Royal Caribbean has announced a new version of the world's largest cruise ship before the first has even entered service

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, October 27. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Tipping on cruise ships has changed over the years. Cash used to be king, dispensed at a passenger’s whim. But nowadays, many large lines are both cash-free and have automated tipping as part of the daily dues, meaning passengers no longer need to carry around a wad of bills. But, there are caveats. For example, not all crew is included in the general tip—some are actually forbidden from accepting gratuities—and sometimes, currency matters. Below, what you need to know about tipping on a cruise, and how to make sure no onboard tip gets lost in the shuffle.

If you think you knew Britain’s P&O Cruises, think again. The recently-launched ‘Excel class’ ships Iona and Arvia rival some of the world’s biggest cruise ships for activities, while retaining the very British experience that the line is known for.

Royal Caribbean executives are seeing signs of strong demand for cruise experiences in China as they prepare for their return in April 2024.

The coronavirus was already devastating parts of the world, bringing illness and death, and the future was uncertain when Henry Karpik, a retired police officer from the Australian suburb of Figtree, and his wife of nearly 50 years, Susan Karpik, began their holiday cruise to New Zealand aboard the Ruby Princess.

What is the best location for a cabin on a cruise ship?

For some time now, Royal Caribbean has been known for operating some of the world’s largest cruise ships, creating vacation resorts at sea. In early 2024, its long-awaited new ship is set to redefine big ship cruising once again.

When images of the world's largest cruise ship went viral this summer, social media users described Icon of the Seas with less than flattering terms. Among them are "human lasagne," a "monstrosity," and "hell on water."

As the crisis in Gaza deepens, efforts to evacuate tourists from Israel have been heightened. On Monday, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship assisted in evacuating US nationals from Israel to Cyprus; meanwhile, US government charter flights continue operating out of Ben Gurion Airport (located near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem) to take American tourists home.

The U.S. Department of State issued a “Worldwide Caution” alert on Thursday, warning Americans around the globe to be aware of their surroundings.

A cruise passenger is suing Carnival after his balcony door "unexpectedly slammed shut with substantial force" and amputated his right index finger during a September 2022 cruise onboard the Carnival Horizon.

The World's 50 Best Bars have just been announced—and you can consider this your official bucket list of exceptional drinking dens around the world.