There are a handful of times when, yes, you should tip on a cruise. You can tip your room steward or butler (even while it’s not required, many cruisers say making this kind gesture leads to better overall service). You can tip your bartender if gratuity is not already included in your drink bill. However, are there times when you should actually not tip on a cruise? Yes — here are 15 … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises Details 2026 Cruise Schedule For Nautica, Regatta, and Sirena
Sarah Bretz, ContributorSarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015, and in that time has taken a dozen cruises and counting. Her favorite onboard activities include trying the casual dining options, spending time in the spa’s thermal suite, and attending the love & marriage show. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB.See all author posts Source: … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Extends Black Friday Preview Sale
Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line, is extending their Black Friday Preview Sale for a few extra days. Royal Caribbean will once again offer Black Friday cruise deals for 2024 and the cruise line is extending their preview sale for an extra 72 hours. The sale was originally going to end at midnight on November 11. This preview sale includes up to $750 in extra savings on all … [Read more...]
Margaritaville at Sea Honors US Veterans With Free Cruises
As America comes together to honor its Veterans on November 11, 2024, Margaritaville at Sea is celebrating Veterans Day by expanding its Heroes Sail Free program, giving back to those who serve and have served the nation both at home and abroad. The special program, which originally launched in 2022 with limited offerings for US military veterans, first responders, government employees, and … [Read more...]
Exploring Love and Life at Sea: The Crewshiplife Trilogy
The Crewshiplife trilogy, written by Tobias Biddick, explores life aboard cruise ships, detailing the blend of humor, heartache, and the search for love in this unique environment. Over five years and multiple ship contracts, the series unveils the challenges and joys crew members living and working in close quarters face.In Crewshiplife (Book 1), readers follow the protagonist during their first … [Read more...]
Special Offers on Disney Cruise Line Sailings as of November 11, 2024
This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include dates from now through late-March 2025. Currently, there are 68 unique sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Auckland, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Honolulu, Melbourne, Port Canaveral, and Sydney. The Disney Dream barely holds the lead with 23 sailings, Disney Wish arrives with 22, … [Read more...]
I Took My First-Ever Carnival Cruise and It Wasn’t What I Expected
I’ve been on multiple cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises, but somehow never got around to trying out Carnival Cruise Line – at least not until September of 2024. I married my husband in October, but before I could meet him at the altar, my girlfriends and I had to celebrate with my bachelorette party. When my bridesmaids and I were looking … [Read more...]
I spent 65 days this year on cruise ships. I always prepare for these 5 mishaps that can make voyages more difficult
Royal Caribbean is the biggest cruise line in the industry, and it attracts millions of passengers every year.I've taken at least one cruise every month of the year so far, often adding a second or third sailing within the same calendar month. It's an amazing vacation option that has taken me to the Caribbean and Europe, and I've got plenty more planned into next year too.Though my cruises have … [Read more...]
Luxury Cruise Line Reveals 60 New Enticing Itineraries
The 2026 cruise lineup for Oceania Cruises has been released, and it looks like it’s filled with both iconic and unexpected locations. The cruise line touts that its new sailings will spend between 30 and 50 percent more time in each port than traditional cruises, with many overnight stays and 17 Grand Voyages. Open for bookings beginning November 13, 2024, the new itineraries include … [Read more...]
The 14 Cabin Tips Everyone Needs Before They Cruise
On a cruise ship with literally thousands of people, your cruise cabin is your own private 160 square foot piece of the ship that’s yours and yours alone. It’s where you’ll sleep, relax, get ready for the day, make romance, and shower… although maybe not all in that order. After nearly 30 cruises, I’ve learned a thing or two when it comes to cabin tips that I think no … [Read more...]
Explora Journeys Announces Access to Exclusive Formula 1® Paddock Club
Explora Journeys has revealed that guests staying in Ocean Residences and Penthouses on EXPLORA II will have exclusive access to the Formula 1® Paddock Club™ during the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled for May 22 to 25, 2025. Docked at Monaco’s Port Hercule, EXPLORA II will be the only luxury cruise ship in Monaco during the event, providing unique access to race festivities. Guests will … [Read more...]
Bodrum Cruise Port and Marella Discovery Partner for a Season-Closing SCR Project
Bodrum Cruise Port, operated by Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, is dedicated to providing exceptional service and engaging in meaningful social initiatives. As the 2024 cruise season closes, Bodrum Cruise Port and Marella Cruises partnered on a social responsibility project emphasizing environmental conservation and maritime education. In parallel, the Silver Ray … [Read more...]
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines partners with The Cruise Maps to capture unforgettable journeys for guests
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with The Cruise Maps to offer guests a personalised memento of their cruise. The new partnership will see The Cruise Maps use AIS data tracking Fred. Olsen’s fleet of smaller-sized ships Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral to create a custom print map of each unique voyage for guests. The maps can be personalised to highlight special events or milestones from … [Read more...]
Paddock Club™ Access Now Available For Guests Booking Their Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2025 Experience On Board Explora II
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, announced that access to the exclusive Formula 1® Paddock Club™ is now available to book for guests staying in Ocean Residences and Penthouses on board EXPLORA II during the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025, taking place from 22 to 25 May 2025 in Monaco. This exclusive access will enable guests to experience one of the … [Read more...]
Sea Cloud Cruises Offers Veterans Day Savings
The travel industry is ready to honor and recognize Veterans Day. Particularly, Sea Cloud Cruises is with their new offer. After all, the military ties are there. Sea Cloud is celebrating Veterans Day by offering Military Savings for veterans and active-duty personnel. Now through November 30, those who have served in the armed forces will receive 20 percent off any sailing plus a $500 onboard … [Read more...]
A residential cruise ship has a 4-year, round-the-world voyage to ‘escape’ politics
If the state of the world — or the latest election results — have got you considering whether you want to leave the United States, Villa Vie Residences wants to throw its hat in the ring as an option for temporary relocation. The residential cruise line on Thursday announced new “Skip Forward” packages for passengers to set sail aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey for as long as four years. Full story A … [Read more...]
Winter 2025 Kosher Cruise Guide (Half are already Sold Out!)
In the last few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in kosher cruising availability, run directly by the cruise lines. What was originally organized by 3rd parties, is now being organized directly by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Lines, almost exclusively in North America. We’ve partnered with kosher cruising travel agent expert, Dalia Stelzer, to provide the current list of … [Read more...]
Family of 5? Best Royal Caribbean Cruises for Families of Five
The cruise industry is convenient for people traveling in twos—but what about families of five?For groups of five or families with three kids, it can be tricky to find proper activities, accommodations, and sailings.Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line for family holidays, but some of its ships and itineraries are better for families than others.And once you choose a ship and sailing, you'll … [Read more...]
Carnival Issues Stern Reminder to Guests During Emergencies
There are many amazing sights and splendid vistas to capture on a Carnival cruise, from ocean sunsets to deck parties to selfies all over the ship. Travelers should not, however, be attempting to capture some of the most unique moments of all – Coast Guard airlifts. Carnival Cruise Line has asked guests to be mindful of emergency operations and not use camera flashes or video lights while … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises Unveils New 2026 Voyages
Oceania Cruises has announced the second part of its 2026 Collection of Voyages, available for booking on November 13, 2024! Travelers can choose from over 60 new itineraries, including 17 Grand Voyages across the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe aboard the Nautica, Regatta, and Sirena, each accommodating 670 guests. “We are thrilled to offer this expansive collection of … [Read more...]