Princess Cruises Changes Final Payment Policy, NCL Pricing Strategy & Cruise Gratuity Debate | Wake Report Episode 9
Several major cruise changes were announced this week that could impact how you plan, budget, and book your next cruise vacation.
Princess Cruises is changing its final payment policy and increasing deposits. Norwegian Cruise Line is changing how it prices future sailings. Mexico has begun collecting a new cruise passenger tourism fee. Santorini has temporarily changed how cruise passengers access the island, ETIAS has officially updated their launch date and Norwegian has revealed its brand-new Great Tides Waterpark.
In this week’s Wake Report, I break down what these changes mean for travelers—not just what happened, but how they could affect your next cruise.
📺 Watch Wake Report Episode 9
Watch the full episode below for all of the details, my commentary, and this week’s “On My Radar” discussion about cruise gratuities.
Princess Cruises Changes Final Payment Policy for 2027 Sailings
One of the biggest cruise news stories this week comes from Princess Cruises.
Beginning with new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, for cruises sailing January 1, 2027 and later, Princess will require final payment 120 days before sailing on all itineraries, regardless of cruise length.
Previously, many shorter cruises required final payment only 90 days before departure.
Princess is also increasing required deposits across most cabin categories.
New Deposit Amounts
| Cruise Length | Previous | New |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days or less | $100 | $125 |
| 6–9 days | $250 | $300 |
| 10–44 days | $400 | $500 |
Suite deposits have increased as well.
Princess has also adjusted its cancellation schedule to align with the earlier payment deadline.
What This Means for Cruisers
If you’re someone who enjoys booking closer to your sailing date or likes having extra flexibility before making final payment, these changes could require more advance planning.
As a travel advisor, one question I’ll be watching closely is whether Princess continues offering its popular reduced deposit promotions. Those promotions have made booking easier for many travelers, and it’ll be interesting to see if they remain part of Princess’ marketing strategy under these new deposit requirements.
Norwegian Cruise Line Changes How Cruises Are Priced
Norwegian Cruise Line also announced a significant change, but this one happens mostly behind the scenes.
Rather than pricing cruises higher early in the booking cycle and discounting unsold cabins closer to sailing, Norwegian plans to offer more competitive pricing earlier and rely less on last-minute sales.
CEO John Chidsey described the change as improving pricing discipline—not lowering prices.
What Does That Mean for Travelers?
For years, many experienced cruisers have waited for last-minute deals.
Norwegian is essentially trying to retrain travelers to book earlier instead of waiting for discounts that may never come.
If this strategy works, booking early could become even more important for securing both the best cabin selection and competitive pricing.
Santorini Changes Cruise Operations After Landslide
Cruisers visiting Santorini should be aware of an important temporary operational change.
Following the collapse of a retaining wall near the historic Karavolades Stairs, the famous walking route between Fira and the old port has been closed.
As a result:
- Organized shore excursions will now operate through Athinios Port
- The famous donkey route is currently unavailable
- The cable car remains open, but capacity may be limited
- Local officials are managing cruise passenger traffic differently while repairs are planned
If you have a Santorini cruise scheduled, it’s a good idea to watch for updates from your cruise line before departure.
ETIAS Officially Postpones Their Launch Date
The ETIAS has officially cancelled their 2026 launch date of their program and said they “may” launch it in 2027 and will give travelers a few months notice before the program begins.
So for now, US citizens do not have to fill out an application to enter into European countries.
Mexico Cruise Tourism Continues to Grow
Mexico remains one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world.
During the first six months of 2026:
- 6.5 million cruise passengers visited Mexico.
- Passenger arrivals increased 17.1% over 2025.
- Cruise ship arrivals increased 12.2%, indicating larger ships are visiting Mexican ports.
Popular destinations including Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Progreso, and Puerto Chiapas all experienced significant growth.
New Mexico Cruise Passenger Fee
Travelers should also be aware of Mexico’s new cruise passenger tourism fee.
Current schedule:
- August 2026 – June 2027: $10 per passenger
- July 2027 – July 2028: $15 per passenger
- Beginning August 2028: $21 per passenger
One important clarification:
If your itinerary visits multiple Mexican ports during the same cruise, you will only be charged the fee once.
The cruise line will automatically add the charge to your onboard account.
