Room service is a staple to many vacationers. It is your time off, why shouldn't you enjoy breakfast in bed (or better yet, on your private balcony!) before a busy day spent ashore or running around the ship? 

Have you ever had a great travel idea that turned out to be more disastrous than you could have imagined?

A few months ago, I was searching for cheap spring break cruises when I stumbled upon a 2-night sailing from Malaga, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal on Norwegian Sun. The itinerary included one stop in Cadiz, Spain - and best of all, it was priced at just $99 per person.

When you go on a cruise line's website to begin planning your vacation, you may notice that you have a wide range of dates to choose from. You can search from cruises departing the same month or over a year in advance. 

Most cruise lines release new sailings a couple of times per year. Royal Caribbean, for instance, opens up new books in the spring and fall. 

From picking the right cruise line and ship to booking shore excursions and other cruise add-ons, there is a lot that goes into planning your first cruise. 

While taking to friends and family that have sailed before can be helpful, the internet is also full of veteran cruises who are eager to share their best tips that they have learned over the years. 

Whenever first-time cruisers disembark the ship, they often express what they wish they had done differently to make their vacation a little bit smoother. 

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

St. Maarten, an island split between The Netherlands and France, is a popular cruise port on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. At 37 square miles, it is the smallest island in the world that is divided between two nations. The division dates back to March 23, 1648 with the Treaty of Concordia. 

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work on a cruise ship? Thanks to social media, we are able to get a more in-depth look at what being a crew member onboard a cruise ship is really like. 

Can you still have fun on an older cruise ship? I put this question to the test when I recently sailed on Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Edge for a combined total of three weeks. 

The older Celebrity Equinox ship was quite different from the innovative Celebrity Edge, providing two different experiences, and the results of my dueling cruise adventures surprised me. 

Do you love 70s or 80s music, or maybe you are a huge Star Trek fan? A themed cruise might just be the ticket for you.

There is an incredible selection of themed cruises that let you enjoy your favorite hobby, sport, passion, or music for the ultimate cruise vacation. 

With famous bands, celebrities, and theme-related activities, it can be a wonderful way to combine a cruise vacation with something you love.  

Where to start? We look at some of the best options offered and everything you need to know to plan a fantastic themed cruise.