Alaska cruises are a popular choice for those wishing to explore the northernmost state in the United States, and it's time to cross the picturesque state off your bucket list and book an Alaskan itinerary! 

The beautiful glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and exciting shore excursions, like dog sledding in Skagway or a helicopter ride above Mendenhall Glacier, offer cruisers a truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime trip! 

Royal Caribbean International, which was formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line when it was founded in 1968 in Norway, is one of the most popular cruise lines today. Having held the title of largest cruise ship in the world since 2006, they're known for their innovative ships filled from head-to-toe with thrilling activities.

They've also got some of the best entertainment at sea, with their Oasis Class ships allowing guests to watch Broadway-style musicals and high-diving acrobatic spectaculars at the AquaTheatre. 

Along with alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, and port expenses, gratuities are another fee that you have to factor into your cruise budget.

Hardly any cruise lines include them in their advertised rates, unless you book an all-inclusive fare, and they can cost a family of four another $400+ on a 7-day cruise. 

When, if ever, does it make sense to prepay your gratuities if you’re sailing on Carnival Cruise Line? Should you wait until your vacation commences and worry about it at the end?

Princess Cruises will offer several sailings to Alaska in 2023, adding the Sapphire Princess this season, for a total of seven ships.

No matter which Princess ship you pick, each offers onboard activities, signature attractions, and specialty dining options that will be a perfect complement to a vacation to the Last Frontier.

In addition, the cruise line offers a number of add-on tours, giving guests a chance to stay at the cruise line's wilderness lodges and explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the region.

As children turn into teens, they may start to moan and goan when the words "family vacation" are brought up. They have their own likes, dislikes, and often are not ready to retire to bed at night when parents are. 

That is why cruising is becoming a more popular family vacation, as they offer something for everyone -- think countless destinations; dedicated venues for kids, teens, and adults; and unlimited food. 

Have you ever wondered what the average size of a cruise ship is? The answer is about 1,000 feet in length. But just how many passengers does the average cruise ship accommodate?

Read on to find out more about the average size of cruise ships sailing in the cruise industry today! 

The cruise line industry is large and an ever-expanding industry. There are ships that range from super small, almost yacht-like, to giant vessels that can best be described as floating cities! 

Each cruise line aims to differentiate themselves in the cruising industry by targeting different demographics; there's a cruise line out there for everyone to fit a variety of budgets and travel styles.

Cruise lines must add their own flair to the cruising experience to create an unparalleled vacation for guests; this entails each cruise ship offering their own special amenities, onboard thrills and specialty restaurants.

Are you curious as to which months of the year have the cheapest cruise prices? 

The answer is a little more complicated than you may think, as it varies depending on the cruise line, ship, time of year, and itinerary! 

Usually, though, the cheapest time of the year to go on a cruise is when others are busy and unable to go on the same sailing. 

If you find yourself sailing out of New York, New York or Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, you might be considered a pre-cruise stay in The Big Apple!

While a vacation in New York is nowhere near as convenient as a cruise, there's so much to see and do in the city! You can enjoy delicious food at some of the most famous restaurants in the country, see a Broadway musical on Broadway, enrich yourself with a visit to a museum, or even people watch in one of the parks.