A warning before you book a cruise based on TV ads
Cruise lines are investing billions in private island destinations, but the marketing materials don't always match reality. This isn't limited to one cruise line either.
TravelHost's Come Cruise With Me Editor in Chief Daniel Kline and his travel agent partner, Postcard Travel Planning's Dennis Post, recently experienced the incomplete state of Great Stirrup Cay firsthand and share what you need to know before booking any newly renovated or opened attraction in the video below.
A full transcript follows.
Subscribe to our Youtube channelfor expert advice on making the most of your cruise vacation.
Learn what's actually finished before booking.
Transcript:
Dan Kline: Hey there cruisers. Dan and Dennis, your travel hosts. We're coming to you from the Belvedere Bar on Norwegian Prima. And we want to give you a warning. We're not negative people. We're pretty upbeat people.
Dennis Post: Right.
Kline: But when you book a new experience on a cruise ship- that could be a new island, a new something they built on the ship. Who knows?
Make sure before you go that it is what you think it is. So we went to the new Norwegian Great Stirrup Cay. They've redone a lot of the island. They added a beautiful pool. Really one of the nicer pools you had ever been in.
For even more tips and insider secrets? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for expert advice on making the most of your cruise vacation.
Post: Right.
Kline: Cabanas, but the island's not done. If you've watched the commercials, they are showing things in the commercial that aren't there yet.
There's no water park. Some of the pools aren't built yet. Some of it's not finished.
Post: Right.
Kline: Carnival. That's very true at Celebration Quay. I was at Celebration Quay on grand opening day and it wasn't quite ready. I think that's fair to say. Royal Caribbean, their Nassau Beach Club, same kind of thing. Beautiful experience. But you need to know.
And Dennis, we actually had a bit of a tough time. The pier is kind of not done yet.
Post: Yeah. You've got to set expectations right. You've got to do your homework. Like Dan said, the pier here is not done. Their intentions are to have a full long pier, nice concrete pier that you can have two cruise ships on.
They can only put one. And they have wood planks going out and plywood down. Very confusing. It is not- it's safe but it's tricky to navigate.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Kline: It was challenging for Amy, Dennis' wife, and my partner who, has a replacement knee. It was hard for my mom who's had some foot issues. So you just want to know what you're getting into. There were some wheelchairs available, but there isn't a tram.
It is a long walk. Anything you do that's new. And that includes shore excursions. If you're going someplace that. "Oh, they just built this water park!" Make sure that the slide you hope to ride is finished.
Post: Ready, yeah.
Kline: I am Dan. He is Dennis. Come cruise with us soon.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 7:19 PM.