Tag: cruise ship

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: I Took Her Back to Where I Proposed | Anthem of the Seas Day 4 (Airlie Beach)

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: I Took Her Back to Where I Proposed | Anthem of the Seas Day 4 (Airlie Beach)

by | Jul 3, 2026 | | 0 |

Day 4 aboard Anthem of the Seas brings us to our first of two days in Airlie Beach! So lets explore this wonderful Whitsundays location.

Eight years ago to the week, Matt proposed to Deb on cruise to Airlie Beach. This week, we came back — on Anthem of the Seas — to walk the same streets, sit by the same marina, and see how much has changed.

This was a tender port day, with Anthem anchored in the Whitsundays and cruise passengers tendering into Shute Harbour before transferring by bus into Airlie Beach.

We explore the Airlie Beach markets, walk through town, find out what tours and activities are available for cruise passengers, and book two local experiences through Airlie Beach Tourism.

For our first Airlie Beach adventure, we jump aboard a Just Tuk’n Around Tuk Tuk tour and explore more of Airlie Beach with local guide Stevie J.

Later in the afternoon, we head back to Shute Harbour for a sunset glass-bottom boat tour with Pioneer Adventures, complete with bubbles, nibbles, coral viewing, fish spotting and a beautiful Whitsundays sunset.

Then it is time for a night tender back to Anthem of the Seas, a late dinner in the Main Dining Room, dancing waiters and Caribbean Night onboard.

Champagne, nibbles, coral viewing, a stunning Whitsundays sunset, a night tender back to Anthem, a very late Caribbean Night dinner in the main dining room, and one moment I’d been holding onto all day. This video has it all

Whether you are planning a future trip to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays or just enjoy watching travel adventures, this update provides a practical look at our experience in the Whitsundays.

🛳️ Ship: Anthem of the Seas
🚢 Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
📍 Port: Airlie Beach / Shute Harbour
🌏 Region: Whitsundays, Queensland

Useful Links:

Airlie Beach Tourism
https://airliebeachtourism.com.au/

Just Tuk’n Around Airlie Beach
https://www.justtuknaround.com.au/

Pioneer Adventures
https://www.pioneeradventures.com.au/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:43 Tender Times for Airlie Beach
01:15 Cruise Tenders in the Whitsundays
01:49 Arriving at Shute Harbour
02:49 Airlie Beach Cruise Transfers
03:03 Arriving in Airlie Beach
04:37 Airlie Beach Cruise Markets
07:12 Exploring Airlie Beach
07:41 Things To Do In Airlie Beach
07:58 Booking Tours in Airlie Beach
09:38 What We Booked For Today
09:52 Airlie Beach Tuk Tuk Tour
11:35 A Very Important Question
12:37 Just Tuk’n Around Airlie Beach
14:24 Back To Shute Harbour
17:02 Glass Bottom Boat Sunset Tour
18:11 Champagne, Nibbles & Reef Views
19:24 Whitsundays Reef & Coral Viewing
21:14 Sunset Cruise From Shute Harbour
22:56 Night Tender Back To Anthem
24:25 Hot Day Dinner Delay
26:35 Dancing Waiters
29:50 Caribbean Night Party

If you enjoy cruise vlogs, port guides, Royal Caribbean tips and real travel adventures, make sure you subscribe and come along for the rest of our Anthem of the Seas series.

#AirlieBeach #AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #Whitsundays #CruiseVlog #CruiseAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 6 New Cruise Ships, Cruise Brawl & IS winter Cruising coming to Australia?

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 6 New Cruise Ships, Cruise Brawl & IS winter Cruising coming to Australia?

by | Jul 1, 2026 | | 0 |

elcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE! 🚢

Another huge week in cruising with major announcements, industry investment and plenty to discuss!

🗞️ Tonight’s Cruise News

🚢 MSC to order SIX new cruise ships
One of the biggest shipbuilding announcements in recent years, with deliveries stretching well into the 2030s with official announcement teased

🇦🇺 Is winter cruising finally about to take off in Australia?
Could Australia become a genuine year-round cruise destination?

🏆 Carnival Rewards introduces milestone benefits
More recognition and rewards for loyal Carnival cruisers.

