Which cruise line should you sail for your vacation? When it comes to selecting the right one for you, it can feel a bit like car shopping. Wondering which cruise line is right for you? We have profiles of each below to give you all the ins and outs. Say you want a new SUV. You have options from dozens of car makers. You have to narrow the list down by price range, reliability, cost, and more. You … [Read more...]
How Much it Costs to Retire on a Cruise Ship (Real Life Example)
Think of retiring, and you’re likely picturing a life of relaxing, traveling, eating good food, and with plenty of time to do whatever you want. Come to think of it, that sounds an awfully lot like cruising. Stories of retiring on a cruise ship have captured the imagination of many. But how much does it actually cost? We’ve priced a real-life example aboard a ship like this. On a … [Read more...]
Icon of the Seas: 12 Big Things to Know About the New Ship
Icon of the Seas — the latest ship from Royal Caribbean — is no doubt the biggest story in cruising in years. It’s the new largest cruise ship in the world… offers a full waterpark at sea… seven swimming pools… and it simply looks like nothing else on the ocean. The exciting new Icon of the Seas sets sail with passengers in 2024, marking a significant new step … [Read more...]
10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise
Tell us if this process sounds familiar. You want to book a cruise, so you start searching around. A web search takes you from one site to another. Before you know it, you’ve looked at a dozen different sites to try and find the best deal. If you want to find a deal on your next cruise, the tips shared here can help you save money. What’s more, you’ve tried searching multiple … [Read more...]
6 Theme Cruises You NEVER Knew Existed
Being on any cruise ship is a fun way to travel… but imagine being on a ship that also revolves around something that you absolutely love. That’s exactly what you get with a themed cruise. Not only are you at sea, visiting exotic ports, but you’re also around thousands of like-minded passengers with activities and entertainment that’s all centered around one specific … [Read more...]
16 Tampa Hotels with Shuttles or Transportation to the Cruise Port
Need a Tampa hotel with transportation 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...]
5 Easy Ways to Get to the Tampa Cruise Port (Port Transportation)
If you’re flying into Tampa to take your cruise, you can’t start your vacation without getting to the cruise terminal first! Below we have all the information you need to get to the Tampa port by Uber, Lyft, taxi, or shuttle. Before getting too far, however, it’s helpful to understand where the Port of Tampa is in relation to the airport and city. The Port of Tampa (lower right) … [Read more...]
Infinite Balconies on a Cruise: Pros, Cons, and Should You Book?
Traditionally, cruise cabins come in one of four categories: interior, oceanview, balcony, and a suite. However, cruise lines are constantly innovating and those popular balcony cabins — which give passengers their own private outdoor space — are one place where there have been changes. Enter the “infinite balcony.” On some cruise ships, the traditional balcony has been … [Read more...]
Heavy Storms Created Havoc for Cruise Passengers This Past Week
Proving that cruises aren’t just impacted by weather during the hurricane season, December’s weather created havoc for tens of thousands of passengers over this past week. Wet weather in the southeast caused cruises to be delayed, changed itineraries, and saw some passengers have their parked cars flooded. It started with a powerful storm system that hit the eastern part of the United … [Read more...]
What Cruise Passengers Should Know BEFORE Visiting a Private Destination
Cruise line private destinations have become some of the most popular ports on the planet. And why not? They are usually built and managed by the cruise lines, allowing them to curate an experience that caters specifically to passengers. From white-sand beaches to crystal clear water, food, and excursions available right at the port, there’s a lot to love about these spots. There are … [Read more...]
30 Fun Things for Cruise Passengers to Do in Nassau
Traveling on a cruise from the East Coast? If so, then chances are high your trip will include a stop in Nassau in The Bahamas. A view of Nassau as seen from the cruise ship. To the left is Paradise Island. To the right is the main city. Located just about 180 miles to the east of Miami, Nassau still feels a world away. That’s because for centuries it was under the rule of the British … [Read more...]
Carnival Jubilee Arrives in Galveston; First New Cruise Ship to Call Texas Home
Texas cruising made history yet again. From a tiny port that first started serious cruising in 2000, the Port of Galveston has grown into a powerhouse serving five cruise lines across three terminals, with hundreds of departures annually and seeing more than a million passengers each year. Carnival Jubilee arrived in Galveston for the first time. This marks the first new cruise ship to call the … [Read more...]
Nassau: How to Make the Most of 8 Hours in Port on a Cruise
If you’re taking a cruise from anywhere to The Bahamas, there is a good chance that it will make a stop in Nassau. The capital of the country, Nassau has long been known as a destination for sun-seeking tourists, a historical hotspot, and a prominent player in many James Bond movies. Nassau is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, with the ability to hand up to six ships a day. … [Read more...]
Tampa Cruise Parking Options, Prices, and Maps (Where to Park)
Headed on a cruise from Tampa Bay? If you are driving into the area for your trip, then of course you need somewhere to park your car. The port offers the most convenient parking, but it also charges roughly $16 per day. There are less expensive options available if you want to save. The good news is that you have plenty of parking options. Whether you want to park right at your ship and pay a … [Read more...]
Port of Miami Cruises Delayed Due to Weather (Possibly 60,000 Passengers Impacted)
Wind gusts and high tides have caused a delay to embarkation and debarkation at the Port of Miami. The Miami area has been hit by wild weather over this weekend with strong wind gusts and heavy rain. Official data counted about 1.2″ in the Miami area officially on Saturday, but wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour also hit the region. As well, tide levels reached moderate flood stage, … [Read more...]
Answered: What’s Included in Your Cruise Fare? (And What’s Not)
First-time cruiser? If so, then one of the biggest questions you might have is figuring out exactly what’s included in the price you pay for a cruise. Once on the ship, plenty is included with your fare, but not everything. Here’s what comes with your cruise and what costs extra. Think of a classic cruise, and you might picture paying your fare and then enjoying everything the ship has … [Read more...]
NCL Makes History With First Seasonal Sailing From Galveston, Texas
Norwegian Cruise Line made history yesterday with one of its newest ships — Norwegian Prima — making its first ever seasonal debut sailing from Galveston, Texas. The ship will sail 7-day cruises through April 2024 to the western Caribbean. Norwegian Prima departed Galveston on its first seasonal sailing from the port. The ship will sail through April 2024 from Texas. Sister ship … [Read more...]
15 Convenient Tampa “Park and Cruise” Hotels (Highly Rated)
With Tampa cruise hotels that offer parking for guests, you can save some serious cash on your vacation. Parking at the Port of Tampa, while relatively affordable compared to other ports, can still cost a significant amount. The official port lots are extremely convenient (right across from the terminal), but costs around $16 per day. That means when you park for a week-long cruise, you have a … [Read more...]
Four Cruises With Stunning Views of the April 2024 Eclipse
For skywatchers, April 8, 2024 is a major date. Following an annular eclipse that occurred in October 2023, April 8 marks a second event in just six months. However, this time it will be a total solar eclipse. During that day, the moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the Sun. The sky will turn dark, and if it’s clear and you are in the path of totality, then you … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Names Soccer Star Messi as “Icon” of its Newest Ship
If you’ve followed any news about Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, then you know that the cruise line is going big with the new ship. It’s the newly crowned largest cruise ship on the planet (but doesn’t sail with passengers until January 2024), offers a full-fledged waterpark, new neighborhood concepts, and an experience that promises to be like nothing else at sea. It … [Read more...]