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 spent 48 hours on the brand-new Celebrity Ascent. Here are 10 reasons I want to go back.
Celebrity Cruises recently launched their newest ship: Celebrity Ascent!
Cruise.Blog writer Allie was able to spend 48 hours onboard this beautiful ship and is already excited to plan another trip onboard. Even though her time onboard was short, she was able to experience so much of what sets Celebrity Ascent apart from other ships.
Here are 10 reasons she already wants to go back and take a longer sailing onboard Celebrity Ascent.
Read more: I spent 48 hours on the brand-new Celebrity Ascent. Here are 10 reasons I want to go back.
2. I saved $800 booking my flights through Norwegian Cruise Line, but was it worth the stress?
Booking your next cruise vacation can be a fun experience. However, booking travel to get to and from the cruise can be less than fun.
Cruise.Blog writer Allie recently sailed aboard Norwegian Cruise Line out of Southampton. When booking her cruise, she was able to take advantage of NCL’s Free at Sea airfare program, which ended up saving her $800 in flights. While this may seem like a no-brainer deal, it actually ended up being a stressful experience.
Here is a recap of her experience of booking airfare through the cruise line, and why she might second-guess this option next time.
Read more: I saved $800 booking my flights through Norwegian Cruise Line, but was it worth the stress?
3. Take a look inside this $60,000 suite on the new Celebrity Ascent cruise ship
Celebrity Ascent is Celebrity Cruises' newest ship. As such, she boasts some of the biggest and nicest rooms at sea.
Being the fourth ship in the Edge Class series, Celebrity Ascent offers plenty of options when it comes to accommodations. However, there is one room in particular that stands out. This $60,000 suite boasts over 2,400 square feet, more space than any other cabin onboard.
Check out what the inside of this one-of-a-kind Iconic Suite.
Read more: Take a look inside this $60,000 suite on the new Celebrity Ascent cruise ship
4. Can I Bring A Steamer On A Cruise?
Once you finally have your cruise vacation booked, it is time to start thinking about packing.
However, packing for a cruise can be a little more complicated than packing for a vacation to a resort. Not only can you not easily go to a convenience store if you forget something, but there are also strict rules about what isn’t allowed on cruise ships. Of course, most of these prohibited items make sense and would be considered common knowledge, but some may not be items that you would think to see on the list.
While irons aren’t allowed for obvious reasons, are you able to bring a steamer onboard?
Read more: Can I Bring A Steamer On A Cruise?
5. After 6 Royal Caribbean cruises this year, I tried Carnival for the first time — here’s what I liked and didn’t like
Elizabeth has been cruising for most of her life and has had the opportunity to sail over a dozen times.
However, a majority of these cruises were on Royal Caribbean. The party atmosphere of Carnival Cruises didn’t appeal to her, and she had heard some other negative reviews regarding the food and entertainment. This year, she decided it was finally time to give Carnival Cruises a chance and booked her first-ever sailing onboard Carnival Celebration.
While there were things that she liked and disliked, she was ultimately shocked by just how much she enjoyed her cruise onboard Carnival Celebration.
6. The Best Walkie-Talkies For Cruise Ships
With cruise ships becoming more like floating cities, you may be wondering how you can keep in contact with other members of your travel party while onboard.
It can be hard to keep track of everyone when they split off to go to different activities. Since you will not want to incur roaming charges on your next cell phone bill and may not be interested in purchasing the internet package for younger children, there are not many options to stay in contact while onboard. Luckily, an easy solution is utilizing walkie-talkies, which work across the entire ship to talk to others in your group without spending hundreds on Wi-Fi packages.
Here is a list of the best walkie-talkies for your next cruise.
Read more: The Best Walkie-Talkies For Cruise Ships
7. Norwegian Star vs. Norwegian Sun: which of these old ships is better?
While the biggest and newest cruise ships are dominating the news lately, there are plenty of amazing older ships still in service today.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet is expansive. Two of their oldest ships, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Star, are great options for your next cruise. Both were built in 2001, so you may think that these ships would be similar; however, that is not the case. Cruise.Blog writer Hayley had the opportunity to sail on both of these older ships this year, and one clearly came out on top.
Here are some of the top differences that make the variations between these two ships the most noticeable to her and which ship she thinks has the upper hand.
Read more: Norwegian Star vs. Norwegian Sun: which of these old ships is better?
8. 9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau
If you have a cruise planned to the Bahamas, there is a good chance you will be stopping at Nassau.
Situated on the island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and offers cruise ship passengers numerous different activities and tours that cater to different interests. Oftentimes, seasoned cruisers will opt to spend their day in Nassau on the ship, rather than getting off and exploring the port or taking an excursion. However, there are plenty of good reasons that they should reconsider staying onboard.
Here are the 9 best reasons to get off your cruise ship in Nassau.
Read more: 9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau
9. How much was a first class ticket on the Titanic?
One of the most well-known maritime disasters in history is the sinking of the Titanic.
While it briefly held the title of the world’s largest cruise ship, it sank during its maiden voyage to New York, causing the deaths of over 1,500 people. While most people are familiar with this story, they may not know exactly how much a trip onboard this first-of-its-kind ship cost.
Here is a look at what the first-class accommodations looked like and how much passengers paid to board the ill-fated Titanic.
Read more: How much was a first class ticket on the Titanic?
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.