🥊 Another cruise ship brawl goes viral
What does it say about passenger behaviour… and are these incidents really becoming more common?

🔥 River cruise fire prompts emergency evacuation
Thankfully everyone is safe, but it raises questions about onboard safety and emergency procedures.

💬 Tonight’s Questions

👉 Is MSC becoming Royal Caribbean’s biggest long-term competitor?

👉 Would you cruise from Australia during winter?

👉 Do cruise loyalty programs influence who you sail with?

👉 Are cruise fights becoming more common-or just more visible?

⚡ Plus…

🎤 30 Second Quick Questions

💬 Viewer Q&A

🚢 Cruise chat and banter

👍 Like & Subscribe

🔔 Turn on notifications

📺 Deb & Matt Chat – Life, Cruise & Travel

Covering key topics tonight including.
SC Cruises, MSC new ships, cruise industry news, Australia winter cruising, Carnival Rewards, Carnival loyalty program, cruise brawl, river cruise fire, cruise news Australia, cruise live stream, cruise discussion

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 New Royal Caribbean Ships, Carnival Changes & NCL Cuts

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 New Royal Caribbean Ships, Carnival Changes & NCL Cuts

by | Jun 17, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚢

This week we’re covering some huge developments across the cruise industry — from brand-new ships and major investments to changes affecting Australian cruisers.

🗞️ This Week’s Cruise News

🚢 Legend of the Seas officially delivered
Royal Caribbean takes delivery of its third Icon-class ship.

🚢 Construction begins on Oasis Class Ship #7
The Oasis Class isn’t done yet, with another mega ship on the way.

🎰 Carnival upgrades casino technology fleetwide
A new rewards and gaming platform is rolling out across all ships.

🏖️ Carnival launches premium Tangalooma Beach Club cabanas
Luxury beachfront experiences arrive on Moreton Island.

📉 Norwegian Cruise Line downsizes in Australia
Trade and sales roles impacted as NCL restructures operations.

💬 Tonight’s discussion:

👉 Would you pay $400 for a private beach cabana?
👉 Does NCL’s move signal concern for the Australian market?
👉 Oasis Class or Icon Class — which would you choose?

⚡ Plus:
🎤 30 Second Quick Questions
💬 Live chat
🚢 Cruise banter and opinions

👍 Like & Subscribe
🔔 Turn on notifications

📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 Floating Cities, Carnival Changes & MSC’s New Mega Ship

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 Floating Cities, Carnival Changes & MSC’s New Mega Ship

by | Jun 10, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE! 🚢

We’ve got another fun week of cruise news, opinions and plenty of community chat.

🗞️ Tonight’s Cruise News

🚢 Freedom Ship returns
The concept of a permanent floating city is back. This certainly brings a new meaning to the idea of living seaside. Could people really live on a ship full time? Is this even a ship?

🎫 Carnival introduces new Sail & Sign cards
A fresh look for one of cruising’s most recognisable items and another step in Carnival’s loyalty evolution.

📱 John Heald changes his social media role
Carnival’s legendary Brand Ambassador is stepping back from his full-time online presence.

🌏 MSC World Asia countdown begins
MSC continues its mega ship expansion with new attractions and experiences.
⚡ PLUS…

🎤 30 Second Quick Questions are back!

One question. Thirty seconds. No time to overthink the answer!

And of course we’ll have all the usual cruise banter, live chat and viewer questions.

💬 Tonight’s discussion:

👉 Would you live permanently on a floating city?

👉 Do cruise loyalty programs matter?

👉 Is John Heald the most influential personality in cruising?

👉 Are cruise ships becoming the destination?

👍 Like & Subscribe

🔔 Turn on notifications

📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: The Truth About This Interior Cabin 🚢 Carnival Encounter Room 5236 Review

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: The Truth About This Interior Cabin 🚢 Carnival Encounter Room 5236 Review

by | May 8, 2026 | | 0 |

After spending our cruise in Interior Cabin 5236 aboard the Carnival Encounter, it’s time for our full end-of-trip cabin review.

