We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.
If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared
1. All of these tips seem like a good idea...until your cruise begins!
Before starting your next cruise vacation, it is important to learn about all of the tips and tricks that will help you have the best experience possible.
The tricky part is knowing which ones are actually helpful, and which ones are only good in theory. With everyone having different vacation priorities and eexpectations, tips may work better from some than others. At the end of vacation, you need to do what will help you have the most memorable cruise.
Here are 8 cruise tips that we have tried that did not work for us and our travel style.
Read more: Cruise tips that sound like a good idea until you're aboard
2. What you need to know to plan a great shore excursion!
One of the most important parts of planning your cruise vacation is deciding what you want to do on your days in port.
With so many excursions to choose from, it can become overwhelming trying to narrow down and decide on just one. You want to make sure that you get the most out of your limited time in port, while enjoying a great experience.
Whether you want to dogsled in Alaska, snorkel in the Caribbean, or visit the Mayan ruins in Mexico, there are plenty of shore excursions to fit every traveler's needs. We created an ultimate guide to cruise shore excursions to help make the decision easier.
Read more: Ultimate guide to cruise excursions
3. There are some great reasons to eat dinner at the buffet!
The buffet on a cruise ship is well known when it comes to grabbing an easy meal for breakfast or lunch.
However, many people overlook this as an option for dinner, as there are typically other complimentary and add-on restaurants to choose from. While you may miss out on white tablecloths, eating in the buffet has plenty of advantages for you. From a faster meal after a long shore excursion, to plenty of options for picky eaters, and even choosing when you want to dine.
We think that you should not overlook eating at the cruise buffet for a dinner meal, and here is why.
Read more: Why you should eat dinner in the buffet
4. If you're going to book MSC's top experience, here's how to get the most from your time there!
One of the best ways to sail onboard an MSC cruise ship is in their Yacht Club.
This premier experience offers guests a long list of benefits and unique services that will enhance your cruise vacation. From one of a kind exclusive events, to saving time and money, there are plenty of ways for you to take advantage of the perks and benefits that cruising in the Yacht Club category offers.
Here are our 25 tips to make the most of your MSC Yacht Club experience.
Read more: 25 ways to take advantage of staying in MSC Cruises Yacht Club
5. Important need-to-know info about Carnival Mardi Gras!
When gearing up for your next cruise vacation, it is essential to plan ahead to ensure that you are maximizing your vacation experience.
Carnival Cruise Line’s second newest ship, the Carnival Mardi Gras, has plenty of offerings onboard, from dining venues, to experiences, attractions, and even entertainment. If you take time to research the ship before boarding, you will be sure to know exactly what it offers, and what you want to take advantage of, and even if this is the right ship for you and your travel party.
Here are the 10 things you need to know before you book Carnival Mardi gras so you can decide if this is the right ship for your next cruise vacation.
Read more: 10 things to know before you book Carnival Mardi Gras
6. Should you pay for Princess' inclusive cruise fare option?
When sailing on most cruise lines, your vacation will not be a true all-inclusive experience.
While most of these cruise lines do offer complimentary food and beverage options, entertainment, attractions and transportation between ports of call, there can be many add-ons you will end up being responsible for. Princess Cruises have begun to roll out different types of fares to make your cruise a more inclusive experience, including Princess Standard, Princess Plus and Princess Premier.
We provided a breakdown of Princess Plus, and our thoughts on if it is worth the extra cost to choose this mid-tier fare.
Read more: Is Princess Plus Worth it?
7. Captain Kate showed off what a cruise ship Captain's cabin looks like
Have you ever wondered what it is like to live onboard a cruise ship as the captain?
Celebrity Beyond captain, Captain Kate McCue, shares a glimpse into this lifestyle on her TikTok page. She shows what her living quarters are like, as she calls it her “humble abode”.
Find out more about how Captain McCue lived while she was the captain onboard Celebrity Edge.
Read more: Take a look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters
8. A look at how these two suites compare!
While Allie cruises frequently, she typically will opt for the lowest fare she can find, which usually ends up being an interior stateroom.
Recently however, she was able to sail in a Junior Suite onboard Royal Caribbean’s Odyssesy of the Seas and also in an Ocean Suite on Carnival’s Mardi Gras. Since both of these ships are newer to their fleets, she was excited to see what these rooms had in common, and what set them apart.
Join her as she compares her experiences in Carnival’s Ocean Suite in comparison to Royal Caribbean’s Junior suite on two of their newer ships.
Read more: Comparing Carnival's Ocean Suite to Royal Caribbean's Junior Suite
Nicole Feist
Nicole first fell in love with cruising as a teenager on a family vacation. Since then she's gone on to become a frequent cruiser, and even marrying her husband on a sailing. Living on the Gulf Coast of Florida, you'll find her cruising on the weekends whenever she can.
