Travelore Cruise Tips: 10 “Hidden” Fees Cruise Lines Are Adding in 2026

Cruise fares may appear clearer thanks to new pricing transparency rules, but 2026 brings a different challenge. Several major cruise lines are introducing new onboard charges, service limits, and booking restrictions that reshape what a base fare actually covers.

Credit: Getty Images

These confirmed changes affect dining, room service, island visits, and reservation terms, which add costs that travelers may not expect when booking next year’s sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing a $5 fee for any entrée ordered beyond the first two in the main dining room on 2026 sailings. The company frames the policy as a measure to reduce food waste. Passengers accustomed to unlimited ordering now face direct per‑plate charges in standard dining venues.

Norwegian is also reshaping in-cabin dining. Breakfast orders include one hot and one cold item per guest. The all-day menu allows two items per order. Delivery fees stay the same. Additional food means placing another order and paying another delivery charge.

Specialty dining reservations on Norwegian cruises now come with a new consequence. A $10 per-person fee applies if guests skip a reservation without canceling in advance. Specialty restaurants already carry cover charges. This adds a reservation accountability fee on top. It mirrors airline no-show penalties and signals a more structured dining system at sea.

Cunard is adjusting a long-standing tradition. Complimentary room service will only run through breakfast hours until 10 a.m. starting in 2026. Orders later in the day will include service fees. Cunard built part of its brand on old-world luxury touches. This marks a shift toward modern cost control even in premium cruising.

Beginning March 1, 2026, Norwegian beverage packages will no longer be valid on Great Stirrup Cay. Guests with prepaid drink plans must purchase beverages separately once ashore.

Silver Cove villas on Great Stirrup Cay will cost $950 per person per day in 2026. A group of four pays $3,800 for one day of private access. The rate covers the space and exclusivity. Food, drinks, and other island services remain extra.

Princess Cruises now makes non-refundable deposits the standard choice for 2026 sailings. Guests get a lower upfront fare. They lose deposit protection if plans change. Refundable bookings still exist but cost more.

WiFi, gratuities, spa access, and specialty dining are increasingly being excluded from base fares on major lines. Advertised cruise prices may remain stable, but travelers must budget separately for services that were once included in the core fare.

Norwegian’s delivery fees stay at $4.95 for breakfast and $9.95 for the all-day menu in 2026. The new item limits mean those fees now cover fewer dishes. Guests pay the same delivery price for smaller orders and pay again for second deliveries.

Major cruise brands are expected to follow Princess by tightening refund rules for 2026 bookings. Flexible cancellation is now available only for higher-priced fare tiers. Travelers who want peace of mind must pay more up front. Budget fares come with stricter commitment.

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Step Inside History: America's First Hospital Transforms Into A Museum This Spring!

History buffs and medical enthusiasts, get ready for an exciting new destination in Philadelphia! America's first hospital, the venerable Pennsylvania Hospital, is set to open its doors as a brand-new museum this May. Just in time for the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations, this transformation promises a fascinating journey into the origins of modern medicine in the United States.

Apothecary Shop: The left image shows a historic pharmacy or apothecary, likely from the early 20th century, featuring shelves filled with medicine bottles. Nursing Education: The right image depicts a nursing class, showing students in vintage uniforms receiving instruction, likely from the same era.

Imagine walking the same halls where groundbreaking medical care was administered centuries ago. The historic Pine Building of Pennsylvania Hospital will house eight captivating galleries and exhibits. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore the meticulously preserved historic library, offering a glimpse into the medical knowledge of the past. The impressive surgical amphitheater, where students once observed pioneering procedures, will also be a key highlight. And don't miss the newly restored apothecary, showcasing the pharmaceutical practices of early America.

Exclusive Sky Garden Floor Opens At Four Seasons Philadelphia With Eight Ultra-Luxury Suites

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center announces the official opening of Sky Garden, unveiling a residential-style floor that redefines luxury living in the sky. Designed by award-winning 1508 London, Sky Garden brings together three defining pillars—art, wellness, and epicurean—into a deeply personal, immersive experience available exclusively to guests of this floor.