In this honest cabin review, we break down:
✅ what worked well
❌ what challenged us
😴 the bedding and pillows
🔊 the noise issues
🚿 bathroom practicality
📍 cabin location on Deck 5
⚠ maintenance concerns
🥤 fridge performance and storage

This is the REAL review after actually living in the cabin for the cruise — not just first impressions.

If you’re considering booking an interior cabin on Carnival Encounter, especially Cabin 5236 or nearby rooms, this video should help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your cruise.

👇 Let us know:
What’s the BIGGEST thing you look for in a cruise cabin?

🚢 Part of our full Carnival Encounter Australia Day cruise series:
✔ Embarkation day
✔ Daily cruise vlogs
✔ Cabin tours
✔ Dining reviews
✔ Honest cruise experiences

Subscribe to follow along!

00:00 Intro
00:10 Carnival Encounter Cabin 5236 Review
00:31 Bedding Comfort Review
01:34 Pillows & Sleep Quality
03:34 Fridge Performance
05:38 Maintenance Issues
06:21 Bathroom Review
08:27 Cabin Location on Deck 5
09:37 Noise Problems 🚨
10:43 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

#CarnivalEncounter #CruiseCabinReview #CruiseTips #CarnivalCruise #CruisingAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter Family Friendly Australia Day Cruise

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter Family Friendly Australia Day Cruise

by | May 6, 2026 | | 0 |

It’s Australia Day aboard the Carnival Encounter 🇦🇺🚢

In this final full day of our long weekend cruise from Brisbane, the ship really came alive with classic Aussie-themed activities, deck games, trivia, entertainment and plenty of fun.

From morning trivia and lunch at Waterfront Restaurant, to ice carving, thong throwing competitions, afternoon drinks, dinner, parties and evening shows — this was a fun-filled sea day onboard Carnival Encounter.

🎥 In this vlog:
✅Australia Day celebrations at sea
✅Morning trivia sessions
✅Sam I Am / Dr Seuss fun
✅Lunch at Waterfront Restaurant
✅Ice cream eating competition
🍦✅Ice carving demonstration
✅Thong throwing competition 🇦🇺✅Afternoon drinks onboard
✅Dinner review
✅Evening entertainment and shows

This is part of our full Carnival Encounter Australia Day Cruise Series from Brisbane, including embarkation, cabin tours, dining, entertainment and honest cruise experiences.

👇 Let us know in the comments:What’s the MOST Australian thing you’ve ever seen on a cruise ship?

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro
00:19 Australia Day on Carnival Encounter
00:45 Morning Trivia
03:50 Sam I Am Dr Seuss Fun
04:13 Waterfront Restaurant Lunch
09:04 Ice Cream Eating Competition 🍦
09:31 Ice Carving Demonstration
10:05 Thong Throwing Competition 🇦🇺
13:15 Afternoon Drinks
14:28 Dinner on Carnival Encounter
20:40 Evening Shows & Entertainment
21:48 Final Thoughts
22:46 Jessie & James
#carnivalencounter #AustraliaDay #CruiseVlog #CarnivalCruise #CruisingAustralia

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise Updates 🚢 Royal Beach Club Opens Santorini, Disney Extends & Icon Class Grows

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise Updates 🚢 Royal Beach Club Opens Santorini, Disney Extends & Icon Class Grows

by | Apr 29, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚢

This week we’re diving into some major cruise industry updates — from brand new destinations and ship orders to changing port strategies and infrastructure investments.

🗞️ This week’s cruise news:

🇬🇷 Royal Beach Club Santorini opens
Royal Caribbean launches its first Royal Beach Club in Europe, offering a premium beach experience as part of new shore excursions

🚀 Royal Caribbean orders more Icon-class ships
Two additional ships confirmed for delivery in 2029 and 2030 as the Icon class continues to expand

🇺🇸 Juneau introduces cruise passenger caps
New limits aim to balance tourism with local community needs and reduce overcrowding

🇺🇸 Princess & Holland America invest in Alaska community rebuild
Cruise lines commit funding to restore a historic American Legion post in Ketchikan

🇺🇸 Disney Cruise Line extends San Diego partnership
Agreement through 2031 expands sailings and strengthens West Coast operations

✨ PLUS:
We’ll share updates from Ovation of the Seas following her recent dry dock

💬 Join us LIVE as we break it all down!

