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. 4 things tourists should know before visiting Europe on a cruise, from a local
When traveling abroad, doing your research beforehand is an important part of preparing for your vacation.
Taking a European cruise is no different! Maria Wolf lives in Romania and has traveled around Europe extensively. During these travels, she has seen tourists make plenty of mistakes. Luckily, most of these mistakes are avoidable, if travelers do some research before their European cruise.
She shares with us 4 things that she wishes tourists would do before they embark on their cruise to Europe.
Read more: 4 things tourists should know before visiting Europe on a cruise, from a local
2. Passengers stranded in Alaska after cruise-sponsored excursion leaves them behind
One great tip you may hear often regarding cruise excursions is to book through the cruise line.
However, one family on a recent Alaskan sailing had the worst possible scenario happen to them on a cruise-sponsored excursion. The Gault family was sailing onboard Norwegian Encore through Alaska, and decided to partake in the Lumberjack excursion with a group of six young children, two parents, and a 78-year-old grandmother. Following the lumberjack show, there seemed to be a massive mixup when it came to the buses designated to take the cruisers back to the ship.
Here is how these cruisers got stranded in Alaska after their excursion, and what happened next.
Read more: Passengers stranded in Alaska after cruise-sponsored excursions leaves them behind
3. I spent $5,000 for an infinite veranda cabin on Celebrity's newest ship, and I would do it again
Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, has been making waves in the cruise industry.
This incredible vessel has quickly become a fan favorite, and for good reason. Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth had already sailed on the ship on a 7-night cruise to The Caribbean and recently returned from a voyage to Greece, Italy, and Turkey. She and her finacée booked an infinite veranda for $5,000.
She shares with us what this cabin looked like and her thoughts on whether it was worth the cost.
Read more: I spent $5,000 for an infinite veranda cabin on Celebrity's newest ship, and I would do it again
4. I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
One of the best parts of going on vacation is getting to eat great food.
Cruises, however, don’t always have the best reputation for their food. While some ships and venues do stand out, the overall consensus is that cruise food can fall short. Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth just returned from a sailing onboard Celebrity Ascent and was pleased to find out that this wasn’t the case on this ship. From the most expensive restaurant onboard to the casual venues, she experienced many memorable meals onboard.
She shares with us the six dishes that she can’t stop thinking about - even months later.
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
5. Celebrity Cruises talks about plans for its controversial balcony cabin
Balcony cabins are some of the most coveted room types on cruise ships.
Celebrity Cruises decided to expand on their balcony offerings for their new Edge Class of ships. Unlike traditional balconies, this new cabin type, known as infinite verandas, was designed to bring passengers closer to the ocean by turning the entire stateroom into a balcony. Celebrity Cruises' President Laura Hodges Bethge recently held a Q&A session and was asked whether the cruise line would consider scaling back on the number of infinite veranda on future ships.
Here is what Laura Hodges Bethge had to say, and what we can expect from future Celebrity ships.
Read more: Celebrity Cruises talks about plans for its controversial balcony cabin
6. How to deal with summer heat on a cruise
When it comes to traveling in the summer months, it is important to take precautions to ensure you don’t overheat.
Cruises can experience multitudes of weather across one trip, depending on where you are sailing to and from. Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth has sailed year-round to destinations across the globe and has dealt with intense heat waves in port. She recently returned from a sailing to Greece where they were experiencing above-average temperatures.
She shares with us 7 ways she managed to stay somewhat cool on her summer cruise.
Read more: How to deal with summer heat on a cruise
7. Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
Cruising doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or utilize all of your built-up PTO!
If you know what to look for, you can easily find great deals on a variety of cruises, and stretch your vacation budget far. If you’re looking to avoid using a good chunk of your PTO, there are also shorter weekend cruises available for a quick getaway. Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth has cruised extensively and has some tried and true strategies up her sleeve to get the most value from each sailing.
Here are her tips to help keep costs in check and get the most out of your cruise experience.
Read more: Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
8. Family goes viral for pulling off hilarious cruise prank on parents
When it comes to family fun on a cruise, it turns out that the entire family doesn’t need to be on board.
TikTok user @aweb6789 took to social media to share how they cleverly got back at their parents for vacationing without them. After joining a Facebook page for their parents' sailing, they recruited a fellow cruiser to assist them with a prank. The prank consisted of hanging pineapple magnets on their cabin door each day.
After another cruiser in the Facebook group rose to the challenge, they set off to set up the ultimate prank. Here is more about the prank and the parents' reaction.
Read more: Family goes viral for pulling off hilarious cruise prank on parents
9. I went on a 7-day cruise to Alaska. Here are 15 things that surprised me the most.
Cruising to Alaska offers a unique vacation experience, with unforgettable views.
Over the last few years, Alaska has become an increasingly popular cruise itinerary. Cruise.Blog writer Hayley recently returned from a 7-night Alaska sailing onboard Norwegian Jewel. She was excited to sail to the Last Frontier, and wasn't sure what to expect. She was able to see and do many things that make these Alaskan cruises unique, but still found herself surprised by certain aspects.
She shares with us the 15 things that surprised her the most during her cruise to Alaska.
Read more: I went on a 7-day cruise to Alaska. Here are 15 things that surprised me the most
10. Carnival's new adults-only beach getaway will have a swim-up bar and poolside cabanas
Carnival Cruise Line might be family-friendly, but Pearl Cove Beach Club, an upcoming area at their new private destination in The Bahamas, will be focused on adults.
With less than one year until Celebration Key begins welcoming cruise ship passengers, Carnival has started to reveal more details about what guests can expect at this exclusive tropical paradise. Most recently, they disclosed information about their extra-charge adults-only beach club.
From an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool to a swim-up bar, elegant daybeds, overwater cabanas, and more, read on to see what you can expect at this new adults-only oasis.
Read more: Carnival's new adults-only beach getaway will have a swim-up bar and poolside cabanas
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.