More than a collection of amenities, Sky Garden was envisioned as a composed environment—where proportion, materiality, light, and landscape work quietly together to shape emotion. This residential-style floor privileges calm over spectacle and intimacy over scale, inviting guests to experience luxury in a way that feels personal and unforced.

Featuring four guest rooms, two one-bedroom suites, a two-bedroom suite and an expansive two-bedroom penthouse, each accommodation is tailored to the discerning traveller and delivered with Four Seasons signature hospitality and intuitive service. The garden-in-the-sky concept draws inspiration from the floor’s Wildflower Green Roof, offering a lush backdrop to city views and enhancing the expansive private terraces featured in select accommodations.

Art: A Curated Collection Above the Clouds

Curated by Hanabi: Art and Artists, a premier art consultancy, and drawing on inspiration from Philadelphia’s design heritage and cultural identity, the Sky Garden art collection was conceived to evoke the feeling of a private home. From eclectic groupings in the foyer to tranquil spa works and bespoke pieces in every guest room, the pieces express a dialogue between past, present, and future—reinforcing Sky Garden’s role as a refined sanctuary in Philadelphia.

Featuring works from both local and internationally sourced artists, the collection draws on themes of geometry, natural materials, and bold line work, blending timeless elegance with unexpected details. Central to the artistic narrative is the influence of Alexander Calder, whose legacy is deeply rooted in Philadelphia. Inspired by Calder’s dynamic exploration of movement, form, and balance, the collection incorporates strong lines, vibrant contrasts, and unexpected forms—creating a modern interpretation of his iconic style within an elevated residential setting.

Wellness: A Sanctuary in the Sky

Nestled on the floor is an exclusive treatment room designed as a private refuge where mind, body, and spirit are nurtured—empowering guests to restore clarity, replenish energy, and elevate vitality in everyday life. The concept, High Vitality, is guided by three curated pillars—Reset, Rest, and Rise—offering restorative journeys that go beyond a traditional spa visit to deliver personalized treatments focused on longevity, resilience, and sustained vitality.

Partnering with leading wellness experts and select brands, High Vitality gives guests access to tools, techniques, and rituals that can be continued long after their stay—offering not just a moment of renewal, but a blueprint for balanced living. Guests may enhance treatments with advanced wellness technologies including a PEMF mat, red light therapy, and an infrared sauna blanket, supporting optimal performance, recovery, and long-term well-being.

To further integrate the wellness experience, the Sky Terrace Penthouse accommodations also feature a private studio, equipped with a Peloton bike, Echelon Reflect Fitness Mirror and a Technogym Home workout bench.

Culinary: An Elevated In-Room Experience

The floor features exclusive culinary experiences that redefine in-room dining. Guests staying in the Sky Terrace Suite and the 4,000-square-foot (375 square metre) Sky Terrace Penthouse will have access to menus curated by Philadelphia’s celebrated chef partner restaurants—Vernick Fish and Jean-Georges. Bespoke touches, such as curated flatware and custom glassware designed by a local glassblower, transform the suite into an intimate stage for exceptional gastronomy, blending world-class artistry with the privacy of a sky-high setting.

Select accommodations also include spacious kitchens and a dedicated butler’s pantry, offering ease and flexibility for those traveling with private chefs, hosting lavish dinner parties, or enjoying extended stays with full kitchen amenities.

An Intimate Expression of Four Seasons Luxury

With its residential sensibility, curated art collection, exclusive wellness concept, and bespoke culinary moments, Sky Garden represents a new expression of luxury at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia—one that prioritizes a residential-inspired lifestyle, personalization, and purposeful design.

“The Sky Garden floor commands a new standard of luxury in the region,” says Cornelia Samara, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center. “Every element was designed to anticipate our guests’ desires—offering personalized touches, elevated comforts, and a sense of home that reflects the warmth and care at the heart of Four Seasons hospitality. The concept of Sky Garden lies not in what is added, but in what is carefully composed, creating an experience that feels deeply residential and effortlessly refined.”

