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 7 nights on the world's largest cruise ship in the smallest room. Take a look inside my cabin
When it was time for Calista to book her first cruise, she knew that she was going to start out big.
Her first sailing took place onboard Wonder of the Seas for a 7-night sailing, which until the release of Icon this year, was the largest cruise ship in the world. While the ship itself may be large, she decided to book one of the smallest rooms available. Her guaranteed stateroom selection ended up resulting in a 172-square-foot interior cabin featuring no natural light.
Here is a look inside what this cabin looked like, and what she thought of it.
2. For just $89 per day, you can live on a cruise ship and sail the world
Royal Caribbean made headlines in 2023 for their Ultimate World Cruise.
If you missed the boat (pun intended) on that sailing, you are not out of luck! This May, Villa Vie Residences' Villa Vie Odyssey will set sail from Southampton on a world cruise that will last not one, not two, but three and a half years! Lasting over 1,300 days, this cruise will visit 425 destinations around the world.
So, what does it cost to board this once-in-a-lifetime trip? The answer may shock you!
Read more: For just $89 per day, you can live on a cruise ship and sail the world
3. I took a cruise on a ship with 107 versus 7000 passengers: here's how they compared
The newest cruise ships today can be compared to floating cities.
With multiple dining venues, attractions, and entertainment, it seems that the newest ships are constantly implementing innovative features. Jenna has cruised over two dozen times across various cruise lines and to multiple destinations. Over these cruises, she has come to realize that these mega ships can limit the destinations they can visit. Her ultimate bucket list travel destination, Antarctica, is impossible to visit on a mega cruise ship.
Determined to step foot in Antarctica, she booked a cruise on a ship with just 107 passengers. She shares with us how this small cruise compared with a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Read more: I took a cruise on a ship with 107 versus 7000 passengers: here's how they compared
4. There’s a dog that lives on the biggest cruise ship in the world and it's cuteness overload
The world’s largest cruise ship will be debuting plenty of never-before-seen features for a cruise ship, but arguably the cutest addition will be Rover, the Chief Dog Officer.
Royal Caribbean took to social media this week to officially welcome Rover onboard the ship. They shared a 44-second clip, where you can spot Rover in the backseat of a large SUV before making her way onboard with Allison, "her best friend and Chief of Staff."
So, what exactly are Rover’s responsibilities as the first Chief Dog Officer? Read on to find out!
Read more: There’s a dog that lives on the biggest cruise ship in the world and it's cuteness overload
5. 10 reasons why the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is my favorite
Norwegian Cruise Line recently launched a new ship, Norwegian Viva, just five months ago.
Norwegian Viva is the second vessel in NCL’s Prima Class and just started sailing from the United States in December 2023. Hayley had the opportunity to go on one of the first sailings for a 4-night cruise. During this cruise, she was able to explore what this new ship had to offer, and she came to really enjoy it.
Here are some of her takeaways on why Norwegian Viva is now one of her favorites in the fleet.
Read more: 10 reasons why the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is my favorite
6. Pros and cons to consider before taking a Carnival cruise
As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Carnival Cruise Line knows how to deliver the fun.
Known as the “fun ships,” this cruise line is also often seen as polarizing in the cruise community. It seems that cruisers either love or hate their ships. Of course, all cruise lines have their pros and cons, whether it be their entertainment, food, cost, ships, or overall experience.
Here are a few of those pros and cons for Carnival Cruise Line.
Read more: Pros and Cons of a Carnival Cruise
7. Why now is the best time to book your 2024 cruise vacation
If you haven’t booked a 2024 vacation already, now is the perfect time to start planning!
Whether you are interested in a spring break cruise, a holiday sailing, or even a summer family vacation, when you book a cruise at the beginning of the year, it gives you something to look forward to. The first few months of the year are also known as “Wave Season” within the cruise industry, and you can often find lucrative deals to help stretch your cruise vacation budget even farther.
From discounts on cruise fares to stateroom upgrades, onboard credit, and more, if you've been holding off on booking your 2024 cruise, you should not wait too much longer.
Read more: Why now is the best time to book your 2024 cruise vacation
8. Before setting sail on your Carnival cruise, take a look at our list of what you should not bring
When your cruise vacation gets closer, you will want to start thinking about what you should, and shouldn’t, pack.
If you are sailing onboard Carnival Cruise Line, you may be wondering what exactly it is that you should be packing so you can best enjoy your vacation. However, you will want to make sure that you do not pack any of the prohibited items. While some of these items are obvious - such as weapons and fireworks - you might be surprised by the long list of items that Carnival Cruise Line does not want you to bring onboard.
Before setting sail on your Carnival cruise, take a look at our list of what you should not plan to pack in your bag.
Read more: What not to bring on a Carnival cruise
9. What are cruise ship single supplement fees?
Cruises are known for being a great vacation style for families or groups of friends.
However, they are also great for a solo vacation as well! Not having to worry about coordinating dinner plans or getting a large group to agree on an excursion are just some of the pros of a solo cruise vacation. Like all vacations, you will want to ensure that you do the right research ahead of time, so there are minimal surprises. When it comes to solo cruising, one of the first things you should know is that cruise lines charge single supplement fees to those traveling alone.
We break down what this fee is and what it means for solo cruisers.
Read more: What are cruise ship single supplement fees?
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.
