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. If you're flying to London for a cruise, there are many off-the-beaten-path attractions to explore beyond the typical tourist spots.
London is known for its many famous tourist attractions.
However, if you find yourself in London for a cruise, you may be interested in more off-the-beaten-path things to do and see. The last thing you want to do is get caught in crowds, ending your day exhausted. Maria Wolf has made these mistakes before and was determined to not do it again ahead of her recent cruise.
Here are the 6 things she recommends you see in London that aren’t so obvious.
Read more: 6 fun things to do in London before your cruise that aren't Big Ben
2. Passenger video shows man going overboard on cruise ship in front of onlookers
On a recent sailing onboard Norwegian Spirit, cruise passengers caught a horrifying moment on camera.
Passenger Kenji Lao Wang was recording his family overlooking a balcony on the ship when his camera captured the moment a man went overboard from the cruise ship. The chilling video, which is now circulating on social media, shows the family taking photos of the view when a man falling enters the upper left corner of the video frame. In a split second, the man is seen going overboard from the Norwegian Spirit, falling towards the sea.
Here is what we know about the situation.
Read more: Passenger video shows man going overboard on cruise ship in front of onlookers
3. Carnival Sunshine surprised Allie in more ways than one.
When it comes to a cruise vacation, it is important to have realistic expectations of what to expect.
These expectations can change depending on what cruise line, ship, itinerary, or season you are sailing on. Cruise.Blog writer Allie has sailed extensively and recently had had the opportunity to sail on Carnival’s newest ships. When she found an itinerary on Carnival’s oldest ship, Carnival Sunshine, she was intrigued. Having sailed on smaller and older ships before, she thought that her expectations would be in line with what this ship would have to offer.
However, after her time onboard she realized that there were certain things that she wasn’t prepared for.
Read more: 5 things I was unprepared for when sailing on Carnival's oldest ship
4. A cruise on Celebrity Ascent proved to be the perfect way to explore the Greek islands.
Celebrity Cruises has redefined what it means to experience luxury at sea.
Sailing around the globe, Celebrity offers an upscale cruising experience to its guests, with every aspect of the onboard experience expertly crafted. Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth recently returned from a 7-night sailing on Celebrity Ascent to Greece. She was impressed from the moment she stepped onboard the vessel, and knew she had made the right choice for her summer vacation.
She shares with us why she believes this was the perfect way to experience the Greek islands.
5. Several cruise ships had to change their planned routes due to Hurricane Ernesto
The Atlantic hurricane season is in full swing.
Tropical Storm Ernesto, before becoming Hurricane Ernesto later in the week, already altered many cruise itineraries. With the National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipating heavy rainfall and winds, cruise lines were tasked with ensuring the safety of their crew and passengers by rerouting certain cruises.
Here is a look at all of the cruise itineraries that have been impacted.
Read more: Tropical Storm Ernesto disrupts at least five cruise ship itineraries
6. These 5 things surprised Jenna on Utopia of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship and is completely different from other ships.
Cruise.Blog writer Jenna has sailed extensively on Royal Caribbean, and after spending a weekend onboard Royal’s newest party ship, she was surprised. Utopia claims to be the "Biggest Weekend" in the cruise industry, focusing on 3- and 4-night sailings. Jenna’s 3-night sailing flew by, and she found it wasn’t hard to keep busy while on the ship.
Even after her many Royal Caribbean sailings, she shares with us the 5 things that surprised her about Utopia of the Seas.
7. What an inside cabin looks like on Norwegian Jewel
When it comes to booking a cruise vacation, choosing the right cabin is an important part of the planning process.
Cruise.Blog writer Hayley recently took her first cruise to Alaska and had to go through this decision. She ultimately ended up booking an inside cabin on Norwegian Jewel and was happy to save money on the cruise fare by doing so. She was curious as to how it would be to stay in a cabin with no exterior view when sailing to a region known for its beautiful landscapes.
Take a look inside her cabin, and read what she thought about whether choosing this type of cabin was the right choice or not.
Read more: I booked the cheapest cabin for an Alaska cruise. It cost $2,000 and lacked natural light
8. Everything you need to know about this Carnival Cruise Line venue
Carnival Cruise Line is known for having some of the best fast-casual food options at sea.
Ranging from juicy burgers to Mexican fare and everything in between, cruisers won't go hungry during their sailing. BlueIguana is one of Carnival’s staple venues across their fleet, featuring a range of Mexican dishes to be enjoyed poolside or anywhere on the ship.
Here is a guide to everything you need to know about BlueIguana before your next Carnival sailing.
Read more: BlueIguana Cantina restaurant guide
9. Those on Carnival Magic had to leave Grand Turk early
When it comes to cruising during bad weather, there are instances when itineraries need to be changed. Guests onboard Carnival Magic experienced just that while in port at Grand Turk.
With weather conditions quickly deteriorating, John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, shared a message on Facebook for Carnival Magic guests on the island to return to the ship early. In addition to the message, the ship ensured that announcements were made on the island, and crew members assisted in rounding up guests.
Here is a recap of the situation, and what to expect if you encounter bad weather on your sailing.
Read more: Carnival cruise ship passengers forced to evacuate Grand Turk early due to bad weather
10. Before disembarking a cruise, consider these 6 reasons to not carry luggage off
While disembarkation may be the saddest part of any cruise, there are certain ways that you can unintentionally make it worse.
Prior to the actual disembarkation day, you will have to consider if you would prefer to carry your luggage off the ship yourself or have the ship deliver your luggage to the port for you. Many cruisers opt to carry their luggage off themselves, believing that it is the easier, faster option. However, there are their own challenges that come along with doing this.
Before assuming self-disembarkation is the right decision for you and your travel party, here are 6 reasons to think twice about carrying your luggage off a cruise ship.
Read more: Why you should think twice before carrying your own luggage off your cruise ship
11. 5 tips for navigating political conversations on a cruise
Navigating political conversations can be difficult, especially when you are on a cruise ship.
With the 2024 presidential election nearing, politics are more likely to arise in conversation in the near future. No one wants to end up arguing with friends and family while trying to enjoy their hard-earned vacation, but sometimes it is impossible to steer clear of these discussions.
Here are 5 tips for navigating political conversations on a cruise to help ensure all discussions remain respectful.
Read more: 5 tips for navigating political conversations on a cruise
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.