Sky Garden unfolds as a sanctuary above the city—an environment where art, wellness, and culinary excellence converge in harmony, prioritizing calm over spectacle and intimacy over scale.

Be among the first to discover the newest accommodations by calling +1 215 419 5000 or emailing res.philadelphia@fourseasons.com to reserve.

Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Now Available For Booking

With Allegris, Lufthansa introduced a completely redesigned cabin concept for long-haul flights in the summer of 2024. The Allegris cabin has been flying around the world from Munich in the Airbus A350-900 for over a year and a half, and since October 2025, Allegris has also been flying from Frankfurt in a brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

After further important milestones in the certification process were reached in recent weeks, nothing now stands in the way of the approval of Allegris Business Class in the Boeing 787-9 – with the exception of three seats in the second row of the compartment. As of today, 25 of a total of 28 seats in Business Class can be booked for travel from April 15.

When booking, travelers have the option of selecting special Allegris seats in Business Class. Reservations for Classic Seats remain free of charge and offer all the benefits of the new travel class. Passengers can also book seats with additional comfort (the Business Class Suite, the Extra Space Seat with extra legroom, the Privacy Seat by the window, and the Extra Long Bed with a 2.20-meter lying surface) in advance via seat reservation for an additional charge.

From Frankfurt, the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. New York JFK and Los Angeles will be added in June, followed by Delhi in July.

Jens Ritter, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Airlines: “Our guests love Allegris. More than one million passengers have traveled in the new cabin since summer 2024. We are delighted to be able to offer significantly more passengers this top-of-the-range product for bookings from Frankfurt starting today. Allegris is an experience in all classes; the approval of the majority of seats in Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 is an important milestone for Lufthansa – and above all, great news for our customers!”

Allegris has been flying in the Boeing 787-9 from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Eight brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 21 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

American Airlines Offering Time And Money Savings When Prepaying For Checked Luggage

American Airlines is making it easier for customers to save a little time and money when they need to check luggage. The airline recently rolled out a series of digital enhancements to make the process easier and expand self-service luggage options.

“Any time we can make the travel experience streamlined and more convenient before arriving at the airport is a win for our customers,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “We continue to update our digital channels to provide our customers with even more self-service options.”

New digital features give customers more self-service bag options

In the past few weeks, American has updated aa.com and its mobile app to give customers more control over their trip, especially when it comes to their bags.

No more waiting until check-in to prepay for your luggage. Customers can add up to three checked bags when booking their flight.

Customers who prepay for their bags online can now make confirmed same-day changes without needing an agent, creating a more consistent and transparent experience.

If a customer changes or cancels their trip (or buys an Instant Upgrade), eligible prepaid bags purchases are automatically refunded as a travel credit or returned to the original form of payment, providing customers with more flexibility.

Customers can now redeem their travel credits when purchasing standalone bags online, a major step toward more flexible checkout options and the future expansion of credits across additional ancillary products. For those booked in American’s premium cabins, most customers can now add their checked bags on aa.com and the mobile app prior to departure.

Together, these updates make it easier for customers to plan, change and manage their travel on their own terms — no calls, no lines, just a smoother digital experience.

And when customers prepay for their checked bags, they can skip the lines and scan their boarding pass at the kiosk to print Express Bag Tags. In the past year, American has installed approximately 100 new bag kiosks at 16 airports.

Adjusting bag fees charged at the airport

American is adjusting bag fees for the second checked bag for travel booked on or after Feb. 18. The new bag fee for domestic flights including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and short-haul international flights is $50 when purchased at the airport. Customers who prepay for their second checked bag on aa.com or through the mobile app will receive a $5 discount, paying the current fee of $45. There are no changes to bag fees for the first checked bag.

Certain AAdvantage® members and credit cardmembers still receive important benefits:

All AAdvantage® status members will continue to receive complimentary bags on American Airlines flights.

Most AAdvantage® credit cardmembers also get their first eligible checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

Customers who purchase premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive complimentary bags. American also offers complimentary bags to active-duty U.S. military personnel on all American flights.

The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026, reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever ForwardSM spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.

Penn Museum Unveils Native North America Gallery: Rooted in Resilience. Resisting Erasure.

