Which Cruise Lines Have Gone Back to Traditional Muster Drills, Which Haven’t and One Reason Why

Let’s face it: If there was one good thing to come out of the protocols introduced because of COVID, it was the virtual or e-muster drills. The vast majority of cruisers preferred this simpler process over the traditional muster drills. Yet now, several lines are going back to the way things were… whether we like it […]
What You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Line’s Premium+ Drink Package

Most cruisers receive a “free” drink package as a perk when booking their Norwegian Cruise Line sailing. But it turns out there’s another option available to them, the Premium Plus Beverage Package, featuring a wider array of included drinks… including a few that might surprise you. What does the NCL Premium Plus drink package cost? […]
An Open Letter to Norwegian Cruise Line: Please Don’t Stop the Music!

Hey, listen, I get it, Norwegian Cruise Line. The shutdown, which crippled the cruise industry, hit you guys hard, and you wound up losing a lot of money. So now, you’re doing what you can to try and get things back on track. But here’s the thing that only people who really, really love you […]
The Disembarkation Issue I Never Saw Coming and How To Avoid It When You’re Cruising

Every cruiser dreads embarkation day for one reason or another. Maybe you don’t want your vacation to end, or maybe you just hate the idea of having to face traffic or head to an airport (where, it’s been scientifically proven, fun goes to die). What’s the one thing that could make the whole process worse? […]
Why Cruise Lines Need to Shift How They Deal With Daily Gratuities

As long as moms have existed, they’ve asked, “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?” Apparently, where cruise lines and the raising of gratuities are concerned, the answer is, “Hold my beer, ’cause I’m jumping.” The problem is that more and more, the passengers who are expected to simply […]
9 Things to Know About Carnival Celebration Before Boarding

Could you walk onto Carnival’s newest ship knowing absolutely nothing and have an amazing time? Of course. But since we’ve checked everything out and prepared this list of Carnival Celebration tips designed to help you get the most out of your time on board, why not check it out? While you’re here, make sure to […]
Fed-Up Guests to Cruise Lines: ‘Enough is Enough!’

Things have definitely changed since the cruise lines returned to service following the shutdown. For the most part, guests — especially those who’ve been the biggest supporters of the oft-maligned industry — have adjusted to the changes. But as several lines increase the daily gratuity charge while cutting back on services, more and more cruisers […]
Does Carnival — Or Any Other Cruise Line — Really Have to Tell People Not To Do This?

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, someone comes along with a complaint for Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, which leaves us gobsmacked. If there’s one upside, it’s that usually, hundreds, if not thousands, of our fellow cruisers chime in on the right side of the debate, making us realize that the […]
Carnival Cruise Line Guest’s Tacky Request Leaves a Bad Taste In Our Mouths

Generally, the question of just how much a human life is worth is the type of question best left to philosophers. But one woman’s letter to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald seemed to suggest not only the value of a life, but that the life of a crew member might not carry the […]
Carnival Cruise Line Made a Dining Change People Are Upset About (But Shouldn’t Be)

Citing supply chain issues and a desire to reduce the amount of waste generated, Carnival Cruise Line a few weeks ago announced several food-related changes. Among them were an increase in the price charged by the steakhouse, a reduction in the hours during which the ice cream machines will operate, and a surcharge of five […]