👉 Are cruise destinations becoming too controlled?
👉 Are ships getting too big?
👉 Is overtourism reshaping cruise itineraries?

👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly cruise news
📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 Ships Attacked? Carnival Adventure Change & Legend of the Seas Trials

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 Ships Attacked? Carnival Adventure Change & Legend of the Seas Trials

by | Apr 22, 2026 | | 0 |

🇦🇺 Carnival Adventure terminal changes in Sydney
Passengers impacted as sailings shift between terminals due to port upgrades

⚠️ Cruise ships flee the Persian Gulf
Multiple ships exit the region after reported incidents and rising tensions

🇨🇳 Royal Caribbean expands China sailings
New deployments highlight continued growth in the Asian cruise market

🚀 Legend of the Seas begins sea trials
Royal Caribbean’s next Icon-class ship takes a major step toward its 2026 debut

💬 Join us LIVE as we unpack what this means for cruising right now!

👉 Would terminal changes impact your cruise experience?
👉 Would you cruise in high-risk regions?
👉 Are cruise ships getting too big — or is this what passengers want?

👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly cruise news
📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

Keywords: cruise news 2026, carnival adventure terminal change, cruise ships persian gulf, cruise ship safety news, royal caribbean china cruises, legend of the seas sea trials, icon class cruise ship, cruise industry news, cruise updates live, cruise australia news

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter Cruise SNAFU | Breakfast, Confusion, Show & Deck Party

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter Cruise SNAFU | Breakfast, Confusion, Show & Deck Party

by | Apr 17, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to our Carnival Encounter Australia Day long weekend cruise series.

In this Day 2 cruise vlog, we share our first full day at sea aboard Carnival Encounter — and it turned into a real mixed bag. From a medical evacuation / passenger retrieval situation, to more onboard confusion around activities and theme nights, this was a day with a very unusual feel.

Join us on our first full day at sea in 2026 as we share our morning routine, including essential cruise travel tips for breakfast at the waterfront. We’ll show you how to navigate the check-in process, offering useful cruise tips and tricks for a smooth start to your day. Stay tuned for more cruise news and updates from our Carnival cruise adventure!

We also take you through breakfast, Meet the Officers, dinner in the main dining room, a bit of a dessert fail, and wrap up the evening with cruise entertainment and a deck party.

In this video:

Breakfast on Carnival Encounter
News of a medical evacuation at sea
More communication confusion onboard
Meet the Officers event
Main Dining Room dinner review
Main meal and dessert thoughts
Carnival entertainment and deck party
Honest thoughts on Day 2 of this cruise

This series follows our Australia Day long weekend cruise from Brisbane on Carnival Encounter, including cabin tours, embarkation day, dining, entertainment and honest first impressions along the way.

If you enjoy real-world cruise vlogs, ship reviews and Australian cruise content, make sure to subscribe to Deb & Matt Chat.

#CarnivalEncounter #CruiseVlog #CruisingFromBrisbane #CarnivalCruise #CruiseReviewWelcome back to our Carnival Encounter Australia Day long weekend cruise series.

The topics we cover in this video – Carnival Encounter, carnival encounter review, carnival cruise australia, carnival encounter cruise from brisbane, medical evacuation cruise ship, cruise ship medical emergency, carnival encounter dining, carnival main dining room, carnival encounter entertainment, cruise deck party,

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 New Itineraries, Rising Fees & Is Aussie Cruising in Trouble?

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise News LIVE 🚢 New Itineraries, Rising Fees & Is Aussie Cruising in Trouble?

by | Apr 15, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚢

This week we’re breaking down some of the biggest cruise industry updates — from new itineraries and ship changes to rising costs and what’s really happening in the Australian cruise market.

