts, destination trends, and, of course, Cruise Therapy.
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 American Symphony at the Sky Bar around sunset.
I think I’ll order one of their signature cocktails and enjoy those beautiful 270-degree views of the Mississippi River.
Now tell me:
What are you ordering?
Because if we’re cruising the Mississippi at sunset…
We’re not rushing anywhere. 🌅🍹🚢