Traveler Tip
While $10 may not dramatically change your vacation budget today, it’s another reminder that government taxes and tourism fees continue evolving and should be considered when estimating your total cruise costs.
Norwegian Reveals Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line also gave cruisers their first official look at Great Tides Waterpark, opening September 2026 on Great Stirrup Cay.
The nearly six-acre attraction includes:
- Industry-first immersive lazy river tunnel
- Caribbean’s only four-person body slide
- Dueling Master Blaster water coaster slides
- Family splash zones
- Cliff jumping attractions
- New restaurants and bars
- Private cabanas
- Adult-only Vibe Shore Club
Combined with the island’s brand-new pier, Norwegian continues investing heavily in its private island experience.
On My Radar: Cruise Gratuities Continue to Divide Cruisers
Last week’s Wake Report discussed Celebrity Cruises’ gratuity increase.
The response from viewers was incredible.
Many of you shared thoughtful opinions, and there wasn’t a clear consensus.
Some readers believe gratuities should simply be included in the advertised cruise fare.
Others prefer having the flexibility to adjust gratuities based on the service they receive.
Several viewers questioned how automatic gratuities are distributed among crew members and whether they truly function as tips or have become an additional service charge.
My Perspective
This is one of the most complex discussions in cruising today.
Years ago, passengers often skipped the Main Dining Room simply to avoid tipping their dining staff. Automatic gratuities helped solve that problem and ensured crew members were compensated more consistently.
However, today’s gratuities have increased substantially.
Some cruise lines now call them daily service charges, and several no longer allow guests to remove them.
At the same time, services have changed on some cruise lines. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have eliminated the second daily cabin service on many sailings, yet gratuity rates have continued to rise.
For many travelers, the question isn’t whether crew members deserve to be compensated—they absolutely do.
The question is whether today’s automatic gratuity system remains the best and most transparent way to do it.
It’s a conversation that will likely continue as cruise fares, service charges, and onboard costs evolve.
Final Thoughts
This week’s cruise news shared a common theme:
Planning ahead is becoming more important than ever.
Whether it’s booking earlier with Norwegian, paying sooner with Princess, budgeting for new government tourism fees in Mexico, or understanding changes before arriving in Santorini, informed travelers are better prepared travelers.
That’s exactly why I created The Wake Report—to help you understand not just what’s happening in the cruise industry, but why it matters for your next vacation.
📬 Never Miss a Cruise Update
Cruise policies, pricing, and promotions can change quickly—and missing an important update could cost you money or catch you by surprise before your next sailing.
Join my free Cruise Insider newsletter and get the biggest cruise news, practical travel tips, exclusive cruise deals, and new Wake Report episodes delivered straight to your inbox.
👉 [Sign Up Here]
No spam. Just the cruise news and advice that helps you plan smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Princess Cruises require final payment?
For new bookings made on or after September 2, 2026, sailing January 1, 2027 or later, final payment is due 120 days before departure.
Did Princess Cruises increase deposits?
Yes. Deposits have increased across most cabin categories, with inside, oceanview, balcony, and mini-suite deposits now ranging from $125 to $500 depending on cruise length.
Is Norwegian Cruise Line lowering cruise prices?
Not exactly. Norwegian is changing its pricing strategy to encourage earlier bookings while reducing its reliance on last-minute discounts.
Does Mexico charge a cruise passenger fee?
Yes. Beginning in August 2026, Mexico charges a $10 cruise passenger tourism fee, increasing in phases over the next several years.
Do I pay Mexico’s cruise fee at every port?
No. Even if your cruise visits multiple Mexican ports, you are only charged once per sailing.
Can cruise gratuities be removed?
Policies vary by cruise line. Some cruise lines allow guests to adjust or remove automatic gratuities before the end of the voyage, while others use mandatory daily service charges that cannot be removed.
Watch the Full Wake Report
If you enjoyed this recap, be sure to watch the complete episode where I dive deeper into each story and share my personal analysis.
Continue Reading
- Cruise Gratuity Calculator
- Radiance of the Seas Review
- Celebrity Cruises Articles
- Cruise Planning Tips
Have a question about one of these cruise news stories or need help planning your next cruise? Contact Grab Your Bags Travel, and I’ll be happy to help!
Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this week’s Wake Report, don’t miss the next one.
📧 Subscribe to my free newsletter for weekly cruise tips, breaking cruise news, and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
Happy Cruising!
