Advice & Tips

No matter how many cruises you’ve been on, there’s always a chance something could go drastically wrong.

With over 30 sailings under my belt, I'd consider myself a veteran cruiser. Even still, I made a rookie mistake on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise that could have cost me my dream vacation altogether.

As a year-round cruiser, I'm no stranger to summer heat. When prepping for a voyage in June, July, or August, I take precautions to ensure I don't overheat while on my long-awaited vacation, regardless of whether it's to the Bahamas, Caribbean, or Mediterranean. 

It is official! You have just booked your cruise vacation and now you are considering add-ons like excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and more! One of the most popular add-ons is alcoholic beverage packages, but you may not like the cost, as packages can range from $50 to over $100 per person, per day.

This price may seem intimidating. As such, it's common for cruisers to want to sneak alcohol on a cruise. More passengers are inclined to get crafty in their methods of sneaking alcohol onboard the ship, rather than paying for pricey packages.

One of the biggest reasons I prefer cruising over a land-based vacation is the unmatched convenience. Cruising makes it easy to see multiple countries, cities, and regions with ease. You can see so much in a shorter amount of time without needing to repack your suitcase or figure out logistics. 

In this way, I am always looking for unique itineraries to visit new destinations. For years, the idea of staying on the ship while in port never even crossed my mind. Why wouldn’t I want to make the most of my time exploring new places?

If you’re preparing for an upcoming cruise, you might be looking to stock up on some essentials before setting sail. I am always searching for budget-friendly ways to fill up my suitcase.

One of my favorite pre-cruise tasks is heading to the store to look for items that I want to take on my cruise. Shopping is much more fun than packing clothes, in my opinion! After hitting up the dollar store this fall, I couldn’t believe how many must-have cruise items I found.

In addition to the base fare, cruisers must budget extra for gratuities, or tips for crew members. 

Gratuities are divided to help cover the cost of everyone who works to make your vacation special, including cabin stewards, dining and culinary services staff, the guest services team, and others who work behind the scenes and contribute to the overall cruise experience.

Many first-time cruisers are confused about how tipping works onboard cruise ships and may find themselves asking questions like, "who do you need to tip onboard?" and "do you have to tip on a cruise?"

Depending on the cruise line, time of year, ship, and itinerary, the cost of taking a cruise vacation can greatly vary. 

Staying in, for instance, a balcony cabin on the newest ship during the summer can often cost a pretty penny, perhaps over $1,400 per person for a week-long cruise.

Sailing does not always have to be expensive, and it’s certainly possible to cruise for less than $100 per person per day. However, planning a cheap cruise vacation does require advance planning and self control once you board the ship!

Cruise ships are often more crowded than resorts because thousands of people are packed under a single roof.

Even the smallest ships can host thousands of guests on a single cruise. For example, Carnival Elation, one of the cruise line's oldest and smallest ships at sea, can accommodate over 2,100 guests at double occupancy.

The cruise industry is constantly changing, especially post-pandemic. With brand-new cruise ships launching each year and cruise fares increasing substantially, the cruising landscape has shifted in the last few years.

Cruises are also more popular than ever before with millions of passengers setting sail each year. With increasing demand comes an increase in pricing. Even with increased travel costs, you can still find great value in cruising.