Cruise Tips Passenger Advice & Boarding Information

In a region that's almost as famous for its traffic as it is for sunshine, you might be wondering what the best way to get to the cruise port to sail from Los Angeles. Services like Uber or Lyft are ideal for getting you to and from a cruise in Los Angeles or Long Beach. If you live in the area, you can of course just drive your car. There's parking at the cruise port so you can drive to the ship, … [Read more...]

If you are taking a cruise in the United States aboard MSC, chances are that you'll be visiting Ocean Cay. This is the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas that's exclusive to guests of MSC.  Ocean Cay is MSC's private island in The Bahamas. It's large, with tons of beach space and electric blue water. If you are looking forward to a day at the beach, it doesn't get any better. In other … [Read more...]

Sunshine. Vacation. Alcohol. Swimsuits… Is there a better combination for a having a romantic encounter? Yes, actually. Add all those elements and then combine them on a cruise ship where everyone will be together for several days, all having a similar experience. It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that hookups can and do happen on a cruise. Call it love, call it romance, call it a one-night stand. … [Read more...]

Cozumel is one of the most visited ports on the planet. Today millions of passengers stop there each year on across every line you can name. After dozens of cruises, I've been there countless times and have sailed to all three cruise piers on the island. That said, there are lots of things I wish I knew before I ever visited. So from a pro, here's what you're going to want to know before you stop … [Read more...]

Seemingly overnight, the port of Costa Maya has grown into one of the busiest cruise ports in Mexico. What was once a sleepy fishing town (and honestly, outside of the port area, still is), now sees some of the biggest ships in the world, sailing to the port from everywhere from Galveston to Miami. Still, for many people Costa Maya is largely unknown. Unlike ports that have been popular for years … [Read more...]

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. There's no getting around it. If you want to buy booze, you have to be of legal age or face some serious consequences. But what about on the drinking age on a cruise? Do you still have to be 21? After all, we've all heard of "international waters" — a magical place just a few miles offshore where the normal rules don't apply, right? … [Read more...]

We'll admit it. We love watching TV on a cruise. Lots of people think it's crazy to go on vacation and watch television. For us, it's a guilty pleasure. There's nothing better than spending all day in port, only to come back in the afternoon and have some chill out time while watching the tube before dinner. Truth it, however, that your TV choices on a cruise are pretty limited. Most cruise lines … [Read more...]

Heading on an MSC cruise and wondering about internet access while at sea? You're not alone. MSC offers a wide range of internet package. We recently cruised and put the service through the paces to see just how good the wi-fi really is. It wasn't that long ago that having the internet on a cruise was a luxury. These days, it's practically a necessity to be online. Whether it's simply checking in … [Read more...]

Chances are that if you are taking a cruise on Royal Caribbean, then your ship is going to have a stop at CocoCay. The cruise line's private island is one of the most popular ports in cruising. Royal Caribbean spent hundreds of millions to transform the area from a sleepy island to a full-fledged destination, and passengers seem to universally love the experience. While we have everything to know … [Read more...]

Can you bring alcohol on your cruise? The answer is likely yes, but with lots of fine print you need to know… including specific rules for types of drinks. One of the reasons cruises offer such great value in cruise fare is because the line wants to simply get passengers on board. Once passengers are on the ship, then the cruise lines can offer them all sorts of things — from excursions to … [Read more...]

There are cruise tips… and then there are the tips that normally don't get discussed because, well, they are a bit weird. Maybe they are a little off-color, maybe they go against the grain, or maybe they just aren't widely known. No matter, they are all things you don't normally hear but you need to know for your next cruise. Let's dive in… Don't Expect It To Look Like The Ads You'd never see a … [Read more...]

There's a lot that's familiar about the casino on a cruise ship. Walk in, and you'll feel right at home. However, after dozens of sailings (and plenty of time spent in the ship's casino) I've learned that there are some things unique to cruise ship gambling. That includes what to know about drinks when playing, games I always avoid, and how I might have learned the way to beat one particular … [Read more...]

Miami is known as a major tourist mecca. Of course, there is the cruise industry with millions of passengers heading to South Florida every year to set sail. But from its famous beaches to sporting events and more, Miami is a tourist destination all its own and not just a departure port. Miami is a tourist hotspots with lots of hotels to choose from. Below, we cover some highly rated, affordable … [Read more...]

Let's face it. there's something about a cruise that makes people let loose. Maybe it's simply the "I'm on vacation" mindset. Maybe it's the sunshine. Or maybe it's just the intoxicating feel of cruising the Caribbean, miles away from the daily stresses of back home. Have a thong swimsuit you want to wear on a cruise? They are allowed, and depending on where you sail from, you'll likely find other … [Read more...]

One of the nice things about Baltimore cruising is that the port is within driving distance for millions of people. So those living in the mid-Atlantic can set sail without having to catch a flight. However, whether coming from Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, or anywhere else in the surrounding area, then you likely know how difficult parking in the city can be. Fortunately, it doesn't have … [Read more...]

Today's cruise ships offer so much more than just a pool, bar, and a buffet. From waterslides that hang out over the edge of the ship to go-karts at sea, there is no shortage of things to do on a modern cruise ship.  In fact, Norwegian Cruise Lines has been one of the leaders in the "arms race" among cruise ships to create vessels that have more things to do to entertain passengers. It has … [Read more...]

The countdown is on to a major development at NCL's Great Stirrup Cay. NCL's new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay opens on September 4. The waterpark features a staggering 19 slides, cliff jump, four-person slide, and more. Image courtesy of NCL. The private island has been undergoing a major renovation, but the crown jewel is the all-new Great Tides Waterpark. Now, after more than a … [Read more...]

Over nearly 15 years of sailing, I've taken dozens of cruises, vacationing aboard (nearly) every major cruise line. And in the course of all those months at sea, I've sailed and toured just about every type of cabin a passenger can book. A certain room type is one that I can't recommend if you're paying a full price. This goes all the way from touring the penthouse suites that offer amazing … [Read more...]

When it comes to cruising, it doesn't get more luxurious than taking the trip in a suite. Suite cabins on a cruise can provide a much more luxurious experience while on the ship. There is lots to know before you book, however. These are known as the nicest rooms on the ship. While most cruise cabins are small, suite cabins offer more space, more luxury, and a higher-end experience than what you'll … [Read more...]

Over the years, the popularity of cruising from Seattle has grown steadily. Given the location of Seattle, many people that are coming in for a cruise fly into the city. That means you'll need to find transportation from the airport to the cruise port. You can use public transportation to get from the airport to the Seattle cruise port at Pier 66. Pier 91 is a little tougher to get to, but the … [Read more...]