Cruise Tips Passenger Advice & Boarding Information

If you've been searching for a hotel in Miami Beach or specifically South Beach, then you may have made an alarming discovery: resort fees. Many hotels in Miami Beach charge resort fees. We've rounded up a handful that don't to help you save money. Start to search for a place to stay and you'll no doubt find that nearly every hotel in the touristy Miami Beach now has these fees tacked on to your … [Read more...]

There's plenty of talk about things to do in ports of call when on a cruise. Days at sea are much less discussed, despite the fact that plenty of cruises — whether long or short — have them. For many, days at sea on the cruise are their favorites. If you're wondering what to do while on the water, here are nearly a dozen ideas. In short, a sea day is nothing more than a day on your cruise when the … [Read more...]

From nothing to one of the most visited cruise destinations in the world in just a year… that's the story of Carnival's Celebration Key. Carnival's Celebration Key has officially been open for an entire year. Already a mind-boggling number of passengers have visited. The beachy spot with massive pools just celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 19, having opened on that date last summer. But … [Read more...]

When it comes to cruising, the food is arguably as big a deal as the ports of call, the pool, or the shows onboard. While you're on the ship, you'll eat three meals a day — if not more — while having a dozen or more options to choose from. But after dozens of cruises, I've learned quite a few things about food on the cruise that I wish I knew before I sailed for the first time. Here's what to … [Read more...]

Planning to stay in Miami the night before your trip and need a hotel with a shuttle to the cruise port? That's always a great idea. Many Miami hotels offer shuttle to the port an an incentive for passengers to book. Others are near the free Coral Way trolley, which stops at the port. With a hotel cruise shuttle, you don't have to worry about how to get to your ship on embarkation day. The good … [Read more...]

Wondering if the alcoholic drink package on Princess is worth it? Or maybe you know you want the package, but want to know all the details of how it works before you buy. Princess offers drink packages (the Plus and Premium packages) that allow you to enjoy beverages on the ship without worrying about a bar tab at the end of the cruise. Drink packages have a lot to offer for passengers. Instead of … [Read more...]

There's one aspect of your cruise that's going to take up the single biggest chunk of your time during the vacation, yet no one really talks about it. It's not often talked about, but you're likely to spend more time in your bed on the ship than any other single place onboard. Here's what to know about sleeping on a cruise. We're talking, of course, of sleeping. For a weeklong cruise you could … [Read more...]

For most people, the idea of heading off on a cruise is exciting. Between sun, shows, drinks, and exotic ports of call, there's a lot to look forward to. However, there is a small segment that may be hit with something else: cruise anxiety. Most people are excited to take their cruise, but a few have strong phobias… such as fear of the open water. Why would someone that's anxious about cruising be … [Read more...]

Given the popularity of Alaskan cruises, it means many people fly into the Seattle area to board their ship. Of course, then you have to get your way from the airport or hotel to th. There's no shortage of ways to get around Seattle to the cruise port, from taxis to Uber to public transportation. To help you find your way, we've put together this guide of all your options. If flying in, the … [Read more...]

Step onto a cruise ship, and the first thing that you likely notice is how large and luxurious cruise ships really are. From grand promenades that span multiple decks to ships that measure 20+ stories and more than 1,000 feet long, it's obvious that cruise lines spend a lot of money building the vessels. In fact, some of these newest ships cost well north of $1 billion to construct. That's not to … [Read more...]

After years of speculation and rumors, Carnival has finally lifted the veil on its newest shipbuild, revealing something that's bigger than anything ever seen before in the fleet. The new ship — part of an entirely new class — was formally presented in Italy at a special presentation between Carnival and shipbuilder Fincantieri. Carnival fans will know that the cruise line already has two ships … [Read more...]

Traditionally, cruise cabins come in one of four categories: interior, oceanview, balcony, and a suite. However, cruise lines are constantly innovating and tweaking. And those popular balcony cabins — which give passengers their own private outdoor space — are one place where there have been changes in an effort to appeal to more passengers. Enter the "infinite balcony." On some cruise ships, the … [Read more...]

What's the future of cruising look like? We asked an AI agent to picture what a modern ship will look like well into the future, and the results are definitely something you want to see. Anyone that's been a cruise fan for more than a few years knows that the pace of innovation with cruise ships is breathtaking. A ship built today offers so much more — both in size and features — than one built … [Read more...]

Need a Tampa hotel with transportation (e.g. a shuttle) to the cruise port? That's a smart way to start your vacation. You likely know that Tampa is so much more than a cruise port. From amusement parks to casino gambling to aquariums, to beautiful beaches, there's a wide variety of things to do in the area. It's no wonder that many people choose to spend a day (or several) in the Tampa area … [Read more...]

Not sure how to get from your cruise ships to Cabbage Beach in Nassau? Don't worry, you're not alone, and there are multiple ways to get there. Cabbage Beach is near the cruise port, features golden sand and beautiful water. Unfortunately, it can be a little tough to get there if you don't know the way. We explain how to get to the beach, below. The beach sits right near Atlantis on Paradise … [Read more...]

Most cruise tips, the lines don't care if you know about them or not. But there are certain ones that — while not illegal or against the rules — the cruise lines would definitely prefer that not everyone followed them. These 11 tips are all things passengers should know, but you probably won't hear from the cruise lines themselves… You Aren't Limited to Just a Single Item on the Menu I'll begin … [Read more...]

Want to be an expert before you ever take a cruise? Or maybe you've taken plenty, but want to test what you know about being smart when you sail? That's why after 30+ cruises, we've rounded up things we think expert cruisers know… that many people may have no idea about. If you know these tips, then you can call yourself an expert. Know the Gouges After you cruise a few times, you start to learn … [Read more...]

There's a moment of every cruise that doesn't get much publicity, but it's as inevitable as death and taxes. We're talking, of course, about the end of your cruise. You may not want to think about the end of your trip and getting off the ship — also known as disembarkation — but there are some things that you will want to know when it comes leaving. When Does Disembarkation Start? Leaving the ship … [Read more...]

On any Carnival cruise, one of the most popular activities is spending a little time (and money) in the casino. Casino gambling is a big deal on a Carnival cruise, with all sorts of games for you to try your luck. Below, we cover all the ins and outs of the casino on the ship. But we'll be the first to tell you that while there's a lot that's similar to casinos on land, there are some major … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises may have a huge presences in North America just yet, but that's quickly changing. While other cruise lines — Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean — may get most of the headlines, MSC is actually just as large and even larger than some of those names. What's the difference between MSC and other major cruise lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean? We break down what you can expect… … [Read more...]