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. I visited MSC’s private island for the first time. 7 things I wish I knew before I went to Ocean Cay
MSC Cruises is one of many cruise lines that has a private destination just for their passengers.
Ocean Cay Marine Reserve located in The Bahamas is everything you could hope for in a topical paradise. It is the ideal way to relax and unwind while sailing on an MSC cruise. Jenna recently took an MSC cruise onboard MSC Seaside, which featured a stop at this one-of-a-kind island. She wasn’t sure what to expect and didn’t do much research ahead of time.
From picking the wrong beach to finding an unexpected charge, here are 7 things Jenna wishes she had known before she went to Ocean Cay.
Read more: I visited MSC’s private island for the first time. 7 things I wish I knew before I went to Ocean Cay
2. 10 reasons you should book an interior room on your next cruise
One of the most important decisions you make when booking a cruise is choosing the right cruise cabin.
With so many options to choose from, ranging from interior to balconies and suites, it can be hard to narrow down what the right choice is. Interior cabins are typically the cheapest available option on any cruise ship. While these cabins do not offer any natural light, they still provide all of the amenities you can come to expect on a cruise and are often a great deal.
Here are 10 reasons why you should book an interior room on your next cruise.
Read more: 10 reasons you should book an interior room on your next cruise
3. After 10 cruises, here's what I love and hated about sailing with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises
When it comes to cruising, there are so many different cruise lines for you to try out.
Chantal started her cruising journey onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, which set the bar pretty high for her. She continued to cruise on Royal Caribbean for a few more sailings and then decided to branch out to other cruise lines. She recently tried MSC Cruises, which she had found mixed reviews for. Of course, there are notable differences between these two cruise lines.
After sailing both Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, here are the pros and cons of each.
Read more: After 10 cruises, here's what I love and hated about sailing with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises
4. 8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation
Balcony cabins are some of the most popular cabin categories onboard cruise ships.
From the natural light to fresh air and a private escape, there are so many reasons that cruisers love balcony cabins. However, it is important to know that not all balcony cabins are created equal. Some of these cabins may feature extra space, while others have their balconies built into their living space. Some even face the interior of the ship!
Here's a list of the 8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation.
Read more: 8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation
5. What to expect during Disney Cruise Line's Pirate Night
If you are planning a Disney cruise, there are some things you will want to prepare for.
One of the most fun things to plan for is Pirate Night. This infamous theme night is a unique experience where guests can party like pirates on the high seas. Writer Hayley recently sailed onboard Disney Fantasy and was able to see what Pirate Night was all about.
Here's a guide to what Pirate Night is like onboard Disney Cruise Line ships-- yo ho a pirate’s life for me!
Read more: Guide to Disney Cruise Pirate Night
6. I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Carnival Celebration that cost $1,900 — here's what my inside stateroom looked like
Launched in 2022, Carnival Celebration is Carnival’s newest ship, and the second in their Excel Class.
Writer Elizabeth recently had the opportunity to sail onboard for a 7-night sailing and opted to stay in an interior cabin, which cost $1,900 for the duration of the sailing. This was Elizabeth’s first Carnival cruise, so she wasn’t sure what to expect from her cabin.
Here is exactly what her windowless cabin looked like onboard Carnival Celebration.
7. 8 signs you're ready to move up from a cruise ship balcony to a suite
If you've cruised numerous times in cruise ship balconies, you might be wondering what comes next.
If you are ready to splurge and treat yourself to a suite cabin, you may be finding it hard to pull the trigger. These cabins often aren’t a practical investment for many travelers, and you may be finding yourself wondering if it is worth the price tag.
If you are debating this choice, here are 8 signs that you are ready to move up from a cruise ship balcony to a suite on your next vacation.
Read more: 8 signs you're ready to move up from a cruise ship balcony to a suite
8. Guide to the Celebrity Captains Club loyalty program
Those who are familiar with Royal Caribbean have probably heard of their sister cruise line, Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity strives to offer an upscale cruising experience to unique destinations across the globe. This contrasts with Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly vacations. However, just like the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society, it also pays to be loyal to Celebrity Cruises. They offer cruisers the opportunity to join their Captain’s Club, featuring special benefits to repeat passengers.
Here is everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club.
Read more: Guide to the Celebrity Captains Club loyalty program
9. Here are the best Black Friday cruise deals of 2023
If you are ready to save some money on your next cruise, you will want to keep an eye out for Black Friday deals.
Similar to retailers, cruise lines are known to offer Black Friday sales. In fact, many of these deals will actually start before Black Friday! Typically, you can find great deals on not only cruise fares, but also snag some extra onboard credit, free add-ons, and other onboard offerings.
Check out our list of deals to see if your favorite line is offering Black Friday cruise sales. We will keep this list updated as offers are posted.
Read more: Here are the best Black Friday cruise deals of 2023
10. How much does a Carnival cruise ship cost to build?
It seems that ships these days are being built to be the biggest and best at sea.
Carnival Cruise Lines is no exception, as their newest cruise ships are some of the largest out there. Of course, being newer also means that they will have the latest technology, and therefore cost a lot to build. You may be wondering exactly how much it costs to build the largest fun ships at sea today.
Here's a breakdown of how much a Carnival cruise ship costs to build.
Read more: How much does a Carnival cruise ship cost to build?
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.
