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

Online reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, but after spending 7 days on Cruise Critic’s worst-rated cruise line, I can’t help but agree with the rating.

In the age of online reviews, it’s no secret that prospective cruisers do thorough research before booking a cruise line, ship, and itinerary. Cruise Critic is one of the most popular websites to browse when planning a cruise, as it offers reviews on nearly every ship imaginable.

This past month, I sailed onboard the only ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic Class, the Norwegian Epic! 

I was able to get to know the Norwegian Epic quite thoroughly after a 12-night Transatlantic voyage from Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy. I had plenty of time to explore each deck and adequately see everything the Norwegian Epic has to offer its passengers, as well as investigate why this is one of the least popular ships in the Norweigan's fleet. 

The FBI has arrested one cruise ship worker in Alaska after the man allegedly stabbed one woman and two security guards onboard the Norwegian Encore.

A South African man, identified as 35-year-old Ntando Sogoni, was arrested in Juneau, Alaska after he was accused of stabbing the cruise ship victims with a pair of medical scissors. The incident took place onboard the Norwegian Encore while the vessel was off the coast of Vancouver.

Even if you haven't had the opportunity to cruise onboard the world's largest cruise ship, you've likely seen photos of the cabins and public venues. Glimpses into crew-only areas, however, are more difficult to come by. 

I recently sailed on a 7-night cruise on Costa Cruises' Costa Toscana, the world's 8th largest cruise ship. This cruise line continuously receives some of the worst reviews in the cruise industry, so I was nervous to see what my cheap cabin would look like onboard.

Having previously sailed onboard seven other Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, I was curious to see what the worst-rated ship in the fleet was really like. 

Is Norwegian Epic really as bad as people say? Why do some passengers consider this the worst ship in Norwegian’s fleet? 

After spending 12 nights aboard, I have a lot to share about this unique ship, from the vessel's layout to the onboard offerings. 

With only so many hours in each port of call, you'll want to maximize your time ashore with shore excursions, tours designed to immerse you in the culture, history, and beauty of each destination. 

You can elect to book shore excursions through your cruise line or independently. Either way, it's important that you do enough research on all the available options to ensure you find the best fit for your budget and preferences. There are also pros and cons to each. 

If you're considering booking a Royal Caribbean cruise to Labadee, their private destination located on the northern peninsula of Haiti, you'll want to hold off. Due to the civil unrest in Haiti, Royal Caribbean has decided to suspend operations in Labadee through September 2024, prioritizing the well-being of both passengers and crew members.