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. What the Food Was Like on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection
One of the best parts of going on vacation is the food! Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth recently returned from a sailing onboard Celebrity Reflection, a ship in Celebrity’s Solstice Class.
While this isn’t Celebrity’s newest or largest ship, there are still plenty of food options to appease a variety of cruisers. During her 5-night cruise, she was able to try a variety of dishes in different venues onboard, ranging from complimentary meals in the buffet to indulgent meals at the onboard Italian steakhouse.
She shares with us a breakdown of what the food was like on Celebrity Reflection.
Read more: What the Food Was Like on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection
2. 5 things I absolutely hated (and 4 I loved) about my cheap Costa Cruise (I might never do it again)
Would you sail on a cruise ship with a 2.8-star rating out of 5?
Recently, Cruise.Blog writer Jenna decided to do just that! Prior to sailing, she wondered exactly why Costa Cruises was rated so poorly. However, she came across a cheap 7-night cruise aboard Costa Toscana for only $1,090 as a solo cruiser. Launched in 2021, Costa Toscana is the 8th largest cruise ship, with just a 2.8/5 rating on Cruise Critic’s website.
After 7 nights onboard, Jenna was more than ready to disembark. Here are the 5 things she absolutely hated (and 4 she loved) about her sailing on Costa Cruises.
Read more: 5 things I absolutely hated (and 4 I loved) about my cheap Costa Cruise (I might never do it again)
3. Do you prefer cabins in the front or back of the ship?
If you are finally ready to book that cruise vacation, you will want to ensure that you pick the right cabin.
If you are able to choose the specific location of your cabin, you will want to take certain things into consideration to ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. One of the most important things to think about is whether you want your cabin in the forward or aft of the ship.
To avoid any surprises about your stateroom's location, here's a guide on whether you should choose an aft or forward cabin.
Read more: Aft vs Forward cabins
4. 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth has sailed over on 20 cruises and had yet to visit Alaska - until now!
She recently returned from a 7-night Alaskan sailing onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. As a frequent cruiser to The Bahamas, Caribbean, and even the Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera, Elizabeth was excited to see what the hype was all about on her first Alaskan cruise. Of course, she knew she would be trading in her usual packing list consisting of sundresses and flip-flops for jeans and sweatshirts, but there were still things that she didn’t anticipate.
She shares with us the 14 lessons she learned after sailing to Alaska for the first time.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
5. 6 things I wish I knew before sailing on Carnival Jubilee
Sailing out of Galveston, Carnival’s Texas-sized cruise ship Carnival Jubilee is the newest ship in their fleet.
Known for its “Fun Ships”, Carnival’s ships pack a punch when it comes to entertainment, dining, and onboard thrills, and Jubilee is no exception. Cruise.Blog writer Allie had the opportunity to sail on this new ship. No stranger to Carnival, she had previously sailed on Jubilee’s sister ships Mardi Gras and Celebration in the last year.
Even with that experience under her belt, she still realized that there were certain things she wished she had known prior to going on her Carnival Jubilee cruise.
Read more: 6 things I wish I knew before sailing on Carnival Jubilee
6. After 4 solo cruises, these are the reasons I'll probably never cruise alone again
Have you ever considered going on a cruise vacation by yourself?
Cruise.Blog writer Jenna has sailed on 22 cruises, 4 of which were by herself. Going on any vacation by yourself has its pros and cons, and cruising is no exception. Some frequent cruisers swear by solo travel, but after having a few under her belt, Jenna has come to the conclusion that she strongly dislikes cruising alone.
From the awkward solo dinners to feeling lonely, here’s why she will probably never cruise alone again.
Read more: After 4 solo cruises, these are the reasons I'll probably never cruise alone again
7. I spent $3,660 on my 5-night Celebrity Cruise, including everything from airfare to shore excursions and specialty dining
Recently, Celebrity Cruises began sailing to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth had the opportunity to go on the first sailing aboard Celebrity Reflection that ported at CocoCay. While not her first time sailing with Celebrity Cruises, this was her first time cruising on Celebrity Reflection. For two people, her 5-night cruise vacation totaled $3,660.
From the base fare to airfare and everything in between, here is what her $3,600 Celebrity Reflection vacation included.
8. How to save money on a cruise: 23 money-saving tips
One thing most cruisers have in common is wanting to make sure they aren’t getting ripped off!
Cruising is often considered an affordable vacation style, as you will be transported to different ports of call and can take advantage of complimentary dining, entertainment, activities, childcare, and more while onboard, there are still ways that you can save money. In order to stretch your vacation budget as far as possible, you will want to be mindful of where your money goes.
Here are 23 money-saving tips for your next cruise to make the most of your experience without breaking the bank.
Read more: How to save money on a cruise: 23 money-saving tips
9. How does Carnival Jubilee compare to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras? A complete guide
Carnival Cruise Line revolutionized their fleet when they introduced their Excel Class.
With Carnival Mardi Gras debuting in 2021, Carnival Celebration in 2022, and Carnival Jubilee in 2023, these ships made a splash in the cruise industry. These three mega-ships redefined the Carnival cruising experience with new attractions, headliner shows, restaurants, and more. While these ships are similar in many ways, there are distinct differences for each of them.
Find out some of the key identifiers for Carnival Jubilee while we explore how she compares to her sister ships in the Excel Class.
Read more: How does Carnival Jubilee compare to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras? A complete guide
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.
