We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.
1. Would you take a clothing-optional cruise?
It seems that these days, there's a themed cruise for every type of traveler.
Whether you are into comic themed cruises, broadway-styled sailings, or more, there's plenty of offerings out there for various interests. However, one that defies the rules of most typical sailings are clothing-optional cruises. While it's true that your standard sailing will require you to be fully clothed, these nude cruises do not follow the same rules.
Have you ever wanted to take a clothing-optional cruise? If so, you might want to consider a nude cruise!
Read more: Nude cruises: Clothing Optional Cruises
2. This TikTok is full of hacks showing you how to sneak alcohol on a cruise, but it can get you in serious trouble
One thing that all cruisers know to be true is that the price of alcoholic drinks onboard can get expensive.
There is nothing quite like enjoying a tropical drink while on cruise, but these drinks can wreak havoc on your vacation budget. Purchasing a drink package that many cruise lines offer can also add up quickly. Some TikTokers think that they have found the perfect workaround to this: sneaking in their own alcohol.
Before you get to packing, however, make sure you know these consequences you can expect if you get caught red-handed.
3. Inside cabin vs. balcony room: Which cruise cabin category should you choose?
One of the most important parts of booking your cruise is choosing the stateroom you want to stay in.
Your stateroom acts as your "home away from home" while on vacation, so you want to ensure that it is something you will be comfortable staying in. There are many options across different categories, with two of the most common ones being interior and balcony cabins. While both have their own pros and cons, cruisers oftentimes will find that one works better for their preferences than the other.
We list out everything that you need to know when choosing between a balcony and interior stateroom.
Read more: Balcony vs interior cruise ship rooms: what's the difference?
4. 15 tips that will help you decide whether or not a Carnival drink package is worth the investment
When purchasing a drink package for your next Carnival Cruise sailing, there's a chance that you won’t have to worry about purchasing drinks á la cart.
Drink packages are a great way to help budget for your vacation and not stress about the daily charges that drinks may rack up. There is a reason these are the most popular cruise add-ons after all. However, if you are not a big drinker or would rather splurge on a nicer stateroom or exciting excursion, maybe it doesn’t make sense to purchase the drink package.
Here are 15 tips that will help you decide whether or not a Carnival drink package is worth the investment or not.
Read more: 15 Best Carnival Drink Package Tips (2023)
5. A cruise hack turns any cabin into a private area, which is perfect for light sleepers
Those that have cruised before know that cruise cabins are notoriously small.
In fact, most staterooms onboard measure less than 200 square feet in size. This can create an issue when those who are sharing a stateroom have different sleep schedules. TikToker HappyGoLiving thought of a hack that helped in this very situation where she preferred to sleep in, while her cabin mate wanted to wake up early and get a head start on the day.
Here’s what the cruise hack entails and whether we think this strategy is more trouble than it’s worth or nnot!
Read more: A cruise hack turns any cabin into a private area, which is perfect for light sleepers
6. Angry dad slams Norwegian Cruise Line 'robbery' for extra-charge items
While cruises typically include a lot within their base fare, there are usually other add-ons that can increase the total amount spent on your vacation.
With room, food, entertainment, and more being covered in the base price, some cruise lines will opt to charge extra for wi-fi, shore excursions, specialty dining, coffee, and more. One angry dad took to TikTok to share his recent experience onboard Norwegian Bliss while taking a dream cruise to Alaska with his wife and two children.
He criticized Norwegian Cruise Line for charging hundreds of dollars for extra onboard items; however, not all of the viewers agreed with him.
Read more: Angry dad slams Norwegian Cruise Line 'robbery' for extra-charge items
7. Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk
While the tragic sinking of the Titanic is often the first to come to mind when people think of ships sinking, today's ships are built with more advanced technology and are able to withstand a lot more conditions.
Thankfully, very few cruise ships have sunk in modern history. However, the Titanic’s sinking impacted maritime law so much that now there are more than enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew onboard any given sailing.
Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk, and we list them for you here.
Read more: How Many Cruise Ships Have Sunk?
8. When is the best time to book a cruise?
So, you are finally ready to book your cruise vacation, but you’re wondering when the best time to book it is.
The best time to book a cruise is once you have decided on the perfect cruise line, ship, and itinerary, but you may be wondering if there might be a better sale coming in the next few weeks that would make it worth it to wait to book. Cruise pricing is dynamic, meaning that it fluctuates based on the itinerary, time of year, ship's age, and how soon it is scheduled to depart.
While there is no "best day" to book a cruise, you should be aware of cruise line promotions that will help you understand whether you are getting a good deal or not.
Read more: When is the best time to book a cruise?
9. Disney Treasure: Everything we know so far about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship
Disney Cruise Line fans have been eagerly awaiting more details to come out about the newest ship to the fleet: Disney Treasure.
Until recently, the only thing that was publicly known about Disney Treasure was her design features and rumored release date of 2024. This week, however, Disney Cruise Line released a video, as well as an article, revealing many of the new details onboard the brand-new Disney Treasure.
Read on to see some of the newly released details about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship: Disney Treasure!
Read more: Disney Treasure: Everything we know so far about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship
10. 15 Photos Show Why Booking a MSC Cruise Is Worth It
With so many cruise lines out there, it can be tough to decide which one to sail with.
Though it is not a brand-new cruise line, MSC Cruises has started to gain a following in North America, as they have begun to deploy some of their newest ships to sail from Florida and New York. For sailors looking to sail to unique destinations on an affordable cruise line, MSC Cruises might be the best option.
Here are 15 photos that show why booking an MSC cruise is worth it.
Read more: 15 Photos Show Why Booking a MSC Cruise Is Worth It
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.
