Cruising always has this funny way of feeling the same and completely different at the exact same time.
One year, the “big thing” is a new ship class. The following year, it’s a rule update that seems tiny but actually has a significant impact on millions of passengers.
Anyway. 2026 is shaping up to be one of those years where the changes are not always flashy, but they are definitely noticeable. Some are official, government-level. Others are the kind of cruise line policy tweaks that quietly reshape the onboard routine.
Biometric border checks in Europe start to feel very real
If an itinerary touches the Schengen Area in Europe, the Entry Exit System, known as EES, is the new big change.
It replaces the old passport checks with a digital entry and exit record that can involve biometrics like fingerprints and facial images.
It started rolling out on October 12, 2025, but 2026 is when more travelers really run into it and build it into their expectations for port days and embarkation logistics.
Mexico’s cruise passenger fee steps up again in 2026
Mexico’s new cruise passenger fee was structured as a phased increase.
However, according to the news, the fee will increase to $10 starting August 1, 2026.
Mexico is a huge part of Caribbean itineraries, especially Cozumel and Costa Maya.
So even though $10 sounds small, it is the kind of charge that scales quickly for families and groups and becomes part of the new normal for 2026 budgeting.
Carnival shifts loyalty toward spending, with Carnival Rewards launching in September 2026
This one is a big deal for frequent Carnival cruisers. Carnival has announced that VIFP Club will become Carnival Rewards in September 2026.
Media coverage around the rollout has emphasized the change in logic: status is expected to be based more on spending rather than strictly days sailed, with the launch timing discussed as September 1, 2026.
This shift feels more like the airline world, where the math favors bigger spenders.
It may be great for some cruisers, frustrating for others, and it is definitely something to understand before planning how and when to stack bookings in 2026.
Royal Caribbean tightens the Deluxe Beverage Package rules in a way that affects cabins
Royal Caribbean’s policy for the Deluxe Beverage Package requires that all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom purchase it if that package is being purchased.
In 2025, industry reporting described Royal Caribbean closing loopholes and eliminating exceptions that had let one adult opt out in some cases.
This matters for 2026 because it changes the real cost of the package. It is no longer just about whether one person wants it.
It is about what the cabin wants to commit to as a unit.
Balcony smoking and vaping enforcement
Balcony smoking has been a no-go on many lines for a long time, but enforcement and penalties are getting more explicit and more consistently communicated.
Over the years, many people have reported seeing people smoking on balconies, even though it’s prohibited on practically all cruise lines.
Well, according to the new policies, cruise lines want to tighten controls even further in this regard, with increased fines and cleaning fees.
Don’t forget that smoking in unauthorized areas is also one of the things that can get you banned from the cruise ship.
Alaska gets pricier in one very specific way
Alaska is one of the favorite cruise destinations, and its popularity continues to grow over the years.
Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway are Alaska’s busiest cruise ports, often called the “Big Three,” collectively handling the vast majority of passengers, with Juneau consistently leading in total visits.
Starting in 2026, Juneau will increase what cruise lines pay to dock at city-owned facilities, shifting to a passenger-capacity-based fee structure.
Local reporting says it can roughly double what they currently pay in certain cases.
The bad news is that cruise lines often pass at least some of those costs along, either in fares, port fees, or the slow drip of onboard pricing.
No more drink packages on private islands?
This one is very “cruise life in 2026.” Norwegian confirmed that starting March 1, 2026, onboard beverage packages will no longer apply on Great Stirrup Cay, their private island.
Complimentary drinks like water and juices stay available, but the unlimited package perks do not carry over the same way, and a separate island option is expected.
So the value math on drink packages shifts for anyone who spends a full day on the island.
This is also bad news for the entire cruise industry. It looks like there is a trend toward restricting the use of traditional drink packages on private islands.
In the coming years, cruise lines will likely want clear boundaries between ship services and private island experiences.
Farewell muster drill
If cruising had a least favorite tradition, the old school muster drill is probably in the top three.
However, we have to admit that there was something unique about doing the emergency drills all together while wearing life jackets. I’m sure many of you will remember that.
Well, 2026 is the year we have to say goodbye to this tradition forever, as all major cruise lines have adopted the digital system.
Safety content is completed on the phone or stateroom TV, then guests check in briefly at their assembly station. Of course, it’s still mandatory, even if it has changed form.
Carnival increases service charge
Service charges are not new in cruising, but the rate and where it shows up keeps evolving.
Carnival’s drink package pages and help content show a 20% service charge applied to drink packages and beverage purchases.
So I don’t know how many of you noticed, but Carnival increased the beverage service charge from 18% to 20%.
This kind of change matters because it sneaks into the most common onboard spending category.
A two percent does not sound dramatic, but across a week, it becomes real money. So don’t forget to check the guide on how to save money on a Carnival cruise.
Some ports want smaller ships but cruise lines continue to make them bigger
Lastly, a change to the ships’ macro aspect. An increasing number of ports are imposing passenger or ship-size limits as part of overtourism management.
Some ports now only allow ships under a certain passenger count.
A trend that is becoming very widespread, especially in Europe (Cannes, Venice, Barcelona).
This means that cruise lines want to build even larger ships carrying many thousands of passengers, while some ports would prefer smaller ships carrying fewer passengers.
In the coming years, could this lead cruise lines to resume building smaller ships again? It will be an interesting aspect to monitor.
It’s also worth checking out what cruises once offered at no extra cost and a few things you simply don’t get to do on board anymore.
