Jennnn is back from a Hawaii sailing, and she comes bearing stories. From driving to the port for the first time and packing like an absolute pirate, to late-night embarkation drama in San Francisco and sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, this episode is packed with real cruise talk and classic Podcastaways chaos.

We dive into Princess Cruises boarding efficiency, sea days that blur together, island stops across Hawaii, and why driving to a port completely changes how much junk you bring onboard. Plus, we break down shore excursions, non-ship tours, and what makes some itineraries worth repeating.

Somehow, we also end up debating robot lawnmowers, smart litter boxes that weigh your cats in kilograms, karaoke competitions at sea, and whether Sweet Caroline should ever be attempted in the wrong octave. (Spoiler: no.)

It’s cruise advice, travel stories, light scandal, and tech nonsense, all rolled into one episode. Just the way we like it.

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https://speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways

It’s just Trevor and Mr. Kennedy this week as the crew tackles a packed episode of Carnival cruise news, myths, and strong opinions.

We break down Carnival’s expanded adults-only sailings for 2026, including which ships we’d actually choose and whether these casino-focused cruises are worth the hype. We also clear the air on one of cruising’s biggest fantasies: the so-called “free upgrade fairy” and why it almost never exists in today’s fully booked ships.

There’s a heads-up for anyone sailing out of Port Miami, where a race day could create real embarkation delays, plus a look at Carnival’s quiet increase to onboard service charges and how those extra percentages add up over the course of a cruise.

We also wade into a surprisingly heated debate about working on a cruise ship, including laptop warriors taking Zoom calls at Java Blue, and whether Carnival should create dedicated business centers at sea.

Finally, we tease next week’s special segment, “Pack Like a Pirate,” where we’ll share packing tips, mistakes, and must-haves. Listeners are encouraged to send in their own tips via Speakpipe for a chance to be featured.

As always, opinions are strong, pants are optional, and anything that happens on the ship… stays on YouTube.

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https://www.speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways

🎵 Music: “Across the Savannah” by Aaron Kenny

Licensed via the YouTube Audio Library

It’s a brand-new year and a brand-new episode of The Podcastaways—and we’re kicking off 2026 by laying down the unwritten rules of cruise etiquette that everyone should know… but many clearly don’t.

Trevor and Thomas dive into the dos and don’ts of life at sea, from chair hogging and elevator chaos to teen curfews, adults-only areas, buffet behavior, and why ship time is not a suggestion. We also break down Carnival’s stricter enforcement of the 1 a.m. curfew for under-18 cruisers, debate whether lifetime bans are too harsh, and talk about cruise lines like Oceania and Viking going fully adults-only.

Along the way, expect real cruise stories, pet peeves, questionable passenger behavior, a little AI chaos, and plenty of laughs—because if you’re going to cruise, you might as well do it without becoming that person everyone complains about.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned Platinum pro, this episode might save your vacation—or at least keep you from getting side-eyed on the Lido deck.

🎙️ Leave us a message on Spotify or SpeakPipe and tell us: what’s your biggest cruise etiquette pet peeve? https://speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways

Because remember—you’re unique, you’re special, you are loved… and anything that happens on the ship stays on YouTube.