Cruise Smarts with Stacey

03/02/2026

They came for vacation. Then airspace closed and flights were cancelled. Instead of chaos, Abu Dhabi and Dubai told every hotel: extend their stays.

We’ll cover the costs!

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism issued a directive to hotels across the emirate: keep guests who can’t leave due to uncontrollable circumstances, and invoice us for the extra nights.

Dubai followed hours later with parallel orders to protect stranded visitors and avoid evictions.

The trigger?

The Iran conflict shut down airspace across the Gulf, stranding over 20,000 passengers.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the government is footing the bill for all accommodation, meals, and support for affected travelers — already assisting 20,200 with hotels, food, and rebookings.

Private efforts kicked in too: a Dubai holiday rental firm threw open empty apartments for free, inspiring hosts across its 250-member network to follow suit.

No forced checkouts.

No sleeping on airport floors.

Just authorities and locals stepping up until every stranded guest gets home.

That’s crisis management done right.

02/22/2026

🗣️Travel Alert for Cruisers Flying to Your Port ⛔️

Effective as of 6 am February 22, 2026:

Because of the current government shutdown, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are temporarily paused while staffing is shifted to standard security and customs processing.

What to expect at the airport:

✈️ PreCheck lanes may be closed or operating as regular lanes

⏳ Security lines will likely be longer than usual — even for frequent travelers

🛄 Customs processing when returning could also take more time

🕒 Plan to arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would (add at least 60-90 minutes)

📅 If you’re cruising, this is not the time to fly in the morning of embarkation — come in the day before if at all possible

✅ Your TSA PreCheck membership is still valid; this is a temporary operational change, not a cancellation - this mainly affects timing, not your ability to travel

If you have any questions or concerns, comment below. 👇🏽

- Cruise Smarts with Stacey, where I help you cruise smarter. 💫

02/22/2026

Cruise Therapy 🥹❤️🛳️

02/17/2026

Royal Caribbean Restricts Smart Glasses — Here’s What It Means for Cruisers:

Royal Caribbean has updated its onboard policies to address the growing use of wearable tech, specifically smart glasses capable of recording audio or video. 

🔎 What Changed
• The cruise line has added smart glasses with recording capability to its list of restricted items. These devices cannot be used in certain areas onboard, including:
• Public restrooms
• Youth program spaces
• Medical facilities
• The casino 

⚠️ Why the Policy Exists

The restriction is aimed at privacy and security concerns as wearable recording devices become more common among travelers. 

Guidance for Guests Who Need Glasses
• Guests who rely on prescription smart glasses are advised to bring a non-smart backup pair for use onboard. 

🚫 Consequences for Non-Compliance
• If passengers don’t follow the rules, the cruise line says the glasses may be confiscated. 

📊 Industry Trend
• Royal Caribbean is the second cruise line to introduce limits on smart glasses, following MSC Cruises’ broader restrictions last year—suggesting this could become more common across the industry. 

02/15/2026

That moment when you call the cruise line fully prepared to “work something out” 😂

02/13/2026

Heads up, Carnival cruisers! 🚢 Carnival Cruise Line has just re-issued an important scooter policy reminder for guests booked on Carnival Venezia’s February 22, 2026 Carnival Journeys sailing out of Port Canaveral, FL. 

📌 Here are the key things you need to know:
• Carnival is reminding folks about its mandatory scooter policy ahead of this longer-length sailing. 
• Scooters must be the correct size to be allowed on board — anything too big simply won’t be permitted. 
• Safety first: Scooters cannot be left unattended in public spaces, block exits, fire doors, or emergency equipment areas. 
• In your stateroom, scooters must be 21″ wide or less to fit through the door. If yours is wider, you’ll need to book an accessible stateroom instead. 
• If the cruise line finds your scooter is too large at check-in and you have no alternative, you could be denied boarding. 
• Storing scooters outside the cabin door or in hallways is never allowed. 

Carnival says they are sending this reminder now because longer Carnival Journeys sailings tend to have more guests traveling with mobility devices — especially older or retired cruisers. 

If you’re cruising with a scooter or mobility device, it’s a good idea to notify Carnival at booking so they can make sure your cabin is suited to your needs. 

Cruise Smarts with Stacey, where I help you cruise smarter. 💫

02/10/2026

Stacey Nicholson Flint

I just came here to say that our beloved Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics has been picked as the US flag bearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Let's gooooooo! Clap it up!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
We See You Sis! 🫶🏿

02/10/2026

Save this if you’re cruising soon. 💫

02/09/2026

IT Issues Delay Disembarkation & Embarkation on Carnival Ships (Feb 9, 2026)

Carnival Cruise Line is experiencing an IT systems problem that is slowing down both disembarkation and embarkation operations on several ships. The affected vessels include Carnival Glory, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Freedom. As a result, scheduled embarkation times are being pushed back by about two hours. Carnival advised guests to arrive later than their original terminal arrival appointment and communicated that they aim to have passengers on board by around 4:30 PM (subject to change). To keep travelers informed, Carnival is offering cruise-specific text alerts by having guests text designated codes to a service number, CRUISE (278473).

02/07/2026

🚢 10 Cruise Ship “Unnecessary Extras” Smart Cruisers Often Skip

Let me say this first: none of these are “bad.”
They’re just optional, and for many cruisers, not the best value for the money.

If you know when something is worth it — and when it’s not — you cruise smarter. 💫
Here’s the “why” behind each one:

1️⃣ Shore Excursions (Booked Through the Cruise Line)
Convenient? Yes. Cheapest? Usually no.
Independent or small-group tours often cost less and offer a more personal experience. Cruise-line excursions do make sense in tender ports or tight turnaround ports — it’s about choosing wisely.

2️⃣ Ship Photos
They’re fun, but pricey. Most people end up buying one…maybe two…then never look at them again. Today’s phone cameras usually do the job just fine.

3️⃣ Chef’s Table / Premium Dining Experiences
Amazing food — but for many cruisers, specialty dining or even the main dining room delivers just as much enjoyment without the premium price tag.

4️⃣ Bionic / Robot Bars
Cool to see once. After that, it’s mostly about the novelty. Same drink, higher price, longer wait.

5️⃣ Spa Upsells
The massage you booked may be relaxing… but the sales pitch afterward catches a lot of people off guard. If you go to the spa, go in with boundaries and a budget.

6️⃣ Butler Service (For Some Travelers)
Wonderful if you’ll truly use it — unnecessary if you’re barely in your cabin. Many cruisers pay for it and never fully take advantage of what’s included.

7️⃣ Cabana Rentals
Comfortable? Absolutely.
Worth hundreds of dollars for a few hours? Not always — especially if you plan to explore the port instead of staying put.

8️⃣ Art Auctions
They’re entertaining, but prices and “investment value” are often misunderstood. Buy art because you love it — not because it was pitched as a deal.

9️⃣ Wi-Fi Packages
Much better than they used to be, but still expensive. If you’re cruising to unplug, you may not need it at all — or just for one device.

🔟 Onboard Jewelry Stores
Not always the bargain they appear to be. Similar items can often be found on land for less, with easier returns.

✨ Bottom line:
What’s “unnecessary” for one cruiser may be perfect for another. The goal isn’t skipping everything — it’s spending where you get the most value.

If you want help deciding what’s worth it for your cruising style, that’s exactly what I help with here.

— Stacey
Cruise Smarts with Stacey, where I help you cruise smarter 💫