When planning your cruise vacation, the itinerary is one of the most important considerations. And while the destinations themselves are important, so is the number of sea days that you will have-- you want to be able to enjoy everything that the ship has to offer!

Sea days are great for relaxation, staying busy, or a combination of the two! Unlike port days, you will not have any scheduled tours that will keep you preoccupied for a chunk of the day. Instead, you can plan the day around your interests and preferences. Maybe that means not having a plan at all!

Whenever you go on any vacation, you will want to be prepared with some supplies and medication to treat unexpected minor injuries and illnesses. 

A do it yourself (DIY) first aid kit is a great way to make sure that you are ready for your cruise! Plus, you can customize it to your liking (i.e., do you have a certain brand of pain reliever that you like or band-aid shape?) and may even have some medication left over for future use. 

I recently sailed on MSC Divina for the first time on a super cheap four-night cruise to the Bahamas. 

Being an older ship, I was able to get a fantastic deal, $185 per person, including w-fi and drinks. 

For a lot of people, the most worrisome part about going on a cruise is the thought of getting seasick, and it is a valid concern! Why would you want to feel ill during your vacation? 

The good news is that there are ways you can prevent yourself from feeling seasick during your cruise, and it is actually not as common as you may think! 

Even if you are not prone to feeling motion sickness, it is smart to think ahead, as you never know when you will encounter unfavorable sea conditions. 

These days, there’s no denying that cruise lines are focusing their efforts on building mega cruise ships that are bigger and more innovative than ever before. While newer cruise ships are certainly flashy and stylish, all cruise lines still rely on their older ships to cater to specific destinations and demographics.

Nobody wants to go on a disappointing vacation. It is a time that you are supposed to relax, have fun, and escape from your day-to-day life. Not to mention the fact that you are spending your hard-earned money on the experience!

Cruises are popular vacations for many reasons, including the convenience and ability to visit different destinations in a single trip. If, however, you do not manage your expectations and take steps to help ensure a smoother vacation, you may find yourself swearing off cruising for awhile. 

Cruise vacations in my opinion are one of the absolute best ways to travel! Cruising delivers the best of travel experiences at minimal planning, reduced stress, and a fair price. 

I spent almost $4,000 on an interior room in MSC’s Yacht Club with 24-hour butler and concierge service. 

Some of you may think that’s nuts - $4K for an inside cabin! But hold on for a minute before you dismiss the idea; it comes with some amazing perks. 

Outside of the Caribbean and Alaska, the Mediterranean is one of the most popular cruise destinations, as you get to experience diverse cultures, try delicious food, and visit historic places!

While some European cruise lines sail the region year-round, most North American lines deploy their ships for a short season, usually spring through fall. You will not, for instance, find a Carnival ship in the Mediterranean in February.