Always Thinking Cruise & Travel

09/07/2026

Today's Always Thinking Cruise & Travel Cruise Buzz! ⚓🌊

🌊 Norwegian just opened the epic Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay! Nearly 6 acres of fun with 19 waterslides, a 170-foot Tidal Tower, cliff jumps, a Wandering River, and family splash zones. Guests are already sliding into pure island bliss!

https://traveltradejournal.com/norwegian-cruise-line-opens-great-tides-waterpark-at-great-stirrup-cay/
🏝️ Carnival’s Celebration Key pier expansion is complete — now up to four ships can dock at once, welcoming even more guests to those gorgeous Bahamian beaches, lagoons, and paradise vibes. More ships = more sunshine adventures!

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnival-corporation-completes-new-pier-extension-for-celebration-key-in-the-bahamas-302812854.html
🌴 MSC’s Ocean Cay is leveling up big time — pier extension for double ship calls starting late 2027, plus new dining, adults-only Paradise Sands retreat, upgraded family areas, and more cabanas. Private-island perfection incoming!

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2026/01/msc-cruises-to-upgrade-ocean-cay-with-extended-pier/
🚢 Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas (third Icon Class stunner) is already delivering legendary Mediterranean sailings and heads to Fort Lauderdale this fall for Caribbean fun with CocoCay stops. Family thrills, massive waterpark, and 28 dining spots await!

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbeans-massive-legend-of-the-seas-officially-joins-the-fleet/211236
For more info or to book a cruise, comment “Book” or message the page! 🚢✨

08/26/2026

Carnival doing away with elegant night on 3 and 4 day cruises.

Thoughts on Carnival ending this long standing cruise tradition?

08/19/2026

Ready to find out why people keep telling me the same thing after they cruise with me?

“I didn’t know a cruise could actually be this fun.”

That’s not a slogan. That’s what I keep hearing from people who’ve already sailed with me. They showed up thinking cruise = buffet, shuffleboard, and going to bed at 9. They left realizing it’s hangouts, new friends, late nights, Ocean Cay, and somebody in the group who actually knows how to make the week easy.

I’m hosting a group on MSC World Atlantic, January 15–22, 2028. Brand-new World Class ship. Inaugural year. Seven nights out of Port Canaveral.

Ocean Cay is the one people talk about for months. Beach day on a private island, not another crowded public port. Then Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, and Nassau with two sea days to actually enjoy the ship instead of living out of a backpack.

Why book with me instead of clicking a random website:

You’re not just buying a cabin. You’re walking onto a new ship with a group already forming, a host who lives this stuff, and somebody who will actually answer the phone when MSC’s system decides to be MSC. I’ve had people tell me meeting me on board flipped their whole opinion of cruising. That’s the energy this group is built around.

Space is limited. I had to fight to lock group inventory on this one, so these cabins will not sit around.

Want in? Message me. Tell me interior, deluxe interior, balcony, family cabin, or Yacht Club, and I’ll get you a real quote.

I will get a link up to book in the meantime you can message me to get started!

08/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19JFppE19a/

08/04/2026

🚢 MSC World Atlantic – Maiden Voyage | November 13, 2027 🌊

✨ This isn’t just a cruise… it’s the maiden voyage of MSC World Atlantic! Be among the very first guests to step aboard this brand-new ship and experience the ultimate first-time cruise adventure. From stunning ocean views, world-class dining, and innovative entertainment, to the excitement of sailing on a ship’s inaugural journey this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t forget. All prices include Premium drink package and Wifi! Group space is limited. Don’t miss your chance to be part of history.

08/04/2026

Fresh cruise vibes hitting the high seas!

🎢 Norwegian just dropped the first official look at Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay! Nearly 6 acres of fun with 19 waterslides (including cliff jumps!), a wandering river, splash zones for the kids, and tasty island bites. Grand opening Sept 4 – pure Caribbean thrill time!

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2026/08/ncl-offers-first-look-at-great-tides-waterpark-ahead-of-opening/

🌮 Carnival is serving up free afternoon nacho bowls at BlueIguana Cantina on six ships (Vista, Paradise, Firenze, Conquest, Dream & Panorama)! Choose chili con carne, chicken tinga, or refried beans with all the toppings. Snack attack unlocked!

