Cruise Tips Passenger Advice & Boarding Information

There's no arguing, cruising is pretty crazy when you think about it. Where else do you have five-thousand people, take them hundreds of miles around in the water on a ship with go-karts, waterslides, and fine dining? And then at the end of the week, pick up a new five-thousand people to do it all over again? The logistics of cruising lead to some unbelievable facts that most people don't know. … [Read more...]

Are drink packages worth it? When it comes to taking a cruise, people like to have a good time, and that good time usually involves alcohol flowing freely. Bars are everywhere and the costs can quickly add up. Drink packages offer a way to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the budget. But there are a number of finer details that come with the packages you'll want to know about. That's … [Read more...]

It wasn't that long ago that having internet access at sea was a nice perk, but hardly a necessity. Today, most people must have wi-fi service, even if they are on a cruise in the middle of the ocean. In fact, we personally always sign up for service every time that we sail to keep up with this site. Wi-fi is widely available across any cruise. Below, we cover everything from connection speed to … [Read more...]

Not sure how much cash to take on a cruise? Or even if you need cash at all? That's a common question when take a trip. Wondering how much cash you need to take on a cruise? The figure we suggest might be smaller than you think because most purchases on the ship are simply made with your room keycard. From tipping to drinks to souvenirs to excursions, there are plenty of things you'll find … [Read more...]

Wondering what to pack for your cruise? We'll assume you know to bring your swimsuit, socks, and underwear on your trip. But what else should you bring? Figuring out what to pack for your cruise can be daunting, but having sailed dozens of times, we have some things to consider bringing that you might not think about. Cruising requires you to plan ahead and bring everything you might need. While … [Read more...]

The same exact cruise on the same exact ship and the same exact cabin… but in this case for hundreds less than retail if you knew a "secret" discount. For years cruisers have enjoyed a way to buy discounted cruise gift cards via AARP membership. Or at least, that was the case. Now, the popular advantage that used to be a go-to for lots of travelers has all but disappeared, forcing more cruisers to … [Read more...]

In what is being called an industry first (and we have no reason to doubt it!), Oceania Cruises has announced that it will host an entirely gluten-free sailing. A special 12-day sailing aboard Oceania Vista will be completely gluten-free across the ship. Image courtesy of Oceania Cruises Yes, according to the cruise line every onboard venue and restaurant will "offer entirely gluten-free menus." … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises is quickly growing into one of the major players in stateside cruising cruise market. Today, the cruise line offers cruises from four departure ports across the country (including trips to Alaska) and has the largest cruise ship sailing outside of Royal Caribbean. MSC Cruises offers one of the more unique experiences in cruising. Here are some of our best tips and things to know before … [Read more...]

Heading from Houston to Galveston for a cruise? You're not alone. Today Galveston is the busiest cruise port outside of Florida. Each year roughly million passengers embark from the island and the number continues to grow larger every year. Galveston has blossomed into one of the most popular cruise ports in the country. Still, there is the challenge of getting to the port. We cover all the … [Read more...]

At 216,000 gross tons, 1,093 feet, 22 decks and up to 6,700 passengers, MSC World America is the absolute biggest ship in the MSC fleet. It's also the largest ship from any cruise line not named Royal Caribbean. I just got off the ship and having sailed MSC multiple times before, I felt I had a good idea of what was coming before I even set foot onboard. But I can tell you that when it came to … [Read more...]

For years, Carnival had a simple loyalty plan for passengers. Its VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) program awarded one point for every night sailed. The more points earned over years of cruising, the higher status earned, and the more benefits awarded. Passengers cruising Carnival now earn points and stars via spending rather than being rewarded for the number of nights sailed. Now the cruise line … [Read more...]

From the truth about cruise sales, to why some ships take out an entire deck in the middle of the ship, and even a clever trick to never get locked out of your room, there's a lot to learn about sailing before you take a cruise. That's why we've compiled a list of 22 cruise secrets that you'll want to know, and (more importantly) you'll never forget once you learn.  Cruise Sales Mean Little Visit … [Read more...]

Not sure whether you should prepay your gratuities before your cruise or wait until you're on the ship? With millions of people sailing each year, it's a common question. Paying early offers some benefits, but it also means more money out of your pocket before you even get on the ship. On the other hand, it can seem strange to pay gratuities before you've actually received service. Nearly every … [Read more...]

Despite pointed pushback from passengers, Carnival has officially rolled out its new loyalty program today. The old "VIFP" program is now out, replaced with the all-new Carnival Rewards. The new program, which now puts most of its emphasis on how much you spend with the cruise line instead of how many nights you sail, has been in the works for over a year. Today, that old system is retired and … [Read more...]

If you are headed on a cruise from the East Coast, then chances are you'll stop in Nassau. It's one of the busiest cruise destinations on the planet with literally millions of passenger visiting each year. Having visited countless times, I've gotten a pretty good feel for Nassau and what to expect when you port here. So what do I wish I knew if I was a first-time visitor? Here's what to know… … [Read more...]

If you have an upcoming cruise on MSC, then prepare to be a busy during your vacation. We're not saying that you can't relax on the cruise, but there are going to be tons of things on the ship to see, do, and experience. Below, we have just the start of what you can do on the ship, but there is one thing to note. Like other lines, MSC offers a wide variety of ships that range from older, smaller … [Read more...]

While no one would mistake Galveston with Miami, the truth is that it has quickly grown into the busiest cruise port outside of Florida. Close to two million passengers sail from the Texas island each year. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and MSC now sail year-round from the island's four terminals, while other lines like NCL, Princess, and Disney offer seasonal trips.  Sailing from Galveston means you … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean's Terminal 10 opened in 2022, but already the port and cruise line are in talk for a second dock on the island. This would be Galveston's fifth cruise terminal. With its fourth cruise terminal opening less than a year ago, the Port of Galveston shows no signs of slowing down. The port has announced it is in talks with Royal Caribbean to construct a fifth cruise terminal on the … [Read more...]

If you're taking a cruise, there's a good chance that it will have a stop in Cozumel. Literally millions of cruise passengers — from every cruise line you can imagine — visit the island in a year.  That makes it among the most popular cruise ports anywhere. Cozumel is one of the most popular and busiest cruise ports in the world. There is plenty to know before your visit to help you make the most … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean gratuities can sometimes be a surprise those who've never sailed the cruise line before. Without realizing it, the extra charge can add hundreds to the cost of your trip, without much explanation of how they work or where the money goes.  If you're sailing Royal Caribbean, then you're going to have to pay gratuity. Below, we have more details on how these charges work and what to … [Read more...]