Royal Caribbean’s Newest Cruise Ship Just Hit Sea Trials

What should cruisers know before booking a brand-new ship, planning an Alaska sailing, or heading into the water at a cruise port? Professor Melissa breaks down several major cruise updates, including Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas entering sea trials, what those tests really mean, and why early sailings on new cruise ships can come with both excitement and risk.

She also covers a difficult week aboard Carnival Splendor, where two separate passenger tragedies happened within 24 hours, and explains why travel insurance, medical evacuation coverage, and realistic port-day planning matter. From there, Melissa shares a lighter rescue story involving Carnival Legend, a stranded sailor, and his cat Dahlia, plus updates on Virgin Voyages, California sailings, Panama Canal content, and why Alaska cruise excursions should be booked early this year.

**Travel Insurance for Cruisers** https://www.profmelissa.com/travelinsurance

**Private Driver Recommendations** https://www.profmelissa.com/drivers

**Virgin Voyages Sales Link** https://www.virginvoyages.com/book/voyage-planner/find-a-voyage?cabins=1¤cyCode=USD&agentId=227357&agencyId=35270&bookingChannel=FMLINK&sortType=price-asc

**Alaska Cruise Port** https://www.profmelissa.com/blog?tag=alaska