The new 2,000 sq. ft. multisensory Native North America Gallery explores the political, religious, linguistic, and artistic self-determination of Native peoples across the United States who are thriving—despite attempts to erase Indigenous identities, cultures, and languages. At its center are interactive stations where visitors can listen to Native languages and try their hand at traditional weaving techniques.

A rendering of the Penn Museum’s Native North America Gallery

Among the 250 cultural items and contemporary Native art pieces on view is an empty display case, prompting repatriation as an essential point of discussion and offering a moment of reflection for guests.

"Updating this gallery has taken two years and is a continuation of the Museum’s long-standing commitment to amplify Native voices, honor their perspectives, and ensure their stories are represented with integrity," explains Dr. Lucy Fowler Williams, Co-Curator of the Native North America Gallery, Associate Curator-in-Charge, and Sabloff Keeper of the North American Section at the Penn Museum.

The new gallery showcases compelling Indigenous-led perspectives from four regions that have especially strong representation in the Penn Museum's collections:

Northeast: Longevity of Lënapehòkink (Delaware/Lenape) Spanning 13,000 years, this section honors the Lenape as the first people in the Delaware Valley and chronicles the creativity and resilience of Lenape communities as they survived forced removal.

Southeast: Persistent Places and Traditions (Eastern Band Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek)) Introducing the long history of Native traditions across the rivers and woodlands of the American South, this section spotlights under-recognized Indigenous technologies in engineering, agriculture, and art.

Southwest: Connecting with a Sacred Landscape (Pueblo) Accentuating the resilience of Pueblo peoples in the arid Southwest, this section outlineshistories of communities who have thrived for centuries in communal settings such asMesa Verde.

Northwest: Stewardship around the Gulf of Alaska (Lingít, Alutiiq) Exploring lifeways in the Gulf of Alaska and the Southeast region, this section exploreshow Alutiiq and Tlingit peoples have upheld traditions anchored in stewardship ofabundant natural resources.

"Consent is everything, and this is a change from how museums have worked in the past. We are now working collaboratively to include the people who are still here and give them a voice in how they are represented—this is paramount," says Jeremy Johnson, Cultural Education Director, Delaware Tribe of Indians and a Consulting Curator for the Native North America Gallery. "It is important for the people trained in the museum side of things to take what we’re saying and make it make sense to a wider audience. This work empowers communities; it gives us back agency over who we are and how we are presented."

In the U.S.'s 250th year, the Native North America Gallery offers nuance and complexity in telling the nation’s story.

"Indigenous representation in museums is a complex part of America’s painful colonial history and relationships continue to evolve," says Dr. Megan C. Kassabaum, Weingarten Associate Curator at the Penn Museum and Co-Curator of the Native North America Gallery. "We are committed to making sure this necessary, collaborative work continues."

The Native North America Gallery is generously supported by a lead gift from Ina and Lewis Heafitz, W’58 and is included with Penn Museum admission.

Please visit: https://www.penn.museum/

Vietnam Will Build The Largest Stadium In The World Called Trong Dong With A Capacity Of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region.

Vietnam will become the country with the largest stadium in the world. The new stadium, which is currently under construction, will be able to accommodate 135,000 people, surpassing North Korea's Rungrado, which is currently the largest stadium in the world, by five thousand seats.

The world's largest new stadium is expected to be completed by 2028, which is the tentative inauguration date. The new stadium will be called Trong Dong and will feature a retractable roof, allowing it to host not only sports events but also community and artistic activities throughout the year.

This stadium is also seen as Vietnam's opportunity to become a new host for high-performance international events, whether by FIFA, AFC, or the Olympic Council, as it is being built to become a regional benchmark and meets all the strict standards that these organizations require for stadiums to host their events.

At this moment, the top 3 largest stadiums in the world are the Rungrado in North Korea with a capacity of 130,000 spectators, followed by the Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco, which is vying to host the 2030 World Cup and can accommodate 120,000 people, and finally, the Michigan Stadium with a capacity of approximately 107,000 people.

by Juan Cruz Lara Pérez