We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including things you shouldn't wear on a cruise ship and why you should book a cruise with a travel agent.
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 our recent articles.
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I cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Both do things well, but one is a consistently better value for the money
Royal Caribbean and Carnival are two of the most popular cruise lines in operation with, collectively, over 50 ships at sea.
Though Elizabeth has been sailing with Royal Caribbean since she was 10, she recently began her journey with Carnival to explore why the "FUN" ship brand attracts millions of passengers annually.
While each has pros and cons, she believes Royal Caribbean consistently provides a better experience, regardless of the ship's age.
7 things you should never wear on a cruise ship
While vacation is a time to kick back and relax, there are certain items you should leave at home.
For example, many mainstream cruise lines have banned multi-outlet power strips and steamers due to safety concerns.
Although cruise ship dress codes aren't as formal as they used to be, here's a list of 7 things you shouldn't wear on a cruise ship.
Read more: 7 things you should never wear on a cruise ship
I sailed on Carnival Celebration after avoiding the cruise line because of its bad reputation. It was so much better than I expected
For years, Elizabeth avoided Carnival Cruise Line like the plague.
The popular cruise line has been subject to negative stereotypes, especially compared to competitors like Royal Caribbean. Some even refer to it as the "Walmart of the Seas."
However, having heard glowing reviews about their new Excel Class ships, she decided to finally sail with Carnival, and to her surprise, the experience was better than expected!
How to Score the Best Cabin Deals on Your Next Cruise
Cruises are an affordable way to travel thanks to their relatively inclusive fares. Everything from accommodation to food and entertainment is included in the price.
While there are opportunities to spend extra on things like shore excursions and drink packages, it is easy to create a budget and stick to it.
Here are 6 tips almost guaranteed to help you save money on your cruise ship cabin!
Read more: How to Score the Best Cabin Deals on Your Next Cruise
I sailed on Princess Cruises after thinking it was just for old people. I couldn't have been more wrong
Elizabeth sailed on her first-ever Princess cruise and discovered it was nothing like she imagined.
The upscale cruise line has a reputation for being geared toward older crowds, so as someone in their mid-twenties, she feared that she'd find the entertainment lacking and boring.
After spending 8 nights on the brand-new Sun Princess, she found that Princess' onboard experience was far from what she envisioned. Though Princess is far from brands like Carnival, Elizabeth appreciated the relaxed atmosphere and found it less overwhelming than party ships.
This cruise line is building smaller cruise ships instead of mega-ships
Following the fourth Wish Class ship's debut in 2027, Disney Cruise Line will launch three smaller vessels that can access more ports of call and support the company's environmental goals.
Cruise news is typically dominated by mega-ships like Icon of the Seas. However, the brand-new class will include three ships measuring around 100,000 gross registered tons (GRT) with a capacity of 3,000 passengers.
Read more: This cruise line is building smaller cruise ships instead of mega-ships
I sailed in different cabins on a new cruise ship. Here's how they compared — and why I'd book the cheaper one next time
Elizabeth paid over $5,000 for an infinite veranda on Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. A few months earlier, however, she spent around $2,800 for an ocean-view cabin.
Combined with her Celebrity loyalty perks and the overall cabin experience, she thought the Prime Oceanview Cabin on Celebrity Ascent was a better value for the money.
Here's how the two staterooms compared and why the cheaper cabin was better.
Where does your cruise ship gratuity go? One cruise line shared a breakdown of how tips are distributed
Gratuities are now a standard part of cruising. They are charged on a per-person basis and vary based on the cruise line and cabin category.
While these gratuities are expected, there is often little transparency about how they are distributed among the staff.
Celebrity Cruises recently provided a detailed breakdown of its tipping structure for automatic gratuities, giving guests an insight into where their money goes
I spent 20 years cruising without using a travel agent. Here's what changed my mind
For many years, Allie never understood the value of having a travel agent.
However, when she started working as a freelance cruise writer, she found herself booking cruises through a travel agent for the first time. After a few cruises, she couldn’t believe how convenient and beneficial using a travel agent could be.
Now, she never books a cruise without consulting her travel agent. Here’s what changed her mind and why you should consider using a travel agent.
Read more: I spent 20 years cruising without using a travel agent. Here's what changed my mind
Woman shares 12 things she does in her cruise cabin after crew member was caught secretly filming passengers
A recent TikTok posted by @victorias.way showcases the extreme lengths that some people choose to go to in order to feel safe while traveling.
The video was shared in the wake of the sentencing of a former Royal Caribbean crew member. The individual was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after allegedly hiding a camera in a cabin bathroom onboard Symphony of the Seas.
While some steps are practical, others seem unnecessary and unconventional to many. Take a look at @victorias.way's extensive process to feel safe in her cruise cabin.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