🗞️ This week’s cruise news:

🇯🇵 Princess Cruises expands Japan & Asia season
A huge new deployment with ships homeporting in Tokyo and dozens of itineraries across Asia

🇫🇯 Fiji Princess to be retired after grounding
Following a recent incident, the ship will be removed from service and replaced with a new vessel

💸 MSC raises gratuities
Passengers will see higher daily service charges, with more increases expected across the industry

⛽ Fuel surcharge concerns return
Cruise executives warn rising fuel costs could impact pricing and future cruise fares

🇦🇺 CLIA report: Record demand BUT warning signs
Australians are cruising in record numbers — but the industry warns Australia is losing ships and competitiveness

🌏 StarCruises boosts Asian itineraries
New flexible itineraries and extended port stays across Asia for 2026

💬 Join us LIVE as we break it all down!

👉 Are cruise prices about to rise again?
👉 Is Australia losing its place as a cruise destination?
👉 Would you cruise Asia over the South Pacific?

👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly cruise news
📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

Key topics this week include:
Cruise news 2026, Cruise price increases, Cruise gratuities increase, Princess Japan cruise season 2027 and 2028 , Fiji Princess Retirement, Cruise Industry in Australia, clia report australia cruise, cruise fuel surcharge and More Asian cruises 2026, cruise updates live

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Some things Felt Wrong on Day 1 | Carnival Encounter Embarkation

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Some things Felt Wrong on Day 1 | Carnival Encounter Embarkation

by | Apr 11, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome aboard the Carnival Encounter for our Australia Day Long Weekend Cruise!
We are so excited to be in Brisbane for an “Aussie Classics” cruise on Carnival Encounter! Join us as we kick off this Australia Day celebration with a sail away party. This cruise vlog will cover all the fun, from activities to food, offering cruise travel tips along the way.

This is Day 1 – Embarkation Day in Brisbane, and honestly… something felt a little off.

In this vlog, we take you through the full boarding process at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, explore the ship, and share our first impressions – including a surprisingly quiet atmosphere for a long weekend sailing.
In this video:

✅Cruise boarding process in Brisbane
🤔Impressions of Carnival Encounter
⁉️Why the ship didn’t feel full
🤯Confusion around cruise theme nights
🍴Specialty dining bookings (what we chose!)
🛌A possible cabin mistake
🤩NEW onboard changes (including Bonsai Sushi Express)
🚢Sailaway party vibes
😋Dinner at Trattoria Restaurant
👀First look at onboard activities

This cruise already had some surprises… and it’s only Day 1.
Let us know in the comments:
Have you ever been on a cruise that just felt… different?
This is part of our full Carnival Encounter series:
✔ Cabin tours
✔ Daily cruise vlogs
✔ Food & dining reviews
✔ Tips, tricks & honest experiences

Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss what happens next!

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: LIVE! Cruise Chaos 😳 Overbooked Ship, Grounding Incident & New Fees Explained

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: LIVE! Cruise Chaos 😳 Overbooked Ship, Grounding Incident & New Fees Explained

by | Apr 8, 2026 | | 0 |

Welcome back to Deb & Matt Chat LIVE 🚢

This week we’re breaking down some of the biggest cruise news stories — from passenger perks to cruise chaos and industry changes happening right now.

🗞️ This week’s cruise news:

🇰🇷 South Korea introduces instant tax refunds for cruise passengers
A major policy shift allowing cruise guests to claim VAT refunds more easily during port visits

⛽ Fuel surcharges return?
StarDream Cruises has introduced new daily fuel charges — raising concerns other cruise lines could follow

🚢 Discovery Princess overbooked
Passengers were offered compensation and even free cruises not to board due to high demand from over booking.

⚠️ Fiji Princess runs aground
A cruise ship ran aground near a famous island location — all passengers safe but the ship is damaged

🇦🇺 Virgin Voyages invests in Australia again
New Aussie sales team signals a renewed push into the Australian cruise market

💬 Join us LIVE as we break it all down and hear YOUR thoughts!

👉 Would you accept a free cruise to give up your spot?
👉 Are fuel surcharges coming back across the industry?
👉 Is cruising getting too unpredictable?

👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly cruise news
📺 Deb & Matt Chat — Life, Cruise & Travel

This week we will be discussing an exciting range of topics including, cruise news in 2026, cruise fuel surcharge, discovery princess overbooked, cruise overbooking explained, fiji princess grounding, cruise ship accident fiji, south korea cruise tax refund, virgin voyages australia return, cruise industry news, cruise industry updates

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