We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog. This is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed this week, including problematic cruise ship activities and helpful tips to beat chair hogs.
If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice shared, this is an easy-to-digest look at our recent articles.
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I tried the problematic cruise ship activity everyone hates to see if it's really that bad
Most mass-market cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival, offer art auctions held by Park West Gallery on any given sailing.
These auctions are popular among art collectors onboard, but also with non-collectors, too. Some attendees don’t plan to purchase artwork but flock to the auction for complimentary glasses of champagne.
Jenna wanted to see what a cruise ship art auction was really like, so she attended the art auction on her her Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Utopia of the Seas.
Read more: I tried the problematic cruise ship activity everyone hates to see if it's really that bad
Carnival warns of three new fees that impact your cruise vacation
New fees will add to the cost of a Carnival cruise in 2025.
Many ports, including those in Mexico and popular Greek Islands, are increasing tourist taxes to combat overtourism and alleviate its environmental and social impacts. However, neither Carnival nor other cruise lines have any control over this.
Guests cruising to Europe with Carnival out of Dover, England, will also be subject to a new fee.
Read more: Carnival warns of three new fees that impact your cruise vacation
I cruised on Vision of the Seas after avoiding old Royal Caribbean ships because of their lack of amenities. I loved it more than I thought
Today's newest cruise ships offer the most onboard dining options and activities, but is newer always better?
Having sailed primarily on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Freedom Class, Elizabeth wondered why many cruisers remained loyal to the dated Vision Class ships.
She decided to finally sail on a Vision Class ship after finding an affordable cruise to Bermuda from Baltimore, Maryland. Though she wasn't sure whether she would enjoy the tiny Vision of the Seas, she gained a newfound appreciation for a different era of cruising on smaller vessels.
8 ways to beat the chair hogs on your cruise so you're not fighting for a lounger
Chair hogs are one of the most annoying parts of a cruise.
A sunny sea day can be instantly ruined by guests who rush to throw towels, books, and other belongings on the pool chairs, even if they have no intention of returning for hours.
Since avoiding chair hogs is impossible, here are 8 ways to beat them on your cruise for a better pool day.
Read more: 8 ways to beat the chair hogs on your cruise so you're not fighting for a lounger
I tried a Disney cruise after avoiding it because it was too expensive. Sailing on the oldest ship impressed me so much I've already booked another
Disney Cruise Line is one of the pricier mainstream options, so Elizabeth avoided it for years and opted for more budget-friendly lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Last year, she found a fare she was finally willing to splurge on. She booked a 3-night cruise aboard Disney Magic to the cruise line's newest private destination in the Bahamas: Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point for $1,585.78.
After three magical days on the oldest ship in the fleet, she's counting down the days until her birthday cruise on the new Disney Destiny in 2026!
Crew Member reveals common cruise passenger mistakes you may inadvertently be making
Cruising is a unique and exciting way to travel because you can explore different places while enjoying the comforts of a floating resort.
However, even the most seasoned travelers can make silly mistakes. One crew member, Lucy, took to YouTube to share common first-time mistakes she's witnessed passengers make.
In the video, Lucy reveals 11 of the most common mistakes she’s observed from first-time cruisers and how to avoid them.
Read more: Crew Member reveals common cruise passenger mistakes you may inadvertently be making
I sailed on three old cruise ships built in the 1990s. Here's how they compared — and which wasn’t worth the money
Last year, Elizabeth sailed on three old cruise ships built in the 1990s for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney, and her experiences couldn't have been more different.
While today's newest cruise ships are all the rage with ice skating rinks, rollercoasters, go-kart tracks, waterparks, and more, there's something nostalgic about older ships, even if they lack the same amenities.
Elizabeth wouldn't hesitate to book a cruise on two of the old cruise ships again; however, compared to Disney Magic and Vision of the Seas, she didn't think Carnival Elation worth the money.
My parents paid more for an obstructed balcony, but our cheaper inside cabin was the better choice
Last year, Allie cruised with her parents and sister on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice from Sydney, Australia.
When she booked the cruise, she and her sister decided to save money by choosing an interior cabin. However, her parents prefer having a balcony stateroom, so they opted to book an obstructed balcony for the cruise.
By the end of the cruise, she decided our interior cabin was the better choice.
Read more: My parents paid more for an obstructed balcony, but our cheaper inside cabin was the better choice
Disney Cruise Line just increased the daily gratuity charges
Disney Cruise Line increased the daily recommended gratuities for all passengers regardless of cabin category.
Disney raised the daily gratuity rate to $16.00 per person, per night for standard cabins, up from $14.50, and Concierge staterooms to $27.25, up from $23.50. It is the same amount for all passengers, including children and infants.
This means that a family of four staying in an inside stateroom on a 4-night cruise aboard Disney Wish will now pay $256 in gratuities for their cruise.
Read more: Disney Cruise Line just increased the daily gratuity charges
I sailed on Celebrity's three newest ships. The one with the Instagram famous Captain was the best
Of all the cruise ships Allie has sailed on, few compare to Celebrity’s Edge Class ships. Even after 50 cruises, these revolutionary cruise ships continue to be her favorite vessels.
She's sailed on three of the four ships in the class, including Celebrity Beyond, Apex, and Ascent. However, between the three, the magic spark she felt with Celebrity Beyond was tough to beat.
They say first impressions can last a lifetime, and that's certainly the case for her.
Read more: I sailed on Celebrity's three newest ships. The one with the Instagram famous Captain was the best
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.
