These days we’re all used to being tracked. Between our phones, cameras, internet browsers, and more, it seems like much of what we do is watched. Still, much of this tracking happens unobtrusively without us realizing it. That means it can be somewhat unnerving when that tracking is brought front and center. That’s what caught our attention in a Facebook post shared by … [Read more...]

There are big cruise ships… and then there is Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, and already has two sister ships on order. Now the cruise line is ordering a fourth in the class, with an option for two more. Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean has made headlines for years with its large cruise ships. Its Oasis … [Read more...]

Passengers sailing on Princess should get ready to pay a little bit more on their next cruise. The daily gratuity charge for Princess is bumping up. For most people, the rate will go from $16 per day to $17. Some cabins will pay up to $19 per person, per day. In a change we first noticed on Friday, the cruise line is now showing an increase in the rates for daily gratuity on the ship. Whether … [Read more...]

If you see a cruise line commercial or visit their websites, you’ll be greeted with images of their latest and greatest ships. They are bright, shiny, and big. But the truth is that the majority of a cruise line’s fleet is actually made up of older ships. Cruise lines love to brag about their newest ships, but cruise ships can have a life of upwards of 30 years, meaning there are lots … [Read more...]

For years, Galveston has been one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the country. In fact, it’s the largest cruise port outside of Florida. Now, the Texas city looks to be doing everything it can to compete with those Florida cruises. The Port of Galveston recently held an event to mark the construction of Cruise Terminal 16. In addition, they shared a number of renderings showing what … [Read more...]

Your cabin on the cruise ship is literally your home away from home. While there are thousands of people all around the ship, your cabin is the one place where you can close the door and the world goes away. Your cabin is your private oasis on the ship, but packing a few smart items can make the space more comfortable and organized. It’s also where you’ll sleep, get ready for the day, … [Read more...]

When you cruise, the vast majority of your time is spent on the ship. Considering that ports of call are stops that usually last about eight hours or so, even three ports of call on a seven-day cruise adds up to just one full 24-hour day where you can actually be off the vessel. The size difference between cruise ships can be dramatic, even within the same cruise line. But there is a lot more … [Read more...]

Do you like to cruise cheap? We’re talking real cheap… in some cases less than $200 all-in (taxes and fees included!) for a cruise that can get you out of the ordinary. Because sometimes you just need to get away but you don’t have a fortune to spend. There’s little arguing that in recent years cruise prices have risen, but it can still be one of the most affordable … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises offers what we consider one of the best deals in cruising with its all-inclusive offers for passengers. Now one of those offers is increasing in price, but passengers are also getting more. Princess is raising the price of its Princess Premier package, but also offering more included with the offer. For years now, Princess has given its passengers an option on how to cruise. They … [Read more...]

If it’s your first time taking a cruise, you might be wondering exactly what there is to do on the ship? First things first, there’s a lot more things to do than most people realize. In the past, it might have been that the majority of your time would be hanging out on the pool deck and having a drink. These days there is no end to the fun you can have on a cruise, and there are … [Read more...]

How much larger have cruise ships become? Until you are standing next to a modern cruise ship, it’s hard to appreciate just how massive they actually are. The growth in size of cruise ships is dramatic. Here, Rhapsody of the Seas (1997) is dwarfed by Wonder of the Seas (2022) as the average tonnage of cruise ships built has roughly tripled from the 1990s. Many times they are called floating … [Read more...]

Let’s get one thing straight at the start — this isn’t meant to be a list of rigid rules that you have to follow. Your cruise is your vacation. That means you can enjoy it however you want to… short of breaking the law. Instead, our 44 things never to do on a cruise ship represent tips and advice on how to make your cruise more fun, more memorable, and a better experience. … [Read more...]

If you’ve ever taken a cruise, then chances are you are a member of the cruise line’s loyalty program. They each go by different names such as Carnival’s VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Program or Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society or Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards. But they all act in a similar way. With these programs, you take your cruise and … [Read more...]

Doing anything with teenagers can certainly have some challenges, but cruising doesn’t have to be one of them. Taking a cruise with a teenager is a great idea as there’s something for everyone. Before you sail, however, we have some things you’ll want to know. In fact, when it comes to a vacation with something for everyone — from teenagers to parents (along with any other … [Read more...]

Want to save money on your next cruise? Of course, who doesn’t? And while most people think only about saving when buying their cruise, that’s only one part of your trip. After all, buying your cruise is just the start of what you’ll spend on your vacation. There’s also everything that you’ll spend on board, in port, and even on getting to the cruise terminal. To help … [Read more...]

Visiting Carnival’s Celebration Key? The new private destination is exciting passengers as it is like nothing else in the Carnival line-up. Carnival’s new Celebration Key offers everything from beach to pool to cabanas to super villas. So how much will things cost? We have the known pricing below. Image courtesy of Carnival. Sitting just 120 miles from Miami, Celebration Key on Grand … [Read more...]

The good news first — cruises are overall a safe vacation. For the vast majority of passengers, the chance of any sort of incident happening to you are slim to none. But when you deal with tens of millions of passengers each year, it’s inevitable that some bad things do happen here or there. First things first, a cruise is a safe vacation. But there are safety and health issues that … [Read more...]

Hurricane Debby has officially made landfall, but the effects of the storm are going to be felt for days to come. Already there are reports of significant damage and flooding. And while the storm is set to weaken, flooding rains will continue in the southeast United States. Forecasts for the coming days are for between 10-20″ of rain running from Florida to North Carolina. Hurricane Debby … [Read more...]

There are cruise tips that anyone will tell you… and then there are those that are much more “hush-hush.” They go against the grain, may not be bright and cheery, or they are just different from what you normally hear. I’m talking about snagging a table when reservations are full… why cruise lines really offer discounts before the cruise… why most people should care less … [Read more...]

Will your drink package bought on a Carnival cruise work when visiting Celebration Key? While things could change, the answer right now is a definite “no,” according to the cruise line. Carnival’s CHEERS! drink package is popular, but if you’re hoping to use it on the new Celebration Key… that’s not the case. Celebration Key is a massive new private destination … [Read more...]