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. Royal Caribbean has three different drink packages, and the cost of each package varies depending on the sailing
When you picture your next cruise vacation, it might include a tropical drink in your hand!
Drink packages are one of the most popular cruise add-ons, especially on Royal Caribbean cruises. Since the cost of the cruise fare with Royal doesn’t include specialty drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, it makes sense why so many people think about buying a package. Royal offers three drink packages for their guests to choose from: the Deluxe Beverage, Royal Refreshment, and Classic Soda Packages.
Here is everything you need to know to decide if one of the drink packages is right for you!
Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package? (2024)
2. Angry woman slams Norwegian Cruise Line for changing itinerary with no explanation
Unfortunately, even the best cruise itineraries can end up changing.
This recently happened with Norwegian Cruise Line, and one TikTok user has taken to social media to slam the cruise line for altering their itinerary with little to no explanation. The cruise was a bucket-list sailing to Antarctica, and according to the video, passengers were not made aware of itinerary changes to their highly-anticipated cruise before they set sail. Mainly, they would no longer be visiting Antarctica on the sailing.
Read on to hear what this TikTok user had to say about it.
Read more: Angry woman slams Norwegian Cruise Line for changing itinerary with no explanation
3. Here are Chantal's thoughts on the top benefits and drawbacks of sailing with MSC
MSC Cruises are becoming more and more popular in North America.
That isn’t surprising, as they offer some of the cheapest cruise fares on the market and visit great ports. Not only are their prices great, but they also have the option to include add-ons like basic Wi-Fi and drink packages, luring cruisers from other cruise lines. While there are indeed many pros of cruising with this cruise line, you may be wondering what the catch is.
Read on to find out the pros and cons of sailing with MSC Cruises.
Read more: MSC Cruises: Pros and Cons
4. 8 things to pack for a cruise vacation (and 5 to leave behind), from someone who has cruised over a dozen times
When it is finally time to set sail for your cruise vacation, you’ll want to make sure that you have the right things packed!
If you have cruised before, you probably have a good starting point, but if you haven’t, you may not be aware of some items that you can pack to enhance your vacation. Alternatively, there are items that you can leave behind without impacting your vacation.
Here are 8 items that will enhance your cruising experience, as well as 5 that you shouldn't even bother to pack.
5. 15 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Carnival ship
When sailing a new cruise line for the first time, cruisers typically want to know all of the ins and outs to make the most of their vacation.
While Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth had grown up cruising, she hadn’t sailed on a Carnival ship before last year. She was familiar and comfortable with other cruise lines and wasn’t sure that the party-like atmosphere with Carnival would be her ideal vacation.
However, this past fall, she finally decided to take her chances and book a Carnival cruise to check it out for herself. She had such a great time that she ended up booking two more Carnival cruises and has another booked onboard Carnival Elation! Here are 15 things she wishes she had known before setting foot on a Carnival ship.
Read more: 15 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Carnival ship
6. Carnival Cruise Line just ordered another giant new cruise ship
The new cruise ships aren’t stopping any time soon!
Carnival Cruise Line just announced this week that the company has finalized an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build another giant cruise ship. Set to debut in Spring 2027, this fourth Excel Class cruise ship is the first new-build order in five years for Carnival Corporation. According to the cruise line, this new mega-ship will measure 180,000 gross tons and hold over 6,400 guests.
Here is everything we know so far about this newest ship!
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line just ordered another giant new cruise ship
7. We found as many menus as possible to help you plan your Carnival cruise!
When it comes to cruising, food is a big part of the vacation!
If you have an upcoming cruise planned on a Carnival ship, you may be looking for some menus to see what your options are. While each Carnival ships have a variety of complimentary and specialty dining venues available, the menus can rotate and change. We have gathered as many menus as possible to help give you an idea of what you can expect your Carnival dining experience to be like.
Here's a look at the 2024 Carnival restaurant menus!
Read more: Carnival menus 2024: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
8. 10 cruise ships to book right now instead of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
With the recent arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, it seems like all eyes are locked on this ship.
However, there are plenty of other exceptional and exciting cruise ships out there, often for a much lower price. With Icon’s cheapest sailing in July 2024 ringing in at $3,589 per person, it is no wonder that certain cruisers are looking elsewhere to stretch their vacation budget.
If you're planning a cruise and want some more affordable (but fun) options, we've compiled a list of 10 cruise ships that you should consider booking instead of Icon of the Seas.
Read more: 10 cruise ships to book right now instead of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
9. I went on an African safari by cruise ship. Not everything went as planned, but I would do it again
Have you ever considered mixing a cruise vacation with an African safari vacation? Cruise.Blog writer Allie recently did just that!
She returned from a bucket-list cruise through Africa with Norwegian Cruise Line, sailing on Norwegian Dawn. This 12-night sailing was more affordable compared to other African cruise options she had found. Of course, sailing to this part of the world came with its own set of planning and logistics, and even some unexpected challenges during the vacation itself.
Here is what went right and wrong, and why she wouldn’t hesitate to book the same cruise again.
Read more: I went on an African safari by cruise ship. Not everything went as planned, but I would do it again
10. Guide to Royal Caribbean gratuities
When it’s finally time to book your Royal Caribbean cruise, you may be surprised to see some hidden fees at the final stages of booking.
One of these in particular is the gratuities. Depending on which cabin you select, and how many are in your travel party, these gratuities can range greatly in cost. However, you do have the option to decide whether you would like to pay these by final payment or have them added to your account to be settled by the end of the cruise. Some guests are still left wondering, where does this money actually go to and what they need to be aware of.
If you're planning a cruise, here's everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean gratuities.
Read more: Guide to Royal Caribbean gratuities
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.
