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

This week, Trevor, Tom, and Jenn take a more serious turn as they discuss a tragic death aboard a Royal Caribbean ship—and the uncomfortable questions surrounding alcohol service at sea.

We break down what happens when drink limits don’t exist, how overserving can spiral into real danger, and if cruise lines need clearer policies and stronger accountability. From Royal’s non‑limit approach to how other major cruise lines cap daily drinks, we compare systems, risks, and where responsibility truly lies.

This isn’t about shaming passengers—it’s about safety, transparency, and whether current cruise policies are doing enough to protect guests when alcohol is unlimited but consequences aren’t.

A thoughtful, honest conversation every cruiser should hear.

This week the forever golden crew talk go over the recent changes to Carnival Ships and the new 10 minute wait for ordering drinks. We also discuss the latest cruise news and changes in the industry.

This week on The Podcastaways, Thomas Kennedy and Jennifer Rowell take over the bridge while Trevor coughs quietly in a corner somewhere on land.

In this episode they dig into:

• Thanksgiving plans on land and at sea

• Carnival’s runaway lifeboat that broke free in port

• The latest round of possible overboard situations making headlines

• Princess Cruises’ new “Voice of the Ocean” karaoke competition, complete with iconic spinning chairs, vocal coaches and live audience drama

Pull up a deck chair, grab a drink package you probably overpaid for, and sail through another week of cruise news, wild stories and questionable life choices.

Subscribe, rate and share the show with your favorite cruise buddy so they can blame you when they book another sailing.

Jenn spent most of the episode completely frozen, but luckily the Golden Boys stepped up and carried this week’s show like true Podcastaway heroes. We dive into a heavy news cycle: the FBI investigation into the tragic death of an 18-year-old aboard the Carnival Horizon and the chaotic capsizing of a Dominican Republic excursion boat that left fifty cruise passengers swimming for safety.

From there, we shift into a bigger conversation about AI — not just how it’s shaping the industry, but how people are now using it to generate fake cruise news, viral hoaxes, and completely fabricated drama at sea.

It’s a wild week on the water, but we’ve got you covered.

This week on The Podcastaways, The Golden crew dive into another round of unbelievable cruise chaos.First up, an Australian expedition ship somehow forgets one of its passengers—an 80-year-old woman left behind on a Great Barrier Reef island. Then, the Norwegian Epic detours mid-voyage to save 63 migrants adrift in the Mediterranean. From heroes to heartbreak, we’re covering it all.Things take a darker turn aboard P&O’s Arvia, where a tragic elevator accident claims the life of a crew member. And just when you thought it was safe to sleep—two Carnival passengers are suing over a bed-bug invasion that turned their vacation into a nightmare.We’re sorting through the wildest stories on the seven seas, one absurd headline at a time.Grab your drink, check your muster station, and get ready for laughs, shocks, and cruise gossip you won’t hear anywhere else.The Podcastaways: because sometimes, the waves aren’t the only thing making you seasick.