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. Don't be shy about asking these excursion questions!
One of the best parts of preparing for your upcoming cruise vacation is planning out the excursions that you want to take.
However, with the vast amount of activities and tours to choose from, it may leave you with more questions than anticipated. You want to make sure that you are spending your limited time off of the ship in a memorable and fun way.
We have the answers to all of your questions about shore excursions.
Read more: Your really dumb cruise shore excursion questions answered
2. Ever wondered what a solo cabin looks like?
Have you ever considered going on a solo cruise?
Norwegian Cruise Line has Studio Staterooms available on some of their ships. These cabins may be the perfect option for those cruisers traveling solo and not wanting to book a double occupancy room.
We tested out one of these cabins and break down everything that is included when sailing onboard Norwegian Cruise Line in a Studio Stateroom.
Read more: See exactly what a cabin designed for one person includes: solo traveler cruising
3. There are a few ways to communicate with others while on a cruise!
When you are sailing at sea on your next cruise, you will notice that you will not have access to your cellular data as you would on land.
While some people view a cruise as the perfect chance to disconnect, other may need to stay in contact with people both on and off the ship, and this can pose a large problem. Luckily for you, there are certain ways for those onboard to stay in contact, even without purchasing Wi-Fi.
We gathered all of the ways to communicate with someone onboard a cruise ship.
Read more: How to communicate with someone on a cruise ship
4. Allie rolled the dice on a random cruise but would not do it again
When booking a next cruise, there are a lot of factors to decide on which trip will be right for you.
A large one for most travelers is picking the right ship for their travel party. Since each ship is a destination in and of itself, this can often be a high priority for cruisers. Allie recently booked a cruise based off of the itinerary and not the ship, which left her questioning her choices.
Here is what her experience was like, and why she will not be doing it again.
Read more: I booked a cruise and didn't care which ship it was on - here's why I won't do it again
5. Looking back, here's what Elizabeth would have done differently in Europe
Even the most seasoned of Caribbean cruisers may not know what to expect on their first European cruise.
Elizabeth has taken over 10 cruises, but she recently took her first cruise in the Mediterranean. Not being a stranger to cruising, there were a lot of things that she had different expectations on for this sailing. If she were to do it all over again, there are certain things she would do differently.
Here are 3 things she did right and 5 mistakes she made on her first European cruise.
Read more: 3 things I did right and 5 mistakes I made on my first European cruise
6. Have you ever wondered what the Norwegian Cruise Line check-in process is like?
If you have decided to take the plunge and book a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, you may be wondering what their check-in process is like.
Checking in for your cruise is exciting, as it marks the beginning of your vacation! That being said, you want to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible, and that you are prepared for when you arrive.
We have broken down exactly what you can expect and what to do to ensure you get onboard your cruise ship as quickly as possible.
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line Check-In Process
7. I always stay in inside cabins on a cruise ship. Here's why I actually like these rooms
One of the big decisions when booking your next cruise vacation is choosing which cabin type you want to stay in.
While some prefer large suites and balconies, writer Allie prefers to stay in interior cabins. Not only are these typically the cheapest staterooms that you can stay in onboard, but they still provide everything you need for your cruise vacation.
If you are left wondering why anyone would want to book an inside cabin, Allie reveals why she prefers these staterooms, and why you should consider booking one for your next cruise.
Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship. Here's why I actually like these rooms
8. What to do if your flight gets delayed and puts your cruise at risk
The last thing you want to do is miss your cruise vacation due to a delayed flight.
More than ever recently flight delays have been impacting travelers from various regions. If you live far enough away from the cruise port that you are taking a flight, it is good to know your options ahead of any delays so you can act quickly if one arises.
Writer Angie recently had a flight delay that almost caused her to miss her cruise onboard Carnival's Mardi Gras. In this article, she broke down what you should do if your flight gets delayed to ensure you have the best chance of making it to your cruise.
Read more: What to do if your flight gets delayed and puts your cruise at risk
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.
