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 tips on how to win cruise ship cabin upgrades and the best waterslides at sea.
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 on Royal Caribbean and MSC's biggest ships. Both were fun, but one was definitely the best
Royal Caribbean and MSC’s biggest cruise ships offer mind-blowing attractions and an endless variety of things to do onboard, but Jenna thought one ship was better than the other, despite the higher cost.
Within the same year, she cruised on the biggest ship by MSC Cruises—MSC World Europa—and the biggest ship by Royal Caribbean—Icon of the Seas.
After cruising on MSC World Europa and Icon of the Seas, she found things she liked and disliked about both. This is how the two biggest ships launched by MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean compared, and why she preferred one over the other.
Read more: I cruised on Royal Caribbean and MSC's biggest ships. Both were fun, but one was definitely the best
Celebrity is going to disrupt river cruises with a bold entry into the market
Celebrity Cruises is bringing its beloved upscale brand to Europe's most iconic rivers, inviting guests to experience charming destinations that cannot be accessed by ocean cruise ships.
The brand signed an order for 10 ships, with the first four set to debut in 2027. The cutting-edge vessels will also be sustainable, and bookings will open sometime this year.
Read more: Celebrity is going to disrupt river cruises with a bold entry into the market
After 3 sailings on Freedom of the Seas, I’m convinced this ship offers the best value Royal Caribbean has to offer
Elizabeth took my first cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas in 2010. Since then, cruise ships have only gotten larger, but she was amazed at everything Royal Caribbean offered, from ice skating rinks to surfing simulators.
While Freedom of the Seas isn't the smallest or oldest ship, it doesn't have the same bells and whistles as Icon and Oasis Class ships. However, having sailed on Freedom a total of three times, she argues that it's a special ship for those looking to break into the world of cruising without blowing thousands of dollars.
Here's why Elizabeth is convinced that Freedom of the Seas has the best value of any Royal Caribbean ship.
How to change your dining time on a Carnival cruise
When you book your Carnival cruise, you will choose your dinner time. What happens if you decide to change it before your cruise, though?
Carnival guests can select traditional seating or Your Time Dining for their dinners in the dining room. Both have pros and cons and what works best for one travel party may not be ideal for another.
Read our guide about how to change your Carnival dining time to ensure you have the best dinner experience possible.
Read more: How to change your dining time on a Carnival cruise
I sailed with Carnival's premium and basic cruise lines. Both have their appeal, but I'll stick to one for future cruises
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to cruising. In Elizabeth's two decades of cruising, she has sailed with six lines ranging from the family-friendly Carnival Cruise Line to the upscale Princess Cruises. While both are owned by the same company, they couldn't be more different.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to cruising, Carnival is known for its fleet of "FUN" ships that focus on letting cruisers kick back and relax in a no-frills environment. Princess, however, is the opposite.
Although both cruise lines have their appeal, she'll stick to Princess for future cruise vacations.
Celebrity MoveUp: How to win a cruise ship cabin upgrade bid
Cruising on a budget typically means booking the cheapest stateroom onboard. However, there are opportunities to upgrade your cabin for less than it would cost to book balconies and suites outright.
Celebrity's upgrade program is called Celebrity MoveUp and allows guests to bid on higher stateroom categories. If your bid is chosen, you will automatically be billed and upgraded to the higher cabin category for your cruise.
Read our article to learn more about Celebrity MoveUp's program and how to win a cruise ship cabin upgrade bid.
Read more: Celebrity MoveUp: How to win a cruise ship cabin upgrade bid
I'm a Royal Caribbean fan who cruised with Carnival for the first time. It didn't win me over, but a few of its perks blew me away
Elizabeth took her first cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean ship over 15 years ago, so the family-friendly cruise line has been her favorite for a long time.
Although she's a loyal Royal cruiser, she also loves cruising and can appreciate the unique vibe of each line. After years of avoiding Carnival, she finally decided to set sail on its newest ship (at the time): Carnival Celebration. Since then, she has sailed on three other Carnival cruises to get a better grasp of what the line has to offer.
Here’s how it went and how she felt Carnival compared to Royal Caribbean.
I went on the major cruise lines. These are the best cruise ship waterslides right now
Cruise ships are floating resorts packed with everything from multiple restaurants and bars to theaters, rock climbing walls, mini-golf courses, go-kart tracks, and surf simulators. Recently, however, cruise lines have been upping their waterslide game.
Innovative is key when trying to compete in the cruising industry, and these cutting-edge additions highlight how guests are seeking more wet, adrenaline-pumping adventures at sea.
Here's a breakdown of the best cruise ship waterslides at sea!
Read more: I went on the major cruise lines. These are the best cruise ship waterslides right now
I spent 35 days traveling alone on cruise ships. There are 5 things I would have done differently
As someone who cruises frequently, Elizabeth can't always find a travel companion to accompany me on my adventures, so she has begun to embrace the freedom of solo cruising as a way to see the world.
Her solo travels have taken her everywhere from the Bahamas for short getaways to port-intensive European itineraries where she's explored renounced places like Rome, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Aix-en-Provence, France.
While she will continue to cruise alone, here are five things she would have done differently to make my past experiences even better.
Read more: I spent 35 days traveling alone on cruise ships. There are 5 things I would have done differently
I stayed in a tiny inside cabin on Symphony of the Seas because it was the cheapest option. The $1,400 stateroom lacked natural light, but I'd stay in it again
Symphony of the Seas is one of the world's largest cruise ships. However, the cabins are far from spacious.
Elizabeth stayed in an inside cabin on a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean from Miami, Florida. It was her first time in an interior stateroom, and she wasn't sure what to expect.
While she will always prefer balcony staterooms for the extra living space and private verandahs, inside cabins are an affordable choice for those who wish to maximize their vacation funds.
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.
