Welcome to Cruise Talk Weekly with Tommy and Tony. Each week break down the latest happenings in the cruise travel and the cruise industry as only we can. Buckle up here we go. Video version of the podcast published on the Cruise Talk with Tommy and Tony YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@cruisetalktnt).
39. Carnival's Tip Stickers, Cruise Loyalty Letdowns & the Villa Vie Crisis
Carnival is giving cruisers stickers for prepaying their gratuities—but is it a clever incentive or an awkward way to single people out? Tony and Tommy debate the idea, and one of them might actually change his mind.
Plus, we discuss the Villa Vie crisis and its impact on residents, what cruise loyalty is worth when benefits get suspended, and how cruise lines keep finding ways to get us spending more onboard. We also tackle dining room dress codes, nonstop ship announcements, and the risks of bringing prohibited items on a cruise.
Along the way: a coffee-and-cookie dispute, questionable cruise director jokes, and the cruises we're looking forward to next.
Find Tommy on the Always Be Booked Cruise Podcast and Tony on YouTube at La Lido Loca.
22 Oct 2026
38. Is Carnival REALLY Giving Cruisers What They Want?
Is Carnival REALLY Giving Cruisers What They Want?
Good Change or Money Grab?
Carnival Cruise Line is shaking things up with new Fun Packs, a three-alcoholic-drink Cheers! Social option, and dynamic pricing for drink packages and Wi-Fi. But are these changes actually giving cruisers more flexibility and value, or are they simply another way for cruise lines to increase onboard spending?
In this episode of Cruise Talk Weekly, Tony Barnette and Tommy Casabona break down Carnival's latest announcements, debate the pros and cons of bundled cruise packages, and discuss whether dynamic pricing could save passengers money or make cruising more expensive.
The conversation also explores Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program, Carnival's evolving loyalty system, growing traffic problems at PortMiami, and Virgin Voyages' partnership with JetBlue for an adults-only flight and cruise experience.
Plus, Tony and Tommy tackle the increasingly controversial subject of tipping, including cruise porters, prepaid gratuities, and whether tipping culture has gotten out of hand.
Topics discussed:
Carnival's new Fun Packs and Cheers! Social drink option
Dynamic pricing for Carnival drink packages and Wi-Fi
Cruise package value versus a la carte pricing
Carnival and Royal Caribbean loyalty programs
Royal Caribbean's Club Royale casino experience
PortMiami congestion and proposed traffic improvements
Virgin Voyages and JetBlue's adults-only travel package
Cruise gratuities, porters, and tipping culture
Join the conversation: Are Carnival's latest changes a good deal for cruisers or a money grab?
Cruise Talk Weekly features Tony Barnette of La Lido Loca and Tommy Casabona of the Always Be Booked podcast discussing cruise news, industry trends, and the issues that matter to cruise travelers.
Questions or comments? Email askus@cruisetalktnt.com
Follow us on social media: @cruisetalktnt
13 Oct 2026
37. Are Cruisers Wasting Money on These Things?
Cruise Talk Weekly #37 — Are Cruisers Wasting Money on These Things?
Are you wasting money on your cruise vacation? This week, Tony and Tommy debate which cruise extras are worth the price and which ones might be a complete waste of money!
From expensive shore excursions and specialty dining to cruise photographs, drink packages, and balcony cabins, we're breaking down the purchases that divide cruisers. Is paying more always a bad deal, or is there value in convenience, peace of mind, and the overall experience?
Plus, Tony shares his back-to-back cruise experience aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, and we discuss the incredible Odyssey of the Seas overboard rescue, cruise itinerary disruptions, passenger compensation, and the latest cruise news.
And as always, there's plenty of laughter, unexpected stories, and a few strong opinions along the way.
The big question: What's the biggest waste of money on a cruise ship?
Join Tony Barnette and Tommy Casabona for another episode of Cruise Talk Weekly!
Follow us: @CruiseTalkTNT
Email: askus@cruisetalktnt.com
#CruiseTalkWeekly #CruiseNews #CruiseTips
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