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 got a sneak peek at Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas: Here's what you need to know
Last week, the largest cruise ship in the world made her long-awaited debut!
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas sailed into Miami last week, ahead of her inaugural cruise at the end of the month. Cruise.Blog writer Allie had the chance to go aboard Icon for a day to see all that she had to offer. Of course, with this being the largest cruise ship in the world, just a few hours onboard only allowed her to scratch the surface. That being said, she was still able to see the highlights and breakdown what future cruisers should know.
Here is what you need to know about this iconic new cruise ship.
Read more: I got a sneak peek at Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas: Here's what you need to know
2. Here's a breakdown of what Diamond Crown & Anchor members get to enjoy on a Royal Caribbean cruise!
Loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers know that reaching their lucrative Diamond Status within the Crown and Anchor Society is a big deal.
While most cruise lines, similar to hotels and airlines, will offer loyalty programs for their frequent travelers, when it comes to Royal Caribbean, certain tiers are better than others. One of the biggest perks that comes with reaching their Diamond status, after 80 nights onboard, is getting complimentary drinks while cruising. Of course, that’s not to say that the lower tiers don’t have benefits of their own, but the Diamond tier is when the perks really start to ramp up.
Here is a breakdown of what Diamond Crown & Anchor members get to enjoy.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Diamond Status Info (2024)
3. 7 surprising things I learned when booking a cruise for the first time
When it comes to booking your first cruise, the options can be overwhelming.
Now imagine if your first cruise happens to be on the largest cruise ship. Prior to Icon of the Seas making her debut, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas held that title. Cruise.Blog writer Calista took her first-ever cruise onboard Wonder and found that there was an intimidating learning curve when it comes to cruising.
She shares with her what research she did to prepare and the 7 most surprising things that she learned from her first-ever cruise.
Read more: 7 surprising things I learned when booking a cruise for the first time
4. Are infinite veranda cabins worth it? Pros and cons
When it comes time to book your cruise vacation, choosing your cabin is one of the most important parts.
Depending on what cruise ship you are sailing on, you may see the option to book an infinite veranda. While these are considered balcony cabins, it is important to know that they are different than the balconies you are probably used to. Whereas standard balconies have a door that opens up to a personal outdoor veranda, infinite verandas are designed to bring passengers closer to the ocean by essentially turning the entire stateroom into a balcony.
Before you book, here are some of the pros and cons of booking an infinite veranda on your next cruise.
Read more: Are infinite veranda cabins worth it? Pros and cons
5. Norwegian Prima vs Breakaway Plus Class: How these cruise ships compare
Norwegian Cruise Line debuted its groundbreaking Prima Class of ships in 2022, with the Norwegian Prima.
Since then, NCL has expanded this class to welcome their second Prima Class ship: Norwegian Viva. Before this revolutionary class of ships, NCL’s most innovative ship class was the Breakaway Plus Class. Cruise.Blog writer Hayley has had the opportunity to sail on both classes of ships this last year.
Here is how she found the ship classes to compare and contrast in their offerings for cruisers.
Read more: Norwegian Prima vs Breakaway Plus Class: How these cruise ships compare
6. How Far Can a Cruise Ship Travel in a Day
Have you ever wondered how far a cruise ship can travel in a single day?
Taking a vacation where your accommodations are constantly moving may have you questioning that! Modern cruise ships can travel upwards of 400 or 500 nautical miles per day, equating to roughly 575 miles on land. Obviously, this number will vary based on the ship and weather conditions.
How is the speed of cruise ships calculated and what's a nautical mile? We break down those common questions below.
Read more: How Far Can a Cruise Ship Travel in a Day
7. How to save money on a Celebrity Cruise
With exciting itineraries, exquisite dining, attentive service, and modern vessels, it is no wonder why Celebrity Cruises is one of the most popular cruise lines.
Compared to other mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises can tend to be more expensive, however. Operating a smaller fleet consisting of 16 ships at sea, they are a cruise line centered around accessible luxury. Instead of roller coasters and waterslides onboard, you will find a more refined, upscale cruising experience.
Here are some ways that you can save money for your next Celebrity Cruise.
Read more: How to save money on a Celebrity Cruise
8. Pros and Cons of sailing on an older Carnival cruise ship
With cruise lines constantly debuting the newest and best ships, most cruisers envision themselves sailing on these groundbreaking vessels.
However, there are still plenty of older ships that are sailing across multiple cruise lines! With access to more ports and destinations, an intimate cruising experience, and typically cheaper price points, it is no surprise that you should be considering sailing on an older Carnival cruise ship for your upcoming vacation.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of sailing on an older Carnival cruise ship compared to a newer one.
Read more: Pros and Cons of sailing on an older Carnival cruise ship
9. What’s the Best Deck on a Cruise Ship?
So, you finally are ready to pull the trigger and book your next cruise?
Before you go ahead and select any random cabin, you will want to be sure that you choose the right cabin for your travel party! After you decide on the stateroom category, the next important step is choosing what deck you want to stay on. And like most things when it comes to booking a cruise vacation, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right deck.
Let's dive into what the best deck on a cruise ship is for every type of cruiser.
Read more: What’s the Best Deck on a Cruise Ship?
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.