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2026/08/carnival-adds-complimentary-nacho-bowls-on-six-ships/

🏗️ Port Tampa Bay kicked off site work for its brand-new fourth cruise terminal – the first new one in over 25 years! More ships, more fun, more Florida sunshine heading your way by 2029.

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2026/08/port-tampa-bay-kicks-off-site-preparation-for-new-cruise-terminal/

🚢 Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas (third Icon-class b
eauty) is out making waves this summer with all the epic pools, waterpark thrills, and family fun we love!

For more info or to book a cruise, comment “Book” or message the page! 😊

⚓🌴✨

Work has started on restoring more than five acres of new land for the new cruise terminal at Port Tampa Bay, according to a press release. This has marked the first visible phase in the development of the first new cruise terminal built at the port in more than 25 years. Once completed in 2029, it....

08/02/2026

Today's Always Thinking Cruise & Travel Cruise Buzz! ⚓🌊

🌞 Carnival’s serving up free nacho bowls! Customizable afternoon snacks (chili, chicken tinga, or beans with all the toppings) are rolling out fleetwide from BlueIguana Cantina — already on Vista, Dream, Panorama & more. Perfect sea-day treat!

👉 https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-to-roll-out-new-snack-option-fleetwide/214063

🇲🇽 Mexico cruise fever is real! 6.5 million passengers visited in the first half of 2026 — up 17%! Cozumel, Cabo, Mazatlán & newer spots like Puerto Chiapas are booming.

🚢 Norwegian Luna is sparkling in the Caribbean! NCL’s newest Prima Plus Class ship is sailing from Miami with Aqua Slidecoaster, infinity pools & Ocean Boulevard vibes.

💦 Get ready for Great Tides! NCL’s epic new waterpark at private island Great Stirrup Cay opens September 4, 2026 — slides, cliff jumps & island chill.

🌟 Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is the biggest ship afloat! The newest Icon-class giant (already sailing) packs the largest waterpark at sea, 8 neighborhoods & endless family fun.

👉 https://www.cruisehive.com/legend-of-the-seas-size/214049

For more info or to book a cruise comment “Book” or message the page! 😊

How big is Legend of the Seas? Royal Caribbean's newest Icon-class ship spans 248,663 GT and 1,196 feet, with room for up to 7,600 guests.

08/01/2026

07/31/2026

☀️ Happy Friday from Always Thinking Cruise & Travel right here in Albany, Oregon!

Summer is flying by and the cruise lines are dropping some seriously tempting last-chance deals before the weekend. We’re seeing strong early-booking savings on 2026–2027 Caribbean, Alaska, and Mexico sailings (some with big percentage-offs ending soon), plus onboard credit and free balcony upgrades on select ships. Perfect timing if you’ve been dreaming about that next getaway.

But enough about the deals for a second… let’s have some fun this morning!

Drop a photo in the comments of you (or your crew) on a cruise with your favorite drink in hand or tell us what your all-time favorite food was on a cruise ship. Was it the lobster night? The endless soft-serve? The chocolate fountain? We’re ready for the drool-worthy details!

Planning a cruise or vacation and want someone local to help you sort through the options and lock in the best value? Just message the page admins we’re happy to help make it easy and stress-free.

07/30/2026

Hey Thirsty Thursday from Albany, Oregon! 🍹🚢
We’re Always Thinking Cruise & Travel and we want to see your best cruise drink photos!
Drop a picture of you (or your favorite cocktail/mocktail) from a cruise ship in the comments. Was it a fruity frozen drink by the pool, a fancy martini at the bar, or that first ch*****ne toast at sail-away?

Right now cruise lines still have solid late-summer and early-fall deals heating up — Caribbean getaways, last-minute sailings, and some sweet savings before rates climb. If you’re ready to turn “I wish” into “I’m booked,” the page admins are here to help plan your next vacation or cruise.

Comment your photo (or just tell us your go-to cruise drink) and let’s get this Thursday started right!

Looking for ideas or a custom quote? Message the page admins anytime — we love helping Albany and the surrounding area get on the water.