Cruise Tips

Expert cruise advice on everything from choosing the right cruise line and itinerary to packing and planning your shore excursions.

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A view of the Carnival Sunrise deck featuring a swimming pool with dolphin designs, lounge chairs, dining tables, and sun loungers. In the background are water slides, and the sun is setting behind a partly cloudy sky. Perfect for photos before its 2024 dry dock.

Cruisers Reveal the 11 Worst Habits of Fellow Passengers (Are You Guilty?)

Doug Parker October 9, 2024

Illustration of a passenger standing on a dock facing a large cruise ship with two directional signs above them. Each sign reads "PAY TIPS" and "OPT OUT," hinting at the debate over cruise gratuity charges. Palm trees and lamp posts line the dock under a colorful sky.

Cruise Gratuity Charges: Fair or Unfair to Passengers?

Doug Parker October 5, 2024

A large cruise ship is docked at the Port of Galveston, visible in the background. Several parked cars and palm trees line the foreground, while a clear blue sky provides a picturesque backdrop for those navigating this vibrant area.

How to Get to the Port of Galveston for Your Next Cruise

Heather Baxter October 5, 2024

A large cruise ship docked near a beach under a clear sky evokes the image of a Disney Fantasy. The vessel boasts a dark blue hull, white upper decks, and two red and black smokestacks. The water shimmers in bright turquoise, while the sandy beach is clearly visible in the foreground.

7 Expert Tips for Making the Most of Your Disney Fantasy Cruise

Nancy Schretter October 1, 2024

Best and Worst Cruise Staterooms: How to Choose the Right Cabin for You

Heather Baxter October 1, 2024

carnival cruise line mardi gras cozumel

Understanding Cruise Price Drops After Your Final Payment

Doug Parker September 23, 2024

Pigs lounging on blue deck chairs by a pool on a cruise ship, with stacks of books nearby and another cruise ship visible in the background, making one wonder if they've encountered the notorious chair hogs problem.

Cruise Ship Chair Hogs: When Is It Too Early to Reserve a Lounger?

Orlando Martinez September 22, 2024

A coastal town with colorful buildings on a hill, topped by a fortress. The town is surrounded by greenery and overlooks a blue sea under a partly cloudy sky, making it one of the picturesque islands to visit in the Mediterranean.

Island hopping in the Mediterranean: Which islands to visit and what to do on the islands

Orlando Martinez September 18, 2024

Carnival Horizon Return Trip Report

How to Pick the Best Cruise Cabin and Mistakes to Avoid

Richard Simms August 25, 2024

A large cruise ship docked beside a white building with a stunning sunset sky in the background at Port Canaveral.

A Newbie’s Guide to Cruise Ship Disembarkation

Doug Parker August 25, 2024

Carnival Adds Lifetime Status to New Loyalty Program

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds No-Show Fee for Specialty Dining

Disney Cruise Line Delays New Ship’s Debut by Nearly Three Months

Pennsylvania Woman Accused of Using Relative’s GoFundMe on Carnival Cruise

Cruise Passenger Jumps Overboard in Puerto Rico to Avoid $16K Casino Debt

Cruise Ship Report Hundreds of Discharge Violations in Alaska Waters

Carnival Firenze Plans Epic 45-Day Sailing Before Relocating to Miami

Dozens of Labadee Calls Dropped as Royal Caribbean Extends Haiti Pause