It’s just Trevor and Mr. Kennedy this week as the crew tackles a packed episode of Carnival cruise news, myths, and strong opinions.

We break down Carnival’s expanded adults-only sailings for 2026, including which ships we’d actually choose and whether these casino-focused cruises are worth the hype. We also clear the air on one of cruising’s biggest fantasies: the so-called “free upgrade fairy” and why it almost never exists in today’s fully booked ships.

There’s a heads-up for anyone sailing out of Port Miami, where a race day could create real embarkation delays, plus a look at Carnival’s quiet increase to onboard service charges and how those extra percentages add up over the course of a cruise.

We also wade into a surprisingly heated debate about working on a cruise ship, including laptop warriors taking Zoom calls at Java Blue, and whether Carnival should create dedicated business centers at sea.

Finally, we tease next week’s special segment, “Pack Like a Pirate,” where we’ll share packing tips, mistakes, and must-haves. Listeners are encouraged to send in their own tips via Speakpipe for a chance to be featured.

As always, opinions are strong, pants are optional, and anything that happens on the ship… stays on YouTube.

🎙️ Leave us a voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways

🎵 Music: “Across the Savannah” by Aaron Kenny

Licensed via the YouTube Audio Library

It’s a brand-new year and a brand-new episode of The Podcastaways—and we’re kicking off 2026 by laying down the unwritten rules of cruise etiquette that everyone should know… but many clearly don’t.

Trevor and Thomas dive into the dos and don’ts of life at sea, from chair hogging and elevator chaos to teen curfews, adults-only areas, buffet behavior, and why ship time is not a suggestion. We also break down Carnival’s stricter enforcement of the 1 a.m. curfew for under-18 cruisers, debate whether lifetime bans are too harsh, and talk about cruise lines like Oceania and Viking going fully adults-only.

Along the way, expect real cruise stories, pet peeves, questionable passenger behavior, a little AI chaos, and plenty of laughs—because if you’re going to cruise, you might as well do it without becoming that person everyone complains about.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned Platinum pro, this episode might save your vacation—or at least keep you from getting side-eyed on the Lido deck.

🎙️ Leave us a message on Spotify or SpeakPipe and tell us: what’s your biggest cruise etiquette pet peeve? https://speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways

Because remember—you’re unique, you’re special, you are loved… and anything that happens on the ship stays on YouTube.

The Golden Crew is down to its core trio this week — Trevor, Tom, and Jenn — and we’re officially looking ahead. 👀

Before we break for Christmas (yes, no show next week 🎄), we dive headfirst into everything cruise lines are rolling out in 2026, and there is a LOT to unpack.

We talk about Carnival completely rewriting the loyalty rulebook, massive private island upgrades, next-gen mega ships, new beach clubs, high-tech island experiences, Broadway-level entertainment at sea, and even the first hydrogen-powered cruise ship ever built. From Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class future to Virgin Voyages casually sailing coast-to-coast through the Panama Canal, this episode is basically a cruise industry spoiler alert.

If you’re booking for the future, dreaming big, or just love cruise news that makes you say “wait… WHAT?”, this one’s for you.

📣 Leave us a voicemail:

Speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways